True Love

Coming to Nampara

Sam, Bobby and James sat on top of the coach with Jud and the driver, the younger boys sat with them in the coach with Demelza. The Drake and Willie kept their traveling companions in stitches. Demelza was telling Willie about the animals on the farm, the work they do on the farm. Then she told him of her garden she was starting, he was so excited he asked Demelza "can I help you in the garden, we can grow carrots, potatoes, cabbage, can we get seeds, do you have a root cellar where you store your vegetables. Joshua answered him "you can plant whatever you want and yes, we can store items in the root cellar. Willie said, "then we won't be hungry anymore?" Ross said, "no you will not be starving or hungry ever again. Drake laid his head on Demelza's lap, she smoothed his hair and hummed a song for him soon Willie head dropped forward they were both fast asleep. Ross moved Willie so he was sleeping on his lap. Joshoa picked Willie's feet up, so he was laying down. Dwight followed suit for Drake. Demelza smile at Dwight but when she looked at Ross, he was scowling at her. Demelza leaned her head against the side of the coach and fell asleep.
Since it was late in the day they decided to head back home instead of Falmouth. They did stop at Turro to see if they could get a type of bunk bed for the boys. They purchased two sheets for each along with a pillow for each. Joshua was going to purchase clothes, but Demelza told him to wait she wanted to see what she could find for them. They basically had the clothes on their backs and that was it.
While they were in town Ross came across Francis in the Red Lion, but he was not alone he was with Margarethe Vispar, she used to be a friend of Elizabeth but she like the men and her parents disowned her. Elizabeth still spoke to her hence why she was at the wedding, but Elizabeth could not be seen socializing because it would look like she agreed with Margarethe life choices. She was sitting on Francis's lap, and he was kissing her neck. Ross sat down and said, "didn't take you long to break your vows." Francis's said, "tell me cousin about how long do you suppose it will take for my wife to break hers with you? Oh, wait what did she tell me you already spoke to each another about her having a dalliance with you." Ross looked at Francis and told him "I would never do that to you or any other married man." "Oh, the mighty moral Ross Poldark you would never do anything immoral," laughed Francis. Ross shook his head and got up and leave. Margarethe yelled "come see me soon, My Lord!"
They all met back at the coach and went to Nampara. Upon reaching the house, Jenny looked at all the extra mouths to feed and said I don't think I made enough, Demelza said, "don't worry I will make something fast to go with it." Sam said, "after the lunch we had we would not usually have another meal so maybe something small." Demelza said "why don't you go into the parlor with Uncle Joshua, and I will see what else I can add to the meal." Joshua said, "I think I can take Sam and James to a couple of the cottages one would be Reith Cottage the other would be one in Mellon." Ross said "would you like to show them or me to come with you? Joshua said, "I think it would be better for you to be here if they deliver the boy's beds. Thy can pick a room. The room you are sleeping in would be perfect but since you are still in it let them pick one up by Demelza's." Joshua rang the bell. Jenny came in and the boys' eyes opened wide. Joshua introduced the boys to her, and Drake said, "Uncle Joshua are you rich?" Joshua said, "let's just say we have plenty to live on." Joshua told Jenny about the beds being delivered and that Jim and Jack should put them in the room the boys will choose, he tells her their sheets are in the foyer.
Demelza sets forth to make a cake knowing the boys haven't gotten treats as chocolate. While that is baking, she decides to add sandwiches to go with Jenny's stew which with the bread they have should be enough for everyone, but she would do up some extra meat and add a few more vegetables adding it to the stew in case. She also pulled some apple jam, which the boys will really consider a treat. Ross came in an asked Demelza if she wanted to go up to help the boys choose their rooms?" Demelza said "Should that be Uncle Joshua's decision?" Ross said he wants the boys to do it?" Demelza called to Jenny and asked her to watch the cake, that she would be down in a few minutes. She went upstairs with Ross and the boys. Ross pulled her aside and said, "was that your chocolate cake I smelled?" She nodded and Ross said, "hide it until after they eat, or they won't be able to eat a thing" When they reached Demelza's room she told the boys "This is my room, and she opened the door and gasped "they had put up lace sheers with a fuchsia over curtain. Her bed had the same color covers. She had a dressing table with her brushes and combs, she also noticed a perfume bottle. It was lemon scented. Everything was put away. Ross said, "you like it?" She nodded as a tear dropped. He said I hope you like the fragrance I noticed you seem to have a draw to lemon. She looked at him and said, "it is from you?" Ross said "Yes." Demelza said "thank you." "Demelza, I want to tell you how sorry I am for what happened," Ross said. Demelza looked at him with a frown, "Ross it is fine, it seems I am here, at least until you take a wife or Uncle Joshua passes the house to you, so until then I feel we best that I keep to myself, and you keep to yourself." Ross said "Demelza." Demelza interrupted him, "Ross please I have, to concentrate on my brothers." She then looked at Drake and Willie, "we have two rooms for you to choose from you will sleep in the same room in the beds Uncle Joshua purchased for you." The rooms were pretty much the same and the boys choose the one closest to Demelza's. She then showed them the water closet telling them it was not a plaything it was for when they had to go pot in the night and take a bath. She could tell the boys were intrigued and wanted to get in there and play. "OKAY boys let go back down so when the beds come you can show them where to place them." They all followed Demelza back into the kitchen. Ross asked if Demelza needed any help after she told him no, he took the boys out to see the farm.
