“A Lonesome Lord,” Ch. 03: Mrs. Carpenter expands her acquaintanceship, February 05, 2023 by Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1511)

(all rights reserved by Gratiana Lovelace; copyrighted 2023); [(1) Story Cover, below left]

Illustrations:  I cast my stories as I write them.  So from time to time, I will illustrate my story with actors  or illustrations, including:  Richard Armitage as Lord Pendleton  MacKittrick (aka Sir Mac Pendleton to the Carpenter family), Justine Waddell as the widowed Corinne Carpenter, a Noah Carpenter illustration, Bill Peterson as Dr. Finneas Lively, Samantha Bond as Lady Anne Elizabeth Pendleton, and others as noted.

Author’s Notes:  This original Regency romance is a work of fiction, and as such, any character names, scenes, locations, or other descriptions were made at the creative discretion of this author.  And this is a gentle romance (G to PG-13), but with some frank discussions about love, marriage, and Regency society put to humorous effect.  This is my disclaimer.

Ch. 03:  Corrine Carpenter expands her acquaintanceship

But two days later, Woodbury Village gains a new visitor.  And Corrine Carpenter will unknowingly  expand her acquaintanceship with the MacKittrick family.

When Lady Anne Elizabeth Pendleton, a well groomed mature but pleasant looking stylish and smiling spinster lady of 40 years, set out from her family home near Maidstone in Kent to visit her nephew Lord Pendleton MacKittrick at Woodbury Castle in Woodbury, England Southwest of Richmond, England, she could not have foreseen the difficulties of the nearer Woodbury Village road after an unexpected rainstorm that had recently fallen upon the Woodbury Village area.   The dirt roads are now muddy and uneven from previous carriages and wagons that have trod over them, leaving deep ruts in the road and making traveling hazardous for her carriage and horses.

So there is nothing for it but for Lady Anne’s coachman to stop this later afternoon at the nearest modest for her but neat looking stone manor dwelling [(2) right]–with smoke billowing from the chimneys indicating that it is inhabited.

One of Lady Anne’s two footmen outriders, dismounts and uses the large brass handled knocker to rap twice upon the large wooden front door.  One knock might not have been heard, and three knocks would have been considered strident and discourteous.  He waits patiently for a reply.

Then unexpectedly a small boy wearing a sling on his left arm opens the door—since one might have supposed that even a small stone manor as this one would have some staff.

Footman Grimes:  “My Lady has been traveling long this day and seeks assistance to allow her to rest.”

Noah: Noah looks up and down the tall man.  “This ain’t the Woodbury Village Inn.  This is my home.”  Noah seems to be at that six year old stage when he feels that everything at his home estate belongs to him.

Footman Grimes: “But …”  The Footman is interrupted by a young woman wearing an apron over a neat but plain white  eyelet lace linen dress, and with much flour upon her hands—and in her hair.

Corrine Carpenter:  “Who is calling on us, Noah?  Oh!”  She exclaims in surprise at the tall and muscular looking man on her doorstep.  She is instantly on her guard, since this man is a stranger to them.

Noah: “I told im we ain’t the village inn, Mama.” Noah nods and points his thumb at their visitor.

Corrine Carpenter: “Thank you, Noah Dear.  But what brought the man to our doorstep?”

Noah:  “He said …”

Footman Grimes:  Now Grimes interrupts the young boy.  “Beg pardon, Madam.  But my Lady has traveled far this day and the muddy and rutted roads make it impossible to go further at this moment.  Might your Mistress allow My Lady to rest here a bit and partake of some tea?”  He asks politely of the cook.

Corrine Carpenter: “Of course.  And I am the Widow Carpenter, the Mistress of this home and our Carpenter Orchard Farm lands.”  She states for clarification, her knowing that her current flour covered appearance does not have her looking her best. But afterall, the man unexpectedly interrupted her apple tart baking preparations.

Footman Grimes: “I beg your pardon again, Mrs. Carpenter.”  He bows solicitously to her—acknowledging her obvious comfortable means by the looks of the small stone manor house and its [lovely] looking appointments–despite her seemingly being engaged in baking, rather than having a servant do that

Corrine Carpenter:  “Please invite your Lady into my home’s parlor here, whilst I briefly go to change.  Noah, please be kind to our [Lady] guest.”  Her knowing that her baby Nancy is sleeping soundly in the kitchen for the moment, she dashes to her main floor bed chamber and quick removes her apron and brushes out the flour from her hair and refastens it into a bun upon the crown of her head.  Then she dons a lovely light blue [taffeta] overlay gown to her white eyelet lace linen under gown—which quite transforms her into looking very lady like.

