by Indiana Wake
When they reached Harley Manor, Charlotte she saw a man in a wheelchair waiting to welcome them. It was a strange contraption, something she had heard about but never seen. What had happened to him? How could he manage and what could she do to help? These thoughts all went through her mind as she stepped forward. She could see he was watching her closely, maybe looking for shock or revulsion on her face, but she felt neither of those things. Returning his gaze, she noticed he was older than Mr. Beaden but not by much. A small, distinguished mustache decorated his lip. It was sprinkled with gray, as was the thick hair at the sides of his face. She wondered if that was more due to external circumstances than his age. With a straight back and broad shoulders, he had a chiseled jaw-line and a dignified mouth that hinted at him being a rather handsome man.
As they approached him, he turned towards Maggie and greeted her with a smile. She smiled back and introduced them saying, "Charlotte, this is Simon Harley. He is your generous host. Simon, this is my dearest friend, Charlotte Henderson."
Upon being introduced, Charlotte curtsied and said, "A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Harley. I am ever so grateful that you would be kind enough to have me in your home. I must repay this kindness at every opportunity I can."
The smile did not quite reach his eyes as he said, "Nonsense. Any friend of Maggie's is welcome here for as long as they like. You needn't repay anything. It is my pleasure to have you. Come on in, you must be tired from your journey. Mrs. Langley, the maid, will show you to your room."
"Yes, come Charlotte. I have so much I wish to talk with you about. Thank you again, Simon, for letting her board here. Oscar, bring the luggage up in a bit, would you?" Maggie said and pulling her by the arm, they both went off to her new room.
Chapter 3
The next day, Charlotte woke up and went down to help Maggie with the breakfast. As they stood, making breakfast, laughing and generally catching up, Charlotte asked, "How is it that you and Mr. Harley are on a first name basis?"
"Oh, have I not mentioned all the details in my letters? While I was betrothed to him I used to call him by his name but now that I am not, it seemed rather strange to go back to calling him Mr. Harley. He is my friend and we are comfortable addressing each other by name."
"That makes sense. I am so happy for you. Mr. Beaden seems like a wonderful man and I see that he loves you dearly which is all I have ever wanted for you."
"How is it that you have not married yet? I was sure that of the two of us, you would be the first."
"Well, I did not find anyone I took a fancy to and love seems to be evading me."
"Nonsense, I am sure you will find the right man for you soon enough. Do not lose heart, my dear friend," Maggie said intently.
"What is being discussed so intensely early in the morning? I do not like the frown on your face, my sweet," Oscar said, entering the room with Simon.
"Oh, it is nothing my dear; you needn't worry," Maggie replied and began setting the table with Charlotte.
"I hope you are not uncomfortable with your arrangements here, Miss Henderson? If anything is not to your liking, you only need say the word," Simon said, looking concerned.
"I assure you, everything is more than satisfactory and I am ever grateful for your hospitality," Charlotte replied.
As they began eating, Maggie said, "Charlotte, Oscar and I have some work to do in the fields and will be out all day. Would you like to go into Redemption, the town or stay here?"
"I'd prefer to stay here for a few days before I venture out, if that is acceptable, Mr. Harley?"
"Yes, it is perfectly fine, I assure you," was Simon's reply.
And so it was that Charlotte found herself alone in the house with Simon a little while later. Once they had left, she began to explore the Manor and soon came upon a small library hidden at the back of the house. She wandered in and soon was snuggled up on a couch with a traveling book.
It was in this state that Simon rolled into the room. He was surprised to see her, for this was his favorite haunt. Noticing him by the door, hesitating to enter, she called out, "Mr. Harley, do come in. I am amazed by your collection of books and must know if they were passed down."
He wheeled in and parked next to her. "Some of them were, but most I collected during my travels. I have always been fond of the literary art and whenever I traveled, I bought a book there. Many of these books symbolize a place I visited."
"Do you travel a lot?"
A cloud passed behind his eyes. "I used to, before my accident. It has been a few years since I have traveled anywhere significant though," he said, sadly, a far-off look in his eyes.
Charlotte felt sympathy for the man. Simon noticed that and clearing his throat he said, "I shall leave you to your reading, Miss Charlotte. Please feel free to take any book that strikes your fancy," and began wheeling himself out the room.
"Please, please do not leave. I would love to hear more of your travels if you would be kind enough to share them. I myself have never traveled anywhere; other than here that is. I am rather curious about the world out there."
Simon stopped and then deciding to grant her wish turned back. He parked himself by her again and began recounting some of his travels. He had been to the great cities of New York and had even traveled across the water to England. She laughed as he told her about the ocean and strange fish like creatures that played in front of the ships. He told her of desserts and Indians and painted horses that would amaze her. All the time his voice was deep and enticing, his eyes alive and interested. She was fascinated, asked questions and hung on every word he said. She could picture the places he described, taste the food and hear the laughter. She found that he was an elegant speaker who could mesmerize with his words.
