Grandmother's Namesake

by Cathy Bryant

  After straightening herself in her seat, Susanna stared forward in an attempt to regain control. A moment later, she observed, out of the corner of her eye, the gentleman with the staff as he strutted by. Once he was halfway to the front, he turned and moved in her direction once again. This time, though she kept her eyes averted, she could sense his glare as he approached. Finally, he passed by, at which point, she heaved a sigh of relief, and remained attentive for the rest of the service.

  The moment the service was over, William was immediately at Susanna’s side—ready to escort her out of the meetinghouse. “Susanna, are you all right? Your face appears quite pale.”

  Chuckling, Maddie informed, “Oh, she is well. I believe she is just a bit embarrassed.”

  Glancing down at Susanna once again, William inquired, “What has happened to cause you embarrassment, and why is Maddie amused by your discomfort?”

  Glaring at Maddie, Susanna responded. “Oh . . . it is of no importance. I am quite all right.”

  Maddie continued to chuckle as William guided the ladies out of the meetinghouse. Unexpectedly, a handsome young man approached just as they were about to climb up onto the wagon. “Good day to you, ladies, and . . . Mr. . . . ah—what is it you are going by these days? Gage, is it not?”

  William swung his head around at the familiar voice. It was Jacob Ormsby—a man with whom he had been acquainted in Salem. A man acquainted with my parents. “Good day, Mr. Ormsby. Well, we best be off as the afternoon service shall be upon us before we know it.”

  Susanna glanced over at Maddie—surprised by William’s abrupt manner with the man. “It was nice to meet you, Mr. . . . ah—”

  “It is Jacob Ormsby. Very nice to meet you too. You are the lovely Miss Jameson, are you not?”

  “Yes, that is my name. Well . . . it seems we are leaving.” William is acting so strangely.

  After taking Susanna by the arm, William assisted her onto the wagon. Next, he helped Maddie up. He then settled in as quickly as possible. However, just before he could prod the horses into motion, Jacob Ormsby inquired, “And how are your parents—Mary and John Pressey, is it not?”

  William hung his head in shame, as Maddie gasped at what the man had disclosed.

  As she listened, Susanna began to recall hearing the names Mr. Ormsby had spoken somewhere before. Strange . . . William never mentioned them by name. What is more, Maddie and William are behaving curiously.

  Jacob Ormsby smirked as William responded, “They have removed to Virginia, Mr. Ormsby. As you may know, I have had very little contact with them. I don’t want to be rude, but we really must be going.”

  “Very well. I shall see you all at the later service!” he responded forcefully.

  All at once, Susanna remembered where she had heard the names of William’s parents before. “William, your parents—are they . . . no, they couldn’t be!”

  As he came to the realization that Susanna had put it all together, heaving a heavy sigh, William responded, “Yes, Susanna, they are. They are two of the wickedest––”

  “Oh, William, why did you not tell me?”

  Distressed by what was happening, Maddie responded. “Susanna, I am to blame. I advised William not to tell you until you were strong enough to hear it.”

  As he endeavored to control his emotions, William hastened the horses on. “Susanna . . . I regret not telling you. I have been beseeching the Lord about the proper time to––”

  Interrupting, Susanna snapped, “To what! Be honest with me! Is Gage even your real name? You must have had a grand time fooling us . . . me!” As if in a state of shock, Susanna silently turned her attention to the field that stretched alongside the road. Her gaze remained fixed in that direction until they arrived back at Maddie’s farm.

  Tears stained the faces of all three as they pulled up in front of the house. After the wagon had come to a stop, William hastened down to assist the ladies, but before he reached Susanna, she had already jumped down and was now scurrying toward the house. Brokenhearted by what had happened, William took Maddie’s hand and helped her down.

  “Give her time, William. We must leave her to herself for now. She needs time to come to terms with the news, and then I believe she shall understand our reasons for waiting to tell her.”

  “Oh, Maddie. It is as I had feared. She hates me now.”

