Jane lifted her chin in recollection. “And I dreamt of playing pianoforte for the king or learning to jump Hermione.”
“Well, that too. But I remember you wanted to marry and have several children—a big family.”
Jane winced. The words were a painful stab, however unintentionally delivered.
Unaware, Rachel sighed wistfully. “And here we are. Both alone. Neither of us living the life we dreamt of or thought we’d have.”
For a moment Jane was quiet, the sting receding behind a growing realization. It rose within her on a bubble of discovery that tickled her breastbone and warmed her heart more than champagne ever could. Yes, she had lost her parents and her husband and her babies. But she was not alone. She looked from dear face to dear face as they talked with one another, teased and laughed, or danced. God had given her the desire of her heart: a big, warm, loving family—in the staff of The Bell and the community of Ivy Hill.
That naïve young girl in the treetops could never have imagined what her life would become. None of it was what she would have expected or chosen. But she wouldn’t trade places with anyone.
She smiled at her old friend. “I am not alone, Rachel. And neither are you. And never will be, if Mercy and I have anything to say about it. Now, go and enjoy yourself.”
“What about you?”
“I’ll join you in a minute.”
Rachel crossed the courtyard, and as she approached the table, Mercy beamed at her, and James rose and offered his seat.
The musicians paused for another respite, and after the crowd’s applause faded, Talbot stood and gestured for everyone’s attention.
“I have an announcement to make.” He waited until everyone quieted, then looked at Thora seated on the bench next to him. Her expression was difficult to decipher but increasingly uncomfortable when all those pairs of eyes turned in her direction.
“As you know,” Talbot said, “I have traveled through this life of mine unattached, matrimonially speaking—though I am certainly attached to this place, and to all of you.”
His gaze sought her out across the courtyard. “I hope you don’t mind, Jane, if I trespass on a moment of your party to celebrate something even nearer and dearer to my heart than this old inn.” He laid a work-worn hand on Thora’s shoulder. “It is with great pride and wonder that I tell you that this woman, Thora Bell, has agreed to make me the happiest of men by becoming my wife.”
Jane sucked in a breath of surprise and delight. Around the tables, the stunned silence was quickly replaced by cheers and applause.
Thora pulled a face. “I said I’d marry you, you old coot. I never said I’d make you happy.”
Laughter rumbled through their midst.
“Ah, but you already have.” Talbot smiled fondly at her, then leaned down and kissed her cheek.
She playfully slapped his shoulder. “Go on with you now. They don’t want to see the romantic antics of two old fools like us.”
“Too bad.” He kissed her again.
More whoops and applause erupted, and the musicians launched into a jaunty tune befitting the joyous occasion.
Again Talbot asked Thora to dance, and this time she agreed. The sight of stern, officious Thora skipping and holding hands with Talbot in a lively country dance brought bittersweet tears to Jane’s eyes. Thora’s rare smile lifted her features and chased years from her face. She looked young and pretty and happy.
Jane glanced through the archway to the inn sign, with its freshly-painted placard suspended on two sturdy chains.
No Vacancy.
It was true, Jane realized with gratitude. God had filled her empty heart with love and family and hope for the future.
Author’s Note
If you’re anything like me, you probably love village series set in England, whether in books or in film or television. Series like Larkrise to Candleford, Cranford, and THRUSH GREEN—a series of novels published over many years, which, I understand, partly inspired Jan Karon’s MITFORD series. And have you read the GRESHAM CHRONICLES by Lawana Blackwell? I adored it. I think what draws us to these series are their close-knit communities filled with quirky characters, which create an idyllic place to retreat from the hectic modern world. Or maybe it’s just the British accents. Whatever the reason, I hope you will enjoy my first series as well.
Ivy Hill is a fictional place, but there are many villages like it in England. I’ve based Ivy Hill’s layout on the National Trust village of Lacock in Wiltshire, which I’ve had the privilege of visiting a few times. Lacock was used as a film location for scenes in Pride and Prejudice (1995), Cranford (2007), Emma (1996), and recently, a market scene in Downton Abbey (season 6). Even though I am using Lacock as a basic model for Ivy Hill, I’ve placed the village farther south, on the old Devonport-London Royal Mail route, not far from Salisbury and the real village of Great Wishford.
During a trip to England in 2014, a reader who lives in Wiltshire invited me and my old friend and traveling companion, Sara, to visit. Katie Read and her family own a large farm and riding stables called Pewsey Vale Riding Centre and are active in teaching and competing. Sara and I enjoyed meeting Katie, who took us for a pleasant ride on two gentle horses and introduced us to her staff and her handsome horse, Harry. And we loved meeting her mother-in-law, Jacky, who lives with her husband in a five-hundred-year-old thatched-roof cottage, where we relished tea and cake and equally sweet conversation. So, with fond memories of that day, I’ve placed Gabriel Locke’s family farm in Pewsey Vale. I also want to thank Katie for kindly reading the book to check the horse and riding details for me. Any remaining errors are mine.
