The Visitor

by Lori Wick

  “It’s all right, Lizzy. Don’t cry anymore.”

  “He loves Cassie,” she managed.

  “Of course he does. Did you ever doubt?”

  It had all been too much. For a time Lizzy was inconsolable. Only when she began to calm a bit did Tate try to speak.

  “It’s most rude of me to stay on when you are so upset, but if I leave, I don’t know when I’ll learn where Cassandra has gone. I have to go after her, you see.”

  Both Henry and Lizzy looked at him.

  “I suppose you’ve been sworn to secrecy,” he guessed.

  “We have not,” they said in unison, and both laughed, laughs of relief and genuine pleasure. Lizzy took a moment to mop her face, and Henry spoke.

  “She’s in Bath, at Charlotte’s. I can give you the exact directions.”

  “I would be only too happy to have them.”

  “She’s so certain…” Lizzy, now able to speak, began. “I don’t know if you’ll convince her as easily as you have me.”

  Tate nodded.

  “I think she’ll believe me. I have something I’ve never had before.”

  Lizzy’s heart sank over her disregard of his situation. But all she could think about was Cassandra.

  “How awful of me not to say anything, Mr Tate. I’m so pleased you’ve regained your vision. I remembered you in my prayers daily.”

  “Thank you. Now, at the risk of being rude, I must head home and pack. I have a trip to make.”

  Lizzy went to him.

  “Please tell her how much we want her to come home.”

  “I shall do that.” Tate smiled down at her and was smiled at in return. “As soon as you’re my sister-in-law, Miss Elizabeth, I shall give you a hug.”

  Tate went with Henry for directions to Fairfax Hall. The men shook hands, and Henry repeated Lizzy’s request. As soon as Tate was able, he was on his way.

  “Will you walk with me in the garden?” Morland asked Lizzy when supper was over.

  “Yes.”

  It was a quiet couple who made their way outside, the sun setting fast. Lizzy wondered what Morland was thinking, and Morland wanted to hold Lizzy’s hand.

  “That was a fine meal,” Morland said instead, keeping his hands at his sides.

  “I’m glad you enjoyed it.”

  “Did you know that pork is one of my favorites?”

  “Is it?” Lizzy asked, but Morland only smiled. There was no artifice in this woman.

  “Yes, it is, and I know you don’t care for apples and that you prefer chicken to beef or pork.”

  “How did you know that?”

  “One pays attention over time.”

  “Not if one isn’t interested.”

  “Who said I wasn’t interested?”

  “You did.”

  “When did I say this?”

  “You didn’t have to say it, Morland. I just knew.”

  Morland stopped their slow progress over the grounds with a hand to her arm. He didn’t keep touching her but waited until she faced him to speak.

  “What should I have done, Lizzy?”

  “It’s not your fault, Morland. I’m sorry I made it sound that way.” Lizzy met his eyes. “I take it you came back because Edward told you of my feelings?”

  “He read a letter to me. I must confess, until that moment, I had no clue.”

  Lizzy turned away in shame. “He wasn’t supposed to do that.”

  “No?”

  “No!” she said firmly now. “No woman wants to know that a man has come to her in this way.”

  “You’re not so different from Cassie, are you?”

  Lizzy looked at him. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, you haven’t run away, but you’re no easier to convince.”

  Lizzy bit her lip.

  “Don’t you get it, Lizzy? You had no idea that Edward spoke with me about your letter. He could have shown it to me; I would have asked if you knew he planned to say something; he would have said no; and I would have gone on with my trip.”

  “But instead you came home.”

  Morland gave a short laugh. “I began making plans on the spot. Believing we had a chance, I couldn’t get here fast enough.”

  “What are you saying, Morland?”

  Morland shook his head, his hands going out in frustration. This only lasted a moment, however. Seconds later he pulled Lizzy close.

  “I’m saying,” he began, “that I love you. I’ve loved you for a very long time.”

  Lizzy sighed as Morland held her.

  “I thought I would die when you went away. I tried not to love you, but it never worked.”

  “I had no idea, or I should never have left.”

  Morland kissed her now, ever so gently, before moving back a little and reaching for her hand. He linked her smaller fingers in his own and continued their walk. He had been enjoying the flowers and the sunset, but now he saw none of it. Turning to look at each other constantly, the two talked and walked for the next two hours. Not until Henry came looking for them did they go back inside where the three of them continued to talk until well after midnight.

  When Lizzy finally climbed the stairs for bed, she realized she hadn’t thought of Cassandra in hours. Praying that her sister would listen to Tate and be wise in the Lord, Lizzy fell into a dreamless sleep, never once forgetting that Thomas Morland loved her.

  Fairfax Hall

  Charlotte heard someone at the door. She was on her way to check on lunch preparation, but she stopped and waited as Ward answered the wide portal at the front of their home.

  A tall, dark-haired man was given entrance. Ward saw the mistress of the house standing by and went on his way.

  “You must be Mrs Barrington,” Tate said with a bow. “I’m sorry to intrude on your home, but I’m hoping to speak with Miss Cassandra Steele.”

  “Cassandra is here. May I tell her who’s calling?”