  “I do not believe that. Not even for a minute. She is in shock over the news—that is all. That Mr. Ormsby fellow—I believe he smirked when he spoke the names of your parents. Could it be that he intended to hurt you?”

  “He is just such a man who would enjoy tormenting me. I always steered clear of him when I lived in Salem. He caused problems for certain folks in the town on more than one occasion. In fact, I believe I had heard something about some trouble in which he found himself. Undoubtedly, that was when he left Salem. Maddie, Susanna is a beautiful woman. Jacob Ormsby is not blind. With me out of the way, I am sure he believes it shall be easier for him to win her. This is nothing new for him, for his problems in Salem had to do with women.”

  As William spoke, Maddie recalled another man by the name of Ormsby. “Ages ago there was another fellow by the same name—Ormsby. He lived in Salisbury at the time I was living there. Much the same as this Jacob fellow, he caused a lot of trouble for that town as well. In fact, he attempted to separate Christopher from me in order to have me for himself. After his unsuccessful attempts with me, he then went after Elizabeth’s grandmother, Jane. I wonder if this fellow is a relative.”

  William shrugged, “Could be. Maddie, I need to go home and pray about all of this. I shall not be attending the afternoon service.” With too much on his mind to process all that she had said, he prepared to take his leave.

  “Nor shall I. And Susanna is sure to be too upset to go.”

  “Tomorrow, I shall send Charles in my stead. I am sure that Susanna does not wish for me to be near her.”

  “William, do not lose heart. Susanna simply needs time to sort out her feelings. I am sure she shall come to a better understanding once she sits down to hear what we have to say.”

  “I pray you are right, Maddie. I shall return to check on things in a few days.”

  “Very well, William. I shall be in constant prayer.”

  Then, in great distress, William took his leave.

  Chapter 21

  Susanna stayed in her room for the remainder of the day—weeping. It seemed the pain of losing her grandmother had returned with a vengeance. Maddie decided it was best not to disturb her; therefore, she went about her business all the while praying for her young friend.

  Meanwhile, back at the Haverhill meetinghouse, Jacob Ormsby took note of their absence from the afternoon service. It seems that Miss Jameson has not returned. It must be that, as I had suspected, Mr. Pressey had not told her of his parents and their connection to her grandmother’s death—all the better for my chances. I wonder if I should tell her that I saw her on the day of the hangings—best not to, I suppose. How fortunate that I spotted Mr. Pressey. I had not expected to find him in Haverhill and with Miss Jameson no less. It wasn’t too difficult to drive a wedge in there. What could the man have been thinking, keeping such a thing from the young woman? And, yet, what choice did he have? He didn’t stand a chance aside from concealing it from her.

  Once the service had concluded, Mr. Ormsby approached Deacon Smythe to offer to make a visit to Madeline Osgood’s farm to check on the ladies, as they had not returned for the afternoon service. He let the deacon know of his concern given that it was the young lady’s first time there.

  “Whatever I learn regarding their absence, I shall be sure to inform you.”

  “As Mr. Sawyer, the man who usually takes care of these matters, is otherwise occupied at the moment, I shall allow you to go in his stead. If you learn of any difficulty—requiring our immediate attention—come at once to inform me.”

  After learning the location of the Osgood farm, Mr. Ormsby set off for
home. The following day, knowing just where to go, he made haste for Madeline Osgood’s.

  Upon his arrival, Madeline greeted him coldly. “Mr. Ormsby, what are you doing here?”

  Seeing that he was not welcome, Mr. Ormsby decided that if he stood a chance with Susanna, he must earn Mrs. Osgood’s favor. From the time when he first set eyes on the beautiful young woman in Salem, he had been taken with her. In fact, at the time he had even inquired as to her identity. “Mrs. Osgood, it has been put upon me to inquire after the reason for the absence of you and your charge at the afternoon service yesterday.”

  “I wonder that they should have chosen to send you on such an assignment? Does it not usually fall to Deacon Smythe or whoever has taken on the duties of the tithingman?” she answered suspiciously.

