“You have no right to be in our home.” She stiffened her shoulders as she’d seen her sister, Clarissa, do on many occasions, and her expression sobered further. “Please leave.”
“You don’t really want to throw out your own mother, Melinda. After a small misunderstanding, I can’t believe you’d be so harsh.”
“You horrid woman,” Melinda rasped.
Mrs. Smythe glowered at her. “I hate how they’ve turned you against me. That they’ve destroy the relationship we could have.”
Melinda shook her head and scoffed with incredulity. “Do you truly believe me so foolish as to ever believe anything you say again? After last night?”
Mrs. Smythe waved her hand as though Melinda’s concern were of no more importance than an irritating gnat flying near her. “You know what a little drink does to a person. Makes them act in a way they wouldn’t normally.”
“You claimed you were part of the temperance movement. Thought Carrie Nation was a role model for all women.” Melinda waved her arm before realizing she mimicked Mrs. Smythe and dropped it to her side. “Just like everything else about you, it was all bluster and nothing of substance.”
“Now listen here, darling daughter, you are allowing your anger to rule you. Something you inherited from your father’s side of the family.” She ran a hand over her lap and smiled sweetly at Melinda. “I was caught off guard yesterday when you arrived unexpectedly.”
Melinda shook her head. “Were you equally surprised to find me asleep on your settee when you brought two men home? And then offered me to them for a price? Like I was nothing better than the women on Front Street?”
Mrs. Smythe watched her with a calculating smile. “You must know that’s all we are, Melinda dear. The women on Front Street just aren’t caught up in the societal niceties we bind ourselves with.”
Melinda gaped at her and shook her head. “I will never forgive you for your disregard of me. For seeing me as something to profit from, never as a person. Never as a daughter.”
Mrs. Smythe slapped her hand onto her lap. “If you’d been a son, you’d have been valuable!” She smiled at Melinda’s gasp of pain. “Yes, I would have taken joy in you if you were a boy, rather than a weak, useless daughter.”
Melinda swiped at her cheek and met her triumphantly cruel smile. “I will forever give thanks you sent me to the orphanage. You allowed me to be cared for by those who love me, by responsible and strong men and women.” Mrs. Smythe sputtered, and Melinda smiled. “Your act of selfishness was the greatest act of caring you could have done for me, and, had you known it, I’m sure you would never have done it. I’m only thankful that you were too self-absorbed to realize that my family has more honor and more integrity than you will never fathom.”
She strode to the door and flung it open. “I want you to leave and never return. You are not my mother, and you never were. Giving birth to me doesn’t give you the right to call yourself my mother. You’re a cruel, vindictive, heartless woman, and I want nothing to do with you ever again.”
Mrs. Smythe rose with as much grace as she could muster as she vibrated with anger. “If you think you can throw me out of your house and issue ultimatums …” She laughed at Melinda as she approached the open door.
“I can. My parents will stand behind me and support me.” Melinda jolted when she heard Savannah’s voice.
“She has my full support and that of every member of our family here and in Boston. You are outmaneuvered, Mrs. Smythe. I suggest you leave and never return.” Savannah leaned against the wall in the hallway, hidden from view in the sitting room. She shared an intense stare with Mrs. Smythe.
“This isn’t over. I will find a way …” Mrs. Smythe blustered but didn’t finish her sentence as Melinda pushed her out the door and slammed it behind her.
Melinda leaned against the closed door and looked at Savannah, the woman she’d always known as her mother. “How much did you hear?”
Savannah smiled and walked toward her daughter, pulling her into a comforting embrace. “Enough. I wanted to intervene but realized you needed this opportunity to tell her off.” She pushed Melinda back and cupped her cheeks. “You were brilliant, darling. I just wish your father could have heard you.”
Melinda smiled before her lips trembled. “I hate how I hurt you both.” She fell forward again into her mother’s embrace, crying.
“It will take time for your wounds to heal, darling. But we all have growing pains from our youth. I know I wish I’d acted differently.” Savannah stroked a hand down Melinda’s back. “The one person you must speak with is Araminta.”
