Aftermath ~ something new

One thing that particularly annoys Colin about his father was the lack of socialization the man exhibited. Friends and acquaintances had never visited Misselthwaite under Archibald's tenure, not even after Colin learned to walk and live. The simple fact was that Lord Craven refused to welcome visitors to his ancient mansion because he was self-conscious about own, slightly-humped appearance. Colin didn't realize the reasoning when he had been a young child and teen, but the more he dwells on it as an adult, the more sense it makes.

Back then, Colin had been eager to escape his room and embrace life, to the point that he overcame his fear of being "looked at" by others. But his father never overcame that same fear in himself. If there was to be any socialization for Colin and Mary during their formative years, it was to be in London, with Lord Craven's very few acquaintances, and that was the extent of it.

However, Colin intends to change that. Misselthwaite has been wired and the electric lights now dazzle in each room. The mansion has been cleaned from top to bottom; a process that took two months solid. The lawns have been trimmed and the gardens are in top form, and as the several new maids and footmen scurry about to make sure that everything is in proper place, Colin finds himself arguing (yet again) with Mary.

"I don't see why you won't stay! Several of our acquaintances have been asking about you, and they'll be here tonight!"

Crossly, Mary snaps, "You know perfectly well why I won't stay for dinner, so do stop asking."

"But things are changing –"

Cece interrupts. "Things haven't changed that much, Colin. Not yet. Not all of your acquaintances would understand Mary's decision to marry Dickon. It's best to ease them into the idea slowly."

"But Dickon is helping me with the estate! He's already agreed to help me manage it; I'm only waiting on the formal paperwork from the barrister's office to finalize the whole thing!"

"Cindy is right, Colin. The whole matter is something best explained to your friends slowly. And getting them to understand that you've made a common gardener a co-manager of a massive estate is the easy part! Getting Dickon comfortable with the whole notion of intermingling with the upper class is another matter entirely. He doesn't even own a set of tails, and –"

"I said I would buy him a couple of sets and he can borrow mine until –"

"Oh do shut up and listen to reason, Colin! He won't feel comfortable in them! He's never even worn tails! You'll have to ease him into that, too! You always rush headlong into things. I approve of what you've done with Misselthwaite, bringing it up to date, but other things must be taken a bit slower!"

"Mary is perfectly right." Cece straightens Colin's cravat before he can argue further. "Have some patience for once in your life."

Hotly, Colin retorts, "I am patient!"

Mary snorts most uncouthly, and Cece rolls her eyes.

"You can't always have your way, Colin," Mary finally says, though quite waspishly. "I hope your dinner party goes well tonight, even if I won't be there." She pauses at the door and adds sympathetically, "Cindy, the only reason I am sorry not to attend is that I won't be present to help ease the burden off of you. I do hope you'll forgive me."

Before Colin can complain, Cece says, "There is nothing to forgive! I understand, even if my husband does not."

"I do understand!" Colin blurts, furiously. "But I just think –"

"That's just it, Colin – you aren't thinking. There are no buts to this conversation!" Mary storms out of the room, intent on taking the servant's stairs to the basement level so she can leave without being seen in case any of Colin's friends arrive early.

"And we'd best get into the main parlor," Cece reminds him. "So John can answer the door properly."

As if on cue, John enters and nods to the pair of them. "Master Colin," he says professionally, for he has taken on the duties of Head Butler in place of Pitch, who died several years ago, "As soon as your guests arrive, I'll show them into the parlor. And I'll announce dinner at seven o'clock. Jamison and Fredrick will be serving."

"How is Fredrick working out?" Colin asks seriously, for hiring new staff for Misselthwaite is one of his latest works in progress, and it has been no easy task.

"He seems to be doing quite well, sir. He came from over near Leeds, having worked in a grand house before the war. Medlock has been watching him carefully, but everything seems in order."

"Excellent." Colin sighs and looks at his wife, who is dressed in the latest fashion. "Well, shall we?"

"Yes, and don't be such a rajah," Cece reminds him. "I daresay your friends from London will be whispering behind their hands all night at the fact the house is now open to guests, so don't make it worse."

"I do believe you and Mary are ganging up on me," he grumbles.

"Which is exactly as it should be." Cece smiles, and she leads him into the decadent parlor.