  Tate smiled in a way that both of Cassandra’s sisters found utterly charming.

  “Please just tell her she has a visitor.”

  Charlotte went on her way, tracking Cassandra down in the garden room at the rear of the house where she was working on an arrangement of flowers.

  “Cassie, someone is here to see you.”

  “Oh,” she looked up, her face pleased, thinking Morland might have returned. “Who is it?”

  “A visitor.”

  Cassandra needed no time in understanding. Her eyes grew large, and panic filled her face.

  “Send him away.”

  “I can’t do that, Cassie. Won’t you just see him?”

  “No!” She began to wave her hands, her eyes casting about. “I see I need more flowers. No visitors today, Charlotte. I’m simply too busy.”

  With those words, she went out the nearby door and into the garden. Charlotte stood still, wondering where that “grown-up” sister had gone. Seeing no help for it, she turned back to the foyer.

  Tate took one look at Mrs Barrington’s face and smiled again.

  “Did she run?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “How far did she go this time?”

  “Just to the garden.”

  “Do you mind?”

  Charlotte now smiled. “Not at all. I’ll show you the way.”

  Taking him to the exact door her sister had used as an exit, Charlotte stepped out.

  “I don’t see her right now,” she said, keeping her voice low, “but I would go toward the arbor. There’s a seat on the other side, and she enjoys the view from there.”

  “Thank you, Mrs Barrington.”

  “I’m making the assumption that you’ll be staying for lunch and dinner, Mr Tate.”

  “Thank you for the invitation. May I let you know in a short time?”

  To Charlotte’s answering smile, he moved on his way. He heard a voice, Cassandra’s voice, talking to herself as he approached, so he stopped on the other side of the arbor, out of sight.

  “Did your siste
r not tell you that you had a visitor?” he called.

  “She did,” Cassandra returned, speaking right up. “But I’m very busy right now. I can’t see anyone.”

  “That’s too bad,” Tate said gently, keeping himself well hidden. “I can see everything.”

  “Tate?” Cassandra said softly after a moment.

  “Yes?”

  “I’m very glad for you.”

  “Thank you.”

  The two fell silent. Tate was desperate to see her but more desperate to be the man she needed. Wanting that more than anything aided his patience.

  “I just learned that your family calls you Cassie. It fits you.”

  “When did you learn that?”

  “When I stopped to see you in Collingbourne and found you’d left.”

  “Tate, you do understand that I am pleased for you; truly I am.”

  “I know you are, but are you not happy for yourself as well?”

  “I don’t know what I am.”

  “What is it you want me to know about you? What is it that you think I won’t love?”

  “My looks.”

  “And you think those are a mystery to me?”

  “Yes.”

  “Cassie, I asked my aunt ages ago what you looked like.”

  “But that doesn’t mean you really know.”

  Cassandra held her breath when she heard him move. She didn’t look in his direction but sat very still when he came around the arbor and joined her on the bench.

  Watching from the house, Charlotte began to cry. That he would speak to her from around the arbor was one of the sweetest, most romantic things she’d ever seen.

  With Tate around the corner there was nothing more to see, so she went in search of Barrington. Suddenly she needed him to kiss her and hold her very tight.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Cassandra could not look at Tate. She could feel his study of her profile and wanted so much to see his eyes, but the disappointment she’d imagined a thousand times kept her gaze forward, her eyes on the lovely garden beyond.

  “What are you afraid of, Cassie? I know it’s not me.”

  “No, it’s not you. You’re the dearest man I’ve ever known, but every woman wants her husband to find her lovely, and I don’t think you will.”

  “Do I get to have a say, or has this all been decided?”

  “You decided it, Tate.” Cassandra’s voice was sad.

  “When did I do that?”

  “One of our first days together. You said you were being read to by one of the beautiful Steele sisters.”

  “And you don’t think I was?”

  Cassandra looked at him, too perplexed not to.

  “You know what I mean. You’ve now seen Lizzy and Charlotte, and I can assure you that when people refer to the beautiful Steele sisters, they are thinking only of those two.”

  Cassandra would have looked away, but her eyes finally found his.

  “Oh, my,” she whispered. “Your eyes are blue. I never dreamed they’d be blue.”

  Tate only smiled at her.

  “Can you really see?”

  “Very clearly.”

  “What happened?”

  “Just full healing, I think. I woke on Tuesday morning and knew something had changed in the night. We sent for Dr Tilney, even though it was a month early. He removed the patches, and I could see.”

  Cassandra smiled at him; she couldn’t help herself.

  “I’m so pleased for you, Tate. I know how much praise you’ll give to God for this, but I also admire you and the way you handled all of it. It was a huge example to me.”

  “But now you’re done with me?”

  Cassandra looked back over the garden, her heart feeling helpless and exposed. She loved this man. She would love him if he never owned his sight, but now that he did, she couldn’t help but wonder if he was terribly disappointed.

  “I have red hair,” she said, stating the obvious.

  “I can see that.”

  “It’s curly and unruly most of the time.”

  “Um hm.”

  His tone, blatantly flirtatious, almost made her smile.

  “What about my freckles?” she asked at last, turning to him in frustration.

