by Carolyn Bond
“Why yes! It’s all true. It’s the way of the future. Very safe. The train rides on rails to guide it. The passenger cars have every luxury. But the biggest benefit will be the ability to move goods and aid with the western expansion. All around this area rail lines are being layed to connect towns like Versailles to the whole country.”
“I just don’t know. It’s hard to imagine. Such speeds! And I see so many strangers at our new station.” Suzanne dabbed her forehead with her handkerchief.
“It’s true you must be careful. Many foreigners work for the railroad. But, have you not wanted to explore the world beyond Versailles and Lexington?”
“I’m afraid not. We are so busy with the Inn anyway.”
The heat of the day was beginning take hold. She gazed out the window at the passing meadow of purple and white wild flowers.
Everleigh considered how much she should say. Of course she had ridden many trains. She had even done a consultation with a rail company that needed to make access to the station and rail cars handicap accessible. Yes, between her work and just living in the 21st century, it was quite possible she knew more about the railroad business than Mr. Steel did. One thing she didn’t know, though, had never fully realized until now, was the sheer hope for the future that the railroad promised the people of this time.
She watched Mr. Steel as he looked out the same window that Suzanne did. She could see the daydreams of progress in his head. Change was coming and he was on the crest of it. Even with all the gadgets of the 21st century, hope was hard to come by. The Wild West was won. Women had equal rights. You could be anything you set your mind to. But, dreams like the ones reflected in Mr. Steel’s eyes were usually not entertained anymore.
Sensing her gaze, he turned to her. She felt so old now, as though she had somewhere, sometime long ago, lost the ability to dream. Not dreams about a beach vacation or a bigger house, but dreams of the impossible. He did, though. She wanted so much to learn how to dream like that again.
“Mr. Steel,” she started hesitantly, “what makes you so sure the trains will succeed?”
His face lit up, “Oh, Miss Addison, if you could feel the thrill of the wind in your hair,” he looked at her hair as though surely a woman would never come that undone, “if you could see the billowing clouds of steam, feel the solid metal of the engine, or see the endless line of tracks that could carry you anywhere, then you would surely believe the train will succeed.”
“I see. Perhaps I would.”
Hesitating, Suzanne asked, “Mr. Steel, perhaps you could escort us sometime on one of your trains. I would feel most secure with you there for our first ride. Would that be possible?”
“Oh, yes. I wouldn’t mind at all. In fact, you might enjoy a short excursion to a cave here in Kentucky. There are guides that do tours. You could ride the train there, stay at the lodge and then ride the train home. They call it the Mammoth Cave.”
“Yes, I have heard talk of that. The cave is large enough that a whole house could fit in it. Imagine that, Everleigh.”
Everleigh listened and remembered visiting Mammoth Cave as a child with her mother. Doing the math in her head, she realized that the National Park system hadn’t even been created yet. She’d seen commercials that it celebrated its 100th anniversary. That would mean it would not be created for about another 25 years.
“What do you think, Everleigh?” Suzanne asked, “Would you join Edward and me if we went with Mr. Steel.”
The thought of going anywhere with Mr. Steel was fine with her. “Oh yes, I would love to visit this Mammoth Cave and ride a train.”
The carriage slowed and the driver hopped down and opened the door. He lifted Everleigh and Suzanne out and steadied them on the ground. They had apparently turned onto a dirt driveway and now stood in front of two story Italianate brick home. The porch was set with white gingerbread molding around thin white columns. There was no one to be seen. Large oak trees shaded the drive and lawn.
Mr. Steel climbed out of the carriage to stretch his legs and the horses whinnied for water. Suzanne and Everleigh climbed the three steps onto the porch to reach the front door. Suzanne looked around with knitted brows as though someone should have come out to greet them by now. She knocked soundly on the front door.
After what seemed like longer than it would take anyone to answer a door, it opened and a man in a butler’s uniform greeted them.
“We are looking for Miss Heartwell. This is her home, is it not?” asked Suzanne.
