by Lynn Wolfe
“I feel whatever you have to say can be spoken here and now. There’s no one else in the store, at this time.”
Edward sighed. “As you wish, my name is Edward Pierce, from America, as you’ve already surmised. I’ve gotten your name from, Mr. James Parker. I believe you know of him.”
“Aye, I know him. He’s not a man I have a high regard for. What type of information do you seek? I’m afraid I know little of Mr. Parker since he last left England, and what I do know, I can’t say would be of much help.”
“I hope you’re wrong. Once, many years ago, I was married to a woman named Jane Adler. We had a son named Thomas. I left her with our son while I went to sea in search of a better life. Upon my return, I was met by a man named Henry Ball, who informed me my wife and son had died in the epidemic. I never doubted him. He’d no reason to lie to me about such a delicate matter. I left England on the next ship available to return to America and I started my life over, thinking I’d never return to England.”
Edward watched Miss Minnie’s face as he shared his story. He knew she’d recognized both Jane and Henry’s names, even though she tried to remain aloof. He held his breath as he waited for her to respond.
“I can’t believe the gull of Henry Ball! So that’s how he got Jane to marry him! And you’re the man that Jane had fallen in love with and have come here, after all these years, to seek answers you should have found out long before now. I knew she’d loved her first husband very much. Yet, she never once mentioned your name, in all the time I knew her.
“I met Jane when she came to me in need of work to support herself, Thomas, and the baby girl she’d delivered just a few weeks earlier. She had just married Henry and said he adopted the children.
“I always wondered what kind of hold Henry held over her. Now, hearing your story, I can make a fairly good guess. Henry led her to believe you’d died at sea and he wasted no time stepping in Jane’s life to take your place. She would have felt she’d nowhere to turn. That bastard! Please forgive me for my language.
Edward had tears in his eyes. Thomas was his son. “So Mary is mine, too?”
“Yes, I’m sure she is. Jane said she changed both the children’s names. She never told me who she’d married first.”
Edward took a couple of minutes to gain control of his emotions; for he was overwhelmed with anger at Henry Ball and overjoyed with happiness, knowing he had two children with Jane. “What a fool I was. How long did Jane live after I abandoned her?”
“Jane died when Mary was eight. She was a grand lady, she was. I asked her a couple of times how she ended up with Henry but she’d never tell me. She said she owed Henry a huge debt for taking care of her and her children when there was no one else to turn to. I can tell you Henry treated her as well as he could have. In truth, he worshipped her. He worked hard and they appeared to have a good life together, until she died. But I always had the sense that Jane was never truly happy.
“Then, after Jane died, Henry changed. He became a drunk and treated the children like slaves. I never cared for him. He disowned Thomas when he left for America and ruined poor Mary’s chance at happiness.
“That’s the reason I’ve such a dislike for James. He, like you, believed Henry Ball’s lies and never sought out the truth. James married another and broke poor Mary’s heart. Now that you know the story, what are your intentions? Have you met Thomas or Mary?”
Edward felt sick, nine lost years he missed being with the woman he’d loved more than anything, and still did. He fought back his emotions as his heart felt heavy with grief.
“Aye, I’ve met Thomas. In fact, I’ve known Thomas for some time now. When I first met him, I had a strange feeling about him, like I knew him. It was James’ father who mentioned we looked similar and that got me to thinking about his parentage. But I told myself this was just my imagination and wishful thinking. Yet, this nagging feeling didn’t go away.
“A few weeks ago, James, his father and I ran into Henry at the Baltimore docks. He had changed his name to Henry Adler. He attempted to murder James that day, by pushing him in front of a run-a-way carriage, while Clayton, James’s father and I looked on.
“But not before Ball had engaged us in conversation. It was when James called his name out, that I felt a sudden chill come over me.
“Once seeing him again, and knowing what he’d just done to James, made me realize I had to find out the truth about Thomas. I knew he had a sister named Mary, but when I left England, Jane gave me no knowledge that she might be again with child.”
Minnie’s eyes were wet with tears. After all these years she now knew the truth. Jane’s life could have been so different, and Thomas and Mary’s too. Things could have been wonderful for everyone if only the truth had come out years ago.
“Does Thomas have any idea of your suspicions, Mr. Pierce?”
“No, and now that I know for sure that I’m his father, I’m not clear on how I’ll go about telling him. He has the right to know the truth. He likes me well enough, as Edward Pierce. I don’t know if he’ll like me at all when he finds out I’m his father and how I handled what happened in the past.”
“Thomas and Mary are both fine people, Mr. Pierce. Jane raised them to be kind, considerate and hard workers. I think you’ll find them to be rather receptive to know you’re their father and not Henry Ball. I don’t know how they’ll feel, knowing you deserted their mother, however, by recklessly believing the words of a man you didn’t even know.”
“I’m filled with so much remorse. You have no idea how much I loved Jane. Her parents disowned her because I was a mere ship-hand and Jane came from one of the best families in London. I took her away, knowing I had ruined any chance she had at a far better future than the one I gave to her. I’d begged her to remain with her parents and forget about me, but she insisted she wanted to be my wife no matter what the cost. She never once complained about our living conditions or lack of luxury, never.”
