Laurie Alice Eakes - [Midwives 01]

by Lady in the Mist

  She tucked the missive between her stays and chemise.

  Letty laughed. “That can’t be comfortable.”

  “It’s more comfortable than having him twenty miles away and no one telling me if he’s all right or not.”

  “He felt the same way.” Letty touched Tabitha’s left shoulder. “Is that healing all right?”

  “All of me is healing all right.” She rose, albeit stiffly. “Though I think part of me will always mourn Raleigh.”

  “Even though he was a traitor to our country?” Letty asked.

  “He more than paid the price for trying to get his freedom.” Tabitha blinked back tears that still came quickly to her eyes, weakness from a wound that came too close to going septic. “Donald Parks is with his family and a free man because of Raleigh. And we don’t know how many others are free now.”

  “Or may get freed, if the politicians can work things out. And speaking of politicians, the mayor and vice admiral and your gentleman are waiting for you. You’d better get some things packed and your clothes changed if we’re to make Norfolk before dark.”

  “Of course.” Tabitha dashed into the house, calling for Patience.

  In less than an hour, she was seated beside Letty in Kendall’s well-sprung coach. The road between Seabourne and Norfolk proved somewhat better in a carriage than in Tabitha’s wagon, but the hours of travel still took too long. After three days apart, she yearned to see Dominick. Simultaneously, she wished she’d never seated herself upon the luxurious cushions. Lying in bed while someone else tended her wound, then creeping about her garden while her strength returned, she could pretend all would be well with Dominick, that he would stay with her because his uncle never came. Her excuse for him not visiting her was genuine. Afraid his bondsman was permanently injured because he couldn’t move his right arm, the mayor had taken Dominick to Norfolk to a physician. Dislocated, the diagnosis returned. Painful but not ultimately serious. Dominick would be well soon.

  “Well enough to return to his duties,” Dinah had reported with a sniff. “He might have exposed Harlan Wilkins for a blaggard and a traitor, but he’s still a redemptioner.”

  “He won’t be when his uncle gets here,” Tabitha had responded as a counter to the girl’s condescension.

  Now the uncle had arrived and she’d been summoned. No doubt they needed her testimony of what had occurred aboard the Nemesis.

  “I’m surprised they haven’t gone on to Richmond,” Tabitha said. “Wouldn’t the governor want to know about all of this? Or the Navy, such as it is? Or even President Madison?”

  “They’ve sent dispatches to all of them.” Letty pulled needles and yarn from a basket at her feet and began to knit something fluffy and pink. “As soon as the doctor tells Dominick he can travel, I expect they’ll be heading up to Washington City.”

  “Before he returns to England?” Tabitha stared out the window as she spoke. A falling mist made the trees look like sentries along the road. “Kendall will sell his indenture, won’t he?”

  “I wouldn’t know.” Letty pursed her mouth.

  Tabitha smiled. Letty, so loyal to her master, wouldn’t divulge such information to anyone who didn’t need to know. She would be a good cook and even housekeeper for a budding politician.

  “So what are you knitting?” Tabitha changed the subject to the mundane.

  They discussed the merits of a knitted blanket over a quilt for a baby, and other inconsequential matters. Tabitha fidgeted. The mist made the light too poor for reading. It slowed the coach. A four-hour journey took six. Then the first lights of Norfolk broke through the gloom and she began to fuss with her hair, tucking a strand behind her ear, then pulling it out again to curl against her neck, tilting her hat to the left, then tilting it back to the right. Her blue sprig muslin gown looked too cheerful for a lady mourning the death of a friend, even if that friend had betrayed his country. The men would think her irreverent. The vice admiral would find her dowdy and out of fashion, wholly unsuitable for his nephew.

  When Tabitha began to untie and retie the ribbon around the high waist of the gown, Letty tucked her knitting into the basket and grasped Tabitha’s hands. “You’re going to wrinkle it.”

  “I look like what I am—a nobody from nowhere, an insignificant—”

  “The most respected woman on the eastern shore, Tabitha Eckles. Now, lean forward and hold up your shawl.” Letty smoothed the bow against Tabitha’s back.

  She winced.

  “I declare that man could have stopped the lash from striking you,” Letty grumbled.

  “He certainly could have the second time.” Tabitha recalled the sight of Dominick’s scarred back and shuddered. “How could a father do that to his son?”

  “Some people just have anger inside them when others cross them.” Letty leaned forward. “We’re here.”

  “It’s a house.” Tabitha had expected an inn.

  “It’s the mayor’s house. The Norfolk mayor, that is.”

  Tabitha’s heart began to race. Only Letty’s presence stopped her from flinging herself out of the carriage and racing to the door, calling Dominick’s name. Letty, and Tabitha’s desire not to shame him for even being friends with her.

  What felt like an hour later but was likely only a quarter of that time, the coach stopped, the door opened, and a servant in crimson livery held up his hand to assist her to the ground. “They’re waitin’ in de parlor, Miss Eckles. But here’s Molly to help you freshen up before you go in.”

