Passage of a Desolate Woman (#2, the Winds of Misery Victorian Romance) (A Family Saga Novel)

by Dorothy Green

  “Thank you, sir,” she said.

  “And just next door is the smaller room,” the Innkeeper opened the door and Jennifer walked in. Her trunk was already waiting.

  “This is quaint and beautiful. Thank you,” She said, for she was very appreciative of any private room after having shared for so long.

  “Thank you ma’am. We do our best here. Please let me know at the front desk if you require anything else,” he said as he handed the key and walked away.

  “And Sarah, do not go downstairs without us. Stay in your room and wash up. I will fetch you when we are ready to go down for dinner,” Mrs. Hawkins said peeking in her door. Then she grabbed the door and began to close it. “Also, lock this door while you are inside as well.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Hawkins,” She said.

  The door closed and she locked it. She sighed and looked around the room and smiled.

  There was a small bed in the middle of the room. A black wood-burning stove sat in the corner. There was a pile of logs next to it. Her trunk sat in front of a small tall and narrow wardrobe. There was a very small vanity table with a mirror next to the window. A table with two chairs and a white crocheted tablecloth was on the other side of the window. There was a wash basin and pitcher on a table near a changing screen. It was perfect.

  She could hear the clopping of horses’ hooves from outside. She ran to the window and looked out. She was overlooking the High Street and was thankful for such a view. Now she could see all the action of the village from the comfort of being so high up and safe. Directly across the street was a large water trough with three horses parked, all in front of the general shop. She was lucky to have a view of the one place everyone in the village absolutely needed to go to.

  She watched out the window with such enthusiasm that the time passed so quickly. She almost forgot that she needed to get ready for dinner. It was only the grumble of her stomach that alerted her to the fact. Jennifer felt like her old self again. The young girl that she had been in Cottered, with spirit. It was before she had become broken, and she knew that it was her time with Jacob that had returned that to her.

  “Oh my!” She said as she shut the shutters of the window. She quickly unbuttoned her dress and shimmied out of it, realizing she was going to be late and Mrs. Hawkins would be disappointed. She took off her boots and stockings and stayed in her shift to the wash basin. She poured cold water in the basin from the pitcher and washed her face and hands. Then she took a towel and washed as much of the dust of travel off her body as she could.

  Half an hour later, she was washed up and changed into her dinner dress. It was a soft grey colour made of a rough wool with white buttons.

  Together, the three walked downstairs into the lobby and the innkeeper came directly up to them.

  “Mr. Hawkins. Pastor Bryce is here. He sits having tea waiting for you,” the Innkeeper pointed to a table in the lobby area in the corner. There was a man with jet black hair in a grey suit. Jennifer was completely surprised as he was about the same age as Jacob. She had expected the pastor to be an older man like Neil Sanders.

  “Thank you. I will go to him directly.”

  Pastor Bryce stood up and smiled at them.

  “Mr. Hawkins. Thank you for inviting me to dinner. I know that you and your family must be tired after the long journey. Indeed, I was not expecting to meet you until the morning. But this is a pleasure indeed,” he politely said.

  “Pastor Bryce. We would not have it any other way. We had to eat regardless, and I wanted to meet your acquaintance as soon as possible. May I introduce to you my wife, Mrs. Holly Hawkins. This is her employee, Sarah Christian,” Michael introduced them.

  The Pastor shook their hands and nodded politely.

  “Speaking of the long journey. We are ravenous. Shall we to dinner?” Michael gestured toward the back of the inn and the dining area.

  “Of course,” Pastor Bryce said.

  They walked into the dining room and She was pleasantly surprised. It was actually very elegant. There were long dining tables covered with fine tablecloths. A fire roared in the corner and sconces were lit around the room. They sat down and waited to be served the chicken meal.

  “I am very excited to show you the site tomorrow. I would love to know your input on building the church there,” Pastor Bryce said to Mr. Hawkins.

