Free Maggie's Child by Glynis Smy Page A

character. He would be a good catch for Lizzie. She must introduce them sometime.
    The clock in the parlour struck three-thirty and Maggie gathered her things. She did not want to miss her ride back into town. She had to walk back that evening and she knew her husband would never turn out to collect her, or think of sending one of the men. So a lift one way was a gift not to be missed.
    True to his word, Dukes arrived and their journey back into the village was another pleasant one for Maggie.
    ‘I have a gift for you. They are wrapped well to keep warm.’ Maggie patted a small pail beside the seat. Dukes gave a grin.
    ‘You roasted me chestnuts?’
    ‘I did, while I roasted mine I thought you might enjoy a few. You will need to eat them quickly if you like them warm,’ Maggie said.
    Dukes put the package into his pocket. Maggie noted his face was slightly flushed.
    ‘That’s the nicest gift I have been given for many a year, thank you,’ Dukes replied his smile wide and Maggie was pleased she had made the effort for him.
    ***
    Mouth-watering smells from the kitchen greeted her again, as did the staff. She slipped up the back stairs and was about to climb the main ones when a voice called her name.
    ‘Mrs Sawbury, how timely.’ Maggie saw Felicity Arlington exiting one of the doors along the hallway.
    ‘Good afternoon, Mrs Arlington. I hope you are well.’ Maggie dropped her knee in respect. Not really sure of what to say next, she just smiled.
    ‘Come, I would like to speak with you,’ said Mrs Arlington and Maggie looked down at her shoes. ‘Do not worry about those; my husband has marched through here with his hunting boots on before now. My girls are used to more mud than you can ever imagine. Now come along, the boy will want his feed shortly.’
    Maggie followed the woman and they entered a room twice the size of her own parlour. It was decorated in blues, reds and creams. Maggie wanted to touch the walls. They looked so pretty with flocked paper on them. Stiff brocade curtains hung at the bay windows and across the top were fringed pleated canopies with large tasselled tie backs. A large round table stacked with books had a glass dome sitting in the centre. Inside the dome was a stuffed bird. Maggie was not too impressed by it; it was not something she would like in her home.
    How gruesome. Morbid.
     The white marble fireplace, with the black iron hearth, was something she coveted. It was a handsome feature and the ornaments across the mantle were of fine china. Carpets and tapestry decorated chairs had many beautiful colours in them. They complemented everything in the room.
    ‘My dear Mrs Sawbury, your husband told us of your sad news. Mr Arlington and I offer our condolences. However, your loss is a blessing to the young baby upstairs. Nanny Summers has told me you handled the whole situation perfectly well this morning, and he has been content ever since.’ Mrs Arlington sat on one of the seats by the window. She stared out, and then looked back at Maggie, who waited for the invitation to speak. ‘Nanny also told me you were clean and well presented. I thank you for considering personal hygiene. It is of the upmost importance Nathaniel is kept free from germs.’
     Maggie’s raised her head and frowned when the woman mentioned the name Nathaniel.
    ‘Yes, we have chosen to use the name you christened him with this morning. Nanny mentioned it, and the story behind it, and my husband is rather taken with the name. We are going to raise him as our own, and I think it suits him. I hope you are not offended. I like to think it will be an honour to your dear, departed son. Something you and I sadly have in common is our little ones never live to see day.’
    Maggie took this as her cue to speak.
    ‘Thank you, madam. I am honoured you have chosen the name. He is a beautiful child, and to carry the name of my son pleases me very much. I too am sorry for your sad loss.’ She could not believe her ears.