“I will admit I’ve never been on a farm before, so I wouldn’t mind seeing it a bit. While I am not so citified that I don’t know that my food comes from farms, I pretty much never leave Boston, so I haven’t had occasion to see any of the countryside. But I did hope we could have a little bit of privacy to discuss our plans.”
He was pleased to see her nod and not run off. Her smile was a little strained, but she tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow.
“Come, see the chicks. They are the cutest thing you’re likely to see right now. Many of the animals are pregnant. It seems to be a theme around here right now. But until the lambs and calves are born, the chicks are the closest you’ll get to something cuddly. Unless you like mules.”
Fred laughed. “Mules can be useful, but I’ve never considered them cuddly.”
“Maggie the mule thinks she’s a pet. Ella wanted pets when she arrived from Boston, so Carter let her baby any of the animals she wanted. She settled on Maggie as, again, there weren’t any babies around at the time. Carter promised her a kitten from the first litter, but Maggie became Ella’s pet. It’s a rather amusing thing to watch the large mule looking for pats and treats.”
“I’ll take the chicks, first, then, please. I’ll work my way up to Maggie.”
Jane giggled but nodded sagely. “Wise choice.”
They strolled away from the house toward a small barnlike structure near the shed where Fred had found apples earlier.
“Have you prepared yourself to move to Boston, Jane? I need to know if you think you’ll be able to settle yourself into a new life.”
She blinked at him with a puzzled frown. “I didn’t really think there was a choice, sir.” He must have frowned because she hurried to add, “I should say, Alastair.” She smiled, even though it was a little thin, and continued. “I have no objection to moving back to Boston. I figured it was a given when the McLains sent my proxy to you. I would just as rather get away from my sister, anyway. I’m not sure if she’s unwell in her mind or just mean, but I don’t really wish to be her neighbor. So, there’s nothing keeping me here except my friendship with Ella, and I have no desire to be beholden to her, however lovely she and Carter have been.”
Fred was relieved to hear her say so. “Do you think we could set off sometime soon?”
She shrugged. Even though she looked a little nervous, she followed up with a nod. “I don’t have much, so packing won’t be an issue. I can be ready to go whenever you’d like.”
Fred tried not to display his glee, but he must not have succeeded. Jane giggled. “Do you miss the city that much?”
Now it was Fred’s turn to shrug. “I’ve already been gone for a week, and it will take at least five days to get back if there are no delays. So, while I wouldn’t say I’m homesick, I am anxious to get back to my work.”
Jane’s wrinkled nose was so cute Fred caught his breath. But he kept his focus on the words that were forthcoming. “Most people would be glad for a holiday, I would think. I never minded being away from my work, except that we needed the money.”
“Then you didn’t have the right work, I would say.”
Jane giggled. “I daresay. Maybe when we get to Boston, you can help me find a job that I won’t want to be away from.”
Fred stared at her in dismay. “Do you wish to work? I would rather you stay home. There is no need for you to work. You could involve yourself in charity work, if you’d like, but we certainly won’t have any need for you to have an income.”
He couldn’t quite say what was flitting through her mind as a million emotions appeared to chase themselves around her face. She giggled again, but it sounded forced.
“I’ll look forward to learning all about our new life in Boston, then.”
Fred had to be satisfied with that. On the surface, it was exactly what he wanted. But he was left with the feeling that there was something he was missing. With a mental shrug, he decided they had the rest of their lives to figure it out. And at least five days on the train to discuss things.
“Do you think tomorrow might be too soon?” he asked tentatively.
The expression on her face looked equal parts trepidation and bravery. “There’s really little to gain by staying here. We’re married now, and as far as I understand, there’s no changing that. The McLains vouch for my safety with you, and I trust them. We can get to know one another as easily or as awkwardly on the train as here, I suppose. Perhaps being with a bunch of strangers on the train will actually be less awkward.”
Fred laughed. “You’ve got a point there.”
Jane blinked for a moment as though she were surprised at the turn of events, even though she agreed to it. She then nodded firmly and offered him a small smile.
“Well then, if this is to be your only day here, you really ought to see it all.”
Fred was unsure about the wisdom of her words. His mixed feelings must’ve been written all over his face because she laughed and offered to let him off the hook.
“Of course, since you haven’t seen your friends in years, you might rather spend some time with them, since you’ll have plenty of time with me in the coming days.”
Now he worried he would sound churlish either way. But he tried to say the right thing. “I’ve been enjoying your company thus far. But you do have a point about Carter. Perhaps you could show me this friendly mule, and then I’ll return to see what Carter is up to.”
Jane laughed. Her amusement and previous description of the animal made Fred nervous, but he was relieved when they arrived near its fence that it only snuffled around his pockets. He had experience with horses, so he knew quite well what she was after, but he had not come prepared.
“Aww, poor Maggie will be disappointed if we don’t have anything for her,” Jane commented before producing a couple chunks of cut apples from her pocket.
Fred lifted his eyebrows and grinned at her. “Did you learn from your long walk to never leave home without apples?”
