Chapter 11
October 1902
Victoria was lounging on the sofa; enjoy an afternoon cup of rich coffee when she heard a voice from the entryway. At times Uncle Rock had visitors to discuss the financing of the home and she always attended. Wishing that Uncle Rock had informed her of such a meeting, she looked down at her dress and frowned. Her current outfit was more modest than the ones she normally wore when entertaining. She took one last sip of her coffee, folded the newspaper, and stood to leave the parlor deciding she would just have to be more charming. As she entered the hallway while smoothing out the wrinkles in her dress, she was stunned speechless for a moment. When the young gentleman smiled, she found her voice.
“Henry it is so nice to see you. What are you doing here?” Victoria ignored his outstretched hand and gave him a hardy but brief hug. She looped her arm around his and led him into the parlor. Victoria took a seat on the sofa; however, against Victoria's hopes, Henry took a seat in a wingback chair.
“Mr. Rockford had written me requesting if I could serve as an escort for you when needed and also to help with the farming aspects of the home.”
“Does Joseph know?”
“No, he does not. I am not sure he will be happy that I am your escort. It will be nice to see him.”
Mr. Rockford preceded Miss Jenny into the room. Henry stood and offered his hand. Mr. Rockford gave a firm shake before claiming the other wingback chair.
“Do not concern yourself with that Henry. You work for me not Joseph.”
“Thank you, Mr. Rockford.”
Miss Jenny placed a tray with coffee and cake on the nearby table and silently left the room.
“Where will you be staying Henry?”
“He will be staying in Joseph's room.”
Victoria paled at the news.
“Victoria I have no plans on changing anything in the room. I will leave it as is.”
Victoria smiled at the news and stood to serve everyone coffee and cake. The conversation remained light while they enjoyed the food. While she had many questions she wanted answers to, Uncle Rock kept interfering each time Henry tried to answer. It had been six weeks since she had seen Joseph and she was delighted that they would be going out to the home tomorrow. The time apart had been good for her especially for understanding her own emotions after seeing him with Ada. Even though she kept busy with meetings with investors and maintaining the ledgers, a day did not go by when she thought of Joseph. She prayed daily for a sign and still felt it was not time yet. Miss Jenny reminded her every time she looked sad that she needed to be patient that it was all in God's timing. Victoria went to bed early thinking she would lie awake for hours thinking about seeing Joseph but sleep came quickly as she thought how the days would go by more swiftly with Henry around to keep her entertained.
Victoria woke startled by the sound of rain pelting her bedroom window and the wind whipping at the trees before dawn. There would be no going out today and possibly tomorrow if it rained for too long. She rolled onto her side to look out the window as lightening danced across the sky. She silently counted; one, two, three, before the boom of thunder shook the house. With tired limbs, she climbed out of bed and dressed. Miss Jenny would not be in today because of the weather and she would need to take care of the meals and cleaning. Before she reached the kitchen, she smelled the rich aroma of coffee. She walked into the kitchen smiling.
“I hope you do not mind me making myself at home. I just could not sleep any more with the rain.”
“I do not mind. Miss Jenny will not be in today because of the rain. It is much needed. We have scarcely had a drop in weeks. The ground had begun to crack.”
Victoria sat down in her usual seat and Henry brought her a steaming cup of coffee. He sat down next to her just looking.
“What are you looking at?”
“You.”
“I know that much. Why are you looking at me?”
“Just trying to see what makes you tick. I will be your escort from now on. I report directly to Mr. Rockford and want to make sure I keep my job. This is not a temporary move for me.”
Victoria studied Henry intently. She was not sure what to think of him or what Joseph had previously told him about her. Did Henry know all of her secrets? Did he know about Gloria? Numerous emotions crossed over her face before settling on a frown.
“What is the frown for? You were delighted to see me yesterday.”
Victoria stood to begin breakfast preparations not wanting to answer. Her fears were still controlling her and she hated it.
“Victoria, please sit back down and relax. I have already started breakfast. The biscuits have another ten minutes. I was about to start cooking the bacon when you walked into the room.”
Victoria made no effort to move so Henry placed both hands on her shoulders and guided her back to her chair. With gentle pressure, he encouraged her to sit back down.
“I plan to finish what I started. We will be spending a lot of time talking today. If I am going to be successful at being your escort, I need to know everything that is going on. No secrets.”
Victoria stood to leave, but Henry's voice stopped her in her tracks.
“Stop acting like a child and sit back down!”
Victoria huffed, yet followed his command. Henry continued the breakfast preparations in silence. Once everything was complete, he brought it to the table for Victoria to serve herself. She savored the flaky biscuits and crisp bacon. He had done a wonderful job at cooking.
“Since it appears it will likely rain all day we will spend the day getting to know each other better. I will help with whatever housework needs to be done and with preparations for the meals.”
