by Kay Moser
“Dinner is planned for seven, Mother.”
“But it will be served at eight.” Mr. Hayden overrode her.
Miss Victoria glared at him. “Pick your battles, Victoria,” he suggested calmly. “Now, Mother Atkins, I am going to escort you to your room.”
Sarah rose as Mrs. Atkins passed. “If I can be of any help ...”
Mrs. Atkins paused and looked Sarah up and down. “You know, I believe you are the sanest female in this house. Come along, you may help me undress.”
Miss Victoria rose. “Stay here, Amelia. I must tell Frances about the change in the dinner hour, and then I want to talk with you.”
***
By the time Mrs. Atkins came down to catch her train the next morning, Sarah was exhausted and quite certain she had run up and down the stairs a hundred times. Amelia was crying in her room, and Miss Victoria stood in the main hall, rigid with unexpressed anger.
“Do promise me, Hayden, that you won’t let Amelia return to Galveston until I give my permission,” Mrs. Atkins insisted. “I can’t trust Victoria’s judgment on matters of such grave significance, but I’m certain you understand the paramount importance of family honor.”
“Amelia will stay here until things are worked out,” Mr. Hayden agreed as he draped her cloak around her shoulders. “Now let Sarah help you bundle up. It’s frigid outside.”
Imperious as always, Mrs. Atkins stood still while Sarah buttoned her cloak and draped a knitted scarf around her neck. When she had finished, Mrs. Atkins turned to her daughter. “You may kiss me good-bye, Victoria.”
Miss Victoria made no forward movement until Mr. Hayden urged, “Quickly, Victoria, or she’ll miss her train.”
***
As soon as Mrs. Atkins left, Amelia ambushed Sarah in the library. “You’ve just got to help me, Sarah! I’ll just die if I don’t get back to Galveston.”
“I don’t think—”
“Oh, you don’t understand. No one understands me. I’m in love! I don’t care what society thinks. Carl loves me, and I love him, and I’m going to marry him.” Amelia flounced across the room and threw herself onto the loveseat. “Oh, I’m absolutely miserable!”
“You need to talk to Miss Victoria, not to me, Amelia.”
“Talk to Victoria? You must be kidding! She’ll never understand; she’s too old. What does she know about love?” Amelia jumped up, stomped past Sarah, and whirled around. “You have to help me, Sarah! I have to get back to Galveston and prove that that wicked girl tricked Carl into marriage.”
“Marriage? He’s married?”
“Not really.” Amelia waved her hand in the air, dismissing the thought. “I told you, she tricked him into it.”
“How?”
“By getting herself with child! Isn’t that just the most underhanded thing you ever heard of?”
“Amelia, that’s not the way it works—”
“Yes, it is!” Amelia stomped her foot. “She’s a low-class Irish immigrant, a mere servant. Girls like that will do anything to get a husband, especially a rich one. She doesn’t even love him, but I do!”
“How could you love a man like that?”
“What a stupid question, Sarah! He’s handsome and fun, and he thinks I’m beautiful. And I get all shivery inside when he touches me. Except sometimes I get all hot and my heart pounds a mile a minute.”
“I don’t think that’s love, Amelia.”
“Of course it is!”
“No, it’s not,” Miss Victoria decreed as she entered the library. “It’s passion, just a physical response, and you cannot allow yourself to be ruled by such responses, Amelia.”
“He loves me!”
“Apparently, he’s loved others in the same way, and one poor girl is paying quite a price for his so-called love.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” Amelia’s voice turned icy. “She’s just a low-class immigrant. A servant. She doesn’t feel things the way we do.”
Miss Victoria flushed. “I can’t believe you’re saying this. She’s a human being; all human beings feel things deeply. And you can be sure that she felt quite desperate when she found herself with child.”
“Well, she didn’t need to, did she? She had that mob of Irish trash to threaten poor Carl and force him to marry her.”
“Apparently, they didn’t have to force him into her bed.”
“Victoria! That’s disgusting. Proper ladies don’t talk about such things.”
