Work Text:
Sitting alone at the kitchen table, Ivy worked in silence. She bit lightly at her lower lip as she concentrated on the work of her hands in front of her.
She started the project directly after the midday meal so that it would be ready by the time Eliza arrived home from work that evening.
Ivy had a mastery of just about everything she created at this table, but this was a first and she was glad that there were no prying eyes, questioning or other interference to get in the way of her progress.
Very similar to any dish she had perfected from decades of practice, this project required having all the necessary items and skillful hands to get it right. So, with the same type of precision used to make icing florets on a cake, she slowly stylized the design on this smooth surface.
The truth be told, Ivy owed the success of this latest accomplishment to a new friendship she had formed with Hattie. It was shortly after Hattie’s wedding that Ivy found her eager to be useful in some occupation other than sitting, reading and receiving guests to the home. Hattie was even more delighted that Ivy considered her a friend and would ask for her assistance on a very special endeavor. Ivy soon learned that Hattie’s eagerness to please also brought on her excessive chattiness and she had to be reminded that their project was to be kept in the strictest confidence just between the two of them. Ivy could see by the widening of Hattie’s eyes that part of the deal was going to be somewhat difficult for her; nevertheless, Hattie nodded her head in agreement.
With Hattie’s part of the plan completed the day before, Ivy was able to work in pleasant silence under the warmth of the brilliant midday sun shining through the kitchen window.
She stood back and wiped her hands on her apron admiring the finished product as it lay on the table. “Not bad,” she thought, and a huge, satisfied grin formed across her face. Altogether pleased with her accomplishment, Ivy moved her masterpiece to the side of the table.
She wiped down the table and cleared any evidence by placing the jars and tools on a shelf within the pantry cabinet. Ivy then turned her attention to the cake that required icing before the guests arrived.
*********************************
Ivy’s plan was coming together nicely. Everyone she invited arrived at least a half hour before Eliza and were treated to small plate delights of cold meats, cheeses, bread, olives, fruit and chilled cider.
In order to ensure Eliza’s prompt arrival, Ivy devised a ruse. Ivy sent a message to Eliza’s office that a solicitor with important news was coming to the house to meet with her at 5:00. She knew mention of a solicitor would get Eliza’s attention and ensure she would arrive home on time. Eliza arrived in a rush a few minutes before 5:00 and called out for Ivy as she entered the foyer. When she got no answer, she quickly hung her hat and coat, dropped her bag, smoothed her hair and the front of her dress and headed toward the light shining in the drawing room.
Upon entering the doorway, Eliza stopped abruptly in her tracks with a look of surprised confusion on her face. Instead of a solicitor, she was greeted by a roomful of jovial friends – William, Detective Fitzroy, Hattie and Ludwig, and Mr. Potts cheerfully nibbling. Even Moses, standing off to himself, had been lured out of hiding to be a part of this assembly. Ivy moved toward her and said, “Come in Lizzy and join the celebration.” As she advanced further into the room, Eliza was able to then see the large banner made of brown butcher paper hanging over the mantel of the fireplace that read:
CONGRATULATIONS
ELIZA SCARLET CHIEF INVESTIGATOR
From her reading and writing lessons with Eliza, Ivy had capably mastered and put to use her newfound skill in writing her letters. The words she regularly penned when making lists of items from the grocer came easily to her now - eggs, beef, peas, chicken, potatoes, carrots, since she shopped for those items nearly every other day.
Creating the banner provided a new and welcomed challenge for Ivy. Enlisting Hattie to help with spelling and using her talents with calligraphy, was a good choice in making the surprise just a bit more special. Hattie wrote the words freehand in a fanciful font style and it was Ivy’s job to fill in the penciled letters with black paint on the nearly five-foot long banner.
Eliza turned to Ivy and grabbing her hand with a look of affection and gratitude asked softly, “Ivy, you did this?
Ivy squeezed Eliza’s hand and with a satisfied smile silently nodded her response. “Yes.”