Jane joined him in amusement. “That was an aberration for me, to be honest. I almost always have something in my pockets, since I enjoy walking amongst the animals. They are far more welcoming if you don’t come empty handed. Especially Maggie, here.”
The animal seemed to recognize her name and the teasing she was receiving. Her ears swiveled, and she tossed her head but took the pieces of apple gently from Jane’s hand before butting her head into the young woman’s chest. Fred reached out to steady her, but she just laughed and shook her head.
“That’s just Maggie’s way of showing affection. Like I said, she thinks she’s a pet. I think she’d rather be a kitten or a lapdog.”
Fred grinned. “She’s a little large for that.”
Jane shushed him. “Don’t tell her that, it’ll hurt her feelings.” And the daft woman actually patted the animal's head, scratching her ears, and crooning as though to comfort the large animal. Fred’s skepticism must’ve danced across his face because, as they walked away, Jane giggled softly.
“Don’t worry, Alastair, I swear I’m not daft. And I promise not to ask for a mule as a pet when we return to the city.”
“Well that’s a relief.” His reply was too enthusiastic. Jane burst into laughter.
“Were you seriously worried?”
“Of course, not,” he replied, but she didn’t appear convinced. Fred hurried to continue the conversation along as they strolled toward the house.
“You appear to like animals, but I haven’t seen you with a pet of your own. Will there be any critters accompanying us on the train?”
Now it was Jane’s turn to raise skeptical eyebrows toward him. “That sounds highly uncomfortable for all parties, wouldn’t you think?”
Fred shrugged. “I would try to work it out for you, if you did.”
“That’s kind of you, thank you, but no, I don’t have any pets. I have actually never had a pet. I was deemed too young before my mother died and then had too many responsibilities afterward. Then I
felt it would be cruel to a pet if I was never home to care for it. And since I’ve been out here, I just never found the right time. It wasn’t perfectly comfortable at my sister’s and here with the McLains, there are plenty of animals and it was a temporary situation at best. So again, not the time for a pet.”
“Will you want one when we get home?”
Jane smiled at him, and Fred could have sworn there were tears in her eyes. He wanted to question her but didn’t want to embarrass her. He couldn’t imagine what he might have said to make her cry.
“I will think about it, thank you.”
Fred hadn’t meant to offer her carte blanche for animals, but he didn’t bother arguing the point. Hopefully she would raise the subject again before coming home with any animals.
~~~
Jane struggled for composure as she walked at her husband’s side. She had a husband! And he spoke of home. Jane hadn’t truly felt at home since losing her mother. She hadn’t even realized how much she was longing for a home until he mentioned it. Now, she couldn’t wait. But she tried to rein in her anticipation. She couldn’t be sure his home would feel like home to her until she got there and spent some time in it. And of course, he couldn’t have any idea how enticing this word would be for her. But it was clear he didn’t intend for her to feel uncomfortable in his home. He was offering his life to her. And she had every intention of grasping it with both hands and holding on tight.
She wracked her brain trying to think of something else to discuss on the short walk back to the house.
“Do you have much family in Boston? You’ve mentioned your sister, Sybil. Do you have more siblings? You don’t have any parents, but what about extended family?” Jane didn’t particularly wish to discuss Sybil, but it would probably be unnatural not to ask about family. Not that she really wanted to talk about her own family, either. On second thought, it was a rather daft conversational turn, she rebuked herself.
Fred saved her from too much discomfort when he answered her.
“Actually, I have very little family. No other siblings, and you know we lost our mother when we were young, something you and I have in common. Our father also passed away a few years ago. There are a few cousins, but we are a small family.” He paused for a moment, casting her a sideways glance. “I wouldn’t mind to change that, though.”
It took her a moment to discern his meaning. She then felt as though her entire body were consumed with the heat of her blush. “Oh, well, yes, of course…” She began to stammer out a reply. “I would love to have children one day,” she added shyly after a deep breath helped to stem the tide of her stuttering.
He again saved her from prolonged discomfort by asking her the same question. “What about you? Do you have any family still in Boston?”
“Not really,” she answered. It wasn’t completely untrue. She didn’t consider any of those people to be her family. To her way of thinking, family didn’t mistreat one another. Jane wondered if she would have to encounter them. She should try to ask Ella how extensive were Alastair’s social connections. Jane had never told Ella her full story, but Jane well knew about Ella’s social past, so she knew the other woman would understand the question and should know the answer.
She was saved from any further explanation despite Alastair’s quizzical expression, as they had arrived back on the porch and Carter was just exiting the house.
“Fred, my boy, has Jane showed you everything there is to see?”
“Uh, not everything, I don’t think.”
“Good. Come, let’s saddle up and I’ll brag up my property to you. My wife is convinced you’ll be leaving us shortly, so I want to take some time to show you how I’ve done for myself.”
Jane watched as they walked toward the barn, amused as Alastair glanced back toward her. His expression seemed to ask her to save him, but there was nothing she could do to intervene. And they had agreed he would spend the last bit of time here with his friend.
