Steadfast Heart

by Tracie Peterson

  “It says here I’m to wrap each bone in salted pork to prevent burning.” She looked up. “I suppose if the bones were blackened it would be far less appealing.”

  Abrianna nodded. “No doubt.” Abrianna watched as Lenore wrapped each rib bone with the tenderness of a mother for her babe. She might have offered to help, but it seemed Lenore was quite caught up in her duties. With that finally managed, she wiped her hands on the apron and went back to consult the book.

  “Then I’m to cover the bones with buttered paper and roast the entire thing for one and one-fourth hours.”

  “Sounds like your most arduous tasks are over,” Abrianna said, smiling. “You will no doubt impress your king.”

  “Perhaps with the roast itself, but I still need to make the suggested chestnut puree to put in the middle.” She shook her head. “We’ve only had mint sauce or jelly with lamb at home. I suppose, however, that Mrs. Lincoln knows how to prepare a proper crown of lamb.”

  “I would think so. After all, they took her word and created the book. Mercy, just imagine if she only made up the recipes and never tried them. We might well expect a most inedible dish of food. Aunt Miriam said it’s always necessary to test out one’s recipes before touting their quality.”

  “I’m sure Mrs. Lincoln would have done just that.”

  “Why, just last week I made the terrible mistake of putting in salt for sugar in my applesauce. The taste was unbearable. If I hadn’t sampled it first, I might have given the entire school salt poisoning. Aunt Selma said that had we a garden, we might have used the applesauce for weed killer. Imagine that.”

  “Abrianna, I’ve been looking all over for you,” Aunt Miriam interrupted, marching into the room like an agitated schoolmistress. “This is the last place I would have thought to find you.”

  “I was helping Lenore. See here, her little crown is complete with its pork covering and buttered paper. Now it is ready for the oven.”

  Aunt Miriam inspected the piece and nodded her approval. “You’ve performed the task perfectly.”

  “Thank you, but I doubt I could have done it without Abrianna’s help. My little lamb was less than cooperative.”

  “They often are,” Aunt Miriam agreed. She then turned to Abrianna. “I am hopeful that you managed to complete the hems for the tablecloths we’ll be using at the ball.”

  “I did, Aunt Miriam, although I cannot say they are the best of my work. The thread kept puckering the material, and it caused me a great trial. Through prayer and considerable frustration, however, I did manage to complete the task. Although I will say I hope never again to be taxed with such a test.”

  Aunt Miriam rolled her eyes. “And where did you leave them?”

  “In the sewing room after I pressed them. You’ll find them hanging, just as you instructed.”

  “I shall go and inspect them and make sure your issues with the thread were completely resolved. I would appreciate it if you would go back to help the girls in making ready the ballroom. There is still a great deal of work to be done in the next two weeks.”

  Reluctantly Abrianna did as she was told. She would much rather have spent her time with Lenore. While it comforted her to know that Lenore and Kolbein would live nearby, the fact remained that a husband would take up a lot of Lenore’s time. Abrianna knew this because Aunt Selma had often told her stories of her labors to keep Mr. Gibson happy. Apparently husbands were just as needy as children when it came to having their clothing laid out and their meals prepared. Aunt Selma had declared them to be most tiresome when seeking entertainment or consolation on long winter evenings. Of course, Lenore would have the added benefit of servants, but even then she would have to direct them and plan their duties.

  The same gloom she had known earlier embraced her now. This really was to be the end of something quite precious. Their friendship would never stay the same. Not with one of them married and the other . . . well . . .

  Abrianna couldn’t understand the ache within her heart. She had always intended to spend her adult years working for the Lord. She had thought perhaps that someone would come alongside her, a man whom she could love. He would be completely invested in helping the poor and underprivileged. He would be kindhearted and soft-spoken. His very words would ease the worry of those around him.

  She smiled to herself. Did such a man even exist?

