A Plain Leaving

by Leslie Gould

  A minute later, the carriage turned up a driveway. The house ahead was large and stately with columns on each side of the front door. Several British soldiers gathered on the porch. Isabelle pressed her nose to the carriage window until her father gently pulled her away without saying a word.

  The carriage continued on as the driveway curved behind the house to the left and on to a much-smaller building not far from the stables. The coachman helped the women down, and then Mr. Wallis led the way toward the house. The door was open. Mr. Wallis and Ruby must have both smelled smoke at the same time, because they both started running toward the house.

  “Mary! Duncan!” he called out.

  Ruby followed him over the threshold.

  “We’re in the kitchen,” Duncan called out. “And everything’s fine. It’s just the bread that burnt.”

  He stepped to the doorway with two blackened loaves half wrapped in a rag. “I was just going to throw these out the door into a puddle.” He laughed, his gaze meeting Ruby’s. “But you caught me in the act.”

  He was thinner than he had been when he left Lancaster, but his disposition seemed good. “You’ve met my father,” he said and then glanced over his shoulder. “This is my mother, Mary.”

  A petite woman, smaller than Isabelle, appeared. Duncan had her fiery eyes, but his father’s height. It was obvious he also had his mother’s laugh.

  She threw up her hands. “I haven’t made bread in fifteen years—it used to be so easy.” She stepped forward, wiped her hand on her flour-covered apron, and extended her hand. “Dear Ruby,” she said. “I’m so pleased to meet you. Welcome to our home.” With that, she burst into laughter again too. “Oh dear,” she managed to say. “I’m usually better mannered.”

  Mr. Wallis stepped toward his wife and put one arm around her shoulder. “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.”

  Ruby thought of the minister quoting the same passage.

  Mary Wallis responded with, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.” She leaned her head against her husband’s shoulder, smashing her loose bun. “And we are blessed. Both of our children are alive, and both are with us today.”

  Isabelle stepped forward and hugged her mother too.

  Ruby took a step backward. She wasn’t used to families showing each other affection that way.

  “Well,” Mary said. “I’d better get started on a new batch of bread.”

  “I’ll help,” Ruby said.

  “So will I,” Isabelle chimed in.

  “Goodness.” Mary led the way into the house while Duncan and Mr. Wallis stayed outside. “Some things do change! You girls go clean up, and then you can help. Isabelle, everything is ready for you in the maids’ bedroom.”

  “Mother,” Isabelle said. “I have no idea where that is.”

  “Down the hall, third door on the right. You can’t miss it. Then come help me. And, just so you know, I’ve invited Jane for dinner tonight.”

  Isabelle spun around abruptly. “Did you tell Duncan?”

  “Not yet,” Mary sung out.

  “He won’t be happy,” Isabelle said under her breath. Ruby followed her down the hall, both looking forward to meeting this Jane and also dreading it. She couldn’t help but be curious, but she knew she’d feel even plainer than she already did.

  Everything about the Wallises seemed to shout money and influence. The house might have been the servants’ quarters, but it was much nicer than her family’s home. She didn’t revel in the family’s bad fortune, but she felt some measure of relief at not having to stay in their big house. Just being with the family was hard enough. Nothing in her background had prepared her for being in Philadelphia in the company of a wealthy Englisch family.

  17

  Ruby helped with the bread and offered to make the soup for their supper.

  “No,” Mary said. “You’re our guest.”

  “Then let me assist,” Ruby said. “You’ll be doing me a kindness to allow me to help after what your family has done for mine.”

  No one said a word about the future and not much about the past either as they worked together. Ruby longed to find out how Duncan got away from Valley Forge, but she didn’t have the courage to ask, not in front of his parents. Perhaps whatever his father did to secure his release wasn’t her business. Still, she knew something had transpired that had freed Duncan. She wondered if Zachary’s debt was paid or if they could expect Captain McLeod to return to Lancaster County.

  Just as she determined the soup was done, a knock fell on the door. “Who would that be?” Duncan asked.

  “Oh, I asked a certain someone to join us,” his mother replied.

  Duncan stood and leaned against his cane. “You didn’t.”

