The Seventh Miss Hatfield

by Anna Caltabiano

  Just then, the grandfather clock in the hall struck six. ‘Where on earth did the day go?’ I mused. ‘Have you been told dinner is at eight? Is there anything you’d care to do for the next couple of hours? Perhaps take a short nap, or go for a walk—’

  At that suggestion, she nearly jumped up out of the chair. ‘Oh, Rebecca, would you take me for a little walk? I should love that. After all, I am supposed to breathe in as much of this countrified air as possible while we’re here. And I quite enjoy talking with you,’ she added shyly.

  ‘We absolutely shall and must walk, then, I insist,’ I replied. Determined to give her the independence I knew she so valued, I teased her just a bit, to see how she would respond. ‘Up with you then, young lazy bones, and let us away to stroll the grounds!’ I made my voice quite animated, and realized I was copying the way Henley did this sort of thing, to let her hear that I was joshing and actually in a good humour. She picked up on it right away, giggled slightly and easily got to her feet, grabbing her stick and heading towards the door before I could even take her arm.

  I opened the door, asked her permission to take her free arm, and we made our way down the front steps. We walked towards the left, where the path led through a lovely grove of pine and evergreen trees. I thought Eliza would enjoy their scent, and she commented on it right away. We strolled and chatted for about an hour, fast becoming friends. This pleased me, as I noticed her features begin to light up the more we talked. She continued telling me about some of the wonderful books she treasured so much, which her tutor had read to her since she went blind. She talked about God’s mercy, grace and love, and I didn’t quite know how to respond. Her show of faith was admirable, but I couldn’t exactly wrap my mind around how she’d cultivated it, given that her sight had been stolen from her. She was in such good humour, however, that I decided to save some of those heavier questions for another time.

  Just as we completed the circle through the grove and were heading back to the house, Henley and Christine drove up and parked in the driveway. Henley jumped out immediately and rushed over to us, leaving Christine to sit impatiently in the car. It was obvious she was miffed that he hadn’t helped her out before coming over to talk with us.

  ‘Say, you two!’ he enthusiastically greeted us. ‘Out and about, walking the grounds – good for you, Eliza!’ He patted her arm and she blushed. I realized that one didn’t have to see Henley in order to feel the effects of his charms.

  ‘Henley,’ I said pointedly, and inclined my head in Christine’s direction. ‘Someone would appreciate your assistance.’

  His eyes widened as he realized he’d quite forgotten about her. ‘Oh, my goodness. I’m coming, Christine,’ he called. As he helped her out of the car, she smiled at him with her mouth, but she was looking over his head at me as she got down. I knew there would be no making friends with this young woman, and that was fine by me. She seemed very shallow and phoney, from what I could already discern at this juncture. I much preferred getting to know Eliza.

  Henley appeared to be oblivious to all this underlying tension, and gathered Christine’s many packages in his arms as she daintily ascended the front stairs. I held Eliza back with me, allowing them time to make their entrance. Eliza snickered when she heard Christine trip over the hem of her dress on the top step and utter, ‘Dear me!’

  I leaned close to my new friend and whispered, ‘Is she always so clumsy?’

  Eliza nearly burst into laughter at that, but restrained herself so as not to embarrass her sister further in front of Henley. ‘Only when she’s around young men she wishes to impress, as a rule,’ she whispered back.

  Chapter 20

  Dinner that evening was pretty interesting to behold. I decided to take the stance of an observer, for the most part, and spoke only when asked a direct question. Christine had obviously been holding court with the men around her for most of her life, and it was akin to watching a play, seeing her flutter those lashes and wave her small fan in front of her face from time to time. She virtually ignored me, which was fine as far as I was concerned. She only had eyes for Henley, and now and again for Mr Beauford, who looked delighted to have awakened and found these two young women were his house guests. I wondered if he’d want to rush me out of the way now that he had more company. I told myself it really didn’t matter, since that’s what had to happen anyway.

