Wedgewick Woman

by Patricia Strefling

  “Well, that explains it.”

  He sounded relieved to Annabel’s ears. “Yes.” Was all she said. She must be careful about what she told people…for it must not be about, for Eleanor’s sake, that she possessed no father. She clamped her mouth shut and noted Miss Bernard seemed undisturbed.

  “There…over there…” she pointed. “The cottage.”

  The driver pulled the carriage down the lane from the main road and up to the short white fence that surrounded the small brick home with the red tiled roof.

  She felt the doctor’s hands go about her waist as she gave him her weight and let him set her down. Feeling flushed, for his face so near to her own was extremely handsome and he had such caring brown eyes, that she nearly lost her balance looking into them.

  “Thank you doctor. Happy to have made your acquaintance Miss Bernard. Perhaps we shall meet again.” Annabel turned, lifted the latch on the fence gate and let herself in, not once looking back.

  Once inside, she fell against the door, fanning her face.

  “What is it? Not bad news?” Phoebe appeared instantly alarmed.

  “Oh no. ‘Tis good news. Four days, Phoebe. Just four days and Eleanor shall have her operation.”

  She flew into Phoebe’s arms and they danced together for a few moments. Tears springing to their eyes, they went to view the sleeping child.

  “I kept her awake to see you, but you were gone ever so long…” Phoebe’s worried expression caused her conscience to burn.

  “I am sorry, Phoebe. Dr. Kane took me to dinner. I have more good news….” Her eyes lit up.

  “I have it on Dr. Kane’s word that I shall have a position with him.”

  Phoebe crossed herself, whispered, “It is praise to God,” and hugged her employer.

  “Yes, God has heard my prayers.” Annabel said quietly. “For I have been praying for so long. If only…”

  “What is it?” Phoebe looked worried.

  “If only I didn’t have this secret.” She whispered.

  “You cannot be thinking about it now, Annabel, ‘tis time to think of Eleanor. Come, let’s have tea and we’ll get off to bed. We have much to do in the next few days and more after Eleanor comes home to be cared for.”

  “Aye, indeed. Good eve, Phoebe. I do not think I shall be wanting tea. I am so very tired.“

  “Be off with you now, then and sleep.” She whisked her off with a flurry of her hands.

  Chapter 23

  Four days passed quickly, too quickly for Annabel. She found herself in tears of joy and of fear as the doctors waited to take Eleanor from her arms.

  “All will be well, Annabel.” Dr. Kane used her given name, but Annabel didn’t notice.

  Looking up at his brown eyes, she took from him strength and forced herself to relax. He took Eleanor gently, slowly and she turned away when Eleanor called out, “Mummy.”

  Dr. Kane did not look back, but strode away, talking to the child, whispering soothing sounds. That was the last Annabel heard before the door closed. When it clicked, she threw herself upon a chair and sobbed out her fears to God. “Please God let her be all right. I could not stand it if…” she could not say the words.

  Phoebe stood a length away, leaving Annabel to her own prayers, as she herself turned and headed for the chapel. “Tis just her foot.” She murmured. “’Twill be all right.”

  Annabel stopped crying, believing that God would take care of her child. She forced herself to sit up and taking a cloth from her reticule, wiped her eyes. Before she finished she heard the noise of heavy boots echoing in the halls.

  “Where is she?”

  Annabel knew that voice. Before she could gain her feet, she saw him. Laird Carmichael stood before her and he was angry; his eyes bore into hers as he stood looking down at her with loathing, his hands fisted at his sides. She knew in an instant he knew about Eleanor.

  “Where is my daughter?” He spoke directly to her, his teeth clenched in a futile attempt at patience.

  “She…she is in an operation. Please….” She heard herself begging.

  “Operation? Who signed papers for such an operation?” He demanded.

  Without waiting for an answer he nearly shouted, “You? What gives you the right. She is my child, not yours.” He started toward her, then stopped. “I shall see to her myself, if you will not speak.”

  “Please do not. It will only hurt Eleanor.”

  “Eleanor.” He said the word softly.

