The Letter (Carter Sisters Series Book 4)

by Morgan Dawson

  Now Jane opens the bag and pulls out a few necklaces. “I think this white gem necklace would go well with the dress. Don’t you think?”

  She sets it in my hand and I look down at it. “Yes. It’s lovely. But what if I lose it? I’ll never be able to pay for it.”

  Jane chuckles, taking it from me. “Lydia. Josephine is a nice girl, but she wouldn’t even notice if one necklace wasn’t in her box. She has so many. Don’t tell her I said that either, since we’re friends now.”

  “Okay.” I laugh, raising my hand over my heart as Jane helps me put the necklace on.

  “You’re ready, and you look so lovely.”

  “Thank you. Oh and, Jane? I wrote a letter for my sister over there. Could you post it for me again?”

  She smiles. “Indeed.”

  * * *

  I’m sitting in the back of the carriage, my hands folded in my lap. I’m excited to go for lunch at Mrs. Taylor’s bakery with Oliver. I know I’ll see Mrs. Taylor again as well which is what I promised her.

  We soon arrive, and I’m helped out of the carriage. I slowly make my way to the door of the bakery and step inside. Immediately Mrs. Taylor’s face lights up.

  “Oh, Lydia! I’m so happy to see you again.”

  She hobbles out from behind the counter and pulls me into a warm hug.

  “How are you doing Mrs. Taylor?” I laugh, pulling back to meet her bright blue eyes.

  “Doing well now that you’re here. You’re my new favorite customer by the way. It’s what your ma would’ve wanted.”

  I smile. “Thank you”

  “What would you like to have today?”

  “Actually, I’m waiting for someone to join me. I noticed the other day you had some sandwiches.”

  She beams, hobbling back behind the counter. “Who’s coming?”

  “A friend of mine. Oliver Hayes.”

  “How sweet. A young gentleman caller.” Mrs. Taylor smiles.

  I hold back a smile. “We’re just friends.”

  “They all say that, dear. And don’t worry I’ve got the perfect sandwiches and desserts for you two.”

  “Thank you.” I smile, sitting down at the spot Ma had always claimed. I notice something. “Mrs. Taylor? Where’s Mrs. Walker today?”

  “Oh, she’s come down with something. She’s got a fever the doctor said.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Mrs. Taylor shrugs. “I’m sure she’ll be fine. She’s strong like that. Plus, she’s got her son to look after her.”

  “I hope she feels better soon.”

  I visit with Mrs. Taylor for a while, before the door opens revealing a flustered Oliver.

  He laughs, coming to sit down at the seat beside me. “I’m sorry I’m late. I thought it would be easier to find. Apparently, the carriage driver had never heard of this place.”

  “Most people don’t, dear.” Mrs. Taylor smiles, coming over with two sandwiches on some plates. She sets them down in front of us and then goes back behind the counter.

  “How are you?” I ask.

  “I’m good. Was a little worried the carriage driver would take me even farther from the bakery. How about you?”

  We begin to visit as we eat our sandwiches.

  I smile. “I’m good. I got a letter from my family last night and that was really nice. It’s the first time I’ve heard from them since I left.”

  “That would’ve been a nice surprise.”

  “It was.” I smile. “You obviously haven’t been to Mrs. Taylor and Mrs. Walker’s Bakery before?”

  He looks around the bakery. “No. It’s not really in close distance from my house.”

  “Oh. Well this is the second place I went for the tasks on my ma’s list. She used to come here every day after school and would sit in this very spot and tell Mrs. Taylor all about her day.”

  Oliver smiles. “You never knew much about your ma’s life here?”

  “No. I was born here, but when I was very young, we moved to Nebraska. My ma never talked much about life here, and I don’t know why.”

  “Were you close with her?”

  I sigh, folding my hands in my lap. “I’d love to say a full yes, but while we were close, I was thirteen when she died, so I don’t remember much and that’s hard to not recall much about her.”

  “So, you coming to Northwood has probably been nice?”

