“Come on Miss Tilly, you need to come home now,” Fiona gripped Tilly’s elbow in a strong grip pulling her to her feet. “As for you Master Richard, there is no way you are telling the truth. Mr. Masterson wouldn’t do that to his only child. He just wouldn’t.”
“Of course, the faithful servant. And who in the world wouldn’t listen to a common foundling with a taste for a life she can’t afford. I applaud your loyalty. Maybe you will be able to coach your mistress in the ways to please a man, then both of you will have a few pennies at least.”
Fiona held her hand up, her face a mask of anger, but at the last minute let it drop to her side.
“Come on Miss Tilly, we are leaving.” She dragged her mistress to the front of the hotel and out in the direction of Mrs. Newlands.
Chapter 36
Mrs. Newland took one look at Tilly and ushered both girls into her front room away from the nosy eyes of the store’s customers.
“Whatever happened? The poor girl looks like she saw a ghost?”
“A ghost would have been nicer. She’s had a bad shock. Can I make her some tea with sugar?”
“You sit with her dear, I will make the tea,” Mrs. Newland said, fussing around Tilly like a bee around honey. “If you girls have not been through enough. Lord almighty what are these times coming to?”
Fiona didn’t answer. She was too busy thinking ahead. Richard Weston had planned all of this, she knew that. But knowing it and proving it was another thing altogether. She had to get help for Tilly but from who? They didn’t know anyone very well and it wouldn’t do for people to think they were penniless. Which apart from a couple of dollars in Tilly’s purse, they were. Almanzo. He would help them.
“Tilly you stay right here with Mrs. Newland. She has just gone to make you tea. I will be back soon,” Fiona said quickly not wanting to tell Tilly where she was going. Tilly’s pride may stop her asking for help. She moved quickly, catching Mrs. Newland as she came back into the room.
“I will be back in a few minutes. I forgot something.”
Mrs. Newland was looking at Tilly with concern. “You go dear, I will look after young Tilly. Poor girl, the shock of losing her father must have finally hit her.”
Fiona let Mrs. Newland think that. It was easier than explaining how her father had fleeced Tilly and left her high and dry. If what Richard said was true. But despite her low opinion of Richard, Fiona couldn’t help feeling Mr. Masterson had a part to play in all of this. He had been willing to marry Tilly off to the man so he must have trusted him or at least liked him a professional level.
She hurried down the street, ignoring the admiring glances she was getting. Where would Almanzo be? Maybe he wasn’t even in town?
He’d told them to go to Blacky if they ever needed help. Today was that day. Fiona took a deep breath and tried to calm herself before approaching the blacksmith. She saw him glance at her and then look again as he realized she was making her way toward him. He wiped his hands on his apron drawing attention to the fact that apart from the leather piece, his chest and arms were naked. He was so tall and strong, the perfect man to shelter a damsel in distress. She gave herself a good talking to. Now was not a scene out of one of the penny dreadful books Cook had often lent to her. The Masterson’s didn’t hold with their servants reading but Cook’s attitude was what she did in her own time was none of their business.
“Miss Murphy? Are you alright? You seem a little….”
Fiona rescued the poor man as he struggled for the polite word to cover her actions.
“Mr. Blacky. We need help. Almanzo told us to come to you if we need his assistance. Do you know where he is?”
“Aye, he’s at Rick’s ranch. Is there something I could help you with?” Blacky looked up shyly. “I would like to if I could.”
“Thank you Blacky but much as I would love to ask you to punch someone I think it would get us both into trouble. Could you please send for Almanzo and ask him to come to Newland’s store. As soon as he can.”
Troubled looking, it was clear Blacky was torn between wanting to know more and wanting to respect her privacy.
“Consider it done Miss Murphy. Would you like me to walk you back to the store?
She would love him to do that. The thought of bumping into Richard Weston terrified her as she wasn’t at all sure she could stop herself from hitting him. She would be arrested and of no help to Tilly.
“Thank you kindly but no. You can help best by finding Almanzo,” Fiona smiled her thanks and turned to go back to Newland’s store. She felt the blacksmith’s eyes on her. He was probably wondering if the sun had gone to her head or her recent experiences with Indians had damaged her mind. How she wished she was back among the Indians. At least there they had been safe. She smiled at the thoughts of being safer among so called savages but realizing people were staring at her now, she put her head down and walked quickly back to Newland’s store and its relative safety.
It took about two to three hours for Almanzo to arrive by which time Mrs. Newland had called the doctor and given Tilly a sedative. Fiona wanted to ask for one as well but she couldn’t. Someone had to watch over Tilly and also tell Almanzo what was going on. She sat by the bed watching Tilly carefully while Doctor White and Mrs. Newland chatted. They had decided it was delayed shock that had affected Tilly and Fiona wasn’t going to disabuse them. They might not believe her. After all, despite her current clothes, she was a foundling and Richard Weston was a rich honorable businessman. Well, he was rich. The rest was just perception but Fiona had been around long enough to know that sometimes it was how one looked and behaved that mattered. People jumped to conclusions despite evidence to the contrary. The town thinking they had been ravaged by Indians was proof of that despite the fact they had shown up clear headed and unmarked. If they had been subjected to gross indecencies they would hardly look like they did.
