Novice Threads by Nancy Jardine Read an Excerpt

Publication Date: 15th May 2024
Publisher: Nancy Jardine with Ocelot Press
Page Length: 356
Series: Silver Sampler Series
Genre: Victorian Scotland Saga / Historical Fiction / Women’s Fiction

Blurb

A thirst for education. Shattered dreams. Fragile relations.

1840s Scotland

Being sent to school is the most exhilarating thing that’s ever happened to young Margaret Law. She sharpens her newly-acquired education on her best friend, Jessie Morison, till Jessie is spirited away to become a scullery maid. But how can Margaret fulfil her visions of becoming a schoolteacher when her parents’ tailoring and drapery business suddenly collapses and she must find a job?

Salvation from domestic drudgery – or never-ending seamstress work – comes via Jessie whose employer seeks a tutor for his daughter. Free time exploring Edinburgh with Jessie is great fun, but increasing tension in the household claws at Margaret’s nerves.

Margaret also worries about her parents' estrangement, and the mystery of Jessie's unknown father.

When tragedy befalls the household in Edinburgh, Margaret must forge a new pathway for the future – though where will that be?

Excerpt

Travelling Southwards

Excitement rippled.

What Margaret was embarking on was going to be so different from what she was used to!

Her mother’s extensive warnings took some thinking about as the time passed, field after field of flax and root vegetables colouring the landscape. Peggy had said she must use good judgement when meeting new people: that a pretty girl like she was had to take care not to get too close to any philandering wandering hands. Thinking of Peggy’s words made her cheeks hot, so she took care to face away from Mister Gordon who was old enough to be a grandfather.

Her mother had never openly called her pretty before, not even when fussing over her Sunday best outfits. Peggy had then confused her by saying she should be wary of the Reverend Leslie Duncan’s brother; in case they were moulded from the same block. That made no sense, but it wasn’t the time to ask further.

“That building you can see over there is the Old Inn at Cowdenbeath,” Mister Gordon stated, breaking the silence as they clopped on southwards.

Her mother’s phrase would take a bit of unravelling, but she set it aside for another day and listened to the carter.

“Now why would that place yonder be one you should know about?”

Mister Gordon was teasing her, but she had no answer. “I’m sure you’re going to tell me.”

“Well, lass. That old coaching inn is quite famous now because Queen Victoria deigned to stop there some years back, on her first ever visit to Scotland.”

“Really?” She had read many things about the sovereign, though not that.

“Aye, indeed. On her way to her castle at Balmoral, she was.” Mister Gordon’s eyebrows rose in appreciation of his knowledge.

“I’ll be sure not to forget that,” she answered, and went on to relate some things about Queen Victoria and her love of Balmoral up in Aberdeenshire. The schoolmaster, Mister Anderson, had been at pains plenty of times to tell his pupils all he knew of the royal family.

As the horses clopped onwards, Mister Gordon pointed out places that he thought were interesting. He couldn’t tell her everything about the history, nevertheless, he knew quite a lot about the present around them as the sun moved overhead across the sky.

“Are all those carts and waggons crossing on the ferry?”

It was astounding how busy the quayside was when they arrived at Burntisland close to noon, people scuttling around everywhere, making a tremendous racket. She imagined the long queues and constant movements of goods would mean an extensive halt to the good progress they’d made so far. The main road south to Burntisland had been in fine condition, according to the carter, since they’d not had much rain during the previous weeks.

“Nay, lass.” Mister Gordon’s answer was short as he manoeuvred his horses behind one particular line of carts. “All these carts around us will be emptied quickly and the contents loaded onto one of those big train waggons over there. And when I get my return load of raw materials settled, I’ll be turning around to go back to the mill at Milnathort. These carts around me will likely be doing something similar, with the carters heading back to the yards they work from.”

Margaret willed her panic to subside. She knew Mister Gordon would not be crossing the River Forth, but how was she going to cope by herself? The din around her was daunting.

“Do I have to get down now, Mister Gordon?” She tried really hard not to sound fearful but it was so difficult.

“Nay, lass, not yet. Once I get my goods offloaded, I’ll see you over to the passenger ferry myself. I can’t leave my load unattended in this queue. Don’t you worry now. You’ll be going over on a smaller boat than that great smoky, smelly train-ferry that’s just arriving at the quay.”

She felt the tiniest of reassuring pats on her gloved fingers.

“I’ll try to find some nice kind lady who will see you right when you arrive on the far side.”

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Meet the Author

Nancy writes historical and contemporary fiction. 1st Century Roman Britain is the setting of her Celtic Fervour Series. Victorian and Edwardian history has sneaked into two of her ancestry-based contemporary mysteries, and her current Silver Sampler Series is set in Victorian Scotland.

Her novels have achieved Finalist status in UK book competitions (People's Book Prize; Scottish Association of Writers) and have received prestigious Online Book Awards.

Published with Ocelot Press, writing memberships include – Historical Novel Society; Romantic Novelists Association; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Alliance of Independent Authors.

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