by Holly Blake
Billy searched the area for clues as to where Grace might have gone. He went to the Noble’s house and began to fan out from there. Something kept telling him that she wouldn’t be anywhere in town so he headed north into the forest. He found a set of hoof prints and began to follow them. He didn’t know why but he had a strong feeling that if he followed this trail he would find the woman.
He called out to her periodically but all he heard in reply was the hoots of owls and the barking of wild dogs. He saw the trail separate and he jumped down from his horse, following the footprints through the dirt. It was obvious that two people had been here; a man wearing shoes and someone with small bare feet. Both sets of prints travelled to a tree but only the shoes returned to the horse. Billy shook his head; it just didn’t make any sense. The signs were clear though; someone had brought either a woman or a child here and left them under this tree.
Under the circumstances Billy decided it must have been Grace Noble. He raised his head and scanned the trees around him. The forest here was thick and dark. Leaving his horse to graze on an open patch of grass and brambles, Billy began to scour the area on foot. He had walked only a few paces when he spotted her. She lay at the bottom of a small hill unconscious with a nasty cut above her eye. She must have hit her head on a branch and fallen.
Billy ran down the hill and checked to see if Grace was alive. She was cold and pale but her breathing was strong. She awoke when Billy touched her cheek and she looked into his eyes.
“Georgie?” She breathed and smiling closed her eyes and drifted away.
Billy had no idea who Georgie was but he knew that he needed to get help Grace to help as quickly as possible. He picked her up and carried her back to his horse. He struggled to get her in place on the horse and get up himself but as soon as he had them both secured he turned his horse and galloped straight back to town and the clinic.
When they arrived in town Grace came to again. She looked at Billy and called to him.
“Milton, where is Georgie?” Billy had no idea who she thought he was but he knew he had to get her to the clinic quickly in spite of her growing agitation. He held her tightly and rode as fast as their double weight and awkward position would allow.
Outside of the clinic a small group had been waiting for news of Grace. Esther and James were there and James helped get Grace down from the horse. She fought to get away from them but he held her tightly.
“I have to find Milton, he’s just back there, and Georgie needs me!” she kept insisting.
“Georgina was Grace’s sister.” Esther offered and took Grace’s hand. She pulled Grace’s face toward her own and tried to make eye contact with her friend.
“Grace, do you remember me?” Esther spoke gently.
“Yes, you are my friend, Esther. Do you know where Georgie is?”
“Georgie is fine Grace. Let’s get you into the clinic and we’ll go see Georgie in a few minutes Ok?”
“Ok, if you’re sure Georgie is fine.”
“She is Grace, come now.” Esther led her friend into the clinic glancing back at Billy with a nod of thanks.
“You go and get Charles and bring him here, Billy,” James ordered, adding “Did you see someone named Milton while you were out there?”
“I don’t think his name is Milton, but we did see that newspaper man, Maguire I think is his name. She saw him called to him and he ran off. It’s all been a bit strange. I’ll go get Charles, maybe he can explain what’s going on.” Billy rode off to get Grace’s husband.
By the next day some answers had been determined. It looked like Grace had seen Maguire leaving town and followed him, thinking he was her late sister’s husband Milton.
Dr. Ivy diagnosed the poor woman with dementia and told Charles that he would need to hire a nurse to look after her from now on. In the end, Charles determined that he should take her back to Chicago, where things would be more familiar to her and the best of care would be available. He would set in motion the actions necessary to find his replacement at the bank and then they would be on their way. It would take some time, but Grace deserved the best care available. Dr. Ivy offered to care for her at the clinic in the mean time.
The good news was that Ivy’s father, Dr. Edward Sullivan was due to arrive on the next stage bringing with him two of Ivy’s closest friends as well as the new bank manager. And although the town would say goodbye to two dear friends, they would welcome with open arms the addition of reunited loved ones into their fold.