  “Indeed. But it seems that I happened along just as the matter was being discussed. The man who usually handles these matters could not come. Furthermore, having been seen in your company after the morning service, it was assumed that, as I am acquainted with you, I should be the one to pay you a visit. Therefore, I readily agreed to call upon you.”

  Maddie reluctantly ushered him into the sitting room wondering all the while if there was any truth to the account he had just given. I am sure that this is simply a ruse to see Susanna, she thought as she observed her unwanted visitor. The elderly woman then hoped that Susanna would remain in her room where she had been much of the day, for she had a bad feeling about the man’s intentions. She had in mind to get this meeting over with without Susanna being present.

  However, Maddie’s wish was not to be, for having heard voices, Susanna soon came to investigate. Having no desire to see William, she remained out of sight for a moment to listen.

  Seeing that Maddie hastened the conversation along, Mr. Ormsby inquired, “Is the young lady at home?” He had no intention of taking his leave before seeing the lovely Miss Jameson.

  “She is, but at the moment she is in her bedchamber resting,” replied Maddie, clearly irritated.

  When Susanna was sure that the man’s voice she had heard was not William’s, she entered the room. “I thought I heard someone. Good day, Mr. Ormsby.”

  Happy that he was not to be put off from seeing Miss Jameson, the man stood and warmly greeted the young woman. Taking her hand in his, he brushed his lips against her fingers. “Good day to you. I have come to see if you are well. You were greatly missed at the afternoon service yesterday.”

  “Yes . . . well, I wasn’t feeling well. As a result I decided to remain at home to rest.”

  “I am sorry to hear that. Will you not come and sit for a moment. I shall not stay too long,” he said, smiling.

  “It was good of you to come. However, there is no need to concern yourself, for, as you see, I am quite well.”

  Maddie sat quietly observing the two in conversation. Her mind racing at the remembrance of another Ormsby and the trouble he had caused for her beloved Christopher. She had to know. “Mr. Ormsby, would you happen to have a relative by the name of Jarret Ormsby?”

  Reluctantly, he answered, “Yes, he was my grandfather, but he passed on some time ago.” The man’s grandfather had been in jail several years back for some trouble he had gotten himself into after removing from Salisbury. Consequently, Mr. Ormsby had no desire to continue with a discussion in which his grandfather was to be the subject.

  It is as I had thought. What is more, it seems the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree. The longer Maddie sat there, the angrier she became. The nerve of the man, coming here to ingratiate himself with Susanna.

  Though her heart was still sick over the situation with William, Susanna was happy for the distraction. What can it hurt to make a new acquaintance? I am sure he intended no harm by what he revealed with regard to William’s parents.

  While visiting, Mr. Ormsby perceived once again that he had much to do to gain Mrs. Osgood’s approval. Otherwise, a return visit would not be welcomed, he thought. Looking then at Susanna, he rose to his feet. “Well, I must be going. I shall come again if that is agreeable.”

  Uncomfortable at the mention of another visit, Susanna avoided answering him directly. “Thank you for coming, Mr. Ormsby.”

  “Please call me Jacob. Mr. Ormsby seems a bit too formal between friends.”

  “Very well, Jacob. Thank you for coming to call. Do tell the others that we shall return on the next Lord’s Day.” The ladies rose then and walked the man to the door.

  “I shall,” he said, as he followed them. Taking Susanna’s hand once more, he kissed it a second time. This time, however, his lips lingered as he gazed into her stunning blue eyes.

  Feeling uncomfortable with his lack of constraint, Susanna swiftly pulled her hand away.

  Maddie hastily opened the door before speaking sternly. “Goodbye, Mr. Ormsby!”

  As he turned to leave, glaring in Maddie’s direction, he spoke forcefully, “I shall come to call again in a few days!”

  Observing the cool exchange between Maddie and Jacob, Susanna wondered at the reason for the unfriendly way in which her elderly friend was behaving. Once he had gone, however, she didn’t say a word to Maddie about the visit, but kept busy with her chores.

  When evening rolled around, Maddie finally spoke. “Susanna, I caution you not to become involved with that man.”

