Unbroken Promises of the Heart: (Promises of the Heart Book 2)

by Valerie Loveless

  “Sarah! What’s the matter?”

  Sarah said nothing and simply held the tear-soaked paper up for them to take. Mary took it and read it out loud.

  Dear Miss Sarah Clarence,

  Thank you for your correspondence.

  We are not currently looking for more featurette stories at this time.

  Please accept my apologies for the time and effort you have put into writing a manuscript for our consideration.

  Perhaps you should look into acting. There is a wonderful acting society in town.

  Here are the details.

  Mary skipped the details and handed the note to Liz. She looked it over and frowned.

  “I’m very sorry, Sarah. I did ask Mr. Dixon personally to read and consider your manuscript. Perhaps you should listen to him about the acting society. He’s a very smart man, and I think he might be on to something.”

  “Liz, I am a writer,” Sarah said as she lifted her head dramatically and pointed her nose in the air. “As a fellow writer, I don’t know how you could ask me to consider such a thing. Is writing not our passion, our reason for being?”

  “I don’t see what being a writer has to do with it.” Liz continued the next words carefully. “It’s not as though writing has been a lifelong passion of yours. Please, as a favor to Miss Pottifer, won’t you at least consider the acting society?”

  Sarah lowered her head and looked at her hands. Then she looked at Liz’s hands, especially her right hand, which was covered in ink stains and had a bump on her middle finger where the quill rested as she wrote. Sarah looked at her own hands again. “These are not the hands of a writer,” she whispered. “But they could be the hands of a famous actress!”

  “That’s the spirit,” Mary said flatly. “Now go on. We’ve better things to do than to stare at your actress hands.”

  “Thank you for you continued professional support, Penelope. I won’t forget it,” Sarah said seriously as she rose. She scowled at Mary before stomping down the walk and slamming the garden gate behind her.

  Mary let out a heavy sigh.

  “That is your ‘Sarah’ sigh.”

  “She’s quite mad, you know.”

  “Indeed. She is maddening.” Liz laughed at her own joke.

  “You stole that from me!”

  “I steal many things from you. Who do you think I based Nan off of?”

  “Nan? Why! I am gobsmacked.”

  “About time.” Liz laughed at her own joke again.

  “I shall let you have your folly since you are with child, but on another day, I’d let you suffer my entire wrath.”

  “Oh dear, Mary, and you said Sarah was mad?”

  Pauly let out a heavy sigh. There was nothing more he could do for Lavender. She was lost to all as long as Morose held this power over her. Pauly suspected that Morose had good intentions of love and happiness in mind, but his selfishness was going to end in disaster for Lavender. Not to mention she seemed to be a mental prisoner to whatever it was Morose had done to her.

  Pauly kissed Lavender’s cheek. She gave him a warm embrace in return, but her smile only showed on her mouth and not her eyes. Pauly knew she had died inside.

  Pauly turned to Morose and shook his hand. “I know you love her. But if you love her, you have to set her free.”

  Morose was stoic in his response and simply gestured for Pauly to leave. Pauly climbed down the side of the Lily and into a dinghy where Bordeaux was ready to row them to shore. He then reached up and helped Lady Coberg into the little rocking boat. Bordeaux nodded at Morose and began to row as hard as he could. Pirates didn’t stop at ports and civilized places where they could be arrested. They always stopped off a beach somewhere and took dinghies to land. Because of this Pauly and Lady Coberg had to walk fifteen miles to the nearest town on the coast of Italy. He didn’t speak Italian, and it was difficult for him to find his way, especially with a young, affluent lady in tow who still sobbed and whined the entire way. Eventually he found a kind English-speaking couple from England.

  “Excuse me, do you speak English?” he asked for the hundredth time.

  “Yes,” the gentleman responded.

  “Thank the good Lord. I’ve just been marooned here by pirates, and I don’t speak Italian. I ain’t never left my hometown until recently. Not only that, but I rescued this here Lady Coberg. I need to find a post office or some way to communicate home. Can you help me, kind stranger?”

