Wellington Cross (Wellington Cross Series)

by Lane, Cheryl

  “You’re right,” Jonas said, scratching his head. “I’m sorry, Madeline. I certainly didn’t mean to make you feel that way. I’m new to all this. I’ve been on my own for so long and thought I was doing fine, but it seems I have forgotten how to have manners in dealing with other people.”

  “You’re forgiven. And by the way, you were not doing fine on your own. You are skin and bones. You need some fattening up. I’ll have to make sure you eat properly.”

  He laughed. “Thank you, Madeline. I do appreciate all your help. I can introduce you to him now, if you’d like. He seems to be a nice gentleman. He’s starting to repair the door on the bachelor’s quarters as we speak.”

  He walked with me over to the bachelor’s quarters where Mr. Brown was outside, hammering some nails to fix the doorframe. He had taken off his waist coat, necktie, and frock coat and was already perspiring in his shirt. Jonas introduced us and then walked back over to the stables. Mr. Brown bowed slightly, and I curtsied to him and shimmied past him in my wide dress in order to fit through the narrow door of the bachelor’s quarters.

  “Did you say your last name was Wellington?” he called inside the open door between hammerings.

  “Yes,” I said hesitantly, looking back at him.

  He put a nail between his lips, which he took back out of his mouth and hammered in the doorframe before speaking again. “I’ve heard of you. Your husband wouldn’t be Ethan Wellington, would it?”

  He knew Ethan? This was going to be difficult. I had no desire to talk to a stranger about my broken marriage. So I shrugged my shoulders and said, “I’m sorry, Mr. Brown. If you’ll excuse me, I have some cleaning to do.” I turned around and headed for the staircase. He started hammering away more forcefully, I noticed, seemingly confused or irritated with me for not speaking with him longer.

  I spent quite a while cleaning up a room on the second floor with a view of the river for Mr. Brown. I planned to look around the manor to see if we could spare a sofa for him to have a sitting area down on the bottom floor. As I finished mopping the floor of the new sitting room, Mr. Brown came and peered inside again.

  “Begging your pardon, Mrs. Wellington, but I was wondering if you could point me in the direction of some water. My throat is parched.”

  “Of course, forgive me. If you’ll follow me, I’ll show you the cistern.” I took him across the courtyard to the cistern which was next to the water pump near the kitchen, where we caught rain water for drinking. I was about to walk back to the bachelor’s quarters when Mr. Brown addressed me again.

  “I apologize if I upset you earlier when I asked you about someone I thought to be your husband. You see, I was in the war with a gentleman by the name of Ethan Wellington, and he couldn’t stop talking about his beloved Madeline. When I heard your name was Madeline Wellington, I thought perhaps you were Ethan’s Madeline.”

  My, but he was bold! After getting over the shock that he knew Ethan – and learning that Ethan had talked about me during the war – I cleared my throat and said, “Yes, as a matter of fact, I was married to Ethan. It’s a long story, but we’re not married anymore.” I had to look away to keep from breaking down. It was difficult to talk about Ethan to a stranger, even if he did know Ethan. I turned back again. “We do have a small child together, and you will be seeing her here on the plantation during the day.”

  “Is Ethan dead? I’m sorry if I’m being too forward, missus. Just curious is all. I lost all my family.”

  “I’m sorry you lost your family, Mr. Brown. No, Ethan is not dead, but like I said, we’re not married any more. If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to cleaning before the sun goes down.” I didn’t want to be reminded that Ethan and I were no longer married, so I had to end the conversation fast.

  “Of course.”

  I walked quickly back to the bachelor’s quarters, caressing my Celtic necklace that I always wore around my neck, thinking of Ethan. After I finished cleaning, I returned to the kitchen to finish preparing the evening meal, as the sun began to set across the water. We had sort of missed dinner this afternoon, since Lillie came over and we’d gotten so busy.

  I took the meal over to the dining room and wished we had a servant’s underground walkway like at Wellington where it was cool. I briefly wondered if we could hire someone to at least cook for us. I wish I could steal Cora away or at least one of the girls, but I wouldn’t want to separate them as a family, and I certainly wouldn’t try to take them away from Clarissa and the rest of the family. Perhaps one of the girls could come over during the day with Lillie, and at least teach me how to cook.

