A Plain Leaving

by Leslie Gould

  “Isabelle,” Duncan said as he released the woman. “What in the world are you doing here?” Ruby was surprised at the pang of jealousy she felt and tried to ignore it.

  “Mother and Father decided I needed to leave Philadelphia and sent me by coach. I’m headed to Lancaster County. To stay with you.”

  “Oh dear,” he said. “I’ve had a bit of a diversion. We’ll need to figure this out.” He glanced up, a smile on his face. “Ruby,” he called out. “Come meet my sister.”

  Ruby almost gasped. In all this time she’d known Duncan, he’d never mentioned a sister. But then she’d never asked him about siblings. Her face warmed.

  Ruby stepped forward. By the way his sister was dressed, Duncan’s family was wealthier than he’d let on.

  Duncan introduced Isabelle and then said, “This is Ruby. My neighbor back in Lancaster.”

  After greeting Ruby, Isabelle turned toward her brother. “Goodness, you seem to have settled into farm life.”

  He nodded. “It sounds as if you’ll be soon doing the same.”

  “Never,” Isabelle replied with a laugh.

  The innkeeper greeted Isabelle and said that he’d show them both the room upstairs for women.

  “I’ll wait and sit with you,” Duncan said to his sister.

  As they reached the landing, Isabelle said, “So you’re Uncle Wallis’s neighbor?”

  “Jah,” Ruby answered, continuing on to the room.

  “Why are you traveling with Duncan?”

  “He’s helping me find my brother at Valley Forge.”

  “Oh my,” Isabelle said. “But why are you dressed so simply? Are you a servant?”

  “No.” Ruby stopped as the innkeeper opened the door, nodded at the women, and then hurried back toward the stairs.

  Ruby and Isabelle stepped into the room and continued their conversation. “I’m Anabaptist, but we refer to ourselves as Plain,” Ruby said. “The Apostle Peter taught that believers should not focus on outward appearance but on their hearts, having a meek and quiet spirit.”

  The woman looked Ruby up and down and then said, “How well do you know Duncan?”

  “Not well, really. We’ve worked together these last few months to maintain both of our farms.” She quickly explained her predicament, adding that she was betrothed to a fellow Anabaptist named Paul.

  That seemed to give Isabelle a measure of relief. Perhaps she feared Ruby had her sights on Duncan. “How in the world does he help much, though? With his injury.”

  “He actually does quite well,” Ruby answered.

  “Goodness, my parents didn’t want me to stay in Philadelphia any longer, but I doubt if they guessed sending me to Lancaster would make me a farmer.” She lowered her voice. “They were afraid if I stayed I’d fall for a ‘Lobster’ but don’t tell Duncan that.” Her eyes twinkled, and she laughed. “They were right.”

  Ruby smiled, guessing the woman wouldn’t believe she was a Loyalist—or had been. She couldn’t be now, not with Zachary fighting for the Patriots.

  Not wanting to continue the conversation, she stepped farther into the room that was dimly lit from the light of the lamps on the landing. Isabelle followed.

  “Goodness,” she said, “it’s not much.” There was a narrow bed, basically a cot, and a couple of pallets on the floor.

  Ruby said, “You can have the bed.”

  “Oh, no,” Isabelle said. “You were here first. I’ll sleep on the floor.”

  Ruby didn’t respond. She couldn’t imagine sleeping on the bed and letting Duncan’s sister sleep on a pallet. Ruby started to step inside, planning to go to bed while Isabelle got something to eat and caught up with Duncan.

  “Come back down with me,” Isabelle said. “The more the merrier.”

  Ruby inhaled. She’d hardly fit in, listening to Duncan and Isabelle talk about their fine life.

  “Please?”

  “All right,” Ruby replied. How wonderful for Duncan to get to see his sister, and how nice that Ruby would have a roommate for the night. The least she could do was sit with the two. And the truth was, she found Isabelle fascinating. She seemed so comfortable with herself, and so carefree—despite the war going on around her.

  The three sat closest to the fire. Duncan asked Isabelle about their parents, who were doing fine. Shamefully, Ruby hadn’t put much thought into his life. She knew his father was a businessman, but that was all.