  “Certainly, there is a post office nearby. I happen to know the man in there speaks English since we were just in there ourselves. By Jove, are you the little Lady Coberg who was kidnapped from your father’s plantation island?”

  Lady Coberg could only manage a nod.

  “Bless you,” Pauly said as he began to leave the lady under his arm.

  “Please, sir, allow my wife and me to take custody of Lady Coberg. I am Sir Elliot of Devonshire, and I am acquainted with her husband. It would be my pleasure to return his wife to him. She is in no condition to continue on as you are. She is a lady!”

  Pauly looked down at the young girl. “You ain’t much older than my own daughter. I’ll protect you if you need it, sweet girl.”

  “Thank you, Pauly,” she whispered. “I’m ready to go home, even if my husband is old and unloving. Anything is better than pirates and endless walking.”

  “Very well. I thank you, sir, for taking upon yourself this young lady. Treat her well, please. She’s been through too much already.” Pauly kissed Lady Coberg’s head and handed her off to the gentleman who gave him some lira.

  “What is your name, sir? Her husband and her father will want to know who rescued her.”

  “My name’s Pauly Ghallager. I’m an American.”

  “Fair thee well, Mr. Ghallager.”

  “Fair you well, mister.”

  The kind gentleman gave Pauly directions to the nearest post office, where the postman was able to help him compose a correspondence to his daughter, Nan, via telegraph.

  Nan,

  Things have not gone well. Lavender is lost to us. On my way home. Expect me in a month or less.

  Pauly set a solid gold piece down on the counter that Morose had given him before he left the ship. The man was especially surprised and didn’t say anything, but happily put it in his coat pocket with a smile.

  “Where can I get a boat to America?” Pauly asked.

  The man sat and thought for a moment and then said in a heavy accent, “The nearest port that sails to America is in Amalfi. You must go there.”

  “How far away is that?”

  “A day or more, on foot?”

  “Well, I ain’t a young man anymore. I ain’t got no walk left in me. How else can I get there?”

  “Can you ride a horse? Signore?”

  “Not like I used to, but that’s still better than most,” Pauly said.

  The man gave him instructions where he could get a horse and which way to go.

  Volume Seven

  Prospects

  The sun was setting over the ocean, and Harriet was itching to get away from work for the day. She had a difficult day fending off advances from Mortimer and attempting to make sense of Liz’s latest manuscript.

  After she closed things down at her desk and bid Mitzy goodnight, she left and headed down the street toward home. She was famished and hoped her mother had some dinner left over for her. She had probably missed it.

  “Mother?” she called as she came in the door. Harriet heard a bustle coming from the sitting room.

  “Oh, Harriet!” her mother, Gretchen, called as she came to the door. “We have a visitor, dear.”

  “Wonderful,” Harriet said and then in a hushed tone asked, “Who is it?”

  “It’s the reverend, dear. I have been trying to get rid of him for half an hour. I think he’s waiting
to see you. I’m going to have to invite him to supper now.”

  Harriet rolled her eyes and sighed. “It’s all right,” Harriet assured her mother. She could handle one evening with him. He seemed like a kind and caring person, just rather odd.

  Harriet and Gretchen went into the sitting room. Reverend Lyons stood and offered his hand to Harriet.

  “Good evening, Miss Black. How lovely to see you.”

  “Likewise.” Harriet smiled as she nodded and sat on the other side of the sofa.

  “Well, we have not yet had our supper, Reverend. Perhaps you would care to join us, since you are here.”

  “I—I would.” Reverend Lyons looked at Harriet for permission before he continued. “I would enjoy staying for supper. Thank you.”

  Gretchen smiled and Harriet averted her eyes down. She began to feel like a trapped animal. Of all the men who had come looking to court Harriet, Reverend Lyons was the most practical. He was age appropriate, he had a job, he was a fine Christian man, and he was educated and kind. But Harriet didn’t want to enter courtship with him. That was the only problem. She just didn’t fancy him. And she didn’t care how long in years she was getting; she did not want to court the reverend. There was something odd about him, and she was simply not interested.

