by C.P. Murphy
Chapter Six
The floor was wearing out as Anna paced back and forth, wondering where Amelia was. Never returning after running the errand for their father, Anna assumed that Amelia had spent the day with Emma. The clock on the mantel neared the dinner hour, and she knew that she would have to start the meal without Amelia.
Anna dreaded to cook and clean and wished that her older sister were not getting married. Housework wasn’t her cup of tea; she’d rather be out playing stick-ball with the boys. Her father’s decision to make Amelia marry was forcing Anna to learn how to manage a kitchen. “It isn’t fair,” she said out loud to herself, glancing out the window as she looked for Amelia. It was time to cook and she would have to do it alone.
A few minutes later the front door opened. She looked out of the kitchen to see who it was. “Finally,” she sneered as Amelia walked in. “What on Earth happened to you?” Amelia was a mess from her river soaked shoes to her wet and wind- blown hair. She apologized for being late and promised to help out as soon as she cleaned herself and changed her clothes. Anna sighed and wondered which one of them was the tomboy.
After a while, the family sat around the table to eat. They were all quiet but Anna wanted to find out what kept her sister away so long. “So Amelia,” she started, “You never told me why your dress was full of mud when you came home.”
Henry’s eyes moved from left to right, looking at the two girls sitting on opposite sides of the table. Wondering if his morning intuition was correct, he asked, “What’s this?”
Amelia slide down her chair and blushed. “Oh Father, I should have listened to you and taken the carriage. I was on my way home this afternoon when the rain started and I had no place to hide.”
The boys, who loved to play with mud and get dirty, laughed. “You were outside when it rained?” Little Charles’ excitement brought a grin to his face.
Amelia wiped her mouth and looked to her father. She was afraid that he would yell at her for her behavior. “I’m sorry, Father.”
Henry burst into laughter and the rest of the family then laughed with him. She was too defiant to listen to him. “That serves you right for not listening to your father.”
She blushed again. “You are not upset with me?”
Henry reached over and touched her hand. He had missed the closeness between them. For the subject of her marriage, he knew that she wanted nothing to do with him. When the subject was about anything else, she was still his loving daughter. “Of course I’m not upset. I hope you found some kind of shelter, it was coming down hard.”
They all looked at her, wondering what she did to protect herself from the rain. She didn’t know what to say. Telling them she had spent the day with Patrick would have horrified them and her father would see to a punishment. Before speaking, she glanced at Anna who had seen that her dress wasn’t wet. “I found a tree large enough to stand under. I could still feel the wind and rain but not as bad as being directly in it.” She never thought she could lie to them and was surprised how easy it came out of her mouth.
The next morning brought another lie, and she didn’t know what was coming over her. She had always been so obedient and honest now felt as if the truth would hurt her family. Before leaving the breakfast table, her father had asked her what her plans were for the day. She started off being honest and told him she planned on picking berries. “With Emma, I assume,” he said to her. She nodded and told him he was correct. She tried to make herself feel better by telling herself that she didn’t direct fib to him, she agreed with what he had said, but it didn’t work. A lie was a lie, and she wondered just how many she would tell before she married Thomas.
A while later she grabbed her basket and was ready to leave. She opened the door and stood face to face with Thomas and her head ached. She should have known having a nice day was too good to be true. “Thomas, what are you doing here?”
Ignoring her question, Thomas took a seat on the top step of the porch and motioned for her to join him. She refused and tried to walk away. Thomas felt that her behavior was inappropriate but decided that he wouldn’t allow it anymore. He flew down the porch steps, grabbed her waist, and pulled her close to him. She smelt sweet and her skin was so soft. Very inviting, he thought to himself. She tried to wiggle away, but he tightened his arms around her and then put his mouth right on her lips. He could hear her sounds of disgust but didn’t care. When he stopped kissing her, he loosened his grip and said, “I’ve come here to see you.”
Amelia wiped her mouth as hard as she could to rid herself of his wet kiss and moved away from him as fast as she could. “Why, don’t you have a job to go to?”
Thomas laughed; he was enjoying seeing her squirm and decided not to let her get away so easy. He pulled her next to him again and rubbed her arm as he talked to her. “I was thinking,” He explained, “We’ve been engaged for almost a week and you haven’t yet shown an interest in me. How can we marry if we don’t get to know one another?”
She shrugged. He had a good point and thought she should make more of an effort to avoid him. “You’re right, Thomas. We can’t marry if we don’t get to know each other. So why don’t you go away, never come near me again, and then we won’t have to wed.”
He didn’t like the way she talked to him and didn’t expect his prize to be so headstrong. “Oh Amelia, you think you are so funny, don’t you?” It was time for him to put his foot down and demand they spend time together. “Tomorrow is Saturday and I won’t be working at the brickyard. You and I will go on a private picnic.”
The thought of being alone with him made her insides quiver. “No, I don’t want to be alone with you.”
