Under His Protection

Chapter 11

Wainwright Hall

"Is this the road to our new home, Papa?" Richie asked as the coach left the road from Clun and turned onto a graveled lane leading to Wainwright Hall. The boy was seated next to Oliver his head near the open window of the coach door looking out at the passing countryside. Val was seated across from Oliver with Richie holding on to Margie as she stood on the seat to look out the same window.

"Yes, and in a few minutes we will come to a rise in the road and you will see your new home," Oliver told the boy.

"My white pony with the pink bows is here, Papa?" Margie asked him again for the hundredth time.

"Yes your white pony with the pink bows is here," Oliver replied smiling.

Val was surprised at how good the children traveled on the train from London to Clun. Margie had fallen asleep after about an hour but Richie sat next to Oliver the whole way to ask questions or listen to Oliver tell him the names of the towns the train stopped in along the way with other facts about the countryside. Oliver made sure they had the entire railroad car to themselves for the trip, leaving Trevorton House very early this morning it was now still several hours before luncheon.

Traveling with them from London were two men from Oliver's office, an Adam Coleman and Edwin Farr. They came as extra protection for the trip and later at the house. They were in charge of setting up the around the clock guards Oliver wanted stationed around the grounds of the estate. They were both armed as were her husband and his valet, Tilman. She'd wondered if they would have to live in an armed camp for the rest of their lives or would this...this person give up some day and leave them to live their lives in peace.

Twenty minutes later the house came into view with both Richie and Margie were excited to see they were almost there. "It's huge," Richie exclaimed upon seeing their new home. "I think it is bigger than Grandfather Duke's house."

She hadn't thought about how large Wainwright Hall would look to an adult let alone a child with its three stories and two large wings at each end along with the other large buildings around the property such as the stables and greenhouses excitement. "But I think your Grandfather Duke's house in the country is larger than this one."

Before long their coach pulled up at the front entrance and a footman hurried to open the door for them. Richie was the first to hop out followed by Oliver who then helped Margie and Val down from the coach. Val kept Margie's hand tightly in hers as they followed Oliver and Richie up the steps. Thompson had the front doors wide open waiting to greet them.

"Welcome home, my lord, my lady. The staff and I would like to congratulate you on your recent marriage." Thompson said.

"Thank you, it's good to be home. Thompson, this is Master Richie," Oliver told the butler, "and this is Miss Margie."

"Welcome to Wainwright Hall, Master Richie and Miss Margie," Thompson told the two children.

"Thank you, Thompson," Richie replied.

Margie tugged at the hem of Oliver's coat. "I don't see my white pony with the pink bows, Papa," she told him when he looked down. She put her hands on her hips and looked around the large entry. "You promised me she would be here and I don't see her anywhere."

Val saw Thompson trying very hard not to laugh just as was she.

Oliver suppressed his laughter as he leaned down and picked Margie up.

"Your ponies are kept in the stable where we keep all the other horses," Oliver answered. "Once you both are settled in the nursery we shall pay a visit to them. The maids need to unpack your trunks to find your new riding clothes first."