  On Sunday Wade joined the ladies for the noon meal, as he usually did. Today the fare was a delicious halibut with all manner of vegetables to accompany it. All in all, it was a very satisfying meal. Wade had been particularly surprised when Mrs. Madison announced that Abrianna had been responsible for making the dinner rolls. It would seem the hoyden was being tamed. He couldn’t help but grin.

  “What are you so happy about?” Abrianna asked. Several of the young ladies had already departed the table for an afternoon of leisure. On Sundays the rules were rather relaxed, and while some were off to tend to other things, there were often a half dozen or so who would linger over dessert. Today it was Mrs. Gibson’s famous blackberry cobbler and homemade ice cream.

  Wade shrugged. “I guess a good meal always puts me in a mood of contentment. What about you? You seem awfully quiet today. Are you ill?”

  “Abrianna is mourning her friend’s upcoming marriage,” Mrs. Madison declared. “Although I’ve assured her that Lenore will still find time for their friendship.”

  “Of course she will. Why would you think otherwise?” Wade asked.

  Abrianna shifted in her seat and looked quite uncomfortable. “It cannot help but change everything. I’m encouraged to know they have chosen a house very close to the school’s new location, but I fear there will be a substantial lessening of our time together. Kolbein will be her husband and require her full attention, and as Aunt Selma has said in the past, some husbands require a great deal of tending.” She looked to her aunt with a nod.

  Wade laughed out loud, receiving Mrs. Madison’s frown and a startled look from Mrs. Gibson and Miss Poisie. It was Mrs. Madison who spoke, however. “As a former wife, I can vouch for this, Wade Ackerman. Men can be quite helpless at times.”

  “I’ve no doubt, but women can be just as much in need of . . . tending at times. However, my laugh was not to show disrespect. I am only amused at Abrianna’s melodramatic mannerisms. One would think Kolbein intended to chain Lenore to the house. You do realize, don’t you, Abrianna, that Kolbein will also be working a job—something, as I understand, he wouldn’t necessarily have to do. You’ll have all day to visit, if you’d like.”

  “It’s true that Kolbein will work,” Abrianna replied, “but Lenore will still need to manage her household and servants. She may have very little time to join me on my crusades or even to visit over tea.”

  “I seriously doubt Lenore will be interested in your crusades in the same way you are.” Wade smiled sympathetically. “Few women could manage what you do.”

  “Speaking of which,” Abrianna said, getting to her feet abruptly, “I wonder if you would accompany me to see a couple of my friends. Last we met, Barnabus had taken a summer cold, and old Mrs. Mannheim was suffering terribly from her rheumatism. I promised that I would help her clean her cupboards.”

  “On the Lord’s day?” Aunt Selma asked in shock.

  “Jesus cleansed the sick with healing on the Sabbath, and what with the restrictions you place upon me for my safety, I can hardly see to the task during the week. Sunday is one of the only days Wade has free to accompany me. Now, if you were to let me journey out on my own as I used to do—”

  “No!” Wade declared in a firm tone. “I will go with you today and help you accomplish whatever is to be done.” He got to his feet. “Thank you for a wonderful meal, ladies. I very much enjoyed your company and the food.”

  “Since you will be coming back with Abrianna when she returns home,” Mrs. Madison said matter-of-factly, “I will have some food for you to take to your place then.”

  “Thank you. I’ll never grow lean
so long as I have your friendship.”

  “It’ll be different once we move,” Abrianna told him as they made their way from the dining room into the kitchen. She gathered several different things and put them in her basket. “You’ll have a much longer walk.”

  “It’s not that much farther for me. It’s just a straight walk up the harbor, no more than a mile or so. Instead of walking into the heart of the city, I will simply take a different route. I’ll manage it just fine.”

  Abrianna led the way from the kitchen and down the back stairs. “Still, it will be different. I will miss things the way they are.”

  “What do you mean?” Wade asked. She seemed much more serious than she’d been at dinner.

  “I will miss this place and the ease with which I could slip down to your shop. I will miss the bustle of the city. We shall be on several acres and no doubt sheltered from the noise.” She shrugged. “I’ll miss it. I’ll miss the vendors calling out their wares and the boys with the newspapers clamoring for business. I’ll even miss the folks coming and going at all hours of the night.”