And Noah leads the Footman back to his carriage.

Walking out to the enclosed carriage, they find Lady Anne Pendleton looking questioningly hopefully at them from under her bonnet [(3) right].  She is not dressed over warmly for this bright Spring day, but rather wears a linen and ruffly frilled [white and pale pink] frock befitting her status as the daughter of a peer.

Lady Anne: “Oh!”  She exclaims in startled surprise upon seeing a young boy wearing a sling accompanying her Footman.

Noah: “I’m Noah Carpenter.  My Mama says to invite you into our home’s parlor.”  He states clearly, if not graciously.  At six years old, Noah is all boy—without any masculine refinements at present.

Lady Anne: “Thank you.”  She replies graciously.  Then she looks quizzically at her Footman.

Footman Grimes: “His Mama, Mrs. Carpenter—a widow—is …changing to greet you formally.”  He states discreetly.

Noah:  “My Mama was baking apple tarts and has flour all over her.”  Noah nods, him not yet perceiving at six years old that not all facts need to be related to others.  “Follow me.”

Noah turns and invites her to follow him by gesturing with his good arm. So with a slightly amused smile, Lady Anne disembarks from her carriage and follows the young boy into the tidy looking small stone manor.

***

Meanwhile, now that Corinne Carpenter is dressed presentably to greet callers in her light blue [taffeta] gown overlay over her white eyelet lace fine linen under gown, she puts the water kettle on for tea.  Then she gently picks up her still sleeping baby Nancy from her kitchen cradle and brings her into the parlor and lays her in the lovely white satin cushioned cradle there by the settee.  Then Corinne turns to greet her guest.

Corinne:  Gracefully curtsying to her Lady guest, Corinne [(4) right] greets her guest warmly with a shy smile.  “Welcome to our home, My Lady.  I am the Widow Corinne Carpenter. This is my son Noah and my baby daughter Nancy.  Please sit on my comfortable settee, if you please.  [The] heated water for our tea should be ready in a few moments.”

Lady Anne Pendleton: “Thank you, Mrs. Carpenter.  I’m Lady Anne Pendleton, come to visit my nephew Lord Pendleton MacKittrick at his Woodbury Castle Estate this day.  But the state of the roads after what seemingly was a hard rain is thwarting our further movement.  I hope that my stopping here to rest is not an inconvenience for you?” She asks genuinely concerned at her just dropping in on the Widow.

Corinne: “Not at all, My Lady.”  Corinne smiles graciously to her high born visitor.  “And whether it is our own wagonette overturn as happened to us two days ago, or your difficulties with the muddy roads today, it is helpful for each of us to be of aide to others in their distress. Our own savior who came upon us just after our accident and was helpful in taking us to the doctor and seeing to the repair of my wagonette was a Sir Mac Pendleton, as he told us his name was.  Do you think that he is a relation to you, My Lady?”  She asks curiously.

Lady Anne:  “Hmmm.”  Lady Anne thinks upon her hostess’ question.  Then before she can reply, the kettle whistles.

Corinne: “Ah!  There is the kettle. I will fetch our tea.  Would you like my son Noah to show your attendants to our stables to rest your horses and such?  Our Carpenter Orchard Farm hands can help with unhitching the horses and settling them into our open horse stalls.”  Lady Anne nods, so Corinne gestures for her son Noah to tend to that.

Noah:  To the tall man Footman Grimes, Noah commands. “Follow me!”  And Noah leads the tall man out the front door, with the Footman having the presence of mind to shut the front door after them.

***

Whilst Corrine prepares their tea tray and apple tarts treats plate in the kitchen—grateful that she had polished her silver tea serving set last week—baby Nancy starts to awaken in the parlor, with some yawning sounds and moves her little arms and hands.

Lady Anne looks over at the baby in her lovely white satin bassinette, wondering if she should call Mrs. Carpenter to tend to her baby.  Or if she should just do it.  Considering Mrs. Carpenter is preparing their tea—instead of a maid doing it—Lady Anne feels that the Widow has her hands full.  So Lady Anne stands up and gently picks up the baby, cradling her in her arms.

Lady Anne: “There now, little one. Nancy is it?  You are a delightful little bundle.  And I am certain that you will have a lovely childhood in so scenic an area.”  Yet, she thinks, despite the poor little one and her brother having sadly lost their father very young.