  I spent the rest of the week trying to avoid conversation with Mr. Brown. He seemed to be nice, but I didn’t want to talk about Ethan and why we weren’t together anymore. He didn’t pry any more after that first day. He worked hard around the plantation and was already a big help to Jonas.

  I began getting into a new routine at Magnolia Grove. Jonas had started a small vegetable garden out on the other side of the grape arbor, next to a meadow where the horses grazed. This garden needed daily care, and I took it upon myself to tend this since I’d had experience doing that at the Washington’s farm. I did that first thing every morning after breakfast when it was cooler. I carried water back and forth from the well on rain-less days, and pulled any weeds. Horse and human manure was used as fertilizer, and I handled this, as well, though William had to help me with that one morning after heaving.

  Clarissa gave us one of the hens I had brought with me when I first came back, so that we could have eggs. I checked for the eggs first thing every morning so we could enjoy them for breakfast. As soon as possible, I wanted us to get a cow or a goat so that Lillie could have fresh milk.

  Clarissa brought Lillie over every afternoon after dinner, the midday meal. Lidia came over also one afternoon to help me get started with cooking. After three days of helping me with basic cooking, I told her she didn’t have to come any more if she was needed at Wellington, as I was getting the hang of it. Some days, Clarissa would stay long enough to have tea. Then I would take Lillie outside with me to start working on the grapes, flowers, and herbs. Clarissa brought over small cuttings from the roses, lilies, and lavender, which I promptly put in jars of water and sat on the windowsill of the kitchen, on the sunniest side of the plantation, to try and root them. I pulled weeds and dug in the dirt to get it ready for planting, once the cuttings rooted. I broke off some tree limbs to use for the grape arbor and tied them together, and then trained what grape vines were left to go up the new poles. I had to get William to help me with the tall ones that were over my head. I wanted it as tall as it used to be so that one could walk under it.

  After working in the garden a while, I would take Lillie inside and she would play while I cleaned house, different rooms every day. Mid-afternoon, she would start yawning, and I’d take her upstairs to my chambers and let her sleep on my bed, surrounded by pillows, and I’d sit up beside her while reading or mending clothes. She would curl up and lay her head on me till she got too hot and moved away a bit. The open windows helped a little with the heat, and we’d actually be a little glad for a rainy or cloudy day when the sun wouldn’t be beating against the brick house.

  In the late afternoon, Clarissa would come to get Lillie and take her back to Wellington Cross before supper so that I could still cook for the men and not have to carry Lillie around the kitchen. We’d always talk more in the late afternoons, sometimes while I cooked. She would tell me what was going on over at the other plantation, especially about Ethan. She was a sweet lady, keeping me informed of what was going on with the man I loved, but it also pained me to think about him, wishing I were there with him. She would ask how I was doing, and I’d say I was as well as could be expected but admitted that I missed Ethan terribly. Clarissa would hug me and encourage me to keep the faith.

  William joined us at the manor for meals. We didn’t feel right making him eat by himself in the bachelor’s quarters. So with
the extra mouth to feed, and with taking care of Lillie in the afternoons by myself, I knew I needed another woman around here to help out. I thought about Catherine. I now knew that it had been Catherine I saw at the New Year’s Eve party. She was much younger than Clarissa, I remember, and she had little Virginia, who must be 8 or 10 years old by now. Since Catherine was already having problems keeping her farm in Bellwood, perhaps she could come live with us here, and help me out with cooking and cleaning. Virginia would probably make a good playmate for Lillie, as well. I decided to approach Jonas about it first.

  I asked him about it one morning over breakfast.

  “Now, who’s Catherine again?” he asked.

  “She’s Ethan’s aunt, Clarissa’s sister. She’s much younger than Clarissa, and she has a daughter named Virginia who’s maybe about 10 years old by now.” I sipped coffee while he thought about it, looking over at William, who glanced at both of us, probably wondering whose side to take if he decided to jump into the conversation.

