“Perhaps, but regardless, it is another mouth to feed.”
“Jane, what would you have said to me if our roles were reversed?” inquired Madeline. “Would you not have insisted that God is always faithful, and we should trust Him in this as well?”
To that, Jane gave a smile and a nod. “You are a good friend, Madeline. Let us keep the news between us for now. I shall soon share it with Mamma and Morris, but not just yet.”
“Very well, but I do believe that Emma should know, as she is to be your midwife,” responded Madeline.
“Just think of that, me needing a midwife,” said Jane, with a smile. “I am happy, Madeline, truly I am. However, I cannot help but to be a bit apprehensive.”
“Everything will be all right,” replied Madeline. “There is Bridget’s house,” said Madeline.
“Remember, not a word,” insisted Jane.
“I have not forgotten,” replied Madeline. “However, you shall not be able to hide it for long.”
Upon their arrival, Bridget greeted them with excitement. “How are my two fine friends today?”
“Good day, Bridget. We are just fine. Are you able to get away today? We will be spending much of the day at Jane’s working on the quilt,” said Madeline.
“In truth, I had intended to call on each of you; thus, I have been swift in my work,” replied Bridget. “I am ready to go.”
The three ladies strolled along until reaching the Foster’s, whereupon they were kindly greeted by Mr. Foster and Anthony Hall.
“Morris, we will be here most of the day working on the quilt for the baby. In a while I shall bring you and Anthony out some refreshments,” said Jane.
“I am much obliged, my dear, as Emma will be away today,” replied Morris.
Anthony nodded and smiled as Jane, Madeline, and Bridget entered the house.
“I shall prepare some tea and bread,” said Jane.
The ladies shared many secrets as they worked along on the quilt. Madeline decided, as Jane was becoming so close a friend, it was time she confided in her regarding Christopher. Moreover, she believed that Jane could do with the distraction.
“Jane, I have not told you, as yet, of Christopher Osgood. He is away in England at this time, but shall be returning in a few months. As you have become a dear friend, I thought you should know of my feelings for him,” divulged Madeline.
“What is this?” asked Jane, with a look of surprise. “You have been keeping such news all to yourself?”
“I did not think it appropriate, until now, for me to inform you at a time when you have suffered such a loss,” replied Madeline.
“Do not be anxious about that, as news of this kind pleases me greatly. Tell me all about him,” said Jane, excitedly. “He is the one on the journey with Mr. Carr, is he not? I have heard Morris speak of him.”
“Indeed he is,” replied Madeline. “I have not seen him in a couple of months and shall not see him for yet another four or five. We first met on the journey over from England as we traveled on the same ship, the Angel Gabriel, which wrecked just off the coast at Pemaquid. He lost his wife, Hannah, and son, Zackary, that day.”
“Mamma had informed me of the wreck of your ship,” said Jane. “Have you and Christopher an understanding with regard to a future together?”
“No, we have never spoken of our feelings. I have to admit that I am not even certain of his,” replied Madeline.
“What is that you say?” inquired Bridget, playfully. “Jane, you only need to be with the two of them for a moment to realize that he has feelings for her as well. Madeline has been endeavoring to keep her feelings from him owing to the notion that it has not been long enough since the passing of her husband for her to find happiness with another.”
“Madeline, it has been six years, has it not?” inquired Jane, stunned.
“Indeed it has,” replied Bridget.
“Bridget, you do tease me so,” chuckled Madeline. “I do believe that I am finally ready to let go of the past for a future with Christopher. However, Jane, you must never mention any of this, as I would be mortified if Christopher was certain of my feelings before declaring his.”
“I can see that Bridget has done well to protect your secret, as she has not even given a hint up to now,” said Jane.
“Yes, she has been a faithful friend,” replied Madeline.
“You can count on me as well,” assured Jane.
“Well, though I have enjoyed this day immensely, I must be going, as it is getting on toward time to prepare the evening meal for John,” said Bridget.