The mercantile sent the beds, Jim, Jack, Ross and the delivery men had it set up in no time. Demelza having had time to get all her dinner preparations done went up to help Jenny put the beds together. They decided to leave them both separate because of the boys being so young. She put the sheets blankets and pillows and the boys decided which bed they wanted. They both said they were tired, and they wanted to go to bed, Demelza told them, "you can stay here until Sam and the others come back but you need to eat, please take your shoes of and don't get under the covers."
Ross smiled at the young boys to get excited about getting beds. He also thought about how good Demelza was with her brothers, and you could tell they loved her very much even the older ones. He heard voices downstairs, which meant the others were back from looking at the cottages for Sam and James. Demelza hurried down the stairs to set the table. When in the dining room she notices Dwight went home. Demelza decided she would send him some stew, bread and cake. Demelza set the table and went to call Drake and Willie down. She told them to wash their hands and face. While she and Jenny set the table and put the food out. They giggled at all the men and boys washing their hands and faces. They all sat down, they left a seat beside Jim and one beside Ross. Since Jenny sat by Jim that left Demelza one choice. Sam asked if he could say a prayer. Joshoa scoffed at him "prayer what type of religion are you boy?" Sam said, "I am a Methodist," "I don't care if you want to pray just don't force anyone else or try to convert me," said Joshua. Sam said the blessing and they all started to eat. Demelza asked Sam if they found a place to their liking Sam indicated they had decided to Reith cottage. Demelza said Uncle can they spend the night here I will clean the cottage for them tomorrow. Sam said, "Nay sister we can do that ourselves." Joshua said, "the boys were more the welcome to spend the night and he could get someone in to clean." Drake and Willie wanted Sam and James to sleep in their room and that was agreed upon. The boys would have been happy just eating the apple jam on bread, but the soup also go devoured. Once everyone was done, Demelza got up to bring in the cake in, Jenny also got up and Ross told her to sit he would help Demelza. When they walked in with the cake and the boys clapped, they haven't had a cake since their Demelza left. Demelza put a piece back for Dwight along with stew and bread. Ross asked if she could put another piece of cake back for him. She said, "I will try.' Ross said, "I'll take Dwight's to him later tonight." "Oh, said Demelza, "thought I would take it to him tomorrow?" Ross then told her that "he probably would be out tomorrow."
Demelza asked if there were any clean, night shirts or shirts, she could let the boys sleep in. Joshoa said, Ross, Demelza come with me." In the library Joshua pointed to trunks, "in that one should be from Claude Anthony, this one is from Ross, and this is from me so pull out anything you think they could use." Demelza found a couple nightshirts that would fit Drake and some britches, a coat and a couple shirts. Demelza looked at Joshoa and said "are you sure Uncle they are from your precious son. Joshoa said, "he will never be able to use them, let the boy have them." Ross found a lot that could be used for the other boys but not enough for all, then Joshoa pulled out enough for a change of clothes at least. Demelza said "could someone show Sam how to draw the water for the tub so he can help the younger one's bathe, while I help Jenny clear and clean." Joshoa said, "You had a very eventful day, and you look like you could fall over!" Demelza replied, "It is too much for Jenny and I want to make sure she has an idea what to get for breakfast." Joshoa said, "I will have Jim show Sam where to sleep then, Sam can start with the baths."
Ross came back and was sitting in the parlor with Joshoa. He was telling them about Drake and Willie just wanting to play with the water closet then when the beds came them jumping on the. Ross was laughing so hard that he thought he would bust his side out. Joshoa told Ross he told his Aunt Demelza to bring the boys, but she said he never beat the boys, but it was obvious he did not take very good care of them. Ross also let Joshoa know how good Demelza was with her brothers. Joshoa mentioned to Ross that maybe they should hire another person. Soon Jenny would deliver. Ross also voiced his concern that Demelza looked tired after dinner.
Jenny kept looking at Demelza then Jim came back in from showing Sam where to sleep. Jenny was so worried about Demelza she could tell she was wearing out, "Demelza, why don't you go to bed?" Demelza shook her head, "there is too much for you by yourself." "Jim will help me you go on up." The first clue that Demelza was not feeling well is when she did not argue, the second was when she was about six steps away, she fainted. Jenny screamed, upon hearing this Ross, Joshua both jumped and ran to the kitchen, where they saw Demelza laying on the floor. Ross bent over and brushed her hair out of her face. He told Jim to go fetch Dwight. He asked Jenny what had happened, and she told him the Mistress was not looking right for some time but refused to go to bed. Ross picked her up and carried her upstairs. Laying her on the bed he turned around and saw four set of frightened eyes. Then Sam came up behind him with Joshua and Ross asked his father to show Sam how to work the water closet. His father and Sam herded the boys away. Demelza looked up at Ross, who said, "this is becoming a habit, I think you just like the feel of my arms around you." She didn't have the energy to respond!