by Marie Silk
“I’ll replace them just as soon as I can. Promise,” he told her, crossing his heart.
Clara sighed in defeat. “Fine. Just please see to it that your cow stays on your side of the fence.”
Joe smiled wryly. “I’ll do my best, Ma’am.”
Later than evening, Mary was in her bedroom getting ready for dinner when William walked into the room unexpectedly. “You’re home,” Mary greeted happily. “I’ve missed you.”
“Did you?” he smiled back at her. Then he asked carefully, “How is Abigail today?”
Mary frowned. “She is still taking meals in her room. Bridget stays with her all day now. I’ve asked her to ride the horses with me, but she is not interested. But I also fear that the more I see her, the more I will worry about Ethan, myself. I have been reading to keep my mind off of him.”
William hugged her and kissed her hair. “It is a good idea. What have you been reading?”
Mary blushed suddenly and William wondered why she went silent. She finally answered, “Gray’s Anatomy.”
William laughed. “I had no idea it was interesting enough to read for pleasure.”
“Well,” Mary began shyly, “I was looking at the illustrations mostly.” She went to the armoire and pulled the book out from under the linens, flipping to the page she wanted to show William.
He raised his eyebrows in surprise. “The human embryo,” he read from the page.
“I’d like to know what to expect—when it happens for us—if it happens for us,” Mary said quietly. “It seems all the ladies I know delivered a child within their first year of marriage. I had a telegram from Nellie today announcing her second child. I worry there must be something wrong with me.”
“Mary, why didn’t you tell me that you were worried about this?”
Mary turned her face away from him. “I didn’t want to bother you about it, and I kept hoping that it would happen by now. But since it hasn’t…maybe it won’t.”
He gently put his arms around her. “Do you know how many women come into the clinic every week with the same worries? Not everyone has a child right away, Mary. It’s as if the little ones have a mind of their own when they are going to decide to come into the world.”
“Do you ever tell the women to do things like wait for the full moon or take cinnamon with honey?” Mary asked curiously.
William chuckled. “Those are just wives’ tales, Mary. I usually tell them to be patient. More often than not, they are back within a year or two with a child ready to be delivered.”
Mary sighed. “You are fortunate to be there when the babies are born. I have no idea what to expect when the time comes.”
William brushed her hair to the side. “I expect there will be more deliveries than I can handle when the Spring comes.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well,” he laughed. “It will be nine months after the Draft started.”
Mary giggled. “I suppose I did not think about that.”
“I have to think like that so I can make the necessary arrangements,” William replied. Then he looked thoughtful for a moment. “Would you like to accompany me to a birth?”
Mary’s face lit up instantly. “Could I? Do you think the family would mind?”
“I will talk to them beforehand. I don’t know why I haven’t thought of this before. You may come see what it is all about and perhaps even lend a helping hand. There are no midwives in Yorktown, and I need all the help I can get.”
“There used to be a midwife,” Mary told him. “She was run out of town on account of practicing witchcraft. Can you believe it?”
William looked surprised. “When was this?”
“Many years ago. I was told about it when I was a child, and it was a terrible ordeal from the sound of it. I suppose the women of the county have been too frightened to become the next midwife after what happened to the last. Her name was Greta Jenkins.”
“Well, I sure wish she was still around. I could use the help. Now Mary, you should understand that sometimes deliveries take a lot of time, and they may happen any hour day or night. Are you certain you want to attend the next one?”
“Yes, I am certain I want to go with you!” She clasped her hands together in delight. “I’m so excited, I don’t know how I will sleep tonight!”
In the dining room that evening, Mary, William, and Clara were the only ones seated at the table. “I hope Abigail starts dining with us again soon,” Clara remarked. “How much longer do you suppose she’ll keep to her room?”
“It’s hard to say,” Mary answered. “But I have thought of a plan to keep her occupied.”
Clara seemed intrigued. “What is this plan of yours?”