“I must be going, too,” replied Madeline.
“Thank you, ladies, for a joyous day,” said Jane. “Bridget, if you like, I shall walk with you, as my legs are in need of a little stretch.”
“Enjoy your walk, ladies,” replied Madeline. “I shall see you soon.”
With that, Madeline was off for home while Jane and Bridget headed the other way through town in the direction of Bridget’s house.
“Jane, there is no need to walk me all the way to my house. You should not have to travel the entire distance back alone,” insisted Bridget.
“Very well. I shall turn back now as it is nearly halfway,” replied Jane. “Do take care and I shall see you soon.”
On Jane’s return trip back through town, Jarret observed her walking alone. “Good day, Jane. What are you doing in town?”
“I was accompanying Bridget to her home,” replied Jane. “She has been with me for most of the afternoon.”
“And, are you, now, on your way home?” inquired Jarret.
“Yes, that is my plan,” smiled Jane.
“Will you do me the honor of allowing me to escort you?” asked Jarret.
“I would not wish to inconvenience you, though I could do with the company,” replied Jane.
Jane’s acquaintances must not have informed her of their ill feelings toward me, as yet, or she would not be so pleasant, thought Jarret. “It is not an inconvenience,” he said, with a smile. “Must you rush home, or shall we take an indirect path and pass by the river on our way?”
“I suppose it would be all right,” responded Jane. “It is so pleasant down by the river.”
Jarret and Jane were together for quite a while before it crossed her mind that she had been gone long enough to be missed. Therefore, she decided it would be best to return home, immediately.
“It has been a delight simply to be in your company, Jane,” said Jarret charmingly, as they walked back in the direction of the Foster’s. “May I come to call on you tomorrow?”
“Oh, Jarret, I shall not be ready for that for some time,” replied Jane. “However, we shall surely see each other in town and at church.”
Jarret decided that for the moment he would not press Jane; however, he was determined not to allow too much time to pass before coming to call.
Jane and Jarret continued on to the Foster’s home conversing happily until they arrived at their destination. “Well Jane, I shall take my leave, as you are safely home,” said Jarret.
“I am much obliged to you for escorting me,” replied Jane as she waved him goodbye.
Jane strolled up into the yard toward the house when Mr. Foster happened to see her.
“You have been gone a very long time. Did you stay and visit at Bridget’s house a while?”
“I accompanied Bridget only half the way home,” replied Jane, as she was moving toward the door to go in. “On my return trip, Jarret Ormsby, seeing that I was alone, offered to escort me. We decided to walk home by way of the river; however, we lingered there longer than I had intended. I must go in now, as Mamma surely has returned by now.”
“Yes, she came back a little while ago,” replied Mr. Foster, with a look of concern.
Anthony overheard the conversation taking place between Mr. Foster and Jane; thus, he decided to address the Jarret situation with Mr. Foster. “Mr. Foster, it appears that Jarret is continuing his attentions toward Jane.”
“Mr. Foster, I am expecting to have further news, regarding Jarret, once Christopher returns from England, the nature of which is sure to put an end to his preying on the ladies in this town. However, as it may, yet, be another five or six months, it would not be prudent to wait for this additional information,” replied Anthony.
“Will you not tell me more?” inquired Mr. Foster.
“I am not at liberty to say anything further as I have, as yet, only my word to offer as proof. I will say, if what I believe is true, it is too despicable for words. Be assured that the moment it can be confirmed, I shall come to you straight away,” replied Anthony.
“Until such time as you have more to share, we shall offer what is already known, regarding Jarret, as testimony to Jane to deter her from having anymore dealings with him,” replied Mr. Foster. “I shall speak to Emma tonight about how to inform Jane so as not to upset her. Not that she has any feelings for Jarret, but her constitution is still in a delicate state, and I should not wish to distress her.”
“You know best,” replied Anthony.
