The Sugar Queen

by Tess Thompson

  “How do you know?”

  “Because Lord Barnes and I are going to make sure and find you a nice family. We’re always going to look after you.”

  She put her head back in my lap and wept fresh tears until she finally fell asleep.

  Chapter 32

  Alexander

  * * *

  I knocked on Rachel’s front door late that afternoon. Would knowing what happened to Samuel give her some peace? I couldn’t be certain. I knew only how much I dreaded telling her.

  Rachel opened the door herself and stepped outside, squinting in the sunlight. “The kids are all sick. I don’t want to expose you.” She buttoned her coat.

  “Theo too,” I said.

  “Is he all right? I can see on your face that something’s happened.”

  “He’s fine. In fact, Quinn sent this over with me.” I reached inside my jacket for the herbal concoction Mrs. Wu had made. “Put a teaspoon of this in tea and have them drink it all. I can’t swear to it, but I think it saved my boy.”

  She eyed it suspiciously but put it in her coat pocket.

  “We know who killed Samuel,” I said.

  She drew in a long breath. “Tell me.”

  As much as I hated to tell the foul story, I relayed everything I knew, ending with Kellam’s death. “He tried to run, and Lancaster killed him. Finally that idiot did the right thing.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest and looked out toward the woodshed. “It wasn’t about me or the kids, after all. He was killed because he happened to be there just at the moment Kellam came through chasing his poor child. I’ve no doubt that he would have tried to stop him. He did try to stop him.”

  “He died trying to protect an innocent child,” I said. “Which makes him a hero.”

  “He was always my hero,” she said. “I miss him every moment of the day.”

  “I know.”

  Rachel shuddered. “That poor girl. What will happen to her?”

  “We’re trying to find a family for her. If not, we’ll keep her.”

  “You can’t be an orphanage, Barnes,” she said, smiling. “First the Wus and now a little orphan.”

  “I will be an orphanage if I have to be.”

  “You and Samuel had a lot in common,” she said. “Both a couple of fools.”

  “Will you be all right?”

  “Eventually,” she said. “Not yet, but someday.”

  Just before supper, Jasper announced the arrival of Simon and Pamela Lind. I asked him to bring them into the library where Quinn and I had been chatting about the Linds’ interest in adopting Louisa. Quinn was overjoyed by the idea, as I knew she would be.

  I invited them to sit on the couch. Jasper promised to return with tea as Quinn and I sat across from them.

  Simon and Pamela held hands and exchanged a nervous glance before Pamela blurted out their intention.

  “We’ve talked,” Pamela said. “And we’d like to meet Louisa.”

  “If she likes us, we thought we could take her home,” Simon said.

  “She’s a very sad, damaged little girl,” Quinn said. “She thinks of herself as an animal, only worthy of shelter and food if she provides something in return. Convincing her otherwise may take time.”

  “She’ll be slow to trust,” I said. “Especially you, Simon.”

  “We understand.” Pamela looked into her lap. “My mother died when I was young. I was raised by a stepfather who hurt me.”

  Simon handed her his handkerchief, and she dabbed at her eyes. “He’s the reason I could not have children.”

  “Pamela, no,” Quinn said.

  “Yes. When I ran away at sixteen, I was blessed to find Simon. His devotion and love changed me. He taught me to live and breathe and love. Otherwise, I don’t know what would have become of me.” Pamela looked up at Quinn. “There’s no one better than Simon and me to take her. I know the particulars of what it’s like to be raised by an evil man. And Simon knows how much patience and fortitude it takes to love a girl after years of torment.”

  “We’ve prayed and the answer seems clear,” Simon said. “We’re meant to take her.”

  “Would you like me to get her now?” Quinn asked.

  “Why not?” Simon said. “No time like the present.”

  Quinn scampered out of the room promising to return with Louisa.

  “We have a room for her,” Pamela said. “And I can sew her a few new dresses.”

  “We’ll pack up some of Josephine’s old things in the meantime,” I said.

