Mrs. Morgan sat stoically through it all. In the end, both Louis and his wife were found guilty of planning the murders of Rachel Morgan and Grayson Morgan. Had Mrs. Morgan and her deceased husband not been people of influence, Louis and Charlotte would have received far worse treatment for their crimes. Punishments were brutal and severe. Many would have argued that they deserved to suffer for what they did, but Mrs. Morgan had to live with herself, so she made arrangements for permanent incarceration but no hard labor. It was far better than they deserved.
It took a while for life to return to normal, but as hard as it was, the trial and sentencing were the closure that Mrs. Morgan needed to help her start the healing process. That, and changing her will to leave everything to Grayson Stone Morgan the Third.
Miss Blain met with Mrs. Morgan to map out a new course of study.
“Now that we know Master Grayson can understand and speak English, I’ll focus on reading—unless he already knows how to do that, too!”
“That boy is one surprise after another, it’s true,” and Mrs. Morgan chuckled.
Grayson didn’t know how to read, so they turned their focus to that. He seemed fascinated with learning the different letters and how to form them. They couldn’t know that, to him, it was like the tunnel markings at Kthama, only on a far more complex scale.
A whole new world was opening up for young Master Grayson.
Summer turned to fall, and fall gave way to winter. Oh’Dar was reading at an exceptional level, and his writing skills were equally developed.
Miss Blain met again with Mrs. Morgan.
“Your grandson is mastering everything I throw at him. We need to talk about his future and what you envision for him. And of course, what he wants for himself.”
“Do you have any ideas, Miss Blain? You’re working with him every day.”
“It’s hard to narrow down because, truthfully, he’s smart enough to do anything he wants. At first, I thought perhaps bookkeeping as he’s so good with numbers. But he seems to have a passion for herbs and healing, as we’ve discussed before. He’s also very good with the horses. I think he could easily become a veterinarian, or even a doctor if he were inclined.”
Mrs. Morgan fell silent for a moment. That would mean sending Grayson off for medical instruction at a hospital in a large city. He would only be home on holidays and long breaks. It made her sad to think of not seeing him every day.
“Why don’t we call him in now and see what he wants to do?” Mrs. Morgan suggested.
She rang a bell, and Mrs. Thomas appeared. In a few minutes, she returned with Grayson.
Though it had only been a few months, her grandson had changed. Working with Mr. Jenkins, he had developed a more muscular build. His jet-black hair offset his startling blue eyes, and he was turning into a handsome young man. Mrs. Morgan could only imagine the attention he would get at school, especially coming from a wealthy family. She secretly hoped that he would pick medical training as there would be few young women there.
Does he know anything about girls? she wondered. He had a crush on Miss Blain, so she knew he was interested in them by now.
Mrs. Morgan patted the seat beside her on the chaise.
“Grayson, Miss Blain tells me that you’re making great progress in your lessons. She says that you have an appetite for learning and have exceeded her expectations in all your studies.”
Oh’Dar smiled on hearing that Miss Blain had praised him. He gave her a sideways glance, and she returned it before lowering her eyes.
His grandmother spoke again. “Soon, you’ll need a higher level of instruction. We want to know what you’re interested in. Have you thought about what you might want to do with the rest of your life?” she asked.
Oh’Dar thought of several replies, none of which would be appropriate considering that Miss Blain was trying to act as if she wasn’t interested in him.
“Are you asking me what I want to become? Like a lawyer or a stable master?” he clarified, using some of the few work titles he knew.
“Yes. What would you like to do?”
Oh’Dar had already spent some time thinking about that. He knew he was growing up, and regardless of his grandmother’s wealth, wanted to be able to provide for a family if he ever had one. He remembered Dr. Brooks and his realization that the doctor was a Healer like his mother.
“I would like to become a doctor,” he answered. “If you think I’m smart enough.” He had overheard enough conversation to know that it took a great deal of learning to become a doctor.
“I know you're smart enough, Grayson. You can do anything you put your mind to, I do not doubt,” Miss Blain replied.
“Well then, we’ll work to that end,” said Mrs. Morgan. “It will mean that you have to go off on your own to a much larger town than any you’ve seen so far. But we’ll do our best to prepare you, so it isn’t so overwhelming. You‘ve been through harder things than that, I’m certain,” she reassured him.
Oh’Dar frowned and pressed his lips together.
“But you’ll be able to come home on long breaks and at other times. It isn’t like we won’t see each other.”
His grandmother patted his hand. “Oh, don’t worry, Grayson. It is still a way off, and we’ll do everything we can to make it as easy on you as possible. Who knows, maybe I’ll even come out and visit you there!” she added.
“Oh, that would be wonderful. I can’t bear the idea of being away from you very long, Grandmother,” he said.
“Well, then it’s settled. But, as I said, it is still a way off, so let’s enjoy our time together now and make the most of it. Please don’t worry; I’m not as old as you think I am, and I’m not going anywhere,” she added.
Oh’Dar and Miss Blain spent the rest of the winter continuing to work on his skills. After the lessons, he still helped Mr. Jenkins in the barn with the horses. He had even taken to riding Dreamer, now that his grandmother was assured he wouldn’t get hurt.