“I know she loved you, Mr. Pierce. She never told me how she ended up here, in this part of London, only that her parents disowned her. I know she wished her parents would have forgiven her or at the very least acknowledge their grandchildren, but they never did. I do know they gave Henry enough money to have Jane buried in the church cemetery. Henry did the right thing by writing to them when Jane was near death, and asking for their help. But they never attended the funeral or had any contact with Henry or the children again, that I’m aware of.”
“Thank you for your honesty. I can return knowing Jane at least had a wonderful friend to lean on. I thank you for that. I only regret that I’d been so easily fooled. My heart will ache forever knowing I betrayed her.”
“Henry’s a very clever man. He fooled you, he fooled Thomas, James and who knows how many others, with his lies throughout his miserable life. I hope he rots in hell. I’d felt certain he had headed to America since I’ve heard nothing about him for going on three years or more. I’ve asked about him at various times but no one seems to know of his whereabouts. Believe me; I’ve tried to check on him.
“I’ve heard his cottage is as he left it. I’ve prayed nightly he’d leave Thomas and Mary be, if he was indeed in America. He’s a very spiteful and hateful man. I fear for their safety. I fear for the evil things he could do to them.”
“I’ll return to America as soon as possible to speak with Thomas. Once I can share this news with him, I’ll then know how to proceed. This has been enlightening speaking with you, Miss Minnie. Thank you for your honesty. Maybe you, too, could come to America to visit with Mary and Thomas. We might cross paths again, someday.”
Minnie chuckled. “I don’t have any plans on leaving London anytime soon, if ever. I think I’m too old to travel to America at this stage of my life, but if I ever do, I’ll be sure to look you up. Give my love to Thomas and if you should see Mary, tell her I miss her terribly and to write soon. I miss hearing from her. In fact, if you could wait a moment, I’ll write a quick note to M
ary so if and when you find her, she’ll know you speak the truth.”
“I would be glad to wait for your note. Having a note from you might help when I address her on this delicate subject.” Minnie quickly wrote the note and sealed the envelope. She now had answers, after all these years. If only the truth had come out sooner. She handed the note to Mr. Pierce, wishing she could deliver the note in person.
“Give both Mary and Thomas my love and please remember to ask Mary to write me as soon as she has some free time. I’ll be anxious to know how this all ends.”
“I’ll be sure to do as you request. This meeting’s been difficult and yet a pleasure, Miss Minnie Baker.” Edward extended his hand and felt a wonderful connection to this woman who’d been a good friend to Jane and his children.
*****
Minnie watched as Mr. Pierce left and hailed a carriage. What a fortunate man to have found not one, but two children, if they can forgive him. To Minnie’s way of thinking, they’d accept him gladly once they had the opportunity to think things over. Anyone would be a better man for a father than Henry Ball. Edward Pierce was definitely a man of good character, she thought. That’s if, first impressions count.
He was easy to look at, too. Minnie had no problem understanding why Jane had given her heart to such a caring person and figured he must have been quite dashing as a young man.
Minnie closed her shop early to stop by the cemetery to inform Jane she now knew the twist of fate that had left her in the care of the devious Henry Ball. Minnie couldn’t help but wonder if Henry would ever be punished for his evil deeds.
Now, he was in America trying to murder James Parker. Why? Out of spite? Henry Ball had to be a very sick man. In fact, probably mad. And now, knowing this, how does that factor in to what might happen to Thomas and Mary? Would he cause them harm, too?
Yes, Minnie thought. He would. Maybe she’d give some serious thought about going to America! After all, she really had no reason to remain in England other than her fear of starting her life over in a different country. She was in good health and about the age of Edward Pierce she figured. Minnie wondered if he’d ever remarried.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Edward was happy and relieved to be back on board, The Emerald. He’d stopped by Jane’s grave and left a beautiful bouquet of flowers along with many tears. He was now going home where he could introduce himself to his children. How does one tell two adults that the father they’d grown up and loved, at least at one time, was a liar and worse? After that news registers, then how does one proceed to tell them that he’s their real father? The one who unknowingly left them in the hands of Henry Ball, and deserted not only them, but their mother, too!
Edward needed to talk to Thomas. Then, he could decide when and how to confront Mary. He first must see if Thomas would be willing to accept him as his father. Then, and only then, would he try to locate his daughter. And when that time came, he knew he’d have to meet face to face with Mary. But where was she? Was James aware that Mary had come to America? He wondered what Mary looked like. He hoped she favored Jane.
The thought that bothered Edward the most was if Henry was crazy enough to try to kill James in front of witnesses, what would prevent him from causing harm to Thomas or Mary? Certainly his anger would not stop with James. Thomas and Mary had abandoned him also. Edward realized his voyage couldn’t end fast enough. He must talk to Thomas!
But first and foremost, he decided he must talk to James and Clayton. They’d certainly have some advice on how to approach his children.
Chapter Fifty-Seven
The Parker Plantation 1834
James had a strange feeling come over him. A terrible sense that something bad was about to happen. For that reason, he decided to ride the fence line himself. After four trips around the immediate area of his home, James found nothing out of place. Yet, he still felt uneasy.
