The book is now available in paperback on Amazon. I’Im posting a couple of chapters so you have an opportunity to read some before you decide to purchase.

A Trysting Tree and a Trunk Full of Shoes

The week until the dressmaker’s arrival was uneventful. Uncle Nael realized that he had pushed too hard, and he allowed Lily to wander the gardens and fields unhindered. They seemed to provide her some comfort where he had failed to do so.
But Lily chaffed at his habit of summoning her the moment the weather looked like it might turn stormy.

“Uncle,” she protested. “You coddle me. I have my wrap and the breeze feels refreshing.”

“Indulge me,” he coaxed. “Come sit by the fire with me.”
Lily suddenly paled at the memory of her father in his chair by the fire. “It’s too warm for a fire,” she protested.

“Then play with me at cards.”

“I will write a letter and you would do well to do aught more purposeful than playing at cards,” she directed.

“You are right, of course. I should find a purpose to my life. Although, I had thought my purpose was to take care of my orphaned niece and be of use to her,” he said as he looked over her shoulder.

Lily chided herself. “One game of cards then. But you will have to teach me the rules. I’ve never played at cards before.” 

Unfortunately for Lily, she found the game confusing and was quite perplexed by her uncle’s use of the word ‘trump’. Finally, he gave up trying to teach her and let her alone to write her letter.

“Ah, Doctor Samuels is coming,” Uncle Nael said as he spied his friend through the window. “I will see if he will play me at cards.”

Lily was grateful Uncle Nael had something else to attend to. He could be too attentive, though she knew he meant well. He mourned her parents as well. Mourned the years he missed with his sister and seemed intent on spoiling her in her mother’s stead.

“I wonder if there is a purpose I could set him to on my behalf that would keep him from pouring his attentions on me,” she thought. She determined to study on it. If she was at home with her parents they would have come up with a scheme. Father was sure to have an idea.

“I must ask him,” she thought to herself before she could catch it and remind herself it was impossible.

“Should I send someone to town to post your letter?” Uncle Nael asked. He had returned from his visit with Doctor Samuels who didn’t have time for cards.

“Shall we walk to town ourselves, Uncle?” Lily asked.

“Walk?” Nael protested. “It is at least half a mile! And I think it might rain,” he said, glancing out the window.

“Come Uncle. Indulge me,” Lily said smiling.

“Humph. Is this what it’s like to have a conniving, wheedling child, who has wrapped your heart around her finger?” he asked as he allowed himself to be pulled to his feet and his hat and coat to be summoned.

“When is the last time you have walked farther than the garden to fetch me indoors?” Lily scolded. “If I 
must submit to be pampered and spoiled then so must you.”

“Must I?” Uncle Nael asked.

“I insist, Uncle. At least for today. I want to post my letter and I know you will not allow me to walk to town alone. And you will not trust me to one of the servants.”

Uncle Nael continued to grumble. “But why not send James? It is much more efficient for him to ride to town. He would be back in a thrice,” Uncle Nael said even as they were gaining the road. “It seems so common to walk. Important people do not walk.”

“I am common, Uncle. And I am tired of the house and gardens. Let us see what there is to see. For example, have you ever seen that before?” she said, nodding toward a spacious meadow with a perfectly situated tree in the middle. “That tree must hold many secrets.”

“Why yes, Niece. It is my meadow and my tree. I often climbed that tree as a boy. I can attest to some of the secrets it holds.”

“Truly? How wonderful, Uncle. Then we should go that way,” Lily announced, changing direction.

“Go that way? There is no road. And it will add to our journey,” Uncle Nael protested, as he followed his niece through the spring grass in the direction of the aforementioned tree.

“I want to hear stories from when you were a boy. And of Mother too. Did she come here with you?”

“Your mother? Why no. Our mother wouldn’t allow it. Your mother was being raised to be a lady of 
society. But I think this may have been their trysting tree.”

“Whose?” Lily asked.

“Your parents.”
 
“What is a trysting tree?” she asked.

“Where they met when she was able to slip away. You see, he worked in town and she would wait there until he passed on his way home.”

“Father lived near here? Where was his home?” Lily asked, excitedly as they neared the tree.

“I cannot say. I only know that he walked that path below,” Uncle Nael replied as they gained the shelter of the tree. “And his house was beyond that hill. Perhaps I could spy it from the branches, though I don’t think it would be dignified to climb a tree, even if my niece is partial to the activity. If someone were to see me,” he said thoughtfully, as he placed a foot on the tree looking as if he meant to hoist himself up.

Lily placed her hand on his arm. “No Uncle. Do not endanger your dignity. There will be another way for me to see it.”

