The Reluctant Bridegroom

by Shannon Farrington

  Images of moldy holding cells and interrogation rooms at Fort McHenry flashed through Henry’s mind. Marriage to a woman he did not love would be a prison all to itself but surely more bearable than the former, especially when he thought of Kathleen’s and Grace’s tear-stained faces. His heart told him not to give in to such fears. He was a man of faith, and up until now, he had done nothing wrong. Shouldn’t he trust that God would work all of this out? Shouldn’t he believe Kathleen and Grace would be all right?

  But Henry found he had not the courage to pray. Before he even realized what he was doing, he was shaking Theodore Van der Geld’s hand.

  * * *

  Rebekah waited nervously in Councilman Nash’s parlor while her father visited with the man. The news of President Lincoln’s death had barely had a chance to register before her father summoned her to his own study and told her to make herself ready. In light of the national tragedy, they would pay a call on Henry Nash. Her father was apparently convinced her marriage to the man would ensure the continuation of the Union.

  How that was, she could not say. Henry Nash was no great supporter of the president. He was no war hero. Rebekah had no respect for men who had shirked their responsibility to the nation. The only men she despised more were those who had owned slaves.

  And remnants of such a loathsome past remain in this house!

  A Negro manservant had taken her coat and bonnet when she had arrived. A young maid then followed, bringing tea and scones. Rebekah couldn’t help but feel for them. What must they have endured?

  But her thoughts then quickly turned to herself. What must I now endure?

  Unable to swallow any refreshment, Rebekah left her tea and walked to the window. Beyond the glass lay a world of green, lush vegetation kissed by the April dew. As she stared out at the garden, the idea of escape again crossed her mind. If I could find the back gate, I could run away...away from my father, away from Councilman Nash...away from everything...

  But she wasn’t given the opportunity to flee. At that moment, the two men stepped into the room. Rebekah turned to see the familiar look of smug confidence on her father’s face. Obviously he had secured another political victory. She dared look then into the face of her father’s newest ally.

  He looked scared.

  For one irrational second, she flattered herself with the idea that he was frightened of her. In reality, however, she knew it was probably more that he feared she would reject his proposal, and then whatever contract he had secured with her father would be null and void. Anger welled up inside her. Rebekah wanted to tell the councilman she was not a commodity to be bought and sold, but indeed, she knew she was exactly that.

  She remembered her father’s instructions. She was to accept this man’s proposal with eagerness. Or else.

  He nodded to her in a most formal matter. “Good day, Miss Van der Geld,” he said.

  She responded in kind. “Good day, Councilman Nash. Thank you for the tea.”

  He nodded again, cleared his throat. He was definitely unsettled, but whether that had to do with the proposal he was about to make or the fact that her father obviously intended to listen to it, she was not certain. Theodore stood guard, ready to offer Rebekah a disapproving glare or stern rebuke should the opportunity warrant one.

  She swallowed hard, stole one more glance at the beckoning garden. Evidently her suitor noticed.

  “The garden belonged to my mother,” he said. “Would you care to take a turn in it?”

  Would she? While escape might not be possible, she could at least flee her father’s demanding presence for a few moments. “Yes,” she said, “I would enjoy seeing the garden. Thank you.”

  Out of the corner of her eye, she saw her father nod. It was the closest thing to affirmation she had ever received from him, yet she felt no joy. Councilman Nash offered his arm. Rebekah dutifully accepted. Together they stepped outside.

  The garden was a good size, with gravel paths and wrought iron benches. English ivy covered stately brick walls. They were beautiful, but they were walls nonetheless, meant to contain. From one prison to another, she thought again. Immediately she let go of her soon-to-be fiancé’s arm.

  The man took to pointing out the various flowers. “There is forsythia, and here are several varieties of daffodil, I believe.”

  When he made reference to the jonquils, Rebekah nervously blurted out, “They need dividing. Without room to grow, they will not bloom.”

  The moment the words were out of her mouth, she cringed. What made me say such a thing? He did not ask for my opinion. How will he respond to such impertinence?

  “You are right,” he said. “In fact, the entire plot needs tending, but I am afraid I haven’t the time or the skill to make it what it once was. Have you much interest in horticulture?”

  The question as well as the conciliatory tone shocked her. They also intrigued her. The councilman appeared genuinely interested in her answer. “Yes,” she said guardedly. “I do.”

  He offered her just the hint of a smile. While Rebekah would not call him exactly handsome, he was at least pleasant in appearance. Nut-brown hair framed an angular face. His eyes were sky blue. “Then no doubt you could tell me to which class and order each plant belongs,” he said.

  “Only a few of them,” she admitted. “Though I have wished to know more, I have not had much time to study such.” Father won’t allow it. He thinks the pursuit frivolous.

  He nodded as if he understood. “There are many things that we may wish to do but that our present duties won’t allow.”

  Rebekah immediately took offense. Surely your duties are not as constrictive as my own. You are free to come and go as you please... You are not being pawned off at another’s whim.

  “I have a copy of The Florist’s Manual somewhere about this house,” he said. “If you like, I shall ask James to find it for you. He knows this house better than I.”

