Chapter Seven

Maggie visited Isaac frequently over the next month, sometimes with Max and sometimes alone. Maggie did not dare invite him to Montrose Manor. That would be trying on her father’s patience.

Nate had visited Isaac, though. Neither Nate nor Isaac would tell Maggie what they had discussed but Maggie knew her father would have threatened him in some way. He was only concerned for her safety and she could understand that.

Maggie did try to spend as much time with her family as possible as she would be leaving for a very long time. They all gathered together to farewell David as he went off to his first year of Eton. Her Aunt Bess was a mess of tears but Emmett and Nate enjoyed reliving their glory days as Eton’s badly behaved boys.

But it was now a week later and Maggie was a mere day from travelling to London with Max ready to travel to America. She could not stem her excitement. She truly felt as though she was on the right path. To be on any path other than the one she had been on was wonderful. Previously she’d been an imposter in a ballroom. Now she felt genuine.

Isaac had left for London several days earlier to make sure that their passage was booked and everything was ready for them.

Maggie and her mother worked together to pack for the voyage. She had two trunks filled with evening, day and practical gowns. She knew they would not necessarily be in style in Georgia but it would do until she could source something more appropriate once in America. Charlotte had also provided Maggie with an assortment of her jewels and necklaces and she concealed the valuables inside her packed gloves. Next was her stationary and ink as well as her collection of treasures. Maggie’s treasures were Max’s drawings and paintings. Over the years as his skills improved he was able to paint proper miniatures of her family. The pictures were set in a small, oval shaped timber frame. When she was terribly home sick she would look upon them and weep no doubt.

“Thank you for being so understanding, Mama,” Maggie said gratefully.

Charlotte smiled warmly. “I was young once,” she replied, “and as much as I will miss you, I know what it is like to go after something that you want.”

“You are still young, Mama,” Maggie assured her mother who was barely in her early thirties.

Her younger sister, Lizzie, watched on from Maggie’s bed as Charlotte and Maggie continued to fill her trunks with anything and everything that she might need. Aside from some temporary tears, the news that Maggie was leaving had not yet properly sunk in for Georgie and Lizzie. Edward understood and comically informed his elder sister that he would not miss her though Maggie knew that he would, just as she would him.

Lizzie’s fluffy, blonde curls were fixed in two bunches secured by pink silk ribbons and she wore a curious expression on her face. “Will you buy me a present from America, Maggie?”

“Of course,” Maggie replied. “I will buy you all something fine from my travels.” Maggie would look for something authentically American, something that she could not purchase in Britain for it was highly likely she would be the only one in her family ever to cross the Atlantic. Maggie abandoned the trunk and went to sit by Lizzie on the bed.

“I want you to send a letter every month at the least,” Charlotte insisted. “I know it will take several months to reach us but I want news as often as possible.” She closed one of the trunks and placed her hands on her hips. “You must tell me how they are treating you. You must describe to me Mr Lavelle’s wife. You must describe her character and temperament. You must –”

“Mama,” Maggie interrupted. She climbed off of the bed and went to Charlotte to hug her. “I will write you as often as I can.” Maggie knew that Joanna Lavelle was a person who worried Charlotte for two reasons. The first being that Charlotte did not know anything about the woman and the fact that her husband was returning with an illegitimate child could mean that she would be quite hostile towards Maggie. Maggie liked to remind her mother that she had experience in handling hostile women. Her grandmother, Marie, had not always been cheerful. The other part of Charlotte’s concern was for opposite reasons. She worried that Joanna Lavelle would be lovely. She worried that Joanne Lavelle would take her place, just as Nate feared Isaac would take his.

“Good,” Charlotte replied, sighing. “Come along, Lizzie, it is time to dress for tonight.”

Her parents had organised a little dance in their ballroom. It would be just their family. It was something that they all enjoyed doing. They would dance about to the pianoforte music played by either Charlotte, Rose or Rebecca. Rebecca had become a very accomplished pianist in recent years. These dances were special treats, especially for the children who were not permitted to attend the balls that their parents were invited to. Maggie had learned to dance at those parties.

“I’m so excited!” cheered Lizzie as she took Charlotte’s hand. Her mother and sister promptly exited her bedroom.

Maggie closed her other trunk. Her belongings were all neatly packed. It all seemed a little final. She looked around her bedroom, knowing that this would be her last night.

Maggie had great hopes for this trip. She hoped she would not be disappointed.

“Darling, wake up.”

Maggie was stirred early the next morning by her mother’s soothing voice. She opened her eyes to see Charlotte’s face illuminated only by a dim candle. It was still dark out. Charlotte was still dressed in her night things, her hair fixed in a loose braid over her left shoulder.

Maggie then gasped, realising that today was the day that she would be leaving. She gasped and sat up quickly in her bed.

Nate stood at the end of her bed, leaning on one of the posts. He, too, wore a night shirt and last night’s trousers. He looked very sombre.

“Max is already awake,” he informed her. “Your trunks are fixed to the roof of the carriage.” Maggie noticed that her trunks had been removed from her bedroom while she slept.

“I will help you dress,” her mother said quietly. Maggie’s travelling clothes had been set aside the day before.

“I will wake your siblings. They will want to farewell you,” Nate murmured, retreating from her bedroom.

Charlotte helped Maggie into her underclothes and she tightened her corset. She then fixed the buttons closed on the back of her sturdy navy gown and helped to feed her arms into her charcoal coloured cloak. Charlotte brushed Maggie’s hair and Maggie savoured that moment. Usually a maid helped to fix her hair but she did enjoy it when her mother volunteered. It was a soothing and relaxing experience.

