Page 7 of Lady Elinor’s Elf

At half-past twelve the following day, Deryn stalked across the hall and into the parlour to confront his master.

“Sir,” he began. “Mrs Deryn would much appreciate your making up your mind as to what you would like to offer your guest this afternoon. Thus far, we have considered…” he held up his fingers, “cucumber sandwiches, scones, a variety of biscuits, small cakes, and…thank God… actual tea.”

Caleb’s cheeks flushed. “Well, I want to make sure I-er- we , that is, the Abbey, makes a favourable impression upon Lady Molliney. We are neighbours, after all.”

Deryn’s countenance remained unmoved, except for a single raised eyebrow. “I’m uncertain as to whether providing enough sustenance for most of the population within at least twenty acres is the best way to go about accomplishing that.”

“Oh dear,” Caleb sighed and threw up his hands. “I don’t know. I think I’m going to let Mrs Deryn decide. She’s a woman, and this sort of thing is womanly stuff.”

“I would have thought, given your familiarity with what you refer to as womanly stuff, there would be no problems with selecting the appropriate items for an afternoon tea.”

Caleb straightened. “That is different, and you know it.”

Deryn sighed and nodded. “Very well, then, sir. You know you can trust my wife’s choices to represent the Abbey in the best light possible?”

“I do indeed.” Sighing, Caleb paced to the windows. “I’m just not used to this. I’m a very private person, and you know why. So entertaining, having an almost-stranger around for tea…I’m a bit off-balance.”

“To be clear, sir, you invited her.”

“Well, yes.” He blinked and raised his chin. “It was definitely the appropriate thing to do.”

“I understand, sir.” Deryn unbent enough to pat Caleb’s shoulder.

“But you really need not worry about Lady Elinor. Although we have had little contact with that family, everyone I’ve come across speaks well of her.

A pleasant manner, ’tis said, none of this looking-down-her-nose-at-you, just because you’re of lower rank.

” He smiled. “Her parents are the same, and have taught Elinor well.”

“I suppose I should have ventured out a little more,” mused Caleb. “But I have so little in common with anyone. And I do cherish my privacy.”

His butler nodded. “Quite understandable, given the circumstances, sir. I shall allow my wife to present a selection of her favourite foods, in the certain knowledge that Lady Elinor will be delighted.”

A muted woof sounded from under the table, and Carrádog emerged, teeth bared in a huge yawn.

“Should I put him out before Lady Elinor’s arrival?” asked Deryn, gazing at the panting pile of curly black hair, white teeth, and large amber eyes.

“Oh no,” shot back Caleb. “She’s the one who helped rescue him. Can you imagine her ire if I failed to produce him, whole and hearty?”

“Good point, sir.”

Caleb glanced at the clock. “I should go and put on my cravat and jacket. It’s getting late.”

Deryn’s lips twitched. “Indeed, sir.” He lowered his head and checked his own watch. “You have only three and a quarter hours to go. One hopes that will be sufficient time to present Lady Elinor with a vision of a cravat tied in a fashion to rival those of Mr Brummel himself.”

“Deryn?”

“Sir?”

“Go away.”

*~~*~~*

While Caleb and his butler were exchanging witty banter, a couple of miles or so east of Tylwyth Teg Abbey, Lady Elinor was not doing the same thing.

She and Jane were almost knee-deep in gowns, making her chamber resemble the fitting rooms at the most exclusive Bond Street modiste after half-a-dozen members of the Ton had spent the afternoon trying on clothes.

“Miss Elinor.” Jane plopped down on the bed with a sigh. “There has to be something here that you find appropriate for your visit? Good Heavens, child, you’re not going to Carlton House…”

“Yes, I know, but…”

Elinor frowned as she looked around at the jumble of fashions lying higgledy-piggledy over chairs, her desk, her bureau and beside Jane on the bed.

“I want to look nice , Jane.” She bit her lip, searching for the right words. “I want to look as though I do visits to tea every other day. As if this is quite usual for me, and I know the correct way to dress, to eat, to sip my tea, and converse politely.”

Jane raised an eyebrow. “Really?”

“Yes, really.” Elinor paced, carefully avoiding the most delicate of the fabrics.

“It’s important that I present the correct appearance, as you know.

Word of that…that London business may not have reached this far into the country, but if there’s even the slightest whisper, I need to be sure that I am not—in any way whatsoever—instantly regarded as a disgraceful and ruined hoyden. ”

“Who on earth called you that?” Jane’s fists clenched in her lap.

“Well, nobody directly, of course.” Elinor’s lips pursed in distaste. “But both were hinted at, and some whispers were louder than they needed to be.” She swallowed roughly. “It hurt. And I’d as soon not have such matters follow me here where I am happy at last.”

Jane was silent for a few moments, beginning to retrieve gowns from the pile on the floor, and laying them carefully on the bed. “You know, Miss Elinor, that when people talk like that, it’s usually because they are eager to make themselves look better, and others worse.”

“I certainly learned that lesson in town,” answered Elinor ruefully.

“You miss my point.” Jane walked into the cupboard and hung up a dress, fluffing the ruffles at the hem until they draped to her satisfaction.

“Those people, the ones who…who pounced on you that night, are certainly no better themselves, and in fact may be worse. But they accomplished their goal in that everyone was looking at you. Not them.”

“I was convenient target, wasn’t I?”

