Chapter Seven: A Conversation Concerning Friends

  At Chamberlain Estates, Melbourne, the mouse continued to hide while gathering his army of friends underneath the great house. Nearby, one loose pink pig fled from a local farm while squealing until he saw a mount of lost strawberries, which content its growling stomach. 

Mr. Sommerset approached his daughter, who was painting outside. ''A social event was held last night. It was at Egbert Devonsham's home. I suppose it was an intermission before the next ball commences at his brother's estate in Bath. Strangely, I've never known Mr. Devonsham to host these types of occasions until recent days. Our friend, Mrs. Weathers, was there. 

''Mrs. Weathers was there?'' Helena asked. ''My, she attends all such social occasions.'' 

''And she seems to have many relatives,'' Matthew joked. ''She has a brother in Bath, a sister in Norwich, and another sister in Oxford. I saw her in town earlier. She said that she was headed to Oxford to meet with some of her relatives there.''

''Yes, I recall her having a niece named 'Margaret,' along with two other sisters, Isabelle and Felicity. I believe Margaret, Mrs. Weathers's niece, is ten and eight, Isabelle and Felicity are ten and seven and ten and six. I have met them on one or two occasions in Oxford before. While Margaret Barton is beautiful, she is nothing like her aunt. In many ways, I have always thought of Felicity as a younger version of her aunt.'' 

''Certainly. The Bartons are fine people. Of course, Mr. Barton is a little definitive about the dogmas of his Baptist faith and his hatred of liturgy. His wife is even less likable than them. Margaret Barton took after them, while Isabelle and Felicity behave as if Mrs. Weathers had always raised them.''

''They have always praised her. I think they see her as their mother.'' 

Sighing, Mattthew faced the sunny window. ''It's been a while since my children have seen so good of friends as lately.'' 

Hearing his words, Helena thought less of the Barton sisters and more about Basil Lee. He was one friend from her distant past. 

''I did bring these for you.''

He handed her a basket of white flowers.

''Sea champions!'' she exclaimed. ''My favorite. Oh, father, thank you.''

''Of course, Helena, you have always been heaven's last golden sun to all of us.''

The phrase left a surprised reaction on her part. She remembered Basil using the same phrase toward herself. 

''You know that's what we called you at birth,'' Matthew stated, having never told her before. Your mother and I looked at your sunny golden hair, and we called you this.''

She was still shocked by his explanation of the term. 

''Father, I never knew this,'' she replied. Thinking to herself, she thought, ''There was only one person who ever called me this, and I always wondered where he learned the phrase.'' 

Smiling, he adored his daughter. ''You will be glad to know that not only will the ball soon begin at Mr. Devonsham's home, but new visitors have arrived in Yorkshire.'' 

''Oh, who?'' she asked. 

''Several respected naval officers have recently arrived in town. Among them is Admiral Hawkes.''

''Oh?'' she asked again, having heard the name before.

''Yes, and several lower officers, though younger than the admiral. I don't recall the names now.''

She listened, though expecting him to say no more.

''Oh yes, I remember. What was it? Wilmington? Yes, Wilmington. I talked to him. He is indeed a handsome, dashing man. He doesn't live here but knows Chesterfield better than I thought. Strangely, when I asked him why he was here, he wouldn't say, though, based on our conversation, that he was aware of Longwood Abbey and Oscar's condition. The admiral summoned him to himself, however, and I had no further time to make any more inquiries.'' 

''Longwood Abbey, of all places in Yorkshire, how would he know about it? It is a beautiful castle, after all, but no one hardly ever ventures there. For someone not aquinted with Yorkshire and specifically Chesterffield, I wonder what connection he has to those at that castle?'' 

''Who knows, my dear? Thankfully, newer people are arriving in Chesterfield. That is good for our family. In time, you will need a husband, George, a wife. And while Chesterfield is growing, so is our beloved town of Shrewsbury. Who would not want to live in the rural county of Yorkshire?'' 

Nodding, she agreed, though her heart was sold out to someone else besides those currently mentioned. 

Clasping her hands, Mr. Sommerset felt her heart, though hoping that she would not be hurt by holding onto the past. There recent days had been very sunny, after all, at least in the literal sense, even if the most endearing friendships of her life were still behind her.