  Now and again, Henley looked in my direction and shrugged just enough for me to notice, as if to say, What can I do? I didn’t see this coming. In order to escape Christine’s nearly non-stop chatter, he made it a point to include Eliza in the conversation, and as she was seated beside him, this was easily accomplished. Christine was directly across from Henley, to the left of Mr Beauford at the head of the table, with Henley on his right. I sat on the other side of Eliza, despite the fact Wilchester had indicated I should sit by Christine. I looked at him as if to say, I think not! and that was that. Poor Mr Lawrence got the dubious honour of sitting to Christine’s left, and of being essentially ignored as a result.

  Mr Beauford was laughing at one of Christine’s inane stories about how life on their plantation in Virginia was idyllic yet, at the same time, dreadfully boring to her. ‘I just long for the sophistication of city life.’ She leaned towards him and patted his hand. Old as he was, I could see that Mr Beauford wasn’t immune to a pretty woman’s charms. He turned his hand palm upwards beneath hers and squeezed her hand in a fatherly way.

  ‘Well, then, it’s a good thing your family and I made the arrangement we did several years back. It won’t be long now, son, eh?’ He clapped Henley’s shoulder with his other hand. It was obvious that the Porter sisters’ arrival had cheered him up; so much so that he appeared to have forgotten the shock and unpleasantness that had passed between him and me that very morning. I was naturally relieved and grateful for that unexpected benefit of their presence. But what’s this ‘arrangement’ he’s referring to? I wondered.

  Henley didn’t reply, just smiled at his father, then Christine, then quickly looked at me over Eliza’s head and had the audacity to cross his eyes! Ever the prankster, his boyish silliness endeared him to me all the more. I was pretty sure I understood Mr Beauford’s statement, but would wait and ask Eliza about it later, as I had absolutely won her confidence. I knew I’d rather hear it from her than from Henley’s lips.

  Christine was already on to her next point. ‘Yes, and once we’re settled with all of that, it will be ever so wonderful, I know.’ She leaned even closer to the older man and had the brazenness to ask, ‘How much money did your steel business make this year, Uncle Charles?’

  I’d figured out that she addressed him as ‘uncle’ out of respect, as a long-term friend of the family, but that they weren’t blood relations. I focused on my meal of pheasant and fresh vegetables, and only periodically made a brief response when Eliza asked me a question. I could tell that she felt special, seated between Henley and me, and I was glad for her to have some extra attention. I instinctively knew that when she was at home, she was definitely not in the spotlight. That was the place Christine had carved out for herself with her family, and indeed wherever she went.

  Unobtrusively, I took note of Mr Beauford’s response to Christine’s materialistic enquiry. It wasn’t really like eavesdropping, since it was nearly impossible not to overhear every word that was said at the dining room table.

  ‘Oh, my dear, it has been a banner year in many ways. Isn’t that right, Lawrence?’ He asked for his protégé’s ‘yes man’ response, which he promptly received.

  ‘That’s quite right, Mr Beauford, sir. Best year we’ve had to date, as a matter of fact,’ he added to no one in particular, since no one but me was looking in his direction. He sighed and went back to savouring his meal.

  ‘That must be a lot of money, then,’ Christine persisted.

  Wanting to take part in the conversation again, Eliza chimed in. ‘God is always watching, and he will always reward the good.’

  Ch
ristine didn’t miss a beat in scoffing rather loudly, ‘If God’s always watching, he’d have given me a new fur coat by now.’ She cocked her head coyly and looked around the table to see if anyone agreed. ‘Mink, to be exact.’

  I leaned towards Eliza who, like me, had finished eating. Eliza certainly heard her sister’s comment but didn’t respond, choosing instead to use the back of her fork to push her leftover food around her plate.

  ‘Do you feel up to sitting on the back porch and talking for a bit after dinner?’ I asked her. ‘Maybe we could enjoy a cup of tea, if you like? I understand if you’re too tired from your trip today, and all, and would rather retire for the evening.’

  Her face lit up once again. ‘Oh, that would be wonderful,’ she responded. Then she sat up straight and raised her voice to address all those at the table. ‘This has been a wonderful dinner, and I thank you so much for having us here, Mr Beauford, Henley, but when you’ve all finished your food, I’d like to excuse myself and retire outside to have Rebecca all to myself.’ She giggled.