Then Noah returns.  And not uncharacteristically, he takes issue with Lady Anne holding his baby sister Nancy.

Noah: “Why are you holding my baby sister Nancy?  Did my Mama say you could do so?”

Lady Anne:  Non-plussed at the six year old’s confident demeanor, she dissembles sheepishly.  “Well, not exactly.”

Noah: “What does that mean?  Either My Mama said you could, or she did not.”  Noah stares at Lady Anne.

Lady Anne:  “Well, young man, you have me there.  But since your Mama is kindly preparing tea for us, I felt that I should also help out, by calming her baby until she returned.”

Noah:   “Hm!  I suppose that is alright then.  But next time, ask before you do something with someone else’s things or family.”

Lady Anne: “Duly noted.”  She nods solemnly, her trying not to let a smile break through.  For This little boy of six years will surely be an unstoppable force to be reckoned with when he is grown—not unlike her own nephew Lord Pendleton MacKittrick.

Noah: “Oh!  And the tall man said to tell you that he was going to ride his horse over to Woodbury Castle to tell your nephew where you are.”

Lady Anne: “Ah.  Thank you for the information.  Are my horses being settled into stalls?”  She asks in concern.

Noah: “Yes, and your other men are, too. I gave your horsies some carrots we had for horse snacks.  And our Orchard Hands Riley and Keller gave your men some apple cider to drink, made from our apple orchard.”  Noah states proudly as Lady Anne nods her thanks with a cordial smile.

Happily, Corrine returns with the silver tea tray with a fine china plate of freshly baked and frosted apple tarts—before Lady Anne runs out of discussion topics with young Noah.

Corinne: “Oh My Lady, thank you ever so much for soothing Nancy when she awakened.  You have the gift of kindness in you.”  Corinne smiles and nods her head.

Lady Anne: “You are welcome, My Dear.  Twas no trouble.  Your baby is very sweet.  And young Noah here kindly shared that both my horses and my men are being tended to.  Ha ha ha!”

They go on to enjoy a lovely tea presided over by Corinne—who steps out briefly now and again to either remove fresh baked apple tarts from the oven, or to put more in to bake that are ready to go. Naturally, a bit of flour dusts her hands again, which she inadvertently touches the apple of her cheek with, leaving a bit of dust on her face.

Then with Corinne’s last trip to the kitchen, Lady Anne’s curiosity gets the better of her, and she asks to join her, while still cradling baby Nancy.  Noah decides to stay in the parlor to drink his milk–and to eat a second apple tart.

Lady Anne: “Thank you for allowing me in your kitchen, Mrs. Carpenter.  I haven’t been in a kitchen since I was a child.  I am afraid, that I would not know how to work a stove and oven.”  She admits sheepishly.  For her servants do this work for her.

Corinne:  “Please address me as Corinne, My Lady.  And it was much the same for me before I married my late husband and we moved here seven years ago.  In the beginning, I burnt all the food I that tried to make.  Ha ha ha!  But my late husband’s late mother was a patient teacher, and I eventually came to understand how to cook and bake with this stove and oven.”

Lady Anne: “My sympathies on your losses, My Dear.  How long ago did your husband die?”  She asks caringly.

Corinne: “It has been six months.  It was an accident.  He had gone hunting in the woods with friends, and one of them tripped and dropped their gun and it shot my husband in his chest, and he died almost instantly.  It was a blessing that he did not linger long in pain—since our Village was without a doctor at that time.  But I miss him every day.”  She whimpers in her grief.

Corinne’s tears fall upon her flour dusted cheek and she sorrowfully wipes her tears away.  For not only has Corinne and her children lost her husband and their father, but she has lost her anchor to their new life in the countryside.  When Corinne Thackery and Franklin Carpenter married seven years ago, though her family did not condone the marriage, they were powerless to stop her receiving her generous dowry from her paternal grandfather Lord Edward Thackery.

So it was her dowry from her grandfather that allowed she and her husband to purchase their Orchard Farms lands and their lovely stone manor house and landscaped grounds.  And they saved the rest of her substantial dowry for their future needs, such as their children’s education and respectable  dowries for any daughters that they might have.  So at least Corinne has the blessing of not being destitute in her Widowhood.  But she does miss having a caring family to rely on for emotional support from time to time.

Lady Anne caringly wraps her free arm not holding baby Nancy around Corrine’s shoulders.

