by Rita Hestand
She stood so shocked.
"Didn't you ever suspect? The many times I've been around you, I tried to tell you in so many ways. But you weren't listening. Has Joe ever kissed you like I kiss you?"
Melanie thought about that a moment. "When you first kissed me, I thought, Joe was never that amorous. I told myself you had simply changed, because of the war. I convinced myself that was the case. However,…I married you? Never suspecting such a lie."
"I know that…but Melanie, I wanted to marry you. I knew that the love I felt was real."
She shook her head. "Real!"
She picked up a pillow and threw it at him. Then another. "I can't believe you deceived me so…Right now, nothing seems real."
"I only deceived you because I loved you so much." Joe defended.
Her eyes widened again. "You did it to get Golden Manor! And after I defended you so. Oh, well, the joke is on you. I'm going home to mother!"
"Home? This is your home." He tried to reason with her.
"You've been lying to me all along." She insisted.
"No, you are wrong. I really love you…" He grabbed her arms and turned her around to look at him. "I've given you my heart, and my soul. I can't live without you, Melanie."
"No, if you loved me, you would never have lied about it. You knew I loved Joe!"
He hung his head. "Don't you care about me…even a little?"
"Care? Right now I don't know what I feel, but caring isn't part of it. Loathing maybe, but not caring. I'm going home to my mother."
"For how long?"
"I don't know." She went to get her bag from the closet.
"Melanie, nothing has changed but my name! The love I feel for you is real. You are the most important thing in my life. The things we've shared, the words I've spoken, they are all real. I meant every word."
She stared into his eyes and slowly shook her head. "Then why didn't you tell me before we were married?"
"I was afraid if I did, you wouldn't marry me. That I'd have to tell father the truth too. That our plan wouldn't work. That I'd lose you forever."
He took her hand, kissed it with loving care.
"Everything has changed. You aren't the man I was supposed to marry. And I thought so much of you before. Now…I need time to think.!"
He nodded and looked at the floor, tryin not to feel the disappointment that was sure to stab at his heart. "Did Joe ever kiss you the way I kissed you?" He asked in a low voice.
"That doesn't matter. I was in love with Joe…" She shrieked.
"Give yourself some time to think about this, will ya? Honey, you might have fallen in love with Joe, but he walked all over you for years. I truly love you."
She grabbed her bag and threw a few clothes in it. "I need some time to sort this out."
"Don't do anything rash…please." He begged her.
"Does Carmen know?" She asked him turning to look at him.
"Yes, she knows."
"So I and your father were the stupid ones." Melanie gasped again.
"Dammit Melanie, don't throw what we have had these past few months away. I do love you. With all my heart. Nothing will change that, not even your leaving me."
"You gave me no choice in the matter. This isn't fair." She protested.
He jerked her arm around and touched her cheek. "You thought you loved Joe, but that was a fantasy in your head. My love is real. In time, I hope you'll come to see that. I'm the one who loves you, don't you see that. Haven't I proved it?"
She stared into his sad eyes. "Right now, I just want to go home. I don't want to see your face, feel your body next to mine. I don't want to hear another word."
"When will you come back, your my wife Melanie?"
"I don't know."
"Will you tell my father?"
She stared at him a long time and then her eyes fell to the floor, "No, I won't tell your father. Goodbye…Sam!"
"Thank you for that at least."
"Why did you do it?" She turned on her way out the door.
"Because I loved you. It's as simple as that." He explained.
"Well, right now, that's not good enough. I'll get one of the hands to get me a carriage." She said and stomped out of the room.
Father Armstrong was in the study getting a book when she passed by. "Melanie, what are you doing?"
"I'm leaving father Armstrong."
"Leaving?"
"Yes, I'm afraid so…" She tried to smile.
"But…"
She walked off, leaving him gaping.
~*~
"What in the world has got into Melanie these days?" George wanted to know as he stomped up the stairs to his son's room.
Joe was still sitting on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor.
"Where's she going this time of night?" George asked.
"To her mother's." Joe replied dryly.
George stared at his son for a long moment. "A lover's spat?"
"Something like that." Joe admitted.
"Well, she'll be back. Your mother used to do me the same way every time I made her mad. Packed her bags and went to her Mama's. I used to get so upset; I couldn't eat until she returned."
Joe shook his head. "I'm not sure she's coming back father."
George glared at him. "Then you better apologize for whatever you've done and make her come back. That's one good woman."
"I know that father. But I don't want her coming back if she doesn't want to." Joe rationalized.
George sat on the edge of the bed with him. "Women don't know their own mind, son. The sooner you learn that, the sooner she'll be back."
Joe glanced at his father and sighed aloud. "I've lost the greatest thing in my life tonight, father. Excuse me…I just want to go to bed and maybe things will look better in the morning."
"You can't let her stew."
"I've got to give her some time."
"Whatever did you quarrel about?"
"Carmen, Sam…"
"That has nothing to do with the two of you."
"Excuse me father, I’m going to bed." Joe moved to the lamp by his bed and blew it out. "Goodnight father."
