The Secret of Fair Hill: A Refuge in Fair Hill Book 2

by Faith Cummings

  "I have been intending to come up and talk to you and your family," Uncle Alan said, taking a piece of paper from a drawer and handing it to her. "I got this note from her for you when I saw her a few weeks ago. Also, I'll give you her address in New York. She also would like to hear from your brother though she's too shy to write to him herself." "She wants Paul to write to her?" Lisbeth asked with a little smile. "I'll tell him and give him the address. But I don't know whether he will write or not."

  "That's all Barbara could expect you to do." Uncle Alan agreed. "But I know she'd like to hear from any of you who wishes to write to her. She's lonely there after being with you in Fair Hill."

  "How is she doing in school?" Doc asked with genuine interest. "She said she wanted to be a nurse in a letter to me. Do you think she will?"

  "I think she could if she decided to. I don't think her Aunt Sheila would like it very much if she does, but I would. She said she was going to try."

  "I'll give her all the encouragement I can then," Doc said. Uncle Alan wrote down the address for each of them. They left him soon after, thanking him for his time and the information. "She wants to know how we all are," Lisbeth said, reading the note on the way home. "And she specifically asks about Paul. I hope he will write to her."

  "He's still feeling pretty bad about Betsy," Doc said musingly. "But I hope he does write to Barbara. I think it would do him good."

  When Lisbeth reached home, she showed the note to the family and the other paper Alan had given her containing Barbara's address. "She wants to hear from thee," She told Paul after supper when they were alone in the sitting-room. "I didn't want Jeremy to tease thee about it. But I think thee should write to her. She is still thy friend after all and needs friends just now being so far away from a Meeting."

  "I'll think about it, Libs. She didn't say anything about it in that note thee showed me."

  "No, but she told her uncle she wanted to hear from thee but didn't know how to ask thee to write without sounding too forward."

  "If we are friends, there need be no worry about such things," Paul said impatiently. "It's not as if we're courting or anything. We're friends just like Lyddy and I are friends." "Write and tell her that's how thee feels. She'll like hearing that, I'm sure." Lisbeth assured him.

  * * *

  That evening, after worship, Paul sat quietly at his desk, thinking about what Lisbeth had said. It was different in Fair Hill now without me. I had come into his life suddenly and had changed it somehow. I had gone just as suddenly and Paul had to admit that he missed me.

  Paul took out a pen and paper and began to write. "Dear Barbara, I was sorry to find that thee had to leave us. Doc brought us thy letter as thee asked him to do. We miss thee very much and hope things are going well for thee now. It is good that thee has a chance for such a fine education, even if it took thee from Fair Hill. I thank God for the blessings He has given thee. Lisbeth also plans to write and mother wants to tell thee of the coming marriage of Mike and Lyddy. Everything is almost ready for them now. Things here on the farm are the same as always except that thee is not here. It seems strange without thee. Thee was only here for a few months but thee became a part of our lives. We keep thee in prayer always and thank thee for praying for us. Take care of thyself and write again when thee can. I wait to hear from thee. In His love, Paul. He reread the letter, then folded it slowly and sealed it. Then, putting it aside, he took out his sketch pad and drew a sketch of me as he remembered me, working in the kitchen with Amy. After he had finished it, Paul sat looking at it and wondering why I made such a difference. Paul sent the letter in the same envelope with Lisbeth's. Amy also sent a note telling me the happenings in Fair Hill and about the preparations for the Meeting for Marriage. I received these three notes on a rainy April day. I read them avidly, thirsty for news of Fair Hill and warmed by their loving support of me even after my precipitous departure. I was surprised to receive the one from Paul but glad that he counted me as such a close friend. I wished I could be there for the marriage. I made up my mind to send something to Mike and Lydia. Paul received a letter from me a week later. It was waiting for him at the post office when he went to get a few supplies for Amy.

  "Letter for thee from Barbara Scott," Karl Meyers said as he handed him the envelope. "Guess she misses thee, hmm?"