  I nod. “Yes. I was absolutely terrified to come at first. You see, I’m a rather nervous person, so doing things like this is completely odd. I’m usually very shy and reserved, but ever since coming here, I’ve seemed to be able to overcome that a little.”

  “Why do you think that is?”

  I laugh, my eyes meeting his. “Because there is always so many people around me that eventually I have no choice but to talk to someone.”

  “How many people were there in the area you lived?”

  “Well I lived on a farm just with my family for most of my life. So I suppose that could be why I ended up so shy. But then there’s a town called Riverbend that’s a few miles from our place. It’s not nearly as large as Northwood. Just a mercantile, church, school, and houses. That’s where my sister Adeline lives.”

  Oliver pauses, scratching his chin. “Was Hazel the sister you said was really close to you?”

  “Yes. She’s a year younger than me, so we’re really close. Our whole childhood we did everything with each other. Told each other everything.”

  “I couldn’t imagine how much I’d miss Ophelia and Ada if I were to go away for a while.”

  I let out a breath. “It’s hard, but I’ve been able to keep myself busy and distracted from the thoughts of home.”

  Mrs. Taylor hobbles over to our table again, this time with a treat I don’t recognize on two plates. “I think you’ll just love this.”

  Once she leaves, I look down it. It’s a dark brown square of soft dough with red jelly on the top. Then something else red catches my eye. It’s Oliver’s hand. It has a large cut running from the knuckle of his thumb to the other side of his hand.

  I touch his hand without thinking, quickly pulling my arm back. “What happened to your hand?”

  He smiles lifting it up to look at it. “I’m a blacksmith. I was working and cut myself accidentally.”

  I frown. “You should really have a bandage on it.”

  Oliver sighs. “I don’t have time to be injured.”

  “Why’s that? It’s only a bandage.”

  “Because I need to keep working to have enough for my sisters. Plus, with my father spending a lot of it… I’m sorry it’s hard. And a bandage would be too bulky.”

  “I understand, Oliver. It must be hard.”

  He nods, looking down at his hand. An idea comes to me.

  “I bet I could wrap it in a way that would allow you to work still. My sister Darlene taught me. Maybe you could come to the Harris’s house after lunch?”

  Oliver smiles. “We can give it a try I guess.”

  “Does it hurt?”

  “I’ve had worse.”

  I nod, taking a bite of the treat. It’s delicious and soft in my mouth.

  “Lydia?”

  I raise an eyebrow, looking up at him.

  “Where are you going to go when you finish the stuff in the letter?”

  I think for a few seconds. Where am I going to go? “Well I guess I’ll go back home.”

  “You wouldn’t stay here?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know why I would. I mean, I have nowhere to stay here anyway. Why?”

  “I was just wondering, is all. I wasn’t sure.”

  We continue eating and visiting for a while. When we’re done, I give Mrs. Taylor a hug and say goodbye. We decide to walk back to the house and not get a carriage. It’s really warm out today, the sun is high in the sky. People are out walking everywhere. It’s a busy day in Northwood for sure.

  “So, what’s the next task in the letter?”

  I let out a long breath. “I t
hink it’s for me to go to Autumer School. She said it was where she got her first teaching job.”

  “I know where that is. It isn’t too far from where I live actually.”

  I let out a laugh. “Well, that’s good. I won’t have to look everywhere for it.”

  I feel Oliver’s gaze upon me as we walk down the sidewalk. He looks down at my hand, and I watch as he takes it. His eyes meet mine as if to ask if it’s all right, and I smile in agreement. I feel safer with him holding my hand anyway. There are a bunch of people everywhere and it’s starting to overwhelm me.

  We walk quietly hand in hand down the busy streets of Northwood. Men in top hats push past. Women with screaming children and people calling for their carriages.

  “Oliver?” I say, my voice wavering.

  “Yes?”

  I look around at the people passing by. “Is…is it always this busy?”

  He smiles. “Not usually. This end of town is particularly bad, though. I think there’s a flea market today. Crowds bother you?”

