Out of the Ordinary
Page 31
“England? Why in the world would he settle in England?”
“He apparently had a cousin there, one with a large family. That, to me, says that even though Roy was wrong to steal your daughter away from you, he was trying to provide her with a family of sorts, albeit a distant one.”
“He wouldn’t have had to provide Jane with a family at all if he’d simply stayed in New York, worked on our marriage, and allowed me to be a mother to Jane.”
“Well, quite, but you must remember that you were not the woman you are today. You’ve admitted to drinking heavily, stealing, and even using your daughter as a pawn to draw Roy’s attention. In all fairness to your husband, he probably saw you as a distinct threat to Jane.”
Mrs. Davenport blew out a breath. “I was a threat to Jane, and in all honesty, I was a horrible mother. However, since no good will come of dwelling on my past deficiencies, may I dare hope Roy and Jane are still over in England?”
Reverend Perry squeezed Mrs. Davenport’s hand. “This is the part you may find distressful, because, you see, not long after getting settled in England, Roy became very ill. And while he was fighting a fever, he apparently told that cousin of his that you were . . . dead.”
Mrs. Davenport’s mouth dropped open. “He killed me off?”
“I’m afraid so, and that’s not the worst of it.”
“How could that not be the worst of it?”
“Because before Roy could rescind that statement, he died, but only after he got his cousin’s promise to take Jane in and raise her as his own. That cousin then adopted Jane, which changed her last name, making it next to impossible for you to uncover her whereabouts.”
Mrs. Davenport simply sat there for a long moment, stunned. “But . . . is she still over in England, and if so, do I dare travel there and try to explain why I’m not dead?”
“There’s no need for that, because I decided to travel here to New York and see for myself if the mother I’ve believed dead for decades was still very much alive.”
Turning toward the door, Mrs. Davenport suddenly found it next to impossible to breathe because standing in that doorway was . . . Jane.
She was obviously no longer a child, but Mrs. Davenport would have recognized her anywhere.
An eternity seemed to pass between them, but then Mrs. Davenport was on her feet, rushing to her daughter’s side. Drawing Jane into her arms, she held on for dear life as tears flowed freely down her face.
“I never thought I’d see you again,” she whispered.
“I never thought I’d see you either since I truly did believe you were dead.”
Stepping back, although she kept a firm grip on Jane’s hand, Mrs. Davenport managed a wobbly smile. “From what I understand, your father was in the midst of a fever when he told you that, but I know why he told you I was dead. As I’ve just recently admitted to Reverend Perry, I was a horrible mother.”
Jane smiled. “Since I have children of my own, I’m of the belief that we mothers do the best we can with what we have available at the moment. Father was not an easy man, which I’m sure contributed to the situation at the time.”
“I kept hoping you’d return someday, maybe not to see me, but to revisit the window your father purchased for you at Grace Church.” Mrs. Davenport smiled. “You were always fascinated with that window, which is why I’ve attended almost every service there for decades.”
“I remember that window, but because I believed you gone, there was never a reason for me to return.”
Walking back to the fainting couch as Reverend Perry sent her a nod before he departed, Mrs. Davenport took a seat directly beside Jane, delighted when Jane immediately took hold of her hand again.
“We have much to catch up with, Mother,” Jane said. “Did I mention I’m married to an earl—the Earl of Ossulton—and that I have five children?”
Mrs. Davenport raised a hand to her chest. “I have five grandchildren?”
“You do, and they’re scamps, each and every one of them.” Jane smiled. “Do say you’ll accept my invitation to come and stay at our castle in Northumberland so you can get to know me again, as well as my family.”
Brushing away a tear that was trailing down her face, Mrs. Davenport smiled. “I would be delighted to accept your invitation, although I will need to stay in the city until October.” Her smiled widened. “A very good friend of mine will be celebrating her engagement then, and I truly cannot miss that occasion.” She reached up and touched Jane’s face. “She is a most compassionate sort, stubborn at times, quite like you were as a child. And, she’s an extraordinary woman, one who is certain to have an extraordinary life—a lady who goes by the delightful name of Gertrude.”
Jen Turano, a USA Today bestselling author, is a graduate of the University of Akron with a degree in clothing and textiles. She is a member of ACFW and RWA. She lives in a suburb of Denver, Colorado. Visit her website at www.jenturano.com.
Books by Jen Turano
Gentleman of Her Dreams (e-novella)
A Change of Fortune
A Most Peculiar Circumstance
A Talent for Trouble
A Match of Wits
After a Fashion
In Good Company
Playing the Part
At Your Request (e-novella)
Behind the Scenes
Out of the Ordinary
Sign Up Now!
Resources: bethanyhouse.com/AnOpenBook
Website: www.bethanyhouse.com
Facebook: Bethany House
Twitter: @Bethany House