“What—Seth… in the paper?” exclaimed Carolyn.
“Only behind the scenes. He told me all about it, so I am able to read between the lines.”
“He told you what? What did he tell you that he didn’t tell us?”
“There were things going on that Seth was not at liberty to talk about openly,” said Richmond, glancing briefly toward Cherity across the table. “Things…,” he added, “involving Veronica. As a matter of fact,” he went on, choosing his words carefully, “did you know that it was Seth who brought Veronica home from Washington? They traveled down together on the train from the capital. The day he arrived here he had just returned from seeing her safely home to Oakbriar.”
“I can’t believe it,” said Carolyn. “Surely he would have told us.”
“There were reasons he couldn’t,” rejoined Richmond. “But he told me some of it and said that I could tell the rest of you at the appropriate time.”
“I’m not sure I like the sound of it,” said Carolyn. “That’s what the ladies in Baker’s were talking about, though I didn’t want to say. Mrs. Peterson saw the two of them getting off the train together.”
Richmond laughed. “Are you going to pay any attention to what a couple of busybodies say? It was all perfectly aboveboard. Richard, Veronica’s husband, asked Seth to bring Veronica home. She was in danger and had turned to Seth as an old friend she could trust. Seth had been helping her. Once it was over, they decided that it would be best for Veronica to come back here for a while.”
Cherity sat listening intently, but still said nothing. It had slowly begun to dawn on her that she may have misread the entire incident, though Seth’s father had said nothing yet to explain what his son and Veronica had been doing together in Boston.
“Danger… what kind of danger?” asked Carolyn.
“It’s all in this article,” explained Richmond.
“Read it to us! I’m dying to know what’s been going on.”
Richmond picked up the paper.
“‘In one of the most dramatic non-battlefield episodes of the war thus far,’” he began, “‘the Boston Herald has gained exclusive evidence of a major underground spy ring, operating on both sides of the conflict. From information gained by the Herald’s undercover reporter—’”
Richmond paused briefly and glanced at the other three.
“That is Seth, by the way,” he said.
“The undercover reporter!” exclaimed Carolyn.
Richmond nodded. “‘—the Herald’s undercover reporter, working closely with an eyewitness source privy to firsthand knowledge of the passage of information by courier—’”
“And that,” Richmond said, “is Veronica. She is the eyewitness source.”
“Goodness!” said Carolyn. “I don’t understand… why was she involved?”
“I don’t know the specifics,” replied Richmond. “All I know is that she got drawn into this thing, and after she realized she was in over her head she turned to Seth to try to help get her out.”
“Keep reading!” said Cynthia.
“‘—the passage of information by courier to and from contacts on both sides. Chief among those implicated in the affair is one Cecil Hirsch, known under various aliases, who passed information in both directions between the Union and the Confederacy using a variety of accomplices and couriers. Hirsch remains at large and is being sought by Union authorities. Also involved are Enrico Garabaldi and Congressman Stanley Roberts. Photographs of transactions were taken to authorities in Washington D.C. that demonstrated incontrovertible evidence of the flow of information. It is thought that Hirsch’s and Garabaldi’s activities are connected to the former spy ring involving Rose Greenhow earlier in the war, and—’”
Suddenly in the middle of the article, Cherity stood up and quickly hurried from the room, trying desperately to keep back her tears until she was alone. She ran from the house moments later, bursting into sobs as she went.
The next afternoon Carolyn planned a visit to Oakbriar. Cynthia accompanied her but Cherity, who had been quiet and had kept to herself ever since Seth’s visit, declined.
They found Lady Daphne almost beside herself with pleasure to have her daughter home again. She said her husband would be home in a week or two as well. As had Seth, they found Veronica much changed, more subdued, almost introspective. They left Oakbriar an hour and a half later both thinking that they ought to visit more often.
Several days went by. The life and routine of Greenwood gradually resumed its former patterns.
“Don’t I remember Seth saying he would write the moment he was safely back with his unit?” said Carolyn one day after Richmond returned from town with the mail.
“He did,” replied Richmond. “He said he would telegraph as soon as he arrived.”
“It’s been a week.”
“I’m sure he’s been busy. I doubt there’s anything to worry about. It can’t be an easy life living in a tent and traveling around all the time.”
“Not to mention being in the middle of battles and fighting!” added Carolyn. “But I do worry, Richmond. I can’t help it.”
Cherity continued to be embarrassed about her behavior during Seth’s visit. But she could not bring herself to mention it to either Carolyn or Richmond. As transparent as she had been with Carolyn about most things, in matters of the heart, especially given the fact that she was Seth’s mother, she was hesitant to be as free with her thoughts and feelings. On the surface she returned to normal and her characteristic exuberant nature again spread light all about her. She resumed her story times with the visiting black children, all of whom loved her. But deep inside she ached for the rift that her untrusting heart had allowed to come between herself and Seth. She yearned for the moment when she could apologize to him and make it all right again. Her walks and rides were more melancholy and thoughtful than before. Until it was right again between she and Seth, a cloud of unsettledness hung invisibly over her spirit.