“Oh no, Amelia. You can’t hide behind propriety on this one. If you do, you’re going to get hurt and hurt others. This Carl of yours willingly went to bed with that girl, probably even seduced her, and now she’s going to have his child. He took advantage of the girl, Amelia. Do you really want a man like that?”
“Yes, I do!” Tears streaming down her face, Amelia ran out of the room.
“I don’t understand her,” Sarah said. “I just don’t.”
Miss Victoria studied the bookshelves, walked over, and pulled out a volume. “Here, read this, Sarah. Then maybe you will.”
Sarah glanced down at the volume. “Sense and Sensibility,” she murmured.
“A classic depiction of two types of women, one driven by her reason and the other by her emotions.”
“Perhaps we should have Amelia read it.”
Miss Victoria laughed. “What do you think our chances are of that?”
Sarah shook her head.
“Right.” Miss Victoria sighed. “As for me, I think I’d like to go home to the farm with you tomorrow. It’s going to be a difficult weekend around here.”
Sarah grinned. “Are you going to help me scrub Kazi’s diapers and Pa’s overalls?”
Miss Victoria scrunched up her nose. “Maybe I’ll stay here after all.”
***
When Sarah returned to Hodges House on Monday morning, she found a transformed Amelia chatting gaily at the breakfast table. “I just love St. Paul’s. It’s such a beautiful church, and the people are so nice. Why, I felt right at home as soon as I arrived.”
“As soon as you saw Walter Logan, you mean,” Mr. Hayden teased.
“Well.” Amelia giggled. “He really is the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. Just ask Sarah. She knows him. Isn’t he just the handsomest man you’ve ever seen, Sarah?”
“He is handsome, and he knows it.”
“Don’t be silly.” Amelia turned to Miss Victoria. “Sarah just doesn’t like him because he pays her no attention.”
“He certainly paid plenty to you yesterday, didn’t he?” Mr. Hayden asked as he rose from the table. “I must be going, Victoria. Walk me out?”
“Of course. Sarah, have some breakfast. I need to consult with you when you’re finished.”
The minute the two were out the door, Amelia grabbed Sarah and pulled her down into the chair next to her. “Don’t you dare say a word about our day at the college last fall. I don’t want them to be reminded. It’s absolutely imperative that they have the highest opinion of Walter. I’m going to marry him.”
“What?”
“I’m going to marry him.”
“What about Carl?”
Amelia shrugged her shoulders and leisurely poured herself another cup of tea. “I thought I was in love with him, but the minute I saw Walter again, I just knew in my heart that he’s the only man for me.”
Sarah shook her head in disbelief. “Amelia, I’ve been reading this book by Jane Austen—”
“Oh pooh, Sarah! I don’t care about your books. Walter is going to be an important banker.”
“I remember. I also remember—”
Amelia held up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it.” She jumped up from the table. “I’m going to marry Walter, and that’s all there is to it.” She hurried toward the door.
“What about your tea?”
“You drink it.”
Sarah buried her head in her hands and sighed.
“Welcome back to the House of Irrationality,” Miss Victoria said as she rej
oined her. “Did I give you the right book or not?”
“You did. Just call me ‘Eleanor.’ I hope Walter isn’t a Willoughby because I don’t see a Colonel Brandon waiting around.”
“Oh, there’s a Colonel Brandon here, but his name is Lee, and he has another lady in mind.” Sarah flushed, and Miss Victoria grinned. “We won’t talk about that. You’re too sensible to give up your dreams at your age. Plenty of time for marriage later, if you want it.”
“I don’t think I will, but if I do, I certainly won’t choose a man like Walter Logan.”
“Just live in the present, Sarah, and leave the future in God’s hands. And speaking of the future, I believe you are supposed to assist General Gibbes this morning.”
“Yes. He’s expecting me at nine o’clock today and every morning this week. Since he’ll be in Galveston next week, we have a lot to get done. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course, and the truth is, now that Amelia is here, I’ll need you here in the house next week. As you know, Hayden and I are planning to go to Galveston with Christine and the General to hear Antonio play. I’m counting on you to monitor Amelia.”