If you have read my other novels, you probably know that I like to honor some of my favorite authors with little nods to their work. This book is no exception. In it, I’ve included a few lines that echo Elizabeth Gaskell’s North & South (one of my all-time favorite books/miniseries), as well as a scene partly inspired by one in Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy. You may also notice a nod or two to Pride and Prejudice, and Talbot’s prayer is reminiscent of prayers written by Jane Austen herself. Some readers have written to me, telling me they enjoy finding these hidden treasures in my books. Perhaps you’re one of them.
I also want to thank the Reverend Tim Schenck for his blog post entitled “Is Your Sexton Nuts?” which gave me the idea to have my fictional sexton talk to church mice.
The Ladies Tea and Knitting Society was inspired by the women of one of my favorite book clubs, the Tantalizing Ladies Tea: A Christian Book Coterie, who have included me in several of their meetings. Beverly, Kristine, Judy, Sherri, Becky, Phyllis, Tiffany, Shari, Kelly, Julia, and Teresa, thank you for laughter-filled afternoons with savory conversation and savory food. You have spoiled me, and I love being an honorary member!
The talented Anna Paulson worked as my assistant while I wrote this book, and helped research Royal Mail routes, coaches, and coaching inns, among other things. She also helped me keep track of timelines, unsnarl problems, edit, and much more. I’m very grateful for her help in tackling this, book one in my first-ever series.
I also want to thank Cari Weber, who helped me brainstorm the series as a whole and serves so capably as my beta reader and awesome friend.
I am indebted to Michelle Griep, author and master critiquer, who helped me tighten and polish the manuscript. If you haven’t read her books yet, I highly recommend them!
As always, I want to thank my agent, Wendy Lawton, and my editors, Karen Schurrer and Raela Schoenherr, for all the ways they champion my work.
And thanks again to Sara Ring, who traveled with me, took photos, and had the difficult task of spending time with me in historic inns around England. To see some of her photos related to the book, visit the research page of my website.
Speaking of the Web, be sure to visit the new Internet home of this series—TalesFromIvyHill.com—for more about the books, including photos, character lists, maps, previews of upcoming releases, and more.
br /> Lastly, I appreciate you, dear reader! Thank you for spending time with me in Ivy Hill. I hope you will come again. I will have a room reserved for you at The Bell, a hot cup of tea waiting, and more stories to tell.
Discussion Questions
One character relates village life to “an ivy vine climbing a great oak. You cut off the vine at the root and all the way up the tree, the leaves wither. We’re all connected.” How does the book illustrate this truth in Ivy Hill?
What historical details most intrigued you about the book (e.g., the Royal Mail, coaching inns, inheritance laws)?
Which character reminds you the most of yourself or someone you know? Why? Which character would you love to spend time with?
Describe a moment in the book that sticks in your memory. What made that part stand out to you?
Several characters in the story struggle to accept help from others. Describe a time in your own life when you were humbled by your circumstances and had to rely on others. What did you learn?
Unexpected gestures of kindness encourage healing and trust between characters throughout the story. When was a time that someone who had hurt you in the past surprised you with their thoughtfulness? Did it help restore your faith in that person?
All three main characters face disillusionment and loss at the beginning of the book. How does each woman handle her grief? How does the way they cope with hardship reveal who they are?
Despite the prejudice against women in business at this time in history, many strong female characters run businesses in Ivy Hill. How have specific women in your own life inspired you?
Compare the first scene and the last scene of the book. Explain how these scenes capture Jane’s journey as a character.
What are you looking forward to in book two of the TALES FROM IVY HILL series? Do you have any predictions to offer?
JULIE KLASSEN loves all things Jane—Jane Eyre and Jane Austen. A graduate of the University of Illinois, Julie worked in publishing for sixteen years and now writes full-time. Three of her books, The Silent Governess, The Girl in the Gatehouse, and The Maid of Fairbourne Hall, have won the Christy Award for Historical Romance. The Secret of Pembrooke Park was honored with the Minnesota Book Award for genre fiction. Julie has also won the Midwest Book Award and Christian Retailing’s BEST Award, and has been a finalist in the Romance Writers of America’s RITA Awards and ACFW’s Carol Awards. Julie and her husband have two sons and live in a suburb of St. Paul, Minnesota.
For more information, visit www.julieklassen.com.
Books by Julie Klassen
Lady of Milkweed Manor
The Apothecary’s Daughter
The Silent Governess
The Girl in the Gatehouse
The Maid of Fairbourne Hall
The Tutor’s Daughter
The Dancing Master
The Secret of Pembrooke Park
The Painter’s Daughter
TALES FROM IVY HILL
The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
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Julie Klassen, The Innkeeper of Ivy Hill
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