“I thought I might suggest that she visit Serena. Perhaps she will find ways to help her and it can take both of their minds off the War.”
“A good idea, Mary,” Clara smiled. “And I have some happy news. I am hosting a garden party for the women’s suffrage group next week. I think it’s time we had a party to cheer us after all the hard work we have put in.”
“Brilliant, Clara,” Mary responded. “A garden party will be just the thing to help us feel merry again.”
In the stable on Davenport Estate, Sam was bringing the horses in from the pasture and guiding them into their stalls. He was surprised to see that Fiona had walked in. “Hello,” he greeted.
Fiona smiled shyly. “Hello. You received something in the post today. I was going to hand it to you at dinner but never saw you come in to eat.”
“I was helping Joe at the ranch,” Sam answered. “Thanks for bringing it to me.”
Fiona nodded. “You’re welcome. Have a good evening, Sam.” She turned to leave.
“Fiona, just a moment…can you tell me how my sister is doing?”
Fiona turned around to face Sam. “She is still keeping to her room.”
“I figured,” Sam replied. He looked like he wanted to say more, but he remained quiet.
“Is there something else?” Fiona asked gently.
Sam looked embarrassed. “Uh—there is—something,” he stuttered. “You see, usually my sister helps me when I get a letter, but I don’t want to bother her. Would—would you mind?” Sam opened the envelope and held the letter out for Fiona.
“Oh,” she answered. “Of course I don’t mind.” She unfolded the page and began to read the words to him.
Dearest Samuel,
I’m sorry that your brother-in-law has to leave with the military. Abby must be terribly sad, for I know that I would be if it was you who had to leave for the war. I miss you dearly. When will you return to see me? I long for the day when our house will be finished and we can finally be married.
Cordially,
Jenny
Fiona looked up at Sam and handed him the letter. “She sounds lovely.”
“Jenny is a real nice girl. I’ve been saving up for land to build our homestead. I’ve almost got enough money now. If I keep helping Joe on the ranch, I might even have enough by next Christmas,” he explained proudly.
“I’m happy for you, Sam. I did not realize you had a fiance.”
“I asked her right before I took this job. She’s been waiting for me and I’ve been workin’ as hard as I can so I don’t disappoint her. I’ll wait for Abby to feel better before I ask for help writing back to Jenny.”
“I’d be happy to write your reply, if you’d like,” Fiona offered.
“Thanks, Fiona. But I know how busy you are keeping that house in order. My sister says you’re as good as the last housekeeper who worked there twenty years.”
Fiona felt her cheeks turning pink. “That was kind of Miss Abigail to say. I should get back to the house now. Just remember that I would be glad to help if you need to write back.” Fiona then left the stable so that Sam could return to his work with the horses. When Fiona returned to the servants’ lobby, one of the housemaids was waiting for her.
“Miss Clara was just asking for you,” Nora s
aid. “I told her that you were in the stable with Sam.”
“Good grief, Nora. You didn’t have to put it like that. All you had to say was that I would be right up,” Fiona replied.
Nora shrugged. “I didn’t know it was supposed to be a secret.”
“He received a letter in the post today and I took it to him. You needn’t make any more of it than it is,” Fiona called over her shoulder as she went up the servants’ stairs. She found Clara in the drawing room, having tea with Mary. “You asked to see me, Miss Clara?”
“Oh, hello Fiona,” Clara said distractedly. “We wondered if you saw who brought the flowers and chocolate that were left on the front steps.” She gestured toward a large bouquet of roses and an elegant box wrapped in pink ribbon.
“I did not see anyone come to the house, Miss Clara. Did the flowers and chocolate perhaps come with a note?”
“Oh, there was a note with it alright,” giggled Mary.
“Oh,” Fiona said, confused why the ladies would have asked her.
Clara laughed and handed the note to Fiona. “Here, see what you can make of it.” Fiona glanced over the words curiously.
To Miss Clara Davenport,
Consider this a peace offering.