Brides of Wyldewood
Book Five
Hope and Darby
©2016 Holly Blake
All Rights Reserved
Chapter One
“Ouch! Matilda, you really need to calm down.” Hope said to her bench-mate on the train heading to Wyldewood. “You have pinched my arm every time this train blows its whistle. I’m getting bruises everywhere!” They were just a few miles from their new home but it had been a long journey from Boston for Hope, especially since she was travelling with a very nervous Matilda. The older woman had not travelled far in her sixty some years, and this long train trip was wearing on her nerves.
Hope, Matilda and Dr. Edward Sullivan were on their way to Wyldewood Wyoming to see Dr. Ivy Montgomery, Edward’s married daughter who had left Boston a year ago to become a mail order bride. She was happily married now, and expecting her first child very soon. Edward had been very opposed to her leaving, but now, with a grandchild on the way, he was eager to put their differences behind them and move forward with their lives. He had not had much contact with Ivy since she left, except to inform her of her mother’s recent passing. He knew Ivy would be deeply saddened by her death, and her letters proved him right. She had desperately wanted to come for the funeral, but she was much too far along in her pregnancy, to risk the travel. And so now, Edward was coming to her.
Matilda, the Sullivan family housekeeper had been very close to Ivy all of her life and was extremely happy to be seeing her again. Hope, Ivy’s childhood friend was also coming along, both to see her good friend as well as to tend to Matilda and Edward as the family nurse. So far, it had been mostly an enjoyable trip, except that is for the pinching.
“I’m just so excited to see Miss Ivy! I’m so sorry if I’ve hurt you, Hope. You are so kind to put up with me.” Matilda smiled and hugged the young nurse.
“Its fine, Matilda. Just do us both a favor and calm down. Ivy will be so happy to see you and she’ll most definitely need the help with that baby on the way.”
“Good afternoon Ladies!” Dr. Sullivan said as he entered the private carriage they travelled in. “I was just down at the dinner car and met the most remarkable man. His name is Darby, something or other, and he’s a lawyer who is better travelled than any man I’ve ever met before. He’s been everywhere!” Dr. Sullivan sat down on the bench across from Matilda and Hope while cleaning his glasses. He had barely noticed the two women during the entire trip. He brought three books which he finished rather quickly then proceeded to read newspapers, menus and pretty much anything else he could get his hands on. His reading was the same as Matilda’s pinching; it was his nervous excitement at seeing his daughter after so many long months.
As excited as she was to be heading for the west, Hope had to keep reminding herself that this trip to Wyldewood was only a temporary visit. She had a long-time beau at home who had asked for her hand a year ago. Her betrothed kept procrastinating on the setting of a date for the wedding and when Hope told Jonathan that she might go on this trip he gave her his blessing. Surprised and a little saddened by his willingness to let her go for what could be almost a year, Hope left confused and a little hurt. She hoped that in her absence he would come to his senses and set a date for their wedding.
The horn blew again and Hope braced herself for another pinch from Matilda. Matilda grabbed her arm instead and gently squeezed.
“I’m sorry I’ve left you bruised, Hope. You will forgive me won’t you?” Matilda looked earnestly
into the young woman’s eyes.
“Of course,” Hope laughed and placed her hand atop of Matilda’s, squeezing her arm with affection. “I’m honestly just as excited as you and Dr. Sullivan to see Ivy again. I can’t wait to actually work with her, if only for a few months. It is like a dream come true.” She sighed and looked out the window past Matilda.
As they pulled into the Wyldewood station Hope caught her first glimpse of Ivy on the platform waving. She was huge! Hope began to giggle with delight and Matilda squeezed harder in response. The silver hair of the older woman swung in the opposite direction of her head as Matilda turned to look out the window and catch a glimpse as well.
“I don’t see her! Where is she?” Matilda asked, letting go of Hope’s arm and perching on the window like a bird of prey.
“Just back a bit, we passed them as we pulled in. I can’t believe how big she’s become!”
“Oh my goodness,” Matilda gasped. That’s not her in the blue striped dress is it?”
“Yes!” Hope laughed.
