The Journey of Kaylee Woodruff

   The Journey of Kaylee Woodruff

Suzanne Marsh

Kaylee Woodruff was overwhelmed by all the clutter in her Aunt Henrietta’s attic; all this was willed to her a few weeks ago. She had no clue why Aunt Henri, as she was affectionately called, had left her this big old barn of house. The thought of moving in was at the very least depressing, she was here for two weeks then she would find the huge old home u the market, at least that was the idea she had, however, Aunt Henri had other plans for her favorite niece. Kaylee took one look at the attic with clothes from so many eras she was not sure where to start. She had no idea of how her aunt had come to own all these historical dresses. There were trunks of clothing, Kaylee decided to take most of the clothes to a museum in Great Britain but first, she planned to go to London to meet with the curator of the Tower of London..

Kaylee’s third day in the attic provided the key to a secret that Aunt Henri had kept all of her life. The last trunk she opened contained a yellowed piece of parchment paper, on it was a letter from Elizabeth Woodville, in her own hand commanding her daughter Elizabeth of York to come to Westminster where she will marry Henry VII. Kaylee had no idea where to send that letter back. She wondered who Elizabeth Woodville was and how was she related to this woman. Kaylee was an American, and like most Americans did not know about her lineage. She sat down on a small needlepoint stool and stared at the letter, then she a letter written in Aunt Henri’s hand:

Dearest Kaylee,

I had hoped I would have time to explain my decisions and to tell you about our family history. However, if you are reading this letter, I have already passed on to glory. You are a direct decedent of the Plantagenet. Our family name Woodruff was changed many years ago to protect our secret. You see child we are related to Elizabeth Woodville through Margaret Pole. Elizabeth was always referred to as The White Queen, Elizabeth, Princess of York was her daughter; both were beautiful women.

There is something I want you to do if you can; I want you to return these dresses to the London Museum, they do no one any good here in trunks in the attic. I have kept this secret all of my life, the part of this that is so confusing is how we have a claim to the throne. The letter that was on top of this one is the proof. Conspiracy was and still is the keyword. There is a good deal of money that is set aside should you decide to go to England. I will understand if you don’t go but please think about this, for my sake. My love always,

Aunt Henri

Kaylee could feel the tears welling up in her love violet eyes, as she thought about a trip to London. Reservations had to be made, she had to find a place to board her dog Patches, and she would have to do laundry so she could have clean clothes for at least two weeks. England seemed so far away from the cactus that could be found here in her native Texas. She began to make her plans as she cried over the letter in her hand. How could she be related to the Plantagenets and never have been told. Who was Aunt Henri actually? Her Mother had never told her how they were related to her. Aunt Henri was so much fun to be with, in some ways she reminded Kaylee of a character from the old television show Bewitched, Aunt Clara was the character.

The following week Kaylee found herself on a plane to London, upon arrival she was met by a representative of the Tower of London Museum. She was surprised as the woman introduced herself:

“Hello, my name is Margaret Warpole, I received your message about the gowns and such

that you wish to give our museum.”

Kaylee had not expected to be met by anyone, especially one from the Tower of London Museum. She smiled:

“I am glad to meet you, mam, took pictures of some of the gowns, I hope you can help me

by giving them a look-see. I have booked a room at the LaLit Hotel, not far from the Tower

of London.”

Maraget Warpole smiled:

“Yes that is a very nice hotel, I am sure you will be comfortable there during your stay

in London. Once you are settled in please give me a call I really am interested in the gowns

you took the photographs of. Who is it that you have inherited them from?”

Kaylee explained to her about Aunt Henri, her eccentricities, and how she had come to inherit her home.

The taxi took Kaylee directly to the hotel, she unpacked her clothes and headed for the bath. A two-hour nap gave her the energy she needed, to accomplish what came to London to do; fulfill her promise to Aunt Hernri. Kaylee had never traveled outside the United States yet here she was, in London, England. There was so much she wanted to see in the two weeks she planned to stay. The Tower of London was at the top of her must-see list. She phoned the number on the card Margaret Warpole had given her:

“Helloo, Margaret Warpole, Tower of London Museum” Kaylee spoke softly:

“Yes, Ms Warpole, I am going to bring the photographs to you now is that all right?”

“Yes, my dear.”

Kaylee took a taxi to the Tower of London, it was much larger than she had anticipated. The photographs were in a leather briefcase to protect them, she also had a photograph; of Aunt Henri. Margaret Warpole gave her directions to her office. Kaylee hoped to have a tour of the Tower while she was there. She knocked on the door:

“Kaylee, come I please, I have been waiting for you.” Kaylee entered the office Margaret Warpole sat behind the large mahogany desk. She motioned Kaylee to sit down, offering her a cup of tea and scones. Kaylee handed her the photographs of the gowns she had found, most of them velvet however there was a black velvet dress that made Margaret Warpole gasp:

“My heavens, that if I am not mistaken was the gown worn by Elizabeth of York our White

Princess, she wed Henry the Seventh, her sons were Arthur and Henry. That is perhaps one

of the most valuable. You said your name is Woodruff and what was your Aunt Henri’s

name?”

Kaylee had no answer other than she only knew her by the name of Aunt Henri. Kaylee handed a grainy picture of Aunt Henri as a young woman. Margaret Warpole, stared at the picture, attempting to take in all the information she had just received, she cleared her throat:

“Kaylee, you said your Aunt Henri wrote a letter that was on top of the one in the photograph.

I believe you are Kaylee Woodville, you are related to Elizabeth Woodville, your Aunt Henri

is he the last surviving member of the Woodville/Plantagenet line or so we thought until you

arrived here.”

Kaylee had no idea what her excitement was about or that her family name had been changed, she felt her part of Aunt Herni’s request had been fulfilled it was time to go home to Texas.