“What do you do otherwise?”
“Oh, I help Mr. Baker prepare charts and draw pictures. I have been able to put to use the talents of drawing and painting that God gave me.”
Devlin stared at her in surprise. “Did you paint those pictures the teacher was using to sign?”
Embarrassed, Prudence nodded. She had not meant to reveal so much. Had it seemed to Devlin like she was bragging? Venturing a glance at his face, she decided that it had not.
Devlin was shaking his head. “You are right, Miss Prudence Hilliard. You must be allowed to continue the work God so obviously meant for you to do.”
Amazed that Devlin would make such a suggestion, Prudence again determined to find out what had turned Devlin from the God he once knew. Before she could do so, however, he made an amazing declaration. “Tell me which days you need to go, and I will escort you.”
Mouth dropping open, Prudence argued. “You can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Well, you … what about your work?”
“My business can survive without me for an hour or two. Besides, I can drop you off on my way, and pick you up on my return.”
Devlin saw the stubborn glint enter Prudence’s eyes and one followed in his own. “It’s either that or I tell your father.”
Sighing, Prudence capitulated, “So be it.”
Chapter 7
Devlin kept his word and never said anything to Prudence’s father about the school for the deaf. He did, however, talk to her father about the boys from St. Anne’s and was able to receive permission to take Prudence along with him when he went to spend time with the boys.
After hearing of the good that Prudence was trying to do, Mr. Hilliard even went so far as to make a large donation to the boys’ home, with the stipulation that some of the money be used for sports equipment. Prudence was thrilled, and although she was disappointed not to be able to play baseball, she was glad that she could watch and share time with the boys she had come to love.
Devlin was an excellent coach and it surprised Prudence that he knew so much about baseball. One day when they were walking across the Common to Devlin’s house on Beacon Hill, Prudence asked him about it.
He grinned. “I didn’t know too much about baseball before the Civil War,” he told her. “There was a man in our unit who had played for the Knickerbocker Club. Have you heard of them?”
Prudence nodded. “Hasn’t everybody?”
He tapped her lightly on the nose. “Not everyone is as interested in baseball as you are,” he told her, chuckling. “Anyway, he taught us how to play and, to keep loneliness and boredom at bay, we would play whenever we had the time.”
“Tell me about the war, Devlin.”
His eyes grew cold. “What’s to tell?”
Refusing to back down from this golden opportunity, Prudence pushed him for answers. “You fought for the South, didn’t you?”
“I fought in the South,” he told her coolly, “not for the South.”
“That’s what I meant,” she agreed. “But something happened to you there, didn’t it? Something made you turn your back on God.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” he told her firmly.
Stopping, Prudence placed a hand on his arm and drew him to a stop with her. “Please, Devlin, I want to know.”
His angry brown eyes glared down into her own curious hazel ones. For a moment he was about to refuse, but then he thought better of it. Maybe it would help to share his pain with someone, because up to this point he never had.
His eyes took on a distant look. “I was with Sherman when he marched across Georgia.”
Prudence sucked in a breath. “Sherman’s march to the sea. I read about it in the papers.”
Devlin smiled wryly. “Yes, well, I lived it. Never have I seen such destruction. And by a man who claimed to be a man of God.”
Prudence turned and began walking again. Devlin followed. There had been such agony in Devlin’s face, Prudence was unsure of how to comfort him.
“Have you ever considered, Devlin,” she suggested, “how much longer the war may have lasted if General Sherman hadn’t done what he did? How many more people might have died?”
Devlin did not look at her. “If there’s a God, a loving God, then why should there be wars in the first place?”
“Would you have God treat us as marionettes? Pull our strings to make us dance?” She glanced at him slyly. “Somehow, I cannot see you being a puppet, Devlin. You don’t seem the type. You’re far too much your own master.”
“I know what you are saying,” he told her. “I have heard the same said before. Still, there is too much evil in the world. I haven’t turned from God, Prudence. I am merely struggling to understand.”
“Some things we will never understand, not until that day when we stand in God’s presence. God didn’t create the evil, Devlin,” she remonstrated softly. “Evil has always existed, the same as good. Darkness and light. Good and evil. Two sides of the same coin.”
They reached Devlin’s house where the carriage awaited. Devlin handed Prudence up and stood looking at her for a long time. She began to squirm under his perusal.
“You would make a fine preacher,” he told her gently.
She shook her head. “I didn’t mean to preach. You have told me often that you think I don’t give myself enough credit. Perhaps you are the same. Maybe you should try to give yourself, and God, a little more credit.”
“Maybe I should.”
For the next several weeks, Prudence went with Devlin on Saturdays to watch “her boys,” as she fondly called them, play baseball.
When Gaylord Fyfe discovered their secret, he immediately became involved. The giant’s boundless energy and loving touch soon had the boys following him with open adoration. He was second only to Devlin, whom the boys tried to emulate as often as possible. Although Terence often came with them, the boys hung back from offering him the friendship they so readily gave to both Devlin and Gaylord. Terence did not seem to mind.
