Chapter Five: Dialogues of the Past

 The Sommersets enjoyed an early morning over breakfast with Arabelle Weaving, an old widow whose criticism of others they attempted to overlook considering her situation. Jack, their pug, had remained on the floor, while Melbourne the mouse hid in a wall hole nearby. The family, however, enjoyed many fresh vegetables from their garden just outside their house. 

Sitting beside his sister, George was always attentive to Helena's heart. His mind felt that her heart, while ever joyful for all else, felt sadness for itself. 

''Nice carrots,'' Matthew stated. I am glad I got hold of them before those reckless hares did.''

Everyone laughed. 

''The almonds and soup are the best that they have been all year,'' Elizabeth added. 

''I don't see what's lovely about any of it,'' Arabelle contradicted. ''It's so hot outside.'' 

The company at the table watched as the old woman fanned herself. One of the maids nearby nearly poured tea on the woman. 

''Ughh!'' Arabelle exclaimed. ''You really need new servants around here, Mr. Sommerset. It is a great Christian duty to help an old woman in need.'' 

Smiling, Mr. Sommerset apologized for the maid's actions. He quickly found Arabelle discontent that the surrounding company was not moved to her state of anger. 

When the meal was ended, everyone dispersed. Mrs. Weaving remained as angry as earlier, though. 

''Mr. Sommerset, I suggest you get another maid,'' she insisted. 

Remaining calm, Matthew drew a pipe into his mouth and began smoking while the old woman continued criticizing the maid. 

''Mrs. Weaving, our rector, Charles Williams, told us you were in need,'' he finally interrupted. ''We are glad to be charitable by having you here, but Mr. and Mrs. Sommerset run this home, not you. I suggest you learn respect for a man's servants.'' 

The widow looked speechless. Afraid, she relented. ''Very well, very well,'' she agreed before leaving. 

Smiling with admiration toward her father, Helena admired that he could be firm with all while always remaining cool. He didn't have to be sarcastic or insincere but simply spoke the truth while correcting in charity. 

''Mr. Sommerst,'' one of the elder maids abruptly said, "have you heard the news?''

Everyone turned without knowing how to answer. 

''Mr. Devonsham, not the one here in Shrewsbury, but the one in Bath, is hosting a ball for all the local residents,'' the maid continued. ''I heard several say so on the road outside as they were riding by.'' 

All were astonished. 

''A ball at Mr. Devonsham's home?'' Mrs. Sommersert asked. 

The two women strolled toward a local bridge crossing a stream on their land. Once there, Mrs. Somerset touched her daughter's hair, admired her angelic youth, and knew Helena had a Heavenly heart. 

Grinning, Elizabeth faced her daughter before speaking. ''When you were so young, it was before the mess Europe is experiencing now. Of course, Napolean made war in various states, but his campaigns have continued to cause more damage since then. Perhaps worst of all, England is politically divided.''

Helena turned to her mother. ''It's been ten years since I last saw Basil,'' she added. ''He was one of the kindest boys that I've ever known. Everything changed when his father died.''

Elizabeth knelt on the bed behind her. ''Dear, I know your friendship with that boy meant much to you. However, I don't want you to limit yourself to only one person. Others in more recent days have expressed interest in you...despite your only half-considerations of them. I do have good news, though, dear. Ronald Devonsham is hosting a ball. We are, of course, invited. I expect that many others will be there. We should attend it and make further acquaintances.''

''Mother, of all of my recent prospects, all other gentlemen were only half the man Basil was. I mean to be grateful, but he was much more. Besides, Mr. Devonsham, Peter's father, makes the potential ball more awkward. Anymore, I prefer to dissociate from Peter's company, even Cassandra.'' 

''Helena, Peter Devonsham, while certainly unworthy of you, has a brother named Frederick, whom we have never met. He is the youngest of the children. Considering that Cassandra has long been so close to you, her brother may be a worthy project of your interest.'' 

The young woman recalled having heard of Frederick Devonsham in the past. Nodding, she was open to new pursuits. 

''Mr. Stuart and Mr. Franklin were hardly suitable prospects, I admit,'' Elizabeth added, having spoken of two young men who had recently courted her daughter. ''However, this coming ball will begin a new era in our lives.'' 

