When Fate Steps In

by Shirley A. Roe

  Mary Margaret kept Emily with her all of the time. Susan, the nanny, accompanied them, but Emily was never out of her mother’s sight. Mary Margaret had nightmares every night. She dreamt of Charles’ murder, James being lost or her sister locked away in prison. She slept very little. She wanted to visit Elana, except she knew that the prison allowed only one visitor and not until the prisoner had served the first six months of the sentence. Daniel must go and see his wife when he could. She would have to wait, nevertheless she missed Elana terribly. Mary Margaret did not believe for a minute that her sister was guilty. There was only one thing that tormented her. The police had stopped investigating Charles murder, believing that the guilty party was behind bars. Mary Margaret wanted to know who really killed her husband. She fought the depression every day.

  She had lost weight and her hair was showing streaks of gray. At twenty-eight years old, she felt fifty. It was only the support of her family and the belief that her son would be found that kept her going.

  The money for the warehouse rents was secured in her bank account and Mary Margaret began to feel more confident. Jesse congratulated her on the way she handled Mr. Taylor. “You are becoming a force to be reckoned with, my dear. Is there no news of James?”

  “No, and I don’t know how much longer I can stand it because I miss my son. I want him back, except no one knows where he is. Now Evelyn has gone missing as well. There seems to be no hope.” She started to cry and Jesse pulled her into her arms to comfort her.

  Trying to distract her, she asked, “What did the solicitors say about the estate, dearest?”

  Mary Margaret wiped her eyes and gave her friend a disappointing look. “Apparently, as a woman, I have no rights to the estate. James is the heir apparent and everything belongs to him. As his mother and legal guardian, I can still run the estate until he is of age, but once he turns sixteen it is his and his alone. I will make sure he has something to come home to.” She attempted to dry the tears that continued to flow. “That was what upset Evelyn when poor Robert died. Everything went immediately to Charles. I didn’t want him to move her into the west wing, but it is how things are done. That is when she started to plot against us.”

  “There there, my dear. It will all work out. You will do a magnificent job of running the estate until James can claim his own. You will find him, Mary Margaret.” She patted her hand. “Sometimes the ways of the aristocracy are antiquated and cruel, but that is the way it is.”

  The summer of 1855 was hot and dry. The crops did not do well and income from the farm was down. Mary Margaret had to budget very tightly. “We will have to cut back on the food orders, Maude. Anything you can suggest to save money in the kitchen would be appreciated. I don’t want to let any of the staff go, but I might have to, if it doesn’t rain soon.”

  Maude felt sorry for Mary Margaret. The woman was torn apart trying to find her son, her sister was in prison and she was trying to run the estate and now even the weather would not cooperate. “Spend not where you may save; spare not where you must spend.” I always say. I will cut out what I can, don’t you worry, Love.” Maude patted her shoulder affectionately.

  Mary Margaret smiled at Maude. She was very relaxed with her staff and Maude’s reference to her as ‘Love’ made her feel better. She could not help, but think, Evelyn would have taken the woman’s head off for not calling her ‘your ladyship.’

  “How is your mother feeling, Mary Margaret?”

  “She is lying down. Dr. Phillips is coming again today. I don’t understand how a stomach ailment can hang on so long and now, I am starting to worry about her.” Mary Margaret collapsed into one of the kitchen chairs and put her head in her hands. “Oh Maude, I can’t take anymore. I just can’t take anymore.”

  “Don’t you worry about Doris. She is a strong woman, but she is seventy-one years old. She just needs to rest more. My old bones are feeling tired these days.” She put her arm around Mary Margaret, “Don’t cry child, it will get better.”

  Dr. Phillips came to see Doris. He left more medicine, but he knew it was not good. Whatever was upsetting her stomach was not going away. She was experiencing diarrhea, some vomiting and she slept a great deal. He didn’t want to add to Mary Margaret’s burdens, but he had to tell her. He met Daniel in the foyer.

  “Daniel, how is Elana getting on?” Daniel told the doctor of his visits and the horrors of the jail.