Chapter 37
Doc White had left and Mrs. Newland had gone to help in the store when Almanzo knocked at the door. She opened it and seeing his face, promptly burst into tears. He took her by the hand and led her into the private sitting room.
“Fiona, what is wrong? Mrs. Newland said Doc White had to give Tilly some medication. What happened to her?” Almanzo asked kindly.
Fiona looked at his white face, seeing the panic in his eyes. She sought to reassure him.
“Tilly will be fine. They think it was delayed shock over the death of her father. I let them think it and Doc White gave her something to make her sleep. She will be the better of it.”
“What do you mean you let them think it?”
Almanzo looked as if he was struggling to keep up. She’d confused him.
He looked at her sternly. “What upset Tilly? Tell me the truth?”
Fiona wavered. It had been one thing sending for him thinking he would rescue them but it was another thing looking at him and realizing it wasn’t her secret to share. Would Tilly want this man to know she was penniless?
“Fiona, please. I am going out of my mind now.”
“We went to see Richard Weston.” At the thundercloud expression on his face, Fiona faltered. Then she started talking quickly while looking at the floor. She explained what had transpired between them. As she spoke, Almanzo got to his feet, walking back and forth across the small room. He was like a caged wild animal. She finished the story and then watched him silently. The silence lingered for a few minutes.
“I would like to see him hung up.”
She couldn’t agree more but that wouldn’t help Tilly. “Do you think he is right? Could her father do that to her?”
“I don’t know about the legal stuff. I will have to ask Rick or maybe David. Would that be alright? They know more about that sort of stuff.”
Fiona nodded. She didn’t think Tilly would care who knew so long as Almanzo trusted their ability to help them.
“Fiona, what was Mr. Masterson like? Could he do something like this?”
Fiona picked at h
er gown. What was she supposed to say? He was dead, so didn’t that mean he was a kind hearted man generous to everyone who crossed his path. That’s what they would have said at the funeral. It was what they always said. But in reality, he had been a mean miserable man who believed anyone who found joy in anything was inherently evil. He had treated Tilly, his own daughter, like a possession. She couldn’t remember Mr. Masterson ever saying anything pleasant to Tilly or anyone else.
“Your silence says it all.”
“Sorry Almanzo, I had to think. He wasn’t a very nice man. He wasn’t kind or caring towards Tilly. He didn’t beat her but he did force her to marry Richard…” Fiona glanced at Almanzo who had stopped pacing but was now standing with his hands bunched up together. “But I don’t think he would have given all his money away. But then he didn’t have any sons and if Tilly had married Richard, it would all be his anyway. Wouldn’t it?”
Almanzo didn’t react. He looked as if he had stopped listening as he stared out the window.
“What?”
“Did Weston talk about having any friends in town?”
“No. He said he knew nobody but we don’t know if that was the truth. Tilly said her father spoke about having contacts here.”
“They seem very friendly for two people who have just met didn’t they?”
Almanzo beckoned Fiona to the window. She glanced out and stepped back quickly as if he could see her.
“Who is that he is speaking to?”
“That my dear Fiona is Mr. George Harvey. He has his sights set on being governor of Portland when it is to use his expression white, rich and trash free. He considers a range of people trash but has a particular hatred for Indians, blacks, and anyone suspected of being supporters.”
“Your best friend then?” Fiona joked as she tried to reduce the tension in the room.
“We are as close as brothers,” Almanzo replied in kind, his sarcasm making them both smile. Then he looked out the window again.
“I don’t trust Harvey as far as I could throw him. Given what you have told me about this Weston guy, I trust their budding friendship even less. Is there anything else you need to tell me?”
Fiona wondered if she should mention Richard’s convenient hunting trip.
“Go on Fiona, tell me. I won’t tell anyone unless they need to know.”
“It could be nothing but it was something, Master Richard…” Almanzo raised his eyebrows making her blush., “I mean Weston said. He told us he was spared as he had gone hunting.”
“Lucky man.”
“Well, that’s just it. It must have been luck as I never knew Weston to go hunting. He usually paid a younger man to do it on his behalf. Why go hunting that day?”
“You think he knew the attack was likely to happen?”
Fiona didn’t know what to think or believe anymore. Her whole world had turned upside down.
“Who knew the attack was likely to happen?” Tilly walked into the room, holding a hand to her head as if nursing a headache. “Almanzo, what are you doing here? Is Rick alright?”
“He is fine, thank you. I came here to visit with you both but Fiona said you were feeling a little tired.”
Tilly eyed Fiona but when she didn’t look back, Tilly paled.
“You told him? What did you tell him? How could you?”
“Tilly, we needed help.”
“You had no right to do that. Telling my secrets. I trusted you.”
“Stop it Fire Daughter,” At Almanzo’s use of the horrible name Tilly rounded on him but she didn’t get a chance to say anything. He continued talking. “You can’t blame Fiona. She was right to send for me. You are in trouble and you need help.”