  My eyes dart around. There are people everywhere. “Yes. It feels like we’re trapped.”

  He lets out a small laugh. “I suppose it does.”

  But as we walk down the street, I don’t feel so scared. Normally in a crowd of this size I would’ve sat down on a bench and stayed there till the crowd wasn’t so large. But with Oliver beside me, I feel content and safe to walk down the street.

  Chapter 20

  We’re back at the Harris’s and seated in the sitting room. No one else is here, and I’m not too sure where they all are.

  I’ve asked Jane to fetch some bandages, water, and a cloth, and we’re waiting for her to come back.

  Oliver runs his hand down the fabric of the seat we’re sitting on, his eyes staring at the floral pattern below his hand.

  “It’s pretty different. Isn’t it?” I break the silence.

  He lets out a breath. “Yes. This way of life is so distant from what I’m used to.”

  “It was hard to adjust to this. Being on the farm is what I’m used to, and all of a sudden I have people addressing me as Miss Lydia.”

  Oliver chuckles. “Miss Lydia? That’s great.”

  Jane soon returns and hands me the bandages, setting the small bucket of water on the table by the seat.

  She curtsies and bustles out of the room.

  “Okay. Let me see your hand.”

  He holds it out, and I reach for the cloth, wringing it out.

  “Please don’t hurt me.” He laughs, his eyes sparkling with amusement.

  “I won’t. I’m highly trained. You should see how many cuts and scrapes my pa and brothers’ have when working in the field.”

  I gently wash the cut, making sure no dirt is in it. I then unroll the bandage around his hand, wrapping it around two times, then splitting one end and tying the two pieces together to hold it. As a final touch, I tuck the ends in, being sure to not let it bulge too much.

  He looks at it and smiles. “When Ophelia tried to bandage it up earlier, it was massive. Perhaps you should teach her.”

  “Perhaps.” I smile, putting the cloth back in the bucket.

  His eyes look up above my head. “I like your hair. It’s so interesting.”

  “Well I can’t do things like this normally. Jane did it for me.”

  “She’s your maid?”

  “My maid. Yes.”

  He chuckles, and I smile.

  “Lydia, I was thinking I could accompany you to Autumer School sometime. Since it’s quite far away from here, and I know where it is.”

  “I’d like that. Then I wouldn’t have to worry about getting lost. Thank you.”

  “I have some work I have to do tomorrow for some customers, but maybe the next day?”

  I smile, folding my hands in my lap. “I’ve got nowhere else to be. I can get one of the chauffeurs to take me to your place, and then we can go from there. Maybe you could invite your sisters to come along as well?”

  “I think they’d enjoy that very much.”

  We sit quietly for a few minutes before Oliver stands. “I should get going. I told my sisters I’d be home for supper.”

  I stand, taking his hand in mine, and he squeezes it in reassurance. We walk out of the sitting room, and I lead him to the door.

  “See you in two days, Oliver.” I smile, opening the door and rest my head on the door frame as he steps outside.

  “Yes. I’ll look forward to it.”

  I smile. “Me too,” I say softly.

  He leans forward, his lips meeting mine for a quick second. I watch as he steps back smiling.

  “See you tomorrow.” Oliver says before walking away. I stand in the doorway for a while. I realize I may like Oliver more than I originally thought I would. At first, I didn’t like that he’d seen me crying on my first day. And how he’d seen me fall after being chased by a drunk man.

  I realize now, though, that he understands. And he’s got quite a few things he was embarrassed to tell me as well. But he did. Though, he didn’t cry like I did. I suppose I’m a little sensitive sometimes.

  * * *

  I’ve spent the afternoon since Oliver left, in my bedroom working on my weaving. It’s quiet in the house, and I haven’t seen any of the Harris’s since I left for luncheon earlier. I’ve pulled a chair over beside the window and am sitting watching the rain run down the glass.

  This is one of my favorite moments.

  The moment when the whole world seems to just be quiet. To just let me be quiet. And safe. While the rain pours outside, I do the familiar patterns of the weaving. It’s calming, hearing the rain splash as it hits the roof of the house and the hard ground below. There aren’t as many people outside now. And if there are, they’re running to wherever they’re going.