“Now ladies, please control your excitement. I’m sure my daughter isn’t that big.” Dr. Sullivan rustled his paper as he attempted to fold it up and put it away. He didn’t look out the window at all and moved more slowly than Hope had ever seen. The look on his face staggered Hope. He seemed worried.
“Dr. Sullivan, are you alright?” Hope offered gently.
Edward smiled at his nurse and the tension seemed to wash out of him like a bad chill. “I’m fine, thank you Hope. I was just thinking about the last time I saw Ivy.”
“Stuff and nonsense!” Matilda burst out and made both Hope and Gerald jump. “T’was nothing but stuff and nonsense and all in the past now. She’s waiting for us and heavy with child. We shouldn’t keep the poor girl waiting. She’ll be wanting a hot cup of tea and to put her feet up.” Matilda began grabbing bags and moving her two companions along like a little general commanding her troops. Hope smiled. “This is exactly how it should be.” This was the normal operation of the Sullivan household and Hope found great comfort in it.
Chapter Two
Matilda led her party off of the train carriage. An exceptionally tall man was immediately in front of her and as he stepped onto the platform he turned and put out his hand to help Matilda down. Hope looked up at the bright smiling face of the stranger and lost her breath. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. She froze behind Dr. Sullivan, unable to let her breath out, unable to think; all she could do was stare at the tall man with the intense blue eyes and a smile that was so warm and inviting that it made her feel as though she might melt on the spot.
“Mr. Buford, I’m glad I’ve bumped into you again. I have some matters I could use your services for,” Dr. Sullivan said as he stepped from the carriage behind Matilda. Edward Sullivan was considered a tall man at six foot, but Darby Buford towered over the older man forcing him to tilt his head back to make eye contact.
“Dr. Sullivan, I would be delighted to meet with you tomorrow morning if that would be convenient?” Darby bowed and tipped his hat. He waited with his hand out to help Hope down but she still hadn’t moved since she spotted the man. Darby bent down and looked into the carriage.
“Come along Hope, we’ve lost Matilda already,” Dr. Sullivan laughed, peering around looking for his housekeeper through the crowds.
The spell finally broken, Hope began to move again. She sucked in a deep breath and attempted a limp smile at Darby. The man’s smile broadened as he gazed into Hope’s eyes while she made her way down the steps of the train. “Mr. Buford?” Hope barely whispered his name. She could have sworn she saw him catch his breath as well. Whatever this was that she was feeling it seemed to her that the effect was mutual. Darby Buford was just as taken aback by Hope as she was by him. She smiled with more confidence, a sense of relief washing over her.
“Over here Dr. Sullivan!” Matilda yelled from further down the platform breaking the connection between Hope and Darby.
“Tomorrow morning, say nine o’ clock, Mr. Buford?”
“Yes indeed Dr. Sullivan,” Darby said reluctantly releasing Hope’s small hand. “Miss.” He tipped his hat to Hope and Dr. Sullivan and was off with one enormous step. Hope blushed and shook her head chastising herself for being so transparent with her feelings.
“Quite a man isn’t he?” Dr. Sullivan smiled at Hope.
Embarrassed by her reaction, Hope blushed even harder and nodded to Dr. Sullivan.
“Come on now. Miss Ivy is tired, I can tell from looking at her. Now let’s be off and get her comfortable!” Matilda chided both of them and grabbing Hope’s hand she pulled her into the crowd, Dr. Sullivan following close behind.
Chapter Three
In the several weeks since Hope Reynolds came to town, Darby had found every excuse he could to go to the clinic. He cut his finger and wondered if a nurse should look at it. His son Patrick developed a cough and he brought the boy to the clinic to see Dr. Sullivan. He delivered legal documents to Dr. Sullivan personally, something he never did for other clients, in hopes that he might see Hope in the process.
“Why don’t you just ask the nurse courting and get it over with?” His nanny Eliza laughed as she folded napkins and placed them on the dinner table. Patrick was playing in the next room with the kitten Eliza had recently found. Darby was searching the house for something he could use as an excuse to go and see Hope again. He had exhausted every reason and now was looking for some gift he could take as a welcome for Dr. Sullivan.