“James, is everything alright? You seem distracted tonight.” His mother had asked. James wasn’t fooling her, and neither was Clayton. She’d asked Clayton on numerous occasions what was bothering him, but he always avoided giving her a straight answer.
Now, Annabelle thought, James acted distant also. Susannah didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary, but she hadn’t been herself for some time now, so Annabelle couldn’t rely on her for information.
“No Mother, I’m only a little tired. That’s all. I haven’t been sleeping well,” James had answered.
“Annabelle, you need to quit worrying, James is fine. You just take care of things the way you always do, and let James and I tend to the duties of the plantation.” Clayton stated without warmth.
Annabelle was unhappy at the tone Clayton had used and now she was positive something was amiss. She knew they must have a good reason for not sharing their secret. That didn’t mean she had to like it!
*****
James arose early the next morning. He knew Andrew and Matilda were in need of a distraction from their mother’s illness. He’d sent his foreman to purchase a new colt and pony at last week’s auction and they were to arrive sometime this morning.
He planned to have the animals make their new home in the barn closest to the house. That way, he or Clayton could oversee the care the children would give them. James knew the time had come when they should learn some responsibility. This could be the perfect distraction for Andrew and Matilda.
Susannah was hardly eating now. Her coughing kept her up most nights and she was getting little rest during the day. James was certain her time was near.
As James and Clayton stood on the porch discussing the fact they’ve yet to hear any news about Henry Ball, they saw the colt and pony arriving. James couldn’t help but smile when he saw the faces of Andrew and Matilda as they spotted the animals entering the barnyard.
“Papa, who does the pony and colt belong to? Did you purchase them?” Andrew asked hopefully.
“Yes, I purchased them at the auction, Andrew. What do you think of them? They appear to come from good stock, don’t you think.”
“Oh, I agree. The colt is a beauty. The pony’s nice, too.”
“Can I have one of them?” Matilda asked, as she petted the pony on the nose.
“Let me see, do you think you and Andrew are old enough to take care of them? They’ll need a lot of attention. That means feeding them, watering them, and brushing them daily. It would also mean you needed to keep their stalls clean. I’m not sure you’d want to give up your play time.”
“We’d gladly give up our play time, Papa. Are they for us? Are they?” Andrew was so excited he could hardly remain calm.
“What do you think, Grandfather Parker, is Andrew old enough to handle the colt and Matilda the pony?”
“I think they’d do a fine job. What do you children say?”
“Yes, Yes!” They cried out in unison.
“I guess the decision’s been made. Andrew and Matilda, you can give some thought to what you would like to name your colt and pony and tell us your decision at dinner? That way, everyone, especially your mother, will be able to hear what you’ve decided.”
“What will you call your pony, Matilda? I’ll have to give some hard thought at naming the colt. He’ll need a strong name, one to match his character.” Andrew said, as he knew he’d already fallen in love with the frisky brown colt with the white patch on his face.
Matilda was petting the cream colored pony that showed a black stocking on his back left leg. “Gosh, Andrew, I don’t know.
“Don’t worry; I’m sure we’ll have the names picked out before we eat supper. Let’s take them to the barn so they can get used to their new home. I don’t want them to get scared tonight.”
“Gee, I hope they won’t be scared. They’ll be next to each other.” Matilda frowned at the thought of her pony being alone, except for the colt. All the other horses were in the stable. But she knew the colt and pony were too little to be among those bigger horses, they might get hurt.
****
*
No one noticed Susannah sitting by the window watching the children in their excitement. She and James had talked at length about the need to have the children focused on something other than how much her health had changed in the last couple of weeks.
She could only imagine what they were telling James and their grandfather. She knew the children were thrilled just by their animations. She remembered how she had felt when she received her first colt. That seemed so long ago. At least she’d have this wonderful memory. In her heart, she knew her time was coming soon.
The effort needed for Susannah to go down the stairs and then have to climb back up was far more difficult than a month ago. Now, she needed James assistance and could only manage to make the trip for dinner. Breakfast and lunch were brought to her. She feared soon she’d be totally confined to bed.
Tonight, she wanted to watch the children bring their new pets to the veranda. No matter how difficult it would be for her, Susannah vowed to act as if she was well and strong. And she prayed she wouldn’t have a coughing spell during this special time with the children.
Susannah wiped the tears from her face. She hated the fact she felt sorry for herself. Tears would not change the situation. She needed to be strong. She had to be. She hadn’t heard James enter the bedroom
“Susannah, are you alright? Here, try to drink some water. Maybe that will help.” James was starting to panic. He could easily hear the congestion in Susannah’s lungs.
Susannah could only nod she’d like some water. Once she cleared her mouth of the pinkish blood she had coughed up, she slowly took another sip of water. James laid her on her bed and supported her with a stack of pillows that kept her somewhat upright. That was the only way she seemed to get enough air to her lungs.
“I’m sorry, James. I so wanted to come down for dinner, especially tonight, but I don’t think I’m up to it.”