The Legacy Debt

Chapter 2

I'd like to say something good; like that I was able to sleep comfortably with my brother Harold snoring on my shoulder or that Richard's dull remarks about his financial anxiety would lull my mind to sleep. However, as you may have guessed, the thought that I was the subject of some great debt for our family did not allow me to succumb to the great comfort of overnight carriage travel. The storm raged on through the night and despite this, the coachmen and our driver braved through the rain to get us home before the Prince and his family arrived at Halloway Park. As with all good storms, when it finally passed and the sun began to peak out we reached the entrance to Halloway Hollow, where our home was located. We passed several farmers who were out minding their fields and assessing the damage the rain had caused. We pulled up to the manor only to see it's white gleaming features reflecting in the orange sunrise that was just peaking out through the black clouds that had beaten our carriages through the night.

I pulled the curtain wide open and let the sunlight into the carriage. I felt Harold, who had managed to sleep like a log through the entire journey, stir and swat at me to close the curtain. Gregory peeked out his side of the carriage and rolled his eyes at me as he saw what I was doing. As we pulled into the roundabout that was in front of our home, I saw Mr. Stephens, our Estate Agent, stood ready to greet us as we clamored out of our carriages.

"Lord and Lady Cayley, I'm so pleased to see you've made it back in one piece," exclaimed Mr. Stephens as he helped my mother down from the carriage. He then extended the same hand to my Aunt who took it forcefully as she nearly stumbled down the small steps attached to the carriage door.

"Stephens, I trust that you received Lady Cayley's message and that the house is already in full motion to prepare for their arrival," my father assumed. Mr. Stephens nodded politely and gestured to the grounds keepers who were well at work on removing the boards off of the windows and clearing the debris that had fallen from the storm.

"Not too much damage I hope," muttered my Uncle as he looked at the one shutter that had dislodged itself from its place next to the study window.

"Indeed Lord Alfred, there has been very little damage despite the severity of the storm," He motioned for the footmen who were standing in attendance to begin helping our luggage to be brought inside. My mother pushed passed the gathered group as the housemaids parted to let her through.

"Livy, follow me! Now!" she demanded and I followed her quickly through the entry hall. She began removing her hat and gloves and one of our lady's maids, Ginny, was at her side immediately catching the accessories as fast as they fell. I felt an arm sling over my shoulder and saw Harold beside me, his red tinged hair also glistened with the bit of natural light that was coming in through the open hall door.

"What do you think it could be, Livy? I think it's the opposite of Richard's opinion. The Prince is maybe the one who is indebted to us!" he mused to me and I gave him the best smile I could given the information that I already knew.

"If only," I smiled back sadly. I still felt uneasy with that rotting pit in my stomach at my mother's words the night before. I quickly hurried after her up the stairs to her apartments in the East wing as I knew that's where she would be. I could feel Harold watch after me, but I didn't think it right that I be the one to tell him what I knew. I would have told Gregory, I felt closest with him, but Harold was always telling jokes and didn't know how to keep his mouth closed.

My mother was mid getting undressed when I entered her room. Ginny was helping her remove the jacket she wore in the carriage. Margot entered in quickly behind me with a clean light dress for me to change into.