Page 79 of New Beginnings at the Little Christmas Inn
Livvy eyed the debris from the meal. ‘Washing up?’
‘Leave that. I’ll do it later. Let’s sit in front of the wood burner where it’s slightly more comfortable.’ Mark took her hand and led her to Pete’s chair. Putting another next to it, he tucked a cushion behind Livvy’s back and stretched out beside her.
When they were settled, Livvy wriggled her socked toes to soak up the heat. ‘Quite envy Simona her central heating. This place is freezing when there are no customers. Next job, I suppose. Double glazing and a better boiler.’ She sighed. ‘This place eats money.’ When Mark didn’t respond, she asked, ‘Are you all right? You’ve gone quiet. The snowball shenanigans this morning wear you out?’ A sudden thought struck. ‘Oh,’ she said, horrified. ‘You don’t regret what happened? Last night, I mean?’
He shook his head, a smile playing about his lips. ‘No. I don’t regret that for one minute.’ He fixed her with a look that was heartbreaking. ‘How could I?’ Getting up, he reached into the pocket of his jacket hanging on the chair at the table where they’d eaten. ‘This is your Christmas present,’ he said, rejoining her in front of the wood burner. ‘It’s not much. Nats would have scolded me for not getting you diamonds or perfume or something she deems a suitably expensive gift had I given it to you in front of her, but I thought you might like it.’
Livvy took it. It was a small book, old by the look of the battered maroon leather cover. ‘Adela Dickson: A Life,’ she read. ‘Oh,’ she said, surprised. ‘It’s a book about Adela. Have to confess, with all that’s been going on, I’d forgotten all about her.’
‘It’s a biography. We were right. Adela had quite the life. Met her lover right here in The George, founded a Home for Gentlewomen and Infants in Distress, and a Scientific Institute for Girls, both of which she ran from her house in Lullbury Bay. The one which is now the museum.’ Mark warmed to his theme. ‘I’ve been emailing the research centre at Bindon House, that’s the Dickson country seat over in the north of the county. They hold quite a lot of information about her.’
‘Is it true she was involved in a carriage accident and an awful tragedy?’
‘In a way. Adela used to meet a Henry Lovell and his sister Sarah here at The George. They regularly travelled from London to Exeter and would stop off here in Lullbury Bay. The three of them were great friends, and it’s true they all moved in the same circles as Dickens and Ada Lovelace. All interested in the same things: science, philanthropy, literature. Christmas Eve 1828 there was a tremendous snow fall.’ Pursing his lips, he added, ‘A bit like last night’s. The London to Exeter Arrow only just made it as far as Lullbury. Unfortunately, the leading horses’ hooves slipped on the snow coming down the hill towards The Georgeand crashed. Henry Lovell suffered catastrophic injuries. His sister survived. Sarah went on to live a long and fruitful life and she became Adela’s companion.’
‘Poor Adela. So we were right, she did suffer an awful tragedy. Poor, poor woman.’
‘It was a blow to both women. Sarah lost her brother and Adela lost a friend. Nats drives me insane, but I can’t imagine how I’d feel if something happened to her.’
As ever, Livvy was touched by the love Mark had for others. She squeezed his hand. ‘Absolutely.’ She paused, thinking. ‘Henry was more than Adela’s friend though, surely? He was her lover. The book of poetry Jonquil found in the chimney must have been Henry’s. Although I don’t see why it had to be hidden.’
Mark sat up, a gleam in his eye. ‘Ah. There’s a little more to it. It’s fascinating. The research centre has been a mine of info. The general story is Adela lost the love of her life in the carriage crash when Henry Lovell died. The truth is rather more intriguing. Sarah Lovell wasn’t just Adela’s companion,shewas her lover, not Henry. The women were conducting a love affair, but a clandestine one.’
‘Oh my goodness.’ Livvy’s mouth dropped open. ‘You mean they hid in plain sight? So the lovers didn’t run away after all!’
‘Only as far as Adela’s house in town. They lived together until both were in their seventies and died within weeks of one another.’ Mark smiled. ‘I find it incredibly touching. Together they ran the home for women and babies and taught girls at their scientific institute which took in pupils from the town. Adela was a strong, independent woman who believed passionately in the power of community. She was just like you, Livvy.’
‘What a story. Go Adela!’ Livvy said, her eyes shining.
‘You once said you didn’t want The George to be associated with a tragedy. I think Adela’s story and the role The George played in her life is something much more worthy of celebration.Something to display here. It’s frustrating to not know why Sarah felt she had to hide her book of poetry. Don’t think we’ll ever find out the answer to that.’ He smiled his love at her. ‘Perhaps Adela and Sarah were so happy they simply forgot all about it.’
‘I really hope they were. Oh, Mark, thank you. Thank you so much.’ Livvy hugged the little book to her. ‘This is a lovely Christmas present, one which I’ll treasure. And what a thing to find out. You’re right, this is The George’s history I want to celebrate. I’ll celebrate Adela and Sarah, and Henry too. What a story. Ooh!’ she said, putting the book on her lap and clapping her hands together, making Angel wake up and grumble. ‘I could name the letting bedrooms after them. The Adela Dickson Suite, how does that sound? And maybe make a display of this book and the poetry in a case. It would be wonderful, wouldn’t it? I love the idea of connecting to The George’s history and so will my customers.’
‘I’m glad you like it.’
‘Like it? I love it!’ She drew him to her and kissed him. Drawing back, she added, ‘It’s worth far more to me than perfume or diamonds.’
‘Will you be around to do all this? Get the themed rooms sorted, get the skittle alley refurbished?’
It dawned on her what he was thinking. ‘You think I’m going to accept my parents’ offer of The Olde Gates, don’t you?’
He shrugged. ‘It would be an amazing opportunity. You’re ambitious. It’s a bigger establishment. You could achieve extraordinary things with the opportunities it would afford.’
‘That’s all true. And I have to confess I’ve already got plans forming in my head.’
‘Of course you have,’ he said, smiling. He drew her hand to his mouth and kissed it.
‘And, if I’m really honest, I’m not going to hang on to Fabio for all that long. Someone with his talent will want a bigger audience to perform for at some point. The George meets his needs at the moment, but it won’t for ever. I can see him fitting right in at The Gates. But–’
‘But?’
‘Oh, Mark, I’ve worked so damned hard on The George. I love my team, I love the friends I’ve made.’ She took his hand. ‘I can’t imagine being anywhere else. How could I leave?’ She blew out a gusty breath. ‘With everything that’s been going on today, this is the first chance I’ve had to really think it all through.’
‘You could,’ Mark said carefully, ‘run both.’
‘Both?’
‘Yes. The George and The Olde Gates.’