  Mr Beauford was quick to excuse both Eliza and me with a wave of his hand. I suspected he was even fonder of Eliza than he let on. ‘No, no. You mustn’t wait for us. You girls run along now, if you’ve finished.’

  Henley, Mr Beauford and Mr Lawrence all stood up to excuse us womenfolk. Christine looked greatly relieved that she would now be the only female left, surrounded by males – her favourite audience.

  I asked Nellie to go and fetch a shawl to wrap around Eliza’s shoulders, and to please bring us both a nice hot cup of tea with some honey and lemon on a tray. She nodded quickly and bustled off, while I gently guided Eliza along the back hall and out onto the house’s rear porch. The moon was full this night and the stars quite beautiful. I almost commented upon it, but realized it might be cruel to talk of something Eliza couldn’t enjoy. However, it was almost as though she’d read my mind.

  ‘Describe the night sky to me, please, Rebecca,’ she entreated.

  ‘Very well,’ I agreed. ‘The moon is waxing full and bright. Every star of the Big Dipper is easy to see, and Orion’s Belt is clearly defined.’ I was somewhat surprised to find that I could name all the constellations. Must have been something Cynthia had learned, long ago, that had somehow stayed imprinted in my memory. It was fascin- ating to me what bits and pieces surfaced now and again, like my recollection earlier that day of Cynthia hearing someone whistle one of Beethoven’s tunes.

  ‘Oh, it must be lovely.’ Eliza sighed. ‘You describe it so well. Have you always had a great interest in astronomy?’ she enquired.

  ‘I suppose so, yes,’ I answered truthfully. I really couldn’t recall that for a fact, so I figured supposing was the most accurate way to describe it. I decided to elaborate a bit more, since Eliza appeared to enjoy it so much. ‘Um, the light breeze you feel ruffling through your hair is causing the leaves to dance slowly on the limbs of the trees. Not quite strong enough to force them to abandon ship, but just to wave at us a bit.’

  This brought a smile to Eliza’s lips, and I knew she was visualizing the scene in her mind’s eye. I could only imagine what it must be like to have to live without sight. I admired this young woman greatly, more determined than ever to enhance her stay in any way possible.

  Nellie brought our tea, and we drank in companionable silence for a while before Eliza spoke again. ‘I often wonder about travelling into space,’ she murmured, more to herself than to me. ‘And ever since I read Jules Verne, I wonder about the possibility of time travel …’

  I coughed to cover the quick exhalation that the shock of her statement had forced out of me. Of everything Eliza could have possibly brought up, her choice of time travel was almost more than I could handle. I decided to excuse myself, lest my trembling voice tip my hand or cause her any distress.

  ‘Eliza, dear, I’m feeling a bit tired all of a sudden. I must excuse myself, I fear. Will you be all right out here for a bit longer on your own? I can ask Nellie to attend to you, should you need another cup of tea, or—’

  She gently waved me away. ‘I’ll be fine, Rebecca. Take care of yourself. I’m quite used to being on my own, and in fact, I rather enjoy it. I know the servants here will keep an eye on me, and that’s nice.’ She turned to look up towards my face, and I swore for a moment that we could really see one another, and even more than that, into each other’s souls, somehow. ‘I’ll see you tomorrow. Sleep well, my new friend.’ She extended her hand to me, and I pressed it between my own.

  ‘Thank you, and you rest well, too. I’ve truly enjoyed meeting you, and look forward to talking more with you tomorrow.’ I meant what I said, but for now I had to get to my room to collect my thoughts and emotions.

  I hurried down the hall and was just rounding the banister at the top of the stairs when Henley stepped out of the shadows from the doorway next to mine. I nearly shrieked with fright, given that I was already shaken up, but I coughed again to cover my surprise.

  ‘I’m sorry to have alarmed you,’ he said. ‘You look as though you’ve seen a ghost!’