  “I did,” his mother said sweetly.

  Isabelle headed to the door and opened it. A young woman, wearing a wool cape over a stylish dress, stood in the doorway. Isabelle hugged her, invited her in, and then introduced Jane to Ruby.

  The woman took off the hood of her cape, revealing auburn hair styled in curls piled on her head. She looked as if she were going to a party—not to a supper of soup and bread. She swung the cape off her shoulders, showing a green velvet dress. Ruby slid her hands down her plain apron. As the woman stepped forward, her silk stockings showed under the hem of her gown.

  “Duncan,” she said. “It’s so good to see you.”

  “Jane,” he responded, taking her hand and kissing it. Ruby slipped into the kitchen, not wanting to witness any more of their greeting.

  Ten minutes later, after they all were seated at the small table in the kitchen, Mr. Wallis led them in prayer. It was a heartfelt petition of the Lord, said out loud. He thanked God for his family, for the safety of the children and Ruby, and for Jane’s presence. Then he asked for direction for the near future. Ruby couldn’t help but think he was referring to Duncan.

  Mr. Wallis added, “Lord, help us to love the soldiers who have taken over our home. They are your children too. Help us to show them kindness—” he paused a moment—“but not too much kindness.” Obviously the qualification was directed at Isabelle. Then he asked God to bless the food to their bodies and to keep them strong in spirit. He closed with a loud “amen” that was echoed by the others in his family and by Jane too.

  In Ruby’s family, all of the prayers were spoken in silence, and she wasn’t used to such a verbal outpouring to the Lord. Tears stung her eyes. These were good people.

  She stayed silent as the bread was passed, and Mary filled up the soup bowls and passed those too. Isabelle asked Jane how life had been in Philadelphia.

  “Boring without you or Duncan here,” Jane replied. “And the shopping has been dreadful.”

  “Your dress looks new,” Isabelle said.

  “I purchased it before Christmas. It’s the last new thing I’ve had.”

  “Oh dear,” Isabelle said.

  “And, as you can see—” She spread her hand across the table. “It’s getting difficult for all to buy decent food.”

  Duncan cleared his throat.

  “Is it not true where you are too?” Jane asked.

  Duncan shook his head. “We have plenty where we are, thanks to Ruby’s skills.”

  “But you look so thin,” Jane said.

  “Well, Valley Forge is an entirely different matter. It takes a lot to feed an army.”

  Jane was quite pretty, even when she frowned. “That’s what the British say.”

  “’Tis true,” Duncan said and then took a bite of soup.

  “Perhaps we should share some of our food with the soldiers next door,” Mary said. “As a way to love our enemies.”

  “We have a couple of loaves of bread cooling in the slush,” Mr. Wallis responded.

  “Oh goodness,” Mary replied. “I meant a couple of loaves that Ruby made—not the ones I failed at.”

  Impressed with Mary’s kindness, Ruby said, “I could make more bread tomorrow.”

  “No.” Duncan held his spoon in mi
dair as he turned his gaze toward his mother. “We’re returning to Lancaster in the morning. Uncle needs our help, and you sent Isabelle away for a reason.” He glanced toward his sister, who simply shrugged. “Plus Ruby needs to get back to her brother and their farm.”

  “You’re leaving so soon?” Jane said to Duncan. “But you’ve just arrived.”

  “Couldn’t Ruby go back and then you follow in a few days?” Mary asked.

  Duncan exhaled and then shook his head. “Of course not, Mother. I’ll be returning with her. You and Father can decide, of course, what you want Isabelle to do.” He glanced toward the large house as he said it and then directly at his sister.

  She shrugged her shoulders and smiled again. Jane continued to frown.

  Isabelle’s parents shared a look, but Ruby couldn’t decipher the meaning behind it. She guessed she’d find out soon enough what they planned for their daughter.

  After dinner, Mr. Wallis hauled water into the house from the well in the backyard while Isabelle and Jane sat in the small parlor with Duncan. Ruby insisted on organizing the dishwashing, even though Mary begged her to join the other young people. Finally Ruby said that she’d much rather have a task to do than sit idly.