  “Yes. She is…lame….the doctors are working to correct her trouble.”

  “Not without my consent.” He yelled loud enough to bring Dr. Hey hurrying down the hall.

  “What goes on here?” he said staring first at the Laird then at Annabel who had now gained her feet, but felt her knees weakening.

  “The child Eleanor…she is my child. I wish to see her at once.” He demanded.

  Dr. Hey looked at Annabel. “What is this about, Mrs. Wedgewick.” He said quietly.

  She lowered her head. “It is true what he says. He is Eleanor’s father.”

  “Then be about telling him what is happening and do not bother us again.” He ordered them.

  “I have no need to speak to Miss Wedgewick. She is not this child’s mother, but I am her father. What say you to that?” he questioned the doctor.

  Looking again to Annabel, the doctor, now angry himself…said, “Be out with it.”

  “Tis truth he speaks.” Annabel admitted.

  “Then we must have his signature to continue.” The doctor said and turned on his heel. “Wait here.”

  “Please Laird Carmichael you must sign the papers. She is lame…her foot broke at birth and she is nearly two. It must be repaired or she will not walk.” Annabel pleaded with him.

  “I am the child’s father. I will decide.” His eyes burned into hers.

  Dr. Hey returned with a sheaf of papers.

  “I will come with you, for I will lay eyes on my lass first.” He demanded and followed the doctor.

  “’Tis most unusual, we are already prepared…but under the circumstances…we’ll allow you a look-see; but then you must agree to contain yourself…for the sake of the child.”

  “Aye. Take me to her.” He ordered.

  “Do not touch our patient.” The doctor stated firmly…or I shall put you out myself.”

  Within moments, heart beating, he was staring down at a wee lass with hair the color of his own, her eyes closed with anesthetic, a white sheet covering her small body.

  “Lift the sheet, I would see her foot.” He said and waited while one of the doctors did as he bid. The tiny foot indeed lay at a strange angle. He winced.

  “Leave us.” The doctor ordered, after the Laird had laid his signature to the papers. He did as he said, taking himself down the hallway and back to the wait room.

  Annabel shifted nervously in her seat, her heart beating furiously in her chest.

  “Ross.” He called loudly and she heard the heavy booted steps as they came nearer.

  “Escort Miss Wedgewick to her carriage.”

  Her ears could not believe what she’d heard. How dare he tell her to leave her daughter here alone with a man she would not know when she awoke.

  Standing now to face her accuser, she strode up to him, looked upward and caught his green eyes with her own, the fierceness in them reflecting the pain in her heart.

  “I will not leave her.”

  “You will not stay.”

  “This is public domain and I shall remain here as long as Eleanor is in this place.” Her chin lifted, hands fisted in her skirts.

  “As you wish.” He turned and found a seat, effectively ignoring her.

  Annabel knew his voice had been too quiet, his anger too easily assuaged.

  Walking down the long corridor, she found a window at the end and stood, staring down at the streets of London. Placing her shaking hands on the cool glass, she bowed her head. He knew. How had he found out?

  It didn’t matt
er…as long as Eleanor was all right.

  Phoebe must have heard the commotion for she came from the chapel and Annabel heard her ask about her lady’s whereabouts.

  Before she could muster another thought she felt Phoebe’s arms around her shoulder. Sick at heart and shaking from lack of sleep along with the knowledge that she had just lost her child, she slipped to the floor, all thoughts gone.

  Phoebe caught her and called for help.

  “I would be needing assistance.” Sir, she called to the large man, dressed in Scottish plaid. My employer has fainted.” Phoebe stood, hands on her small hips, for she was not much larger than Miss Wedgewick, but had a look that brooked no argument.

  “I shall see to it.” Ross started.

  “Stay, I will do my duty.” Laird Carmichael said gruffly.

  Following the woman, he saw Annabel crumpled on the floor, one arm lay outward, the other across her slender waist.

  He lifted her easily and felt her dark brown hair give way from the pins and fall heavily upon his arms. Phoebe led the way to the chapel and he lay her upon a bench inside the darkened room.