  “Thank you.” Tabitha spoke in a breathy voice unlike her own.

  She needed water to quench her dry throat. She needed a new gown, something of silk and lace from London, though she’d never cared about what she wore in her life. She didn’t even own any jewelry.

  Her legs felt like year-old carrots as she climbed the steps to the house and then another flight to a small, brightly furnished bedchamber, where all the necessities for recovering from a long journey awaited her.

  “They said as how you were to eat if you’re hungry,” Molly said. “They already dined. The Englishman will sail on the ebb tide, so they couldn’t wait any longer.”

  Englishman or Englishmen? Tabitha couldn’t ask. She couldn’t dream of eating.

  “I’ll go straightaway then.”

  On legs that now felt about as strong as sea grass, she descended the steps and followed the manservant into the parlor. Part of her mind told her it was full of men. She saw only one. He stood at the hearth, one arm propped on the mantel, his hair shining in the candlelight. He turned as her slippers whispered across the floorboards. Their glances touched, held, locked. Neither moved.

  “So this is the brave young lady.” A hearty British voice rang through the room.

  Tabitha jumped.

  Dominick lowered his arm and turned. “Yes. Tabitha, let me present you to Mayor Bland and Vice Admiral Lord Landry.”

  Another lord. Tabitha suppressed a sigh and held out her hand, decided she’d better curtsy instead, and completely forgot where to place her feet so she didn’t lose her balance.

  The vice admiral caught her hand between both of his and saved her from toppling over. “You are even lovelier than I was led to believe, my dear.” He smiled, and Tabitha decided Dominick must take after his mother’s side of the family. The smile was the same, the brown eyes as deep and warm. “And I was expecting a great deal.”

  “Completely exaggerated, I’m sure.” Tabitha’s cheeks burned. “I—I’m just a village midwife.”

  “And quite the bravest female I’ve ever had the privilege of meeting.” The vice admiral led her to a chair. “Fetch her a cup of that tea, Dominick. You’re still a redemptioner as far as I know.” He let out a full-throated laugh.

  Tabitha dropped onto the chair, her gaze flashing to Dominick, then Kendall. “Still? But I thought—”

  “I’d give up my English butler because he’s a hero?” Kendall shook his head. “It’s all my friends from Richmond and Charlottesvil
le could talk about after they left, I understand. And now he’s even more valuable to me.”

  “I see.” Tabitha schooled her face. “The price is too high?”

  “No price is too high to free my nephew from bondage,” the vice admiral pronounced. “This man won’t name one.”

  “I’m moving to Richmond and want him with me,” Kendall said.

  “But Seabourne needs a mayor.” Tabitha leaned forward. “And Dominick deserves his freedom to return to his family unless—” She glanced at Dominick.

  He smiled. “Uncle assures me that the rest of my family and most of society has forgiven me, now that word of my father’s treatment’s gotten out. That hasn’t endeared me to him, I’m afraid.”

  “His own fault if he’s no longer respected for not putting family first.” Vice Admiral Landry curled his upper lip, then smiled. “All I need is for Kendall here to name the price. We want Dominick home.”

  “What do you want, Dominick?” Tabitha asked.

  “To go for a walk with you.” He crossed the room and stood behind her chair, his hands on her shoulders. “Ask your questions, gentlemen. We’ve a scant few hours before the tide runs out and the ship leaves for England. We can discuss me later.”

  “Yes, yes.” The vice admiral sipped from a glass of ruby-colored liquid, cleared his throat, and began.

  Somewhere during answering questions about all her encounters and suspected encounters with Wilkins, including matters to do with the claim of his fatherhood, someone pressed a cup of tea into Tabitha’s hand. Later, a plate of tiny sandwiches appeared in front of her. She consumed all of it without thinking. Her voice grew hoarse and her body limp.

  “Just tell me once more,” the vice admiral began.

  “No, Uncle, that’s enough.” Dominick broke in. “She needs air.”

  Tabitha raised a hand. “I’d like to know what’s going to happen with Wilkins.”

  “There’ll be a trial, of course.” Kendall cleared his throat. “Probably in Richmond, since everyone on the cape is too angry to give him a fair hearing.”

  “If it goes that far.” Dominick’s eyes gleamed for a moment before he dropped his gaze. “He doesn’t like the jail, I understand, and just might confess.”

  “But Dominick can’t testify as a bondsman, and I’m a female,” Tabitha pointed out. “Where are your witnesses?”

  “Roscoe will testify.” The admiral compressed his lips into a thin line.

  Kendall reddened. “And I understand there’s a paternity matter you can testify on.”

  “Hardly proof of treason,” Tabitha said.

  “But enough to persuade him he’s perhaps better off in prison than leg-shackled.” Dominick grimaced.

  Tabitha shuddered. “I suppose now I know that Mrs. Wilkins wasn’t just rambling the night she died. I think he pushed her. She likely found out about his activities.”

  “We think so.” Kendall blinked. “Poor lady. She was a lovely young woman.”

