Answering the Call

Posted on Sun Sep 29th, 2024 @ 1:30pm by Lord Archibald Battersly & Mr Ralph Compton & Mrs Millicent Price & Peter Stone & Lord James Battersly The Viscount Hawthorne & Lady Elizabeth Battersly Viscountess Hawthorne

1,409 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Death of a Monarch
Location: The Library, Thrushstone Park
Timeline: February 6, 1901 - 1400 Hours

The Viscount Hawthorne and his family arrived at Thrushstone Park just a short while after the end of luncheon. Their coach was black and red, and their horses two beautiful dark-haired Percheron. As they pulled in, conversations inside the coach relaxed and the Hawthorne’s fell silent. Once they came to a complete stop, the footman stepped down and pulled open the door nearest the mansion’s entrance. James was the first to exit and immediately extended his hand for his wife.

Elizabeth had been very sad to hear the news about the late Lady Mary--she had become close to her since James had brought her back to England. Although they had started on somewhat shaky ground, having two daughters that were around Felicity's age had helped to strengthen their relationship. She was definitely going to be missed. And she felt so sad for Felicity as well--quite glad she could go and comfort the young woman who must be feeling so much at this most difficult time. She gave her husband a small smile as he helped her out of the carriage. "Thank you, James. I'll make sure the girls are settled and then come find you."

After her mother was out of the coach, Beatrice shifted over in her slimming laced dress of black. She was a radiant girl with a full figure, especially for her age, long blonde hair under a black hat and short veil, and big, beautiful blue eyes.

“Thank you, Papa.” She said, her gaze drifting to the huge mansion before her. “It’s good to be back at Thrushstone.”

“It’s been months.” Victoria said. Her sister, younger by two years, had dark hair, a much more subtle black dress, and less impressive looks. She stepped out next. “Hopefully they will welcome us more happily this time, considering the circumstances.”

The family was not assembled outside to receive them, instead only Mr. Compton and Mrs. Price formed the welcome party. Standing stalwart in the fallen snow. It hadn't snowed in a few days now, and the white powdery accumulation was beginning to melt into the ground. Compton stepped forward, the ground soft beneath his feet. "Welcome my lord, my lady. I trust the journey was easy." He said, greeting them. "My name is Compton, I am the Butler here now." Even saying it aloud, Ralph felt like a bit of an imposter.

Mrs. Price stepped forward and came next to Compton. "Welcome back sir, my lady." The housekeeper smiled warmly. It had been a shock to the household when James had returned home with a wife and children. But Mrs.Price had always like the younger son of the previous Marquess when he still lived in the house.

“Compton. A genuine pleasure to meet you.” James said, stepping up to the butler and placing his hand in his without a prelude. With a reserved smile, James shook the hand firmly before releasing it. He had never liked the barrier which so often existed between upstairs and downstairs, no matter his upbringing. He released Compton and turned to Mrs. Price with a less reserved smile. “Mrs. Price. You are as lovely as when last I saw you. I only wish it were a better occasion.”

Blushing slightly, Mrs.Price offered a consoling look to James. She also wished he were here under more celebratory circumstances. Despite the reasoning, she was pleased to see him, and glad to have some youthful and joyous energy in the house. Hopefully, that would create a shift in the overall mood.

Compton gestured towards the door. "His Lordship is in the Library sir. We will have your things taken up to your rooms. Please do let us know if you require anything." He stepped to the side to allow the Viscount and his family past him, into the familiar house.

After thanking Compton, the Hawthornes made their way into the mansion as they had been bid and made their way up to the rooms they had been assigned. James, on the other hand, made his way directly to the library. Opening the door, he wrapped on the wooden surface to inform Archie he was there.

"Yes, come in!" Archie called. He was sitting on one of the settee near the fireplace. He had been reading something, a draft of the eulogy he was planning to make at his wife's funeral. He looked up as the large wooden doors opened and James entered the room. Lord Ribble stood and stepped out to greet his younger brother, fastening the buttons on his jacket as he moved.

James entered, satisfied that it was just them at this point. When they were young, they were close, but the elder’s duties as heir had carried him away from the amusements of childhood. When James was still at school, their father had died, and the innocence of their relationship was forever lost. It was only when James had returned from India eloped with an illegitimate half-Indian woman and two children that things had become rather tense. He hadn’t felt respected, and he knew he had been quite difficult to deal with at that time.

He stood before his elder brother now, his handsome face still lined with pride built up from years of hurt feelings, but his eyes held a softness. He knew his brother had lost much.

“Archie…mother sent word.” He said, pausing before him.

Without missing a beat, Lord Ribble nodded. "Thank you for coming James. I appreciate it, I really do." He reached out to shake his brother's hand in greeting. There was a time when things were much warmer between them, but things had changed. And although they were beginning to mend, time had not yet returned them to their former level of closeness.

James clasped Archie's hand firmly, a gesture of solidarity that spoke volumes of their shared history. "It's good to see you, Archie," he said, his voice carrying a warmth that had been absent for some time. "We've both been through a lot, but you are still my brother."

Archie gestured for his brother to join him near the fireplace. He quickly pushed the brass lever on the side of the mantle to call for a servant, and then seated himself on the settee. He pushed the papers he'd been reading aside and made himself comfortable once again. "I trust your journey was without issue. How is Briarcliff these days?" He asked, genuinely. He was eager to talk about anything but his current situation, which had been the only topic of the last day and half.

James settled into the chair opposite Archie, noticing the drafts of the eulogy on the table. He hesitated for a moment, then decided to respect his brother's need to change the subject. "The journey was smooth, thankfully. As you know, it isn't a long one. Briarcliff is doing well—Elizabeth has really made it feel like home. The children are growing fast; Beatrice will be fifteen soon, can you believe it?" He offered a handsome hint of a smile, small and tense, but well-meaning

"Fifteen!" Archibald parroted, a small smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "They do grow fast." He said, thinking about his own children, who were now almost entirely grown. "I look forward to all of us spending some together, whatever the circumstances." Archie felt a twinge of guilt at his statement. Mary would want this, regardless of the situation that brought them together. She was always a crusader for peace among the family.

"Would you?" James asked, a less than subtle hint of skepticism in his voice. His brother hadn't been entirely warm in the past, and he wondered if it was merely sentiment speaking. "We, of course, have no intention of overstaying our welcome. After all, I'm sure you'll be wanting time to grieve in your own way."

"It'll be good to have some friendly faces around. I'm certain Felicity will be happy to have some female companions who aren't mama." Archie nearly chuckled. "Did she mention to you that she was coming to stay here?" Lord Ribble shook his head .

As Archie spoke a footman, Peter, entered the Library. He stood silently near the door he'd come through.

"Ahh, Peter." Lord Ribble said, turning to see who'd come to answer his call. "Will you bring tea and coffee. Everyone should be in soon." He said, wondering silently where his family was now.

 

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