“Well, maybe for just an hour or so, but it wouldn’t be appropriate for me to sleep with you here.”
“Then sleep next door. It won’t hurt a thing. We’re going to be married as soon as you feel it safe enough to slip away and do so. No one has any right to fuss over you taking a nap next door while I mind the sick and very young.” He kissed Sally’s face, and she squealed in delight and reached for his nose.
Gloriana watched them for a moment, then nodded. “All right. I’ll go next door and take a nap. If I’m not back in an hour or two, however, come wake me.”
“Go on. We’ll be just fine, and you’ll be much better once you’ve slept.”
He watched Gloriana hesitate as she wrestled with the decision one more time before finally leaving the house. She was barely functioning. He could see the exhaustion in her eyes. Her drive to care for JT—to see him through this sickness and save his life—had taken such a toll. No doubt her worry that Sally might catch the disease had also kept her from being able to relax for even a moment.
“Well, here we are, pretty miss,” he told Sally. “I suggest we go check on JT, but since I don’t want to give you any extra exposure, I’m going to put you in your crib to play.”
Luke set Sally up with her toys, then lit a lamp, since they were starting to lose the light. He took another lamp and went to check on JT. He placed the light on the dresser and then went to the window and looked out across the yard toward the lake. It had been a lovely day, and there were quite a few fishing boats still on the water. He couldn’t help but think about Scott. He had written to tell Luke how much he loved being on the water.
“It’s a mix of raw emotions that wells up in me,” Scott had written. “I feel upon seeing Lake Superior that my spirit has only just come alive. It calls to me, and I find I must go.”
Luke didn’t feel that way about the lake, but maybe that was because the lake had cost him the life of a beloved brother. He found the setting lovely enough, but it hardly stirred him the way it had Scott.
“What’s out there?” JT asked, his voice barely audible.
Luke turned and smiled. “A lot of water. About the same amount that you need to be drinking.” He came to the bed. “How are you feeling?”
“Itchy.” JT looked around. “Where’s Glory?”
“I made her go next door to take a nap. I’m in charge now. Are you hungry? Want me to make you something to eat?”
JT shook his head. “You could read to me or tell me more about Lewis and Clark, though.”
Luke pulled up the chair. “I would love to. We were just about to get to a very exciting part where some hostile Indians happen upon their camp.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “Hostile Indians? What happened?”
Gloriana opened her eyes to find that it was still light. Thankfully, she’d only slept a short time, but she felt amazingly rested. She got up and smoothed the covers back into place. She hadn’t even bothered to get under the quilt, but had instead used the extra one hanging over the end of the bed. She hadn’t wanted to feel obligated to change the bedding before returning home.
She got to her feet, marveling that the rest had given her new strength and resolve. They were going to get through this and be stronger for it. Luke’s father would be dealt with, and JT would recover. She was sure of it.
Gloriana folded the quilt and replaced it at the end of the bed, then went to the mirror and did what she could to repair her hair. Thankfully, with her natural curls, it was easy to pin her hair up and make it look somewhat orderly. Other women would need a curling iron, but not Gloriana.
As she finished that task, she thought about what they might eat for supper. Luke had been bringing bread from the bakery and other things to make her daily tasks much easier, but it was still necessary to cook, and now that she knew for sure it was all right for Luke to be at the house, he’d expect supper.
Entering her house, Gloriana was immediately assaulted by the aroma of something delightful. She made her way to the oven and found a casserole of some type.
“Too many cooks spoil the broth,” Luke announced as he came into the room.
“This smells wonderful. Did you make it?” She closed the oven door and straightened.
“I can’t take credit for it. Mrs. Sedgwick brought it by. I’m just the man who put it in the oven to warm. How did you sleep?”
“Wonderfully. I never knew a short nap could help so much.”
He laughed. “Short, eh? You’ve been asleep for twenty-three hours.”