“I don’t need anything of the sort.” She said, wishing her voice wouldn’t shake so much. She desperately wanted to tell him everything and let him take care of her but she couldn’t do that. He had enough issues of his own with his mother and now his adoptive father being ill. “We can handle things. Thank you for coming.”
Almanzo laughed. She stared at him haughtily but he continued to laugh.
“Excuse me. I don’t see the joke.”
“You are not in one of your society evenings now Miss Tilly. You are in trouble and you should be thanking your friend for trying to save your backside.
“Almanzo Price watch your language.”
“No, I won't as you don’t seem to listen unless I shock you. Tilly, when are you going to wake up and see your life is in danger. You and Fiona both.”
Fiona paled and sat on the couch. Tilly shook but she just put out a hand to steady herself.
“Listen to me, Tilly, please. You are the only adult survivors of the attack apart from Richard and his men. Whoever planned these attacks won't like leaving loose ends. I think you should arrange to leave Portland at once.’
“I, I mean we have nowhere to go. There is nobody left in San Francisco.”
Almanzo paced again. “You are best staying here in town in full sight of everyone. Mrs. Newland doesn’t need to know. You can pretend to be grieving deeply. I will speak to Sheriff Rodgers and also to David, Scott and … Rick.”
His pause made her heart break especially when seeing the desperation flitting through his eyes. She took a step toward him but stopped. Nothing about his demeanor suggested he saw her as anything other than what was the term he used? A loose end.
Chapter 38
Jones Homestead
Jo, Becky, Eva, and their ma sat in silence at Becky’s table after Jo told them what Doc White had said. The forlorn expressions on their faces, testament to their love for Rick.
“We are family. Jo, you focus on Rick and getting him better. Your pa and I have some savings.”
The girls focused on their ma. Savings? That was a word for rich people.
“Your pa lent some fellas some money to start mining. They promised to pay him back along with ten percent of what they earned. Some earned quite a bit. We put the money in the bank. We should be able to buy whatever you need.” Ma smiled self-consciously. “So long as you don’t have huge debts.”
“Thanks, Ma. But we will be all right. We only had a small mortgage as Rick had the money he got from his pa. We paid it off years ago. We don’t owe anyone any money. We are luckier than most.”
“What about Rick going back east for a second opinion?” Eva suggested. “I know Doc White is a good man but he isn’t as qualified as some of the doctors in Boston or New York.”
“I don’t think that’s an option. At least not at the moment as the journey is so difficult. Maybe when he gets a bit better,” Jo said, trying to stay positive. Would her husband’s condition improve?
Becky didn’t say anything. She sat there, a pensive look on her face. Jo wished she could have avoided telling her twin. She knew this pregnancy was more difficult than her previous ones.
“How does Rick feel about his enforced rest?” Eva asked.
“He’s not happy but what can he do? He knows what the doctor said and he knows how much we need him.”
“Just be careful Jo, don’t turn him into an invalid before his time. Rick is a proud man,” her ma said hesitating for a couple of seconds. “Just like all our men. He needs to be head of his household. Don’t steal that away from him.”
Jo swallowed hard. Her ma didn’t understand. Paddy, her pa hadn’t been sick a day in his life, well apart from the brief time on the trail. It had been ma they nearly lost.
“I am sure Jo knows what’s best. She’s the one living this. We can do everything to help, but we have to respect their wishes too,” Eva said softly winking at her sister behind their ma’s back. Their ma’s heart was in the right place but sometimes she could take over without meaning to. Della Thompson was a strong woman, she couldn’t have had the daughters she did otherwise. They could clash at times, being so similar.
“Have you heard anything from Sarah?” Becky asked.
Jo shook her head but couldn’t answer as her ma exclaimed. “W
hat is it with that young lady? She never thinks through the consequences of her actions?”
“Be fair ma, she’s only 18. She’s young,” Jo automatically defended her adopted daughter although secretly she agreed. She was annoyed Sarah had upset Rick but then in fairness she hadn’t known how ill he was.
“We were 17 when we met Scott and Rick. Were we as wild as she is?” Becky asked before realizing they were all looking at her. “What?”
“Are you serious? Do we need to remind you that you rode into a fort full of soldiers almost naked?” Della asked Becky as Eva and Jo grinned.
“Ma, I was not naked. My dress was a little torn and anyway I was in the middle of a rescue attempt,” Becky clarified rather indignantly.
“What about that time Scott nearly shot you when you rode off on your own?” Eva asked her.
“I needed to speak to him,” Becky said huffily. “I am not a bit like Sarah.”
Her mother and sisters giggled making Becky stick her tongue out at them.
“Very mature Rebecca Jones,” Della chastised her daughter. “I guess, in comparison to you, Sarah isn’t too bad.”
“Sarah has been struggling for a while. Since she found out the truth about her pa,” Jo defended Sarah again. She could still see her face when Rick explained her father had run out on her ma a couple of years prior to them leaving their home. Rick didn't know if his brother in law was dead or alive but he’d told Sarah about the other women whom her pa had made pregnant and deserted. Sarah had run outside to vomit. She was so upset, Jo had wondered if they did the right thing telling her the truth. But Rick was adamant she needed to know her nightmares weren’t some bad man coming to get her but details she was remembering about her own Pa.
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