  “And you really think we can feed two more mouths around here?”

  “Yes, I think we can manage. She’d be a great help here around the plantation, with cooking and cleaning, and we could do all the gardening. Besides, I need a proper chaperone around here.” I smiled at William when I said that, and he returned the smile.

  “I could do more hunting to help feed us all, as well,” William added, taking my side.

  “She can’t afford to live on that farmhouse by herself anymore,” I said. “Clarissa said she’s having hard times. We’d be helping her out, as well. I don’t know how she’s been providing meat for her and Virginia.”

  “Well, I can see I’m outnumbered here. I guess the vote is unanimous. Go ahead and invite her and Virginia to come and live with us, Madeline. It sounds like a good idea.”

  “Thank you, dear brother. I shall ask Clarissa about it today.”

  Chapter 20

  Social Gatherings

  On Sunday, Jonas and I prepared to attend worship services at Westover Church. The church was an old brick structure that had been used as stables by the troops during the war. It sat overlooking Herring Creek with a graveyard between, under tall trees. It had been there since the early 1700s and only recently restored to being a church again.

  The rector, Thom O’Loughlin, greeted us at the arched doorway. A boy rang an outside bell to summon parishioners to come inside for the service. The bell sat atop a wooden pole that was covered with spiraling vines and big purple clematis blossoms. The interior of the church was white, and there was a balcony for the servants to sit. Mrs. O’Loughlin greeted me inside and asked if I was still playing the piano. She also asked how I was doing since getting back, and I told her briefly about how I lost and regained my memory. I also confided that I was living on my brother’s plantation while Lillie Rose was living with Ethan. She squeezed my hands and vowed to pray for both families.

  When the Wellingtons arrived, my heart skipped a beat upon seeing Ethan. He was dressed in black and gray and even wore a hat. He was devastatingly handsome. He was holding Lillie, and I couldn’t resist going over to greet them. He smiled at me, as did Lillie.

  “Mrs. Wellington,” he said softly, nodding a greeting and taking off his hat. My heart beat faster, hearing him call me by his name. Lillie reached for me, and Ethan let me take her in my arms, our hands touched briefly during the exchange. We looked at each other longingly for a moment. Lillie was beautifully dressed in an off-white frilly dress with a matching bonnet. She greeted me with her usual “mama” squeal and then planted a slobbery kiss right on my lips. I held her tight and looked at Ethan, who watched us intently, and then blinked his eyes and looked away.

  Jonas came up behind me and took Ethan’s attention away for a moment, and I took the opportunity to ask Clarissa about Catherine and Virginia coming to live with me and Jonas.

  “Why, Madeline! What a wonderful idea! You should write to her today and see if she would like to do that. I’ll get you the post address. I may write her, as well. It might help convince her. That really would help her and Virginia out, as well as help you out at your home, I’m sure. That really sounds wonderful. Thank you. It would mean a lot to me to have her close by.” She then told me that Elizabeth was at the plantation resting. I was glad of that; I didn’t want to face her anytime soon nor did I want to see her fuss over Ethan.

  I let Ethan take Lillie back for the service, and I sat with Jonas behind the Wellingtons. We sat in the same pews the Wellingtons and Chambers families had occupied for generations. Lillie reached back for me in the middle of the service, and Ethan let me hold her in my lap.

  After services, many people in the congregation came up and greeted me, exclaiming how glad they were to see me, that I was alive and well, and I was blessed countless times. It became overwhelming and wearying. Ethan came to my rescue by asking me outside where we could talk in private. Once outside, he asked me if it would be all right if he kept Lillie on Sundays so that he could spend some time with her, and to give me a day of rest. I agreed, though I didn’t know what I’d do on Sunday afternoons to entertain myself or keep my thoughts off of him and Lillie. I’d rather be spending the day with them.

  Ethan had more to talk about. “So, I heard that you have a tenant farmer living on your plantation now. What’s his name again?” Jonas must have told him.

  “William Brown. He fought in the war.”

  “Brown. I believe I know him.”

  “He said he lost his farm over in Petersburg. Did you fight with him?”

