Legacy of Mercy

by Lynn Austin

  “She’s coming to visit?”

  “Even better. She isn’t going to marry William. They ended their engagement. And … she is free to marry you.”

  Tears flood Derk’s eyes. He tries to speak, but all that comes out is a sob. He leaps up and pulls me into his arms, squeezing me so tightly I can barely breathe. “I must be dreaming,” he says. “Oh, I hope I’m not! Tell me this is really happening, Tante Geesje!”

  “You aren’t dreaming, lieveling,” I say when he finally lets go. I’m weeping with joy, as well. “Best of all, Anneke’s parents support her decision. And so does Judge Blackwell.”

  “The judge said he wanted to help me, but I never imagined … How did he do it? Does she say?”

  “No. But she said her father won’t go bankrupt after all.”

  “When does the next train leave? I have to go down there! Do you think there’s a train leaving this late at night? How will I ever wait until tomorrow morning if there isn’t?” Derk pulls his hat from his coat pocket and jams it onto his head as he stumbles toward the door.

  “Whoa! Hold on, Derk. You need to read Anneke’s letter first. I’m supposed to make you promise not to skip classes again and run down to Chicago.” Cornelia retrieves the letter from my desk and hands it to him. He wipes his tears so he can read it. I hear him breathing deeply as he struggles not to cry. He loses the battle before reaching the second page and collapses onto the chair again, covering his face. “Thank you, God. Thank you …” he murmurs.

  “I can’t help thinking of your grandfather Hendrik. He would be so surprised and pleased to see our grandchildren falling in love and getting married. Only God could arrange something this wonderful, this miraculous.”

  At last Derk lifts his head. “I still can’t believe it!”

  “Now, you need to promise me you won’t go to Chicago. Did you read what Anneke said?”

  He laughs as he rises to his feet. “I read it. But do you honestly think there’s anything in the world that can stop me from going?”

  Stop a hopeless romantic like Derk? A man who is wildly in love? No, of course not.

  Chapter 37

  Anna

  Chicago, Illinois

  “Did any letters come for me today?” I ask our housekeeper. I’ve just finished dressing for this evening’s party and have run into Mrs. Dunlap on the stairs. I know it’s too soon to receive a reply from Oma or a letter from Derk, but I can’t bear the suspense as I wait to hear from them. I think Derk wants to marry me … but I guess I’m still afraid to hope that we can be together.

  “No, I’m sorry, Miss Anna,” Mrs. Dunlap replies. “I must say you look lovely this evening. It’s so good to have you well again.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Dunlap.” I join Mother and Father in the foyer of our home as we wait to greet our guests. My parents are hosting a formal dinner party this evening, and our house looks warm and elegant with lamps and candles sparkling in every room. The dining room table is spread with our finest linens and crystal and silver tableware. I’m no longer able to make social calls every afternoon, nor am I interested in doing so even if I could. Now that the Wilkinsons aren’t part of our lives, Mother has been doing less socializing with their crowd and more entertaining in our home. She seems happier and more relaxed than ever before.

  The carriages begin pulling up out front, and before long, our home overflows with laughter and greetings. The servants pass trays of beverages and hors d’oeuvres, and I’m enjoying myself immensely as I chat with people I haven’t seen since Christmas. It’s nearly time to proceed to the dining room when our butler approaches and pulls me aside.

  “Excuse me for interrupting, Miss Anna, but an uninvited gentleman is asking to speak with you.” I peer around the corner but don’t see anyone in the front foyer.

  “Who is it? And where is he?”

  “In the kitchen. He came to the servants’ door.”

  I follow the butler to the kitchen, wondering who it could be—and there’s Derk! Without thinking, I run to him. His arms surround me, holding me tightly, and I know this is where I want to be for the rest of my life! All around us, the cook and our other servants have been scrambling to get the meal ready to serve, but our little drama has distracted them. They stare, mouths agape at the sight of me embracing a man they don’t know in the middle of our kitchen.