  “This heat is making it even worse at the prison. Elana said they were dripping with perspiration in the workroom. The dust stuck to their skin and the cell was like an oven at night. I just wish I could get her out of there.” The doctor patted his shoulder sympathetically.

  “Can you come into the parlor, please?” Daniel looked at the doctor, noticing that he looked very serious. Daniel had a worried expression on his face when he followed Dr. Phillips into the parlor.

  “Mary Margaret?” She was playing with Emily and Susan on the floor. The youngster giggled loudly and everyone could not help but smile. Little Emily was the only joy in this house. She looked at his expression and then her eyes moved to Daniel. He shrugged, intimating that he didn’t know what the doctor was about to say. She sat in the chair and asked Susan to take Emily upstairs for her nap.

  “Don’t leave her alone.” The nanny nodded. Susan understood the situation. She would keep a very close eye on her charge. “Dr. Phillips, please sit down.” Mary Margaret stood up and went to the bell chain beside the mantle. Minutes after she pulled the chain, Thomas appeared at the door.

  “Tea please, Thomas.” The butler nodded and disappeared. Mary Margaret had been foregoing her afternoon tea to save money. Only when guests were present did she enjoy a cup.

  “Mary Margaret, I am afraid your mother is very ill.” The doctor looked from Mary Margaret to Daniel. Realizing this was serious, Daniel stood up from his chair and took a seat beside his sister-in-law. He took her hand. The doctor continued. “Whatever is wrong with her stomach is not getting better. In fact, it is getting worse. I don’t think she is going to be with you much longer.” Mary Margaret gasped and Daniel squeezed her hand tightly. Tears appeared in his eyes. He loved Doris very much.

  “But she seemed fine last week. She was playing the laughing game with Emily and she seemed fine.” Mary Margaret was in denial. She could not accept another death, not now, not ever. She didn’t cry. Thomas came with the tea. She poured for all of them. Picking the cup from the saucer, she let the aroma of the fine tea fill her nostrils. Both the doctor and Daniel were watching her. They followed suit and waited. Once her teacup was empty, she stood up. “Thank you, Dr. Phillips. If you will come once a week to see Mother, we would appreciate it. I am sure you will have her up and about in no time. Good afternoon, I must go and see Emily now.” Mary Margaret walked out of the room and up the stairs in a trancelike state.

  “Dear God, this family can’t take any more pain, Doctor. Are you sure Doris is dying?” Daniel was very upset. The doctor was concerned about Mary Margaret’s reaction.

  “Yes, Daniel. I am very sure. I want you to take these tablets for Mary Margaret. She must get some sleep. I fear she is both mentally and physically exhausted and I don’t want another patient to take care of in this house.” He opened his medical bag and removed two bottles of pills. The first he gave to Daniel for Mary Margaret. “I will come and see Doris. I gave her a shot of something to help the pain. Ask Maude to give Doris two of these tablets every day.” Thinking he should speak to Maude, the doctor slipped the second bottle of pills into his pocket. “Never mind, Daniel. I am going to see Maude. Why don’t you go and sit with Doris for a while?”

  Maude was devastated. She told the doctor that she would take very good care of her friend. When he left, the big burly woman broke down and wept.

  Daniel sat on the chair beside Doris’ bed. She turned and smiled at him. “Give me my shawl, please Daniel. It is all I have of Elana now.”

  “Doctor Phillips is talking to Maude. She is going to giv
e you the tablets that he left. How are you feeling?” He placed the shawl around her shoulders and she pulled it tightly.

  “I feel like I am going to vomit all the time and I can barely eat, Daniel. I don’t think this is a passing illness.” She looked at him sadly, but he could see she was resigned to it. He took her hand.

  “You just try and rest, Doris. I will come back and read you one of my stories, shall I?”