Lady Anne: “There there, My Dear.  You have had much sorrow to bear.  You have a good cry out.”  And Corinne does cry for several minutes, her tears falling onto Lady Anne’s ruffled gown collar.

***

Out in the Carpenter’s manor parlor, Noah hears a knock at the front door again and he goes to answer it.  Upon opening his front door he finds a newly familiar person standing before him.  Sir Mac is similarly casually attired as he was two days ago, in a comfortable green jacket over an open shirt collar exposing his neck to the cooling breezes [(5) right], with his cravat folded in his jacket pocket.  For when Lord MacKittrick was informed by his Aunt’s footman Grimes that she was at the Carpenter’s home, he opted for comfort over formality.

Noah: “You again?”  Noah shakes his head and looks askance at Sir Mac standing before him, for the man was afraid to eat his Mama’s apple tarts at first.  But he invites Sir Mac in and closes their front door.

Lord MacKittrick:  “Me again.” Lord MacKittrick smiles at the young boy.  “How is your arm feeling, Noah?”

Noah: “Sore and painful.” He pouts.  “And it is hard having only one arm and hand to use.”

Lord MacKittrick:  “I can imagine it is.  I hope you feel better soon, Noah.”  He states sincerely.   “I was told that my Aunt Lady Anne Pendleton is resting here on her way to visit me.  May I see her?”

Lord MacKittrick looks around the parlor again that is not large, but nicely decorated. And he realizes that his impression of the Widowed Corinne Carpenter as her being below his station was probably incorrect.   And at the moment, Lord MacKittrick  fails to realize that with the introduction of his Aunt Lady Anne Pendleton to their society will likely reveal his secret of not being merely Sir Mac.

Noah: “Alright, follow me.”  Noah sighs beleagueredly for the third or fourth time today.  “Lady Anne is in the kitchen with my Mama and baby sister Nancy.”  Noah states, not knowing of his Mama’s tearful breakdown.

So Lord MacKittrick/Sir Mac follows young Noah through the nicely appointed Carpenter Manor parlor and then into the kitchen.  Whereupon he finds Corinne Carpenter being consoled by his Aunt Lady Anne, who is also holding Mrs. Carpenter’s baby Nancy.

Noah: “Sir Mac is here!”  Noah states loudly, causing the ladies to look up, and baby Nancy to be startled and begin crying since it is near her feeding time.

Baby Nancy: “Waa waa waa waa waa waa.”

Corinne looks sorrowfully over at Sir Mac, her being still awash in her grief for the death of her husband Franklin Carpenter.   Whereas Lord MacKittrick’s Aunt Lady Anne has a slightly different reaction to seeing her nephew Lord Pendleton MacKittrick announced as Sir Mac—and with his neck casually exposed [due to the] lack of ahis cravat.

Lady Anne:  “Sir Mac, is it?”  Her eyebrow rises bemusedly, and she wonders what her nephew Lord Pendleton MacKittrick is up to by him using a different name than his own—even as she [cuddles] and soothes baby Nancy and Nancy’s Mama Corinne in her arms.

Lord MacKittrick—aka Sir Mac—looks discomfittedly at his Aunt Lady Anne and the Widow Corinne Carpenter meeting each other, which will naturally end up revealing his true identity to the Widowed Corinne and her young son Noah.  The only question is, whom will catch on first.

Lord MacKittrick:  “Mrs. Carpenter?”  Seeing Corinne Carpenter attired in a lovely light blue [taffeta] day gown overlay over her white eyelet lace linen under gown, he is astounded at the implication that her form of dress brings regarding her [possibly elevated] station in society.  Then he remembers her mentioning that she has lovely handwriting, can do sums, embroider and sew, as well as play piano forte.  Mrs. Carpenter is definitely more than she at first seemed to be to him when they first met two days ago.

Corinne:  Feeling embarrassed in front of Sir Mac with her emotional display of tears, Corinne bids a hasty retreat.  “Excuse me, My Lady and Sir Mac, I must feed my baby Nancy.  Noah, please take our guests into the parlor for continuing their tea until my return.”  Then she gently scoops her baby out of Lady Anne’s arm and dashes to her nearby bedroom to remove her clothes before nursing her baby.

Noah:  Becoming weary with all of the comings and goings, Noah says once more. “Follow me!  And Sir Mac, take a teacup and saucer from the china hutch over there if you want to drink tea.”