  “I can’t imagine that being a loss in your life.” He heard her heave a sigh and knew there was more. Something was troubling her. “What’s this really about, Abrianna? You haven’t been this miserable since you had to start pinning your hair up and wearing longer skirts.” He grinned. “So tell me the truth. What has you so perplexed?”

  She allowed him to lead her across the street before she attempted to answer. When she spoke it was in a hesitant manner that was most unlike the young woman.

  “I know . . . that everything in life . . . changes. I suppose that Lenore and Kolbein’s upcoming wedding has me realizing it more than ever before.” Her brows knit and her face took on a worried expression. “I don’t really understand what is wrong with me, but I feel . . . well . . . an empty place inside.” She touched her hand to her heart. “I suppose that sounds strange, but it is a deep aching.”

  Wade shook his head. “It isn’t all that strange. God made us to enjoy the company of other folks. Sounds to me like you’re mourning a loss that hasn’t happened. Lenore is just getting married. She hasn’t died.”

  “But it’s a sort of death to our friendship, don’t you think? I suppose I just don’t like change. Perhaps that is my greatest flaw.”

  He chuckled. “Abrianna, not liking change isn’t your great flaw.” He winked at the surprised look on her face. “In fact, I don’t think you have any great flaws, unless it’s taking too many chances. You are one of the most unflawed people I know. You have a heart bigger than the Pacific, and you genuinely care about what happens to the folks around you.”

  “But I suppose . . . oh, please don’t say anything to my aunts, but I feel alone.”

  She looked to him with such a sorrowful expression that Wade couldn’t help but stop walking. “You’ll never be alone so long as I’m alive. Haven’t we always had each other? Helped each other?”

  He put his hand on her shoulder. “That won’t change, Abrianna.”

  “It will one day . . . when you take a wife,” she said sadly.

  24

  June had arrived in flourishes of flowers and greenery. The residential areas of Seattle seemed to explode in colorful gardens and beautiful lawns. The ballroom at the Madison Building was no different. Now complete in its tropical sea theme, Abrianna thought it perhaps the most beautiful ball they’d ever held.

  For the sake of her aunts she had agreed to attend the ball itself rather than remain behind the scenes as a server. The young ladies who were deemed ready for marriage by the aunts were allowed to attend the dance and make permanent the relationships they’d formed with their suitors. However, those who were new to the school or less inclined to learn were assigned duties behind the refreshment tables and elsewhere.

  Frankly, Abrianna had always preferred this station. Serving food to others and making light conversation about the party and weather suited her far better than trying to entertain love-sick young men. She’d been proposed to by no fewer than three complete strangers already and the evening had just started.

  “You look amazing tonight,” Thane told her. “You look good in that color.”

  He and Wade had been invited by the aunts to provide additional men for dancing. It wouldn’t have been necessary, however. The room was full of eager men who had paid to attend the yearly soirée. Many of them had regularly attended the bake sales and monthly receptions. But others in the collection were those who came annually. Abrianna thought they weren’t half so interested in matrimony as they were in having a great evening of entertainment and the company of young women.

  “Thank you,” Abrianna said, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “Aunt Miriam chose it from the gowns Lenore had given me a while back. She’s partial to lavender, so I suppose that is why this dress caught her attention.”

  “Well, it makes you look . . . well . . . real nice.”

  Abrianna knew better than to argue with Thane’s assessment. Partly because she knew it wouldn’t do any good, and partly because she actually felt rather pretty. Lenore’s gown fit her like a glove after Aunt Selma had given it a slight alteration. Abrianna had been required to tighten her corset more than usual and was just as amazed as her aunts were at the tiny waist she’d revealed. Nevertheless, she didn’t want to maintain a focus on herself.

  “I’m glad you and Wade could come tonight. I fear I will die of frustration if one more man asks me to be his wife. You and Wade are the only men of whom I can be certain won’t put that burden upon me.”

