I saw her share a worried glance with Jeremy. “I thought Gabriel would have written you by now,” I said.
“You haven’t had a falling out,” Jeremy said with a glower.
“Of course not,” I said. “My da died.” Florence gasped, and Jeremy nodded his understanding as I blinked away tears. “Colin and I decided we had to come back. We needed to be here for the ceremony.”
“Of course,” Florence said, reaching out to take my hand. “I imagine the trip was expensive.”
“Gabriel and I had some money saved, but thankfully my aunt Betsy had given me money when I had traveled west. I’d saved most of it. I’m glad I did as it ensured Colin could travel with me.”
“I’m sure your family has been glad you’re here, Rissa,” Florence said.
“Not everyone. Aunt Matilda still believes I’m a bad influence on Savannah and wishes I’d remained in Montana.” I noticed Jeremy stiffen at Savannah’s name. “Mrs. Smythe was not happy to see us.”
“Well, we’re your family, and we’re delighted you’re here,” Florence said. “I’m just sorry for the reason for your need to travel.”
“Thanks, Flo.” I glanced around the room. “What time does Richard arrive home? I was hoping to speak with him too.”
“Why?” Jeremy asked.
“I’m worried about what Mrs. Smythe has planned for my father’s business. I doubt she’ll content herself with allowing Colin to run it. Knowing her, she has a different plan.”
“She is your father’s widow,” Florence said.
“I know. That’s what concerns me. I worry she has the right to do as she likes with the business. I wish Colin were the one to decide.” I tapped my fingers on the table top.
Jeremy laughed. “You surprise me, Clarissa. Here I thought you’d rejoice that a woman would have the right to decide what happened to her husband’s property upon his death, rather than having to rely on the counsel of men. Instead you’d like the laws to change to suit your desires.”
I flushed. “I know. Sophie would be appalled. I just can’t imagine Mrs. Smythe having Colin’s or Melly’s best interest at heart.”
“Nor do many men,” Florence argued. “It’s the way of things, Rissa. You’ll have to see what happens and then do what you can so that it is just.”
“Flo, I’m home!” Richard’s voice boomed down the hallway, and the sound of a door slamming shut reverberated.
“Good. There’s a surprise for you!” she yelled.
“I hope it’s your famous Indian pudding,” he said just before he paused in the doorway. “Or it could be Clarissa.” He beamed at me as he strode toward me. I had just enough time to stand before he enveloped me in a huge hug.
“Hello, Richard,” I said as I blinked away tears.
“I heard about your da today. I’m sorrier than I can say, Rissa,” he said as he swiped my cheeks with his thumbs, smearing away the scattered tears that had fallen.
“Where’s Gabe?” he asked as he looked around the room.
“In Montana.”
“Why wouldn’t he travel with you?” Richard shared a worried glance with Florence and Jeremy.
“Richard, sit and have a cup of tea, and we’ll bring you up-to-date,” Florence said.
After I repeated my reason for traveling east without Gabriel, Jeremy asked, “And the other one? That Cameron fellow? What happened to him? Gabe just wrote that he died, and you no longer needed to worry about him. Seemed to happen months after you traveled to Montana.”
“I forbade Gabriel from harming Cameron in any way,” I said.
Jeremy watched me, stupefied. “Are you serious? After the way he threatened and scared you? Following you halfway across a continent like a deranged lunatic? He deserved to suffer and at Gabriel’s hands.”
“Not if it meant I’d be separated from Gabriel. Nothing, not even some notion of justice, warranted that.” I sighed with relief upon realizing Gabriel had never explained to his brothers all that I had suffered by Cameron’s actions.
“And Gabriel agreed with you?” Richard asked, sounding equally surprised.
“I think he’d spent enough time alone to know he wanted no reason for further separation.” I paused. “And nothing he could have done would have changed what had happened.” Jeremy seemed unconvinced, although he appeared to be considering what I said.