Melinda nodded, accepting the comfort that was offered.
The following afternoon, Melinda walked over to Araminta’s rented rooms. She knocked on her door, frowning when there was no answer. She decided to wait on the porch, hiding in the shade on the hot afternoon rather than heading home only to return later. After watching random townsfolk pass by, she stilled when Araminta approached, walking alongside a man. Frowning at them as he evoked a laugh from Araminta, Melinda canted forward to watch as, at the foot of the walkway, he kissed Araminta’s hand. Araminta stood there, watching him depart for a few moments before she turned to enter her rooms.
“Minta!” Melinda whispered from her hiding place on the porch.
Araminta jumped, tumbling to the ground as her weak leg gave out. She grumbled as she pushed herself up and then glared at Melinda. “What are you doing here? Spying on me?”
“I wasn’t spying. I was waiting for you and getting out of the heat. Who is that man?”
Araminta blushed. “He’s a friend.”
Melinda looked in the direction he’d gone and shook her head. “No, I think he wishes he were more. He dresses funny.”
At that, Araminta laughed. “That’s because he’s Mr. Bouchard. He works at one of the banks here with his uncle.”
Melinda nodded as though waiting for more details. When none were forthcoming, she frowned. “I don’t understand why you’d take walks with him when you’re meant to be with Colin.”
Araminta made a low growling noise and shook her head. “I’m not meant for any such thing. It’s abundantly clear Colin and I will never be more than mere friends.” She wrenched open her front door and motioned for Melinda to follow her. After she unlocked the door to her rooms, she hung up her hat and light coat. “Why are you here, Melly?”
Melinda shook her head. “I think you’re wrong about Colin, but that’s for you to figure out. As Mr. Pickens would say, I think you’re being pomptuse.” She looked around Araminta’s sparsely decorated space with a crate for a table, two wooden chairs and a lumpy settee. “Why haven’t you asked us for furniture? You know we have extra in the attic.”
Araminta sighed. “I’ve already received too much from your family. I can’t ask for or expect anything more.”
Melinda gripped Araminta’s hand as she moved away from her. “No, Minta. You’re a member of our family. You should never feel embarrassed to seek our help or to ask for something.” Her eyes filled with tears as Araminta kept her head bowed and refused to meet her gaze. “I’m so sorry for the horrible things I said to you.”
Araminta sniffled and then raised her angry eyes to meet hers. “Then why’d you say such awful, mean things to me? You knew exactly what to say to hurt me the most.”
Melinda paled at the anguish in Araminta’s expression. After a moment of opening and closing her mouth to find words to explain herself, she shook her head. “I know you’ll hate me forever. I’m so sorry, Minta.”
Araminta half laughed. “Oh, Melinda, stop being so theatrical.” She shook her head and rolled her eyes. “I won’t hate you forever, but I want you to tell me why you acted like you did.”
Melinda released Araminta’s hand and collapsed onto the lumpy settee. “I’ve always been secure in who I was. Melinda McLeod with two parents and a wonderful family who all love me. That woman made me doubt everything.” Melinda wrung her hands tog
ether on her lap. “And I hated that you, who really was an orphan, seemed more secure in your place in the world than me. I wanted you to feel as out of sorts as I did.”
Araminta let out a gasp of air before sinking onto one of the hard wooden chairs. “You knew how much you’d hurt me, and yet you did it anyway?”
Melinda nodded. “I wanted someone else to hurt worse than I did.” She swiped at one of her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Minta. You’ve always been like a sister to me, and I treated you worse than I would treat a sworn enemy.”
Araminta rolled her eyes again. “Melly, you don’t have a sworn enemy.”
“No, but Father does,” she argued.
Araminta shook her head. “You read too many of those romantic novels. Life isn’t like it is in books. It’s painful and boring most of the time. You have to accept life as it is and find the joy where you can.”
Melinda shook her head. “That’s not true. You can make your own joy, Minta. And you should fight for the joy you want.” She studied Araminta and frowned. “Is that why you aren’t willing to show Colin you want a future with him? Because you accept life as it is, not as you want it to be?”