  “Well, come on then, let’s get to the table,” Gretchen ordered.

  Reverend Lyons pulled out a chair for Harriet and waited for Mr. Black to sit down before he sat himself. Gretchen brought out a pot with beef and gravy and boiled potatoes. She set it down in the middle of the table and then began to serve everyone.

  “I wonder if you are very lonely now that you only have one child at home?” Revered asked.

  Harriet’s father, Brigham, shrugged. “I’m not lonely. I see my children as much as I ever did. Now Gretchen, bless her heart, would be torn with grief if Harriet here left us.”

  “Oh, stop. I would not be torn with grief, but I’d have little to do around here but pamper myself. Except tending to your father; that will always be done,” Gretchen retorted as she sat and served herself.

  “I wonder, Mother, how can you stand it? I don’t know what I would do to be stuck at home, doing nothing but caring for the needs of others.”

  Gretchen was not surprised by her daughter. She knew her well. But the revered blinked his eyes several times in surprise but said nothing.

  “I wonder how you can go to work each day and do another bidding. To each their own dear.”

  “I’m sorry, Mother. It’s just that times are changing. A woman doesn’t have to be tied to the home. Maybe we could get you a job.”

  “A job!” Gretchen laughed. “Don’t I deserve a break after raising five children?”

  “Yes, darling, you do!” Brigham smiled lovingly at his wife.

  “Are you not interested in having a family then, Harriet?” the reverend asked carefully.

  “Well, I used to hope to have a family, but my life has not gone that direction.” She sighed. “Honestly, I don’t know where I wish my life to go anymore.”

  There was an awkward silence, and then the reverend spoke up. “I don’t mean to imply or assume anything; however, I believe that you would be a wonderful wife of a reverend. You would have the opportunity to be a mother, with a devoted father who would be around often to help with the children, and you would have unlimited opportunities to do good work for the church like charity, planning parties, typing out sermons. It’s a very busy job, a reverend’s wife . . . ” The reverend swallowed hard and smiled uneasily.

  Finally, Brigham spoke up. “That does sound nice.”

  Another silence followed. It was only broken by the sounds of silverware upon china and chewing.

  “I wonder if you would accompany me on a walk, Harriet,” Reverend Lyons asked after everyone began to clear their plates.

  “Yes, of course,” Harriet replied as she rose from her seat.

  Gretchen looked uncomfortably at Brigham, who said, “What a splendid idea. You youths can go enjoy the evening.

  The reverend offered Harriet his arm as they stepped out onto the porch.

  “Thank you.”

  “I hope you aren’t embarrassed by my comment about you being a reverend’s wife.”

  “Uh, only slightly. I imagine you meant it harmlessly.”

  “Yes, of course. Tell me, Harriet, what would make you ridiculously happy in life?”

  Harriet took a moment to answer. “Honestly, I’ve given up on the idea. I’ve not had a hard life, but it certainly hasn’t happened like I once thought it might.”

  As they came upon the path down to the beach, the reverend stopped and turned to her.

  “What is it that you hoped your life to be?” His voice was sincere and deep. Harriet looked into his eyes. They were brown and dark and warm. His brown hair was cut short, and he always wore black slacks with a white shirt and black tie layered with a gray wool vest. Normally he would wear a black jacket over that, but it was the warm season.

  “I . . .” Harriet was taken aback by a fluttering of her heart as she gazed at his kind face. His nose was quite pointed but not too large or long. He was well groomed, with his face clean shaven and his hair neatly combed. He had a countenance that Harriet could not deny was charming. “I thought I would be a wonderful teacher and I’d meet a mysterious man in Florida and he’d whisk me away to his cattle ranch. That’s as far as I got, I’m afraid.”

  “A cattle ranch?” Reverend Lyons laughed gently.