  "I miss her too," Paul admitted, excited at the prospect of a letter from me. He read it on the way home, after getting the supplies. "Dear Paul," he read. "This may be the last letter I can send. The head mistress doesn't want me to write to anyone from Fair Hill. She's gotten orders from my Aunt to make sure I don't. I'm sorry. I'll miss writing to thee and to the others. Please give them my love and tell them I continue to pray for all those in Fair Hill. Thank thee so much for thy letter. I miss thee too. We did have some rousing discussions, didn't we? I must get this note in the mail before I am discovered. Take care and pray for me. In His Love, Barbara." Paul was disturbed at this news. It was one thing for my Aunt to take me away from them. It was quite another for her to prohibit me to write to them. He turned the horses and went to Newport. Uncle Alan met him cordially at the door to his inner office. "How are things in Fair Hill, son?" he asked shaking Paul's hand and smiling warmly.

  "Things are well there," Paul answered. "I wonder if I could have a word with thee about Barbara."

  "Yes, of course. Come and sit here and we'll talk. Is there something wrong? Have you heard from her?" Paul handed him the letter and he read it slowly.

  "She doesn't want to lose touch with us. I don't believe she should have to. Is there any way we can keep letters going back and forth despite thy wife? I feel it necessary to keep in touch with her."

  "Was there a close relationship between the two of you?" he asked giving Paul a direct look. "Were you in love with one another?"

  "I didn't say that, nor did I mean that. We are good friends and I miss her. She became an important part of my life. I've never asked how she feels about me."

  "I'm not sure that we can do anything," he began sadly. "Her Aunt keeps a tight rein on her these days. She's also told the head mistress of the school that Barbara is to have nothing to do with Fair Hill."

  "Yes, I know that. But isn't there anything thee can do about it? Is thee going to allow thy wife to force Barbara to give up all ties to us? It doesn't seem necessary. We're all hoping she does what she's planning to do."

  "I know. That's what Sheila's afraid of," Uncle Alan said with a little laugh. "Sheila wants Barbara to forget all about being a Quaker and concentrate on becoming a society lady."

  "But thee knows that's not what Barbara wants. Thee should try and help her! If thee truly cares about thy niece's well being, thee will not allow thy wife to make her into something she's not!"

  Uncle Alan put a calming hand on Paul's as it rested on the arm of his chair. "You really are taking this hard for someone who is just a friend<" he said quietly. "Are you sure there isn't more going on here?"

  "Whether there is more going on here is not the point!" Paul said, becoming angry. "The point is, that Barbara is miserable there. Thee says thee cares about her. Well, if thee does, then do something!"

  Alan sat silently for a time, looking out the window of his office. Then he sighed heavily and spoke

  "I don't think you understand, son. Sheila makes the decisions. She's the one with the money and she's the one with the power."

  "It doesn't have to be that way!" Paul found himself saying. "Thee could stand up to her!"

  "I could, but if I do, I lose her."

  "Is she worth having under these circumstances?"

  "She's my wife. I love her. I don't want to leave her."

  "Then what about Barbara? Does she have to take the consequences of thy decision? What about what she wants?"

  "Barbara's still a child. She can't make decisions for herself."

  "So that's the end of it?"

  He made no reply.

  Paul rose from his chair and silently left the
office, determined that, if he could help it, this was not the end of the matter.

  He hesitated for a moment before leaving the building then, resolutely walked to the buggy and turned it toward the Scott estate. If Alan would not talk to him, then he would go to the source of the problem.

  He knocked firmly on the ornate door of the mansion and it was immediately opened by the butler.

  "There is no one at home," he said, seeing Paul's Quaker dress and giving him a disdainful look.

  "I'd like to see Mrs. Scott," Paul announced, not allowing himself to be put off. "I want to talk with her about Barbara."

  "Mrs. Scott will not see you," he told Paul decisively.

  "Tell her I'm here and that I will not leave without a word with her."

  He left Paul standing outside and closed the door. Paul wondered if he would be back at all. But he returned a few minutes later to say that Mrs. Scott would see him in the library.

  Paul entered the mansion and he opened a door off the entrance hall. They entered the library to find Aunt Sheila seated on a sofa, a cup of tea in her hand.