Araminta glared at her. “You’re talking nonsense. Once you’ve lived a little, you’ll know what I’m saying is true. Grab the joy you can, but accept life as it comes.”
Melinda sighed and shook her head. “I’m bound to be a disappointment then. I refuse to accept life as it is. I’ll always want more, for me and those I care about.” She pinned her close friend with an intense stare. “Which includes you, Minta. I’ll always want more for you. Which means I want more than a puffed-up buffoon who’ll never make your eyes light with joy the way Colin does.”
Araminta closed her eyes in defeat. “We’ll not agree on this, Melly. What I will say is that, although you hurt me, I will be able to forgive you. It may take me a little while, but this won’t do any lasting damage to our relationship.”
Melinda beamed at her and threw herself into Araminta’s arms. The wobbly chair collapsed with their combined weight, and they toppled to the floor. Araminta grunted with discomfort while Melinda burst out laughing. “This is why you need better furniture.” She rose, holding out a hand to help Araminta from the floor. “I’ll speak with Father. We’ll have furniture delivered within a few days.”
She whooped when Araminta gave a reluctant smile of acquiescence. “Someday Colin will visit you here, and we want it looking nice.”
Araminta sputtered and glared at Melinda. “He’ll never visit me here. It isn’t proper for a single man to visit a single woman in her rooms.” She glared at Melinda. “Don’t give him ideas.”
Melinda shrugged her shoulders. “I won’t have to. He’s my brother and more sensible than you give him credit for.” She hugged Araminta again and then headed for the door, her expression once again serious. “Thank you, Minta, for forgiving me.”
Chapter 13
Washington, DC, August 1917
Teddy sat on the doorstep of an apartment building in Washington, DC. From the receipts of expenses incurred, he believed this to be where Zylphia and Rowena had a small apartment. Any correspondence he sent her went to the suffragist headquarters at Cameron House. He shifted as the concrete step made an uncomfortable seat and glared down the shrub-lined walkway as if to make Zylphia appear. After thirty minutes, he rose and massaged his backside, walking the few steps to and fro in front of the building. He stilled when he heard laughter.
“Teddy!” Zylphia proclaimed as she turned down the walkway. “Whatever are you doing here?” She leaned forward and kissed him on his cheek.
“Hello, Zee. Rowena.” He smiled at her friend. “I’ve heard alarming tales in Boston, and I wanted to ensure you were well.”
Zylphia held out her arms to her side. “As you can see, I’m quite well.” She linked her arm through his and walked toward the front door. “Come. I’ll show you our small apartment.”
Upon entering the tiny living space, Teddy roamed around. It had a miniscule entranceway big enough for two coat pegs and a small table. The living room had a settee, two chairs and windows on two walls, as it was a corner unit. One door led to a bedroom, the other to a bathroom. Along the wall that had the small entrance table was a curtain concealing a sink and a hotplate.
“Isn’t it grand?” Zylphia asked.
“I’d hoped, for what we were spending, you’d get more than this,” Teddy said, shucking his jacket and throwing it over the back of the settee. “At least you have decent light.” He looked out the front window to a small garden area below. He absently noted Rowena leaving with a small bag.
“Well, I think it’s grand, and I’m not here that often as it is.” She hung her coat and hat on a peg by the door. “I spend most of my time at Cameron House.” She watched him curiously. “Why didn’t you come there to see me?”
“I did, but you weren’t there. I waited for a while and then decided to come here.” He sat on the settee and watched his wife closely.
“I hope you were well received at the House.” Zylphia played with a loose button on the front of her dress.
“I was. I met a friend of yours. Mr. Hooper. He seemed most interested in making my acquaintance.” He leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “Why would that be, Zee?” At her persistent silence, he tilted his head to one side. “Why would he look at me as though I were the scum of the earth and accuse me of being a wife-beater?”
Zylphia paled. “He’s overreacting. He saw me when I returned from Boston a few months ago, when my wrist was bruised.” Teddy flinched as he recalled gripping her forearm. “I assured him it was my fault—”
“No, it was solely mine as I was the one who bruised you. I promise it won’t happen again.”