  “I will see to her. Please find an attendant and get some salts.”

  He did as he was bid and was back in a few moments. Annabel’s collar had been loosened but her face looked as white as the shirtwaist she wore. Her dark brown skirt had also been loosened at the waist. Phoebe fanned her face.

  “You may leave.” She said quietly. “I do not wish her to wake with a strange man standing over her. Thank you for your assistance.”

  He left quietly.

  Pacing to and fro, for he could not be comforted, he wondered that his hatred for this woman could be so pure. Helen had at least been forthright in her deceits. This one had deliberately taken his child and kept her existence a secret. For that he could not forgive her. It was just as well she was out of his sight.

  In that moment of hatefulness, he saw his father’s anger in himself. Sick, he continued to pace. So he was to become as bitter as his father.

  * * *

  “Phoebe…”

  The weak voice, small in the dark room, echoed in the tall ceilings.

  “You are all right. Rest, please and I shall get you some water. Do not move.”

  In a moment she was back to find Annabel sitting up.

  “Must you sit up so soon? Here, drink. Sip it only, for you must get hold of yourself. Eleanor needs you.”

  “How did I get here?” Annabel rubbed her head, trying in vain to pin her up hair.

  “A Scot carried you in. Now sip.”

  “A Scot?” her voice trailed off. Annabel felt ashamed. He had been forced to touch someone he hated. Her. Then her thoughts changed abruptly.

  “Oh Phoebe. You don’t know yet. Laird Carmichael has come for her. He is even now out in the waitroom. I am to lose her. She will need me but I won’t be here.” Now she sobbed on her housekeeper’s shoulder.

  “So that’s what all the shouting was about? The Scot that carried you in here? Why, if I would have known that…that…man…I wouldn’t have let him lay a bloody hand on ya.”

  “It has come to this and I never thought it would.” she raised herself, ignoring Phoebe’s angry words.

  “Now, now, we shall reason with the Laird. He cannot just snap Eleanor up and take her home. You are her mother. He will have to take you, too.” She spoke in soothing tones.

  “Oh, but you do not know him. He hated Helen and he will hate me. He already does.” She sobbed again. “You did not see the way he looked at me. Oh, Phoebe, what am I to do?”

  “Have you forgotten your prayers to God, Annabel?” Phoebe asked quietly.

  Annabel quieted.

  Phoebe prayed even harder that God would intercede somehow. Her heart beat now as she realized that the secret was out. And if that man out there was Eleanor’s father…and she knew now by his look, for indeed little Eleanor looked just like her father…trouble was only beginning to brew.

  “Perhaps God is punishing me.” Her voice was barely audible to Phoebe’s ears.

  “I deceived that man and kept Eleanor for myself and now I shall lose her. Oh, that we would not have listened to Helen and told the truth from the beginning.” She sniffed.

  “Hush now. We’ll think of something, Annabel. Now we must be thinking of Eleanor.”

  “Yes, you are right.” She agreed and sat up, straightened her skirt, and squeezed her hands together and placed them in her lap. Two hours passed. Slowly. Annabel and Phoebe remained in the darkened chapel, the Laird in the wait room.

  “I am going for some refreshment. Now don’t wave me off. You have not eaten and I will not have you swooning dead away again and leaving me to deal with the Laird.” Phoebe’s voice was strong.

  “I shall return in just a few moments. You need a hot cup of tea.

  “Remain here. Will you be all right?”

  “I will be all right. But please do not tarry, for I do not wish to face the Laird alone.” She admitted, fear striking her eyes.

  “Nay, you will not. I assure you.” Phoebe hurried off.

  As soon as Phoebe was out of sight, Annabel heard a man calling her name. It was Doctor Kane.

  She rose, balanced herself, then saw the light slice through the darkened chapel as the door opened. “Are you in here, Annabel?”

  “I am here. Is she all right, Dr. Kane?”

  Her voice and then her face came into view.

  “What has happened to you?” He was mortified.

  “I know I must look a sight…” he hands fluttered about. “Please tell me now if Eleanor is all right.”