They sat talking for hours until Maggie and Oscar returned. As Maggie entered the room, Charlotte noticed Simon's entire body grow alert. He turned and greeted the two of them. The look in his eyes, as he watched Maggie and talked to her, left no doubt in Charlotte's mind that he was completely in love with her friend.
She felt pity for the man as he could never have the woman that he loved and she respected him more for it since he had willingly sacrificed his happiness for hers. Charlotte only wished that someday a man would love her as much as Simon loved Maggie. She had always believed that if the good Lord willed it then it would happen, but still no suitable man had ever appeared.
Chapter 4
“I need you to stay until after your birthday,” Maggie said one morning as they sat drinking coffee.
“That would be wonderful if I’m not in the way?”
“No never, part of me wishes you could stay here forever. Don’t you love the way the land rolls away from you and the majesty of the hills?”
Charlotte smile at her friend’s love of her new home. “It is very beautiful and much more… much more civilized than I expected.”
“Then will you stay?” Maggie asked her eyes pleading as she squeezed Charlotte’s hands.
“I would love to, but promise me you won’t go making too much of a fuss.”
“Just a little party I promise,” Maggie said but from that day on she grew busier every day and Charlotte decided to help out by taking over her duties at the Harley Manor. She watched over the maid and looked to the food, fed the animals and made sure Simon had a want for nothing. Every day she saw him sitting by the window watching Maggie go about her business and he waited for her to come home in the evening. She took it upon herself to distract him as best she could and would pull him into one conversation or another. To pass the time, she even came up with games to play with him.
At first, he refused but eventually she wore him down and soon they were playing. Simon sat laughing while trying to guess the action she was just doing or they would try to beat one another at a game of cards. Charlotte was rather competitive and to find that Simon was as well made the games more interesting.
If they were not playing, she would get him to read for her. He had the strongest voi
ce and he read with such conviction that she found herself entranced by his voice. She could sit for hours and hear him read or discuss something with a passion.
But, no matter what she did, she was unable to get his mind completely off Maggie. As evening came, he grew restless and only relaxed once Maggie was back in front of his eyes. She did not know how to broach the subject with Maggie and she knew better than to point it out to Simon. So, she decided to help him find someone else. Someone who would see what an amazing man he was. There must be someone who would fall in love with him so that they might live a happy life together.
With this in mind, she proposed they go to the town square the next day. She had heard that ever since the accident, Simon had grown prone to staying cooped up in the house. "Whatever will I do there? The streets are difficult for me to navigate. I shall only be a hindrance to you. If you wish to go then by all means please do, but I must excuse myself from it," were some of his excuses when she begged him to go with her.
"I do not wish to go alone and Maggie is so busy that I do not wish to be a bother to her. If you do not go with me then I shall not go either as I have made up my mind to not go alone," Charlotte said, obstinately, refusing to give up.
"I do not wish to be the reason you do not go. Very well, I shall go with you but I must warn you by the end of it you will regret ever having me along. I am not the best company outdoors," Simon said, giving in.
"Thank you, so much Mr. Harley. I am sure I will have a splendid time now that you have agreed to accompany me," Charlotte said. Already happily making plans on how to get Simon to meet a fair lady to fall in love with.
The next day, they went to the town square where vendors stood bargaining with customers, children ran around playing and women stood together gossiping. Charlotte insisted on pushing Simon's chair for him as they strolled down, checking the trinkets being sold.
She spotted a necklace that she found beautiful, but it was a bit expensive so she began to continue onward when Simon asked her to stop. Turning back to the man, he bought the necklace and handed it to her with a smile.
Charlotte felt heat flush her face and pleasure race through her chest. Such a lovely gesture and so gallantly done, but she could not accept it. "Please, Mr. Harley, it is an expensive necklace and I do not wish you to spend your money on such trinkets," Charlotte said.
"I insist. It is a beautiful necklace and I dare say it will compliment your beauty perfectly," Simon replied making her blush even more.
Charlotte gathered up her skirts and knelt before him, offering the necklace so that he could put it around her neck. At first he fumbled and his thumb brushed across her collar bone. Heat raced from his touch and she felt her breath catch in her throat. Then the cold metal lay on her skin and brought her back to the present. What was she doing?
Quickly she stood and turned so he could see. “Thank you it was a most gracious gift.
“The blue stones bring out the magnificence of your eyes,” he said and turned his chair back to the street.
“I wonder have you not considered marriage?” he asked as Charlotte started to push him.
“I have considered it,” she said wondering how she could explain the way most men made her feel. “I want more from marriage than most suitors are prepared to give. I want a man who will love me for who I am, not what I represent… But it is more than that… I want a man I can talk to, who interests and challenges me. I want a man who is good and kind and puts others before himself. So far, I have not found such a man, or at least not one who is interested in me.”
“As Maggie said, you are indeed an amazing woman.”
Charlotte found herself blushing and knew that the compliment meant a lot from a man of so few words.