Carolyn sensed the change and intuitively guessed the reasons for it, though neither did she bring it up.
More often than not, now, when Cherity and Carolyn saw one another, they smiled or gave the other an affectionate embrace, often silently, with an expression that said they were both missing their Seth.
Fifty-Six
Out riding one day, again Cherity saw the Beaumont plantation in the distance below her. Ever since Seth’s visit she had known that eventually she must confront Veronica face to face and hear from her own mouth exactly where things stood with Seth. She had not planned such a visit for today. Yet almost before she realized it, she found herself once again pursuing a course that led her down from the ridge and ultimately again straight toward the plantation house. This time there was no buggy in sight as she walked Cadence slowly up the drive.
As she neared one of the outbuildings, the huge form of Elias Slade leaning on a crutch came limping into sight around the corner of the wall on his way to the barn. He hesitated, eyed her briefly without revealing any change to his expression, then continued on. Cherity shuddered involuntarily, then made her way to the front of the house, where she dismounted, took off her hat and gun and hung them from her saddle horn, then walked up the steps to the front door. She drew in a breath, then reached for the heavy brass knocker. Jarvis answered the sound almost before its echo had died away.
“I am here to see Miss Beau—” began Cherity, smiling somewhat nervously. “Oh… I’m sorry,” she added, “I forgot she is married… but I am afraid I don’t know her married name.”
“If you’d be meanin Miss Veronica, ma’am—”
“Yes… Veronica,” smiled Cherity. “Is she at home?”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll jes’ fetch her fo’ you.”
The black man disappeared inside.
Cherity waited on the porch, becoming now aware of her clothes and remembering her first meeting with Veronica in Dove’s Landing. Perhaps this had been a mistake, she thought. She should have planne
d this ahead of time, worn a dress, and—
She glanced back at her horse where he was tied at the rail, thinking fleetingly of making a run for it. Almost the next instant she heard footsteps behind her. She turned back and through the partially open door saw Veronica descending the stairway toward her.
Veronica paused. The eyes of the two young women met. In the merest fractions of seconds, like two cats seeing one another for the first time and each sizing the other up, a hundred undefined thoughts and emotions raced through each of their brains. As quickly as it had come, the spell was broken. Veronica smiled and continued down, went to the open door and extended her hand in welcome. She was even more stunning than Cherity remembered her, and so graceful. All Cherity’s fears and anxieties rushed back upon her. Suddenly she felt very self-conscious about being dressed like such a bumpkin. Veronica probably had no idea who she even was!
“I’m sorry,” said Veronica, “I have forgotten your name.”
“It’s Cherity… Cherity Waters,” replied Cherity, trying to return her smile.
“That’s right,” rejoined Veronica. “I remember seeing you once in town with Seth, but… that was a long time ago.”
“A very long time ago!” laughed Cherity nervously. “I was hardly more than a girl.”
“You are certainly more than that now,” said Veronica in a complimentary tone without a hint of the edge that might have once accompanied such a comment, “though I recognized you immediately. Would you like to come in and have some tea?”
“I’m afraid I’m not dressed very presentably,” said Cherity, glancing down at her worn dungarees and men’s boots, fresh from the saddle. “I was just out for a ride and thought I would come by.”
“You look fine,” said Veronica. “Please… do come in.”
“All right, thank you,” said Cherity, following as Veronica led the way into the house. “I suppose I did come to see you, although now that I am here… I’m not exactly sure why. I probably should have sent word ahead.”
“No, it’s perfectly all right. I am glad you came.”
Veronica led Cherity into the parlor, where she pulled a cord on the wall. A bell rang faintly. Several seconds later Jarvis reappeared.
“Jarvis, would you please bring us a pot of tea?” said Veronica.
“Yes, Miss Veronica.”
“Thank you. Please,” she added to Cherity, “sit down wherever you’re comfortable.”
“Are you sure?” said Cherity, hesitating. “I’ve been out riding. My clothes are—”
“My daddy comes in here all the time in his boots and riding things. Sit anywhere you like.”
Cherity smiled and sat down on a high-backed oak chair with an embroidered cushion.
“Are you visiting the Davidsons again?” asked Veronica, sitting down opposite her. “It was years ago when I first saw you. You were here with your father, weren’t you, from somewhere up north, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, from Boston,” replied Cherity.
“Oh… Boston. Seth works for a newspaper in Boston.”
“Yes, my father worked there for years too. He’s the one who introduced Seth to the editor at the paper.”
“Yes, I remember Seth mentioning your father.”
“That’s how Seth got started in photography. Actually, my father died a few years ago.”
“Oh, I am sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Thank you,” smiled Cherity. This was more pleasant than she had anticipated. She hadn’t expected Veronica to be so gracious.
“And you are down visiting again?” asked Veronica.
“Actually… I’ve been living with the Davidsons since my father’s death,” answered Cherity.
“Oh… really.”
“My mother died when I was born, you see, and when he was gone I was left alone. I have two older sisters, but they both have their own families. Mr. and Mrs. Davidson offered to let me come stay with them. They have been extremely kind to me.”