Miss Blain stood at the fence watching Grayson Stone Morgan the Third riding the big black stallion around the property. He was a riveting sight, looking even taller mounted on the horse, his black hair and black riding boots matching the steed. His command of the powerful animal made her heart race. She could not keep her eyes off him. She could only imagine how he would become even more handsome as the rest of his build developed.
I have to get this under control. Grayson’s schoolboy crush on me is one thing, but I’m starting to think about him inappropriately. I’m a grown woman. It’s my responsibility to hold the line. Oh, but he doesn’t look like a boy!
Stop it. Stop it! You’re easily ten years older than him. He’s going off to school. And you cannot betray Mrs. Morgan’s trust, she scolded herself.
She turned and walked away. If I don’t get myself under control, Mrs. Morgan is going to have to find another teacher for her grandson.
Time passed, and Miss Blain continued to work with her pupil on reading and writing, making sure to keep things on a professional level. Miss Blain was keeping herself under control, but she couldn’t know that Master Grayson was struggling more and more.
Miss Blain was working diligently to prepare him for the next step in his education, so he had a lot of ground to make up. Though he was reading and writing, he lacked other subjects. She wondered if it were time for another teacher. Perhaps she had taken Grayson as far as she could. She didn’t want to hold him back.
One evening, Miss Blain broached the subject with Mrs. Morgan.
“Mrs. Morgan, in my opinion, Master Grayson has fully grasped reading and writing. His arithmetic skills are excellent, but he needs to study advanced arithmetic, history, and other subjects. I’ve taken him as far as I can.”
Mrs. Morgan set down her tea and sighed.
“I’m sorry to hear that, but I appreciate your honesty. I’m pleased my grandson is doing so well. You’ve done an excellent job with him, Miss Blain. And I know there have been challenges,” and she
gave the teacher a knowing smile. “Do you have anyone you would recommend?”
“Well, I know of several teachers whom I think would be very good.” She paused a moment before continuing, “May I please speak openly, Mrs. Morgan?”
“Please do, my dear.”
“Your grandson is a very fine-looking young man. And he’s going to become more handsome as he matures. Considering that, and his lack of experience, so to speak, coupled with the fact that he’s in a position to inherit a great deal of wealth; oh dear—” She stopped, embarrassed.
“No, please. Please go on. I think I know where you’re going with this. There’s nothing to be embarrassed about; we’re both women.”
“Not everyone is scrupulous. It would be easy for someone to take advantage of his innocence. I know he must travel away from home to get the advanced instruction he needs. I would hate to see those plans derailed by someone looking to land herself a wealthy, good looking husband.” She sighed, finally having said it.
“I’m grateful to you, Miss Blain, for holding the line with my grandson. I see the way he still looks at you. If anything, it has gotten worse. Had you been a lesser person, it all could have gone in an awful direction for Grayson.”
Mrs. Morgan got up and walked over to the mantel. Then she turned around and continued.
“Perhaps the best thing for my grandson’s continued education is that when you give me your list of recommendations, you should make sure there are only male teachers on the list.”
“Yes, I’ll do that,” she laughed, relieved that she hadn’t offended Mrs. Morgan and that no one would be taking advantage of Grayson—at least not while he was under his grandmother’s roof.
The next morning, Miss Blain worked on her list. By the end of the day, she had handed it to Mrs. Morgan, who got to work investigating each teacher’s credentials and character.
The day came when Mrs. Morgan had located a new teacher for Oh’Dar. He would arrive in several days, and it was time to tell her grandson, though she dreaded it. She knew that Miss Blain’s departure would break his heart.
That afternoon, Mrs. Morgan called Oh’Dar in to talk with her and Miss Blain. He entered the over-furnished room and sat down next to his grandmother, though he wanted to sit down next to Miss Blain.
The teacher spoke first. “Master Grayson. First of all, I must say that I’ve never had a student as bright and as willing to learn as you’ve been. I’m confident that if you only needed basic arithmetic, reading, and writing skills you would be ready now. But unfortunately, to become a doctor, there is more you have to learn, and I am not able to teach you those things.”
Oh’Dar didn’t like where this was going. When his grandmother spoke up, it got even worse.
“Miss Blain has been candid with me in saying that she has taken you as far as she can and that now it is time for you to have a different teacher. This wasn’t an easy thing for her to tell me, Grayson. She thinks very highly of you and hates to lose you as a student,” his grandmother tried to explain.
Student? That’s how she thinks of me, as her student? Is that all?
Oh’Dar was struggling to control his disappointment. It was more than disappointment, though; he was heartbroken.
“So, are you leaving?” his voice broke a little bit, embarrassing him.
“Yes, I’m sorry to say. Your new teacher will arrive in four or five days.”
“I see. I would like to be excused now, please, Grandmother.” Oh’Dar got up without being dismissed and didn’t wait for her permission to leave the room.
He walked up the stairs to his room as fast as he could without running. He closed the door and turned off the light. He laid down on the soft sweet-smelling comforter and curled on his side the way he had as a youngster when he needed comforting.
