Resilient Love: Banished Saga, Book 7

by Ramona Flightner

  Parthena watched him and nodded. “Until we see the situation there, that is fine,” she whispered. “My hope is that they will see us smitten, and I will see them devoted, and there will be harmony among us all again.” She shared a deep smile with Morgan before sighing. “I fear I’m not ready for tonight’s entertainments.”

  Morgan leaned forward and kissed her neck. “I have a different sort of entertainment in mind.” He leaned away and arched an eyebrow, smiling when his wife flushed in agreement. “Come. Let’s away to our bedroom before we embarrass the staff.”

  He rose, tugging Parthena to his side, unable to hide a contented sigh as they walked from the parlor arm in arm.

  Aidan searched another room in the large house he owned on Marlborough Street, only to find it empty. He huffed out a frustrated breath and marched next door. When that room was also empty, he turned on his heel and returned to his library. He stopped short at the entrance to find Delia curled on the sofa. “When did you get here?”

  “I’ve been here since I left Sophie’s,” she said in a deadened voice. She watched the dampened fire, her head resting on a pillow, a throw rug tucked around her.

  He approached her and nudged her closer to the back of the sofa so he could sit beside her, hip to hip.

  “Where have you been?” she asked.

  “I went to Teddy’s. And then I’ve searched the house for you. For some reason I never suspected you’d be here. My darling,” he whispered, pausing at the desolation shown on her face. He stroked her cheek, opting for his quiet presence as solace rather than any empty platitudes.

  “We could have been grandparents, Aidan,” she whispered. “We could have held a baby in our arms together.” She raised her anguished gaze to his. “Something I denied you all those years ago.”

  “Oh, my love,” Aidan choked out, curling himself around her. “Do not be saddened on my behalf. Think of Zee and Teddy. They need our comfort, our care, right now.”

  She pushed him up and then stood, allowing him to lay on the sofa so she could rest along his front with her head on his shoulder. “Must you always think of everyone else and ignore your own sorrow?” She shuddered in his arms. “I feel terrible for Zee. And yet I’m so angry with her. I couldn’t remain in that room a moment longer for fear of what I might have said to her.”

  Aidan held Delia’s head against his heart, his hand playing in her graying hair. “I love you, Delia. I love your strength and your sense of right and wrong. I love how you’ve raised our daughter, always showing her love and compassion. Don’t change now.” He kissed her head as she soaked his shirtfront with her tears.

  “She’s hurting, my love. Hurting more than we ever wanted her to.” He breathed deeply into Delia’s hair and closed his eyes. “If we are this upset and disappointed, imagine how Teddy must feel.”

  Delia gripped Aidan’s arm, stroking her hand down his arm until their hands were clasped. “I’ve been terribly disappointed in him, Aidan. And now to realize it’s my own daughter who caused this rift between them.”

  Aidan tugged her tighter to him. “Our place is not to judge but to support and love.” Delia grumbled against his chest, and he chuckled. “I admire how fiercely you love and how loyal you are.” He tilted her head back so he could gaze into her hazel eyes. “Taking sides will not help either of them, love. Not at this point.”

  Delia flushed and nodded. “If they don’t resolve their differences soon, I can offer no promises.”

  He kissed her head again. “I can agree with that.” He held her as she relaxed into him, gaining comfort from her embrace.

  Chapter 22

  Delia sat in Sophie’s rear parlor, an untouched cup of tea cooling on the marbletop table in front of her. She met Sophie’s disgruntled stare but remained silent.

  After a resounding harrumph, Sophie shifted in her seat. “I can see where your daughter came by her recalcitrance,” Sophie snapped. “How could you act so shamefully yesterday when you left your daughter crying in her chair?”

  Delia stiffened but spoke in a calm tone. “I refuse to act like a child sitting in the principal’s office. You have no right to scold me.”

  Sophie thunked her cane on the floor. “Of course I do. I know you’ve always wondered at the close relationship I have with your daughter and with other members of your family, but you must realize that your daughter is in distress. She needs your support.”