  Mary finally accepted her help and asked her questions about her family as Ruby stoked the fire to heat the water.

  “Oh, you poor thing,” Mary said after Ruby explained both of her parents had passed away. “At least you have brothers who are looking after you. Do you have any prospects, as far as marriage?”

  Ruby told her briefly about Paul. “I’ll need to get to Canada. . . .”

  “Oh my,” Mary said. “Does that mean you’re a Loyalist?”

  “Not really,” Ruby said. “We’re nonresistant. We don’t believe in fighting.”

  “But your brother did.”

  “Jah,” Ruby said. “It’s all so complicated, isn’t it?”

  “I’m afraid so.” Mary poked her head out of the kitchen and then returned to the dish basins that Ruby had just filled with water. “War seems to change everything. Before Duncan left, I was certain he and Jane would marry. Now he doesn’t seem interested in her, not in the least. Somehow she’s managed not to experience any hardship through all of this except for how it’s affected her shopping and food consumption. I’ve asked her more than once to assist me when I work at the poorhouse, but she’s refused each time. After all Duncan’s seen and lost, I think he finds her disposition tedious. War brings out the worst in some people. This evening, I saw for the first time that perhaps she isn’t who Duncan needs to navigate life with.” Mary sighed. “It was foolish of me to try to meddle.”

  Ruby smiled at the woman. “You’re his mother. You want what’s best for him.”

  “I do,” Mary said. “And at this point, I think that’s simply to pray that God will guide him.”

  Ruby warmed even more toward the woman. She saw God’s grace in this family, plus the love of Christ for each other and those less fortunate too.

  Halfway through the dishwashing, Isabelle came in to join them, saying that Duncan was going to walk Jane home.

  “Oh?” Mary said, clearly hoping for more information.

  Isabelle shrugged. “It was Duncan’s idea.” She turned toward Ruby. “Jane lives across the boulevard. So far, the British don’t have their eyes on her family’s house.”

  After the women finished, Mary said she was tired and headed down the hall to the second room. It seemed that Duncan hadn’t returned. Perhaps his mother was wrong about how he felt about Jane.

  Isabelle said she was tired, too, and Ruby followed her to the room they were to share. Five small beds and two bureaus filled the room, barely leaving enough space to walk around the furniture. They soon had their nightclothes on and settled into the cold beds. With time, Ruby began to warm, but she had a hard time falling asleep as she thought about Duncan and his family. Just as she was starting to drift off, Isabelle climbed off her cot and started to dress in the dark.

  “What are you doing?” Ruby sat up in bed.

  “Oh.” Isabelle froze and then said, “I’m just getting some fresh air.”

  “It’s freezing in here—I can’t imagine how cold it is outside,” Ruby answered. “You need to get back under your covers.”

  “I just need to go on a little walk, that’s all.”

  “Please don’t lie to me, Isabelle,” Ruby said. “Get back in bed.”

  Isabelle shook her head, grabbed her coat, and picked up her boots. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Do you run after every man you meet? This Lieutenant Anderson? Captain McLeod?”

  “Oh goodness.” Isabelle froze at the door. “Please stop. Besides you’re running after my brother—and you’re to be married to another.”

  Ignoring her, Ruby got out of bed and followed Isabelle as she left the room, calling out after her, “Don’t go.”

  “Stop fretting over me,” Isabelle hissed, her voice low but firm, and then slipped out the door at the end of the hall.

  For a moment Ruby wasn’t sure what she should do. Yell and wake up the house? Barge into the girl’s parents’ room?

  She snuck down the hall to the room she guessed was Duncan’s and knocked on the door, hoping he was home. No one answered. She opened it and whispered, “Duncan.”

  Still no answer. Starlight shone through the window.

  “Duncan,” she said louder.

  He startled and then jerked his head up, appearing frightened.

  “It’s me, Ruby.”

  He rubbed his eyes and then his head fell back down onto the pillow.

  “Isabelle snuck out.”

  “What?”

  Ruby said, “Tell your father.”

  “No, I’ll go after her.”