I’m never going to see her again. I’ve come all this way, and I’m still alone. When am I ever going to be happy? Maybe I should have stayed at Kthama.
Master Grayson didn’t come down for dinner. His grandmother sent up a tray, but it came back untouched.
Mrs. Morgan felt terrible for him. This was his first crush and his first heartache. How she wished his father was there to help him through it. Doing something she seldom did, she decided to walk out to the barn to ask for Mr. Jenkins’ help.
Mr. Jenkins was more than surprised to see Miss Vivian walking toward him. He ran over to meet her, fearing something was wrong.
He swept his hat off his head and said, “Ma’am?!”
“Everything’s fine, Mr. Jenkins, I just wanted to talk to you privately, that’s all.”
“Here, sit over here.”
“No, I can stand; it’s not going to take very long. Mr. Jenkins, Miss Blain will be leaving soon. She says that she cannot teach Grayson anything further and that he needs another teacher to keep moving forward if he wants to become a doctor. As you can imagine, he’s heartbroken. His father isn’t here, and I don’t know what to say to him. Do you think you could try to help him?”
“I’ll be glad to try, Miss Vivian. I guess we’ve all seen the way he looks at Miss Blain.”
“Thank you, Mr. Jenkins. As always, I knew I could count on you. We’re going to miss him when he goes away, aren’t we, old friend,” she said as a statement, not a question.
It was the first time she had alluded to the fact that they had a long history together and were more like family than employer and employee.
“Yes, Miss Vivian, we are. That’s a fact.”
The next day Oh’Dar finally came out of his room. He had no heart for his lessons. Miss Blain could see that he was miserable, so she cut the day short.
Before he left her, he said, head down, without turning to face her, “Just please promise me you won’t leave without saying goodbye.”
“I promise, Master Grayson,” she answered quietly.
Oh’Dar went directly to the barn. He wanted to get away from the house, and he had spent too much time cooped up in his room. He knew that some hard work would help him process his feelings.
He picked up a flat shovel and began mucking out one of the stalls. Mr. Jenkins heard the scraping of the metal against the floor and found him.
“Hello, son, I heard Miss Blain is leaving. I guess that’s the reason you’re trying to scrape a layer of metal off that shovel?”
Oh’Dar stopped shoveling.
“What am I going to do?” he asked.
“There isn’t much you can do, son. I know it hurts. I remember the first time I got my heart broken. I thought I was going to die, it hurt so bad. I know it doesn’t help much to tell you this now, but it will pass. You’re young. You don’t think so, but over time you’ll meet lots of young ladies your age. Miss Blain is a little bit older than you, you know.”
“I don’t care about that. Besides, she isn’t that much older. Age doesn’t matter. Why, look at you and Grandmother!”
“What?” Mr. Jenkins stopped cold.
“What are you talking about—your grandmother and me?”
“I’ve seen you two together. Are you saying you don’t know that you like each other?” Oh’Dar was shocked. It was so obvious to him.
“Well I don’t know what you’re talking about, truly I don’t. I just know that you will get over Miss Blain. You don’t believe me, but you’ll forget her.”
“I don’t want to forget her. And I don’t want her to forget me,” he said.
Jenkins felt bad for the young man. He remembered his first crush and his father talking to him just like this. He tried to think of the things he was sorry his father hadn’t said. After a moment he continued,
“Well, Grayson. If you don’t want her to forget you, then give her something to remember you by. That’s all I can say.”
He patted Grayson on the back, and they both returned to work.
A day or so passed. No lessons, but Oh’Dar did lots of work in the stables and fields. He gave a great deal of thought to Mr. Jenkins’ advice. What could he give M
iss Blain that would make her remember him in the way he wanted?
Finally, the day came. Miss Blain had her lesson materials and her personal items packed and ready to go, and the bags were loaded onto the carriage. She was about to leave but hadn’t forgotten her promise. She walked toward the stables to find Oh’Dar and say goodbye.
Mr. Jenkins saw Miss Blain coming and went out to meet her to make sure to say his goodbyes first. He thanked her for the fine job she did with Grayson and said he hoped they might see her again someday. Before he was done, Oh’Dar showed up, so Jenkins stepped back to give them some privacy.
“Master Grayson, all my things are loaded, and I’m ready to leave. I promised you I wouldn’t go without saying goodbye. I’m sure your new teacher will be just what you need to get you ready for your next step. It has been a pleasure to teach you, and I’m confident you’ll do well in whatever you choose.”
You’re being so formal with me? Let’s see how formal holds up after this.
“The pleasure has been all mine, Josephine.” He whispered her first name and at the same moment, quickly swept her into his arms, leaned her backward and kissed her long and hard.
When he released her, she almost fell over, so he grabbed her and pulled her back to him again. As once before, long ago, she was in his arms looking up into those blue eyes. Because she hadn’t struggled free, he kissed her hard again and then set her upright on her feet.
With that, he tipped his hat, turned, and walked back to the stables, leaving her standing there trying to regain both her balance and her composure. Her face was flushed and her hair mussed.
As he walked away, he shouted back to her without turning around, “I hope you’ll remember me, Miss Blain.”
Oh'Dar's Quest Page 17