“At any rate, he and Gabriel had sporadic verbal sparring matches. Sometimes at the bar, at other times on the boardwalk. I avoided him as best I could, although I couldn’t always evade him. Cameron began to woo a wealthy businessman’s daughter. Her family was ecstatic that a refined, eastern gentleman had taken an interest in their daughter, and they were determined to have him as a son-in-law.”
“Gullible fools,” Florence said.
I nodded my agreement. “Be that as it may, he worked at one of the local sawmills as his father-in-law-to-be owned it. There was an accident, and he died.”
“How?” Richard asked.
“Fire is very common in a sawmill, with so much sawdust and sparks, and a large fire broke out one day. He was trapped inside.”
“Poor man,” Florence said. She glared at Jeremy. “I know he was awful to you, Rissa. I can’t bear to imagine all you suffered due to him. Yet I still can’t envision dying like that.”
“Nor can I,” I admitted. “I had nightmares for days. We almost lost one of our best friends, the foreman at the mill. He ran into the mill, trying to save Cameron, but he couldn’t find him. He barely made it out alive.”
“Brave man,” Jeremy said.
“Yes, and a very good one,” I agreed. “Now Mrs. Wright believes I brought her son to an early death, all because I wouldn’t marry him. If I had done my duty and had walked down the aisle with him, none of this would have befallen either of us.”
“Well, she needs someone to spew her venom at, and you’re alive and present. She’ll never find fault in her dead, now sainted, son. She can’t look to herself for her failings, so she must look to blame others,” Florence said.
I nodded. “I’m just thankful there’s no chance of mischief in Montana while I’m away.”
“How long will you visit Boston?” Florence asked.
“I don’t know. A few weeks at the most, I hope. I promised Gabriel I’d be home for Christmas.”
“When is the funeral, Rissa? We’d like to be there to support you.” Florence poured more tea into my cup.
“Oh, I forgot. When Colin and I arrived yesterday, he read in the paper that it was all occurring as we were boarding the carriage to take us to Sophie’s. We had to rush to the cemetery. We barely made it there in time to hear the priest’s final prayers.”
“Surely you had telegrammed that you were coming and to hold the ceremony?” Richard asked.
“Of course. But Mrs. Smythe didn’t want us here. Wanted us unable to take part in the ceremony or the burial.”
“Vile woman,” Florence said. “How dare she treat you like that?”
“We caused quite a stir arriving in our traveling clothes rather than in mourning garb,” I said, chuckling before gasping in an attempt to swallow a sob. “Oh, Lord, why does any of it matter? My da is dead. That’s all anyone should care about. Not the color of my coat or Colin’s scarf.” I wiped at my cheeks as tears fell. Richard leaned toward me, and I welcomed his brief embrace.
“Well, you’ve shown society you care very little for their conventions a time too many. I imagine there were some quite happy to snub you for it,” Florence said as she patted my hand.
“I know you’re right. Thankfully, Sav was there, and she didn’t care.” I shook my head in amazement. “Which is extraordinary, as she had become the most rigid of them all before she married Jonas.”
“How is Savannah?” Florence asked with a quick glance toward Jeremy.
“Recovering from the trauma of a marriage to one such as her husband,” I said. “She continues to blame herself for marrying him.”
“No wo
man would ever imagine such a reality,” Richard argued. “We don’t know much of what occurred, but from what Florence told me of the day they rescued her from Jonas, it’s enough to know she was treated abominably.”
“Thankfully she heals. She’s finding her inner strength one day at a time.” I smiled at Jeremy. “And she asked me to give this to you.” I held out a letter. “I know Gabriel would say I’m meddling, but I agreed to act as mailman.”
“Why didn’t she come to visit with you?” Jeremy asked. He stroked his name written in her penmanship.
“I believe she was worried about her reception here.”
“Savannah is always welcome in our house,” Richard proclaimed although Florence gave a sniff of disapproval.
“Flo?” I asked.
“I don’t approve of how she treated Jeremy. I’ve tried to understand what she has suffered. I’ve attempted to imagine that kind of terror. And yet, how she could think, for one second, that Jeremy would ever hurt her is beyond me.”
