by Marie Silk
“It’s up to you,” Ethan told her. “I’m fine with staying here or going.”
“You are?” she asked hopefully. “Would you be be agreeable to waiting until after Mary has the baby? Now that I’ve had one of my own, I see how difficult it can be to keep up without help.”
“I can wait,” he said, kissing the baby on the forehead before handing him to Abigail.
“Thank you, dear. I’m sure Sam will be glad to hear that we won’t be moving right away.”
Ethan looked at her quizzically. “Why’s that?”
“It’s just a feeling I have,” she replied with a knowing smile.
Downstairs in the house, Fiona was gathering Clara’s coat and hat. “I won’t be gone long,” Clara was telling her. “I’ll just be next door. I—I am going to visit Mr. Blake.”
“Very good, Madam,” Fiona said as she helped Clara into her coat.
Clara hurried through the crisp afternoon air to reach Joe’s cottage on the neighboring estate. Joe greeted her in surprise. “Clara—you look cheerful today.”
She smiled brightly. “I have news to announce.”
“Well come inside and have a seat by the fire, if you want.”
Clara nodded and followed him into the cottage. “So much has changed since the last time I spoke to you here,” she began.
“I’m just glad to see you looking happy. What’s your news?” he asked, taking the seat across from her in front of the fireplace.
“Where do I begin? It’s all so maddening. At least I am not required to plan a funeral for Lawrence, for I have discovered that I was never his legal wife! The police learned of his deceptions and fraudulent business dealings. His death was by the hands of his business partners who came to the estate that night, apparently. But can you believe that he was already married to another woman when I met him?”
Joe was bewildered. “I suppose he fooled everyone.”
Clara sighed in exasperation. “I should have been furious when the police explained it to me, but all I could feel was relief that I could move forward with my life. It’s as if I’ve awoken from a bad dream.”
Joe stared at her and didn’t say anything for a while. Finally he broke the silence. “Makes sense. It’s too bad you had to go through all of that though.”
Clara gave a slight shrug. “I’d rather not dwell on the past anymore. I only want to look ahead to the future.”
“I’m sure you will make the most of it.”
“Thank you, Joe. I think I will.” She smiled and rose from her seat, ready to be shown to the door.
“Oh—you’re leaving already?” Joe asked.
“Yes, I must get back to check on Mary. I need to make sure she ate her lunch today. But I thought you might have been interested to hear that news.”
“I’m very interested,” he blurted.
Clara giggled. “Why don’t you come to the house tonight for dinner?”
“Sure. Sure, I’ll be there,” he said as they stood in the doorway.
“Then I will see you tonight,” Clara replied, and she turned to leave.
“Wait—Clara—” Joe said.
She turned to face him. “Yes?”
“Well, I could maybe kiss you goodbye—just as friends of course—you know,” he stammered.
“Yes, you may,” Clara answered him. But the way he held her and kissed her just then left Clara breathless. “Good Heavens, Joe! Do you tell all of your friends goodbye like this?”
He grinned. “No, I suppose you’re the only one. I guess I just wanted to do that for a long time.”
Clara’s face was red hot with embarrassment. “Yes, well—I’ll see you at dinner tonight. Goodbye, Joe.”
“Goodbye, Clara.”
Back at the house, Mary was lying in bed, still staring blankly at the other side of the room. She was startled to feel a warm hand on her shoulder. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Mary was overcome with emotion when she heard his voice. She turned to see William sitting beside her. “Oh—it’s been so long since I’ve seen you!”
William hugged her tightly. “I know, I’m sorry. I wanted to come earlier, but I couldn’t. How are you feeling?”
“I don’t know how to answer that…” she replied painfully.
“How do you mean? Is the baby alright?”
“Yes, as far as I know.”
“Have you been able to rest?”
Mary hesitated. “No one wants me as their midwife anymore.”
“Surely that’s not true,” he said with a puzzled look.
“Is it any wonder after what you said to the newspaper?”
“Mary, I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about. I spoke to the editor about writing something, but I never had a chance to read it myself.”
“It doesn’t matter anymore,” she said in defeat. “The county has a new midwife, and she will do better than I ever did. But I’m sure you know all about that.”
William looked into her eyes. “I still don’t understand you, Mary. I’ve been out of touch with everything lately. I—I had a bad case of influenza.”
Mary’s defeated expression turned to grave concern. “You did? Are you alright?” She reached up to touch his cheek.
“Yes, I got through it,” he said, holding and kissing her hand. “But you’ll have to catch me up on all that happened while I was away.”
Mary’s eyes filled with tears. “A mother whom I was attending—she passed away right in front of me—and the worst part is, I still don’t know what I did wrong!”
William lay down beside Mary in order to hold her. “I didn’t realize you went through that.”
“I thought you must have heard about it, and it was why you recommended the other midwife over me.”
“I never intended to recommend anyone over you,” he answered. “I should have checked before they printed it in the paper.”
“I’m not worried about that so much anymore. I’m worried that a woman died while in my care. I’ve replayed the night over and over in my mind, but I can’t think of what I could have done differently to prevent it.”