  Delia huffed out an irritated breath. “Just as you must understand that I have the right to my feelings.” She blinked away tears. “I’m deeply hurt that she came to you, that she hid the details of her discord with Teddy from us and that she acted in such a foolish manner.”

  Sophie looked at Delia with fond amusement. “Are you telling me that you’ve never done anything you don’t wish you could have changed? That you are happy you raised Zylphia alone for fifteen years by denying Aidan the right to even know he had a daughter?”

  Delia flushed.

  Sophie harrumphed. “You acted as you thought you must, and Zee did the same. We all wish she would have behaved differently, but the fact remains she didn’t. We must now help her and Teddy as they realize what this means for them.”

  Delia bit her lip as the door opened. Zylphia stood at the threshold of the room, her gaze wary as her mother had tea with Sophie. Zylphia stepped back, mumbling her apology for interrupting them when Delia leaped to her feet and tugged her into her arms. “Zee,” she breathed, pulling her close and holding her tightly to her. At first Zylphia remained stiff, but, after a moment, she crumpled into her mother’s arms and cried. “Shh, … my darling daughter. Forgive me,” she whispered.

  She sat on the settee with Zylphia burrowed into her side. She hugged an arm around Zylphia’s shoulders and crooned soft words to her as though she were a child. Delia shared an alarmed look with Sophie, who nodded. “Forgive me, Zee,” Delia murmured as she pulled her daughter even closer to her side. “Forgive me.”

  “I understand why you’d find it hard to forgive me,” Zylphia stammered out.

  Delia ran a hand over her daughter’s shoulder and to her wrist. “Zee, you must learn to forgive yourself.” She sat in silence as Zylphia’s crying jag ebbed. “I won’t lie to you, Zee.” She eased Zylphia away so she could meet her reddened eyes, lacking in all her customary passion and inquisitiveness. “I was very hurt by your actions. By what you did in Washington and by your failure to come to us afterward here in Boston.”

  Zylphia ducked her head. “I’m sorry to be a disappointment, Mother.”

  Delia waited long minutes until Zylphia raised her eyes, the anger in Delia’s gaze causing Zylphia to flush. “You are not, nor will you ever be, a disappointment to me. I want you to understand that.” She waited until Zylphia gave a tiny nod. “I asked you for forgiveness, Zee, because in all you told us yesterday, I could only think about how your actions had affected me. Not about how you were suffering. Forgive me my selfishness.”

  Zylphia watched her mother in confusion. “You’re not selfish. You never have been.”

  Delia smiled with unutterable tenderness at her daughter. “You needed my compassion and love yesterday, not to feel as though I disapproved of you and your actions.” She swiped away her daughter’s tears. “However, none of this really matters unless you begin to forgive yourself.”

  Zylphia sighed and curled up on the settee, her cheek resting against the arched back and turned away from Sophie.

  Sophie grumbled but rose and sat in a chair nearer the window so she could see Zylphia’s expressions. “What will you do?” Sophie asked Zylphia.

  “I don’t know. Try to get through each day. Try not to live with such overwhelming regret.” She bowed her head as she scrubbed away a few tears.

  Delia frowned and watched her daughter curiously. “Do you want to return to Teddy?”

  Zylphia’s head shot up, and her startled gaze met her mother’s. “Of course. But he doesn’t want me there, and I’ve realized I don’t want
to intrude where I’m not wanted.”

  “Rubbish,” Sophie intoned. “We never get what we want if we don’t intrude and inopportune those around us. What else is our movement?” She shared a long glance with Zylphia. “If you want to return home, you have every right.”

  “I fear I’ll prove a disappointment to you, Sophie. I simply don’t have the energy for a fight right now.” Zylphia closed her eyes as though in defeat.

  Florence entered Sophie’s rear sitting room and smiled, finding Sophie bent over her desk, writing a letter. Florence paused, imagining the dictates and advice Sophie put to parchment. “I wonder who is the lucky recipient of your wisdom.”

  Sophronia turned to face a smiling Florence, her silver hair tied back in an artful chignon, her light-blue dress enhancing the aquamarine blue of her eyes. “I’m glad you could come today.” She set down her pen and rose to step toward the sitting area in the room. A fire burned in the grate, and she rang for tea.