“Yes, madam. You are correct. Miss Heartwell is not home at the moment. She has traveled to Lexington. You are welcome to come in and refresh yourself if you have need. But Miss Heartwell will not be home for several days. She had several business matters to attend to.”
Everleigh and Suzanne looked at each other with a ‘what now?’ expression.
Suzanne continued, “This is Everleigh Addison, Miss Heartwell’s niece. Was she not aware of her impending arrival?”
The butler now looked Everleigh up and down at this information.
“No, madam, I assure you Miss Heartwell was not expecting anyone. I do apologize if this causes you an inconvenience.”
“Everleigh, a message was sent by the Trustee in Charleston, was it not?”
“Um, I think so. Uh,” she looked from side to side not really knowing what to say, “I’m sure that would have been the case. At any rate, I’ll just stay at the Inn until my aunt returns. Yes. That should be fine.”
“Rate? I would expect there would be no changes in the rate, my dear.” Suzanne looked puzzled.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I meant its no problem. I don’t mind.”
“I’m certain Miss Heartwell would not want me to turn away her niece. You are welcome to stay here,” said the butler.
“Oh no,” Suzanne interjected, “with her needing a chaperone, she is perfectly welcome to stay at the Inn. I will take care of her until Miss Heartwell returns. She can be my guest.” She smiled pleased.
“As you wish, ma’am. I will certainly tell Miss Heartwell the very moment she returns so that she can make arrangements.”
“Thank you. There is some family news she must be made aware of, but I’m certain it would be best to tell her in person when she gets in.”
“Very good, then.” The butler closed the door and the ladies turned back to the carriage.
“That is unfortunate, but don’t you worry Everleigh. You can stay at the Inn as my guest until your aunt returns. I have grown rather fond of having you around.” She smiled sweetly at her.
“Thank you. I appreciate that and feel the same way about you.”
Everleigh tried not to show it, but she was actually glad to have the chance to stay in town longer. She wasn’t at all sure hanging around a house this far out of town with only an old aunt to talk to would be interesting.
The driver’s eye brows poked up in question when they returned to the carriage.
“Apparently, Miss Heartwell isn’t home so we will be returning to town. We will just ride along with you on your way.” The driver nodded as though it made little difference to him.
Back in the carriage, they bobbed and swayed as it turned around and headed back down the long drive. Mr. Steel continued to steal glances at her and appeared somewhat uncomfortable shifting his weight and frowning occasionally.
“I need to check on some fields to see if that last storm did any damage. I think I’ll signal the driver to let me out at the gate,” he said.
Everleigh got the distinct feeling he was hiding something, but could say nothing. As they approached the estate, he rapped on the ceiling and the carriage stopped. He bid them good day and Suzanne asked him to stop by the Inn to let them know when would be a good time for them to plan a trip on the train. As the carriage pulled away, Everleigh could feel the tug of him getting farther away. He stood there until they rode away with his hands on his hips as though something was mulling around in his mind.
She leaned to look out t
he back window to get a view of his estate but the full green trees with summer leaves lazily lolling in the breeze blocked her view. She saw him eventually turn and head down the drive toward the house. She was certain he was not going to check on any fields. He was hiding something.
***
Malcom needed some time to breathe. In all his days, no other woman had upended him like this woman. From the moment he saw her at dinner the night before, he had not been able to have a single thought that she didn’t shine through like sunlight around rain cloud.
He had determined years ago he would have to live the life of a bachelor. There was no other way. No woman would tolerate what he would ask of her if he were to marry. It was too much to ask. He understood his lot and took it willingly. It was his choice. But to force it on a wife would be unfair. Any woman he got close to, would come to love, he would have to let go and therefore, it was easier to close himself off. He knew people talked about him. He didn’t care. They did not have his life to live.
But here was this woman. Everleigh Addison. What was it about her? Certainly she could make him melt into molten fire just looking at her, but it was something else. When he looked in her eyes last night, he could see eternity. Her very soul reached out to him. What if she could understand?