William stroked her hair as she recounted the events to him. He gave her a handkerchief when she was finished. “Mary…dozens of patients in my care have passed on during this last outbreak. Even though I should be used to it, I do lie awake at night wondering if I could have saved them if I did something differently. I remember the first patient I ever lost, and how devastating it was afterward. It breaks my heart to know that you’ve been going through this while I was away.”
“You’ve truly lost dozens?” Mary questioned.
“I’m afraid so.”
“How do you manage?”
“I suppose I try to remember the ones that I’ve saved over the years. Fortunately, that number is much higher.”
“How terrible that you’ve had to cope with loss on such a scale. I can’t imagine. Does that mean I’m not meant to be a midwife?”
“I’m sure you’re competent, Mary. I haven’t had a chance to tell you how proud I am every time someone tells me of another delivery you attended alone.”
She managed a smile. “Thank you, William. So much has happened while you’ve been away. I can drive a car now, you know. By myself.”
William laughed. “I’m impressed! You must take me on a drive sometime.”
“Sure, if you want me to,” she responded shyly. “You won’t be embarrassed to be seen with a woman driving you around?”
He laughed again. “I would never be embarrassed to be seen with you. I’d love to have you drive me around. We’ll give the townspeople something new to talk about.”
“Alright then. Will you be able to stay for awhile?”
“I want to. The Red Cross sent more volunteers to the clinic while I was in quarantine. They are running it without me now, but I need to return eventually. The thing is, I’m worried that I might be gone for our daughter being born. I want to be here when it happens. I
don’t want to miss a single moment.”
Mary sat up in bed. “Our daughter? Do you think we are having a girl?”
William smiled knowingly. “It’s just my guess.”
Mary grinned. “Mine too!”
“I missed you,” he whispered, leaning in to kiss her. When Mary closed her eyes and kissed him back, she began to forget every worry that had been keeping her down for so long.
Downstairs in the house, Clara was returning from her visit with Joe. Fiona helped her out of her coat while Clara explained, “Please see to it that an extra place is set at the table tonight. I have invited Mr. Blake for dinner.”
“Very good, Madam,” Fiona answered.
“Now I must check on Mary. Has she eaten yet today?”
“Dr. Hamilton is upstairs with her now.”
Clara gasped. “William has come home? Oh, this is perfect! Perhaps things will begin to feel like normal again!”
“Yes, Miss Clara.” Fiona put the coat away while Clara looked at her thoughtfully.
“How are things downstairs?” she asked.
“They are busy, Madam. I hope to hire another housemaid as soon as possible.”
“Yes, of course,” Clara replied. “I do appreciate you tremendously, Fiona. Why don’t you have a break before the dinner tonight? You may take some time to do whatever you wish for a few hours.”
Fiona smiled gratefully. “Thank you, Miss Clara.” After Clara disappeared into the library, Fiona went downstairs to her room and changed into her best dress. She pulled on her coat and headed out the servants’ door for the stable.
Sam was glad to see her approach. “Hello,” he greeted with a smile. “Why are you wearing your Sunday clothes today?”
“I’m on a break just now,” she answered bashfully. “Miss Clara said I may have a few hours before dinner to do whatever I’d like.”
“Oh—are you going somewhere?”
“I only came to talk to you, Sam. You said there was something you wanted to show me.”
“Oh that—um—sure—” he stammered.
Fiona could tell he became suddenly nervous. “If it’s not a good time, you don’t have to now.”
Sam looked into her eyes but did not say anything for a moment. Finally he snapped out of his daze and said, “Sure it’s a good time. I want to show you now. Let me just saddle up the horses and we’ll be on our way.”
Fiona gave him a confused look. “Do you mean we are leaving the estate?”
“It’s not too far, but it will be easier to get there with the horses.”
She was hesitant. “But Sam—I don’t know how to ride a horse!”
“You don’t?” he asked incredulously. “We’ll just take one horse then…so long as you don’t mind things being a little cozy.” He saddled one of the horses and explained to Fiona how to hoist herself onto its back. When she struggled with her boot in the stirrup, Fiona suddenly felt his strong hands around her waist, lifting her up into the saddle.
“Thank you,” she whispered, feeling embarrassed. When Sam climbed on behind her and put his arms around to hold the reigns in front of her, Fiona understood what he meant by things being a little cozy.
It was a new sensation trotting through the fields. Fiona worried that she might fall off the horse and she gripped the horn of the saddle for dear life. Then Sam spoke into her ear. “Don’t worry, you’re not going anywhere. I’ve got you.” Fiona relaxed a little but felt relief when they arrived at their destination. Sam helped her down from the horse and began showing her around.
“It might not look like much yet, but I can picture it all in my head how it’s going to be,” he told her.
A look of realization crossed her face. “Oh! This is your land!”
He smiled proudly. “Sure is. Those trees over there make up the property line, and it goes all the way through to that fence over there. Here is where I want to put the cabin…and the garden can be just that way. I’ll get some fruit trees planted as soon as the ground’s ready.”