Uncle Nael was thoughtful. “Yes, there is another way. But we must go on horseback. There is no proper road.”

“Horseback?” Lily questioned. “Couldn’t we walk? It doesn’t look far.”

“Twice as far as the village, Child, or more. I’ve never ventured in that direction, and I wouldn’t hazard it, not knowing the condition of the footpath.”

“I wonder if any of his family still lives about,” Lily thought. “He told me of a brother and his parents, my 
grandparents. I’ve never met them of course. And we never received any news of them, but he told me stories.”

“I doubt they would still be about,” Uncle Nael replied. “That area is owned by a landowner named Hanson and he lets out the shacks to the seasonal hands that work his crops. They move on after the harvest. They call it Hanson’s Hollow.”

“Perhaps they returned,” Lily offered.

“Perhaps,” Uncle Nael replied. “We could inquire.”

“This is a beautiful tree though, Uncle,” Lily told him as she caressed a nearby branch. “So many spreading branches. And my parents were here. Thank you for telling me. This will hold a special place in my heart always. When I ache for them, Uncle, may I come here? I feel as if I could talk to them, and they would hear me.”

“Not alone, Niece. Promise me that you will not walk this far alone. 
It would not be seemly,” he said sternly.

Lily sighed. “You may come, Uncle, but leave me to myself so I can visit alone.”

Uncle Nael looked thoughtful. He did not like walking in general, but he ultimately agreed. “Of course.”

“Will you now?” Lily implored. “Just for a moment.”

“Of course, Niece,” Uncle Nael replied. “I will walk on ahead and wait for you there by that rock. No need to hurry. The sky seems quite clear,” he called back as he strode away.

It was several moments before Lily rejoined her Uncle. “Did you mention me?” he teased.

“I told them you were quite a handful,” Lily replied. Uncle Nael pretended to be affronted as she took his arm. “And that you miss them too,” she said, kissing his cheek.

On the way to town, Uncle Nael continued to tell Lily stories of her mother’s childhood and what he knew of her father’s courtship of her. She was truly grateful, in this moment, that her Uncle had insisted she come live with him, no matter how apprehensive she was about coming to a place and people she didn’t know.

The day the dressmaker was to arrive for her first fitting, Lily was nervous. Would the finished gowns be too fine for her? She was relieved that the dressmaker brought her daughter to help her. 

The girl was close in age to Lily and put her at ease as she helped her with the underthings.

“These are the prettiest undergarments I’ve ever owned,” Lily exclaimed.

The girl blushed with pride. “I heartily thank ye, Miss.”

“Did you make these?” Lily asked, astonished. “They are so fine!”

“Yes, Miss. Mother is training me. I haven’t been allowed to do more than the simplest of dresses, but she says my underthings show promise.”

“They certainly do!” Lily exclaimed. “You must make one of my dresses. I insist. You choose the trimmings and fittings.”

“Truly, Miss?” the girl asked in awe.

“I will ask your mother to allow it, “Lily replied. “She must give you the opportunity to show your skills. No one sees the underthings.”

The girl giggled. “Underthings aren’t for showing, Miss! They’re for wearing.”

“Well, I want everyone to see how well you sew. You will rival your mother soon.”

“Oh no, Miss. Not for many years yet. But I hope to, someday.”

“I’m glad you’re pleased with Emmy’s sewing, Miss,” the dressmaker added as she returned with the first dress. “Arms up,” she directed as she and Emmy lowered the dress over Lily’s head.
This one had a dark rosy hue, and Lily didn’t remember the fabric from her visit to the store. “Your Uncle gave me leave to choose some for you,” the dressmaker said, answering her perplexed look. “Look at this against your hair.”

“It suits you, Miss,” Emmy added. “Truly. It’s very becoming.”

“It needs to be taken in,” her mother declared. “Just a bit tighter here,” she said, pulling at the bodice.

“It’s a bit revealing,” Lily said, with concern.

“Emmy, fetch the cream scarf,” the dressmaker directed. “There that suits,” she declared as she added it. “And it is more discrete.”

“Are they all this low?” Lily asked.

“Your Uncle directed me to make them in the latest style. And the latest style demands low necklines.”

“I’m not sure Uncle would have asked it if he had seen the latest style,” Lily mused. “And I don’t think 
 Uncle would approve of my bosoms appearing to jump from the dress.”

“They are your gowns, Miss. I will make them however you like,” the dressmaker replied.

“I like Emmy’s gown,” Lily declared. “Favor me by making them as if Emmy was the one who was to wear them.”

The dressmaker smiled. “You are very sensible, Miss. With your permission we’ll return tomorrow. And I’ll send the matching fabrics to the Milliner’s to begin your bonnets.”