  "I can't imagine what you hope to gain by coming here," she said scornfully as Paul stopped near the sofa.

  "I want to talk with thee about thy niece Barbara. "He told her quietly. "Thank thee for allowing me a few moments of thy time."

  "Sit then, and tell me what you have to say," she said impatiently.

  He seated himself on another sofa across from her then spoke.

  "I have gotten a letter from Barbara today which disturbs me. She says that thee has given orders to the head mistress of the school not to allow her to write to us. Why is that? We truly mean her no harm, Mrs. Scott. We love her."

  "What do you think I should do then? Bring her back?"

  "I would like that very much, yes. I know that thee is trying to give her an education. I'm sure she appreciates that. I too think it's a fine thing. But thee cannot ask her to forget us. And thee cannot ask her to forget that she is now a child of God. She gave her life to Jesus while she was with us. Nothing you can do or say will change that. I know that thee is not a Christian. That is something between thee and God. But Barbara is. Whether thee likes it or not, she still believes."

  "What has that to do with me?"

  "Thee is keeping her from fellowship with others of like mind. That is wrong. If thee doesn't want her in Fair Hill, there's nothing I can do. But at least let her attend meeting where she is. And let her write to us. What harm can that do anyway?"

  "I want her to forget these silly notions." Sheila said firmly.

  "Does thee honestly believe that just because thee wants her to forget, she will? Doesn't thee know that the more thee prohibits her from worship and the Friend's lifestyle, the more she will cling to it?"

  Sheila paused for a moment and then answered. "I don't believe she will think about it at all after a while. She'll have too many other things to occupy her thoughts. As for her writing to you and your family, I don't think she needs to do that. I will continue to prohibit it."

  He walked to the door of the library then turned and faced Sheila, meeting her piercing blue eyes with a steady gaze. "I hope thee will give some thought to what I've said. If thee changes thy mind, I will thank thee. If not, I will find some other way to keep in touch with Barbara."

  "Do you mean to tell me you will ignore my prohibitions?" She was angry now and rose from her place.

  "I will do what is best for Barbara." He replied. "Whatever that turns out to be. “He left the library and the house, still determined to do something about my unhappiness. When he reached home, he showed my letter to Amy and Andrew and told them what he had done.

  "What does thee intend to do, son?" Andrew asked. "She is still under her Aunt's guardianship."

  "Yes, because her Aunt doesn't want the Scott family name disgraced. She only got involved with Barbara at all because Barbara became a Friend. If Barbara had come up here and not become a Friend, she would still be right here in this house. I've no doubt of that."

  "Thee has a point, but what can we do? We're not legally related to Barbara or blood relatives like Alan is."

  "No, but we, unlike Alan or Sheila are more concerned for Barbara than we are for ourselves. It seems to me that must count for something."

  "Not as far as the Scotts are concerned and not as far as the law is concerned. Barbara's not of age so thee can't go against them."

  Paul rose from the chair he had taken to end the discussion. "I'll talk to the Sheriff about it tomorrow." he said decisively. He never made it to the Sheriff's office. Alan arrived at the farm later that evening and asked to speak to him after worship. He joined them in Meeting then, after it was over, he and Paul sat at the kitchen table to talk. The others went to get some rest, and the house grew quiet around them.

  "I've given some thought to what you said earlier," Alan began. "I've decided you're right. Sheila only did this for her gratification, with no thought for Barbara."

  "Then what does thee intend to do? My parents say that I can't do anything because she is under age and thee is her guardian. If that's true then it is up to thee to change the situation."

  "What if Barbara truly wants to remain where she is?" Alan asked.

  "I think she should, if it's what she wants. But even if she does, she ought to write to us." Paul insisted.

  "I have an idea." Alan continued, leaning back in his chair. "Let's you and I go to New York and talk to Barbara. If she tells us she wants to come back to Fair Hill, I'll let you bring her home. If not, the matter will be settled."

  "No, if she doesn't want to come back, I still want to write to her." Paul persisted. "Yes. I'll tell Sheila that we'll compromise. We'll leave her there but allow her to keep in touch with everyone in Fair Hill."