Fiona nodded and looked everywhere he showed her. The vision he presented was so picturesque that she could imagine it in perfect detail.
“So, what do you think?” he finally asked.
“I think it’s lovely. I’m very happy for you,” she replied.
“Does that mean you like it?”
Fiona nodded. “Very much.”
He smiled contentedly as he helped her back onto the horse and then climbed on behind her. “Thanks for seeing it with me,” he told her. They rode back in silence, but Fiona realized that she was not worried about falling off anymore. She almost felt disappointed when the stable came into view again, because it would mean that her first real horseback ride was over.
Sam helped Fiona climb down and proceeded to get the horse ready to lead into the pasture. When he did not say anything else to her, Fiona cleared her throat awkwardly. “Thank you for showing me your plans. I hope you have a good day.” She turned around to head to the house.
“Wait, Fiona—can I talk to you for a minute?”
She turned to face him. “Of course.”
Sam motioned for her to have a seat on a haystack while he sat on one across from her. He looked at her solemnly. “When Abby said she would take you away to the manor house, I got pretty upset. I’m glad you’ll be staying here instead.”
“Thank you. I’m glad about that too.”
“I was upset about you leaving because, well you’re my best friend. I’m happy every time I see you. I didn’t want to think about what it would be like here if you left.”
“That’s very kind of you, Sam,” she said, feeling her cheeks turn pink.
“I’m not saying it to be kind, Fiona. I’m saying it because I love you.”
Fiona held her breath and couldn’t say a word. It did not deter Sam from resuming his train of thought.
“I’ve been wanting to show you the property—and hoping you would like it. I thought if you liked it, you might want to live there with me.”
“I would like to,” she whispered.
He looked at her hopefully. “Does that mean you’ll marry me?”
Fiona nodded shyly, but wondered if her heart might burst with excitement.
Sam couldn’t contain his grin. “Alright then. You just let me know if there’s anything in particular you want done for the cabin. I really want you to like it.”
She nodded again. “I’m sure I will like it.”
Upstairs at Davenport House, Abigail was in her room with the baby. Ethan walked in just then with a tray of cookies. “Oh, thank you,” Abigail said, eagerly helping herself to one. She noticed that Ethan had a twinkle in his eye and a mischievous grin.
“What is it with you? You look rather pleased with yourself like you have a secret,” she teased.
“Who, me?”
“You can’t shock me,” Abigail said confidently. “I know all the house secrets.”
Ethan gave her a wry smile. “You don’t know this one.”
Abigail laughed. “Then I will hope you will tell me instead of strutting about the room like you own the world.”
Ethan laughed too. “I just left the stable…where your brother was declaring his undying love for the housekeeper.”
Abigail gasped. “Right in front of you?” she asked in amazement.
“No, of course not. They never even saw me. I was quiet as a mouse.”
Abigail clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh, my dear brother and Fiona! I’ll bet that they are married before the year is up. How wonderful!”
“You must try to look surprised when he tells you,” Ethan said with a chuckle.
“Do you know what this means? Our baby may have two godparents now. It’s always favorable to have two godparents instead of one,” Abigail smiled, admiring the christening gown that hung from the armoire.
“Abigail,” Ethan said quietly. “I’ve had second thoughts about all that.”
She turned to face him in dismay
. “What do you mean? You don’t want to have the christening?”
“The christening is fine,” he said, leaning down to pick up the baby and settling into the rocking chair. “I meant second thoughts about Sam being godparent.”
“Oh,” she frowned. “I believe him to be capable if anything should happen to us, especially if he will have Fiona’s help. But I’ve not spoken to him of it yet, so if you are not agreeable to it being Sam…we can have the christening without naming godparents…or we can choose someone else.”
“I already know who I want it to be,” Ethan told her. “But I don’t know how you’ll feel about it.”
Abigail raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Are they Catholic?”
Ethan nodded.
She sat down across from Ethan. “It’s so rare that you speak up about these matters. I’m sure I’ll be agreeable about anyone you choose. I suppose I never realized you might have someone in mind.”
Ethan looked at her intently as he rocked with the baby in the chair. “I’ve been thinking about it for awhile. I’m sure Sam and Fiona would have been fine choices…but I think it should be Valenti.”
Abigail stared at him speechlessly, wondering if she could have heard right. She finally swallowed the painful lump in her throat and whispered, “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. Is it alright with you?”
“Yes.”
Ethan stood up, still holding the baby. “Then I think I’ll go over right now and ask him.”
Abigail nodded and handed him an extra receiving blanket before he left with the baby. She then returned to the bed, deep in thought, and became startled by a knock at the door. “Come in.”
Mary entered, smiling brightly. “Is my nephew in here?”
“You’ve just missed him,” she giggled. “Mary, you look well. I’m glad to see that your color has returned.”
Mary sat on the bed next to Abigail and said with great delight, “William is home.”
Abigail’s face lit up and she hugged Mary. “I’m so glad for you. How is he?”
“He is well,” Mary answered happily. She stood up from the bed to see the christening gown hanging from the armoire. “You’ve done a lovely job, Abigail. I can’t wait to see little Patrick in it!”