“Yes, they are… well, they are very nice people.”
Just then Jarvis entered with a tray of cups and saucers. He set it down on the table.
“And you just recently returned home too, I understand,” said Cherity.
Veronica nodded. “I got myself mixed up with some bad people. Richard—that’s my husband—thought I should get away from Washington for a while. I hope you don’t mind… I mean, I don’t know how it is exactly with you and Seth—but Richard asked Seth to bring me home, so he came with me on the train. He thought it would be a good chance to visit home at the same time.”
“Yes, I… uh, I knew that,” said Cherity. “But I—”
She paused and glanced away.
“I’m sorry, I hope you won’t think it terribly forward of me,” she said, embarrassed, “but would you mind telling me… if you could just help me understand… what you and Seth were doing in Boston together.”
“You knew we were in Boston? Did… did Seth tell you that?”
“No. Actually, I was there at the same time. I had some business to attend to and… I saw you and he together.”
“Ah, I see. And… but you didn’t think—”
At last Veronica recognized the expression on Cherity’s face and saw that she was terrified for what might be coming.
“Oh… I hope you didn’t think there was something—I am so sorry… it was nothing like that.”
“I… I didn’t know… I had to—”
“You poor dear,” said Veronica. “I see what you must have been going through. I am sorry.”
Cherity looked away and tried to collect herself, then drew in a deep breath.
“Then… would you mind explaining to me… what is going on, and why you and Seth were together,” she said. “I’m afraid I did misunderstand, and I behaved very badly to Seth because of it. I feel terrible… I just want to understand.”
Jarvis brought in the pot of tea and poured out two cups, then left again.
“As concerns Seth and me,” said Veronica when they were again alone and each had cups in their hands, “there is nothing other than that Seth has once again proved himself a good friend. You can set your mind completely at ease. Believe me, you have nothing to worry about. I love my husband, and, if you are in love with Seth, you have truly found an admirable young man. Seth is a brother to me, and always will be. I once thought I loved him. Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. I don’t really know. But he didn’t love me, and that was the most important thing we both had to realize. And this recent situation has shown me what a true friend he has always been.”
She went on to tell Cherity everything in detail about what had happened, how she had contacted Seth, and how he and Mr. McClarin had devised a plan to get her out of the clutches of Cecil Hirsch. By the time she was through, Cherity was in tears.
“What is it?” asked Veronica, worried that she had said something to offend or worry her.
“I’m sorry,” smiled Cherity, wiping her eyes. “I am just feeling very, very foolish all over again for how I behaved to Seth. I acted like a little schoolgirl!”
“We have all done that at times,” said Veronica. “When I think how I used to be, it positively makes me cringe.”
“You really are very beautiful,” said Cherity. “I couldn’t help worrying. What man wouldn’t find you attractive?”
“Oh, don’t say such things! You are very pretty too. I suppose the way someone looks affects people differently. I can’t tell you how jealous I was of you the first time I saw you with Seth. You looked so lively and spunky and energetic and with such a wonderful smile. I think it’s energy that makes people attractive, don’t you…? More than just looks, I mean. I had never seen a girl in boots and dungarees before. I was so angry with Seth!”
Cherity laughed. “I can hardly believe it to hear you say all that. I was jealous of you too. I knew that you and Seth were engaged, and then for a long time after my father and I returned to Boston, I thought you and he were married.”
“It was a good thing Seth had the courage to break off our engagement,” said Veronica almost introspectively. “It would never have worked. I was dreadfully angry about it at the time. But he was right to do what he did. I have him to thank that I eventually met Richard. Are you and Seth…?”
Veronica let her words trail off, hoping that Cherity would supply the rest.
“I don’t know,” sighed Cherity. “I thought I loved him, and maybe I do. But sometimes it’s not easy to tell what is really love and what might be something else. And I think Seth—maybe because of what went on between you and him—is cautious to commit himself. He has said some wonderful things to me that I treasure in my heart. But beyond that… I just have to wait and see what the end of the war brings.”
“Well my advice to you is to give him time. He is a man worth waiting for. I can assure you in every way, both before and more recently, that he has always behaved toward me as a perfect gentleman. He is a Davidson.”
It fell silent for several moments.
“Well… perhaps it is time for me to be going,” said Cherity, shifting in her chair.
“Do you have to?” said Veronica. “At least stay long enough to come upstairs. I want you to meet my mother.”
She rose. Cherity stood also.
“Now that all this is behind us,” said Veronica, “maybe you could come back again… just for a visit, you know, and…”
She hesitated and a strange, almost sheepish look came over her face. It was one of the few times in her life that Veronica had felt embarrassment.
“Would you mind if I asked you a favor?” she said.
“Of course not,” replied Cherity, unable to imagine anything she could do for someone like Veronica.
“Would you… I know this probably sounds silly, but… would you teach me to ride?”
Cherity stared back not sure she had understood.
“You want me… to teach you to ride? A horse, you mean?”
Veronica nodded. “Seth loved horses so much. I always hated the very thought of saddles and sweat and manure and all of it. But Richard loves to ride too. I think I am finally ready to learn.”
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