  Isabelle talked about Philadelphia, about how things had been before General Howe marched in with his troops. “We knew they were coming,” Isabelle said. “So all of the supplies and weaponry were moved out, even the Liberty Bell. That made the British furious.” She dropped her voice. “They’ve just started to move supplies in. Of course, we hid our food. Father had a false wall built in the cellar.”

  “Was it hard to leave the city?” Ruby asked.

  “Yes, partly. But I’ll survive. So far, the day has been fascinating. We got a late start out of the city because—” She nodded her head toward the group of men at the far end of the table who came in with her. “They’re all businessmen, headed to York to work out deals with the Patriots. Back in Philadelphia, they do deals with the British.”

  Ruby’s mouth dropped open.

  “Shhh,” Duncan said.

  Isabelle nodded. “That’s the way of the world.”

  Ruby folded her hands together on the tabletop. That sort of duplicity and deceit were exactly why her people stayed apart from the world.

  Isabelle took another bite of stew and then looked up at her brother, who sat directly across the table from her. “What do you hear from Jane?”

  Ruby watched as a pained expression passed over Duncan’s face.

  Isabelle kept talking, as if she hadn’t noticed her brother’s response. “I haven’t spoken with her in months, not since right after you left. I hoped she’s written to you.”

  Duncan shrugged as if he didn’t care about this Jane, but Ruby was sure that he did. Or at least had. “We need to talk about you,” Duncan said to Isabelle. “If you continue on the stage to Lancaster, I doubt Uncle Wallis will be able to collect you, even if you send a message. You’ll have to hire a driver. Why don’t you come to Valley Forge with us?”

  Isabelle wrinkled her nose. “Do you have a carriage?”

  “No,” Duncan answered. “A wagon.”

  Isabelle pushed back her plate and folded her hands. “I’ll go on to Lancaster and hire a driver to take me to the farm.”

  “Sister . . .”

  “I’ve heard horrible things about Valley Forge,” Isabelle said. “Bert told me all about it.” She raised her eyebrows as she gazed at her brother.

  “Oh?” Duncan said.

  Isabelle nodded.

  Duncan turned to Ruby. “I served with Bert—otherwise known as Captain McLeod. But now he’s with the 1st Regiment that Zachary is with.”

  “Yes,” Isabelle said. “He was at Valley Forge, but he left for York about a month ago. I’m assuming he made it. He was grateful not to have to stay at Valley Forge. I definitely don’t want to go there from what Captain McLeod said, and, in fact, I was thinking of continuing on the coach to York.” She raised her head and looked Duncan in the eyes again. “I’d like to see Bert again.”

  Duncan shook his head.

  Isabelle smiled. “I’ll tell him hello from you. I told him you were in Lancaster, but I’m surmising he didn’t stop on his way to York.”

  “You knew he wouldn’t,” Duncan said.

  “Well,” Isabelle said. “You know he has to get over his guilt sometime. He didn’t mean for you to get shot.”

  “Please.” Duncan grabbed his cane. “Let’s concentrate on matters at hand—not the past. What’s done is done.” He swung both of his legs over the bench and then leaned on the cane and stood. “Good night, Ruby.”

  She could barely see his face in the flickering light of the fire.

  He turned toward Isabelle. “Good night, sister.”

/>   Isabelle smiled. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  After Duncan had reached the door, Isabelle directed her gaze on Ruby. “So how is he really doing? He didn’t want to talk about Jane. He didn’t want to talk about Bert. What does he like to talk about?”

  Ruby shrugged. He hadn’t mentioned Jane or Bert, but apparently both had contributed to his wounding, internally and externally. “We talk about the animals and preserving food. Butchering the hog. That sort of thing.”

  Isabelle wrinkled her nose.

  “He’s awfully kind,” Ruby said. “To help me like this, by going to find my brother.”

  Isabelle drained her mug. “That’s the way he was when we were small. Kind. But he hasn’t been much of late.”

  “He traveled to Lancaster County to help your uncle.”

  “Oh, that wasn’t his idea,” Isabelle said. “That was Father’s doing.” She stood. “Goodness, our parents certainly manage to push us out of town, don’t they?”

  Isabelle grabbed one of the candles from the table, and the two women walked upstairs. Ruby insisted Isabelle take the bed, and finally the woman agreed to the offer. Then Ruby pushed a chair under the latch to the door.