  Duncan couldn’t go alone. “I’ll go with you,” she said. “I’ll go get dressed. Meet me at the back door.”

  A few minutes later, Duncan, carrying a lamp, met Ruby, and together they stepped out into the night. Ruby took the lamp, hoping Duncan could concentrate on his balance.

  “Is Lieutenant Anderson staying in there?” Ruby asked, pointing toward the big house.

  “Yes,” Duncan answered. “He kept pursuing Isabelle. That’s why Father sent her to Lancaster County. She has no discernment when it comes to men. You saw how she acted with Bert. She was the same with this captain. Mother and Father are beside themselves.”

  “Perhaps they’re in the stables,” Ruby said. “Or the woods.”

  “I doubt it,” Duncan said. “It’s too cold for the woods, and the stables probably haven’t been mucked out. And Isabelle would want to be in our house, if at all possible.”

  When they neared the porch, Duncan struggled up the steps, his cane clicking on the wood, and to the door. Ruby followed, holding the lamp high.

  He pounded on the door. When no one answered, he yelled, “I fear there’s a young woman in the house, without permission.”

  In no time an older man, holding a candle and wearing only his long underwear and a nightcap, opened the door. “What’s all the racket about?”

  “My sister may be within these premises, accompanied by Lieutenant Anderson.”

  “Impossible,” the man bellowed.

  “Take a look,” Duncan shot back.

  The man turned around without closing the door, and Duncan and Ruby stepped into the house. Candles lined the entryway. A wide staircase straight ahead led up to the second floor. The man shouted for help and then veered off to the right. Three men came running down the stairs.

  “We’re looking for Lieutenant Anderson and my sister, Isabelle Wallis,” Duncan barked.

  “That fool,” one of the younger men said. Then he shouted, “Andy!” as he veered off to the other side of the hall. A moment later he called out, “They’re in here!”

  The old man charged across the hall and into the room, followed by Duncan. Ruby stayed in the entryway, staring up the staircase, still dumbfounded by the grandeur of
the home, even in her concern for Isabelle.

  The old man was shouting now at Lieutenant Anderson. Duncan came through the door, his arm around Isabelle. Her hat was off, her hair was falling out of her bun, and her jacket was open.

  “Get her out of here,” the old man bellowed.

  “I am,” Duncan shot back.

  “Out of Philadelphia!”

  “We’re headed west at first light.” Duncan started toward the door, pulling Isabelle along. We’re. The word comforted Ruby.

  He called out over his shoulder, “Thank you, sir!” as he motioned to Ruby to follow. She did, taking one last look at the inside of the home. Duncan might be returning to Lancaster, but she doubted he would stay. There was far too much in Philadelphia to entice him back.

  The next day, Mary swiped at her tears as Isabelle told her good-bye. They weren’t able to get on the morning coach and had to wait until noon. Ruby didn’t let Isabelle out of her sight.

  “You behave yourself,” Mary said. Neither Duncan nor Isabelle told their parents what had happened the night before. Ruby could only hope Isabelle had learned her lesson.

  Mary turned to Ruby and whispered, “Please take her under your wing. You’re a good influence. I’m afraid we’ve spoiled her, without meaning to.”

  “I’ll watch over her,” Ruby said, not adding for as long as she was still on the farm. She might be headed to Canada soon. She watched as Isabelle hugged her father. Did the girl have any idea how blessed she was to have both of her parents still living? And a brother to care for her?

  They were soon back on the stagecoach. Once it left Philadelphia, Isabelle quietly apologized to Duncan. “That was foolish of me,” she said. “I only wanted to tell him good-bye.”

  Then she turned to Ruby. “Thank you for coming after me. I’m afraid Lieutenant Anderson’s thinking wasn’t as innocent as mine.” Ruby wasn’t sure if Isabelle was telling the truth or not, as far as her intentions, but she seemed to genuinely regret what she’d done.

  Isabelle’s voice grew lighter. “Duncan,” she said. “How did your evening end with Jane?”

  He wrinkled his brow. “I spent an hour in her parlor with her father glaring at me. Apparently I’ve failed to live up to the expectations of both her family and mine.”