  “I agree. I am excited to see it. I have only read the blueprints and reports. But nothing is better than seeing it in person. Shall we say 9 a.m. tomorrow?” Mr. Hawkins said.

  “Yes, I will meet you here. We can walk there together. Of course your family is welcome as well. They can see the village.”

  “That sounds like a fine morning outing to me. We will be ready, Pastor, at 9 in the lobby.” Michael said.

  As they ate, Jennifer took the moment where Mrs. Hawkins was engaged in private conversation with her husband to speak to the Pastor, who sat next to her. She quietly asked.

  “Pastor Bryce, I hope you do not think this question rude of me. But I am surprised by your youth. I thought you would be much older, but you seem very close in age to me.”

  He laughed. “That is not rude, Miss Christian. I am six and twenty years of age.”

  She gasped. “We are very close in age indeed,” She said.

  “You are not the first, Miss Christian, to be confused by my youth. In truth, the elder and more experienced Pastors do not have the ability or health to endure the long trip to come out west, nor the rigors of English country, to wait for a church to be built.”

  “I see. That does make sense. I am very excited about English country life. I lean more toward the simple ways of life. I would love to grow my own food and live off the land. Plus, the wide open spaces are glorious. The air is refreshing,” She said.

  “Yes, it is a very good way to live.”

  She knew then that the Pastor and she would become great friends based alone on a love of nature.

  “Dear me. It is almost nine o’clock,” Mrs. Hawkins said. “We really should be getting to bed. We are so exhausted,” Mrs. Hawkins interrupted the conversation.

  “You are right, Mrs. Hawkins. Forgive me. The time flew by so quickly with you fine folks.”

  They all stood up from the table and said their goodbyes, then retired. The next morning would be very exciting indeed. Jennifer would get to see the site of the new church, the village, and have more engaging conversation with the young pastor. She found his conversation delightful and was happy to have made a new friend, for the stuffy conversation of Mrs. Hawkins was stiff.

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  * * *

  The next morning, after breakfast, they were greeted by Pastor Bryce in the lobby of the Inn.

  “Good morning to you folks. Are you ready to see the site?”

  “Yes!” She blurted out enthusiastically. He laughed at her enthusiasm. Mrs. Hawkins groaned at her outburst and Jennifer composed herself.

  “Then let us be on our way.”

  They stepped out into the warm summer air. The village, although small, was bustling with activity. There was plenty of room for all of them to walk. It was nothing like the crowded streets of London. The pastor began to point out buildings to them as they walked along.

  “Across the street there is the general shop, if you need anything. There is a bank right next to the Inn here...” he went on and on about every building passed. She was very excited to hear the details of what each building was as they walked along toward the end of the High Street.

  “This is it. This is the site of the new church. Your building site.”

  “Excellent. This is an incredible place to build. It is already very flat. I can tell that the bedrock underneath is solid. That will make it very easy to build the foundation. Let me have a look around,” Michael told them as he began to walk around this site, very focused.

  Jennifer also had a look around, now that they were out of the village area. She could see all the
way around. In the distance there were a few rolling green hills. She could see a couple of cottages sitting on top of them. She put her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun as she looked in that direction.

  “What catches your eye Miss Christian?”

  “Oh, Pastor Bryce. I was just taking a look at those cottages up on the hills. It is possibly the most happily situated cottage I have ever seen, except for one.” She thought of Jacob’s cottage when he nursed her ankle. That was perhaps the happiest place to her. “I would very much like something like that one day,” She said.

  “That one there is mine, on the left,” he pointed.

  She gasped. “You do not say?!”

  “Yes, It was just built a month ago. I am still settling in and getting everything situated. But I am very happy with it.”

  “Then I am very happy for you. It does indeed look very pleasant. I am sure that Mrs. Bryce is also very happy with it,” She said trying to pry into his personal life without being rude.

  “I am not married. Or engaged, Miss Christian,” he said with a smile. She stared into his green eyes. They were kind and soulful. They had a sparkle to them as he told her that he was not engaged to any woman. Then she suddenly felt guilty as she remembered that her heart truly belonged to Jacob Leary.