  A few minutes later, Quinn came in with Louisa, guiding her over to sit between us as she introduced her to the Linds. “This is Louisa.”

  Quinn had her dressed in one of Josephine’s old dresses. The light blue color highlighted the child’s pretty eyes and fair hair, which Josephine had plaited into a braid that hung down her scrawny back. “This is Mr. and Mrs. Lind.”

  “Hello, Louisa. It’s nice to meet you,” Pamela said.

  Louisa gave them a shy smile. “I seen you at church a few times.”

  “You were at church?” Simon asked.

  “I looked through the windows. Pa said church was for weak people.”

  Simon nodded gravely, but a twinkle in his eyes hinted at his amusement. “I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree.”

  “Would you like to attend church?” Pamela asked.

  “My friends from school go there, so yes,” Louisa said.

  “That’s a good enough reason,” Simon said, laughing.

  Louisa’s gaze darted to Quinn. She’d obviously sensed she’d said something wrong but didn’t know what. Quinn gave her an encouraging nod.

  “Louisa’s one of my best students,” Quinn said. “She loves to read.”

  “Miss Cooper taught me. Now I can go on adventures whenever I want.”

  “Isn’t that the very best thing about books?” Simon asked. “I have wanderlust myself, so books take me to places I’ll never be able to go.”

  A light of recognition went off in Louisa’s eyes. “When Pa was real bad, I’d wait for him to fall asleep and then I’d read and forget all about my real life.”

  “We’d like to give you a new home,” Pamela said. “One where you didn’t have to be afraid.”

  “One where you could have a few adventures of your own,” Simon said. “Would you like to come live with us?”

  “I can cook for you and keep house.” Louisa’s hopeful tone and earnest face were enough to break a man’s heart. “And take care of the garden.”

  Pamela and Simon were silent for a moment as they looked to Quinn for help.

  “Louisa, as a member of a family, you would have chores, as all children do. But it won’t be like with your pa. Pastor Lind and Pamela want you to be their child, which means you’re taken care of, not the other way around.”

  “Pa said I had to earn my keep or he’d kick me out to get eaten by a bear.” Louisa’s bottom lip trembled. “What do I do at your house so I don’t get eaten by a bear?”

  Pamela held out her hand. “Come here, Louisa.”

  Louisa once again looked up at Quinn for reassurance. “It’s all right,” Quinn said.

  The child crossed over to sit next to Pamela, who put her hand on top of Louisa’s head. “I’m going to promise you something, Louisa. If you’re our child, we won’t hurt you, and we’ll do our very best to protect you from harm.”

  “But what will I need to do?” Louisa asked in a panicked, high-pitched voice. Her shoulders had lifted to her ears, and her gaze went from one of them to the other and back again.

  “What specifically would you like Louisa to do?” Quinn asked.

  Simon cleared his throat. “We expect you to be respectful and kind to us and anyone who visits. You’ll help Pamela by sweeping the floors and setting the table for meals.”

  “Make your bed each morning. And help do dishes after supper,” Pamela said. “In the summer, you’ll help me in the garden.”

  “Atten
d church, of course,” Simon said. “Keep up with your studies at school.”

  “Keep your hair and clothes tidy,” Pamela said.

  Louisa’s shoulders softened. “Is that all?”

  “Yes, Louisa,” Pamela said. “That is all.”

  “I love to work in the garden,” Louisa said under her breath.

  “Do you really?” Pamela asked. “Because it’s my favorite pastime. I grow tomatoes, beans, squash, and cucumbers to make pickles.”

  “What about potatoes and turnips?” Louisa asked.

  “No turnips,” Simon said. “I dislike them immensely.”

  “I haven’t grown potatoes before,” Pamela said. “But we could plant them together.”

  “I like potatoes,” Louisa said.

  “Me too,” Simon said.

  Louisa wrapped her arms around her middle and took in a long, shaky breath. “I understand now. I’m ready to go with you.”