"But son…"
Chapter Twenty-Five
"Melanie, what on earth are you doing here in the middle of the night?" Minerva asked as she held the lamp in the middle of the stairway, as one of the maid let her daughter inside.
"I've come home for a bit, mother." Melanie said breathlessly.
Minerva heard the quiver in her voice saw the stark look on her face and came down the stairs.
"Something is wrong…isn't it?"
"Yes, something is wrong." Melanie repeated.
"Come, we'll make up your bed." Minerva took her arm and guided her up the stairs. "Thank you Gertrude, we won't need you again tonight, I'm sure."
"Yes ma'am." The maid locked the front door and retired to her quarters back behind the kitchen.
"Now then, is there anything I can do for you my darling?" Minerva asked as they approached the top of the stairs.
"No, nothing…I just want to go to bed and forget this day happened." Melanie cried.
"Won't you tell me what is wrong?"
"I wouldn't know where to begin…" Melanie cried.
"That bad?"
"Yes mother, it's that bad." Melanie answered and sniffed.
"Then we'll prepare your bed and after you've have a good night's sleep we'll talk." Minerva smiled at her.
"Thank you…."
They made the bed and Melanie pulled out the gown she'd been wearing and put it on. She slipped between the sheets and started to cover herself, but her mother covered her. Then she leaned to kiss her forehead. "Goodnight my love…it will look much better to you in the morning…"
"I hope so…I truly do." Melanie turned over and cried herself to sleep.
She was too tired to fret, she slept and the next morning she went downstairs to join her mother.
"I've had scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausages fixed. T
here is hot coffee too." Her mother smiled at her as she joined her at the table.
"Thank you mother, but I'm not very hungry." Melanie shook her head.
"I see, come with me then," He mother encouraged as she took her arm and they walked into the study and closed the door.
"Now, I want you to tell me, what has you so upset, my dear?" Her mother offered her the most comfortable chair.
Melanie plopped into the chair, unmindful.
"It would seem that I did not marry Joseph Armstrong, but his brother Sam…" She blurted dully.
Her mother's mouth flew open and she stared, "Sam. You are married to Sam?"
"Yes, and I want you not to mention it around anyone. This is our secret, mother." Melanie explained.
"How did this happen?"
"I'm not sure myself. And yet, the more I think on it, I should have known." Melanie cried.
"I don't understand." Her mother frowned.
"Sam came home, in a northern uniform, posing as Joe. He swooped me into his arms and proceeded to kiss me into some sort of dream state. I never fully realized until he told me last night."
"But why….for what purpose?"
Melanie bowed her head, and thought about that for a long moment. "He claims to love me truly…"
"Who, Sam or Joe?"
"Sam…" Melanie repeated his name over and over in her mind.
"And what of Joe?"
"He, according to my husband loves Carmen, truly." Melanie repeated the words her husband uttered.
"Good heavens. How could this have happened?"
"It was all planned out by the two of them."
"Does their father know?"
"No, mother, that is why we must be silent about it. If father George comes to see us, we must remain quiet about all of this; it might kill him if he knew." Melanie insisted.
"But why?"
"Father George has given Golden Manor to….to Sam, and he doesn't know it. Joe unfortunately has chosen Carmen as the woman in his life." Melanie frowned at the thought.
Minerva plopped down in the nearest chair and looked stunned. "My God, why did they do this?"
"Because Joe loves Carmen, and as Joe his father would never have accepted Carmen. Sam loves me, he says and now he can rightfully claim Golden Manor as his. I'm not sure if he wants Golden Manor or me, or both."
Her mother glanced at her, her shoulders slumped, but her head rising, "And how do you feel about all of this?"
"I don't know mother, that's why I'm here." Melanie explained.
Her mother nodded, "I can understand that. You need some distance to figure this out."
"If I return I will have to carry out the charades. If not…I would never divorce him unless he asked for one. It would bring shame upon us." Melanie sighed wearily.
Minerva stood and went to stand by the window, looking out over the fields and the first sign of a true norther looked ominously threatening.
"Well, my dear, you are married to Sam Armstrong. Despite the name he used."
"Yes, I am."
"You used to speak highly of Sam, many times." Her mother reminded her.
"I know that mother. I always liked him." Melanie answered lifting her head to look at her mother.
"And how does he feel about you?"
"He says he loves me truly. He certainly has acted the part."
"Does he act like he truly loves you in every way?" Her mother scrutinized her.
Melanie hesitated, and then upon reflection of the many times he had made exquisite love to her she pinked. "I think he does…" her voice lifted.
"Then the real question is…how do you feel about him?"
Melanie stood up and paced, wringing her hands, her face twisted into a half frown, half smile. "I never dreamed this could happen mother. I spent most of my life thinking I loved Joe. Now…I just don't know. I suppose it is rather useless to even worry about Joe. He certainly didn't worry over me. And Sam…he's been everything a woman could possibly want, mother." Melanie looked shocked as she stared at her mother.
"Then why even hesitate, if he is the husband you've always dreamed of?" Her mother insisted.
"Because he lied to me!"