  “Good thinking,” Isabelle said.

  “Duncan and I are leaving at first light,” Ruby said.

  “The stage is too,” Isabelle answered.

  “Are you sure you won’t come with us?”

  Isabelle smiled. “If he was with anyone else, I fear I should. For propriety’s sake. But considering you’re betrothed, and—what do you call it?”

  “Anabaptist.”

  “Yes. Well, I doubt I have to worry about the two of you at all.” Isabelle grinned. “Not the way everyone keeps worrying about me.”

  Ruby could only guess at how worried Isabelle’s parents must be about such a headstrong girl. Then again, if her family knew what Ruby was up to, they’d see her as headstrong too. Still, she couldn’t help but be concerned about Isabelle.

  “Wouldn’t it be best for you to travel with your brother?”

  Isabelle shrugged and for a moment resembled Duncan. “He’ll join me soon enough.”

  Ruby stepped to the window, and Isabelle slid under the quilts on the bed. “What are you looking at?”

  “My family’s wagon,” Ruby said. “Duncan is sleeping in it.”

  “Goodness,” Isabelle said, “he really has turned into a farmer.”

  Ruby supposed Duncan was more of a farmer, at the moment, than anything. He certainly wasn’t a soldier anymore. Nor a merchant. He’d done well managing his uncle’s farm the last few months. He’d surprised both of them.

  Once Ruby settled on the pallet, she tossed and turned, her thoughts drifting to Paul. She wished he were journeying with her. She’d feel cherished and loved instead of so Plain. He was used to the way she looked.

  Soon, she would be with Paul in Canada, and Duncan would return to Philadelphia and his family. To Jane, whoever she was. He’d help his father oversee their businesses.

  Of course, first they needed to find Zachary and get him home. Then Ruby needed to nurse him back to health so he could take her to Canada. Step by step, she’d reclaim her life.

  Isabelle’s breathing slowed, and it was obvious she’d fallen asleep. Ruby could hear the laughter of the men below. Finally, their voices quieted and she drifted off to sleep too.

  13

  Ruby dreamt during the night that her Mamm stood out back at the home place, behind the original cabin, gazing at the neighbor’s property. At the oak tree. Two people stood under it, a man and a woman. Ruby woke with a start. The room was dark, but she sensed it was near morning and rose quickly. As she stepped to the door, a slight knock startled her. She moved the chair and opened it to find a maid holding a pitcher of water. Ruby took it from her, washed at the basin, and then quietly said Isabelle’s name.

  The woman stirred, opened her eyes, and groaned. “It’s not morning yet, is it?”

  “Jah,” Ruby answered. “I’m going to go on down to the fire.” The room was icy cold, and she wanted to make sure Duncan wasn’t waiting for her.

  He was.

  “How long have you been up?” she asked.

  “I just came in.” He stepped closer to the fire and leaned against his cane.

  “Did you stay warm enough?” she asked.

  “I have no complaints,” he answered.

  The same maid came out with two bowls of corn mush. They sat and had just begun to eat as Isabelle joined them.

  “When will you get back to Uncle Wallis’s farm?” Isabelle asked.

  Duncan wrinkled his brow. “Day after tomorrow, God willing.”

  Isabelle seemed to weigh his answer. “I think I’ll go on to York then.”

  Duncan shook his head. “That’s not a good idea. Hire a driver in Lancaster and ask him to take you to the Wallis farm on Oak Road. Don’t go see Bert—perhaps the two of us can go later.”

  A pout settled on Isabelle’s face.

  Duncan shook his head. “Trust me, sister. Please.”

  Isabelle nodded, but by the smile on her face, Ruby wouldn’t be surprised if the girl actually wasn’t in agreement.

  Ruby couldn’t imagine what it would be like to have Isabelle living next door. Would she help with the chores? Cook? Expect to be entertained? She’d find all of it much, much simpler than what she was used to. Ruby had never met anyone like Isabelle. She wouldn’t mind having her close by, though. It would be nice to have another woman as a neighbor.

  Ruby finished her bowl of mush, remaining silent as the other two talked. As soon as Duncan finished his breakfast, he pushed his bowl to the middle of the table and asked Ruby if she was ready to go.

