The Sterley’s of Oakland ParkChapter One
The Sterley’s of Oakland Park in the county of Surry had for a long time been genteel nobility the first Sir Thomas having been in the service of Queen Elizabeth of blessed memory. Having served his country well he had been knighted and invested with the lands which made up Oakland Park. The current sir Thomas was a man of quite disposition who after a life time of service to the crown had returned to contemplate the beauty of country life. Sir Thomas has always been fond of birds and thus he spent his days in quite contemplation of the birds of Southern England of which he was making a study, in the hopes of some time soon having a publication done at his expense. It was not that sir Thomas sought fame for he was already quite well known and had riches enough for the needs of his family and for the next generation when they arrived.
Sir Thomas had served the previous government well and had only retired to the country once it became apparent that the King would not recover, thus Sir Thomas had taken the time to think it better to retire from politics as he had no wish to serve in a government over which the prince Regent held sway.
In his younger day he had been an officer in the Royal navy a part of the service for which he still held a great fondness in his heart. He read with keen interest the gazettes to see who had been mentioned and if perchance a son of a near by neighbor had recived a distinction of merit in the gazette Sir Thomas would take to writing a letter or two to the relatives and even some time to the gentleman in question wishing them a heart congratulations and an invitation to call upon him at Oakland park when they should again be in the county.
Of the people that Sir Thomas loved most dearly were of course his wife of many years Ann who had been born Lady Moorcroft (Her Father Lord Moorcroft now an ancient relic who had served in the government of George II had of late passed away thus the family was still in a time of mourning.) Then there daughters Lydia, Mary Sophia Eliza, and of course Mary, the youngest of his daughters his sons who brought him great pride were in order of age Thomas, John, James and finally Stephen who was but a babe in arms. Sir Thomas and Lady Ann had for more then a generation planed the arrival of there children in accordance with the dedication of an admiral of the service as he planed his Battle plan in the same spirit as the great sea Lord of Blessed memory Lord Horatio Nelson.. Thus over a period of two and twenty years Lady Ann had brought forth in due season a little bundle of joy
To say that Sir Thomas was a doting father would have been an understatement for of an evening he could be found on his hands and knees playing with the younger children, he even on occasion took a lively interest in the doings of his older children Thomas his son was a young man of the world who was of a melancholic disposition and prone to moodiness in which state he would take up his pen ands retire to his room where he would compose sonnets and the like some of which he would on occasion read to the family for an evenings entertainment.
The somberness of the younger Thomas did in no way have an effect on the younger sons of the house who would spend there days in Boxing Boating on the river and riding some times even enjoying a hearty game of cricket.
The daughters of the house where an altogether lively group who loved attending assemblies and dancing was always a favorite pastime. Indeed Lay Ann had mad sure that all her daughter could play the harpsichord and of late the urgency of Lady Ann to procure a piano Forte for the house had been made known to Sir Thomas.
“My dear is the harpsichord broken?” he had enquired of her when she made the wish for a piano forte to him. “No Tom it is all the rage and is played in all the best houses in London we simple must have one” she replied growing impatient with his reluctance to produce the desired instrument.
“Indeed my love and how much do you suppose such an extravagance would cost?” he asked her with a pained expression “Oh I am not sure but what is the matter you have never been so obstinate before when it came to the purchase of an instrument” she replied
“Indeed we have recently had the man in to tune the harpsichord and what of the new fiddle I bought John but a twelve month ago?” he asked her
‘Sir you know that John plays well and he has never neglected the art of music think sir how the instrument would enhance your standing in the county should it be known that you have one of the newest instruments” Lady Ann said.
“That is a good point my dear he said with a smile let me consider it and when I have found the right conclusion I will let you know” Sir Thomas said.