  “We’ve made up a bed in your new room,” Pamela said. “Would you like to see it?”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Louisa said, brightening. “My own room?” She looked over at Quinn as she slid from the couch. “Miss Cooper, my own room.”

  “I’m glad for you,” Quinn said.

  We all stood then. For a moment, an awkward silence filled the room until Louisa ran to Quinn and wrapped her arms around her teacher’s waist. “Thank you for everything,” Louisa said.

  “You’re welcome, dear one,” Quinn said. “You can breathe easily now. No one’s going to hurt you from here on out.” She put her hands on the little girl’s shoulders. “Are you ready to go with the Linds?”

  “Yes, Miss Cooper.” Louisa stepped out of the embrace and walked over to where Pamela and Simon waited by the couch. Pamela offered her hand and after a split second of hesitation, Louisa took it, and they walked toward the door together.

  “Tomorrow we can look at fabric to make you some new dresses,” Pamela said. “I’ve always wanted a daughter to sew for.”

  “Will you teach me how to sew?” Louisa asked as they passed into the foyer.

  Simon and I shook hands. “I may need some advice as we go along.” He chuckled. “A daughter when I’m already an old man.”

  “It’s the best and hardest job you’ll ever have,” I said. “Although possibly easier to manage when there’s only one instead of five.”

  “God hates a coward, isn’t that what you told me?” Simon asked.

  “Yes sir,” I said. “Which makes him particularly proud of you tonight.”

  Chapter 33

  Quinn

  * * *

  After the excitement of the last few days, our household settled back into routine. Friday night, Alexander had asked Clive to call on Lizzie. Clive, being a kind man, and also much too young for Lizzie at only twenty years old, was only too happy to help in the ruse. To help her get ready, Merry and I joined Lizzie in her room. She had to look particularly inviting this evening.

  I coaxed her unruly hair into a bun, but tendrils escaped at the back of her neck and temples. “Oh, why won’t my hair ever behave?” Lizzie asked.

  “Never mind that,” I said. “The curls are pretty.”

  Merry powdered Lizzie’s nose and gave her a hint of blush on her cheeks and lips.

  “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen you without your apron and cap,” I said as I stood back to admire Lizzie. She wore a sapphire-blue dress with a white sash that flattered her curves and brought out her eyes. “You’re always pretty, but tonight you’re simply breathtaking.”

  “Do you think?” Looking at her reflection in the mirror, Lizzie patted her hips. “I’m so plump.”

  “No, you’re just right,” Merry said as she sat on Lizzie’s bed, looking fetching in a pale green dress. Her hair, usually braided and wrapped around the top of her head, was twisted at the nape of her neck.

  “I agree.” I looked small and skinny next to Lizzie’s hourglass frame and Merry’s tall, muscular build. “Anyway, it takes all kinds.”

  Mrs. Wu was in the kitchen making supper, and the smell wafted into Lizzie’s room. “What is she making that smells so divine?” I asked.

  “Some kind of bun with meat in the middle,” Lizzie said. “Her mother taught her all the family recipes when she was a girl in China.”

  “Aren’t we a peculiar household?” Merry said. “Everyone from somewhere else.”

  “That’s America,” I said.

  “Isn’t it strange to think of our children’s children?” Merry asked. “They’ll not know about the old worlds we came from, only here.”

  “All of our differences merged together by then,” I said. “Into what, I wonder?”

  “Harley’s asked to marry me,” Merry said.

  We both whirled around to look at her.

  “When did that happen?” I asked.

  “Last night after class. When we dropped you off, I went with him to help with the horses. We were talking and then all of a sudden, he kissed me. He asked if I’d ever consider marrying him.”

  “What did you say?” Lizzie asked.

  “How was the kiss?” I asked at the same time.

  Merry smiled. “I said yes, and the kiss made my legs shaky.”

  “Oh, my,” Lizzie said.

  “That’s the best kind of kiss,” I said, as if I were the expert now that Alexander and I couldn’t seem to stop kissing.