  ‘You have no idea,’ I mumbled, and continued walking towards my own doorway. ‘Have a good night, Henley. I’m quite exhausted, I’m afraid. I don’t mean to be rude, but can we talk tomorrow, please? That is, if you can tear yourself away from Miss Christine’s charms …’ I batted my eyelashes at him, mimicking her, and he nearly chortled aloud. He shushed himself, though, for Christine’s room was just on the opposite side of the stairway from mine.

  ‘I hope you know, Rebecca, that I’d far rather be spending time with you than with her. I truly didn’t expect their arrival …’ He was at a bit of a loss, for once. I felt sorry for him and quickly squeezed his hand.

  ‘I know you didn’t. I read the surprise on your face. I know you well enough by now to at least be able to do that,’ I assured him. ‘It will all be fine, and things will look brighter in the morning. Do get some sleep and I shall do the same. Good night,’ I said softly and closed my door behind me.

  As I sat on the edge of my bed, pulling off my shoes and then my clothes, I wondered where Eliza found her faith in God. I wasn’t even sure if I believed in a Higher Power of any kind now, or remember how much I’d believed in one before. If such a thing truly exists, why has he abandoned me, and left me in such strange circumstances? I wondered.

  I splashed some water on my face and then went into the bathroom to brush my teeth. I pulled on the nightgown Nellie had laid out for me over the top of the trunk at the foot of my bed, as was her routine. When I stretched out, lay back and closed my eyes, the last thing I remember thinking was, If someone is watching over Eliza, is anyone watching over me?

  Chapter 21

  The days blended into a week, and soon we were into the second week of the Porter sisters’ visit. The nagging feeling I’d been experiencing for a while now had escalated from a vague sense of uneasiness to an ever-present reminder that I was an unwelcome stranger here. My body knew things weren’t right, that I needed to travel in time again, and Miss Hatfield’s warning played constantly in my mind. If I hadn’t known better, I’d have thought I was going insane. Maybe I was. Whatever the case, I knew I had to finish my assignment, and soon.

  Henley and I barely had a moment to exchange pleasantries, let alone hatch a plan for disposing of Mr Beauford’s immortality artefacts and securing the painting. Henley’s time was spent either with his father, Mr Lawrence or, mostly, Christine, and I knew the hours he tolerated with her were an attempt to placate his father’s desire to push them together.

  One day shortly after lunchtime, I was visiting Eliza in her room. She’d confided in me that, as I’d suspected, Henley and Christine had been all but betrothed since they were both about thirteen years old. The ‘arrangement’ Mr Beauford had mentioned that first night at dinner didn’t exactly require a brain surgeon’s intellect to figure out. When Eliza told me this, she said, ‘Oh, yes, it’s been an understanding between our families for a while. Mr Beauford
borrowed some money from my father many years ago, before his steel business really took off. When it did, he paid Father back with interest, and they’ve been fast friends ever since. Now our fortune’s a bit down on its luck, and Henley’s marriage to Christine will keep both families … well, able to live in the style to which they’ve become accustomed.’

  It was interesting that she spoke about the whole affair as if she wasn’t really a part of it, and I understood why she probably felt that way. She was speaking in a relatively detached manner as she sat there, periodically moving her rocking chair back and forth as though to comfort herself a bit. I decided to ask her a question that had been pressing upon my mind since we’d first become friends.

  ‘Eliza, how is it that you still have such a strong faith in God after all you’ve been through? I can’t help but notice that your sister doesn’t appear to share that belief … Just an observation I made when listening to Christine at dinner a few nights ago,’ I added quickly, so as not to sound rude, but I needn’t have worried.

  Eliza laughed lightly. ‘I’m afraid my sister’s God is her own beauty and what money can do for her. I’ve always pitied her, really, because neither of those things will last for ever. Only the soul does that.’ She paused to reflect a bit before addressing the first part of my query. ‘Rebecca, I would have to say that my faith in God is so strong because I’ve always believed that my time here on earth will most likely be short. I feel that I’ll be gone before I’m twenty, and in many ways I rather relish that thought.’ She smiled peacefully, and I knew she was speaking her truth.

  ‘But won’t your family miss you terribly?’ I blurted out, already knowing the answer.