“Bonnets?” Lily asked. “I have only one head. How many bonnets do I need?”

“One for each dress, Miss,” Emmy replied.

“One for each dress?” Lily exclaimed.

“And shoes to match,” Emmy added.

“Do you have a bonnet for every dress you own, Emmy, and a pair of shoes too?”

“Well, not I, Miss. But fancy ladies do.”

“Two bonnets would be more suitable. One for every day and one for fancy. The same goes for shoes. Uncle may dress me up if he likes, but he will not make me so frivolous as to need more than two bonnets and two pairs of shoes.”

Emmy giggled at this speech. “Very well,” the dressmaker said, shooting her daughter a disapproving look, “but the same bonnet would not look well with every fancy dress your Uncle has ordered.”

“How many fancy dresses did Uncle order?” Lily asked, alarmed. “I thought we settled on the blue and the periwinkle for fancy and three or four serviceable dresses
 for everyday. That is already almost as many dresses as there are days in the week. How many dresses does a body need?”

“I believe your Uncle said you were ‘indulging him’,” the dressmaker slyly said as they helped Lily off with the rose colored dress.

Lily sighed. She should not be ungrateful. “Very well, have the bonnets made. But I draw the line at shoes.”

Lily’s benevolent spirit toward her Uncle’s generosity lasted until the day the dresses arrived. As trunk after trunk was carried in, she began to panic. “What have you done, Uncle?” she whispered. “It’s too…, too extravagant!” And as the dresses were unpacked and displayed she added, “There are too many!”

“I say there are too few,” Uncle Nael countered. “How many years are you?”

“Nearly 20, Uncle. But what has that to do with it?”

“Almost 20 missed years. Missed birthdays, where I was not allowed to dote on my niece. And now you are my only living relation.”

Lily softened, but was not yet mastered. “But where are the everyday dresses? I can’t parade around like this on a walk to town!”

“The everyday dresses are here, Miss,” Emmy directed. “In this trunk. Mother allowed me to take charge of these myself,” she said proudly.

“Thank you, Emmy,” Lily gasped. “You have saved me.” But as the dresses were unpacked, Lily didn’t have
 the heart to tell her that these would have done for fancy back home.

After the trunks were moved up to her rooms, Lily sat next to her uncle. “Uncle,” she began softly, thinking to scold him.

“Do you remember when you visited here?” Uncle Nael interrupted.

“Visited here? I was here?” she asked, surprised.

“No, of course you don’t remember. You were too young. But I remember it vividly. It is one of my happiest memories,” he said thoughtfully.

“When was I here, Uncle? Why do I not remember this?” Lily asked.

“You were running through the garden, willing me to chase you. And you squealed with delight every time I did. Running on those chubby little legs. Your curls bouncing in the sunshine.”

Lily smiled at the story. In her memory it had been Father who was chasing her.

“You were afraid of me at first,” Uncle continued. “Your mother said it was because I wear a beard and your father was clean shaven. But you warmed to me eventually.”

Lily was astonished. “Why did we not return? Why only that one visit? I had grandparents and an uncle. Why was I not allowed to know them, or you?” Lily wondered.

“The war,” Uncle Nael sighed. “Your father went to fight and returned wounded. Your mother said it would pain him too much to ride this far with only his one leg.”

“But you could have come to us? Why did you not do so?” Lily asked.

Uncle Nael smiled wryly. “Pride, I guess. It was left to me to uphold the honor of the Mildenhall name. And Father prevented it. I could have defied him, I suppose. But I thought he must be right and so I acquiesced. And now…”

“Uncle.”

“Nay, let’s not be melancholy on this fine day. I promised you a ride. Go and change. I’ll have no more of that black.”

“Uncle.”

“I insist. The navy will do for a start. Or the burgundy. Just not black. You have plenty to choose from.”

Lily laughed. “Yes, it will take a year to wear all those dresses. Very well. The burgundy is suitable for riding. However, you have neglected an item of importance.”

“What have I neglected? I ordered everything, including riding boots,” Uncle Nael blustered.

“Uncle, I have never ridden a horse in my life. I don’t know how,” Lily protested.

“Oh, is that all,” Uncle Nael laughed. “That is easily remedied. I’ll have James saddle my gentlest mare. She will follow my horse. You won’t even need to direct her. Though, I see you will have to have lessons. A proper lady should be an accomplished rider. Now, go and change.” 

Lily nodded and moved towards the stairs. “ I’m sure you’ll find the riding boots in the trunk with the other shoes,” he called after her.

Lily whirled. “A trunk? Full of shoes? Uncle!”

© 2023 Sharon L Letson. All rights reserved.