Lord MacKittrick [bemusedly] does as Noah bids, and they return to the Carpenter’s manor parlor.  Then Lady Anne pours some newly warmed tea into her nephew Lord Pendleton’s tea cup for him.  And Noah begrudgingly and challengingly holds out the china plate of apple tarts treats to him.  Lord MacKittrick takes an apple tart and he immediately bites into it to stave off young Noah’s certain to follow admonishments about him not being brave enough to eat his Mama’s apple tarts the other day.

Lady Anne: “So Pendleton, how have you been?”  She asks innocuously for her, but not for Noah.

Noah: “Why don’t cha call him Sir Mac, or Mac, My Lady?”  Noah asks quizzically.

Lord MacKittrick:  “Aunt Lady Anne, I am fine.  And well Noah, Mac is a nickname that my school fellows gave me long ago.  But my family, such as my Aunt Lady Anne here, tend to address me as Pendleton.”  He hopes that explanation will suffice for Noah. But, of course, it does not.

Noah: “But nicknames are usually short for a longer name. What is your name Mac short for?”

Noah is a sharp witted six year old boy—too sharp in Lord MacKittrick’s mind.  And Lord MacKittrick pauses before he answers Noah.

Lady Anne: “I believe young Noah here is awaiting your response, Pendleton.”  She then sips her tea, her trying to hide her smile at her nephew being bested by a six year old.

Noah: “Yes, I am.”  Noah stares resolutely at the now squirming Lord MacKittrick.

Rejoining her guests in her parlor with her now happily sated baby Nancy snoozing in her arms, Corrine answers for Sir Mac.

Corinne:  “Well, Noah Dear, if Sir Mac arrived from the direction of Woodbury Castle—the family seat of Lord Pendleton MacKittrick, The Earl of Woodbury—perhaps he is also some relation to him.”

Corrine smiles knowingly at Lord MacKittrick, who seemingly has secrets of his own.  And Lord MacKittrick winces for having deceived her previously about who he was.

Lord MacKittrick:  “You have the right of it, Madam. I am he.”  He admits sheepishly.

Lady Anne: “Now that was not so difficult to admit, was it, Pendleton?”  She wryly asks him.

Noah: “Sir Mac is, who is he?” Noah asks in confusion.

In dire need of changing the subject from himself, Lord MacKittrick asks Corinne.

Lord MacKittrick: “Mrs. Carpenter, I remember you mentioned that you play the piano forte, but yet I do not see a piano here.  Do you miss playing?”

Corinne: “Yes, I do miss it.  My piano was too large and heavy to move here when my husband and I married seven years ago.”  She dissembles.  What she omits to say is that her parents would not let her take her piano with her, and barely allowed her to take her clothes and a few mementos with her when she wed.  And she has not had contact with her parents since then.

Lord MacKittrick: “I am sorry to hear that. You are welcome to come to Woodbury Castle and play on my piano forte any time you wish.   And we have music sheets in its seat bench if you do not have anything still memorized.”  He offers graciously.  Then he sees both ladies staring at him in stupefaction for his unusual largesse.

Corinne; “That is most kind of you, Lord MacKittrick.  But with my children not having a nurse or nanny, I cannot leave them alone at home here.”  And what she does not say is that propriety will not allow her to enter a bachelor’s home unchaperoned.

Lady Anne: “Well, My Dear.  I am happy to watch and entertain the children while you play the piano forte while I am visiting my nephew for a few weeks.”  She offers graciously—and her chaperonage for Corinne is also implied.

Noah: “And I have my book that Dr. Lively loaned me to read, since I must rest my arm and not play.” He states forlornly.

Lord MacKittrick: “Well, Noah, I do have a table top game of draughts [(6)] we could play.  Do you know that game?”

Noah:  Slowly, Noah replies in a subdued voice.  “I do.  My late Papa taught me to play it when I was little.  But I don’t play it anymore.”  Noah’s face mirrors his sadness at his Papa’s death [(7) right].

Lord MacKittrick:  “I understand your reticence, Noah.  I have not played draughts since my parents and older brother … died when I was only a little older than you are now.”  Lord MacKittrick states sadly.

Feeling a kindred sadness in Sir Mac, Noah stands up from the settee and walks over to him, then he pats Sir Mac’s left hand with his right hand.

Noah:  “Your Papa is dead, too?” Noah’s tears fall down his cheeks.  Then Noah sees Sir Mac’s tears also fall down his own cheeks. So Noah sits on Sir Mac’s knee, with placing his good right arm around Sir Mac’s neck and cuddles into him for comfort, as they both cry.  And Lord MacKittrick soothingly embraces the young lad.