  “It’s all because of you, Quinn. If we hadn’t started going to night school together, then I’d never have had the chance to talk to him. I might not have ever had the courage otherwise.”

  We all jumped at a knock on the door followed by Alexander’s voice. “Ladies, Clive has arrived.”

  I squeezed Lizzie’s hands. “Let’s go make someone jealous.”

  Alexander and Clive were sitting in chairs by the fire and rose to their feet as we entered. Jasper was across the room tidying the already-tidy liquor cabinet. His jaw clenched when he saw Lizzie. There it was, I thought.

  We joined the gentlemen by the fire.

  “I…I like your dress.” Clive blushed red.

  Alexander had coached Clive to give Lizzie a compliment. He might need a little practice.

  Lizzie flashed Clive one of her best smiles. “Thank you.”

  Jasper left the room, the clicking of his heels on the floor louder than usual. We got him. This would shake him into action.

  We all sat and made small talk about the weather and various other subjects. I noticed movement just outside the library doors. Was Jasper eavesdropping?

  “Will you all excuse me a moment?” I asked.

  The men stood.

  I went out to the foyer and sure enough, Jasper stood just outside the door. He appeared too upset to even seem embarrassed by his lack of decorum. He gestured for me to move into the parlor that remained unused most of the time. Another one of Alexander’s quirks. He preferred his library for entertaining.

  “What in God’s name is that boy doing here?” Jasper whispered.

  “He’s calling on Lizzie.”

  “How could you let this happen?” he asked.

  “What do I have to do with it?”

  “I don’t know. It’s just that since you arrived everyone’s running around acting like lovesick debutantes. We’ve got Merry and Harley kissing in the barn and you and the lord carrying on like animals in springtime. And now this. Do you know she’s asked the lord for her own cottage? Her own cottage. I mean, this is simply not done.”

  “Jasper, what does it matter to you what Lizzie does? You’ve already told her you don’t love her.”

  “Because there is a right way to do things and a wrong way to do things. Cooks do not have their own cottages.”

  “Alexander does as he pleases with his money and his property. He has enough of both and wants to thank her for years of service.”

  “I won’t have it. I’m supposed to run this house. We’ve got strangers living downstairs and perplexing food coming out of our kitchen. Does
Lizzie even cook any longer, or is it dumplings every night now?”

  I laughed. I couldn’t help it.

  “What’s funny?” he asked, eyes flashing.

  “I’m sorry, but you’re funny. You know what’s going on here, don’t you?”

  “Whatever do you mean?”

  “You’re jealous. You want Lizzie for yourself.”

  “I want things run the way they were,” he said. “This has nothing to do with that Clive person calling on my Lizzie.”

  “Your Lizzie?”

  “For heaven’s sake, you’re an annoying woman. Like a herding dog.”

  “Excuse me?” A herding dog? That made me laugh even harder, imagining nipping at the heels of this entire household.

  “Nothing.” He let out a long sigh. “You have a quality that makes every person you meet want to be better.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment,” I said.

  “It’s meant to be one.”

  “Lizzie’s spent her adult life waiting for you to see her—to love her. She wants that cottage to move away from you—from the idea of you two being together. Do you understand? If you love her, now is the time to tell her and to take action. Otherwise, she will find someone else. This town is full of single men. And she’s a beautiful woman with her own money. Think about what you want. Do you want to grow old alone while everyone else is happily coupled simply because of principle? Because you can’t let go of the old ways? I think that’s just about the saddest thing I’ve ever seen.”

  I walked out of the parlor and downstairs to the kitchen, where Mrs. Wu was feeding the children, silently praying that I’d gotten through to him.

  Chapter 34

  Alexander

  * * *

  I received the letter from Quinn’s mother a week later.

  Dear Alexander,

  Your request came as no surprise. Quinn had written to me of her deep feelings for you and your children. In her last letter, she’d mentioned the possibility of marriage. I’m overjoyed.