The Visitor

by Lori Wick

  “I think it must be. I feel as though you have the advantage on me. I feel ignorant and off guard.”

  “I’m glad you told me,” Tate said and then admitted something shocking. “I was coming over today to propose to you.”

  Cassandra gawked at him. “But you said…”

  “I know, and I would have been foolish to ignore my own advice in Bath, but sometimes my heart runs ahead of me.”

  Cassandra smiled at him.

  “What is that smile for?”

  “Some days I wonder if you’re human.”

  Tate laughed in the way she loved.

  “I fear I’m all too human, Cassie. Have no concern on that end.”

  “Can you stay for lunch?”

  “Thank you. I will.”

  With the gentlest of movements, Tate took the small cutting tool from her hand. For the next hour they walked and talked, and Cassandra had only to point to the blooms she wanted.

  Her heart taking its turn in running ahead of her, Cassandra nearly shook her head at her most recent doubts. At the moment she wanted to throw her arms around this man and never let go.

  Morland found Lizzy alone in the large parlor, gazing out the window. Jasper had let him in, and while the door into that room had not been silent, she did not turn from her place on the window seat. He approached quietly, uncertain whether she’d even heard the door and not wishing to startle her. She heard him when he was halfway across the room and turned in surprise.

  “I’m sorry, Lizzy.”

  “It’s all right.”

  Morland could tell she was upset.

  “Is this a bad time?”

  Lizzy shook her head, even as tears threatened. Morland went to sit beside her. She didn’t speak, so he took her hand and held it.

  “I’ve had word from Anne Weston,” Lizzy said when she could speak. “The doctor has sent her back to bed for the remainder of her term.”

  “How much longer?”

  “The end of August. More than two months.” Lizzy looked at him. “I so want her to have this baby, Morland. I want it so much.”

  “It would be a very nice thing.”

  “And Weston. I haven’t known him very long, but his care of her is so tender.”

  “All they can do is obey the doctor’s orders and trust God for this small life.”

  The words were too much for Lizzy. At the mention of the tiny person inside Anne, she broke down. Morland sat patiently, hating to see Lizzy like this but knowing it was probably for the best. He had never feared tears as many men did, and had no issue with Lizzy’s need to cry.

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Not at all.”

  “I think I’ve cried more since you returned than I have all year.”

  “Should I go back?” he teased.

  “I would send Henry after you.”

  Morland’s thumb stroked the back of Lizzy’s hand and reminded her where her thoughts had roamed the night before.

  “I was thinking about you last night,” she admitted, feeling a change in subject was needed.

  “Good thoughts?”

  “After a time.”

  Morland smiled. “Was I in trouble?”

  “Not exactly, but for a time I convinced myself that your feelings were only confused.”

  Morland’s brows rose, and Lizzy hurried on.

  “It’s logical, Morland. After all, you could view me as a sister. We have known each other for years.”

  Morland laughed and sat back to regard her from a distance.

  “Why is that funny?” Lizzy demanded.

  “It’s funny because of all the hard work I do to be a gentleman.”

  “You are a gentleman, Morland.”

  “I don’t always feel like acting as one.”

  The way he watched Lizzy was warm and tender, and she smiled at her own stupidity.

  “Feeling better?”

  “Yes. About both things. I need to visit Anne. I think I would feel better if I saw her. And of course,” she added quietly, “I always feel better when I see you.”

  With no need for words, the two regarded one another for long minutes. Lizzy was still working to believe that he’d come back, and Morland was still working on the wonder that she cared for him.

  “Stay for dinner?” she invited.

  Morland sighed. “I thought you would never ask.”

  Tate was back at Newcomb. He’d lunched with the Steeles, gone home, and returned after supper. Now the four of them, Lizzy, Cassandra, Tate, and Morland, sat around the card table, talking over a game of ruff.

  “She’s loaded,” Morland said, watching Cassandra arrange her cards.

  “How do you know?” Tate asked.

  “She always bites her lip when she has so many good cards she doesn’t know what to play first.”

  “Not fair, Morland!” Cassandra scolded him, still studying her hand. “You’re giving away old family secrets.”

  “Well, if I didn’t, you just did.”

  Cassandra ignored him and played trump.

  “What did I tell you?” Morland said as he and Tate both surrendered cards.

  “We shouldn’t have let them talk us into these teams,” Tate observed, surprised by how much Cassandra wanted to be Lizzy’s partner.

  Lizzy smiled, just short of laughter.

  “You are looking way too pleased with yourself, Miss Elizabeth,” Morland scolded, but all she did was smile a little more and take the next hand.

  “That settles it,” Tate put in. “We’re going to mix things up next time.”

  More competitive than Tate would have imagined, the women shared a smile. In the next hour they outscored the men three out of four times, and the men were crying for revenge.

  “But you can’t really get revenge unless you remain a team and beat us,” Cassandra said, her voice a little too sweet.

  “That’s not going to work,” Tate said, not falling for it. “And to make things more interesting, I think Lizzy should be my partner, and you should be Morland’s.”