  She nodded. Doris loved Daniel’s stories. He left the room quietly before she saw his tears. Doris prayed that God would take her before she suffered too much. The pain was becoming unbearable. The doctor had given her some morphine and it helped, but she knew her days were numbered. Her biggest regret was that she was leaving her daughters at such a terrible time in both of their lives, a time when they needed her. The morphine made her sleepy and she soon fell fast asleep.

  Mary Margaret lay in her bed. Her arm stretched out as if searching for her husband. The bed was empty and lonely. She stared at the ceiling. God, you have deserted me. First you took Charles away from me. You have allowed Evelyn to take my James and you won’t help me find him. Elana is in prison for life and you give us no news of the real killer. Now, my darling mother is dying, have you no mercy? Her faith was slowly slipping away. She felt lost and alone. She cried until she had no tears left.

  Money remained tight. Doctor Phillips told Mary Margaret that she could pay him at a later date when things improved. She refused, insisting on paying him every month on time. She surprised him with one of Maude’s quotes, “Never a lender or a borrower be.” She was a remarkable woman and Dr. Phillips was impressed, but he was worried about her. She seemed to be functioning mechanically with all of her emotions locked up tightly, unseen and unacknowledged.

  Doris remained in her room most of the time. Once in a while, Mary Margaret would take her downstairs to listen to Emily play the piano. Doris loved her time with Emily. On her mother’s bad days, Maude took care of Doris, and Daniel and Max visited her whenever they could.

  “How is Elana, Daniel?” Doris was very worried about her youngest child. She had heard horror stories of the prison and poor Elana’s life.

  “I went to see her on Tuesday. She sends her love, Doris.”

  “I am so glad that I got to spend that time with her when she was first arrested. I washed her face and held her. It was the last gift I could give my daughter. I wish I could hold her just one more time.” Tears rolled down her wrinkled cheeks. She tried her best to be strong and not cry, but she just couldn’t hold it back any longer.

  “She holds you in her heart, Doris. Elana loves you very much and so do I.” She smiled up at him. He was a gentle, loving young man and she was grateful to have him in her life. He stayed with her until she fell asleep. Daniel had asked the prison if Doris could come to see Elana and be allowed to hold her daughter in her arms, but his request was denied. He sent a silent prayer skyward before leaving the room.

  Daniel was worried about Mary Margaret. He too had noticed that she moved through the day in a trancelike daze. He was glad when she finally agreed to take the sleeping pills. At least she could sleep even if it was drug induced. He knew money was a problem. He and Max did what they could to save on the everyday items, but Daniel was getting frustrated. When would they get a break? How much more can we endure?

  In the days that followed, even chatty Jill made a budget suggestion. “We can polish the furniture once a week instead of twice and that will save on wax. Also the bed linen can be done once every two weeks instead of once a week. I know you like a clean house, my lady, but surely that will not make much difference in the long run.” Mary Margaret appreciated every little suggestion.

  Max and Daniel cut costs in the stables and barn as much as they could.

  Mary Margaret was grateful for her staff and their cooperation. Everyone seemed to pull together. In the fall, she had to let one of the maids and Bertha, the second cook, go. Money was tight. After wrestling it over and over in her mind, she made a difficult decision. She told her solicitors to stop searching for James. It was one of the hardest decisions she ever had to make, but she just could not afford their fees any longer. Mary Margaret was determined to run her son’s estate to the best of her ability so that when he came home, he would be proud of her. She refused to believe he was not coming home. Determination was the only emotion she would allow herself. She would not fail.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Doris passed away in her sleep in the spring of 1856. She was seventy-two years old. Elana had been in prison for two years. Mary Margaret took her seat in the prison waiting room. How could she tell Elana that their mother was dead? She twisted her hands together while she waited. Finally Elana was led into the room and took the chair opposite Mary Margaret.

  “Mary Margaret, why do you look so sad?” Elana watched a tear roll down her sister’s cheek.

  “Elana, oh my dearest, how can I tell you? Our mother has passed away.” She wanted to reach out and hold her sister, to erase the sadness that she saw in her face.