Her mother sat down and reached to take her hand in hers. "Melanie…life is full of surprises. No one hands you a perfect marriage. No one assures you that you are making the right decisions or not. You must find your heart and follow it. Always follow your heart. I loved your father up until I saw how selfish a man he really was. I could have forgiven him many things but not the fact that he had no love for his children. Sometimes you have to search deeply to realize what is the most important thing in your life."
"I need time mother…"
"Of course you do, my sweet. You are welcome here as long as you like." Her mother smiled and leaned the distance to kiss her cheek. "Now, let's go have breakfast and try to have an ordinary day."
Melanie took her hand and they went to the dining room.
~*~
"Minerva, how nice to see you again. What can we do for you?" George Armstrong was helping her down from her carriage. Minerva was a handsome woman, but she'd been a little standoffish since the war had taken four of her sons. She wore a beautiful purple silk dress, and a feathery hat on her head and looked like a grand queen.
"Good morning George, I wish to speak to Joseph, in private if I may." Minerva insisted as she gave the groomsman her reins.
"Joe? Well, of course…come in, I'll send him into the study." George smiled at her.
Minerva smiled and entered the study, admiring the many books and huge desk there. She walked around the room and smiled to herself. Her daughter had done well, marrying an Armstrong, the second most respected family in the county.
Joseph came into the study with eagerness.
"Mother Hamilton, how are you this morning?" Joe came straight up to her and kissed her hand.
"I'm fine, and how are you?"
Joe squirmed a bit. "As you can imagine, I'm worried about Melanie…"
"Yes of course you are. You know…I never thought you had it in you!" Minerva smiled, eyeing him with complete disregard for his surprise.
"Had it in me? What are you talking about?" Joe squirmed a bit.
"I never thought you would pull something so daring. I'm impressed." Minerva smiled gently at him.
"Impressed?" Joe looked puzzled, his head turning in question.
"This little scheme you and your brother hashed up is quite daring, I must say." Minerva nearly laughed. "And I couldn't be happier for the two of you."
"You know then?"
"Yes, I know. And to tell the truth…." she stared straight at him for a moment. "I'm delighted."
Joe whirled on his heels and stared open mouthed at her. "You…are?"
"Of course. I never thought Melanie belonged with Joe. He was too much a rascal. I knew he wouldn't be true to her and he'd break her heart."
Joe kept staring, but a light came into his eyes now.
"I never expected your approval!" Joe said still stunned by her reaction.
"Of course you didn't. But you saved my daughter from a lifetime of disappointments. I never saw you in the same light, I might add. I knew you loved her for years! It was obvious to everyone but her." She laughed joyfully. "Why it was positively dreadful the way you ran after her as she proceeded to chase your brother."
"Years?" Joe's mouth was hanging open once more.
"Of course. Only a blind person couldn't see it. Like my daughter who was so infatuated with your brother. But you…are a different story, aren't you Sam. You're cut from a very different cloth, anyone can see that. You have a quiet nature, peaceful, serene and true. I've known that about you all along. I often hoped she might see it too. But love can be blind sometimes too."
The sound of his name on her lips had him letting down his guard and almost smiling. "I never knew anyone else had even guessed my feelings."
"So tell me. Do you intend to carry on this masquerade o
f yours very long?" Minerva chuckled.
Joe shrugged and looked off. "I don't know. I guess a lot depends on how Melanie feels. I know it was a terrible shock for her. I know she loved Joe. But I had hoped I had pleased her enough for her to change her mind. I think I failed." he shrugged.
"Not entirely. She needs time to adjust to the fact. She knows you love her. Any woman that was that eager to be with her husband has feelings even she doesn't know yet. Let her get over it. Let her stay at my home for a while. If I'm right, she'll come running back to you. I am sure of it."
"And you…how do you feel about it?"
"Grateful. I love my daughter. I want to see her happy. I knew she'd never be happy with Joe. But now that she knows you are Sam…things will change and in the long run, for the better." Minerva said and laid her hand on his.
"You truly think so?"
"Of course. I've never seen my daughter so happy in all her life. And now that I know who she married, I'm happy too…"
Joe went on bended knee in front of her. "Thank you, so much, Mother Hamilton. You have no idea how much that means to me."
Minerva smiled. "Call me, Mother, I like that much better."
"But I thought you'd be as mad as she? After all, I did lie."
Minerva found a book on George's desk and smiled. "I'm actually glad you thought of it…"
"Really?"
"Really. Oh Sam, I didn't want my daughter married to a man who obviously loved another. Love is a funny thing, but one can see it in the eyes. Now be patient. Time will heal the rift between you. After all, you love each other."
Joe looked a bit miffed. "You think she loves me?"
"Of course she does, she just doesn't know it yet. When you came home, you awakened something in her that has changed her drastically. She's got spirit now. She loves life. And all thanks to you. She doesn't realize it yet, but she will." Minerva smiled. "Good day, Joseph."
"Good day, Mother…" Joe smiled and led her out of the study.
George was coming down the stairs. "Leaving so soon, Minerva? I'd hoped you could have some tea with me."
"Yes, I better get back. You're looking well George, what's changed you so?"