  A bit of thunder rattles the window frame, and I smile. This is what I live for.

  “Lydia?” Jane parts the door open slightly.

  I smile, turning around in my chair, and setting my weaving down on my lap.

  “You have another letter.” She makes her way toward me, handing me the envelope.

  “Thank you, Jane.” I wait until she leaves before opening it.

  I know it’s not my family already, so it has to be Abigale.

  I pull the folded-up paper out and begin to read.

  Dear Lydia,

  I can’t believe that happened to you! I should have waited with you until you found where you needed to go. I’m glad someone helped you, though.

  So, you’re settled now? I’m settled now I suppose. Things with me have been all right. My sick aunt, well she’s not as sick as I thought. Just has sore legs, so I have to get her the things she needs, cook for her and that sort of thing, I guess. She’s rather…cruel. A little harsh on me and the servants she has working for her.

  But at least I have a roof over my head and delicious food to eat.

  We should meet somewhere sometime. Maybe for dinner?

  How are your tasks going? You’re probably having more fun than I. Write to me soon.

  From, Abigale.

  Smiling, I set the letter down and move to the desk, pulling out my very own piece of paper to write back to Abigale.

  Chapter 21

  I’m dressed and very excited to go to Autumer School with Oliver, Ophelia, and Ada.

  Yesterday was rather lonesome. Anna and her family went to a fellow wealthy person’s house to discuss some sort of business the whole afternoon. I spent my afternoon however, exploring the house.

  I browsed the library for a while, and even picked out some books I might read sometime. Then I walked up a creaky wooden staircase that looked like it hadn’t been used in years.

  At the top was a door, but all that was in the room was a whole lot of dust, and a few boxes. However, it kept me fairly entertained.

  Now I make my way to get into the carriage. I’ve told the chauffeur how to get to Oliver’s house. I’m excited to go to the school. This is where my ma got he
r teaching job at.

  I know I must write to Adeline about this one, she requested me to do so. She’s following after ma and has a teaching job in Riverbend.

  Sitting on the velvet seat now, I fold my hands in my lap and look out the window.

  Huffing, I move a piece of the ribbon hanging down from my hat. Jane insisted I wear this hat. She said that the sun was too warm for me to not wear this fuller one. Plus, it looked stunning with the dress. I will admit, it’s lovely. But I find it a little uncomfortable.

  I look out the small window at the people nearby. They all walk at a fast pace. Woman drag small children behind them. I know it must be time for the children to go to school, and I wonder how many of them go to Autumer.

  We arrive in front of Oliver’s house, and I wait in the carriage until the door opens. Ada climbs in and takes the seat opposite me, and Ophelia settles next to her. Then Oliver gets in and sits next to me as the door slams shut.

  “Good morning.” I smile as Ada shifts in her seat as if she’s trying to get comfortable.

  “Good morning, Lydia. Are you looking forward to seeing the school?” Oliver asks.

  I notice he still has the bandage wrapped around his hand.

  “Yes, very much. My older sister, Adeline is a teacher in the Riverbend school back home. She wants me to write to her all about what this school is like.”

  Ada rubs her hands on her skirt. “How many siblings do you have?”

  “I have four. Darlene is my oldest sister, then Adeline and Genevieve. And my younger sister Hazel. Oh, and my two step-brothers, Bradley and Douglas.”

  “You have a large family.” Ophelia grins, her brown eyes looking up at her brother.

  “Yes.” I smile, thinking of them. “And I wouldn’t ever dream of it any other way.”

  “You’re so lucky to be so close with your family. I only have my two siblings who I can say I’m close with.” Ada looks at her brother and sister.

  I give her a sad smile. “I know. I was rather like that too. Back home, I was on a farm and didn’t leave much. I only really knew my family. But being here, I’ve been forced to make new friends, and it’s been wonderful. I met this girl who sat with me on the train, named Abigale.”