Page 7 of Caroline Saves the Blacksmith
Caroline had gotten as close as she was willing to get to the Greers. She needed to maintain some distance, and sharing the holidays with them would be more proximity than her vow to focus on her work would bear. “Now come see your board for the week!”
She had been sending a basket of food home with Annie each week. Eggs and fresh vegetables to assist the girl and her mother with their health. She called it Annie’s board because the girl not living with her was not customary for apprentices. Truthfully the wages she paid were meant to be in lieu of the room and board she would have provided if she had had a home. Referring to the basket of food that Caroline purchased from the market each week as board was an excuse to discreetly take care of the Greers while preserving their pride. It did not cost her much, and she had minimal personal expenses to worry about, but it clearly made a difference for them.
Caroline reached under the counter and pulled out the large hamper. Placing it on the counter, she beckoned the child over. “Look inside.”
Annie threw a quizzical glance, then lifted the checkered cloth to peer inside. She gasped. “Is that—?”
“I included mince pies and oranges this week, and I placed an order with Mr. Andrews that you can collect after service tomorrow.”
“Mr. Andrews? Which one?” Annie’s forehead furrowed in confusion.
“The baker.”
The girl’s face reflected her amazement. “Never say, Mrs. Brown! Is it a Christmas goose?”
Caroline nodded, enjoying the evidence of Annie’s joy. “For you and your mum to enjoy a proper Christmas feast.”
Annie’s lower lip trembled. Running around the counter, she threw her little arms around Caroline’s waist in a tight embrace. “Please come eat with us, Mrs. Brown. It is not right for you to be alone over the holidays.”
Caroline’s stomach twinged. It would be her first Christmastide alone. As a girl, she had spent it with her grandmother, and after Grandmama had died, Caroline shared the holiday traditions with the other servants at Baydon Hall. Even last year, and the year before, she had celebrated with the doctor’s household.
But she had grown too close to the Greers already. It was imperative she remain aloof to hold her secrets close. The bitter truth was that she did not deserve kinship after what she had done to Miss Annabel.
No need to think of that. Hard work will keep the memories at bay.
“Christmas is a time for family, Annie. You should be with your mum.”
A muffled sniffle sounded from where Annie had her face pressed to Caroline. “You are family, Mrs. Brown.”
Caroline smiled, hugging the girl before setting her away. “Go enjoy the holiday. Don’t forget to fetch the goose after service tomorrow.”
Annie bobbed her head, grabbing hold of the basket and struggling with the weight of it as she made to leave. “Thank you, Mrs. Brown. Merry Christmas!”
Caroline waved and then turned back to work on her account books. She was alone in the shop, it being Sunday. Mrs. Jones and Mary Beth were home preparing for their own Christmas feast.
Silence descended as Caroline scratched with her graphite pencil. Finally, she completed the accounting and put the books away under the counter. She swept her gaze around the shop with some dismay. It was so quiet, it was eerie.
The streets had been a hive of activity after services, but now there were few passersby and little noise. Shops were closed for Sabbath, and likely she was the only proprietor about. While others were home preparing for Christmas Day, she was updating the accounts to keep herself busy. The quiet brought on a sense of melancholy, and Caroline decided it was time to work on her walking dress before her memories intruded.
Walking into the back, she approached the gown that was hanging in the corner. Many months ago, on the day she had learned she was to own her shop, Caroline had purchased a fine bolt of Prussian blue velvet using her savings. She wanted to make herself a signature piece—a special walking dress with the finest sewing detail to celebrate her ascendant station in life and demonstrate her skill. She had begun sewing that very evening.
Working on it every spare minute over many hours since then, she had painstakingly stitched the shoulders, which had neat loops and whorls of fabric to create a textured and luxurious appearance. The collar was high but fell over around the neck and was richly detailed around the edge. The trimming of the robe consisted of ornate embroidery two inches wide and careful scalloping around the bottom. She had not decided about the bodice yet—an adornment of some sort would be required to complement the intricacy of the design—and the long, loose sleeves were yet to be cuffed.
When she finished, it would be the finest piece she had ever created and a testament to all her hard work over the years to achieve this level of skill.
Caroline could only hope that would fill a small part of the void in her chest which was reserved for the husband and children she would never have because of her past failures.
You threw away your chance for family when you betrayed Miss Annabel.
Caroline shook her head and reached up to remove the gown so she could begin her work. Work that brought solace to the ache within her.
* * *
William closedup the smithy and walked home to the cottages at the end of Market Street.
He had given his journeymen and apprentices time off for the holidays, and the smithy would be closed until Tuesday, the day after Christmas, except for any urgent repairs that might be needed. He had left a note on the smithy’s door that he could be found at his cottage, but he was not expecting any custom from the townsfolk, so excited for the holiday festivities.
He had plans of his own. The widow next door, Mrs. Heeley, had left the day before to visit her daughter’s family in Bath, so he could finally repair her roof without her knowledge.