“What happened to your charm? You were so nice when we first meet.”
“My cousin does love you, but you cannot seem to get a handle on your emotions. We are going to work through this one way or the other. I want to see him happy.”
Victoria sat in silence, thinking on a reply. She did love Joseph but she was still married to Lawrence. Why could no one understand that? It was not time yet. She continued to eat not saying a word. What right did Henry have to interfere? Once she completed her meal she stood, taking her plate along with Henry's and began washing the dishes. Henry approached her from behind and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I will be waiting for you in the parlor when you are done.”
Victoria did not reply. His tone indicated he would not be challenged in this. Maybe this was exactly what she needed. Someone who would not coddle her and help her face all the fears and insecurities that overwhelmed her.
Victoria went to bed early after spending hours talking with Henry about her feelings and not just what had happened. His bible stayed at the ready providing several scripture readings that guided them. They prayed throughout the day. By the end of the day, she was confident that with his help she would be able to better control her emotions. She had decided she wanted to wait longer before visiting Joseph.
Uncle Rock kept his distance for most of the day, even taking his meals alone. She was thoroughly cried out and drained from rehashing all of her secrets. There were none left to tell. Henry had a way about him that she had no choice, but to discuss her feelings.
/ / /
Joseph woke to screams coming from Ada's room. Not knowing what was going on, he ran quickly to her room not bothering with putting his shirt on. When he entered her room, he found her curled up in a ball, trembling and screaming in unison with the thunder. He silently sat down, pulled her close, and gently held her, thankful that he had had time to get to know her before this or he would have been worried about the appropriateness. She was just like a little child frightened by the weather. Calming down quickly with his presence, she no longer screamed with the clack of thunder. When he tried to leave, she would not let go. Joseph decided he would have to stay. He managed to get Ada to lie back down, then he took the quilt draped over the edge of the bed and used i
t as a blanket as he lay down on top of the covers next to her. She snuggled up close clinging to his arm. Once she was sleeping soundly, he slipped out of bed and settled himself on the floor. Hours later he woke to find Ada lying next to him on the floor curled up sleeping soundly. Unsure of the appropriateness, he would talk with Eve once the weather permitted, to see how to handle the situation in the future.
/ / /
“Samuel you do not understand. I have to go to my sister. She needs me.”
“Eve it is storming. I am sure Joseph will be able to handle himself. It has been raining for a few hours now.”
Eve did not want to listen and continued to dress. Samuel got up out of bed and embraced his wife with a bear hug. He did not let go until she relaxed into his arms.
“We will both go once the weather is clear enough. I promise. I trust Joseph to care for her. God is watching out for both of them.”
“You are right.”
Samuel and Eve returned back to bed, taking advantage of the extra time together.
It was not until late the following day when the rain let up. Eve requested several times to go to her sister, but Samuel insisted that they wait until morning. Early the next morning before the sun was up, Eve was dressed and ready to go. She would not wait one moment more to see that her sister was OK. Samuel prepared the horses and they were off just as the first light peeked a bright crimson from the horizon.
Ada had just finished pouring her and Joseph a cup of coffee when Eve burst through the door.
“Eve what are you doing here. It is not church day.”
“Ada, I had to see that you were OK. I know how much you hate storms.”
“Joseph slept with me.”
Eve's eyes grew wide. Before she could reply Joseph stood, softly requested that Ada start breakfast for the four of them, and then asked Eve to sit.
“It is not what you are thinking. She is like a little sister to me. She woke me in the night screaming. I went to her room to comfort her and once she fell asleep, I moved to the floor. When I woke up she was sleeping on the floor next to me.”
Tears fell from Eve's eyes and a smile crept up on her face. “You have become like a father to her. Papa would do the same thing for her.”
“See, nothing to worry about. Joseph took care of our Ada.”
“Should I have done anything different?”
“I do not think so. She seems fine. I do thank you for going to her.”
“You are welcome.”
/ / /
“When are we going to visit the home? Joseph does not even know you are in town.”
“I think you need a few more days. I was thinking that we could go on Monday. Will we see him at services on Sunday?”
“No.” Victoria sighed. She wished at times she could see him weekly at services and other times she was glad for the distance.
“Why not?” Henry's voice was gruff and demanding.
Victoria startled not realizing how her reply would affect Henry. “He goes to a different church with Samuel and Eve. He likely brings Ada with him now.”
“Who is Ada?”
“Eve's sister. She cooks for the workers at the home.”
“Are they seeing each other?”
“I do not know. Last time I talked with him, he informed me that he does not answer to me.”
“Then the next time you do see him, you need to find out.”
“I do not know if I can. I get so emotional around him.”
“I will be there right beside you, remember. We will find out together.”
Victoria's Family Page 10