  “I tried to save her.” Tabitha’s stomach knotted around the meal she’d consumed. “Can we ensure he pays for the upbringing and welfare of his child before he loses all his assets?”

  “With your testimony,” Kendall said, “he’ll lose a paternity suit. I . . . ahem . . . anticipate no difficulty in having the town council reinstate their confidence in your ability as a midwife, my dear.”

  “Yes, yes.” The admiral cleared his throat. “If she still wants to practice.”

  “She will.” Dominick took Tabitha’s hands in his and lifted Tabitha to her feet. “She’s told you her story three times already without a word changing. Now, Mayor Kendall, Mayor Bland, with your permission . . .”

  “Be back by sundown.” Kendall smiled as he spoke.

  Dominick laughed and drew Tabitha’s hand through the crook of his elbow, then held her fingers against his forearm. “With this mist, who can say when sundown is?”

  “It’s not a nice evening for a walk,” the vice admiral called. “Take her into the dining room. It should still be warm in there.”

  Dominick ignored him, and Tabitha willingly followed him into the cool dampness of the misty evening.

  “What do you want?” she asked.

  “To take a walk with you.” Dominick led the way down to the beach. “To talk about our future.”

  Tabitha’s heart skipped a beat. “What . . . future?”

  “What it holds for us.” He paused at the water’s edge, where the surf made the mist lift and swirl like the gauzy gowns of dancers. “My uncle will pay whatever price Kendall requests to set me free so I can return to England. Once this news reaches the Navy Gazette, few people will care about the scandal I caused, except maybe my father. My uncle is afraid, though”—he rested his hands on her shoulders—“that you will be a hindrance to me finding a good position in the government or even a private house.”

  “I thought as much.” Tabitha blinked salty mist from her eyes. “But I—”

  He touched a finger to her lips. “So I turned him down.”

  “You what?” She grasped his lapels. “Dominick, you didn’t.”

  “Kendall said if I’ll stay and work the full term of my indenture, he’ll give me permission to marry you right away.” He smiled. “If you’ll have me. Will you give up being a midwife and come to Richmond?”

  “I—I—” Her head spun. “I promised Phoebe Lee I’d take her on as an apprentice because I thought I’d never have a daughter.”

  “I hope you have daughters.” He touched his lips to hers. “But you don’t have to disappoint Mrs. Lee either. Kendall was teasing you back there. He has no intention of leaving Seabourne now. He’ll even let us live in your house.”

  “Dominick, is this possible? I mean—” She didn’t know what she meant. She couldn’t think of anything but the joy of him staying with her.

  “I mean we can spend the rest of our lives together, have a family.”

  “But your upbringing, your position.” She shook her head. “How can you give all that up?”

  “It’ll take me longer than we have here tonight to explain it all. Suffice it to say that God has shown me another path, one not based on my family name but on the gifts He has given me. I’m not really going to be Kendall’s butler. I’ll work as his factor and man of business, and we’ll see where God takes us from there.”

  “And He will take us if we let Him.” Tabitha laughed from sheer joy. “Oh, Dominick, is this real?”

  “Quite.” As he drew her to him for a lingering kiss, the sun broke free and banished the mist.

  Acknowledgments

  Though she works primarily alone, no writer is an island, or if she is, many causeways link her to the mainland of humanity. Here I’d like to thank those paths back to sanity.

  Therese Stenzel for starting the authors’ promotional group HEWN Marketing and agreeing that my English hero qualifies me for influencer support.

  Debbie Lynne Costello and Kathy Maher for their Crown Marketing Group specializing in nineteenth-century American Christian fiction. Your friendship is even more valuable.

  Kathy Cretsinger deserves special thanks for understanding my post-edits angst and agreeing to read the manuscript. Your phone call saying you loved the story came just when I needed it most. And your suggestion for a fix was insightful too.

  A few blessed beings will likely see my gratitude in every book, primarily my editors for not telling me I’m a dolt, and the members of my household, both two- and four-legged, for accepting my weird hours as normal.

  Without brainstorming from my talented critique partners, Louise M. Gouge, Marylu Tyndall, and Ramona Cecil, I doubt this fledgling idea that had been in the back of my mind for ten years would have turned into a full-blown novel.

  As always, in addition, my agent Tamela Murray deserves that I do something humbling like clean her house every day for a month, for giving this story such swift and intense attention.

  Finally, I wish to extend a special thanks to
staff and professors in the Virginia Tech history department, especially Professor Roger Ekirch for allowing me to run with my project on midwives’ role in society, and Ms. Janet Francis for corralling her undergrads to give me research assistance. Matt and Mike, I hope you’re faring well, wherever your lives have landed you.

  The role of midwives in history began to fascinate Laurie Alice Eakes in graduate school, and she knew that someday she wanted to write novels with midwife heroines. Ten years later, after several published novels, four relocations, and a National Readers Choice Award for Best Regency, the midwives idea returned, and Lady in the Mist was born. Now Laurie Alice writes full-time from her home in southern Texas, where she lives with her husband and sundry dogs and cats.

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