Summers at Isllesmore-Chapter Two: The Charge Adored

When I woke I found myself in my old room at the manor. As I looked around I noticed that nothing had changed. Even the stain on the old rug where I spilled my tea when I was but ten was still there. I felt at home, not of course that I did not feel at home back in Lorchester. But here in Isllesmore it was quiet and calm, and the worries of the city melted away. And the manor itself was a picture of the old castles that once graced every hill and every moor in this land. 1

I was somewhat rudely interrupted in my thoughts, I could hear the sturring of nurses outside my room. They hussled about carrying out the orders given to them by their Master. 2

I stood from my bed and took a drink from the glass of water on the side table. Its cool sweetness rushed down my hot throat, prickling my insides beneath my breasts. I could hint the flavor of rose in the liquid life. The perfume of love, an amiable pleasure for the tongue.3

As I stood immersed in my soothing nectar the door slid open creating the slightest creaking in the room.4

“You should be in bed. If you were thirsty you could of called on the nurses, that is what they are here for.” Lord Gerard smirked at me, his lips gently curling over one another in a way that would of made even the most prudish gentlewoman fall madly in love.5

“Milord, have I ever said that I was a weakling. I do think that I have survived a good twenty year without the help of your nurses. And I do believe, Milord that I can survive walking to get myself a drink of water.” His Lordship laughed wholeheartedly and came and took my hands.6

“Milady thinks herself invincible. How foolish of a lone mortal. Unless these hands which I hold belong not to my dear Lenora, but to Nature herself. For it is only she that could look so beautiful and still have such stubbornness as I see in you.” I gasped as he pulled my hands to his lips. I could feel my face grow red as an apple. I slid my hands from his and turned so he could not see.7

“Milord, I thank you for your kindness. There is no need for foolish bantering, I am quite grown.” I breathed in, desperately trying to drain the un-needed blood from my face.8

“That I can see. Milady, Lenora why do you hide from me. Am I not still your friend?” I smiled. When I was a child, though he was a full ten years older than me, his Lordship had been my friend. We used to play in the gardens, pretending to be creatures of nature. He the stag and I the dove.9

“Do you remember the time when I took you to the garden maze?” I turned to face my dear Lord once again. His dark bronze raven hair was tousled carelessly on his head, small curls fell down the sides of his face. The small smile that he wore was set inside of a rough bush of prickle. He looked as though he had not shaved in days. It was strange as when I arrived he had been clean shaven.10

“Of course Milord. I in my haste, had found myself lost. I was crying under the rose vine when you found me. Why, may I ask, have you asked me this?” I could see tears as they swelled up in his eyes. I walked to him, hoping that he was alright.11

“Do you remember my dear Lenora, what it was that I told you?” He let one tear drop before taking a seat at the desk.12

“I don’t think there is any way that I could ever forget. You told me, in your kindest voice, that you would watch over me. And that even when I was back in Lorchester you would care for me. You should know that I would never forget such a wonderful thing. I may have been the young age of ten, but even at that age I could never ever forget such kindness. I keep it close to my heart, as I do you.” I watched in a kind of wonder as Lord Gerard placed his elbows on his knees. The only other time I had seen him in such a disposition was when he had heard of the death of his father. A time I would rather forget.13

“As do I my dear Lenora. I remember how you called me your Guardian. You would write to me every week just to tell me of the wonderful things you had done. You would sign them ‘Your Beloved Charge.’ ” 14

Though I may have still been slightly naive, this of course because of my young age, I still knew something was wrong. I kneeled down at his feet and placed my hands over his, hoping that I would be the one he chose to confide in.15

“Milord, is everything alright with you? You seem somewhat out of character. Please no more talk of these past things, I feel it is what is now that we must speak of.” I ran my fingers across his face, the prickling of his beard sending sensations through my hands. Ones that I had not imagened would come from him.16

“My Lenora, your cheeks have gone ruddy from your illness. You must return to bed, lest you take the fever again.” He raised his hand to my face just as I had done to him. I had to use all of my strength to keep from closing my eyes. How soft his fingers were as they felt my head for any sign of fever.17