  “Dead? Oh dear God Mary Margaret, what is happening to our lives. I am locked in this horrible place and now Mother has died without me beside her. I wanted to say goodbye.” She started to weep and it broke her sister’s heart.

  “We buried her in the shawl that you gave her for her birthday It always made her feel close to you. I am so sorry, Elana, but she was ill for some time.” Elana looked up at her sister, her eyes filled with tears.

  “You buried her in the shawl?”

  “Yes, it was all I could think of to keep you close to her. She loved us very much and we will miss her, but she died peacefully. Please don’t cry, Elana.” But she was devastated to hear of their mother’s passing and the tears would not stop. Seeing Elana broke through the wall that Mary Margaret had built around her heart. She trembled with grief. The sisters cried together, but they could not hold each other. It was torture for both of them.

  Mary Margaret went home and sobbed until not a tear remained. Her heart was broken in a million different pieces. The release seemed to spur her on.

  Daniel was grieving for Doris. He sat in his cottage and sketched a beautiful portrait of Doris sitting by the hearth. He made another of her standing beside the doorway of the cottage. He gave the drawing to Mary Margaret several days later. She held it up to the light. “Daniel, you have captured her just the way I remember her. Beside the door, waiting for us to come home.” She kissed his cheek and pressed the drawing to her heart. “This is one of the most beautiful gifts I have every received.” She had it framed and hung in her bedroom. Now Doris would always be with her.

  On visiting day, he gave Elana the drawing of her mother by the hearth. The guard allowed him to hand it to her personally. She was overcome with love for her husband. It was a magnificent kindness and the picture was one of her prized possessions.

  There had been no news of James. On his birthday, Mary Margaret had Maude make a cake and she, Daniel, Max and six-year-old Emily had a birthday dinner together. It was an evening mixed with sadness, regret and celebration. Max and Daniel enjoyed the delicious meal. Afterwards they sat in the parlor listening as Emily played the birthday song on the piano. Mary Margaret sang to her son. He would be nine-years-old now.

  Daniel continued to write stories for Elana. Day after day when he wasn’t working, he would sit on the cliffs staring out to sea. In his mind, he could imagine sailing to strange islands inhabited by primitive people. He imagined standing on the deck and watching the porpoises leap in and out of the water. His stories related more and more to the sea. He would mail them to her and they discussed them when he visited. Elana noticed that the sea had become almost an obsession in the last few stories. She commented on it when he went for his monthly visit.

  “All of the stories are about ships and great adventures to foreign lands, Daniel.”

  “Yes, Love, it seems to be all I can write about lately. I hope you enjoy them.”

  �
�Oh yes, but Daniel, I have to ask. Are you still dreaming of going to sea someday?”

  “No, those dreams are dead.” He looked sad and her heart ached for him. “I just write about the sea now.” As an afterthought he added enthusiastically, “But there was a new ship in Liverpool. I went to collect rent on one of the estate’s warehouses and I took time to go and see it. It was a beautiful ship, Elana.” He told her of how he met the captain, who kindly took him aboard for a tour. She watched his face light up when he spoke of the ship and the captain. It gave her something to think about until his next visit.

  Elana lay in her cell thinking about the look on Daniel’s face when he spoke about the sea. She remembered how he looked when he said his dream of going to sea was over. She was in this prison for the rest of her life. Nothing would ever change that. Why should Daniel suffer as well? His visits were the highlight of her month. She counted the days until the next visit, but was she being fair to him? He was a young man and he was free. She loved him more than life itself and she would do anything for Daniel. She looked up at her mother’s portrait. “I have to give him his freedom, Mother. It is all I have to give.” A single tear rolled down her face.

  The following month, Mary Margaret came to see her. Elana was happy to see her sister, but she had something to tell Daniel so was disappointed. Mary Margaret told her about the manor, Emily and Max. It was a nice visit. It was two months before she saw Daniel again.

  Daniel chatted with the guard as he waited for Elana. The guard liked this young man. They had become acquainted over the months that he had been coming to the prison. The guard admired Daniel’s drawings and thought him to be very talented.