  After Sophronia and Florence settled, and tea had been served, Florence took a deep breath. “Well, you summoned me. I only have a few hours while the boys are at school.” Florence took a sip of tea and sighed as she relaxed, momentarily free of obligations.

  Sophie laughed. “You know your neighbor will watch them if you are late returning home.” At Florence’s nod, Sophie asked, “What news on the movement here?”

  “Well, as you know, New York was successful in obtaining the vote for women last month. They managed another referendum after the debacle of 1915. I worry that it will be much harder to convince the legislature to put the issue to vote again here in Massachusetts.” She pursed her lips in consternation. “The antisuffrage league is very strong and has the ear of influential lawmakers.”

  “Bah,” Sophie grumbled. “We must ensure Rowena writes us a few articles when she is home for the holidays. I had no idea of her talent until she joined Zee in Washington last year.”

  Florence smiled. “It’s the highlight of the Suffragist for me, reading her articles and seeing Nina’s drawings.” Flo paused for a moment. “Do you think she would write an article for us?”

  Sophie shrugged. “We may always ask, although I imagine she looks forward to a break while she’s here for Christmas and New Year’s.” She thunked her cane on the floor. “We must find a way to alter the president’s way of thinking. Then congress will vote accordingly as it is still a Democratic majority.”

  Florence sighed. “I fear what may happen if the elections of 1918 do not go in his favor. Many in the movement are fearful of a resurgence in the Republican party, and its ability to gain seats, due to the president’s intolerance for anyone who speaks out against the war.”

  Sophie nodded as though lost in thought. “The Espionage Act was severe enough. I hope he is sensible and does not attempt any more stifling legislation.”

  Florence sighed. “From what I hear from Clarissa and Savannah, many believe the Espionage Act isn’t nearly strong enough. A man was murdered in Montana this summer, and many believe he would have been saved from death if he could have been arrested for his comments against the war and the president.”

  Sophie harrumphed her disapproval. “Utter nonsense. We must have the ability to speak out when we believe our leaders are acting against our best wishes. Conformity has only ever led to calamity.”

  Florence raised an eyebrow and nodded. “I agree, although many are angered at anyone who questions the war effort.”

  “That sentiment will only worsen as our boys return home wounded.” She raised her eyebrows. “Or not at all.”

  Florence shivered. “I give thanks the draft doesn’t call up any of the McLeod brothers, nor Colin or Patrick or Lucas. I never thought I’d be thankful my husband was in his forties!” She shared a tremulous smile with Sophie. “Who were you writing?”

  “I’m ascertaining that Carrie has seen sense and that she now believes a constitutional amendment is the only way to proceed. I would prefer if the women’s groups could unite during this time to ensure that we are successful.”

  “Carrie and Alice can’t stand each other,” Florence said. “I doubt they’d combine forces now, especially because Alice believes in such bold actions that infuriate Carrie.” Florence yawned behind her hand. “However, I agree. I think all groups realize an amendment is the only way to ensure enfranchisement for all.” Florence closed her eyes a moment. She flushed when she relaxed and saw Sophie watching her closely.

  “You must take care of yourself, Florence,” Sophie murmured in her gravelly voice.

  “I am. I’ve promised Richard that, no matter what, I will not overtax myself.” She shared a long look of understanding with Sophie and then smiled in triumph.

  Sophie nodded in agreement. “When is the baby due?”

  “May.” She laid a hand over her lower belly.

  “How is Richard taking the news?”

  Florence grimaced before sporting a smile. “He tries to act excited, but I think he’s terrified. He’s been going on and on about money lately.”

  Sophronia laughed. “Don’t worry. His uncle will set him straight. As he always does.”

  Florence smiled a moment before sobering. “How is Zylphia? I heard she was staying with you for a while. Has she returned home yet?”

  “If you mean, has she returned to the home she shares with her husband, no. She is napping at the moment. I believe she plans to move to her parents’ home soon, as she’d like to spend Christmas with them.” Sophie tapped her cane a few times on the floor without making much noise. “I worry about them.”