“No!” he said out loud. “I can’t do that to her!”
He couldn’t let himself think about it. He could let himself think about wrapping his arms around that tiny waist, pulling her to him, and kissing her rosebud mouth until he lost control.
Stop it, Malcom!
He felt the conflicting emotions of his rock solid resolve and the animal inside him that seemed to be growing by the minute. He raised his fist and was about to abuse a tree trunk to vent his frustration when he heard Bethann call from the front door.
“Oh, there you are! I’m so glad you are home.”
***
Everleigh, Suzanne and Edward stood on the platform at the Elizabethtown Station. The enormous black steam engine hissed and groaned as it inched toward them. Everleigh watched Suzanne. Her eyes got as large as saucers. She held on to Edward’s arm but looked ready to bolt at any minute. She was like a little child.
“Everleigh, my dear, don’t be afraid,” Suzanne said with as much courage as a mouse in front of a lion. Everleigh had to hold back a chuckle. Suzanne turned to look at Everleigh.
“You are so brave, my dear. You don’t look afraid at all.”
“No, I suppose am not. It’s kind of exciting really.” Her eyes turned up to the big steam engine with a twinkle of excitement.
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Miss Addison.” Mr. Steel appeared out of the billows of steam rolling onto the platform. Everleigh’s heart leapt right up into her throat. The enormous hissing train engine didn’t hold a candle to what this man could do to her.
“Mr. Steel,” she breathed.
“Come, let’s find your seats so you can settle in.” He bowed slightly and motioned with his hand for them to step up onto the passenger car.
Suzanne looked at the step and how high the car stood off the ground.
“I’ll never be able to get up there.”
“The conductor raced up just then and placed a small stool in front of the train step to make it easier to climb aboard. Edward took her left hand and she reached up with her right hand to grasp the red handle bar. Pulling herself up, she managed to step onto the train car and look around. Mr. Steel stepped ahead of Everleigh onto the train and reached his hand down to her. She took his hand and lifted her skirt enough to not trip on it and stepped up. As she did, he pulled gently so that she nearly floated up onto the passenger car. Mr. Clark followed and they all made their way in. Rows of seats stretched on both sides. Everleigh watched as the porter moved seat backs forward or backward to create seating groups of four with two people facing backward.
“My word! How many people can all fit in this, what do you call it? A carriage?” said Suzanne.
“About forty, but there are three more passenger cars,” said Mr. Steel.
“I think our whole town could fit in one train!”
Mr. Steel chuckled. “As I said, you will be amazed! Trains will revolutionize travel and the movement of goods. This is such an exciting time in which to live!”
He motioned for them to sit and sat next to Everleigh on the bench seat. The heat from his thigh permeated her dark linen skirt causing her a pleasant discomfort. He turned to her and his lips turned a sweet dimple on each side. She suddenly felt flush all over and stopped breathing.
“Miss Addison, you must breathe on this trip. I’ll not have you falling ill and discrediting the train’s reputation. Don’t be afraid.”
She then blushed deeply and opened the fan hanging by a ribbon on her wrist. If he only knew it was not fear that kept her from breathing. She tried to extinguish the fire raging in her belly as her insides seemed to twist and pull. The soft wind of the fan on her chest felt wonderful and she breathed deeply and closed her eyes to block the barrage of emotions the sight of him caused. It didn’t help because she could still feel the heat of his leg and the intoxicating mixture of the smell of his skin and the lingering sandalwood apparently from his soap. She had never felt this overwhelming desire in her life. It was frightening.
“Are you warm? I can open the window and let some air in.”
He leaned across her with arms outstretched, enclosing her in front and behind in a bubble of his presence and slid the window down above her head.
Oh god. I’ll never make it. Maybe I should just run while I can.