“I’m looking for a gift for the Doctor. He’s been very good business for me and I want to thank him. This has nothing to do with Hope.”
“It’s funny how you knew exactly who I was referring to when I mentioned courting.” Eliza stopped folding and looked at Darby.
“Eliza, I have told you dozens of times, I could never marry after losing my dear Lydia.” Eliza just gazed at Darby, as if he were a little boy caught in a lie. “I am found of the girl, I will admit that much.” He smiled, hoping Eliza would leave it alone. She shifted her weight from one leg to the other and placed her hand on her hip still glaring at him. “Ok, Ok, I really like this girl, but I can’t allow myself to lose my head over her. Patrick lost his mother such a short time ago.”
“Do not use that boy as an excuse Darby Buford!” Eliza chastened.
Both hands where on her hips now and she tilted her head to one side, looking like an angry rooster ready for a fight.
Eliza had been in Darby’s employ and living in Wyldewood for nearly a year now. She had quickly learned to read and write something she had never been permitted to do in Louisiana. She dressed like a lady, spoke like a lady and behaved, most of the time, like a lady. She had studied with great interest all the ways of the women of Wyldewood and modeled herself after the best. She was bound and determined to take the opportunity that Darby had offered her and make the most of her life. She saw herself as being raised above her background, even above her color. In her own mind she was a white woman, until she lost her patience with Darby.
Darby never understood her attitude. He would often talk to Eliza about the scars of her past. She could only see value in whiteness, as she called it. In Wyldewood she was treated with dignity and respect, and she decided that her treatment was based on her new clothing, her speech and her ability to “act white”. Darby tried to make her see that her color meant nothing here, but she just wouldn’t listen. He felt responsible for her attitude. He had been the son of a slave owner, by birth, he was a slave owner, and he could never reconcile or make amends for this part of himself. It was an eternal guilt, along with the feelings of responsibility he felt for the fate of Virginia, his Grandmother and ultimately his beloved wife, Lydia. The sins of the father affected everyone and everything he touched. He was a curse.
“Darby, there you go again.” Eliza said. Her face was masked with worry and sadness. “You have to stop blaming yourself for everything bad that’s ever happened in this world. You are
a good man. You have done so much for me and for so many other people. Miss Mary wrote just last week to tell you how grateful she is for you bringing her to her brother. She’s set to marry in a couple of months and wants you to come to the wedding. Miss Esther couldn’t be happier to have you back in her life; she told me so just the other day. And to think of all the children you’ve helped to educate both here and in England through the scholarships you’ve set up…. Darby, you are God’s precious gift to this world, you’ve just got to see it and forgive yourself for whatever you think you’ve done. You deserve happiness Mr. Darby, more than most; you deserve nothing but goodness the rest of your days.”
Darby looked at Eliza but she could tell that it wasn’t getting through. She shook her head sadly and went to the kitchen.
Darby knew that Eliza meant well, and it was true that he tried his best to give far more than he ever received, but he never felt that it was enough. He carried the guilt of his father with every breath. But he wanted to make sure that his son would never feel that same kind of guilt. He would pay whatever penance he must to ensure that Patrick would live a life liberated from the shame of slave ownership.
He walked to the door from the dining room to the living room where Patrick was happily playing with the kitten. He had a long red string that he traced across the floor for the kitten to try to catch. Every time the kitten got hold of it the little boy laughed with glee and gently stroked the grey and white bundle of fur.
“Look Daddy, Phileas Fogg is learning to hunt!” Patrick shouted with joy.
“Phileas Fogg?”
“Yes, like in the book that Mummy used to read to me ‘Around the World in Eighty Days’. Do you remember?”
“I’m surprised you remember that book.”
“I do! It was my most favorite book. The story was so exciting. Then we got to go on a big ship and travel by train and horse and everything! It was just like in the book. We travelled the world didn’t we Daddy?”