“I am so proud of you and the progress you have made with your reading and writing.” Eliza said, while gesturing to the banner that Ivy created. Then clasping both of Ivy’s hands in hers, Eliza said in a voice for all to hear, “And thank you for bringing all of my dearest friends together to celebrate this new adventure with me.”
“We are so very proud of you, Lizzy” Ivy stated with pride and encircled her arms around the younger woman into a warm embrace. When Ivy released her, she turned to the group to happily declare, “In truth, I cannot take all the credit for the banner. It was Hattie that helped with the spelling and drawing the beautiful fonts. I did the painting!” she stated while nodding her head toward Hattie in acknowledgement. Hattie beamed with satisfaction at the commendation pleased with her role in the scheme. Ludwig, whose English comprehension was improving, understood his bride was being praised and placed his arm around her shoulder and squeezed her affectionately.
“Your hand is empty, Miss Scarlet,” Fitzroy remarked with his usual good humor and pleasant smile stepping forward to offer a glass of sherry to Eliza which she graciously accepted.
“Thank you, Detective,” Eliza acknowledged. And with that Ivy led a toast and everyone raised their glass and joined in a “Hurrah” on Eliza’s behalf.
William’s voice was notably absent from those voicing congratulations even though he raised his glass with a nod and a smile toward Eliza. He knew he needed to offer more than just a head nod and with the time to travel the few steps between them for inspiration, he spoke what was in his heart.
“I hope Nash realizes what he has in you as a detective.” He said in what was near a whisper.
Eliza was not sure how to take William’s statement and quickly attempted to discern if it was made out of malice or commendation. For some reason, at that moment, she couldn't make an accurate assessment of his feelings. So she locked eyes with him and stated in an even, expressionless tone.
“This offer would seem to show he recognizes my ability as a capable detective, William.”
“Without a doubt.,” he said shaking his head in agreement. “I...I,” he stammered shifting his weight back and forth while looking down at his feet.
“Yes”, Eliza encouraged eyeing him curiously while raising the glass to take a small sip.
“I want you to know if there is anything I can do to help you, anything at all, you know you can always call on me.” He said, looking into her eyes with what Eliza read as caring concern for her.
“I am glad to hear it, William. I had hoped that part of our friendship wouldn’t change with all of these new…new developments…that have happened for us both lately.” She responded hitting hard on “developments” through a forced smile.
William had not yet told her that his relationship with Arabella was over and this certainly was not the time to bring it up. He was still grappling with the sting of how that affair ended. Furthermore, his feelings for Eliza were further complicated by this news of her accepting the position with Nash & Sons and what he really thought of that partnership. At a loss for words, he turned his face away from Eliza and focused on some far away point out the window.
She knew something important was occupying William’s thoughts. His current expression was one he wore when he was troubled. She determined she would wait for a private moment to get to the heart of what was weighing upon him.
“Now let’s have some cake with the others!” Eliza chimed up breaking the awkward silence between them. “Ivy has gone through a bit of trouble preparing all of this and even if you don’t really feel like celebrating, let’s try for Ivy’s sake.” Eliza implored him with a full smile gently touching his wrist. He acknowledged her request with a nod and a closed-lip smile in return.
Then slipping her arm through his, she guided him toward the group who were gathered near the table set up with the cake and tea service. Ivy, basking in the triumph that her plans for this day had successfully come together, was cheerfully dolling out large slices of the white batter cake coated with thick vanilla icing.
“Good work on the banner, Ivy. What do you plan to do next with your writing and lettering skills? Going into the printing business perhaps?” William joked in an effort to brighten his mood.
Ivy clapped her hands together and giggled with glee. “I’m glad you asked, Inspector! From the moment I had clear understanding of what the scribblings I was making on paper meant, I have been working on writing out all my recipes for Eliza! I can’t leave my poor girl here to starve once I’m off married, now can I?” She teased with a wink at Eliza. Eliza’s face flushed red as everyone enjoyed a laugh at her expense.
“Owww” Eliza groaned and rolled her eyes. Then pointing her fork in a mock threatening manner at Ivy she joked, “I’m beginning to regret teaching you reading and writing after all!