From Your Secret Admirer
“Are you sure you didn’t see anyone come to the house? Did you hear a car come up the drive?” Clara prodded.
“I’m sorry, Miss,” Fiona replied, embarrassed that it must have been delivered while she was in the stable.
Mary then said playfully to Clara, “I think you know who it is, you just don’t want to tell me.”
Clara was thoughtful. “Since none of us heard a car approaching, I wonder if it was our new neighbor, Mr. Blake.”
“Does he need to make peace with you?” laughed Mary, referring to the note.
“One of his cows got into our gardens and ruined the flower beds,” Clara recounted impatiently. “I had to run all the way to his cottage to tell him to come get his cow!”
Now Mary was laughing hard. “How funny, Clara! You must have made an impression on Mr. Blake. I hope you will invite him to the garden party.”
Clara covered her red cheeks. “I had not thought of that. He might not admire me once he attends a party of mine with so many outspoken ladies.”
“Perhaps he is a progressive,” Mary offered. “Please invite him, Clara. I want to see what this Mr. Blake looks like.”
“Oh fine, if it will make you happy, Mary.” Clara turned to Fiona. “Could you see to it that Mr. Blake receives an invitation?”
Fiona nodded. “I’ll see to it, Miss.”
The next day, Clara visited Abigail in her room to tell her about the garden party. “I’m certain your party will be lovely, Clara,” responded Abigail. “But I think I will stay in my room. I don’t wish to see other people right now. I’m sorry to be such a bore.”
“You are fine,” Clara smiled. “Abigail…I’ve been thinking lately about Serena Valenti. I’ve offered to help her with anything she needs, but I wonder if she has been too timid to ask. I thought I should invite her to the garden party. Her family is back in Pittsburgh, and I don’t believe she has any friends here in York County, so she must be lonely. I wonder if she might like to socialize with us a bit more…if only there was someone who could care for the children so she could leave the house…”
“Oh,” Abigail said quickly. “I would be happy to care for the children if Serena wishes to attend the party.” She then smiled for the first time since Ethan had left. “They are such dear children, Clara. Please tell Serena that I would be glad to help.”
Clara smiled back and hugged Abigail. “You are the sweetest. I will go to the farmhouse and talk to her now.”
Before Clara called on Serena, she went to the gardens behind the house to assess the damage done by Mr. Blake’s cow. She walked around the hedges to see the other side and let out a scream when she ran into a man kneeling on the ground.
Joe looked at Clara with a startled expression. “Howdy,” he finally said.
Clara held her hand over her racing heart. “I’m sorry, Mr. Blake. I was not expecting anyone to be out here.”
“Neither was I,” Joe laughed, rising to his feet. “I was just planting these new flowers for you as best I could. How does it look?”
Clara did not hear what he said. She was noticing his tanned, defined features, and wondering if he would confess to sending the flowers and chocolate.
“Um—I can keep working on them if it’s not to your liking,” he said nervously.
Clara snapped out of her daydream. “Oh! I’m sorry. Yes, the flower beds—they look fine.”
Joe sighed in relief. “Thank you, Miss Davenport. I suppose this is the first time you’ve seen me that I haven’t messed something up. Sorry about all that business with Ol’ Bess. I’m gettin’ the fence fixed where she broke out. Anyway, I hope you have a good day.” Joe gathered his garden tools and began to walk away.
“Wait! Mr. Blake!” Clara suddenly called.
He turned around to face her. “Yes Ma’am?”
“I just wondered—well I wanted to know if—” she stammered, “—if you were coming to my garden party on Saturday.”
Joe laughed. “When your maid brought the invitation, I thought it must be a mistake. I thought it must have been for a different neighbor. But sure I’ll be there, if you want me to.”
“I thought since you are new in the county, you might like to meet some of the townspeople. Although there likely won’t be other men in attendance.”
“No, I suppose the men are scarce nowadays because of the War,” Joe said.