  Both women laughed at his nerve but agreed. Morland quietly went along, but he knew he got the better end of the deal. For all her unworldly ways, Cassandra was a dab hand at cards. The team of Cassandra and Morland thrashed Lizzy and Tate in less time than it had taken the women on their own.

  “I should have warned you,” Lizzy said to Tate, not sorry in the least. “Cassie always carries me. She’s so unassuming, we get away with it every time.”

  Cassandra did her best to look innocent, but Tate was not fooled.

  “I shall have my revenge,” he promised.

  “In what game?” Cassandra boldly asked him.

  “I don’t know, but hear me well, Cassie, when I tell you that this is not over yet.”

  The occupants of the table laughed at him before Lizzy rang for tea. They put the cards away, and Henry joined the four of them as they visited over hot cups of tea and biscuits.

  The evening ended all too soon, both women taking the stairs at a slow pace.

  “I do believe I’m in love, Cassie,” Lizzy said quietly.

  “I would never have guessed.”

  “And you?”

  “I’m still mulling it over.”

  Lizzy laughed. “The only thing you’re mulling over is what type of dress you want.”

  The women hugged goodnight and went their separate ways, but it was a good long time before either of them slept.

  “We are happy to welcome a certain gentleman into our midst this morning,” Pastor Hurst began. “Many of you have been praying for Mr Tate, and for the first time he has been able to join us.

  “I’ve asked him to take the dais and say a few words to us about his recovery and some of the things he’s learned. Mr Tate, if you’ll come now, we are most eager to hear from you.”

  Cassandra hadn’t known about this and suddenly felt her heart pounding as he rose from the pew he shared with his aunt, so tall and handsome, and went to the front.
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  “First of all,” he said in the deep voice Cassandra loved, “I wish to thank you for all your prayers. I know God used those prayers in my life. I am most grateful to have my eyesight restored to me, but I’m also grateful for the things I was able to learn in that time.

  “I think my life had gotten very busy before the accident, but I was doing some studying on the life of Moses. When I think on his life, I can’t help but notice how often God demanded Moses’ trust. God never let him make excuses for not obeying—not when he had to leave Egypt, and not when he was asked to go back.

  “When my world went black, I tried to remember that. God asked hard things of Moses, and He has the right to ask hard things of me. It does no good to be angry with God. He has a plan, and no plan of His can be thwarted. I worked to agree with His plan about my vision. I didn’t want to be blind. I wanted to see again, but I knew if God’s plan was different, I had better learn to accept it.

  “At times I was fearful. At times I didn’t think I could wait, but God often reminded me of His provision and care. I’m sure He was able to work in my heart because of your prayers. Thank you.”

  Cassandra had a hard time not staring over at Tate as he took his seat. Pastor Hurst was speaking again, and she did her best to attend but would have been forced to admit that she was distracted.

  He’s so special, Father. Thank You for bringing Tate into my life. Help us to follow You. Help us to get to know each other and to know the right time to proceed. You’ve seen our hearts. You know how anxious we can be. Please help us to trust in Your timing.

  The hymnals had been put away. Cassandra missed one entire song. Lizzy checked with her to see if she was all right. She gave a swift nod and bent her mind to paying attention to the sermon.

  “My aunt has plans and left as soon as the service ended,” Tate told Lizzy after church, “but I have none.”

  “I’m glad to hear it. We’ll plan on your joining us, Tate,” she invited, knowing that Cassandra was still inside.

  “Thank you.” Tate bowed a little and watched as Morland took Lizzy to her carriage. He watched them for a moment, wishing that he felt more free to be with Cassandra in public. He wasn’t put out by always having to visit her at Newcomb, but seeing Morland and Lizzy together made him want more.

  I’ve just been invited to lunch with the Steeles, and I’m complaining, Tate caught himself. What foolishness. I’m sorry, Father. Help me to see these things for what they are: just moments in a long life—nothing to be concerned about at all.

  Tate walked toward his carriage, knowing he would see Cassandra in a matter of minutes. As Cassandra emerged from the church, her heart knew a moment of indecision when she spotted him and wondered if Lizzy had had a chance to ask him to lunch. Nevertheless, she went to their carriage without stopping.

  “Yes,” Lizzy said the moment her eyes met Cassandra’s. Cassandra laughed about it all the way home.

  Newcomb Park

  Dear Edward, Henry’s letter opened to his brother. Lunch was over, and the others had gone outside.

  I’m not sure you should stay away much longer. Morland has become a permanent fixture, and a certain gentleman, whose sight has been restored, is seeing an awful lot of our Cassie. I don’t claim that a double wedding will take place, but I shouldn’t be surprised to see one long before Christmas. I can’t think this is something you would want to miss.

  The four of them are playing pall-mall in the yard just now. They wanted me to join, but my aim is dreadful.

  I certainly miss you. I do wish you’d come home, but for the first time in many years, I have a yearning to travel. If you plan to return to Africa, I might like to go along. You, of course, can tell me if this interrupts your plans. I will count on your honesty.

  Henry heard laughter just then and went to the window. Lizzy had just hit the ball between the wickets and against the stake. Cassandra and Tate were applauding from the side as she held her mallet up in triumph, and Morland was bowing over her hand in homage.