  “Don’t cry, Anneke,” Derk says when we pull apart. His fingers are icy as he wipes my tears. “I don’t ever want to make you cry.”

  “You’re crying, too,” I say, laughing through my tears.

  “These are tears of joy. Ever since Tante Geesje showed me your letter, I can’t seem to make them to stop.” He holds me again, and we rock in place as if waltzing to our own music. For me, it’s a symphony of pure joy.

  “You weren’t supposed to come,” I murmur into his shoulder. “You have classes.”

  “Not on Saturday. Besides, how could I stay away?”

  We part a second time and I ask, “Why did you come to the back door?”

  “I saw all the lights on and the carriages parked out front, and I didn’t want to interrupt anything. It looks like you have guests.”

  “They’re my father’s guests. I’m helping Mother greet everyone and make introductions.”

  “Look at you! You’re dressed like a princess in a fairy tale!” He touches my hair, which is piled high on my head and embellished with jeweled combs. “You’re so beautiful, Anna!”

  “You must join us, Derk. Come on, I want everyone to meet you.” I tug on his hand, but he doesn’t move.

  “Dressed like this? I wouldn’t dare. And I didn’t bring anything better to wear, either. Certainly nothing that’s fit to accompany a princess.”

  “Would you feel better if you borrowed a tuxedo? Please, Derk. I would love to have you join me. We haven’t sat down to dinner yet, and Mrs. Dunlap can easily add another place for you.”

  “Can I ask you something first?”

  “Yes?”

  He pulls a white cotton handkerchief from his coat pocket and carefully unfolds it on the palm of his hand. Tucked inside is a plain gold ring with a tiny red stone. “This was my mother’s,” he says as tears fill his eyes again. “Will you marry me, Anneke?”

  I throw my arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Yes! I would love to marry you!” When we finally let go, he takes my left hand and slips the ring onto my finger. It fits perfectly. And it’s much more to my liking than the one William gave me.

  “Maybe I should have asked your father for your hand first,” he says. “That’s what I came here to do. You know, I don’t think I’ve ever met your father.”

  “Well, you can meet him right now. I’ll ask Mrs. Dunlap to find a tuxedo for you. The butler and footmen wear them for formal occasions, so there must be some extras somewhere.”

  I call for our housekeeper and explain what we need. “He’s a tall fellow, Miss Anna,” she says, looking him over. “None of the servants is as tall as he is.”

  “Just do the best you can. Please.”

  Mother’s eyes go wide when Derk and I walk through the door from the kitchen a short time later. She looks him over from head to toe, assessing the trousers that are two inches too short, the ordinary brown shoes on his feet, and the tuxedo sleeves that don’t reach his wrists. “Aren’t you—?”

  I interrupt, afraid she’s about to say the boy from the hotel. “You remember Derk Vander Veen, Mother.”

  “I’m very sorry for interrupting your party, Mrs. Nicholson.”

  “Not at all, Derk … May I call you that? We’re happy to have you.” The smile she gives him is so warm that I want to hug her. She looks him over again and laughs. “Is that our butler’s tuxedo?”

  “It is. I-I’m sorry—”

  “Never mind. We’ll buy you one that fits a little better for next time.”

  “Next time … yes.” He grins. Mother’s welcome is so different from the last time Derk paid a visit that hope begins to
blossom and bloom.

  When it’s time to proceed to the dining room, Derk seems overwhelmed by the elaborate table settings and the other guests in their finery who are taking their places around the table. The butler seats him beside me, and I quietly coach him on what to do and which fork to use. The guests seated near us engage Derk in conversation, and they seem fascinated as he talks about becoming a minister. I know everyone is dying to know if he’s my new suitor, but they’re much too polite to come right out and ask. Father watches us from the far end of the table, too far away to talk to us. But he must see our joy. I can’t stop gazing at Derk, nor he at me, so anyone with eyes must surely notice how we feel about each other. I don’t care! I want the world to know I’m in love!