“I’ll do my best, but she is really headstrong.”
“I know. She gets that from our mother.” Miss Victoria laughed. “The same place I get it, but I’ll talk to her and do my best to convince her that proper behavior is to her advantage if she really wants to marry Walter someday.”
“Does she really want to marry Walter?”
“This week she does.”
CHAPTER 23
“But I don’t need a chaperone!” Amelia wailed. “I’m eighteen years old.”
“That’s exactly why you do need one,” Victoria countered.
“You sound just like Mother!”
“That will do,” Hayden said. “Facts are facts, Amelia. You have reached the marriageable age, and your reputation must be protected. You do want to marry, I believe?”
“Of course I do! And the sooner, the better, so I can get out from under the tyranny of Mother—and Victoria!” Amelia flung herself into the nearest chair.
Victoria gritted her teeth and lowered herself onto the settee. “I did not ask for this job, Amelia. I do not relish playing policeman.”
“Then don’t! I’m eighteen, and I can take care of myself.”
Hayden laughed. “Your recent behavior in Galveston proves just the opposite.”
Amelia dismissed his comment with a sneer. “No one here knows anything about that.”
Hayden’s face darkened. “That’s fortunate for you, young lady, but you need to remember that you are here as a guest. I won’t tolerate such shenanigans in my house.”
Amelia rolled her eyes. “Really, Hayden, Riverford is not exactly the center of the social universe.”
“It’s the center of the Hodges family, Amelia, and you are not going to bring shame on this house.”
Amelia laughed. “Surely the Hodges family reputation is not that fragile.”
“That’s enough, Amelia!” Victoria intervened. “Go about your business. Hayden and I will make appropriate plans.”
Amelia jumped up. “Do let me know, dear sister, when you’ve decided my fate,” she called over her shoulder as she stormed out.
“She seems absolutely bent on self-destruction.” Victoria shook her head in disgust. “Obviously, we can’t leave her here alone, Hayden. I’ll just have to telegraph Antonio and tell him we can’t—”
“That is the one thing we are not going to do. You are not going to miss that concert. There’s little enough good music in Texas. You are going to be in that audience.”
Victoria’s eyes misted as she smiled up at him.
“I mean it, Victoria. I dragged you away from your happy, art-filled life in England and brought you to this cultural outback, and I’m not going to allow you to miss the best concert of the year.”
“Then what are we going to do with Amelia? Take her with us?”
“You wouldn’t enjoy the week at all.”
“I can’t think of any place she can stay. The Boyds and General Gibbes are traveling with us.”
“Sarah can stay with her.”
“Hayden, I have every confidence in Sarah. You know I do. But she’s younger than Amelia, and Amelia will never listen to her.”
“I’ll stay here until Saturday noon, then join you in Galveston in time for dinner. Sarah will be here, and we’ll return late Sunday afternoon. Surely we can trust Amelia for a few hours if Sarah watches her like a hawk.”
“I suppose—”
He pulled Victoria to her feet and kissed her. “Somehow, pretty lady, we’ll work this out. You are going to spend the week in Galveston with Christine. I’m determined.”
***
“Has Hayden gone?” Amelia asked Saturday afternoon as she paused halfway down the stairs with her parasol and gloves in hand.
“About ten minutes ago,” Sarah answered. “Are you going somewhere?”
“Just downtown to do some shopping.”
“Okay. Well, I’ll get my hat.” Sarah headed to the staircase.
“Oh, you don’t need to go, Sarah. I know you want to study.”
“I can study later. I won’t be a minute.” She paused halfway up. “Don’t leave without me, Amelia.”
Amelia sighed dramatically. “Not you, too.”
“They’re just trying to help you get what you say you want: to be well married.”
“Get your hat, Sarah!” Amelia frowned as she turned toward the hall mirror and began primping. “I’m not waiting long.”
And she didn’t. When Sarah rushed back downstairs and flung open the door, Amelia was at the front gate. Sarah finally caught up with her in the next block. “What’s the hurry?”