  Henry smiled at the sight, and thought, Come home soon, Edward. We miss you. We need you to celebrate with us for this short time we are here.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Tipton

  “Why, Marianne,” her sister-in-law said as she approached her outside, surprised to see that Marianne hadn’t joined the men in archery.

  “Hello, Liddy. Come and sit by me.” Marianne touched the seat beside her, reiterating her invitation.

  “Where are all the children?”

  “Catherine is asleep; Sophie is sitting with her; and the rest have gone to visit the horses.”

  “Do they never get tired of them?” Lydia asked, taking a seat and thinking how good it felt to get off her feet.

  “I think not.”

  “Why don’t you have a bow in your hand?”

  “Jennings prefers that I not participate.”

  “Are you getting too good for him?” Lydia teased.

  “I’m sure that’s it.”

  Marianne’s mild tone caused Lydia to look at her longtime friend. “What’s going on?”

  Marianne looked right back. “What do you think?”

  A moment later Lydia was hugging Marianne, who tried not to laugh loudly.

  “We haven’t told the children. We want to wait for a time.”

  “But how are you?”

  “I’m very well. Just teary at all moments of the day.”

  “That’s how it was with Catherine. Do you remember?”

  “I did as soon as Jennings and my mother reminded me,” she said dryly.

  “I’m so happy for you. That’s three of you now, isn’t it? You, Anne, and Judith.”

  “As far as we know.” Marianne’s eyes suddenly twinkled. “Unless Palmer knows of others.”

  Lydia laughed before asking, “Did you hear that Anne has been confined to bedrest again?”

  “Yes. Do you know how she’s doing?”

  “Lizzy Steele visited her and told Judith that her spirits are a bit low, but she’s talking about it and working it through.”

  “Is Weston doing all right? I should think it would be almost as hard on him.”

  “That’s a very good point. I wonder if Palmer or Jennings has called on him recently.”

  At the moment Palmer, Jennings, and their oldest sons, Frank and Thomas, were all battling on the archery field. But the women would ask the men about Weston. They planned on doing that very thing as soon as they were finished with their game, but the children came back, full of ideas about the pony and trap.

  The men were pressed into service, giving rides and entertaining for a time. Before they knew it, the afternoon had sped by, and the Jennings family made ready to leave. With a swiftly shared word, the women decided to speak to their husbands individually and then leave it in their hands.

  Henry and Cassandra stared across the carriage at Lizzy, who was fidgeting with her dress, acting as if she were headed to her first ball. She didn’t notice their scrutiny for some time, but froze when she did.

  “What?” she asked.

  “That’s what we are wondering: What?”

  Lizzy went back to smoothing the folds of fabric in her lap. Her posture tried to say nothing was wrong, but it didn’t work.

  “Why are you nervous, Lizzy?” Cassandra came out and asked.

  “I don’t know,” she admitted, not even attempting to sit still, “except that I’ve only met Morland’s aunt twice, and I can’t recall what she thought of me.”

  “Has Morland given you no clue?” Henry asked.

  “I didn’t ask him.”

  “Well, Mrs Long can’t object overly much if we’ve all been invited to lunch.”

  Lizzy nodded, but her heart was having a hard time agreeing. They arrived at Richmond long before she was ready, and the moment Morland saw her, he read what her siblings had seen in the carriage.

  “No one is going to bite you,” he said softly, smiling a little when he wanted to laugh.r />
  Still in the foyer, Lizzy frowned at him crossly.

  “For a man who very recently didn’t appear to know I existed, you have certainly learned to read me well.”

  Morland only smiled a little more, which drew another frown.

  “Welcome,” Penelope Long greeted them, coming to her feet just long enough for them to join her in the main salon.

  “Please sit down. Lunch will be served shortly, but we’ll wait in here. My, Henry, you are looking very well. How old are you these days?”

  “I am 20 and 9, Mrs Long.”

  “No wife?”

  “No, mum.”

  “Well, you have time,” she told him, thinking it a comfort. “And you, Cassandra. I had forgotten your red hair. I rather like it.”

  Cassandra smiled at her.

  “Morland tells me that a gentleman has been calling on you.”

  Cassandra nodded even as she blushed.

  “Ah, yes. A little color to your face gives you away. Now, Lizzy,” she switched without warning, “you haven’t been to see me in a while, and I want this to be the first of many times. Do you think you can manage that?”

  “Yes, Mrs Long. I should enjoy visiting you.”

  “Even if Morland is not in attendance?” she teased, and Lizzy smiled at her. “Come and help me, Morland. We shall feed these friends before they grow weak and faint on my carpet.”

  Lizzy learned in a hurry that she had panicked over nothing. Mrs Long was delighted to have them, and although strongly opinionated on many subjects, very willing to offer her hospitality and friendship. Lizzy could see why Morland adored her. She was swiftly on her way to loving Aunt Penelope as well.

  Pembroke

  Cassandra’s Tuesday was full with lunch at Richmond and dinner at Pembroke. The evening started with a tour of that grand home. Both Harriet and Tate walked her through and stood back in pleasure when she spotted the stained glass upstairs.