  When the dinner party ends and the last guest has said good-bye, Derk and I join my parents in the morning room. “I’m glad to finally meet you, Mr. Nicholson,” Derk says. “I love your daughter very much, and I’ve asked her to marry me. I would be honored to have your blessing.”

  “You have it, young man,” he says, shaking Derk’s hand. “Anna tells me she’s also in love with you. Her happiness is very important to me.”

  “I don’t know if Anneke told you, but we’re connected by a common tragedy—the wreck of the Ironsides. My mother was also aboard that ship, and she drowned that day. But out of disaster, God brought Anneke into your life. And now into mine.”

  We talk for a while, and I can tell that Derk has won my father over with his solid, down-to-earth honesty and humility. Mother seems swayed by how much he clearly cares for me. “We’ll talk more in the morning,” Father says as the evening grows late.

  Mrs. Dunlap has prepared a room for Derk. “You’ll find your bag already in there,” she tells him. “Let me know if there’s anything else you need.” I walk up the stairs with him, reluctant to say good night, worried that I’ll wake up to find this has all been a dream.

  “Derk … there’s something else,” I say when we reach the landing. The full moon illuminates the stained-glass window from outside, bathing us in colorful prisms of light. “I need to tell you that—”

  “If it’s about having children, I already know. Tante Geesje told me. I can’t imagine how sorrowful you must feel. If you’d like, we can adopt an orphan when we’re ready to start a family—a dozen orphans. My heart is open to whatever children God gives us. As I’m sure you know, the bonds of love are just as strong as the bonds of blood. And you’ll make a wonderful mother, Anneke.”

  I sigh. How different from William’s response. “But it’s more than that, Derk. The doctor says I can’t do work of any kind. We’ll need servants to do all of the household duties like washing and cleaning and cooking. Even if I were allowed to do all those things, I wouldn’t know how. I’ll be a useless wife to you.”

  “Anyone can scrub and clean. Not everyone can be a pastor’s wife.”

  “What does that require?”

  “Things you already do wonderfully well, like taking an interest in people, and quietly listening to them, and showing them you care. You’ll be praying with people and studying the Bible with them. And you’ll be great at organizing charity efforts to help the poor.”

  “Like Oma does?”

  “Exactly. You’re wonderful with people, Anneke, and a gracious hostess. I watched as you made everyone feel welcome and included tonight. Especially me.”

  “I’ll have so much to learn.”

  “You can do it… . But what concerns me most of all is that I’ll be asking you to give up all of this—your home, your family, your entire way of life—to live in a drafty parsonage with none of the finer things you’re used to. My monthly salary couldn’t even buy the dress you’re wearing. We’ll rely on donations from people in my congregation. I’ve seen the way you live in this beautiful home, and I feel as though I’m asking too much of you.”

  “William offered me the opposite extreme—a life of extravagance—and it wasn’t what I wanted at all. Moving to Michigan is going to be an adjustment, I’m sure. But my parents are willing to hire all the extra help I’ll need.”

  “I wish they didn’t have to. I wish I could provide for you.”

  “I know. But listen, Derk. I think a bigger question is, will your church accept me since I’m not one of them? And I’ll be a pastor’s wife with a houseful of servants. I know you feel uncomfortable in my world. Will I feel the same in yours? I’m asking this for your sake, not mine. I don’t want people to think less of you because of me.”

  “The Bible says that man looks at the outward things, but God looks at the heart. I’ll be sure to use that text for my first sermon.” He breaks into a smile, but I’m still worried.

  “The Bible also says that it’s hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

  “Anneke, you’re doing exactly what the rich young ruler in that story wasn’t willing to do. You’re giving up all of your riches to follow Jesus and serve His church.”

  “And to marry the man I love.”

  “Yes. That too,” he says, smiling. “I love you so much, Anneke.” Derk bends to kiss me. I feel the touch of his lips on mine for the first time as the moon spills dazzling colors at our feet.