Gloriana’s mouth dropped open. “What? No. I couldn’t have.”
“I’m afraid so. I actually had Mrs. Sedgwick check on you last night. She and Pastor Sedgwick stopped by to visit. I told them what was going on, and she promised to bring us supper for tonight. I could hardly say no, since I had no idea when you might wake back up.”
“JT?”
She started for the hall, but Luke caught her waist and swept her into his arms. “Is doing much better. He’s awake and starting to eat a little gruel. Mrs. Sedgwick told me to start him on that and graduate to soup. So, you see, we’re quite under control here.” He kissed her nose.
Gloriana shook her head. “I want to see him for myself.”
He nodded and released her. “I knew you would.”
She went to JT’s room and found her little brother sitting up in bed with all his toy soldiers lined up around him.
“Glory! You’re awake. Luke told me you were so tired that you slept all day and all night.”
“You did a lot of that too.” She felt his forehead. The fever was gone. “How do you feel?”
“Itchy, but Mrs. Sedgwick told me not to scratch. She said when it got really bad to just put my hand on top of where it itched and pray.” He shook his head. “It doesn’t help much.”
“A baking soda bath might do the trick. Not that prayer is a bad idea.” She smiled, feeling such relief that she had to sit down. “I’ve been so worried about you.”
“I’m strong, Glory. You said so yourself. I’m going to get better and better, and then I’ll never get the measles again. Luke told me that.”
She nodded. “Thankfully, it’s true. Although I did hear of a man who caught the measles more than once. The doctor said he was just prone to it. He never got as sick as you did, though.”
“Well, I’m better now.” He beamed her a smile. “And pretty soon I’ll be well enough that we can have the wedding. Pastor Sedgwick said we could even have it right here.”
Gloriana smiled. “We just might have to.”
Chapter 23
Once JT had completely recovered from the measles, Luke and Gloriana decided it was in their best interests to invite Luke’s father to supper. She made some of her best dishes, hoping to impress him. Before he arrived, she donned one of the gowns Luke had purchased for her at Christmastime. The navy-and-red plaid skirt had threads of gold running through the pattern. The bodice was gold to match those threads and trimmed with navy-blue cording and buttons. Gloriana thought it a very tasteful and modest design.
“You look really pretty, Glory,” JT said, his eyes wide in wonder. “Like an angel.”
“She does, doesn’t she?” Luke had just finished changing the baby’s diaper and carried her to the high chair. Sally squealed at the sight of Gloriana. “I think the baby agrees.”
“You both look smart in your suits, as well. I don’t know what your father will think of any of this, but I think we all clean up quite nice.”
Luke laughed as he secured Sally in her chair. “Father won’t care unless it somehow benefits him.” A knock sounded, and Luke turned to answer the door. “That will be him now.”
Gloriana stiffened and tried to draw in a deep breath. She wanted to relax and put her mind at ease. Luke had assured her that his father could do nothing legally to take Sally, but he had been so angry the last time they’d met that Gloriana feared he might try.
“Father, I’m glad you could make it f
or supper,” Luke said, greeting the older man.
JT tucked himself against Gloriana. He clearly felt much as she did, and she put her arm around him. “It’ll be all right,” she whispered. It was as much for herself as for JT.
Mr. Carson glanced toward Gloriana and JT. He gave a curt nod. “I must say, the invitation was a surprise. You’ve hardly seen me while I’ve been in town.”
“I’m afraid we’ve been quite busy. JT is just a couple of days out of quarantine,” Luke replied. “Not only that, but my work with the railroad requires much of my time. We have an August deadline to see the line complete, and there have been a myriad of problems.” Luke gestured to Gloriana and JT. “I know that you’ve met Gloriana and Sally, but this is JT—Jeremiah Thomas Womack. He has become a younger brother to me and has helped me better understand life along the lake.”
JT smiled, but Gloriana could feel his rigid stance. He was still unsure of the elder Mr. Carson.
