Fall

Lunch time.
Busy, busy day, arriving at Primrose! I had to sort out the parlour because of the help, nowhere to be seen!

Lunch with Lady Georgiana, Mrs Bluefield, Mrs Steele, Mrs Redburn and other ladies. Mr Allan seemed to quite enjoy lunch seated next to lady Marjorie. How lovely!

At our corner, one lady presented the idea that raising children was a women's battlefield. We talked and laughed a lot about this. Quite the thing!

Dear Nicholas needed help to cut his meat again. He needs it in small pieces, for his digestion, of course. Sometimes it seems like they never grow up, the dear, dear children!

We were invited to tea at the Bluefields, but Mr Allan was to fatigued by the travel and went to bed. I forced Percy and Mrs Plumton to escort me instead. (Mrs Plumton – Mrs Plumton! Oh, I never get tired of saying that!)

Very crowded. Only one cup of tea, not even a refill. Tense, tense, tense!

We divided, so all the men went to the Silvergate's rooms, and us womenfolk stayed. Ate six shortbread, quite good. Sad to say that the younger Mrs Plumton left quite soon.

Lady Marjorie and Lady Georgiana went on about scandal and name and broken engagements.

I had to speak up for poor Elinor, and said that it could have happened to any one of us, and no shadow over her. The only shame, said I, is that Mr Bluefield didn't take care of his child sooner. Unnatural! A child is always a blessing.

You would say that, said Lady M, and I suppose she meant that Mr Allan and I have so many children of our own. Well, I am so proud of our darling children. They shan't ever be used as an insult towards me, I say!

A lot of words, as Mr Allan would have said, but nothing resolved. Accidently invited the Silvergates for family tea.

The men returned. Mr James Bluefield looked quite the changed man, so solemn and seriously. Mr Gilbert Silvergate left me a letter of apology to our Bella. Very mysterious, I'm sure!

Some powerful poetry was read by Sir Silvergate. A lot of saddened youths. A sad affair, all of it, I say!

Though, very excited about family tea! Christopher wanted us to properly meet the sweet young girl he danced with this summer, a Miss Peggy. The sweetest creature one could imagine. Not of any name or fortune, but staying with the Lt. Whiteford, a very respectable fellow, I'm sure!

And could you believe it, Lady Marjorie actually arrived at tea! Luckily we had some lapsang oolong prepared, and dried strawberries as well. Percy and Marcus both quite doted on her, excellent boys! (Must say, that rose dress of her is quite spectacular.)

Alexander brought Mr James to tea, so it felt quite solemn in the room. Bella sat in the couch; they hardly looked at each other. What should one think?

And then, la!, Christopher dropped the grapes in front of Miss Peggy, and we were all so happy! Mr Allan, so proud! The apple and the tree, and all that.

But then, alas, Marcus said to me: "Look to your daughter," And Bella wept! Not happy-for-Christopher-tears, but sad, sad tears. Her beautiful face, so dear to me, quite streaked with it.

She rushed out, down the stairs. I tried to follow her, but she was so, so angry and would not even speak to me. Could you believe it! When she needed her mama the most, to comfort her only as a mother could!

Mr Allan kept going on about the fickle character of Mr James, when Marcus tried to defend his friend. Mr A said that it would be an entirely different matter if Mr James at least would have written to Arabella during the summer. But not a single letter!

Am beginning to think I made a horrible mistake. Dare not to tell Mister Allan.

Tea a complete disaster, once again. Preparations for dinner and dancing. Newly made spencer in lovely dove grey.

Mr Allan had a good talk with Mr Bluefield, after I'd told him about how Mr B owned up to Miss Abigail being his daughter. Quite proud of him.

Dinner amongst Mr and Mrs Bluefield, some of the other ladies, and the admiral. The admiral drew up the battle of Trafalgar at the table, even using props. Mr Bluefield was quite riveted!

So happy that we are not in the outs with the Bluefields! Lovely thing to have Elinor back.

Bella and Mr James sat together at dinner, I saw. And Alexander and Miss Isabel, quite surprising. Nicholas was kind enough to invite Lady Georgiana.

They have grown quite close during their business ventures in the Americas. A good thing too, that darling boy could really use an extra pair of motherly eyes. It seems that she is learning him all the things a young man ought to know.

Tea after dinner in the tea room. Nicholas burst in, quite forlorn, in tears! Buried his head in mamas bosom and cried his dear heart out. Mr Allan quite sympathetic, patted his shoulder and fetched the boy a cup of strong, sweet tea.

Then he looked up at me and cried out - "I'm so happy!". Blessed boy! Children really knows how to make a mother worry!

Seemed his courtship of (the poor but very good, I'm sure) Miss Juliet Pinewright was going very well. Who could resist the darling Plumton boys, I always say!