  “Jah,” she answered, hoping by the end of the day they would have found Zachary. It was hard to be away from home. The Englisch ways were not her ways. As much as she appreciated Duncan’s help, the two of them were as different as could be. And it was even worse with Isabelle.

  Isabelle stood and walked around the table, giving Duncan a hug. “I’ll see you soon.” Then she turned her attention to Ruby. “It’s been a pleasure to meet you. I look forward to seeing you again.” She grinned and then added, “Neighbor.”

  Ruby curtsied and said, “Likewise.”

  As she followed Duncan toward the door, she pulled her plain brown cape tighter around her shoulders, bracing for the cold.

  Ruby commented about Isabelle and how remarkable it was they’d ended up at the same inn.

  “Not really,” Duncan said. “I’m not surprised Father forced her to leave Philadelphia.”

  “But what a coincidence,” Ruby said, “that we ended up at the same inn on the same day.”

  “Yes,” Duncan said. “That’s true.”

  “Isabelle seems to be a kind person.”

  Duncan gave Ruby a sideways glance. “Isabelle is many things. Intelligent. Creative. Conniving . . .”

  “Well, she was kind to me.”

  “Then perhaps you brought out the best in her,” Duncan said. “I doubt it was of her doing.”

  They rode silently after that. The dark clouds from the day before had grown heavier. Snow would soon fly at the lower elevations. They didn’t speak as they traveled until they stopped to water and feed the horses. After a small meal for themselves, they continued on.

  It was midafternoon when Duncan waved at a wagon driver headed the other direction, gesturing for him to stop. “Are we close to Valley Forge?” he asked.

  “Take a right at the next road,” the man called out. “I just came from there. Delivered a load of cabbage.”

  “Thank you.” Duncan tipped his hat and urged the horses to continue on.

  Ruby said another prayer that they would soon find Zachary. Before long they were on a rutted road that, thankfully, was frozen. If they’d come a few days ago, they’d most likely be mired down in mud. The road headed away from the river and up toward the ridge. Smoke drifted down toward them. The so
und of axes rang out in the distance. Most likely trees were being felled to build more cabins. Hopefully Zachary was under some sort of shelter.

  When the road curved around for the last time, the camp came into view. Tents and hundreds of cabins lined the ridge with cooking fires scattered among them. Several women, bundled in capes and coats, tended food over the fires, and some appeared to be doing laundry, which surprised Ruby.

  “Do the women serve among the men?” Ruby asked.

  “They’re camp followers,” Duncan explained. “The soldiers couldn’t survive without them. They cook, wash, and mend. Bandage wounds. Everything that makes life bearable. Last time I went to the inn, I heard that General Washington’s wife is here too. Martha. She’s sewing, nursing the sick, and doing everything she can.”

  “Goodness,” Ruby said. “I wouldn’t expect a fine lady like that to serve in such a way.”

  Duncan smiled wryly. “Fine ladies can be a surprise,” he said, stealing a glance at Ruby. She had no idea what he was implying, but her face grew warm under his gaze.

  Hundreds of horses were penned in a makeshift corral. Bedraggled soldiers wearing mud-covered uniforms worked on building more cabins.

  Duncan asked a soldier about Zachary’s regiment. The soldier pointed to the north, and Duncan drove the wagon along a wide trail. Snow began to fall as they continued on. Duncan asked again, and another soldier pointed to a group of wagons a few yards away. Duncan set the brake, climbed down, and then came around to Ruby and helped her, leaning on his cane as he did.

  They walked, side by side, to the cabins. “We’re looking for Zachary Bachmann,” Duncan said to a soldier sitting on a stump, sharpening a knife.

  The soldier nodded his head toward a cabin. “Look there.”

  Duncan led the way. Ruby’s heart raced as she prayed for strength. Duncan pushed against the door. “Zachary Bachmann! Are you in here?”

  A moan greeted them. Ruby followed Duncan into the cabin, squinting in the dim light. Another moan followed and then a deep, wracking cough.

  She stepped inside. A fire in the middle of the cabin burned in a circle of stones, sending smoke up through a hole in the roof. But the interior was freezing—as cold as it was outside—besides being filled with smoke. “Zachary,” Ruby said. “Is that you?”