  Looking indignant, Susanna insisted that she had only been courteous, and that Maddie seemed anything but cordial to the man. In case there was any doubt in Maddie’s mind, Susanna went on to say, “Though I am at a loss as to how to go on with William, my heart continues to belong to him. However, for the time being I have no intention of accepting any man’s attentions. Furthermore, Maddie, do you think me so fickle as to shift my affections that easily?”

  “No, of course not. I am simply concerned that the hurt and anger you are feeling toward William may cloud your judgment where Jacob Ormsby is concerned. I fear that history is repeating itself right before my eyes. Jacob Ormsby is the grandson of a terrible scoundrel. Do you remember me telling you about a man in Salisbury who had attempted to ruin Christopher in order to win me?” Susanna nodded. Comprehending that her young friend had not forgotten the account, Maddie continued, “Failing in that, he ruthlessly went after Jane, Elizabeth’s grandmother.”

  “Oh, that is why you inquired after Jacob’s relative. I was too distracted to recall the man’s name. He said that the man was his grandfather, did he not?”

  “Indeed he did, Susanna. Additionally, when he revealed to you who William’s parents are, I observed what appeared to be a smirk on his face. He must have suspected that William had not informed you. And here he is today ingratiating himself with you. Can you not see that he is not a man to be taken lightly?”

  “Perhaps you are right, Maddie. It does seem rather strange that he would take it upon himself to call on behalf of the reverend or the deacon. But how is it that he knows who I am—Susanna Martin’s granddaughter? I had never met the man before seeing him at the meetinghouse.”

  “Quite right, and how did he come to be chosen for the task? I am sure that he had a hand in that as well. His having been chosen did not simply come about by chance. Susanna, we have been given free will and can choose to serve God or not, but leaving a legacy of faith for subsequent generations to follow after can make all the difference. I fear that Jacob Ormsby’s grandfather, and perhaps even his father, have left something other than a legacy of faith. More likely, he has witnessed ungodly behavior for most of his life.”

  “I had not planned on encouraging his attentions, Maddie. I simply had in mind to make a new acquaintance—a friend. But what if we are wrong about his motives? We should not assume the worst about someone before there is any evidence to sustain us in thinking him a rogue like his grandfather. Furthermore, if he is as you say, we should keep him in prayer. No one is beyond God’s reach.”

  “You are right, of course. I shall pray for his soul. Nevertheless, have you given any further thought to what I
said regarding William’s reasons for not telling you about his parents?”

  “It is difficult for me to talk about, Maddie. Even if I can get over the fact that he kept such a secret, how am I to make a life with him now, knowing who his parents are? Can you not see the difficulty for me?”

  “Yes, Susanna, I can. But remember, you were just admonishing me not to assume the worst about Jacob and to pray for him. Doesn’t William deserve the same consideration? In fact, he deserves more, for he has been a faithful friend to you. Furthermore, God shall make a way for the two of you if it is His will for you to be together.”

  “Of course you are right, Maddie. It is just that the wound of losing Grandmother has been reopened. It shall take time and a lot of prayer to see William and not think of his parents. As for Mr. Ormsby, I shall pay him very little regard from now on.”

  Chapter 22

  It had been three days since Jacob Ormsby had revealed William’s dreadful secret. William had not been back to the Osgood farm ever since. Charles, his farmhand, had gone in his stead. On the first day, following the revelation, Charles had returned from Madeline Osgood’s with news of a visitor. From his description, William believed the man to have been Jacob Ormsby. Over the next two days, the conversation regarding the visitor had not been far from William’s thoughts. Whatever comes of my relationship with Susanna, I cannot allow her to fall into the hands of such a reprobate. There is but one thing to be done; I must speak with Maddie as soon as possible. But as I do not wish to cause Susanna any further discomfort, I shall send Charles to collect Maddie.

  The following day, William spoke with Charles. “It is my desire that you set off as soon as possible for the Osgood farm. When you arrive, I would be obliged if you would inform Maddie that it is imperative that I speak with her. If she is agreeable, bring her back here to me.”