Jane shook her head. The man truly was citified. She didn’t mind, really. Having experienced both, she would say she would prefer the city, too, if they had the means. From what she could tell, being poor was more comfortable in the country than the city. For one thing, you could grow your own food. And it was less obvious who had less or more.
From what she could tell of her husband, he wasn’t poor. And he didn’t appear to have any intention of sending her off to work. So, she would happily accompany him back to Boston. She could barely remember life in the city before it became so difficult. Jane was looking forward to reacquainting herself with the other side of the city.
The afternoon and evening flew by. Ella insisted on sending a couple of her fancier frocks back to Boston with Jane.
“I haven’t any need for such things here, Jane, and well you know it. I can’t even tell you what Sybil was thinking when she sent them to me. I’ve worn each of them once, just to say that I did. You and I are of a similar size. You can easily get away with wearing them without even doing any alterations. It’ll get you started until you can get some things of your own.”
Jane had wanted to weep over her friend’s generosity. And though she wanted to refuse the other woman’s charity, she recognized the truthfulness of her words. There really was nowhere to wear clothes that were impractical here on Carter’s spread. Jane knew Ella had plenty of gowns; she wouldn’t miss the two she was giving Jane. She tried to be gracious in her acceptance. And she knew she would be grateful once she arrived in Boston. The few items of clothing she owned would be unacceptable in her role as a banker’s wife.
Even with the two extra gowns, it took no time to have her things packed. Jane kept herself busy helping Ella prepare the meal and do any final cleaning Jane could think of. Ella had tried to stop her, but Jane had explained herself.
“For one thing, I’m a little too anxious about tomorrow to sit still and sip tea. And for another, I’m just so very grateful to you and your husband for taking me in for the last few weeks.”
“Jane Cosburn, you’ve earned your keep thrice over with all the help you’ve been to me since you’ve been here. I never would have gotten so many baby things prepared without your help, and there’s no way the house would be this spotlessly clean if I had been on my own.”
Jane laughed at her scolding tone. “Well, it was the least I could do. And now you’ve arranged this new life for me. I really have no way of repaying you.”
Ella’s face softened. “Be a good, kind wife to our friend, and we’ll be more than even.”
Jane choked on her words. “I’ll do my very best.”
Ella clasped her hand. “I know you will, my friend. But I also know you’re terrified. What can I do to help?”
And they spent the rest of the afternoon gossiping and giggling as they finished the supper preparations. As soon as the meal had been consumed, Jane excused herself. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to sleep, but she couldn’t bear to sit and agonize over the next day. And she was sure Alastair would enjoy one last visit with his friends.
Much to her surprise, she drifted right off to sleep. Perhaps it was still the effects of her exertions the day before, or perhaps her body was comforted by the presence of hope in her heart. Whatever the case, she awoke to the birds and a bright sun, rested and anticipating her new future. If there was a little fly in the ointment preventing her from pure joy, she chose to ignore that niggling fact.
Chapter Eight
Fred was uncomfortable as they waited for the train. Carter and Ella had offered to wait with them, but it was going to be another hour, and since they had already done all their talking, it would have been awkward for all of them as they made idle chatter and waited with the small group of people awaiting the next train.
The size of the group heading east was a surprise. Fred would have thought he and Jane would be the only ones heading east. Since it was spring, most were going in the opposite direction to try their luck in the great expanse. With no trains going we
st that day, he would have thought they would have the station to themselves, but there were a few others milling around.
Jane had shed tears over her goodbyes to the McLains. Fred had wondered how to comfort her but other than patting her on the shoulder as Ella and Carter drove away, he wasn’t sure what he could do. They still were strangers, after all. He wondered if he ought to ask about her sister. But then he realized he didn’t want to bring up such a potentially painful subject when the poor woman was already feeling sensitive.
He needn’t have worried. She turned toward him, her eyes luminous after her weeping. Fred was relieved her tears seemed to have dried. But then more welled up as she started to speak.
“I had secretly thought Phoebe would have come to send us off. Or that she would have come by Carter’s, even though he told her to stay away. Under the circumstances, I’m sure he would have allowed it. He had one of the men go by and tell them we were leaving, so I know she is aware.”
Fred took a deep breath and prayed for the right words. “It’s possible she realized how dreadful goodbyes are and didn’t want to subject you to hers.”
This produced a watery chuckle from his wife and chased away her tears. “That’s diplomatic of you, Alastair. Thank you. Yes, you’re right, it is possible those were her thoughts. Not probable, but possible.” She laughed again. “Anyhow, have you traveled by train often? I know you mentioned you don’t like to leave the city, but I was wondering if you’re as inexperienced as me.”
“I don’t leave the city frequently, but I have ridden the train between Boston and New York a number of times.”
Jane nodded. “I would think that would be a frequently used train line.”
Fred smiled. “Are you feeling nervous or uncertain about our mode of travel?”
Jane shrugged. “Not particularly anxious, but I am curious about its reliability. Are we likely to be waiting long, do you suppose? Or is it expected to arrive at the time they said?”
A Bride for Alastair Page 6