“I will miss you, Mama,” Maggie whispered, watching Charlotte from her dressing mirror.

Charlotte put on a brave smile but Maggie could see the tears in her blue eyes. “I, too,” she managed to say, her voice cracking. Charlotte carefully pinned Maggie’s braid in a tight coil on top of her head. She then helped Maggie to tie the silk ribbons on a dark bonnet underneath her chin.

“There,” Charlotte remarked once she had finished, “you’re perfect.”

Maggie threw her arms around her mother, hugging her tightly. Charlotte reciprocated the action. Maggie inhaled her scent, committing it to memory. “I will be back before you know it,” she promised.

“We do understand,” Charlotte replied quietly as they pulled away from each other. “We do understand why you need to go. Papa understands.”

Maggie knew they did.

Her bedroom door was suddenly thrown open and her three younger siblings ran inside, all still dressed in their nightgowns. Georgie, Lizzie and even Edward hugged Maggie’s waist tightly, fighting the other for room to properly show their elder sister affection. Maggie did her best to wrap her arms around her young brother and sisters.

“Promise you will return soon!” Georgie exclaimed.

“Promise you won’t forget us!” Lizzie added, her voice at the same volume as Georgie’s.

“I won’t miss you that much!” Edward added, a cheeky grin on his face.

“You little fibber,” Charlotte scolded comically,

Maggie rolled her eyes and kissed each of their foreheads. She did her best to memorise their faces, knowing that they would change a lot before she saw them again. Lizzie would change most of all. She was seven years old and still looked very much like a little girl. She would grow. They would all grow. “Well I will miss you terribly, and I promise that I will return.” She smiled affectionately. “And I shan’t ever forget you, Lizzie.”

Lizzie appeared satisfied with her response.

Maggie’s Aunt Rose and Uncle Derek waiting in the foyer with Max and Rebecca. Maggie had already said her goodbyes to her Aunt Bess and Uncle Emmett the night before. They had journeyed home with their children and Rose and Derek’s daughter, Grace, so that they would not be in the way.

Max offered Maggie an encouraging smile as he began to hug his family members.

“Do enjoy yourself, Maggie,” Charlotte said, trying to sound cheerful. Her eyelids were red. “Be careful and cautious but I pray you find what you are looking for.”

Maggie was going to realise her past. She was positive she would find what she was looking for. While she would miss her family dearly, she couldn’t not wait to be away with Max. She would be experiencing the sort of independence that young ladies her age could only dream of. This journey would be something she would forever remember. It was still to be determined if the memories would be cherished.

“Daddy,” she said sadly, reaching up to hug Nate for the umpteenth time in the past month.

“Maggie,” he murmured, cradling her to his chest. “You do as your mother says and be careful. If you perceive anything questionable then do not hesitate to remove yourself from the situation. And remember what I told you about Mr Lavelle’s workers.” He said the last part quietly, only for her. Maggie had not forgotten that discussion. She had been too afraid to ask Isaac about his workers. Once in Georgia, she would be very perceptive.

“I will, Daddy,” she promised.

“Go on then,” he urged, releasing her.

Maggie hugged both her aunt and uncle and then Rebecca before leaving Montrose Manor with Max. They both climbed into the carriage and waved to their family from the windows. It was then that Maggie could feel the tears welling up in her eyes. She could see her mother’s silent sobs.

Max took Maggie’s hand and squeezed it comfortingly as the carriage began to move. They continued to wave until Montrose Manor was no longer in sight and all they saw was Derbyshire scenery.

“We are actually going,” Max said excitedly. “I can scarce believe it.” He sat back in the red velvet seat and slouched comfortably. Beside him were his drawing tools as well as a picnic basket filled with goods to sustain them before they changed horses and resupplied.

“Me either,” Maggie added, slouching in her seat as well.

In a matter of months she would be on American soil. She would be touring her birthright and meeting the people that she might’ve grown up with. Maggie had always felt as if something had been missing from her life. She hoped that this voyage was God answering her prayers.

She was the heiress, after all. What could possibly go wrong?

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Hi everyone. I'm so, so sorry for the wait. I have just had the most horror week. It started on Saturday. I was at my netball stadium like I am every Saturday. Unfortunately the girls I coach lost their first game of the season. I then watched a few games and then went to my car. I am so careful when I reverse there because there are children around. I reversed out, took my car out of reverse and was in neutral ready to go into first gear to move forward. I then saw this woman opposite me in the car park reversing and she wasn't stopping. I couldn't get to my horn fast enough and she hit the corner/side of my BRAND NEW car! She then proceeded to say that I was reversing as well and we reversed into each other. There were no witnesses so no-one can back up my claim so it's up to our insurance companies but if she doesn't admit that she was at fault I'm responsible for my own repair costs. I was just so upset that someone could be so dishonest. 

I then got a letter saying that my car registration is due in a month so that's more money. I also got a letter from a competition I entered to have my NetSetGo centre recognised as Centre of the Year and we are a finalist. My club is really happy for me but it's this Gala awards night and formal evening wear is required. Now I'm a jumper and trackpants kinda girl. In fact I'm wearing a jumper right now that has jam down the front of it. So I'm happy that my centre is being recognised but I now have to pay for a dress and I have to get my roots dyed and everythingggggg!!! AHHHHHHH. Just need to have a bit of a scream. 

So yeah, I've been a bit stressed out this week. Forgive me please :) I'll try and get a chapter up before the weekend but I've got an assignment due Friday so we'll see. 

I think I need to sleep for about 3 days straight and then win the lottery and then I'll be good to go :P Love you all! Vote and comment :)