I frowned as I saw Jeremy flinch at Florence’s words. I reached out and gripped his hand for a moment. “I know you’d never intentionally hurt her, Jeremy. We never intentionally hurt those we love, although that doesn’t mean we don’t cause them pain at some point. The difference is that you work to soothe it once the hurt is known.”
Jeremy watched me with intense green eyes for a moment.
Richard watched Jeremy and me, his expression one of guarded optimism. He reached forward and clasped Florence’s hand. She held it over her belly.
“How’s Gabe, Rissa?” Richard asked. “I wish he were here.”
“I think he would have preferred to travel with me, but he needed to remain in Montana for his business. He has many projects, and he would have lost work had he traveled. And we only had money for two fares. We thought it best for Colin to come with me.”
“Work can’t be more important than you, Rissa,” Richard said.
“It’s not. But, because I’m not allowed to work as a teacher, I have to work at a small library, earning very little. I can’t add much to our income, and Gabriel is determined to provide a good home for us.”
“As he should,” Richard said with a smile toward Florence.
“Well, I’m happy he wants to be a good husband and provider, but I’d like to contribute more than I do,” I said.
“I’m sure you do plenty, Rissa, with all the work you do around the house,” Jeremy said.
I flushed and looked away as Florence snickered. “I doubt it, Jeremy,” Florence said. “Clarissa never knew how to do any of the practical aspects of running a home. Isn’t that one of the reasons your stepmother wanted you at home?”
I replied, “She was more interested in me sitting in the parlor wearing a provocative dress and enticing would-be suitors than learning anything of value. If you’re interested, I’ve been learning to cook.”
“Even a year later? Is it that hard?” Richard asked, sharing an amused grin with Jeremy. “Gabe and I used to do well enough with simple meals. Maybe you should have him teach you a few of the tricks that he learned when he was a bachelor.”
“I’m not going to ask my husband for cooking advice, Richard.”
“I would, if it meant you’d eat a decent meal,” Jeremy said. “Nothing worse than being hungry.”
“Anyway, we have a wonderful friend who is helping me,” I said.
“Does she feed you too?” Florence asked.
“We’re often invited to dinner after I have a lesson,” I said and blushed as Jeremy, Florence and Richard laughed.
After a moment Florence calmed her laughter and watched me with serious eyes. “You’re happy, Rissa?”
“I am. We’ve had some difficult times, but I never knew I could be as happy as I am. I believe Gabriel feels the same.”
“Never doubt it, Rissa,” Richard said. “In his letters to us, all he writes about is the wonder of that place and his joy in sharing it with you.”
“How is Uncle Aidan?” Jeremy asked. “I can’t believe I haven’t seen him yet.”
“He’s well. He travels frequently for his business, although he has purchased a lovely home in Missoula.”
“Why don’t you live in it?” Richard asked. “Sounds nicer than living over the workshop.”
“It’s your uncle’s home. I think Gabriel would like us to live in a place that is ours. And I support Gabriel. I don’t want to live in a place that is beyond what we can afford.”
“I’d think Aidan would want you there, rather than have the house empty for months at a time,” Florence said.
“It’s not empty. The woman who’s helping me with my cooking, Amelia Egan, she lives there with her children as a housekeeper.” I turned to Jeremy. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Uncle Aiden were to travel here at some point. He’s been invited to invest in an overseas shipping venture with Jonas, and I believe he wants to come east to speak with him. I’m uncertain as to what he will decide.”
“I’d hope he’d have better sense than to have any dealings with that man,” Jeremy hissed.
“He’s often said that he shouldn’t mix business with family, but I hope you’re right,” I said.
“If one is as successful as Uncle Aidan is purported to be, he should be able to decline dealings with anyone he chooses,” Jeremy said.
“Jer,” Richard said with a warning glance. “You know that he has to think about his business too. It’s not just about how that businessman treated the woman who intrigues you.”
“It’s not like I’m playing some game, Rich,” Jeremy said as he rose. “I’m not intrigued by her. I love her. If I had my way, I’d marry her tomorrow.” He flushed as he turned to face the empty back lot abutting the rear of their house.