  Tate leaned close, his eyes caressing her face.

  “I guess I’ll have to spend a lifetime kissing every one.”

  Cassandra’s heart stopped and then thundered on.

  “Did you just ask me to marry you?”

  Tate moved until his forehead touched her.

  “No, I did not. I would love nothing more, but I will restrain myself.”

  Cassandra continued to watch him.

  “From this point, we will return to Collingbourne and have a proper courtship. I will come to your parlor and gaze across at you. I will get to know your family. I will work to show you what is in my heart.”

  Cassandra looked as pleased and surprised as she felt.

  “You don’t find me repulsive?”

  Tate laughed before saying, “It might be easier if I did.”

  “Why is that?”

  Tate asked himself if she could be that innocent.

  “Why, Tate?” she tried again.

  “It would help me with my thoughts about you,” Tate said carefully.

  Cassandra continued to pay attention, but no comprehension dawned on her face.

  “Private thoughts, Cassie.”

  Nothing. She still didn’t know. Tate saw no help for it.

  “Thoughts that need to be reserved for marriage.”

  Color swept to her hairline, and Tate smiled at the sight. Irresistibly drawn, two of Tate’s fingers moved up to stroke her cheek.

  “Well, that certainly answers that question,” Tate commented.

  “What question?”

  “Your skin is amazingly soft.”

  Cassandra could only smile up at him.

  When Tate stood and held out his hand, she took it. He led her to the house, to the very door from which she’d fled.

  “Come inside, Cassie,” he said gently. “I must tell your sister that I accept her offer for lunch and dinner.”

  Collingbourne

  The Church

  “Are you alone, Mrs Thorpe?” Pastor Hurst asked, thinking to see Tate with her.

  “I’m afraid I am, Pastor. Tate had to visit someone on short notice. I’m sure he’ll be back this week.”

  “He’s still feeling well?”

  Harriet smiled, thinking about the last time she’d seen him. It had given her such pleasure to watch his zeal and excitement as he followed after Cassandra.

  “Yes, he’s very well. Thank you for asking.”

  Harriet moved on her way then, still finding pleasure in the memory of Tate’s face but not able to stop herself from wondering if things were all right.

  Please believe him, Cassandra. Please believe Tate when he tells you how much he loves you.

  Newcomb Park

  Henry was just headed out on his ride when a messenger arrived with word. Jasper tipped the man as Henry opened the letter and read. It was from Barrington.

  I’m bringing Cassie home. Should be with you late Monday. Tate coming in his own carriage. Cassie is well and will explain all when she arrives.

  Barrington

  Henry went on his ride, but not before he found Lizzy and gave her the letter. He tried to stay and comfort her when she grew weepy again, but when she urged him to go, he gladly fled.

  Brown Manor

  “I hope you know I’m using you as a diversion,” Lizzy admitted to Anne. She’d explained the whole story and was now spent.

  “Nonsense, Lizzy. Of course you must come and tell me about Cassie. You know I would wish to hear.”

  Lizzy came to her feet and moved around a bit.

  “I thank you, Anne. If I had been forced to sit at home all day and wait for her to arrive, I think I would have gone mad.”

  “Is there not more to tell me, Lizzy?” Anne gently urg
ed. She was out of bed but still taking things slowly.

  “About Cassie?”

  “No, about yourself. Word has it that Thomas Morland has come home and is spending a good deal of time at Newcomb.”

  Lizzy smiled and took her seat again.

  “Ah, Lizzy,” Anne went on, “you don’t need to explain a thing. I can see it’s all true.”

  “I never dreamed he would come,” she said with a sigh. “I had given up hoping he would ever notice me, and all along he knew I was here.”

  Anne wanted to know every detail. Lizzy was only too glad to tell her. Her heart felt lighter for just talking about it. When she was finished, Anne’s maid came and told her the time.

  “I’ve been up for more than two hours, Lizzy. I really must lie down.”

  “Of course, Anne. Shall I see you upstairs?”

  “Jenny will do that.”

  The two friends hugged and smiled at each other like schoolgirls.

  “I have a selfish request,” Anne whispered, just before she let her friend go. “Don’t get married until after the baby comes. I want to be there.”

  Lizzy laughed. That particular topic had yet to be spoken of, but it got her to thinking. Indeed, it remained on her mind all the way home.

  Thornton Hall

  Marianne Jennings needed to be alone. She loved her family very much, but suddenly she felt a need to separate herself. Whenever this happened, she went to the maze that stood outside her home.

  If she were to look up at the house, she would be looking at Penny’s window, a window which gave a perfect view of the maze and that entire corner of the yard. There was a time when she needed someone directing her from that window to get through the maze, but no more. It was as familiar to her as the open fields, and now in an effort to gain solitude, she wandered the gravel path, hedges above her head on all sides, and just let her thoughts roam.

  I have no reason to be down, Father, but I am. My heart is so sad. My siblings were just here with all their beautiful children. We had a marvelous visit. But lately I just want to cry over nothing and everything.

  Marianne asked God to examine her heart. She worked to be thankful, and when she did she felt tears coming on. Weary of her own emotion, she squelched them and continued to wander through the maze.