  "Does thee think thy wife will agree to this?"

  "I've talked to her. She said you came to see her today. She says she doesn't like it, but she'll agree to it providing we don't bring her back."

  "But thee just said we would if it was what Barbara wanted."

  "And we will. Sheila knows that. She doesn't think Barbara will want to return."

  "I will go with thee. But we need to let Barbara know we're coming," Paul agreed. "Will thee tell her?"

  "I've already sent a telegram. I figured you'd agree to go with me. We'll leave in the morning in my carriage."

  Paul informed his parents of the plan over breakfast the next morning.

  "I hope thee brings her back with thee," Lisbeth said excitedly. "I miss having her here."

  "I think we all do, Lisbeth, but we must do what is best for Barbara. If she wants to be a nurse, then the education she's getting there will be good for her." Andrew said. "Paul, thee has to think about that."

  "I'm only going to find out what she truly wants. If she doesn't want to come back, we'll leave her there, but at least we will be allowed to write to her. Alan said too that he was going to make sure she could attend Meeting. Either way, things will be better for her."

  "Here he comes," said Jeremy who had been watching for the carriage.

  Paul said goodbye to the family and, taking a few things in a small bag, left the house and entered the carriage with Alan.

  "I've never seen so many people in one place," Paul said unable to keep from staring at the sights of New York City. "And Barbara's here virtually alone?"

  "I know. She said she was a little frightened at first when I talked to her before," Alan agreed. They stopped before a large, well kept mansion. "This is where she lives." They alighted from the carriage and Paul followed Alan to the door, excited at the thought of seeing me again. He had missed me even more than he knew. "Barbara is expecting you, Mr. Scott," the head mistress said, when she met them at the door. "You didn't tell me you were bringing anyone with you."

  "This is a friend of Barbara's," Alan said. "He wants to talk to her a few minutes. I'll be with them."

  "What does she think I'm going to do?" Paul asked Alan when the
woman left them in the parlor to go and find me.

  "The girls are not allowed to be in the presence of young men without another adult present," he explained. "It's considered improper." Paul was about to make a comment on that when the door opened and I entered. I was dressed in silk and wore many expensive jewels to match my gown. My Uncle greeted me affectionately then turned me to face Paul.

  "Paul! What is thee doing here?" I asked genuinely surprised. Before he could reply, I went to him and greeted him with a hug and a kiss.

  "I thought you might like to see him, since I was coming," Alan put in. "And I guess I was right."

  "Oh, Uncle Alan. It's wonderful to see both of thee. How is everyone in Fair Hill, Paul?"

  "Everyone is well. But how is thee? I received thy letter and was a little disturbed by it. Is thee unhappy here?" he asked, meeting my warm smile.

  "I hope thee didn't come all the way out here because of that letter," I said, taking a chair between my Uncle and Paul.

  "I did, in part. I don't want to think that thee is unhappy, Barbara."

  "I notice you're still using plain speech," Alan said. "But you've given up Quaker dress."

  "I can't wear plain dress, Uncle Alan. Paul, please forgive me. It's one concession I'm making to Aunt Sheila. But I am still a Friend."

  "I understand." he assured me gently. "Thee looks fine as thee is."

  "Does thee really like it?" I asked, touching the soft fabric of my dress.

  "The color is good for thee," He admitted. "Thee looks wonderful."

  "So tell me all about everyone in Fair Hill. Is Lyddy married to Mike yet?"

  "Not yet but soon," he answered. "They're working on Lyddy's dress. Betsy and Sean are to have a child in the fall."

  My face clouded and I reached for his hand. "I'm sorry," I said earnestly. "I know that isn't good news."

  "I'm just hoping all goes well for her," he told me. "But we need to talk to thee." "What about?" I asked, looking from Paul to my Uncle and back

  "We've come to find out from you once and for all, what it is you truly want to do, Barbara," Alan explained. "Your Aunt Sheila has reluctantly agreed that if you wish to return to Fair Hill, Paul can take you home. She has also agreed that if you wish to remain here, you may attend meeting here and write to the folks in Fair Hill. We've come to ask you which you would rather do."