“In the mean time pray tell me what are the young ladies up to this evening for I believe there is to be a assemble in the village and I have yet to shave and dress for I should very much like to wait upon some of our neighbors at the assembly” he concluded
“Why sir one would think that you of all people would dismiss out of hand any frivolity with assemblies for you have grown quite in your later years what now this sudden interest in assembles and balls Pray sir what bedbug have you in your hat” said Lady Ann
Chapter two
The sound of music filled the air and the hall was lit with the light of a thousand candles for tonight was the first of the assembles to be held in Notheringay Sir Thomas found himself seated next to an old acquiesce Mr Charles Parker who had served under Sir George Rodney in the early days of there service to King and country “Charles do you remember how crisp the night was?” asked Sir Thomas “Indeed I do sir replied Mr Parker taking a pull at his pipe “Indeed I do” he said releasing a vast cloud of smoke from his mouth much to the annoyance of Sir Thomas. It was not that Sir Thomas was against the habit of smoking he felt every one was free to live there lives as best suited them but what he did object to was the fact that the smoke had been expelled in his direction.
“Ah yes I remember well how we fought that battle under the moon light a singular even if I might say so Sir Thomas” said Mr Parker “and our ship our faithful Montague is already and old war horse now I would not be surprised that when next we hear of her she will have been broken up or a sheer hulk” said Sir Thomas “I fancy the lower deck crews would not look back at her with such an air of nostalgia” said Mr Parker “Indeed I fancy Don de Lángara will also look back at that battle with an air of discontent” replied Sir Thomas I have an occasion to be in London next week on a matter of some small busyness I trust that you and your good lady will find an occasion to call on Lady Ann for I fancy there might be some what of a disruption while I am away in town” said Sir Thomas “I am sure my Amy would be delighted to spend an afternoon in the company of your good lady” replied Mr Parker. “Pray tell how are those bright young sons of yours?” asked Sir Thomas who had it mind to arrange a marriage between the elder son and his daughter Lydia. “George has recently returned from Oxford and is taking the business of my rents in hand quite nicely it relieves me to have some time upon my hands to be at leisure” replied Mr Parker. “Indeed a bright young man” said Sir Thomas as the object of there discourse weaved his way down the line of dancers his hand firmly on that of Lydia. “And what of Peter?” Asked Sir Thomas “Peter is bound for the service this coming fortnight Monday” replied Mr Parker; I have managed to buy him a commission in the 52 foot. “Indeed a strange choose replied Sir Thomas raising an eyebrow. It was I am afraid the best that can be got at present, he is no horseman unfortunately I would have liked to get him a commission in the guards but he refused to hear of it preferring to be among the men as he put it” continued Mr Parker.
Just then Lady Ann returned to her seat she had been dancing with your Lord Kilgrew “Dear husband remind me later to impart to you a certain knowledge that has of resent been rewarded me” she said “Indeed it must be of some importance that you would not speak before our dear and old friend Mr. Parker” “No sir it is some what of a private nature and is fit only for the ear of a husband “she replied sharply, Just then Mrs. Parker joined there company having spent the last round on the arm of an officer of the rifles. “ Hot work but most invigorating said” she
The music begun again and the two couples sat watching the young people of there respective houses dance a new dance which had recently been introduced to the country some thing called a waltz. I perceive that this new fad of a dance doesn’t hold much in it “said Lady Ann with a frown on her broad face for she was watching with some manner of displeasure the figure of her daughter Lydia and young Peter Parker, who to her mind seemed a little to closely embraced in each others arms.
“Ann let them be we were once young don’t you recall? Said Sir Thomas
Later that night Sir Thomas before retiring for the night spent a few moment s writing in his great day journal, this had long been his practice for he was a fastidious man who would not allow a day to pass lest he make a few pre-functionary notes on the events of the day.
Of late the mood of his eldest son had been some what of a concern to him as Tom was showing more and more signs of becoming more caught up in a world of his own with little sense of the realities of life, Sir Thomas considered buying him a commission in the Kings own regiment of guards for surely the life of a guards captain would be one which would fully occupy the full four and twenty hours of the day thus leaving little time for Tom to occupy himself with less fruitful pursuits. Further more Thomas with the right training could rise in the world and the thought of this delighted Sir Thomas.As sir Thomas said his prayers and snuffed out the candle the thought of his son in a uniform of the guards made his lot content and he was at peace with the world. In the distance an owl hooted but by the time the sound was recognized by the sleepy Sir Thomas he was beginning to slip into the arms of Morphus