“I almost wish it would.”
He stilled at her whispered words.
“It means you care enough to become upset with me.”
He watched her with a fierce passion lighting his eyes. “Why would such a man take an interest, Zee?”
Zylphia waved a hand around. “Mr. Hooper fancies himself attracted to me. He knows I am a married woman and committed to you.”
His intent gaze provoked a flush. “And are you? Truly?” He shook his head in bewildered wonder. “I haven’t had that impression in months.”
His wife flushed and nodded. “I’d never be unfaithful to you, Teddy. I hope you can believe me.” She let out a pent-up breath when he gave a terse nod. “Teddy, why are you here? Your answer was vague outside.” She sat across from him on a chair.
“When I read in the papers that the group my wife has aligned herself with has called the president ‘Kaiser Wilson’ and then had been attacked by an angry mob, to the point some were stripped naked, it concerned me.” He flushed with his agitation.
“Oh, I’m glad it made the Boston papers,” Zylphia breathed.
“How could it not with you as one of the instigators!”
“I don’t understand why you’re so upset. We needed to do something to recapture the nation’s interest in the cause. It was waning with the war coverage.” Zylphia shrugged. “Thus, we tied it all together neatly for the citizens of this fine land.”
“It’s bordering on treasonous, Zee! You don’t call your president by such terms when you’re in the middle of a war!”
“Well, seeing as he isn’t technically my president since my government saw fit to strip me of my citizenship, I don’t understand why you are so worried.”
“I haven’t changed my mind, Zee,” he whispered. He watched as some of her bravado deflated in front of him. “Do those you protest with understand you are considered a British citizen?”
“Miss Paul and Miss Burns do, and that doesn’t bother them. They’ve been to England and protested with the Pankhursts. Besides, they believe that law to be as unjust as I do.” Zylphia watched Teddy a moment. “I don’t understand why you traveled all the way here. A letter would have sufficed.”
“When was the last
time you answered one of my letters?” He raised an eyebrow. “It’s now the end of August. The last letter I received from you was the end of June.” He shook his head. “I have no faith in your correspondence, Zee.”
Zylphia blinked back tears. “How sad. We used to exchange such beautiful letters.”
Teddy nodded. “Yes, but then we cared about each other and were desperate to be reunited.”
Zylphia paled as she looked at her husband. “What are you saying, Teddy?”
“What do you truly care about, Zee?” His intense gaze bore into her. “Is it only the cause or is there still some room left in your heart for me? For I haven’t felt like you have had any great regard for me for months.”
“Teddy,” Zylphia whispered, stumbling as she rose to her feet. She reached out a hand to him and tugged until he stood. “I was a bumbling fool when I came home last time. I picked a fight when I meant to make peace.”
He ran a trembling hand through her hair, dislodging pins as he clasped her head between his palms. “I know you’re angry with me.”
“I’m angry at my country. And, yes, I’m angry you won’t see my way of thinking. But I miss you. I miss being held in your arms. Of having your eyes light with joy at seeing me, rather than shrouded with trepidation.”
He smiled, and his eyes shone with love as he beheld his wife. “You’re so brave, my darling.”
“You are my husband, and I love you.” She kissed him, frowning when he didn’t kiss her back. She kissed him again, gasping as his arms closed around her like manacles, holding her close.
He pushed her backward, still kissing her, as he maneuvered around furniture. “I wish I could pick you up.” He rained kisses over her neck and to her collarbone. He reached one of the two doors and thrust it open, sighing with relief to find the small bedroom. Their hands worked in concert as they stripped each other of clothing. “God, I’ve missed you. Missed this.”
He pushed her to the bed, his mouth following the trail of his fingers. “I need you, Zee. It’s been too long.” She moaned her agreement, arching up to him. She cried out in pleasure as he joined with her, leaning up to kiss him again. “I love you, Zee,” he said before he was lost to their passion.
Resilient Love: Banished Saga, Book 7 Page 18