They went a little further when a little boy came up to Simon and said, "Mr. Harley, Sir, I beg you to please buy me some bread for me mom and sisters. We have not eaten for the last two days and me thinks little Lucy is growing sick."
"Of course, my boy. You shall not want for food, I assure you. Come with me," and Simon wheeled towards the nearest vendor and bought a huge loaf of bread, some stew, and some sugar coated strawberries. Then he asked the boy to direct them towards his sister so that he could see what medicine was needed or if a doctor was to be called for.
The boy took them down through narrow, dirty street after dirty street. Charlotte was becoming a little worried. What if this were a ruse? Just as she thought to stop and say something they finally came down to a little wooden shanty that seemed about ready to fall down. They went inside to find a mother lying sick in bed, and three little girls huddled together in the corner. The older two sisters seemed to be trying to nurse the youngest one.
Charlotte stopped, shocked by the state of the room. It was dirty and ill kept. In the corner a woman lay on a bed, she looked very ill. Simon wheeled himself towards the mother and set about checking on her. When he was through, he moved on to the little girl. After he was done examining her, he turned to the boy and said, "I believe little Lucy has chicken pox, but your mother is rather ill so I want you to fetch the doctor. Tell him Mr. Harley requires his services immediately."
The boy ran out and Simon gave the food to the little girls. He took some stew and bread for the mother and wheeled over to her. Charlotte stood rooted by the door, watching as he gently lifted the woman up and helped her to eat a little bit of the stew. His arms and upper body were so strong that he supported her easily.
“Where is your Tyler?” he asked.
She did not reply, but tears stung the back of her eyes and slipped down her cheeks to land in the stew.
While Charlotte watched Simon talked gently to her, distracting her from her sorrows, and uplifting her spirits in one go. Through his talking, he was able to find out that she was a widow. Tyler had been shot on the last cattle drive. They had lost their house and been forced to live here. She had fallen ill a few days ago and therefore had been unable to look after her children.
As Simon sat assuring her that all would be taken care of, the doctor arrived. He saw to the woman and gave her some medicine that he assured would have her back to health in a day or two. Simon paid the doctor his fees and then asked the woman to gather her things and come with him to his house where he would look after them. The woman began to sob in gratitude.
Charlotte was in awe of this man who sat in a wheelchair yet still was able to be such a hero. He was a gentleman of good means yet he looked after a poor family with the utmost care and tenderness. As he turned towards her, she saw into the depths of his warm, coffee-colored eyes and she felt a shock run through her. Before her were courage and kindness and it made her heart melt for this amazing man. A smile of reassurance crinkled his lips and sent warmth raging through her. She realized that somehow her respect had turned to admiration. If she were not careful, her sympathy would turn into love. But did that matter? No other man had ever been as gentle yet as strong as the man who sat before her in a wheelchair and she loved him for it.
Chapter 5
The next few days were lively and loud at the Harley Manor. The kids jumped about and played to their hearts' content. Little Lucy began to grow better and their mother was soon on her feet and up and about. Simon enjoyed himself immensely through it all. Having the children in the house seemed to lift his spirits and he even forgot to wait up for Maggie. Charlotte was thrilled to see this change in him. He looked younger and more carefree as he played with the youngsters.
Once, the woman was nursed back to complete health, she begged leave to go find work. Simon would not hear of it though and insisted that she let him arrange a nice home for her to work at and a suitable place to stay. If he had his way though, they would have lived in the Manor but propriety would not allow it and so it was the next best thing he could do for them. Soon, they had moved to their new home and employers and the house was back to it's quite self again.
Charlotte sat with him in the library the next evening and watched him as he read
to her. His spirits had begun to dwindle down and he began to watch out for Maggie once more. Trying to distract him, she asked, "Why do you not marry, Mr. Harley?"
"Marry?" he replied, confused by the question.
"Yes, you are fond of children and are great with them. A wife would accompany you, be by your side always and give you children of your own to play with. Surely, you do not expect to be without a wife forever?"
"Why, I very much do, Miss Henderson. I would not put any woman through the ordeal of taking care of an invalid such as myself. I would not restrict her life to one like mine and I am positive that no lady would want such a life for herself either."
"Do not be so harsh on yourself. You are an amazing man; gentle, kind, well-versed, traveled and you give the utmost respect to everyone from every walk of life. Any woman who does not appreciate all that you have to offer is rather an idiot - if I may be so blunt. You needn't put yourself down and only be willing to accept a woman who accepts you," she said, realizing then what she wanted. So many men had courted her, but they were shallow and their promises empty. This man was good and honest. He put others before himself and he had a smile that made her go weak at the knees. How had she fallen for him so quickly? And how could she make him realize that the woman he needed was right in front of him.
"Well, I assure you, were ever such a woman to show herself I would be a fool to turn her away. But alas, such a woman I'm afraid does not exist," was his answer as he turned towards the window in wait for Maggie. Disheartened that he would never love anyone as he did Maggie, she got up and excusing herself left the room.