“Young Master Womack,” Luke’s father said, giving the boy a nod.
Gloriana excused herself and turned back to the stove while Luke encouraged his father to take a seat. She tried not to feel anger toward their visitor, but this man wanted to tear Sally from their family. He didn’t value the love they had for her or the way they had bonded with her over these last months. He obviously didn’t care and was used to buying whatever he wanted.
“I think you’d find some of the railroad work quite fascinating, Father. You should accompany me on one of my line inspections.”
“Railroads have only ever interested me as they related to increasing my profits,” his father said without emotion.
Gloriana brought a platter to the table. There was baked fish—a fresh catch brought to her by Captain Johnson—as well as creamed peas and potatoes. She had baked bread and rolls that morning and hoped that Mr. Carson could appreciate the effort.
“We’re having fruitcake for dessert,” JT declared as he took his seat at the table. “With fresh cream.”
Gloriana grabbed the coffeepot and poured Luke and his father a cup. “Would you care for sugar or cream, Mr. Carson?”
“No. Thank you.” He looked at the china cup as if surprised.
“The china was my mother’s. A wedding gift. I’ve always loved the delicate flower pattern.”
Gloriana recalled the first time she had seen her mother use the set. It was at an anniversary party for one of the old sea captains and his wife. They were celebrating fifty years of marriage. Quite a feat, considering the dangers of earning your living on the lake. Gloriana had declared them the prettiest dishes she’d ever seen. Her mother told her that one day they would be hers, and she hoped Gloriana would think of her whenever she used them.
Mr. Carson said nothing.
Gloriana brought a glass of milk for JT and tea for herself. Luke helped her into her chair and then claimed his own. “Let’s pray.”
They bowed their heads, and Luke offered grace. Gloriana couldn’t keep her mind on the prayer, however. She was almost afraid that Mr. Carson would grab the baby and run while their eyes were closed. She was grateful that Luke kept the prayer short.
The food was served, and as they began to eat, JT shared about school. “A lot of children caught the measles. I was just one of the very first. Half of the people are gone from class. Mr. Nelson sends their schoolwork home to them just like he did with me. I think that’s mean, ’cause when you’re sick, you can’t think about English and history.”
“Perhaps he only wants them to have it for when they do feel better.” Gloriana handed him the butter. “Would you pass this around, please?”
JT did so but wasn’t yet ready to let the topic drop. “I think when you’re sick, you shouldn’t have to do any of that work. If you miss it, you miss it.”
“Yes, but English is especially important to take in steps, JT,” Luke replied. “History might be acceptable to move from era to era, but often you’ll find that, too, has great emphasis placed on the foundation of what passed before.” He took the butter and applied a generous amount to his fish and dinner roll.
“We raised our children to be silent if they joined the adults at the dinner table,” Mr. Carson stated without bothering to meet anyone’s gaze.
“We believe in letting JT speak his mind so long as he’s polite and gives others a chance to talk as well. We enjoy his conversation,” Luke replied. “And we believe it’s a good time to catch up on his interests and activities.”
“Those are topics to share with a nurse or nanny.” This time the older man did meet Luke’s gaze. “There are appropriate and inappropriate ways to raise a child.”
“And you are suggesting our way is inappropriate. Perhaps for the house of a man focused on his own interests, that might well be the case.” Luke turned to JT. “My brother and I all but lived in the nursery. We went for occasional outings with the nanny, but we were carefully kept hidden away, lest we embarrass our parents in front of others. We seldom saw our father.”
“My papa used to do all sorts of things with me,” JT said, smiling. “He taught me how to build and fix things. We were going to paint the house and cottage this year, and he showed me how we were going to do it and how to use a ladder.”
“Perhaps you and I can do the painting together. The house definitely needs our care.”
JT gave an enthusiastic nod. “We can paint the shutters too. Papa wanted to paint them green.”
“Sounds good.”