Lady Anne and Corinne share sympathetic looks with each other and to the man and the young boy who are both haunted by their grief.  It is a deeply personal and emotional moment shared between new friends [and family].  After several minutes, Lord MacKittrick’s and Noah’s crying lessens.  And the patient and understanding Corinne extends an olive branch to Lord MacKittrick—and encouragement to her young son Noah.

Corinne:  “Noah Dear, I do not think your late Papa would mind you playing draughts again with Lord MacKittrick.  Your Papa would want you to continue to enjoy playing it, if that is what you wish.”  She soothingly rubs her son’s back facing her.

Noah: “Do you think so, Mama?”  Noah asks her hesitantly as he looks over his shoulder at her.

Corinne: “I do.  And I thank you for your kind invitations to both Noah and I, Lord MacKittrick.” Corinne gracefully nods her head to him.  And Lord MacKittrick nods to her in kind.

Then with their late afternoon tea party almost over, it is time for Corinne to put a chicken in the oven for their evening meal—to which she invites Lady Anne and Lord MacKittrick to stay for.  And given that Lady Anne’s carriage cannot carry her further this later afternoon due to the poor state of the roads after the rainstorm, Corinne also invites Lady Anne to spend the night in her lovely stone manor home’s guest room—with Lord MacKittrick and Lady Anne’s footmen bringing her bags and trunks in from the carriage.  Lady Anne gratefully accepts Corinne’s kind offer and goes to freshen up in the guest room.

Then Lady Anne’s coachman and footmen each take one of Lady Anne’s horses and ride over to stay at Lord MacKittrick’s Woodbury Castle stables’ servant guest quarters for the night.  They will bring fresh horses with them to the Carpenter Orchard Farms upon the morrow to pull Lady Anne’s carriage [to Woodbury Castle].  Then Lord MacKittrick, Lady Anne, Corinne, Noah, and baby Nancy have a pleasant evening meal together before farewelling Lord MacKittrick at the end of the evening as he rides back to Woodbury Castle for the night.

And Lord MacKittrick is now more certain than ever that the widowed Mrs. Corinne Carpenter has a genteel background.  It is just that without her revealing the particulars, he is left to wonder and puzzle it out.  And Corinne Carpenter’s loveliness today–and her kindness today to his Aunt Lady Anne—makes a very favorable impression upon Lord MacKittrick.

Lord MacKittrick does not wholly understand his developing affinity for Corinne Carpenter as perhaps a growing attachment to her and her little family of young Noah and baby Nancy.  But Corinne soothingly inhabits his sleeping dreams this night—chasing away his usual dreams about his own family’s deaths and him being orphaned as an eight year old child.  And what Lord Pendelton MacKittrick begins to feel–for the first time in over twenty years–is hope.

To be continued with Chapter 04

References for Ch. 03 of “A Lonesome Lord”,  February 05, 2023  by Gratiana Lovelace (Post #1511)

1. My “A Lonesome Lord ” story logo is a composite of a portrait of British actor Richard Armitage from 2020 by An Le, and Harrington text on a teal background.
2. The Carpenter Orchard Farm’s stone manor home is represented by The Abbey Sutton Courtenay in Oxfordshire; image was found at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Abbey,_Sutton_Courtenay
3. Lady Anne Elizabeth Pendleton in a carriage is represented by Samantha Bond as Mrs. Weston in Emma 1996_Feb03-2023via IMDB4. Corrine Carpenter wearing a light blue taffeta gown overlay over a white eyelet lace linen gown is Justine Waddell in Mansfield Park 1999_Feb03-2023viaFrockFlicks

   5. Lord MacKittrick is represented by Richard Armitage in a 2020 portrait by An Le viaRABrazil, January 21, 2023GratiL-edits-szd-brt-clr

   6. Information about the 5,000 year old game of draughts/checkers may be found at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Checkers

   7. Young Noah Carpenter is represented by a classic painting of a young-peasant boy frowning, by Wilhelm Hasselbach downloaded Aug23-2020 via Mutualartcom

Gratiana Lovelace Wattpad site for  Ch. 03 “A Lonesome Lord”, February 05, 2023 (#1511):
https://www.wattpad.com/1312642896-a-lonesome-lord-2023-by-gratiana-lovelace-ch-03

Previous SAL blog Post # 1509 link  for Ch. 02 “A Lonesome Lord”, January 29, 2023:
https://gratianads90.wordpress.com/2023/01/29/24047/