Total pages in book: 103
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 94964 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 475(@200wpm)___ 380(@250wpm)___ 317(@300wpm)
* * *
A large tent had been erected to store the furniture that was to be reupholstered while three footmen had been seconded to redistribute any furniture they had no further use for, to the cottages close by.
* * *
He heard footsteps in the gravel and turned to see Janice and her sister approaching. His face broke into a wide smile. “Lady Janice. Lady Anne.” He made them a proper leg, “How wonderful to see you. To what do I owe the pleasure?”
* * *
Janice turned to indicate a wagon sitting in his driveway. “We come bearing gifts. And Anne has some ideas. She would like to see the interior of the dower house if you do not mind.”
* * *
“Absolutely not. We were just moving furniture to clear the area. Please, follow me.” He led them to the house, where two footmen had just finished with the bed. They stepped into an empty foyer with a glass dome above and glass windows letting the light in. Outside the windows were planted flower beds which lent the air a sweet smell of lavender and rose.
* * *
“Ooh, this is lovely!” Anne exclaimed, clapping her hands as she took a deep breath.
* * *
Arthur led them inside the house, seeing it through their eyes and commentary and realizing that the gloom he’d pictured it with was partly in his mind. After the foyer was a narrow short corridor that led to the sitting room, its hexagonal shape allowing the existence of more windows than would otherwise fit. Anne practically jumped up and down.
* * *
“Oh, this floor needs a polish but once that is done, how lovely it will look. We must not fill it up with too much furniture. Let the walls and windows speak for themselves. Perhaps we can add a coat of white paint with gold etchings, especially along the sides of the windows. To reflect the light.”
* * *
Arthur found himself nodding along in agreement. They did have lovely wooden floors and once the walls were repainted white instead of the dull gray they currently were, this room would be so bright and cheerful. How could his mother fail to be happy here?
* * *
“I know just the perfect material for the curtains!” Anne was saying, mostly to Janice. “You know the primrose yellow ones decorated with purple flowers?”
* * *
“Oh yes!” Janice agreed with enthusiasm. That’s perfect.”
* * *
Anne turned to him. “Do you have a seamstress?”
* * *
“Er…well…” Arthur was not at all sure that he did.
* * *
“Never fear. I’ll ask Anson,” Janice said, “He will know.”
* * *
Arthur smiled and nodded, taken aback when realizing just how comfortable Janice had grown in his home and how well she fit into it. He was also startled to find that he’d not had a drink to help him sleep since he got back from London, or had visions of destroying the property or losing it to some Captain Sharp he met in a gaming hell.
* * *
He led them down a shorter corridor to the bedroom, which was also hexagonal, and led out to a small verandah. There was also a small kitchen to the side of the foyer, where one might brew a cup of tea or store honey cakes for a nightcap.
* * *
Anne and Janice seemed quite excited by the possibilities the house presented to them and Arthur was more than happy to leave it all in their hands. “While you are at it,” he said to Janice, “Feel free to change anything in the main house that you deem suitable.”
* * *
Anne positively beamed. “We shall do that. Never fear.” She patted his arm kindly. “If you have other things to do, do feel free. We are quite alright.”
* * *
Arthur did not want to leave their company. He quite enjoyed the sound of their happy voices discussing how they might brighten up the space his mother would occupy. He hesitated slightly, wondering if they did not want him around.
* * *
“Or you can stay with us,” Janice said, seeming to read his mind. “Come, we must transfer the bolts of cloth to the house and summon a seamstress. You can help us carry it all.”
* * *
“Yes ma’am.” He bowed, to hide the smile on his face.
Janice was surprised at how fast they got the house ready. She and Anne usually left the house early, in order to evade Emily giving them the office. Preparations for the ball were well in hand and she did not really need their help. Arthur on the other hand was hapless and helpless. He needed all the guidance he could get.
* * *
His servants were happy to have such a definite direction and Janice had them working to clear all the cobwebs and get rid of all the gloomy thick velvet coverings that reduced the light and made everything seem dark and dank.