  “Eleanor is fine. The operation was successful and we are all quite pleased. The new procedure is quite the thing.” His voice raised in excitement as he balanced her with hands at her shoulders.

  “When can I see her, then?”

  “Come, I’ll take you to her.”

  “But…what if…”

  “What?” he look down at her kindly.

  “What if the Laird is there, too? What if he won’t let me see her?” Her voice raised.

  “The Laird?”

  “Did you not witness the Laird Carmichael interrupting the operation.”

  “I did not. What is this about, Annabel?”

  “Oh, it is awful, Dr. Kane. But I will explain later, if you will allow me…I must see Eleanor.”

  As they rounded the corner, Laird Carmichael’s large frame nearly knocked her over as they crashed into one another.

  Doctor Kane looked fair affronted when the man did not excuse himself.

  “Please do not say anything to him….he is Eleanor’s father.” She whispered.

  “Eleanor’s father?” He stated flatly.

  She nodded, but could not speak. The Laird walked in before them and Dr. Kane started to follow.

  “Wait. We must wait.” She pulled his arm.

  “But I thought you wanted to see Eleanor…”

  “I do…oh I do, but we must wait for him.”

  “I will escort you, do not be afraid.” He took her arm, but she resisted.

  “Please, wait, Dr. Kane. It is best.” She said with finality and straightened.

  Inside Laird Carmichael, his voice quiet, yet imposing, asked questions, one of which was when Eleanor would be coming home. “I will hire an attendant to see to her.” He stated firmly.

  Dr. Hey stared at the man.

  “You mean to take the child away from her mother?”

  “She is not the child’s mother.” He shot back. “And you know nothing of the circumstances.”

  “Maybe not, but I can tell you this, the child needs her mother in order to recover properly. You do the child a disservice if you act otherwise.” The doctor turned on his heel and walked out of the room to find Annabel.

  “What is all of this about?” He said gruffly as he met her outside the door. “I feel like King Solomon, having to decide what is best for a child that’s in danger of becoming torn in half.” />
  His rebuke made her wince.

  “Dr. Hey, Dr. Kane, I will tell all. I am tired of the deceit and fear. My sister Helen and Laird Carmichael were once wed. She came here to London to have the child and made me promise to keep the child a secret from her father.”

  “What kind of nonsense is that?” Dr. Hey shot out. Dr. Kane waited.

  “I’m afraid my sister was…was…estranged from the Laird and she resided in London with me when the child was born.”

  “Then…” It was at that moment that she heard Eleanor’s cry.

  “Oh I must go to her…she calls me.” Annabel lurched forward and opened the door, seeking her child.

  “She must act on her own. I will explain all.” Dr. Hey told Dr. Kane what had transpired.

  “I am here, darling. Mummy’s here.” She murmured and ignoring the Laird, stepped closer to the bed. “There now, all is well. You have been a good girl.” She took her tiny hand and rubbed it in her own. For several minutes she cooed and whispered and smoothed the baby’s hair.

  Eleanor was given more laudanum to make her sleep.

  Annabel turned to leave.

  “I would have the certificate of her birth.” He called out.

  She stopped, but did not turn.

  “I shall see to it.” she murmured and left the room.

  The Laird saw her devotion to the child and it tore at his heart, but only for a moment until he remembered she had taken his child away from him. Her long dark hair swung heavily down her back making her look smaller than before. She seemed no more than a child.

  Dr. Kane waited for her in the hallway. “Dr. Hey has explained some of the circumstances regarding Eleanor’s birth. I hope you don’t mind, Annabel.”

  “No.” she murmured and saw Phoebe coming.

  “’Tis the luncheon hour and I have taken overlong at the hotel; it was so busy…what has happened, Annabel?” Her eyes detected Annabel’s distress immediately.

  “I have seen Eleanor.” She said quietly.

  “Did she fare well?”

  “She did well, very well.” Dr. Kane answered for her. “She should be up and trying her new foot within weeks.” He said proudly. “She’ll have a slight limp…but a second surgery might help that.”

  “So that’s the way of it. Then I say, thank you to the Lord on High.” Phoebe praised.