  Thane chuckled. “Well, I’d say it’s a good thing we came, then. Someone needs to keep an eye on you. You’ve never looked more stunning. Say what you will about redheaded women not being considered beautiful, but looking at you proves it false.”

  “Thank you for your kindness.” She looked past him to the dance floor, where couples were gliding in perfect step to the orchestra’s waltz.

  “I notice that you keep looking at the dancers. Are you wanting to join them? I’m not all that good at waltzing, but I’d give it a go with you.”

  Abrianna looked at him for a moment. His words almost didn’t register. “No. I don’t want to dance. I was just watching for Lenore and Kolbein. They haven’t arrived yet.”

  “Are they still planning to attend? I thought the wedding was set for tomorrow morning.”

  “It is,” Abrianna assured him. “But Lenore thought it would be great fun to come. She’s gotten to know the girls and thought this would be a wonderful diversion from her fretting over wedding plans.”

  “I suppose that means everything is in order for tomorrow.”

  Abrianna shrugged. “I suppose it is. I wish it could be postponed for a time. Of course,” she said, looking at him with a smile, “I know that Lenore and Kolbein are in love, and I wouldn’t want to keep them from wedded bliss. I’m just being selfish. Lenore and Wade have been my dearest friends for most of my life. You are my friend, also, but they are the oldest. Well, their friendship has been the longest,” she corrected.

  “I’ve been quite dependent on Lenore for sharing confidences and the kind of things a young woman would share with her mother or sisters—if she had them.”

  “Wade told me you were worried that you were losing Lenore’s friendship.”

  She looked at him in surprise. “He did? I wonder why. I can’t imagine that he has given himself over to worry about such things. I mean, I know he cares about my feelings and well-being, but it surprises me that he would contemplate the matter of my friendship with Lenore.”

  “I suppose that’s because it relates to those feelings you were saying he cared about. Wade is a good man with a big heart.”

  “Speaking of Wade, where is he?”

  “Your aunt Miriam cornered him for a moment.”

  Abrianna shook her head and felt her long curls bounce around her shoulders. Aunt Selma had spent two hours working the mass into something presentable. “I hope sh
e doesn’t have a task for him. Poor Wade deserves to dance with the young ladies. Goodness, he might well find a bride. Now, wouldn’t that be something? I’ve never really given it any thought until now. Imagine how that would be if you and Wade found brides here at the school. Wouldn’t that be grand? You both are always here helping Aunt Miriam with one thing or another, not to mention you’ll be responsible for getting us moved to the new house next week.” She paused, realizing she’d never given the matter very much thought.

  “Do you fancy any of the young ladies here?” she asked, looking to study his face in case he tried to deceive her. Men could be so funny about these things.

  “I have noticed one or two. But one in particular. I had hoped to dance with her tonight, but apparently your aunts didn’t feel she was yet ready to attend the ball.” He glanced past Abrianna toward the refreshment tables.

  She turned, wondering where his gaze would lead and found Militine serving punch to a couple of men. “Militine? You have feelings for her? Why, that’s wonderful. She can be as clumsy as I am and just as poor of a cook, but Aunt Miriam says she’s showing progress. Maybe next year she’ll be able to dance with the others.”

  “I hope so. Of course, I hope to come more regularly to the receptions and bake sales.”

  Abrianna turned back to face him. “Have you told her that you’re interested? I think it might give her the assurance she needs. Aunt Miriam says she’s only clumsy because she lacks self-confidence. Perhaps if you shared that you were interested in courting her, then Militine would flourish like a summer flower.”

  “Maybe, but she also might refuse me.”

  “I have serious doubts about that.”

  “About what?” Wade asked from behind her.

  His unexpected arrival took Abrianna aback for just a moment. She turned around once again as Wade joined the discussion. “Goodness, but you gave me a fright. You shouldn’t sneak up on a person.” She expected him to laugh and make sport at her comment, but instead he stared at her for several moments before speaking.