Richard sat in the office of the estate agent he had visited once before when he was looking to purchase Williams’ Drapery.
‘I am to be married in a matter of weeks, sir, and I need to provide my wife-to-be with a residence.’
The estate agent nodded. ‘What exactly are you looking for, Lord Wyndham?’
‘Something large – in its own grounds. It will need to have an indoor facility too. Stabling will also be required, as well as servants’ living quarters,’ Richard answered.
‘Of course,’ Mr Sadler said. ‘I think I may have just the thing. It’s set back on Trouse Lane and I think it would suit you and your lady admirably. Would you care to see it?’
‘Please, Mr Sadler. I have time now if you are available?’
Mr Sadler nodded – he would make himself available for this sale. The previous owners had spent a lot of money on refurbishing the property and then had decided to sell up and move abroad.
The two men made their way to the property by cab and immediately Richard was impressed at its grandeur.
Set back from the road, it was surrounded by huge trees. The front door was reached via three steps and was flanked by two stone pillars. It opened onto a big hallway, which led to a living room, drawing room, parlour, music room, kitchen and scullery. Up the sweeping staircase were six bedrooms and a bathroom. The back stairs led to another floor, which housed six servants’ rooms. Outside at the back was stabling for four horses and a building for a carriage.
Richard nodded as he walked around – this would do very nicely. Ann would have enormous pleasure choosing fixtures and fittings.
Returning to the agent’s office, Richard signed the paperwork and assured Mr Sadler he would visit the bank immediately in order for payment to be made that very day.
As he walked along the snow covered street, Richard hoped Ann would like her new house. He had decided to keep his Shropshire home in use as well so that he could – they could – visit whenever they pleased. He knew for certain Ann did not want to leave her home town or her business for good, so buying property in Wednesbury would both please her and be a sound investment.
Presenting the bank manager with a copy of the deeds to the house, Richard arranged for payment to be made. Then with a spring in his step he walked along to the shop. Ann had two surprises coming to her today and he couldn’t wait to see her face.
Entering the shop, he asked Ella and Eve to close up for an hour and follow him into the living room. The sisters shared a puzzled look but did as they were bid.
‘Ann and the girls am upstairs,’ Eve said on entering the room.
‘I wonder if you would be kind enough to ask them to join us,’ Richard asked.
Eve nodded and ran up the stairs. A moment later everyone was settled, wondering what was going on.
‘Thank you for joining us, ladies. I have two announcements to make and I wanted you all to be a party to them.’
Looks passed between the girls, then their eyes rested on Ann. She held out her hands and shrugged her shoulders; she was no wiser than the rest of them.
Richard pulled an envelope from his pocket and held it out to Ann.
Taking it, she frowned. ‘What’s this?’
‘That, my love, is the deed to your shop. This drapery now belongs to you.’ Richard’s grin spread from ear to ear as Ann gasped.
‘Richard! I can’t possibly accept this!’
‘You have to. It’s in your name now – although I have taken a bit of a liberty,’ Richard nodded to the envelope.
Opening it, Ann took out the deed and read aloud. ‘Lady Ann Wyndham!’
The girls burst into spontaneous applause.
‘You deserve it, Ann,’ Maisie said as the noise died down.
‘Agreed,’ Patsy said.
‘To be sure,’ Mary added.
‘Am we all still employed?’ Ella asked, causing laughter to ripple around the room.
‘Yes!’ Ann said. ‘Richard, thank you!’
‘Now – for my next trick…’ Richard grinned as he produced a second envelope. ‘This is the deed to Trouse Manor – your new home, Ann – although I think it could do with a new name.’
‘What! That massive place on Trouse Lane?’ Ann gasped.
‘The very same.’ Richard’s face was alight with excitement. ‘These are the keys, so I suggest you go and take a look. If you don’t like it, we’ll just get another,’ Richard said flippantly.
Ann sat shaking her head. She looked at the envelope and keys in one hand and the other envelope in the other hand. She could hardly believe what she was seeing.
‘I – I…’ Ann mumbled.
‘Maisie, my dear, would you get Ann’s coat please? All of you – go with Ann and see the house.’ Richard clapped his hands.
‘What about the shop?’ Ella asked.
‘Close up for the day – oh, pardon me – will that be all right, Ann?’ Richard almost forgot himself.
‘Yes!’ Ann said, jumping to her feet. Throwing her arms around him, she kissed him full on the lips.
‘Hey up!’ Patsy said as she pushed the others out of the room.
It took precisely five minutes for all to don their outdoor clothes and take a cab to the new house.
As they wandered around, they realised the house held not one stick of furniture. There were no curtains at the windows and no crockery or utensils in the kitchen.
‘Bloody hell, Ann, you’ve got your work cut out with this place!’ Maisie said when they all stood in the living room once more.
‘How on earth am I to make it habitable in three weeks?’ Ann breathed.
‘Fast!’ Patsy quipped.
Richard was waiting for them back at the shop with hot tea and cake. ‘Well?’ he asked.
‘Richard, it’s beautiful but – there’s nothing in there!’ Ann said.
‘I know. I thought you would enjoy furnishing it yourself,’ he said brightly.
‘We only have three weeks, Richard! How on earth…?’ Ann dropped into a chair, feeling exasperated – men had no idea how much work it would take to furnish such a huge house.
‘At least you don’t have to live in Shropshire!’ Ella said a little sharply, thinking Ann was somewhat ungrateful.
Eve took up gently in order to ease Ella’s tension. ‘Oh Ann, just think how it will look when you’ve finished it!’
‘Exactly. Now tomorrow you and I will go furniture hunting. I want you to get precisely what you want. We will have it all delivered and installed as soon as possible, so we can move in right after the wedding,’ Richard said with a wave of his hand.
‘But, Richard – the expense!’ Ann was still reeling from all that had occurred over the last few hours.
‘Ann, this will be our home. I want you to have everything you need. Besides, I’m sure the girls would be delighted to help, won’t you?’ Richard turned to their friends and saw them nod.
‘Oh my goodness – so much to do in such a short time!’ Then Ann’s face lost all its anxiety to be replaced by a laughing happiness.
As the evening wore on, they were joined by Jack who was updated on the events of the afternoon.
The following weeks promised to be an extremely busy time for them all.