“They must have been jumping for joy in their heads, dearie. Because from that point on, they were free to do whatever they liked, without hesitation. Those actions would be completely overlooked because everyone had something else to whisper about. You.”

Elinor made a face. “I am so glad I was able to provide them with such useful entertainment.”

“It got you home, didn’t it?”

“Oh, Jane.” She rushed up and hugged her fiercely. “You’re right. It did. It was a terrible way to do it, but yes, leaving town and yes, leaving Peter and Louise…it was the best moment I had in London. Seeing it disappear behind me.”

“Well then, let’s put all that behind us and concentrate on today.” She picked up a gown. “Now this would be perfect for tea with a handsome gentleman.”

Elinor flashed her a glance. “Don’t you start matchmaking, dear Jane,” her finger waved pointedly at the woman.

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” lied Jane, with a perfectly innocent look. “Here, try this one on. It looks lovely with your colouring.”

And after sliding the lightweight embroidered silk over her head, Elinor had to agree. The blue set off her blue-green eyes, and was modest enough with its puffed sleeves to satisfy the most critical of dowagers. Not that she was going to run into any, but still…

“Yes. Yes, you’re right. This one will do nicely.”

“There’s a matching wrap in wool in case it’s chilly, and I think I saw shoes of nearly the same shade.”

“I shall blend with the sky, won’t I?” Elinor chuckled. “Too much, d’you think?”

Jane shook her head. “Just right, dearie. Just right.” Her smile was one of sweet innocence.

Elinor didn’t notice it.

*~~*~~*

The journey to Tylwyth Teg Abbey was accomplished without incident, although it was decidedly chilly for early summer. The clouds were thick, making the day greyer, and probably threatening more rain. Which was, thought Elinor, the last thing the countryside needed.

Ironically, it was the rain that had precipitated her meeting with Sir Caleb, and thus led to this upcoming tea.

Why had she said yes? Looking back at that moment, she admitted to herself that she really had no idea.

There was just something, some little nudge, that had made it seem like the right thing to do.

And now, here she was in her carriage, with her maid, trying to look calm and collected. She was neither.

To distract herself, she turned to her companion. “I hope you don’t mind being dragged out on a day like this, Priscilla?”

“Oh no, not at all, m’Lady,” the girl answered quickly. “Turns out a friend of my mum’s works there, so it’ll be a lovely chance to see her again.”

“That’s nice for you. I’m glad.” Elinor smiled. “What does she do there, d’you know?”

“She’s the under-housemaid, I think.” Priscilla nodded. “Yes, that’s it. Under-housemaid. She likes it a lot, m’Lady. Says they’re all very nice at Tylwyth Teg.”

Elinor smiled as the girl’s tongue slid smoothly over the Welsh words. “I believe that has something to do with fairies and magic, doesn’t it? Tylwyth Teg?”

Priscilla thought for a moment or two. “Truly, m’Lady, I’m not sure. But I think I’ve heard that it means fair family, although I’m not certain. My family has only been in this area for a couple o’ generations, and we’re not too good with the Welsh words.”

“I can see where it would take at least that long to learn to speak it fluently,” mused Elinor, gazing from the window at the wet greenery that seemed to cover the entire world. “But let us hope that this journey is indeed to a fair family.”

Silence fell, and within half an hour or so, the forest thinned enough for Elinor to see some hills between its trunks. The carriage slowed, and she glanced across Priscilla to see where they were headed.

And caught her breath in a silent gasp.

Tylwyth Teg Abbey was beautiful.

Grey stone walls rose above a gravel driveway, and the entrance, instead of being the grandiose-marble stairs sort of thing, remained comfortably at ground level, enclosed by a couple of columns either side, supporting a roof which would shelter arrivals from the weather.

A most sensible arrangement, thought Elinor.

The trees suddenly fell away, and as they turned toward the driveway, both women in the carriage sucked in breaths of wonder at the panoply of fields and hills that spread before the house.

“Oh my,” blinked Priscilla, her eyes wide. “That’s just the prettiest view I ever did see.”

“It is, isn’t it?” Elinor turned to catch another glimpse of the house. Their path would bring them to the fountain, which dominated the forecourt, a simple but elegant arrangement of carved stone bowls catching water and sending it to the large pool built to catch it.

“I’ll wager that is glorious in the sunshine,” she said softly.

The square and solid house approached rapidly, and before she knew it, Elinor was being handed out of the carriage by an extremely dapper gentleman.

“Good afternoon, Lady Molliney, and welcome to Tylwyth Teg Abbey. I trust your journey was pleasant?”

“Indeed it was, thank you.” She allowed him to take her hand and help her down from the carriage.

“I am Deryn, my Lady, Sir Caleb’s butler. He has asked that I take you through to his parlour, where tea will be served shortly.”

“Thank you again, that would be lovely. My maid…”

“Will be well taken care of, I can assure you.” He smiled at the girl as she gave a little jump from the step of the carriage to the gravel. “I believe our Jenny Jamison is eager to say hallo, miss.”

Obviously in awe of his elegance and style, she bobbed a curtsy and nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Very well then. Please come inside.”

Deryn stood back, waiting for the two of them to enter, then Elinor heard the door close behind them. They were in a lovely hall, with elegant furniture and a spiralling pattern of wooden tiles on the floor that was truly amazing.

But before she could take it all in, a bundle of black hair and legs came flying through a door with a loud and excited bark.

And knocked Elinor clean off her feet.