Thomas grew angry. She didn’t have a choice; all he had to do was go to her father. He explained his intention of getting Henry involved until she lowered her head and mumbled her agreement. “That a girl,” he said and pulled her closer again. “I’ll be here to pick you up at noon. Be ready.” He kissed her again and walked away but then remembered, “Oh yeah, prepare a nice meal.”
Amelia felt dirty. She wondered how she could ever get him to stop kissing her but knew that there wasn’t anything she could do. After he was her husband, he would have the right any time he wanted. The thought made her shiver, but she forced herself to think of other things; or the rest of her day would be ruined.
The ax in Patrick’s strong arm had landed in the middle of a log when he spotted Amelia walking in his direction. He grinned and bit his bottom lip as unexplainable butterflies developed in his stomach. Patrick wasn’t able to stop thinking about her since she left the day before and he realized just how lonely he had become since losing his wife. Patrick knew that it wasn’t right to think of her the way he did and he also knew that it wasn’t right to ask to see her. He didn’t want to cause any trouble but yet, at the same time, he didn’t want to stop seeing her either.
“Am I interrupting anything?” Amelia asked as she walked up to Patrick.
Patrick put the ax down and wiped his forehead. The previous day’s rain had brought humidity to the summer air. After adjusting his eyes from the blinding sun, he noticed the basket she carried and knew she wanted to pick berries. “Ready to go?” he asked.
Amelia’s circled mouth and wide eyes had told Patrick that she liked the spot he’d chosen. He watched as she filled her basket with black raspberries. She would comment on the size as she picked one but then grow more excited when she found one larger. Patrick remained close as he held the basket for her. “Are they plentiful in the village?”
“Mmm, no,” she answered after popping a berry into her mouth. The patches she knew of couldn’t compare. “I never thought of coming out this far but wished I knew.”
Patrick also put a black cap into his mouth and savored its taste as she continued to pick. When the basket was full, Amelia ate another. Patrick couldn’t help notice the smudge left near her lip from the berry. She was standing close to him and the heat was bringing out her sweet scent. Being tempted beyond
reason, he leaned forward and rubbed his thumb along her lower lip to remove the spec. Her eyes looked up and silently told him she wasn’t afraid. Amelia laughed and then ran away. At first, Patrick thought she was trying to run from him but when she stopped a rod away and smiled again, he knew she was being playful. Dropping the basket, he raced to catch up with her. She would pause, allowing him to catch up, but then take off again just before he reached her. After a few attempts he gained ground and caught up. Being behind her, Patrick grabbed Amelia’s waist, spun her around and then embraced her.
Amelia’s laughter was contagious as she fell into his arms. She didn’t know what she was experiencing but knew she preferred the feelings over the way she felt around Thomas.
“Come with me,” Patrick said as he placed her gentle hand into his. “There is a creek nearby. Let’s go sit by it.” Leading her the short distance, he picked up her basket as they passed the berry patch.
Again, Amelia’s eyes gave away her amazement. The water glistened from the sun as she threw herself down on the grassy bank. Patrick stretched out beside her and stared up at the blue sky. “This is nothing like the creek near my home,” she informed him.
“I believe they call that a river, Miss Samuels,” Patrick joked. He listened as she told him about a creek north of her father’s house and compared the two.
They remained by the creek for the better part of the afternoon. It amazed both of them how easy they conversed and how many likes they shared in common. He watched her mouth move with every word she said and glanced into her eyes every time she paused. He wished that she had something else on her face he could wipe off.
“I better head back home,” she said though she would rather stay with him for the rest of the day. They stood up at the same time and their faces become unexpectedly close. Knowing his lips were close to hers made her hope he would lean in and take advantage of the moment. She remembered the way Thomas stole kisses from her but knew that receiving one from Patrick would be completely different. Time stood still as they remained in that position.
Patrick sensed what she wanted, and he wanted nothing more than to give it to her but her being someone else’s pained his heart. Her life was complicated enough, and he didn’t want to cause any more trouble. As much as it tore him to break away from her, Patrick turned his head and took a step back. “I’ll walk with you a way.”
They were silent for a few minutes as they walked. Amelia was disappointed but understood why he hadn’t kissed her. She was positive he was just as much attracted to her as she was to him. His resistance and honor made her admire him even more than she already had. The silence was too awkward, so she spoke, “So, will I see you in church on Sunday?”
He reached over and squeezed her hand and then let go. “I say my prayers at home.”
She wasn’t surprised with what he said and knew of others who chose not to attend the services. “Can’t you come just once?” She asked in hopes to see him again. “You should get to know the community. I feel I’m being selfish; hogging you to myself.”
He knew that she was right and should have told her his reasons for not attending church. He had only been to one service since losing his wife. The people gathered around him to give condolences and it had been too much on him. He decided not to mention it to her. “I have no problem with your selfishness.” They laughed and continued walking until they were close to the village. “I will let you go alone now,” he told her. “I think people would talk if they saw you walking with the stranger.”
