The Kingdom of Avonlea

Chapter 10: Hamilton Family Round 2

Dear Anabel, I’m happy to hear you are settling into life in Whinmore relatively easily. I’ve always heard the storms there are

horrendous! I do hope you manage. So how have I been? Well actually. Emilia is still growing

like a weed.

Edward travels frequently to Three Lakes to oversee his properties there leaving me to oversee things here in Avonlea mostly on my own. I say mostly

because Gardiner is never far away.

Of course the best news of all is that I gave birth to a healthy baby boy! We are all over the moon! Edward even gave me the honor of naming him

Cicero. I can’t wait for you to see him!

Edward even surprised me with a kitten. He insisted it was to keep down the vermin. I informed him we’d never once

had vermin at the manor and he responded, “Well we’ll keep it that way won’t we? Don’t you like him?”

Such a silly notion. Of course I like him.

My sister Gertie is to be married to Master Deppisee soon. Edward set up the match, and Gertrude seems quite fine with the arrangement. Goodness I hope I

spelled his name correctly!

In other news, with Princess Eowyn leaving the kingdom for Arkadia she’s asked me to oversee all 4 public

gardens within the kingdom on her behalf. I am honored, and only hope I can ensure all 4 flourish while not in her

care. Much love, Adrianna

Emilia had just had a birthday and she was quite pleased with herself. She’d convinced her papa to get

her an easel and he’d even hired a tutor to instruct her in painting. She was so glad he did! She’d discovered this was indeed her most favorite thing to do in the

whole world.

She would have to take other lessons too, but Emilia didn’t mind studying especially since she had several

“governesses”. Her Aunt Paulina was to teach her how to take and serve tea.

Her grandmother Ryia would teach her how to talk and dress

like a lady.

And Miss Isabella would help teach her how to keep a house. Cooking and

cleaning. She wasn’t so sure she liked the cleaning part.

And her mother was going to teach her how to keep books and how to run and keep affairs in case her

husband needed to travel in order to oversee many lands at once.

She was going to be very busy! I guess it was good she never seemed

to get tired.

“No, no no! Cicero, not like that. The rhyme goes like this try it again.”

“Try not to be so loud Emi. You don’t want to wake your parents or Isabella.”

“ Yes Grandma.”

“Lady Pony that coat looks absolutely splendid on you. Are you certain you won’t buy it? It will be

getting cold in Whinmore very soon.” “Well…oh who am I kidding. I’ll take it!”

“Lady Hamilton my compliments to you once again on knowing just what a man requires to look his

best.” “Thank-you your grace! I’m glad you approve of

the cloak. I hope it will serve you well through the winter.”

A/N: 3 out of 5 Top Level Businesses achieved. Gah this want takes forever! But I Will complete this

want. I will!

A/N continued: I also managed to rank 2 out of the 4 gardens to level 10 this rotation too. But I find

running businesses soooo boring. I just didn’t take many pics. Sorry.

“Paulina! I could have given Master Cicero his bath this evening.”

“I know Isabella, but I wanted a turn.” “I thought you weren’t interested in babies.”

“Of my own no. But Cicero is Adrianna’s brat. I can just give him back when he gets on my nerves.

“I suppose that’s true.”

“Come on Cicero you can do it!”

“No sing! No!”

“You are always welcome to play games with us Lady Emilia.”

“Thank-you John. I guess my little brother just doesn’t like music like me.”

The next night….“Another baby! Adrianna that’s wonderful. Just think how

pleased Edward will be if you have another son!” “Mother it could be another girl you know.”

“I know. I was just saying he’d be very pleased if you gave him 2 strapping sons.”

“But what if it is another girl? You don’t think he would be too upset with you do you?”

“Of course not. Everything will be perfectly fine. Don’t frighten mother Paulie.”

But Ryia had already disappeared. “Oh Adrianna’s quite right Paulina. The man has his heir, not to mention a beautiful wife who can run affairs so he can travel as

much as he pleases, and who’s made connections most women only dream about all the while raising 2 children. What on earth does that

man have to be displeased about?” “Isabella! I’ve never heard you speak like that before.”

“I said not one word that wasn’t true.”

Good for you Izzie. No problem Mystery.

“What’s a mystery Miss Isabella?” “Never mind dear. Just help clear those dishes away.”

“Mother what are you doing?” “I don’t know. I got this sudden urge to watch over you

while you slept.” “You aren’t worried right?”

“Not anymore. Isabella set me right.”

“Papa! You’re finally home! How was your trip?” “It was wonderful my sweet. You’ve gotten so tall.

Where is your mother?” “She’s waiting for you upstairs. She’s got a surprise

for you.” “Oh? Well I guess I should head up there straight

away then. ”

“Another baby? Really? Adrianna that’s wonderful! You haven’t been too tired have you?”

“No. I’ve been well my love.”

“Good! But don’t you worry I’ll be around all winter long and will even hold back returning to Three

Lakes again until late spring or early summer. Just say the word and I’ll send messages straight away

and have one of my younger brothers look after our holdings a bit longer. ”

“Your papa is so silly Cicero. Besides, between you and me I would go mad

not doing anything around here.”

Yep, she’d go completely bonkers taking it easy. Well since Edward was insistent on handling court the following day alone, she would just spend time with

Emilia after checking on the gardens.

Wouldn’t it be nice if she caught a fish for Isabella to

cook tonight?

“Adrianna, the whole advantage of having your husband home is so you can take it easy. Why don’t

you sit and play with me for a while.” “Mother..alright. But only for a bit. I promised Emilia I

would take tea with her today.”

“Now remember Emi, blow the tea gently. The last thing you want to do is spray hot tea in someone’s face.” Emi had to suppress the laughter so the tea wouldn’t shoot straight out of her nose and into her mother’s

face. “Yes Mama.”

Meanwhile….“John Gable! Get off Lord and Lady Hamilton’s trees! I

swear that child has too much energy for his own good.” “Grandmother Izzie. Can I help you make Master Cicero’s

birthday cake?” “Of course you can. As soon as I get your brother out of

the trees.”

“Papa why couldn’t Isabella have made chocolate cake for my birthday? Aren’t I the heir?”

“Don’t be foolish Cicero. It doesn’t matter what sort of cake it was. It was delicious!”

“But…”“Your sister is quite right. Miss Isabella made you a fine cake. You should thank her tomorrow as she most certainly could have had one of the new cooks bake

your cake instead. The best lords are kind. patient, and gentle with their people whenever possible Cicero. After all, the last thing a lord wants to deal

with is a peasant uprising.”

“I still think chocolate cake would have been better.”“It doesn’t matter. Papa said you must thank Isabella.”

“I know and I will. All I said was chocolate would have been better.”

“You’re impossible Cicero.”

“It’s settled Sir Bonkers. I’ll be writing to my brother first light to inform him to watch over Three Lakes for an extended period. My presence is needed here. A

lad needs his father.”

I’d say your wife and daughter need you to Eddie. Ah well. So ends

rotation 2 in the Hamilton House. Thanks for reading!