Before long, Constance expressed a desire to attend their impromptu baseball games. Amazed that her sister would deign to do something so improper, it took Devlin to point out to her the possible reason for her sister’s interest.
“So, Constance,” he teased, “you seem to have your eye on the other team’s coach.”
Surprised, Prudence turned to her sister and saw the color steal into her sister’s cheeks.
“Are you jealous, Devlin?” Constance teased back.
Devlin only grinned before joining his team as their turn arrived to be out in the field.
Prudence eyed her sister angrily. “Are you trying to make Devlin jealous?”
Constance gave her the look she reserved for servants and suitors who had found her disfavor. “Mind your own business, Prudence.”
Exasperated, Prudence dropped down on the quilt next to her sister. “If you’re not careful, you’ll lose Devlin.”
Constance sighed. “Oh, honestly, Pru, you are so naive.”
Was Constance then so sure of Devlin that she would flirt with another man even in his presence? She hated the thought of Devlin being hurt. He had been more than kind to her, and she had convinced herself that the feelings she felt for him were the platonic feelings one had for a brother.
Remembering the kisses they had shared, she pushed other feelings deep down into the recesses of her being. If only she were sure of her sister, but then no one understood Constance.
The next Saturday Jessica joined them. Shaking her head, Prudence began to wonder what was happening to her family. Expecting an argument from Jessica when she learned of Terence’s feelings about women and sports, Prudence was pleasantly surprised when it did not occur. Instead, Jessica seemed to be making an obvious effort to hold her tongue in check.
Constance managed to tease all three men at the same time, flitting from one to the other. Prudence had to admit, her sister had a way with men.
The time
s Devlin came to pick Prudence up for their journey to the deaf school, she would try to draw from him the extent of his feelings for her sister. Devlin, though, was adept at outmaneuvering her.
“What are you asking me, Prudence?”
Stuttering, Prudence studied the reins gripped so effortlessly in Devlin’s hands. “I … I was just wondering … I mean …”
He grinned and adroitly changed the subject. “Tell me about this Visible Speech. How can deaf persons learn to talk when they can’t hear any sound?”
Happy to let the subject of her sister drop, Prudence told him about the code of symbols created by a man named Melville Bell that indicated the position of the throat, tongue, and lips in making sounds.
“The children can feel the vibration of the throat and the way the breath is exhaled to make each sound. Then they try to copy it. Mrs. Fuller is trying to see if she can get Mr. Bell to come and instruct her teachers better on how to use the charts. He has a son, a Mr. Alexander Graham Bell, who is living in Ontario, Canada. Both men are extremely interested in speech and are trying to make such a thing possible for the deaf. I admire them greatly.”
He regarded her quizzically. “That’s obvious. Your voice is very warm when you speak of them. Have you ever met them?”
“No, but I hope to someday.”
He turned away from her. “You have a generous heart, Prudence. And a lot of love.”
Not knowing how to answer, Prudence remained silent.
After Devlin dropped her off, he reminded her that he would return at 4:00. However, when 4:00 rolled around and Devlin did not show, Prudence grew worried, for it was not like Devlin to forget her. Surely he would have sent word if he could not come.
No sooner had the thought materialized when the maid let a boy into the room where Prudence was cleaning up supplies. “This gentleman’s here to see you, miss,” the maid said.
Thinking he was from Devlin, Prudence smiled. “Thank you, Bridget.”
The boy looked to be no more than fourteen. He quickly doffed his cap, twisting it in his hands. “Excuse me, miss. Mr. Drake done sent me to tell you that he’s been delayed. He says to stay put, and he’ll be along to get you shortly.”
First angry, then curious, Prudence asked him, “What’s the delay?”
“One of Mr. Drake’s warehouses be on fire, miss. Mr. Drake stayed to help.”
“Thank you for telling me,” she told him absently, wondering if Devlin was in any danger. Surely he would not do something so foolish as to risk his own life. Should she wait? It was not very far to walk and the daylight hours were much longer now that it was summer. Regardless of what Devlin had told her, she still felt she would be safe walking the streets in broad daylight.
As the boy turned to leave, she made a decision. “Tell Mr. Drake not to bother coming to pick me up. I’ll walk.” She felt a little tremor of fear run through her as she delivered this message. What would Devlin do? Surely he would not tell her father if she disobeyed him just this once.
Pressing her lips together, she gave herself a resounding lecture on allowing someone to so rule her thoughts and actions. She had things to do, and her parents would grow worried if she did not return soon. She had no idea how long Devlin would be. She waited as long as she dared then, chastising herself severely, she decided it was time to leave.
Letting herself out of the brownstone, Prudence walked quickly toward home. She was just passing an alley when she noticed movement within. Suddenly frightened, she would have hurried past, but a small sound caught her attention.
Crossing to the entrance, Prudence saw three large boys laughing at something they held on a string. A small yelp told Prudence what that small something was.
Forgetting to be afraid, Prudence marched into the alley, her hands on her hips, her hazel eyes flashing. “Just what do you think you’re doing?”
Startled, the boys turned her way. They were momentarily frightened until they realized she was alone.
Suddenly, one boy grinned slyly as the other two fanned out to surround her. Prudence was filled with dread, knowing that she was helpless against the three.