She jumped up, stepped around him and made it half way down the aisle before the train lurched and she lost her balance. Panic struck her as she realized she was going to fall and she let out a fearful cry. Her fear of falling was unwarranted, though, because the next second she found herself rooted to the rock-solid frame of Mr. Steel as he reached around her waist with one arm and pulled her against him.
Heat flashed down her back, across her backside and down her thigh as the boundary of where she stopped and he started seemed to get lost in the haze of her brain.
“Whoa, there, Miss Addison. There is nothing to be afraid of. Truly! I won’t let anything happen to you.” His voice was as gentle and strong as a peaceful river. She was falling and fast. At this point she would have followed him to the ends of the earth and not been afraid of anything, except for how her body was acting completely on its own accord.
“Uh, buh, hm.” She was mumbling non-sense.
He smiled and his green eyes crinkled at the corners. It was getting worse. The passenger car seemed to be spinning around her. She was afraid she might actually faint. With his arm holding her up, he pulled her back into her seat and went to get a glass of water.
With him away from her, her mind seemed to clear somewhat. Still dizzy, she looked up at Suzanne and Edward whose mouths were downturned in obvious concern for her well-being.
“Dearest Everleigh, are you quite alright?” asked Suzanne laying a delicate hand on Everleigh’s knee.
“Uhhmm. Yes-m-s-sorry,” slurring her words.
“Poor dear. Edward, she looks utterly traumatized. Perhaps this was a bad idea.”
Edward nodded unsure of how to help. Mr. Steel returned and handed her the glass of water. She nodded gratefully and took a little sip. Now thoroughly ashamed of herself, she couldn’t look up at him.
“I’ll be fine, really.” She took some deep breaths to clear away any more dizziness.
“I need to speak to the conductor, so I will return shortly, if you think you are alright now.” He waited to see if she was recovering.
“Oh yes, yes.” The reddening anxiety blotches on her chest betrayed the truthfulness of the answer. “Please, don’t mind me. Just so exciting, you know, the train.” She fanned herself again and hoped she was believable.
Please, Lord, help me control myself.
“Don’t think twice about it. You’re not the first lady to swoon on her
first train ride. Nothing to be ashamed of.” He smiled a reassuring smile that didn’t help her recovery at all. He disappeared out the back door of the passenger car and Everleigh concentrated on her breathing.
***
Malcolm walked through all three passenger cars to the very back of the train. He gripped the handrail and stared out at the stretch of tracks behind them. What was he thinking, escorting them like this. He could barely handle sitting next to her. Lifting her onto the train, she was as light as a bird. Then when she darted away, panic seized him. What if she made it outside and fell off the train? Then she stumbled, his instincts kicked in and he had his arm around her before his mind was engaged. Her body pressed against him was maddening. He had to get away under the guise of getting water to let all parts of him cool down. The lady was intoxicating. He was certain he had no control over himself around her.
God, I must flee from this temptation!
He took a deep breath and determined he would get through this trip and refuse any more contact. The last thing he needed was this woman under his skin. His life was complicated enough. Besides, he could not bear to see the look in her eyes if she knew the truth about his home life.
***
When they got to Glasgow Junction, they had to change trains to the new Mammoth Cave Railroad. This much smaller excursion train went straight to the Mammoth Cave Hotel. There were only two cars: the engine and a red passenger car. She looked at the small train and hoped it met at least some of the requirements of the Transportation Safety Board which she was certain did not exist yet. The small engine didn’t look strong enough to pull a bus, despite its name “Hercules” proudly emblazoned on its side. Everleigh overheard other guests talk about how this was so much nicer that having to take a carriage for the last leg of the trip. She lifted her long dark skirt and stepped up onto the wooden step holding on to the metal bar on the train car. She noted that only a thin metal bar served as a railing to keep people from following off the landing. Grimacing at the antiquated rail car, she stepped onto the dusty wood floor of the passenger car. The seats were plain wooden benches. She sat down across from Suzanne and Edward. Suzanne was chattering away about the difference in the two trains and how fast the first train was. She couldn’t imagine it was safe to move along at that speed.