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Chapter 9
They should be nearing PrimroseFarm if the directions Great-Aunt Mary’s solicitor had given Lavinia were correct. Anxiety was making her heart race and stealing her breath. They would be facing the truth of their future any moment now, and she was keyed up with anticipation. Lavinia had seen Lucas ride ahead of the carriage until he’d disappeared from view, undoubtedly looking for the private lane that led to the farm.
Delia and Artie had managed to nod off during the carriage ride. It was amazing what a pair of old traveling theater veterans could sleep through. Hannah sat quietly to Lavinia’s left. They had visited many parts of England during their years together with the troupe, but they’d never traveled to Lincolnshire. Lavinia suspected it was due to her father’s efforts to avoid his family, thought he’d never said as much.
She looked now at the landscape that surrounded them: flat, green, lush. Marshy. Fens, as they were called: low-lying flatlands requiring drainage and flood protection to keep the lands dry and arable. It was rich, promising soil, but Lavinia suddenly understood how little she knew about the place. It wasn’t quite the picture of genteel farm life she’d had in mind.
This morning she’d decided to set aside her ill-fitting clothes and cap and dress as she intended to dress going forward as a member of the community. She’d chosen a traveling gown of deep blue, with a tiny straw bonnet trimmed in forget-me-nots—nothing at all fancy. And while the innkeeper had initially stumbled over his words, he’d been able to collect himself eventually, as had Mr. Grimes, although poor young Garrick had tripped in his attempt to putdown the steps of the coach.
Their overall reactions had been promising.
Lucas had been momentarily stunned, even though he’d already seen her without her disguise. His eyes had traveled up and down her person, but then his eyes had met hers and he’d smiled with warm approval, indicating that he’d understood what she hadn’t verbalized—that she was neither hiding in disguise nor flaunting herself in her choice of dress. She was simply being Lavinia Fernley—whatever that meant.
She wished she had a better idea of who Lavinia Fernley was, in truth.
Through the window, she could see Lucas riding back toward them and hailing Mr. Grimes. The coach slowed until it rattled to a stop.
A knot formed in her stomach. She pushed the window open and leaned out until she could see Lucas, who was in discussion with Mr. Grimes. “What is it?” she called. “Did you find Primrose Farm, Lucas?”
He ended the discussion with Mr. Grimes and approached her window,his face blank. “Yes, I have located Primrose Farm, Lavinia,” he said in alow voice intended for her ears only. “It isn’t far, but I would speak to you privately before we arrive there.”
“What’s going on?” Delia asked, blinking as she awoke. “Have we arrived?”
“Dozed off there for a bit, I suppose,” Artie said, stretching. “What news have we?”
“Lucas says we’re nearly there,” Lavinia answered in a cheery, matter-of-fact tone. She would not have the others sense her anxiety for the world. “I’m going outside to speak with him. It might be a nice opportunity to stretch your legs while I do.”
“If we’re that close, I’m inclined to think our legs can wait a while longer,” Artie said. “What say you, Delia?”
Delia had covered her mouth with her handkerchief to stifle a yawn. “I believe I’m quite cozy at the moment, thank you, Artie.”
“As you wish,” Lavinia replied. The door opened, and Lucas held out his hand to assist her down. “We’ll return shortly,” she said, hoping she sounded more reassuring than she felt.
“You go on, dearie,” Hannah said. “We’ll be fine here.”
Lavinia smiled in thanks before turning to place her hand in Lucas’s, certain Hannah had sensed something amiss just as Lavinia had and grateful she hadn’t said anything to alarm Delia and Artie.
Lucas led her to an old post at the side of the road where he’d tied Hector. “I’m taking you to see it before the others do, Lavinia.” He grabbed the reins and swung onto his horse. “Place your foot on my boot.”
“Tell me what’s going on first.”
He looked off in the distance and then returned his gaze to hers. “I’m afraid it isn’t the idyllic place you and the others were counting on,” Lucas said. “Although there is a farmhouse, of sorts.”
The knot in her stomach grew. “Is it that bad, Lucas? Truly?”
“Put your foot on my boot, Lavinia,” he said gently.
She complied, and Lucas lifted her easily to sit in front of him. “Hold on,” he said, one of his arms coming around her to hold her in place. He urged the horse forward, and they rode for what Lavinia figured to be about a quarter of a mile before they stopped. There, on the side of the rode, was a weatherworn sign coming off its post with faded letters that read “Primrose Farm.” She looked around for any sign of a farmhouse, but there was none.
Lucas clicked his tongue, urging Hector down a lane nearly hidden from the road by the surrounding overgrowth of sedge and grasses toward a small rise, shrouded in tall shrubbery and trees. As they neared the top, a derelict two-story brick structure came into view. Slates were missing from parts of the roof, leaving great gaping holes, and several windows were broken. The exterior was as weather-beaten as the sign that had led them here, its shutters and door in dire need of paint.
They made their way to the front of the building, and Lavinia saw that the door was, in fact, hanging from its hinges. Her sinking spirits plummeted into the vicinity of her toes. She and the others couldn’t stay here even for a single night in order to allow Lavinia time to come up with an alternate plan for them all.
Lucas dismounted and put his hands on Lavinia’s waist to help her down. She didn’t look at him—couldn’t, or she would break down completely.
The coach arrived much too soon and came to a lumbering halt behind them. “Oh dear,” she heard Delia say. “Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear.”
Hannah and Delia had descended from the coach, and they were both staring at the farmhouse in dismay, but poor Delia was shaking her head in disbelief, a hand clutched at her heart. Lavinia watched as her knees began to buckle beneath her. Mr. Grimes dashed over and caught her before she crumpled to the ground. Artie sprang from the coach at Delia’s cries, stumbling, nearly falling before catching sight of the decrepit farmhouse and crashing to a halt.