  “I can’t imagine living through jail and the workhouse and then not having my husband’s support. I’d be very angry and disappointed in him.” Florence took a sip of tea, stilling when Sophie shook her head in agitation.

  “They’ve each hurt the other, and they must make peace with one another. I fear they’re too stubborn to find common ground.”

  “Perhaps Zee would benefit from time spent with the boys.” She frowned as Sophie paled.

  “I think not, Flo.” Sophie appeared uncharacteristically uncertain for a moment before she met Florence’s gaze. “She lost a baby. I fear being surrounded by your rambunctious group, and learning that you are expecting a child, could prove too much for her right now.”

  “Oh, poor Zee. How could Teddy abandon her like this?”

  “When you are aware of all the facts, then you may decide whether or not your indignation is called for.”

  Delia walked into Aidan’s office but stopped short when she saw the room’s occupant. “I beg your pardon,” she breathed.

  Teddy looked up from a document and met her startled gaze. “Mrs. McLeod. Always a pleasure to see you.”

  Delia glared at him for his meaningless platitudes. “When did I become Mrs. McLeod again? And I know it hasn’t been a pleasure for over a year, not since you and Zee started fighting.” She sat in a chair facing him. “If I recall, you’ve avoided working here, intent on having my husband work in your office.”

  Teddy set down his pen and tapped a finger on the papers in front of him. “Having meetings in my office seemed prudent.” He met her disapproving stare. “Forgive me if my presence is unsettling for you. Aidan encouraged me to work here this morning on a project with him.”

  Delia squinted as she studied Teddy and his feigned calm. “I know you aren’t this nonchalant about the fact your wife has sought refuge at Sophronia’s. Although you’ve never cared what Boston gossip has to say about you or your life, I can only imagine the ongoing speculation bothers you.”

  Teddy’s jaw tensed, and he sighed. “I’m surprised you think me so vain as to care what the witless masses think about me.”

  “No, but I know you care when they slander Zee. For, by harming her, they harm you.”

  Teddy eased back in his chair, the papers forgotten in front of him. “Once, you would have been correct. Now, how she is perceived is of her own making.”

  Delia frowned. “Are yo
u saying you are unconcerned that they say she is unhinged and would benefit from a stay in a mental hospital?”

  Teddy shrugged. “They say that about all women who challenge a man’s perceived authority and dominance in society. Zylphia will reemerge, stronger than ever, to squash any rumors and prove her competence.”

  Delia paled at his words. “No trace of pride was in your voice when you spoke of her just now.” She pulled her shawl more tightly around her as though chilled.

  “Delia, I thank you for your visit. Aidan was called away on business for Mr. Wheeler. If you prefer me to leave, I will. Otherwise I’d like to return to my work.” He nodded his head in dismissal as he again focused on his papers.

  Delia rose and stood still in the room a moment before slamming her hands down in front of him on the desk. She smiled at his irate glare. “Do you care that Zee is suffering at Sophie’s? That, with each day away from you, a little more of her spirit, her will to fight, dies?” At Teddy’s blank look, she kicked the foot of the desk. “Do you care that she terribly regrets what she did?”

  Teddy closed his eyes and exhaled twice before rising. He grabbed his papers, thrusting them haphazardly into his briefcase. “I’m sorry to have invaded your husband’s office. I will incommode you no longer.” He grabbed his jacket hanging on the back of his chair and flung it on. “And, no, I don’t care what you have to tell me about Zee. Not yet.” He strode from the room, slamming the door behind him.

  Aidan glanced up from his desk at the soft knock on the door. He beamed as he beheld his nephew. “Come in, Richard. It’s always a joy to see you.”

  Richard shook his head at his uncle. “How can you always be pleased to see me?”

  Aidan settled back into his comfortable, well-worn leather chair and watched his nephew. “I find your comment curious. You know I take great joy in family.”

  Richard flushed. “I often bring concerns and worries that I set on your desk with the hopes you’ll find a solution for me.”