Ashton Park Read Free Page A

politician, our MP for this district, a key voice for the Conservative Party, His Majesty’s Loyal Opposition. Very religious—there will be devotions at every breakfast and staff members are expected to attend if they are on duty. As with Lady Elizabeth, grace is said at every meal. What else? Ah, yes, do remember Sir William is left-handed when you set his place or serve him tea or coffee—Maggie, you will need to switch his fork and knife and spoon around—that’s right—and his wine glass and water glass—excellent.
    “Of course it is Easter week and tonight is Maundy Thursday. There will be a service in the manor chapel at ten. Completely voluntary in terms of attendance though both Sir William and Lady Elizabeth would be grateful to see you there. Bear in mind that Emma’s fiancé, the Reverend Jeremiah Sweet, will be leading the service and giving the homily, so no doubt our dear Emma would be happy for your presence and show of support as well. The youngest, Victoria, will be singing ‘O Sacred Head, Now Wounded . ’ I don’t know what your religious beliefs are, but she has the voice of a lark—I would be hard put not to feel worshipful myself when that young lady lifts up her voice. Anything else, Mr. Seabrooke?”
    His hands were folded behind his back and he nodded gravely. “Easter Sunday. The wedding.”
    “Of course. Sir William will want the black crepe taken down early Sunday morning from the chapel and replaced with fresh-cut flowers, as much color as we can find on the grounds and in the gardens. It’s to celebrate our Lord’s resurrection, you see. There will be a service here at eight Sunday, close to sunrise—well, not so close, but it is symbolical, you take my point. Then the family will attend Easter Sunday services at St. Mark’s-among-the-Starlings. Our household staff is encouraged to attend if they do not have other pressing duties.”
    “Such as cooking the Sunday lunch?” piped up Mrs. Longstaff, a small woman with curly, rust-colored hair and a voice and laugh that filled the room. The others laughed with her, easing some of the tension for those who were serving Sir William at his estate for the first time.
    “Yes,” replied Mrs. Seabrooke with a smile. “You and your assistants would indeed be hard-pressed to attend worship services and have the meal ready at one. Ben Whitecross and Todd Turpin will be busy driving the coaches back and forth from the church.”
    Loud voices could be heard from the front door, and footsteps began to echo down the long stone hallway. Mrs. Seabrooke clapped her hands together quickly. “Right. Here they come. No, just stay where you are for the present. Sir William will want to address you as a group. As for the wedding of Emma to Reverend Sweet, you already know it will take place next Friday in the chapel here. There’ll be plenty of time to discuss arrangements after Easter Sunday is done.”
    Sir William and Lady Elizabeth entered the dining hall with its high ceiling and walls and rich oil paintings of ancestors who bore the Danforth name. Their family followed them. Sir William opened his arms to the staff.
    “It is very good to see all of you. Sally, Norah, Mrs. Longstaff, Mr. and Mrs. Seabrooke, Tavy, Harrison—wonderful. And there are new faces too—welcome. I’ll get to know you better this week, I’m sure, and Lady Elizabeth will help me put names to your faces as swiftly as possible. But for now, let us keep in mind that the days are upon us during which we remember our Savior’s sacrifice for us. We will honor Him in quiet and with Mrs. Longstaff’s good but simple meals for the first few days. But Sunday we will express our jubilation at His resurrection and His conquest of death. We’ll enjoy a rather spare tea tonight—it is, after all, Maundy Thursday, when our Savior was betrayed and put in chains—and both tea and dinner will reflect that, as our meals on Good Friday and Holy Saturday shall reflect His death