  “Pastor Bryce!” Michael said, grabbing his attention from across the building site.

  “Yes, Mr. Hawkins. Coming,” Pastor Bryce said as he walked to him.

  “I would like to begin surveying the site as soon as possible. I am told that I will have men to help me?”

  “Yes, they are men of this Parish. They have been informed of your arrival and are ready to work when you summon them. Although, the materials will not be here until next week. I am afraid they have been delayed. As you can see, there are not too many trees here, and they have to be cut down and brought from the East.”

  “That is not a problem. I can begin work with my blueprints, laying out the lines of where the foundation will go. There is much to be done before the actual building.”

  “Excellent. Come then, I will introduce you to Mr. Charles. He is the lead of these group of men we have assembled. Most of them have building experience. In fact, Mr. Charles built the cottagaes of most of the worker men.”

  “That is good news. Always good to have men with experience in these things. I am ready to meet him when you are ready to introduce them,” Mr. Hawkins said.

  “We can go there now. He also runs the blacksmith shop. Though I am not sure the ladies would find the environment comforting,” Pastor Bryce said.

  “I think you are right, Pastor. I do have a notion to go to the general shop,” Mrs. Hawkins said.

  “Well, let’s escort the ladies to the general shop and to Mr. Charles after,” Michael said.

  “Yes, this way back toward the Inn,” Pastor Bryce said.

  They headed back down the High Street into the village. Mrs. Hawkins and Michael walked side by side in conversation.

  Pastor Bryce walked beside Jennifer. He did not say a word but had a smile for Jennifer, a smile that she returned.

  Soon they stopped in front of the general shop. Michael and Patrick tipped their hats at them in goodbye and then walked away.

  Mrs. Hawkins and Jennifer entered the general shop. It smelled like fresh cut wood as soon as they walked in. The storekeeper greeted them, letting them know that he had never seen them before. Everyone knew everyone in the village, it was so small.

  While Mrs. Hawkins told him that her husband was there to build the church, She looked around. The shelves were sparse, and that suddenly made everything on the shelves much more precious than the crowded shops of London that had so much. Everything on this shelf took a very long time to arrive in the countryside and Jennifer realized just how appreciative she now was for such things.

  She had taken for it granted in Cottered. Everything out in the country was so special. Building materials had to come from far away and therefore were more precious. The natural beauty of the landscape provided fresh air and space for everyone. Indeed, she was learning and enjoying more than she ever could.

  “Sarah, this is they type of soap I like for baths. I want you to get acquinted with all my needs so that I may send you to the store when needed. We will also need fans for the sermon on Sunday. Since it is outdoors in a crowded tent, I believe it might get very hot,” Mrs. Hawkins said.

  “Yes, Mrs. Hawkins,” She replied. She smelled the blocks of soap and picked out a lovely scented one. She found a white fan that was simple and would go with everything Mrs. Hawkins owned.

  “Please charge these to my husband’s account, Mr. Michael Hawkins. You may send the bill to the Inn where we are staying and he will pay the bill.”

  “Yes, Mrs. Hawkins,” the shopkeeper said as he wrapped the goods.

  When they returned to the Inn, Jennifer helped Mrs. Hawkins out of her clothing and corset so that she could lay down for a nap.

  Jennifer was glad for the time alone in her room. She was much appreciative of this new line of work. It was not backbreaking work like the factory and though Mrs. Hawkins was very bossy, she truly did not need much help. Jennifer realized she was more of a companion than anything, which was quite fine by her.

  Later, Mrs. Hawkins awoke and summed Jennifer to help her dress so that they may have afternoon tea. It was then that Jennifer noticed this was the life of Mrs. Hawkins, often sitting alone because her husband worked so much. Though Mrs. Hawkins was not much for conversation, it was obvious to Jennifer that she simply wanted another woman to sit with her, even if she had to pay her.