  “Yes, I don’t know why. I suppose I’ve read too many westerns. But there were no eligible and educated men in Florida that I cared to be around, let alone marry.”

  “What was it about them that you didn’t like?”

  “Well, they had no interest in books or education or any of the things I find important.”

  “Harriet? Might I ask why you thought a cattle rancher would?”

  “I guess you are right. That’s so silly. Of course, most cattle ranchers wouldn’t have the time or inclination for my interests like philosophy or literature.”

  “No, but I suppose they would have their own kind of philosophies and education. My father was a cattle rancher.”

  “No! And you just let me go on about it. Now I’m thoroughly embarrassed.”

  “Forgive me. I didn’t want to embarrass you. I learned a great deal from my father on his ranch. He was a hard man but very righteous, very practical. My mother didn’t much care for it, though, or perhaps she just didn’t care for him. As I said, he was a hard man.”

  “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know—”

  “Of course not, no. It’s all right. No harm done. You have such a lovely family. I love each of them very much.”

  “You love them?” Harriet asked, surprised.

  “Of course. I am their cleric.”

  “Oh, yes, I’m sorry. Of course, you do. I forget how long I’ve been gone and how much I’ve missed. You’ve been here for four years?”

  “Yes. I really love it here.”

  “So do I. Growing up here was like a dream. Sometimes I wonder why I left. It seems like things might have turned out better for me if I hadn’t. Florida was so rugged and fraught with problems. People live in the most deplorable conditions in the swamp. I’ve seen things I wish I never had.”

  “I’m so sorry. If you’d like to talk about, I’m always here.”

  “Thank you. I—Of course, you are the reverend, so you have to hear everyone’s problems and sins.”

  “Well, few tell me their sins, but I do hear my fair share of problems. I don’t mind, though. I don’t mind being the non-condemnatory ear for people to air their pains and sorrows.”

  “Goodness.”

  “What?” He laughed. “Do you not believe me?”

  “No, I do. That is what is so shocking. I’m not used to someone l
ike you. Men just want one thing from me, and usually they resort to games or bribery to get it.”

  “I don’t want anything from you, Harriet, but for you to walk with me this evening and tell me more about you. What are your dreams and your wishes?

  “You are sweet.” Harriet covered her mouth as a yawn slipped out. “I’m so sorry. I am utterly exhausted.”

  “Then let’s get you home.”

  “Thank you. I’m sorry to cut our walk short. I just have had the longest day.”

  When they arrived back at Harriet’s doorstep, the reverend took her hand and kissed it tenderly.

  “I wonder if you wouldn’t like to go to the Fourth of July celebrations with me?”

  “Oh, my family usually attends together, but it would be nice if you were to join us.”

  “Excellent. I will see you in a few days then!”

  “Yes, wonderful. Good night,” Harriet said as the reverend turned and began to go down the steps. Something occurred to Harriet. “Wait—what is your name, Reverend?”

  “Harold!” he said as he waved goodbye and then disappeared into the night.

  “Nan! Where you gone, girl?” Pauly called out as he kicked off his boots and took off his jacket. He was weary as all, and he wanted nothing but to hug his daughter, wash, and then go to bed for a year. When Pauly had pulled up in the stagecoach, he had noticed all the lights were off in his store as well as upstairs where they lived.

  Feeling as though Nan had probably gone to bed, he quietly crept upstairs and went to bed himself.

  The next morning Nan noticed his boots when she went downstairs.

  “Pa! Pa! You are home?” Nan hollered.

  Pauly woke up and pulled himself slowly out of bed, feeling mightily sore from a three-week boat trip and a ten-hour rail trip, followed by a ten-hour stagecoach ride.

  “I’m here, my girl!” he said as he gave her a large embrace, lifting her off the ground a little.

  “I’m so glad to see you, Pa!” Nan squeezed him as hard as she could.

  “I ain’t never been so glad to see ya!” Pauly winced under the pressure of his daughter’s unusually strong arms. She let him go, and he took a deep breath. He looked around the store. Things looked good.