  Though the offer was again intriguing, she couldn’t help but stiffen at the mention of James. Noticing, the man asked,

  “Have I offended you?”

  “It is not the offer of the floral guide that I find offensive,” she said. “It is the idea of continued slavery.”

  Councilman Nash’s eyes narrowed. He immediately frowned. “James was never my slave. I retained his services when I took possession of this home, when my father first moved to his new home in Annapolis.”

  Retained his services? Rebekah blinked. “Then he...didn’t belong to your father?”

  “I don’t like to think of him as belonging to anyone, but to answer your question simply, no. He did not.”

  Oh. Feeling foolish and fearing what might come next, she hurried to explain. “I assumed that since your father voted to keep slavery legal in Maryland—”

  “I am not my father, Miss Van der Geld.”

  Rebekah lowered her eyes. While his voice had not the same bite as her father’s, she plainly heard the firmness in it. “No, of course not. Forgive me. That was wrong of me to—”

  “There is no need for forgiveness.”

  No need? She dared reclaim his gaze. His look was charitable, his tone soft.

  “But since we are dealing with assumptions,” he said, his tone softening further, “is there anything else about me that you question?”

  Anything else? There were a thousand things, but Rebekah didn’t know where to begin.

  “You’ve probably been told by someone along the way that I never served in the army,” he said.

  “I have.”

  He nodded as if he had expected such an answer. “The truth is, I did serve, but I was never given a commission. I was part of the balloon corps. In the army’s eyes, I was still considered a civilian.”

  “Balloon corps? As in hot-air balloons?”

  He nodded again.
“Yes. Although ours were filled with hydrogen. They were used for reconnaissance. We provided tactical information to the commanders on the ground.”

  “You mean the position of the rebel army?”

  “Yes.”

  “But didn’t your brother-in-law serve—?”

  “In the Confederate army? Yes, he did. He did what he believed was his duty. I did mine.”

  He was not the first man from Maryland to be pitted against his own family. Rebekah couldn’t help but feel a measure of pity toward him. “That must have been very difficult for your sister.”

  “It was.”

  “And yet she named you the guardian of her children?”

  “John was killed at Monocacy Junction, a battle in which I had no bearing. Marianne also knew I was not personally at war with her husband, any more than John was with me.”

  They had reached one of the benches. He invited her to sit. A shiver ran through her as she claimed a place as close to the edge as possible. He claimed the opposite side. An awkward silence now prevailed. She and Councilman Nash were not here to discuss the war, or even his extended family. There was another matter to be resolved.

  “Miss Van der Geld,” he said. “I won’t trouble you any longer. I’m certain your father has spoken to you. While he may consider this matter concluded, this moment only a formality... I do not. I should very much like to know what you think of all of this.”

  Rebekah was stunned. What I think of all of this? Was Henry Nash giving her the opportunity to refuse?

  “Your father has given his consent, but all that means nothing if I have not yours.”

  “My consent?” she asked.

  “Of course. It is your future you are deciding...not that of your father.”

  My future? Yes! Yes, it is my future! Suddenly she felt as though she’d found that elusive back gate, and freedom stood just beyond it. The councilman is granting me leave to escape! Like a butterfly in flight, she could go anywhere she wished!

  As exhilarating as the feeling of freedom was, however, she realized it was not truly within her reach. Whatever flight she might take would be very short-lived. Her father would recapture her. And then to whom will I be assigned?

  “You seem at a loss for words,” Mr. Nash observed.

  “I am afraid I am.” What else could she say? What could she do? She was trapped.

  Suddenly the door to the house opened. A little girl, four or five at the most, came charging down the path.

  This must be one of his nieces, Rebekah thought.

  The child froze the moment she saw a stranger in the garden. Rebekah’s heart immediately went out to her as she recognized the look on the child’s face. Rebekah knew it all too well. It was a look of loneliness, of fear.

  Apparently the councilman recognized it, also, for he spoke to his niece with a tender voice, welcomed her forward. “It’s all right, Kathleen. Come and meet my friend, Miss Van der Geld.”

  Friend, not fiancée. Again Rebekah noted the choice he was granting her.

  The man held out his hand toward the child. She crept closer. Rebekah couldn’t help but notice the family resemblance. She had the same blue eyes, but whereas her uncle’s hair was slightly curly, hers was completely straight.

  Rebekah offered her what she hoped was a disarming smile. The little girl gripped the leg of the councilman’s trousers.

  “It’s all right,” he assured once again as he slid his arm around her protectively. Watching, Rebekah’s throat tightened.

  “There’s a man in the parlor,” Kathleen whispered, although the tone was loud enough for Rebekah to overhear.

  A man, she thought. My father. Had the child had some sort of encounter with him? That would certainly explain her fear.

  “Yes, I know about that man,” the councilman said. “He hasn’t come to take you away. You need not be afraid.”

  Rebekah heard the unspoken promise. I’m here. I will protect you. What was it like to receive such an assurance? What is it like to be nurtured? Loved?