“Will you ever not be the stranger?” Amelia didn’t want to leave his side but understood what he was saying.
“Yes, in time.” Patrick placed her basket in her hand and then lifted it to his lips. Her skin melted beneath them and Patrick yearned for more. “Are you free tomorrow?”
Amelia’s happy face soured as she told him. “I’m sorry. I have to go on a picnic with Thomas. I’d much rather be with you but it’ll please my father.”
“I understand,” he told her without letting her know how it upset him. He knew he was becoming far too attached to someone who he could never be with. “Then, I’m sure we’ll see each other soon. Take care.”
She said farewell as he kissed the back of her hand again. He watched her as she continued walking home and then smiled as he turned and began his journey back to his house.
That night the family all sat in the sitting-room. The boys were playing a game of chess, Henry was reading, and Amelia was teaching Anna to knit. She was proud of her younger sister who had grown a lot since her engagement almost a week before. She thought she would be an old lady before Anna would show an interest in knitting. It was a peaceful night at home until Henry took a break from reading. He put his book down and said to Amelia, “I saw Thomas today and he told me that the two of you are going on a special picnic tomorrow. It’s good of you to spend time with him.”
The boys stopped playing and Anna nervously played with the yarn. Everyone in the room knew that Amelia still hated being with Thomas, except for their father. Again, she stood her ground. “I don’t want to go.”
Henry asked the others to leave them alone. The three siblings had done what they were told and filtered out of the room. When he knew that they were no longer around he prepared himself for another battle with Amelia. “What do you mean? Get to know him. You’ll be married to him in the spring.”
She grew as mad as a March hare. They had yet to discuss a date, and she wondered if this was just another thing he would force upon her. “What do you mean, Father? We have not set a date.”
“Daniel and I think the spring will be best.” Henry stated though what he really wanted to say was that Daniel thought it was best. Truthfully, he didn’t have a say in the matter.
“You and Mr. Van Martin are setting our wedding date? That isn’t fair. I don’t even get a choice who I marry. Now you’re telling me I don’t get a choice when I will marry?” She hated how he was treating her. What was next? Would he tell her when she would have her first child too?
Henry knew that he shouldn’t have brought her marriage up but he couldn’t keep avoiding the subject with her. “For Heaven’s sake Amelia,” he hollered, “If I leave it up to you, there will never be a set date and you know that as well as I do.”
She didn’t know where the courage was coming from or what would happen to her for fighting for what she believed in but she would not lie down and take it anymore. “There would be a set date if you allow me to marry who I want.”
Henry shook his head, she would never hang up the fiddle, he thought. “You will marry him, young lady, so drop it.” It was quiet for a few minutes and Henry could see how upset she was as she fought back tears. He never thought that the two of them could have such heated discussions. Henry wasn’t happy with the way he was treating her but he believed it was for the good. He brought the subject back to where it began. “Please tell me the real reason you don’t want to go tomorrow.”
Amelia took a deep breath. She wondered how her father would react to the way Thomas made her feel. It was best to be honest with him, she thought. “Father, I’m afraid that Thomas would make a pass on me he shouldn’t be taking yet.”
He straightened in his chair. He still had certain morals and not losing one’s virginity before she wed was one of them. “Has he tried to touch you?”
Amelia blushed. She had wished that she could have talked about what was bothering her with someone else, Beth or even her aunt, but she talked to her father and knew that she had to continue. “No, Father, not in that way.”
Henry felt relief. He wanted nothing like that to happen to his daughter. That was the worst thing he could ever imagine. “See, I told you that Thomas Van Martin is a good fellow.”
“But he isn’t,” she insisted. “He has forced kisses upon me and he even told me he wouldn’t wait until we were married.” She hoped that telling her father what Thomas was like would help her cause.
Henry didn�
��t believe what she was saying. Thomas was a model citizen of Millersport and Henry knew there was no way that the boy would behave that way. “Amelia, don’t lie.” The Van Martins might have been forcing this marriage but Henry still thought that Thomas would never do the things she said.
“I’m not lying.” She felt a lump in her throat as she thought of Emma and the tree she said she found shelter under. Still she was dumbfounded by his remarks because this time she was telling the absolute truth.
He knew she was gumming to get out of her engagement. Henry had a good mind to box her ears for behaving that way but he thought they had been through enough already. He tried to comfort her. He knew that Thomas would not try anything but wanted to set Amelia’s mind to rest. “I’ll tell you what,” he started. “David told me he was concerned about you. I’ll ask him to follow the two of you and if the boy should try anything, then your brother will protect you.”
Amelia could finally relax again. She knew that her father loved her and knew that he would always protect her. “Thank you, Father.” She yawned and told him she wanted to retire to bed. He hugged her as he said good night. For the first time in days, she was feeling better about their relationship, a feeling that wouldn’t last.