  Chapter 38

  Geesje

  Holland, Michigan

  Today is the first day of June, and I’ve opened all of my windows to air out my house. The sky is blue, the sun is warm, and it’s the kind of day that makes me feel happy to be alive. My gardens are growing again—and so are the weeds, of course. I’m poking around in my flower beds this morning, hoping I’ll have enough blooms to decorate the church for Anneke’s wedding next week. Next week! I’ve been waiting all winter and spring for this glorious day—as I’m sure she and Derk have, too.

  I’m weeding along the side of my house when I hear Cornelia calling to me from inside the house. “Tante Geesje? Tante Geesje, where are you?”

  I stand up and answer through the open window. “Out here. Where are you?” She’s supposed to be working at the store. My screen door slams and Cornelia runs around to the side of the house, out of breath.

  “Look what just came! Mrs. Van Putten said I could run home and show them to you right away.” She opens a small box from our print shop while I wipe my hands on my apron. Inside are four postcards with scenes from Holland and the lakeshore. My son Arie printed them from Cornelia’s hand-drawn watercolor paintings.

  “Oh my! They’re wonderful. Very professional.”

  “Mrs. Van Putten already ordered some to sell in her store. And Arie thinks the postcards will sell really well at all the big hotels. He’s going to show them to the hotel managers when they come into town to give him their printing orders.”

  “They’ll be a huge success. I’m so happy for you.” I pull her into my arms for a hug.

  “My new friend Janna from church also likes to draw, and we’re going to walk around town tomorrow and look for more ideas for postcards.” Cornelia is beaming.

  “It’s wonderful to see you this happy. Heaven knows, you’ve had enough sorrow for one lifetime.”

  For a moment her smile fades. “I still think about my baby, sometimes, and wonder what he looked like.”

  “He was a part of you, Cornelia. Of course you can’t forget him.”

  “They told me he was given to a woman who couldn’t have children—like Anneke. And so from now on, whenever I feel sad, I will imagine him with parents like Anneke and Derk.”

  “They will make wonderful parents, won’t they? And you will, too, someday.”

  “Ya. I have to run back to work. I’ll see you later.”

  “Thank you for showing me the postcards,” I say as she jogs away, waving good-bye.

  Cornelia is barely gone when I hear Dominie Den Herder calling my name. “Geesje? Are you home?”

  “I’m out here.” I walk around to meet him on my front porch.

  “It’s much too nice to stay inside, isn’t it?” Dominie asks.

  “That’s fo
r certain! The sun is coaxing all my flowers into bloom, just in time for Derk and Anneke’s wedding next week. Do you have time for a cup of tea with me, Marinus?”

  “I don’t want to keep you from your work.”

  “I’m done gardening for the day. Come on in.” I lead the way inside and rinse off my hands before setting out the teapot and cups. After all of my arguments with the dominie, I never could have imagined we would one day have a friendly chat over tea. He is working more hours at the Dutch newspaper now and writing a weekly devotional column for them. He has also been helping at church. “But I don’t belong in the pulpit,” he told me privately. “I squandered that right.”

  “I have some news from my former church in the Netherlands,” he begins. “The man who violated Cornelia has been confronted and punished. They have put measures in place to make sure he can never abuse another young girl.”

  “Thank goodness. That’s wonderful news. Cornelia deserves justice.”

  “They have also told the man that he must make restitution for the harm he did to her. It will be in the form of monetary payments. It won’t be much, but she’ll be able to use it for something she wants to pursue in the future.”

  “She mentioned an interest in photography the other day. Maybe the money could help her get started.”

  “Ya. Whatever she wants.”

  The water has begun to boil, and I rise to pour it into the teapot. I take out the cookie tin and offer him some while we wait for the tea to steep. “May I ask your advice about something, Dominie? I’m sure Derk told you that he’s been called to pastor a little country church in a community not far from here.”

  “Ya. Such good news for him.”

  “It is. But most of the men in that church are farmers, and they tend to be very conservative and old-fashioned. I’m worried that Anneke will feel unwelcome there. I’m afraid they will judge her unfairly because she comes from a wealthy family, especially since she will have to hire help to do all of the usual household chores. Do you have any thoughts on how I can convince these men to give her a chance?”