Clara looked at him curiously. “Aren’t you worried they may call you to fight?”
Joe shook his head. “They won’t be calling me. The government doesn’t want farmers going over and leaving no one to tend the land here. They already gave me an exemption.”
“I see,” Clara replied, looking into his eyes. “Then I am glad you will be staying.”
Joe chuckled. “I’m glad I will be staying too. See you on Saturday, Miss Davenport.”
The day of the garden party arrived. Everyone gathered behind the house in the clearing where tables and chairs had been placed that morning. Mary walked alongside Clara near the hedges. “Is that your Mr. Blake?” she asked, nodding in the direction of the only man in attendance, who was surrounded by the other ladies.
Clara smiled shyly and nodded. Mary raised her eyebrow and said, “He is quite good looking.”
“Oh stop it, Mary. I don’t want to be red-faced if he ever makes his way over here to talk to me.”
“Has he said anything to you about the flowers and chocolate?” Mary questioned.
“If it was he who brought them, he has not given any indication of it.”
“I’ll go ask him, if you’d like. I’m dying of curiosity,” Mary teased. “You really should go save him, Clara. It looks as if those ladies are going to smother him.”
Clara began walking toward Joe and he gave her a look a relief. She heard him saying, “If you’ll excuse me, Ladies, I must have a word with Miss Davenport now.” The ladies dispersed to the tea table, giving Joe and Clara a chance to walk alone in the garden.
“The ladies from town…they are very…welcoming…” he said.
Clara giggled. “I’m sorry about that. I suppose they were happy to see a man who they might convince with our cause.”
“I don’t need any convincing,” said Joe. “A woman is just as much a person as a man. Why shouldn’t they vote?”
Clara could not contain her smile. “It is just what I think! Thank you for saying so. You would not believe how many men are opposed to such a simple thing.”
“I’m sorry about that, Miss Davenport. I hope you ladies get your vote. Although, I told your friends I would not be able to attend the meetings in town. I can’t leave the ranch for too long. In fact, I should be getting back now.”
“Oh,” Clara said,
trying to hide her disappointment. “Thank you for coming today, Mr. Blake.”
“I wish you’d call me Joe,” he told her. “We’ll be seeing a lot of each other for many years to come.”
Clara looked at him in confusion. “How do you mean?”
“I mean because we’re neighbors,” Joe answered with a laugh. “I never understood being formal with the people you see almost every day.”
“Oh, I see,” Clara said nervously. “Um—Joe—did you happen to come by the house recently and leave something on the front steps?”
Joe shook his head. “I haven’t left anything here.”
Clara searched his face to determine if he was teasing, but he seemed sincere. “I do hope we see you more often—when you’re not too busy,” she said finally.
Joe smiled. “I’m sure you will.”
“And Joe—” Clara told him. “I agree with you that we need not be so formal. Please, call me Clara.”
After Joe left the party, Serena Valenti approached Clara. “Thank you for having me for the party today,” she said. “You ladies have been kinder to me than anyone.”
“I am pleased you could attend,” Clara replied. “It is the perfect day for a garden party. We won’t have many more days like this, with the Autumn coming soon. Are you feeling the chill in the air already?”
Serena thought that Clara must be referring to the heavy sweater that Serena wore. “I’m sorry, I suppose one isn’t supposed to wear such things to a garden party.”
“No need to be sorry,” Clara smiled. “I hope you will come to more of my parties in the future. Abigail did seem cheerful this morning when she left to care for your brother’s children, and poor Bridget was relieved to have the day off. Please do not forget my offer to help if there is ever anything you need.”
Serena returned to the farmhouse where Abigail was playing a game with the two children, Gabriella and Donnie. “Is the party over already?” Abigail said with a smile.
Serena nodded. “I’m grateful to you for staying with the children.”
“I am happy to do this anytime, Serena. Truly. Is it terribly cool outside?” Abigail questioned, noticing Serena’s sweater.