Mr. Carson snorted. “Manual labor. My son, who was raised to rule over industry, has been relegated to the position of a common laborer.” He dabbed his napkin to his lips. He’d hardly eaten anything.
“Father, hard work has never hurt anyone. It has expanded my skills and helped me better understand those who work for me. Surely that is knowledge worth obtaining.”
His father leaned back in his chair. Gloriana thought he looked very tired, but she said nothing. She wasn’t feeling overly kind toward this man who had already suggested her brother was unwelcome.
“I can’t help but feel that when you understand the tasks required to work a job,” Luke continued, “it betters your ability to deal with the workforce required to accomplish that job. After all, how can you properly manage men if you don’t understand what you’ve asked of them?”
“That is precisely why I stay out of it and hire others to oversee. Honestly, Lucas, you have been raised and educated to stand far above others. You were never intended to be an overseer to anyone. I plan to speak to Jay Cooke upon my return. It’s ridiculous for you to be here in the middle of nowhere. Come back to Philadelphia and work for me. Better still, I will turn over part of the Carson industry to you. You’ll see for yourself that instructing others to do your bidding is the better way.”
Luke’s eyes narrowed, and Gloriana could see his father’s words had piqued his anger. “Do not think to interfere in my vocation, Father. I have chosen the path I desire. I have no desire for you to speak with Mr. Cooke, and should you do so, it will most assuredly alter my respect for you.”
Mr. Carson looked just as frustrated by his son’s response as Luke had been at his suggestions. Furthermore, JT had grown silent as he watched his elders speak out against each other. Gloriana reached over and gave his hand a pat. JT looked at her for a moment, then refocused his attention on the food.
They all ate in silence for several minutes until Sally decided enough was enough. She had eaten the bits and pieces of food Gloriana had placed on her tray and now wanted more of a role in the evening’s entertainment. She slapped her hands on the wooden tray of her chair and babbled loudly.
Mr. Carson seemed taken aback. He stopped his coffee midway to his lips and stared at the baby. Gloriana wondered if he’d ever before sat at a table with a baby.
“She seems to have liked the fish and bread,” Luke declared with a grin.
“I’m certain she’ll enjoy the creamed peas and potatoes even better.” Gloriana finished mashing a portion,
then scooped up a small amount on her spoon. “Here you are, little miss. Try these.”
Sally opened her mouth for the offering. Her tongue worked over the food as she seemed to be considering whether it was acceptable or not. Soon enough she opened her mouth for more. Gloriana fed her another spoonful and laughed at the way part of it spilled back out. She quickly caught it with the spoon.
Mr. Carson turned to his son. “And you want this kind of spectacle at your dinner table?”
“Babies have no table manners, Father, but they will learn in time.”
“And are best taught in the nursery.”
“Not everyone has that luxury, Mr. Carson,” Gloriana declared, immediately regretting her comment.
“But I do, and I can have Sally trained up in a proper fashion that befits her status.”
“And what status would that be?” Luke looked him square in the eye. “She’s the daughter of a kitchen maid and a fisherman who was disinherited by his father. I think we’re doing just fine by her.”
“I won’t stand for this. I will not allow you to keep her here and make her some sort of commoner—a hoi polloi of lower-class refuse.”
Luke set aside his napkin and got to his feet. “Perhaps this was a mistake. Gloriana, I am sorry for my father’s rudeness.”
Gloriana didn’t know what to say. She was shocked by the older man’s malice toward her and others like her.
Mr. Carson stood as well. “I speak only the truth. The sooner you recognize how blind you’ve become to the matter, the better for all of us. But especially . . . especially . . .” He swayed a bit and pulled at his collar.
“Mr. Carson, are you all right?” Gloriana jumped to her feet.
“Father?” Luke moved closer. “Father?”
Instead of a reply, however, Luke’s father collapsed in a faint. Luke managed to keep him from falling to the ground.
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