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CHAPTER5
As soon as the carriage doors closed behind them, Eleanor relaxed into the heavily padded seat and breathed a deep sigh of relief. For the last few days, her life had been a flurry of activity and getting a chance to unwind now seemed to be exactly what she needed. Before Henry entered, one of Eleanor’s most beloved cats, Sir Whiskers, leapt lightly up and into the carriage, coming to rest in Eleanor’s lap.
“Of course, I wouldn’t leave you behind,” Eleanor crooned as she scratched behind Sir Whiskers’ ears. Sir Whiskers coat was of an inky black, and his bright yellow eyes were always curious. As one might think, because of his name, this animal had an incredibly long set of whiskers. “And where’s your little friend?” Eleanor asked just as a second cat, nearly identical in coloring, joined them in the carriage. “Ah, Lady Lovely Paws, there you are,” Eleanor said in a sing song voice. This cat, while looking a great deal like Sir Whiskers moved in an entirely different manner. She slithered and slinked her way up the carriage steps and then nestled into the plush seat next to Eleanor.
Before any more of Eleanor’s pets could enter the carriage, Henry appeared in the doorway. His high cheekbones were dotted with color, and Eleanor took that to mean he was pleased with himself. As he ducked to enter the cabin, his floppy brown hair swept into his eyes, and he took a moment to push it aside. “Ah, Eleanor, I’m glad you’re already here,” Henry said, taking a seat behind the carriage driver, just across from her. When he settled himself, and focused on her properly, his expression changed from one of pleasure to one of consternation.
“Something wrong, dear?” Eleanor asked in a syrupy sweet voice.
Henry furrowed his brow, and his heavy eyebrows hooded his blue eyes. “I thought we discussed your animals.”
“Did we?” Eleanor asked innocently, widening her blue eyes.
“Yes,” Henry replied. “I’m sure we talked about how I didn’t want so many pets running about Lawson Manor.”
“Right, right, of course,” Eleanor said soothingly. As she spoke, she continued running her hand through Sir Whiskers’ black fur. “I do believe I remember you mentioning something about how you wanted me to leave most of my pets at home.”
Henry tipped his head and looked at her critically. “No, Eleanor. I didn’t say I wanted you to leave most of your pets at home. I believe I said I didn’t want you to bring any of your pets with you.”
“Ah, yes, now I recall,” Eleanor said, placing one delicate finger to her chin and tapping there absentmindedly. “I do think I must have misinterpreted the situation. You see, I thought we meant to spend very little time in each other’s company, and so even though you said I should not bring my beloved pets, I suppose I thought it would be permissible if I brought a few…just to keep me company.” She gave her husband a soft smile.
Eleanor didn’t know Henry very well, as they had only known each other about a week, but she felt she already understood certain aspects of his personality. Case in point: Henry was led by logic. If she wanted something, she simply had to present a compelling reason why she wanted it and if it made sense to him, he would give into her wishes. Second, and perhaps more importantly, Henry didn’t like to argue. As she had learned the moment they met in the garden, he wished for peace and tranquility and if that meant occasionally, he had to give into the wishes of others, he would acquiesce.
Henry ran a hand over his forehead, slicking back his hair and smoothing out his eyebrows. As his expression softened, Eleanor knew she had won her point. Henry reclined against the carriage seat and then murmured, “Do as you wish, Eleanor. I will allow the cats.”
“Thank you, Henry,” replied Eleanor and then she settled in for the long carriage ride into the country.
Lawson Manor was not that far away from London, but as they had married in the chapel near Eleanor’s family home, Barrow Manor, the carriage ride lasted for hours. Throughout the journey, Eleanor and Henry spoke at great length. As they were not in love, and they did not know each other very well, Eleanor found she was full of questions for her new husband.
She asked him about his travels in Europe and he asked her about her hobbies and interests. Eleanor was a voracious reader and so she was able to talk at length about some of the great books she had read. Henry seemed impressed by her breadth of knowledge, and Eleanor thought that boded well for their union. If they could stimulate each other intellectually, they were likely to be able to make the best of this arrangement. The only thing, throughout the entire journey, that brought Eleanor any unease was the way Henry kept glaring at her cats. It was as though he loathed them, and she couldn’t understand this sort of behavior as he seemed very friendly otherwise.
As they neared the estate, Eleanor thought she might want to turn the conversation to more personal matters. “Henry, tell me. . .” Eleanor began, but then she bit down on her lip. She knew what she wanted to ask, but she wasn’t sure of the best way to go about it. Throwing caution to the wind, Eleanor said boldly, “Tell me about your grandmother.”
“Grandmother?” Henry asked, his left eyebrow arching quizzically.
“Yes,” Eleanor gulped. “It’s just that she has always struck me as a rather. . . intense woman, and I was wondering. . .” Eleanor broke off as Henry erupted in laughter.
“I suppose, from an outsider’s perspective, Grandmother can be a bit severe,” Henry said, as his laughter quieted, “but she’s rather harmless.” He squinted and glanced at Lady Lovely Paws who was still snuggled next to Eleanor on the seat. “She’s a little like that cat,” Henry continued, nodding toward the animal. “She can be protective and maybe even a little territorial, but at the end of the day, she just likes to have things a certain way.”
“Her way?” Eleanor asked, a small smile playing on her lips.
“Precisely,” Henry answered, returning Eleanor’s grin. “You know, I happen to think you and Grandmother are going to get along well, once you get to know each other.”
“I suppose we shall see soon enough. Isn’t that Lawson Manor just up ahead?” Eleanor pointed out the carriage window at the sprawling country home that sat off to her right. The place that loomed up ahead was very pleasing to the eye. It was at least three stories high and built of large sandstone bricks. Long, slim, rectangular windows covered the front of the house, and Eleanor thought happily of how the light must stream through the curtains and into those rooms. The lush green grass that surrounded the estate spread for miles, and as the carriage bounced toward her new home, Eleanor felt a sense of warmth spread through her chest.
Henry scooted across his seat and poked his head out the window. “Why, yes, it is. We arrived much earlier than I suspected. I do believe we will make it in time for supper. Are you as famished as I am?”
Eleanor had eaten very little at their wedding breakfast and so she nodded her head enthusiastically. “Do you think your grandmother will be home in time to eat with us?”
“I’d venture to say she’s already here,” Henry answered, pointing up the pathway toward a barouche box. “She must have just arrived ahead of us.”
“Fine, then,” Eleanor said, swallowing her fears. Henry seemed to think the two women in his life would be able to see eye-to-eye. Eleanor hoped that was the case. As they pulled up to the entryway, and a coachman offered Eleanor a hand down from the carriage, she felt her stomach do an awkward flip-flop. “Have courage,” Eleanor told herself.
“Did you say something, Eleanor?” Henry asked from behind her.
“No…” Eleanor said aloud. Before she could add anything or move another inch, Lady Lovely Paws slid past her on the step and leapt to the ground. Watching the feline move with such grace and without trepidation bolstered Eleanor’s resolve. She tipped her chin into the air regally and stepped forth into her new life.
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