  “There is my lovely wife,” Michael entered the Inn, taking off his hat.

  “How did it go, dear husband?” Mrs. Hawkins said.

  “Very well. I am very pleased with the men of the parish. They are very smart and will make good partners in construction. But I have news. Pastor Bryce has invited us to early dinner at his home. But because it is so far away, we must have early dinner to have ample time to return back to the Inn before it is too dark.”

  “That is very kind of him. Then we shall finish our tea and return to our rooms for a quick rest before getting dressed. Sarah, I think you can tell the Innkeeper to prepare a bath in your room so that it is waiting for you when we are done here, as you have not had one since we arrived, as well as arrange a carriage for us to take us to Pastor Bryce’s cottage,” she ordered.

  “Yes, Mrs. Hawkins, of course,” Jennifer jumped up from her chair, excited to see Pastor Bryce’s house on the hill. This was going to be quite pleasant indeed. Plus, she rather enjoyed conversation with him. She looked forward to the dinner.

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  chapter

  3 6

  * * *

  An hour later, Jennifer was soaking in a tub full of hot water. It was such a luxury. She sighed. Thoughts of Jacob entered her mind, because she knew this good fortune of such easy work with room and board provided was because of him. He had rescued her again, for the third time.

  She was even getting used to being called Sarah Christian and responded in a timely manner to the name. In truth, it made her feel as though her fresh start was real.

  Later in the late afternoon, the man Larry took them in the Innkeeper’s carriage to Pastor Bryce’s cottage on the hill.

  “Thank you Larry. Please return for us at sunset. That is ample time to return to the Inn before it gets dark, yes?” Mr. Hawkins said.

  “Yes, sir, Mr. Hawkins, it is. I will return to fetch you straight away at sunset,” he said with a nod of his hat, before pulling away.

  She was surprised by Pastor Bryce’s cottage. It was very nice, and a lot larger than how it looked from a distance. There was a very large post fence around the two-story cottage. They walked through the gate toward the front door, just as it opened.

  “Welcome! So glad you came” Pastor Bryce greeted them. She was surprised to see that he was wearing an apron. Had he made them dinner himself? She assumed h
e had a housekeeper that would come by to do it for him.

  “I am just about done with the chicken and vegetable stew and biscuits that I have made for. I hope you folks are hungry, because I made quite a lot,” he laughed.

  “Pastor Bryce, I was not aware that you could cook so well” Mrs. Hawkins said.

  “Oh I enjoy cooking very much, Mrs. Hawkins. Please come in. I will take your coats and hats,” he said.

  He looked at Jennifer and smiled as she stepped inside. As soon as she saw his dashing grin, she felt butterflies in her stomach. That is odd. I have only felt that for Jacob.

  Pastor Patrick Bryce was indeed a very attractive and kind man. She felt guilty that she was feeling this way, but she could not stop her heart from reacting to him. It was getting more impossible and they only just met the day before.

  “Can I help you with your coat, Miss Christian?”

  “Yes, thank you,” She said, turning her back to him. He took off her coat, peeling it off. She could feel his warmth surround her and she felt very safe with him standing so close. He opened a wardrobe and hung up their coats. She was pleased at how much he did for himself.

  “Let us sit in the parlor for tea before dinner,” he led the way down the hall.

  It was modestly but elegantly furnished. These were all things that were brought from far away. There was an upholstered bench and a nice green rug near a wood-burning stove. There was a large table with tea already set up. Jennifer approved of the set up.

  They sat and drank while he and Michael talked more of the church. She, on the other hand, was looking around as though she was picturing herself living there. She could see it all now. She would help Patrick cook dinner and serve it to their guests after a Sunday sermon. She sighed. Then she stopped. What was I doing? My heart belonged to Jacob. But living with Jacob the Black Bandit was not an option. It would be a life of running, and I had my fill of that.

  “Pastor Bryce, may I ask where did you get the vegetables for your stew? I went into the general shop today and did not find any vegetables.”