  Henry Nash then turned to her. “Kathleen has only very recently come to live with me.”

  “I see,” Rebekah said, hoping he hadn’t noticed the hitch in her voice. “And I understand you have a sister.”

  The girl stared at her.

  “Her name is Grace,” her uncle offered.

  “Grace,” Rebekah repeated with a smile. “What a beautiful name, as is Kathleen.”

  The girl didn’t return the smile, but her grip on her uncle’s trousers loosened slightly. Rebekah took that as an encouraging sign.

  The back door opened again. This time the young maidservant appeared. She hurried down the gravel path, stones crunching beneath her feet. “I’m sorry, Mr. Henry. I was puttin’ the baby down to sleep, and when I turned ’round, Miss Kathleen was gone.”

  “It’s all right, Sadie,” he said, and the expression on his face told Rebekah he truly meant that. It was a far different reaction than her father would have given.

  Councilman Nash looked again at Kathleen. “Go inside with Sadie, pretty girl. I’ll be in to join you after a while. When I come, I will read you a story.”

  He calls her pretty, Rebekah thought. He promises to spend time with her. Such declarations were unheard of in her home. This is the man my father insists I must marry?

  Kathleen slowly moved away from her uncle and took the maidservant’s hand. After they had returned to the house, the councilman said, “She doesn’t remember much of her father—he had very little leave during the war. But she misses her mother terribly.”

  “I imagine she must,” Rebekah said. “How old is Grace?”

  “Eight weeks.”

  Eight weeks? Then she is an infant. A helpless infant. Rebekah wondered how he was managing the feedings. Had he employed a wet nurse or did the baby drink from a glass bottle?

  “Marianne died giving birth to Grace,” he said. “The children were then shuffled from one neighbor to the next until one of them finally contacted me.”

  Rebekah’s heart squeezed. Poor little things. “Did you have to travel far to collect them?”

  “Virginia.”

  In other words, to enemy territory. He had risked his safety for them, yet acted as if the danger had been of no importance. “This has certainly been a difficult time for your family,” was all Rebekah could think to say.

  “Indeed.”

  After another long silence he said, “Miss Van der Geld, I know this is no ideal situation...”

  No, it isn’t, she thought, but she realized she could do a lot worse than Henry Nash. Granted, she did not know him well, but she sensed a humility, a gentleness about him. That was something her father had never possessed.

  “I will make you this promise,” the councilman continued. “Should you choose to become my wife, a surrogate mother to my nieces, I will care for you, provide for you and encourage your personal pursuits. I will do everything in my power to make your life a comfortable and happy existence, and I will never treat you with anything less than respect.”

  He did not use the word love, but few men she knew did. In twenty minutes’ time, Henry Nash had bestowed upon her more kindness, more liberality than her father had in all her twenty-three years. While she certainly did not love this man, she could respect him.

  On that basis, she accepted his proposal.

  Chapter Three

  Henry could not sleep that night. His conscience would not allow it. As he stared long and hard at the ceiling, the visit with Miss Van der Geld replayed over again in his mind. He had spent more time talking with her in one hour today than in all the years he had sat across the aisle from her in church.

  She was quite a combination, a mixture of timidity, presumptiveness, austerity and elegance. Her dark blu
e eyes and the set of her mouth reflected suspicion, but they were also capable of displaying interest and affection. He had seen the latter when she’d spoken to Kathleen. She was taken with the child at once. For that, shouldn’t I be grateful?

  When his own father had learned of the proposal, he’d said he was proud. “You are finally using every advantage to further your own well-being. You won’t regret it.”

  Won’t I? He already did. Henry was intrigued by his betrothed, but he was not in love with her.

  Wrestling with the bedsheets, he rolled to his side. If I had any honor, I would tell her the truth. Then I’d march down to the provost marshal’s office and tell Detective Smith what I know concerning John Wilkes Booth.

  But his father’s warning echoed in his ears. “This nation won’t rest until every last person connected to Lincoln’s death, no matter how trivial the role, is brought to justice.”

  He remembered Van der Geld’s words, as well, the ones that had ultimately caused him to shake the man’s hand. “They will suffer for their actions... ‘Arrest them as traitors, try them as traitors, hang them as traitors!’”

  Henry’s guilt consumed him. I am hiding behind an innocent young woman, using her name to protect my own. I have become the very thing I swore I’d never become. I am no longer a public servant. I am a self-serving politician, just like my father.

  Kathleen’s cry pulled him from his bed. Snatching his dressing robe, Henry hurried to the child’s room. Hannah and Sadie were already there. Hannah was cradling a now whimpering Kathleen, while Sadie rocked and cooed her startled infant sister.

  The young maid looked as spent as Henry felt. Going to her, he took charge of the baby.

  “I’ll go warm some milk for them both,” she said.

  “Thank you, Sadie.”

  It took only an hour or so to settle the children back to sleep, but you’d have thought the ordeal much more lengthy for the way they slept come morning. Though it was Resurrection Sunday, and Henry had hoped to take them both to church, he decided to let the children remain abed. Sadie, still sleepy herself, volunteered to keep watch over them.