Later that night, Mr. Foster spoke quietly with Emma so as not to be overheard, regarding the situation with Jarret. “Were you aware that Jarret escorted Jane home today?”
“Indeed, and I have to say that I was troubled by the news,” replied Emma.
“I am of the opinion that we should not put off any longer telling Jane what we know, concerning Jarret,” replied Mr. Foster. “Would you not agree?”
“Without question. My only regret is that we have not already done so,” replied Emma.
“Jane will probably think us silly for not informing her before now, as it is likely to have less of an effect on her than we have imagined.”
“I agree. We do, at times, tend to shelter her beyond what is necessary,” smiled Mr. Foster.
“Let us speak with her about it tomorrow,” said Emma.
“Very well,” replied Mr. Foster.
The following day, Mr. Foster and Emma sat down with Jane and informed her of everything that had gone on with regard to Jarret. “We did not wish to burden you with this, Jane, but it has been increasingly obvious that Jarret has turned his attentions toward you,” scowled Mr. Foster. “As you can see by what we have shared, Madeline knows all too well what it means to have Jarret Ormsby’s notice. What is more, what he did to Christopher might have ruined his reputation, or worse.”
“This is shocking news to be sure,” replied Jane. “However, you need not have worried, as it will be a long time before I am of a mind to accept attentions from any man with my Nathan continually on my mind.”
“We were sure that you felt this way, but as Jarret is one of the cleverest of men, we did not dare trust that you would be safe,” replied Emma.
“It is a wonder that Bridget and Madeline never mentioned a word of this to me,” said Jane.
“We had all decided to wait as you are still recovering from the weeks of taking care of Nathan during his illness, as well as the devastating loss that followed. And, as you seemed to be adjusting so well to Salisbury, we did not wish to hinder that in any way,” replied Emma.
“I am aware that you all had my best interest in mind when you elected not to inform me, but in the future do not think me so weak as to be so easily distressed,” said Jane, with a smile.
“You can be sure that we shall be more forthcoming in the future,” confirmed Mr. Foster.
“Now, as we are all in agreement, let us not speak of this again,” replied Jane, lightheartedly.
Chapter 21
The Joke/Susanna North a New Acquaintance
* * *
A few days had passed since Jane’s last visit with Madeline and Bridget when she observed them strolling up to the house. She decided to tease them a bit, regarding Jarret, as they had kept the reports of his character from her.
“Good day, ladies. I am so happy that you have come. Come in, I have news that I wished for my dear friends to be the first to hear,” said Jane, with Emma listening intently wondering of what news she could be speaking.
“Do sit down. I shall bring tea,” said Emma.
“Thank you, Mamma,” said Jane.
“Do tell us your news,” insisted Madeline.
“As you know, I accompanied Bridget part of the way home following our last visit. Well, as I was walking back, Jarret Ormsby came out to greet me. He is such a fine gentlemen, and was so kind as to escort me the rest of the way,” said Jane slyly, hiding a grin. “Is he not the kindest of gentlemen?”
Bridget and Madeline stared at each other not knowing how to respond.
Jane continued, “He has requested that I allow him to come to call on me, and I have decided to say yes. What do you say to that?” she said, with a smirk.
Emma clasped her mouth to keep from laughing aloud as she peeped over at Madeline and Bridget who sat looking utterly stunned at the news.
“Jane, do you think . . . well, you are ready? I mean, do you think it wise?” stammered Madeline, thinking Jane was making this terrible choice for a future husband because of the child that she was carrying.
“Oh yes, my dear Madeline, after hearing your news when last we met, I thought why wait six years for happiness to come when a wonderful man presently desires to court me?” asked Jane mischievously.
“Oh, Jane, if no one else will speak to you about Jarret, I feel that I must,” insisted Bridget, glaring at Emma and Madeline.
At this point, Emma and Jane burst into laughter for several minutes. “I cannot stand the look on your poor bewildered faces any longer,” said Jane, holding her aching sides. “I must admit the truth. I am only teasing. Do you wish to know why?”