“I just can’t stand to spend another minute in that prison.”
“No one is imprisoning you, Amelia. They just want to—”
Amelia popped her parasol open. “I don’t want to hear it, Sarah. I have my own plans for my life.”
“Walter?”
“Yes. Walter. I plan to become Mrs. Walter Logan this summer.”
“This summer? Why so soon? There are so many wonderful adventures ahead of you, Amelia. You could travel and go to grand cotillions and—”
“All with Mother tagging along and ordering my every breath. Well, I don’t plan to live like that.”
“I admit your mother is difficult, but jumping into marriage just means you’ll be substituting a husband for your mother. He’ll be telling you what to do. And Walter, of all men ... He’s weak. He has no substance.”
“Exactly.” Amelia tossed her head. “I can control Walter. Besides, I love him.”
“You loved Carl.”
“He’s not available, and Walter is the next best thing. I have to be practical, Sarah. You should see the stuffed shirts Mother has lined up for me. I simply couldn’t bear it! Look, Sarah, my mind is made up. I’m going to be Mrs. Walter Logan and get Mother off my back, and that’s all there is to it.”
“Well, just don’t do anything stupid. It’s not fair to Miss Victoria.”
“She can take care of herself.”
“But she’s your sister, and she’s taken you in to help you out of a difficult situation.”
Amelia grinned at her. “And she’s doing a grand job of it too. Mother hasn’t darkened the door. Oh good, there’s Walter waiting with his buggy.”
“What?”
“I’m going on a ride out in the country with Walter.” Amelia waved eagerly at Walter.
“No, you’re not. We can’t go out in the country with a man. What are you thinking?”
“That it will be great fun and the beginning of my campaign to be Mrs. Walter Logan.” Amelia dashed across the street and extended her hand for Walter to kiss.
Sarah exploded. “Amelia! You can’t do this to Miss Victoria,” she called as she raced after her.
“Well, look who’s here!” Walter greeted her. “It’s the honey
girl. Going with us too?”
“She is not,” Amelia answered as she turned toward the buggy. “It will be way too crowded. Help me up, Walter.”
“Amelia, no! You can’t do this.” Sarah grabbed Walter’s arm. “Walter, surely you can see that—”
Walter cut her off with a laugh. “I’ll have her home for tea,” he insisted as he shook her off, lifted Amelia into the buggy, and joined her.
“Don’t study too hard!” Amelia called back as Walter applied the whip to the horse and they bolted away.
Stunned, Sarah stood in the middle of the street and stared after them. She could have anything ... anyone. Her temper flared hotter. I’ll never understand her! She turned and stalked away from town toward Hodges House. It’s no use chasing after Amelia; she obviously won’t listen. The important thing is to protect Miss Victoria, but how? I could telegraph her. No, I’ll only ruin her evening. And what can she do from Galveston?
Sarah reached Hodges House, strode resolutely into the library, and threw herself into her desk chair. I just have to hope that Amelia’s not totally stupid. She pulled out her books and began to study, but her concentration was assaulted by every tick of the clock and every sound from the street. Twice when she heard carriage wheels she ran to the window, only to be disappointed. No Amelia! By four o’clock Sarah began pacing from the verandah to the front gate and back as she watched the blossoming of dark gray storm clouds above her. The first crack of thunder and aggressive gust of wind sent her running to the verandah where Frances met her.
“Something’s happened, Frances. Even Amelia wouldn’t stay out with this kind of weather developing. They should have been back by now. I’ve got to go look for them.”
“That ain’t a good idea, Miz Sarah. You can’t be going off by yourself in this weather.”
“It will be dark in an hour or so. I’ve got to go. Tell Samuel to hitch up the buggy.”
Frances opened her mouth to protest but turned back into the house instead. When she returned five minutes later, the thunder had stopped, but the rain was falling in sheets. “That River Road gonna be a mudhole, Miz Sarah. You ain’t ever gonna get no buggy all the way out to the Overlook.”