“Milord, it is with much embarrassment that I tell you that it is not my illness which causes my blushing. But this is not the subject that we have need to speak of. Please I implore you, will you not tell me what it is that is disturbing you so?” His hand fell from my face, though I could still feel his touch on my cheek. 18

“I fear your Mother has kept much from you. You do not know it, and much of that I must admit lies with me, the fact is that you are indebted. That is your mother is indebted. She has been for years now. I have kept your Mother’s debts paid, and have kept you in clothes. And all this to keep my promise to you. But now that I have paid the creditors in full your mother has been asked to leave Lorchester manor at the earliest possible time.” I sank to the floor trying as hard as I could to let it sink in. Indebted? Why had Mother not told me of this, I would not have asked for so much. And now we have been “asked” to leave Lorchester manor. It was not hard at all to realize that to ask was only a kindness before they snuffed the last bit of life from you. Society today is not something to be praised. 19

“We must leave? But where shall we go? No money or wealth of any kind and a title lacking all but the paper it is scribed on. This is all we have to present to society. We can not shelter ourselves with a title.” I allowed his Lordship to take my chin in his hand as I could hardly keep it up myself. A title without money is very much like a sugar bowl with a hole in the bottom, an empty thing that has no use for anyone.20

“Please my Lenora, do not worry. For if you and your Mother will accept, I would very much love to have you here. You have spent every summer here since you were born. I would like to think that you consider this place home, or that you will.” Lord Gerard stood from his seat and walked to the window. His silhouette looked very much as the old statue that stood in the courtyard. He was the figure of ancient strength painted against the crystalline glass. A man that if I may say, holds more passion than all the valiant men of the old tales. For to see him shed tears because of my family’s misfortune, was to say at its least heartwarming.21

“Milord, how kind you are. If Ma’ma agrees, as I could almost say with great certainty that she will, than I shall be delighted to call Isllesmore manor home. But still, you have paid Ma’ma’s debts and now you wish to take us into your home. I must say you are a philanthropist.” I sat leaning against his Lordship’s vacated chair. If Mother had seen me I would have had a good lashing for not standing in our host’s presence.22

“Philanthropist? I say that I am not one in money, for happiness does not grace me when I lend and give coin to begger or noble. Nor to anyone but you. For my beloved Lady, if when you speak you talk of well-being and a well cared life than I can admit to being a philanthropist. But even then only to you, for I would not be delighted to see anyone but you contented.” I smiled slightly and rested my head on the chair. How his tongue twisted and weaved his words. He had always had a love for wrapping his meaning in riddles.23

“Then Milord, let me take your magnanimity without question. For one should never inquire into the gifts given, especially ones given by a philanthropist of heart. So be insured that I will be contented here.” It was not only his Lordship that could weave a sentence with fair words.  24

“I had hoped that your answer would be thus. This manor has been so empty. The winters are long and even longer when I must endure them alone. With you here the year will play out as the summer. As you are now my charge I will make sure that you want for nothing. You will have your room and your own lady’s maid. And tomorrow I will send for the seamstress, you must have a wardrobe that out shines that of any princess.” He spun around and gazed straight upon me. A gaze that I must tell you, I will never remove from my mind or heart. 25

“Come, now that you have given me your answer, you must return yourself to bed. The fever may appear to have fled. But a relapse may occur at any time. Come now before I send for the doctor.” His Lordship came from his sunlit stage and grasped my hand, leading me to my bed.26

Through simple conversation my life had changed. But I wondered, could I hold up to being the charge of such a great man.27

“Farewell Milord.” I smiled though I was quite tired. The fever which had taken days from me was creeping slowly back on me. I was glad for the coolness of the sheets.28

“Farewell my Lenora. You must get some sleep now. And please, now that you are to be living here you must call me Gerard. For I will not have you call me anything else unless in the presence of society.” To call him Gerard? Such a thing is almost unheard of, Mother before Father died never even called him by his name. At least not when I could hear her.29

“Then Farewell my Gerard. I shall rest now.” I blushed a little more as Gerard again kissed my hand. I closed my eyes as he walked away. Now I had no reason to dream about living here, for now I was. 30