Madeline and Bridget, looking confused, answered in the affirmative.
“It is because you, my naughty friends, have been keeping things from me. Mamma and Morris recounted to me everything regarding Jarret,” replied Jane, still giggling.
“After Jarret escorted Jane home from Bridget’s the other day, Mr. Foster and I decided that it was time to tell Jane everything,” chuckled Emma. “Oh, Jane, you are too hilarious. I could not keep from laughing when I saw their faces.”
“Jane, you wicked girl. What a rascal you are,” laughed Bridget. “Your expression did not reveal even a hint of a joke.”
The ladies continued to laugh for several minutes. What’s more, Madeline felt relieved that Jane did not seem burdened any longer. She seems so lighthearted, she must now be at peace regarding the baby, thought Madeline.
Mr. Foster and Anthony laughed as they listened to the joyful ruckus coming from inside the house. “I have to say, Mr. Foster, the ladies are surely enjoying themselves in there,” smiled Anthony. “The news of Jarret does not appear to have harmed Jane in any way.”
Mr. Foster nodded, relieved that Jane had taken the news so well.
“Madeline, let me take a look at that quilt,” said Emma. “You are almost finished with it. It looks as if all that is left to do is to attach the binding. I am afraid that I do not possess enough left over material for that task. A while back, I suggested to Jane that you ladies go down to Mr. North’s store and see what he might have that would suit you. Though, I must say, other than attaching the binding, the quilt has turned out beautifully.”
“Jane and Bridget have been a great help to me, as I had not the skills to do it on my own,” replied Madeline.
“You have done most of the work yourself,” replied Bridget. “A fine job you have done too.”
“As you know, Elizabeth is getting closer every day to having the baby, so it might be best if you went to Mr. North’s shop today,” insisted Emma.
Bridget, Jane, and Madeline took Emma’s advice and set off for Mr. North’s shop.
While they were there, they were introduced to Mr. North’s daughter, Susanna. They found her to be a pleasant sort who was of an approximate age to Jane’s. They decided they should very much like getting to know her.
“Let us make a point of inviting Susanna to join us for tea someday very soon,” said Jane as they sauntered back to the Foster’s home.
“Yes, let us invite her sometime when we all get together,” replied Madeline. “I am so happy that I shall be able to complete my quilt, now that I have the material needed for the binding. It was good of Emma to suggest Mr. North’s shop.”
Madeline continued to admire her binding cloth the rest of the way to the Foster’s, while imagining Elizabeth’s reaction upon receiving the quilt. “Elizabeth is going to be very surprised,” remarked Madeline.
“Indeed she will,” replied Bridget.
Over the next few days, Madeline was able to steal away a little each day to work on the quilt. Before long, she was nearly finished. Bridget and Jane met with her one last time, at the Foster’s, to assist in the final touches.
“Well, I believe that we have finished it,” Madeline squealed with delight. “I am much obliged to you all for your assistance. Would it be all right if I were to leave the quilt here until such time as I present it to Elizabeth?”
“Yes, it will be safe here until you are ready for it,” replied Emma.
Bridget and Madeline said their goodbyes and were off, leaving Jane and Emma to prepare dinner for Anthony and Mr. Foster.
“Morris, Anthony,” called Emma.
“Emma must have dinner ready to serve,” said Mr. Foster to Anthony, as he heard Emma calling.
“Are you sure that I am not a bother to your family, eating with you almost every night?” asked Anthony.
“How can you ask such a thing?” inquired Mr. Foster. “We are all delighted to have you. In addition to being a great help to us, you have also become a good friend.”
Anthony and Mr. Foster joined Emma and Jane for dinner whereupon Emma told them of the joke that Jane had played on Madeline and Bridget.
“I had to cover my mouth to keep from laughing once I realized what Jane was up to,” giggled Emma.
Lost Love and Shipwrecked: Madeline Pike Finds Hope in the New Land Page 12