Helena didn't feel anything to respond. She, of course, agreed. None of the recent gentlemen in her life were as half pleasing to her heart as Basil had been. Miss Sommorset recalled the boy that she had seen long ago. She had always remembered Basil. ''It's been a long time since we last saw them. Yes, we did see the Lee family quite often until their father died, and then they made fewer journeys from London to see us anymore.''

''Dear, Mrs. Weathers will be at the forthcoming event. She has always been supportive. Indeed, our family has always found her a suitable friend. She has many acquaintances in her life, however. Among them is the highly respected Henry Longwood. He is an established gentleman, heir to Longwood Abbey, and the son of the highly respected Oscar.''

''Henry is often busy in London. Mother, I don't think he's for me. His mind is and will remain there as long as he remains a politician. He intends to serve this county's people, after all. While I respect his intentions, I desire someone local. I wish that there was someone closer to my interests. Besides, Longwood Abbey has seemed to be cursed since Marianne, that is, Mrs. Longwood's death. Oscar is a cold man, unlike his sons. It would take a great heroine or divine intervention for that castle to ever be redeemed.''

''Yes, but Basil was no local himself.''

''No, but he insisted that he wished to move here someday. He preferred the English countryside of London. He had a distant cousin in these parts whose lands he intended to take. However, all of that changed in light of his father's death.'' 

The young woman paused. ''Basil always liked art,'' she recalled while remembering them painting together as they discussed the beauty of sketching on a late spring day. 

Mrs. Somersert could not fathom how much her daughter missed the boy. Attempting to be sympathetic, she replied, ''Still, neither Henry nor Basil are your only prospects, my dear. There are others, many others. Mrs. Weathers is a wise woman. We have known Margaret for many years. She loves balls and social events as much as we do. She can and will find other suitable prospects for you as she has many other young ladies. I am certain that your chances of romance are far greater than whatever recent days have demonstrated. Certainly, as Mr. Devonsham hosts a new ball at his home, more acquaintances will come our way, or we will come their own. Let us not hold onto the past. On the contrary, we have many new setups for your future.'' 

Nodding, Helena wanted to believe what her mother was saying. She never intended to be pessimistic. Instead, she longed for a joyful romance like the one she had experienced ten years ago. 

''Believe me dear,'' Elizabeth continued, ''new prospects are on the way.'' 

''Mrs. Somerset!'' 

One of the maids called for Helena's mother. As her mother left her, the young woman faced the waters beneath the bridge while recalling her childhood figure standing before Basil. Smiling, she felt as romantic toward him as she once did. A decade of separation from him had not changed her feelings. 

Joining beside his sister, George sensed sadness in the previous tone of his sister's words. He knew that, at least partially, her heart still favored Basil's person. She began to lean on him, knowing George had always been there for her.

''You are my closest friend, George, my dear brother,'' Helena said. 

''I feel the same about you,'' he returned. 

''Basil was a good friend. We saw each other for three years until Mr. Lee died. Everything changed from that point.''

George knew the narrative as well as she did. ''I'm sorry, Helena. I know that he meant much to you.''

She was speechless. The young woman was still briefly considering those days. However, she was not one to mourn what was not hers to behold. Turning to the Spring Greenwood before her, she switched topics before her heart felt any more hurt. ''What a lovely day. These recent days of spring remind me of my childhood. It's like some of it has come back.'' 

George noticed a red cardinal arrive on one of the glades before them. He had the strange feeling that something from their past would soon resurface. Considering their childhood, he thought of Basil especially. 

Helena faced the waters. Dropping her head on her resting arms, which hung over the rails, she dreamed of her youth, remembered the events clearly, and recalled Basil's first stare toward her. The boy was in her distant past, yet not far from her heart. Thinking still of him, she knew she would not so easily forget him. 

Beside the lowly waters, more flowers blossomed. All of the natural surroundings remained calm and peaceful. It was the last day of merry May. Joyful June was arriving. 

(later). The clouds shifted before the sun. Immediately, the rays of light faded as the sky turned dark gray. An early rain followed.