“Well, would ya just look at her? Reckon the fancy lady has any money in that purse she be carrying, Jed?”
The one named Jed grinned back at his partner in crime. “Reckon she just might.”
Hearing a soft whine, Prudence turned her attention to the small pup lying helplessly, his throat choked by the cord tied round his neck. If she did not do something soon, the pup would die.
“Here,” she told the apparent leader, shoving her purse at him, “take it and leave.”
He grabbed the purse from her hand, dumping its contents on the ground. Quickly, he scooped up the bank notes and change that fell in the dirt. “Wow! The lady must be rich, guys.”
Prudence tried to push past him to reach the dog, but he grabbed her arm roughly. “Not so fast, my lady.”
Trying to twist out of his hands, Prudence begged him. “Please, let me help the dog.”
The boy grinned a nasty grin. “Hey guys, we have a bleedin’ heart here. Why’nt ya help us, lady, instead?”
Prudence could feel the others closing in and her dread grew. Glaring at him, Prudence demanded as firmly as she could, “Let me go!”
“Hey, Jed. She ain’t half bad-lookin’.”
The other boy snickered. “What you plannin’ on doin’, Tommy? Take her home to Mom?”
All three laughed. “That ain’t such a bad idea, Jed. Maybe if we keep her for a spell someone will start to miss her. Know what I mean?”
The third boy’s eyes went slowly over Prudence from head to foot. “Maybe we could have some fun in the meantime, huh?”
Prudence could feel the trembling that seized her limbs. Trying to get hold of her fast-fading courage, she jerked her arm free. “I said, let me go!”
“I’d do what the lady suggests, if I were you,” a voice behind them said.
Startled, the boys turned to face the entrance to the alley and there Devlin stood, legs outstretched and fists on his hips. Though his face was in shadow, Prudence could see the gleam of his eyes.
Bravado ebbing fast, the three boys moved to different locations as they tried to figure a way out of the alley and past the man with the feral gleam in his eyes.
Jed pulled a knife from his boot and lunged forward. Devlin jumped back and to the side, grabbing the boy’s coat and flinging him past him to the street beyond. Landing facedown in the dirt, the boy quickly struggled to his feet. Glaring at Devlin, he turned and quickly disappeared from sight.
Motioning with his hands, Devlin encouraged the other two to try, but both boys ran past him and followed their comrade. Devlin, still itching for a fight, turned his attention to Prudence, who was kneeling in the dirt, trying to untie the cord from the puppy’s neck.
He knelt beside her, angrily shoving her hands away so that he could deal with the knot himself. He made short work of it.
Prudence lifted the pup into her arms, tears in her eyes as the poor little thing struggled for breath. “How could anyone be so cruel?”
Helping her to her feet, Devlin ushered her to the waiting carriage. The tick in his cheek warned Prudence to remain quiet, for Devlin was in a towering rage.
They had not gone far when Prudence ventured, “You won’t tell Papa, will you?”
The tick intensified. “I warned you,” he told her softly.
“Devlin—”
“What if I hadn’t arrived when I did?” he bit out savagely. “What then?”
“But you did,” she answered him quietly.
“Never again, Pru. Never will I take a chance of that happening again.”
Chapter 8
True to his word, Devlin ensconced himself with Prudence’s father as soon as they arrived at her home. Prudence paced up and down the hallway as she waited for her father’s verdict. She hadn’t long to wait. Devlin opened the door and her father glowered at her from across his office; D
evlin sat grim-faced in the chair beside the desk.
“Prudence, I have always considered myself a fair man. What have you to say about this whole thing?”
“Papa,” she pleaded, throwing Devlin an angry glance and wondering just what he had told her father. “I didn’t really disobey. You never told me I couldn’t go to the deaf school.”
Her father’s lips twitched ever so slightly. “I was never given the opportunity, now was I?”
Sighing, Prudence dropped into the chair across from him. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as Mr. Drake has made it out to be.”
“Indeed. Then please explain.” At her father’s encouragement, Devlin gave Prudence a warning glance that she failed to heed. Launching into a description of her afternoon’s account, Prudence hastened to make light of the incident. She was unaware of her father’s growing anger until he interrupted her forcefully.
“Are you telling me you were attacked this afternoon?” her father asked.
Puzzled, Prudence’s eyes flew to Devlin, who was staring at the ceiling.
Mr. Hilliard’s anger turned on the young man. “And you knew of this and didn’t tell me, Devlin?”
Devlin’s eyes fixed steadily on the older man. “I didn’t want to tell such things without Prudence being present to verify what I was saying.”
Snorting, Mr. Hilliard turned back to his daughter. “Never again. Do you understand me?”
“But, Papa—”
“Mr. Hilliard, perhaps this could be worked out,” Devlin offered.
Prudence glared angrily back at Devlin. “You stay out of this. You have caused me nothing but trouble with your overbearing, bossy ways. I hope I never see you again, and if I do, I will take great pleasure in pretending you don’t exist!” So saying, she flounced out of the room.
The Timeless Love Romance Collection Page 6