  “I believe so. Perhaps I could come by and meet him sometime? I’d know if I saw him.”

  “Um, of course,” I said hesitantly.

  “Well, good day,” he said, tipping his hat.

  The next afternoon, Ethan arrived, instead of Clarissa, to bring Lillie Rose to me. I guessed he wanted to meet William. He sure didn’t waste any time coming over to meet him.

  “Good afternoon,” he said, picking Lillie up and handing her down to me before climbing out of the carriage.

  “Afternoon,” I said.

  “I hope you don’t mind me coming over today. I wanted to meet Mr. Brown.”

  “Of course not; it’s fine.” I led him over to the stables where William was helping Jonas repair the roof.

  I introduced them, but they already recognized each other.

  “It is you,” William said. “Glad to see you made it through the war, Ethan,”

  “You too, William.” They shook hands heartily.

  “When I was first introduced to Mrs. Wellington here, I remembered her name and asked her if she was ‘your Madeline’.” I glanced at Ethan, who glanced at me, and then I walked away with Lillie, not wanting to hear any more. “I apologize,” I heard William say, as I was walking towards the kitchen house. “I understand things are not right between you two anymore. I was real sorry to hear that. I know how deeply you cared for her…”

  Ethan knocked on the open kitchen door a little later while Lillie was helping me wash vegetables in a deep bowl of water on a long preparation table. She was mostly playing with the water, splashing it with her hands. I quickly wiped away fresh tears. “Do you have a moment?” he asked. “I’m getting ready to head back home.”

  “Of course,” I said, drying my hands on a cloth and then drying Lillie’s and picking her up. “Shall we go to the porch?” I asked, leading the way.

  I walked to the carriage-side porch, putting Lillie down on the floor to crawl around, and Ethan and I sat on the edge of the porch. Jonas had only made two rocking chairs, and they were both on the river-side porch, so we had none to sit on.

  “Did you enjoy your day with Lillie yesterday?” I asked.

  “Yes, I did. I took her down to the river and we cooled off for a bit.”

  “That sounds nice.”

  “Like I said before, I hope you didn’t mind me coming by. I just wanted to come by and meet William. He is as I remembered him…a good man. We’d been
friends during the early part of the war before we got separated in Chancellorsville. He got injured and had to stay behind, and then picked up a different troop.”

  “It’s good that you know him. That makes me feel better, that he’s not just some stranger, or worse, a carpetbagger from the North.” I hadn’t intended on revealing to him my wariness, but it was an old habit, confiding in him. I’d always felt safe with him. He was my protector, had been ever since I fell out of that tree and broke my arm. I got the feeling that hadn’t changed.

  He looked over at me. “That’s why I had to come and see for myself if I did know him and what kind of man he turned out to be after the war. War changed a lot of people…my father included. I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he’s been different since the war. He’s more paranoid now, always seems to be looking over his shoulder. He was never that way before; he’d always been confident. Perhaps his injury makes him feel like a lesser man. Anyway, I had to see if I trusted this man who’d be living so close to you, and Lillie when she’s here.”

  He reached over and picked up my hand with his. I turned and looked at him. “I care about you a great deal and worry about your safety constantly. Jonas has assured me he’s keeping a close watch on you, but still I worry.”

  My heart was beating faster, but I couldn’t take much more of this. It was too painful. I carefully eased my hand back out of his and looked away. “I appreciate your concern, but I can take care of myself. I hope you won’t be dropping by every day, Mr. Wellington.” I looked back at him again and said softly, “It will be hard enough seeing you at church on Sundays. My heart can’t take much more than that.” I was near tears but blinked them away quickly.

  He looked at me sadly, and then nodded. “As you wish, Mrs. Wellington.” He rose, kissed Lillie on the head and walked briskly back to his carriage without another word. I stood beside the porch and watched him go. I’d done it again…hurt his feelings. But it couldn’t be helped. When he told me how much he cared about me and worried about my safety, I was melting inside. I had to keep it together, or I’d never get on without him. I’d never learn how to stand on my own. I had to continually break free of him, over and over again, because even though my heart didn’t want to, my head told me it was for the best.