I shared a knowing glance with Florence. “I should return to Sophie’s.” I began to rise before sitting again. “Wait, I forgot.” I reached over and gripped Richard’s arm. “Richard, what’s happening with my father’s forge? Colin came back earlier this afternoon boiling mad, and I couldn’t get a coherent word out of him. He stormed off before he explained anything to me.”
Richard took a deep breath as regret flitted across his face. “I hadn’t realized until today that your da had died, Rissa. The man who took over for Old Man Harris, Mr. Wade, works us much harder than Old Man Harris did and doesn’t like to catch us chatting while we work. Thinks we’ll be more productive if we get into a routine.”
“He treats you like you’re a bunch of automatons,” Jeremy grumbled.
“Well, anyway, I haven’t kept in touch with my friends at your da’s forge. I work hard and want to come home to see Florence. Spend time with Jer. I don’t want to spend my time and money at the saloons. So I just learned today about your da. And about your da’s forge.”
“What about my da’s forge?” I asked.
“Mrs. Smythe is already planning to sell it to Mr. Wade,” Richard said. He flushed. “In fact, he talked to me today about having me take over the running of it.”
I sat back in my chair, becoming paler by the moment. “Mrs. Smythe is selling Colin’s birthright?”
“I think it’s all but finalized. Mr. Wade was contacted two days after your da’s death. Something about maintaining profitability and the goodwill of customers.” Richard shook his head. “The problem is, I know that woman thinks she’s cunning, but I doubt she has the head for business Mr. Wade has. He’ll convince her that he’s giving her fair value when in truth it’s worth triple what he’s paying her.”
Richard sighed. “And I shouldn’t have told you any of that because, if Mr. Wade finds out that I’m undermining his negotiations, he’ll be furious. He took over after you ran away to be with Gabe, so he’s unaware we’re related.”
“I don’t want you to lose your job on account of me, Richard,” I murmured.
“If I do, I’ll find another. I know I’m a good smith. And I know I won’t run your da’s shop the way he would want me to. I can’t be that type o
f a manager.” He rubbed away a chagrined smile. “I can’t say, just for a moment, that the thought of running my own forge wasn’t very tempting. But, when I realized who I’d be taking it away from, I don’t know if I could do it.”
“I’d think Col would rather have you running it than anyone else,” I said. I rubbed at my temple. “No wonder Colin was so furious.”
“I can only imagine what he thinks of me,” Richard said.
“That you are a good, loyal friend,” I said. I squeezed his arm again and rose. “I should head home.”
I walked down the hallway with Richard. As the front door opened, I gasped to find Colin on the front step, his hand raised as though to knock. “Col!” I gasped. I reached forward and clasped his arm. “I’ve been worried since you stormed out of Sophie’s.”
He nodded, and I hated the desolation I saw in his gaze. “I’m sorry, Rissa. I needed to think.” He tried to smile, although no joy entered his blue eyes. I stepped aside, allowing Colin full sight of Richard. “Hi, Rich. It sure is good to see you again.”
He reached out his hand, but, instead of clasping it, Richard pulled Colin into a quick embrace. After a pat on the back, Richard slung his arm over Colin’s shoulder and tugged him into the living room area. I shut the door, following them.
As we entered, I saw Jeremy and Florence pause in the midst of what appeared to be a deep conversation. “Is there any more tea, Flo?” Richard asked as he ushered Colin to one of the chairs. Colin collapsed into it, smiling a vague hello to Florence and Jeremy. I shared a worried glance with Florence, and I again found myself sitting around the table with another mug of tea warming my hands.
“I visited Mrs. Smythe today. She wants money, and she wants it as fast as possible. I don’t understand her haste,” Colin said. “The forge runs well, will earn her a steady income as long as she has a good, reliable man at the helm. I don’t know why she wants to sell it.” Colin shook his head in dazed confusion.
Florence cleared her throat. “Word has it that she is quite extravagant in her purchases. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’s in acres of debt.”
Undaunted Love (PART TWO): Banished Saga, Book 3.5 Page 5