 At tea, Mr Allan still going on about how untrustworthy Mr James seemed, not writing to Bella. I finally, after three caramels, had to confess the whole thing. Mr James HAD in fact been writing. But I had intercepted the letters and hidden them.

Mr Allan just looked at me sternly and said: "Why are you telling me, my dear? You know who you must tell. Just, out on the battle field with you, Phyllis!"

After another treat or two, I braced myself and went to look for the children. Firstly, I found Mr James down by the well. We walked in awkward silence to Bella's rooms, where Alexander and Marcus already waited outside.

Quite lightheaded, I sat down at the bench when Arabella came out. I tried to be brave and just say it, but am afraid some explanations were necessary.

I didn't think Bella was very seriously committed to Mr James, on hearing her rather unserious remark on his proposal this summer. About him being young, beautiful and fun.

And the first letter arrived so very soon after the engagement being broken, I didn't want Bella being confused or hurt. So I hid it. But then, Mr James, kept on writing, so I hid those letters as well.

And it wasn't until I say Bella exploding with tears during Christopher's proposal, that I could see what a terrible mistake I've made. Also, seeing Mr James quite the changed man, so serious and grown up. Quite proud of him!

But ashamed of my causing the dear, dear children so much harm! I told them that I had the letters in my writing desk and had in fact not read them.

We cried, both Bella and I, and hopeless creatures that we Plumton ladies our, not a handkerchief in sight.

Mr James' response was more gracious than I ever had a right to expect. He said that a mother's care could never make him angry. Very well put, such a sweet boy, I always say! Kind, kind children!

Soon, he excused himself, and went to se the two papas at the tea room, for a serious conversation, leaving me to fuss some more over my darling daughter, and also apologize and explain some more. So happy that she once again is speaking to me properly! And to see her smile and laugh!

Went to the tea parlour and played a lovely set of Frog, frog, frolic! with Lady Marjorie, Mr and Mrs Bluefield, dear Mr Allan and darling Christopher.

Once again we were unlucky with our new beginners – Christopher beat us all at the game, although he had such a hard time understanding the rules at first. Excellent boy!

More happy, happy news – our Alexander, engaged to the sweet Miss Isabel Silvergate! Mr Colin Bluefield, more wealthy than ever, scorned! My most darling, troublesome boy, properly engaged! I almost passed out. Sweet, grateful boy!

Marcus, that sly creature, beat Sir Silvergate to asking Miss Caroline Bluefield to the ball. Lovely couple! So happy to see him dancing and smiling again!

Do believe the inheritance business with him and Christopher is going well. Mr Allan read a letter from the lawyer, but I do confess I did not properly listen.

Did get the chance to straighten out the misunderstanding between Mr Allan and our dear Mrs Pinewright, though. Apparently, when offering her a position as manager of our new orphanage for the poor orphan children of the mines, Mr Allan managed to make her an indecent proposal.

I could hardly stop laughing when he told me the whole thing. He is so droll – he didn't understand at all what he had done wrong!

And a good thing I sorted that whole thing out, now that our Nicholas and Miss Juliet Pinewright are engaged. Apparently he kissed the girl, right out on the street. Passionate creatures, the Plumton men, I always say!

No fortune, of course, but excellent family. Nicholas seems truly happy, and Lady Georgiana has quite taught me that one can not deny one's children anything, while they are so ridiculously happy!

Arabella, sweet girl, gathered all of us Plumtons down at the well for a family portrait in all our ball night regalia. (She said it was quite like trying to herd cats together.) Happy, happy moment!

Was also happy to be able to mention to Lady Marjorie that all dear children but one were now properly married or engaged. Lovely, grateful children, I always say!

Mr Allan and I went for an evening stroll, since we were much to tired to even think of dancing. He said: "All this talk of new love. There's nothing wrong with a bit of old love, I say." Dear, dear, old creature!

Before we went to bed, we celebrated the great evening for the Plumtons with a glass of champagne in the parlour.

Suddenly, dearest Marcus barged in and said that he needed to talk to us. He wanted Mr Allan's permission to propose to – Miss Isabella Bluefield! Full circle, I say!

Mr Allan seemed angry at first, but was in fact honoured and delighted that Marcus would come and ask his permission, even thought they had made the deal that Marcus could marry whomever he chose to.

Gave him some champagne as well. Lovely boy! I do believe we are finally mama and papa for him now.


Breakfast.
Joyous day! Delightful breakfast! The Plumton's soon needs a breakfast room of their own – we are so many!

Mr Allan decided to step back from the business and change the name of the company to Plumton, Plumton, Plumton, Plumton, Plumton & Plumton.

The ladies Silvergate and I started to plan the most lovely family Christmas for all the Plumton, Silvergates, Bluefields, and Pinewrights.

Cried and laughed when all our darling children stood up with the future Mr and Mrs Plumtons at church. Even Mr Whimhurst on a rascally good mood.

Happy day! Happy children! Happy life!