She fought a subtle trembling and met their inquisitive gazes. “I know I’m not truly a part of this family, but I feel like I am. I never meant to be disloyal,” she whispered. She flinched at Gabriel’s glower at her words.
Jeremy glared at his brother and grasped her hand. “I’m certain you weren’t disloyal, my love. What happened?”
“When we were having our troubles, I went to a nearby park a few evenings after work. I needed a place to think.” She paused. “My cousin Bartholomew met me there twice. The first time, he didn’t say much of interest, but our second conversation was enlightening.” She paused as she saw she had everyone’s attention.
She gave a quick summary of his conversation. “I think he is truly chastened about his past. And upset about the woman he loved and lost in San Francisco.” She paused. “I also believe he loathes your cousin Henry but doesn’t know how to separate himself from such a man.”
“Did he give you any further clues that could help us?” Jeremy asked, earning a grunt of agreement from Gabriel.
She nodded and met Gabriel’s fierce stare. “Yes. He said your cousin Henry had a singular focus on you, Gabriel.” She paused. “Although this Mrs. Smythe woman might have her reasons to come after any one of you, I believe Gabriel and Clarissa should be the ones who are most cautious.”
Gabriel clasped Clarissa’s hand as she let out a stuttering sigh. “Thank you, Eleanor.” He smiled at her, his fierce expression easing. “If you fear you betrayed the McLeods by speaking with your cousin, you are wrong. In many ways, I think you might have aided us.”
Jeremy nodded his agreement and squeezed her hand.
“What are we to do?” Clarissa asked. “We know she isn’t shy about approaching the children, as Billy reported talking to her at a park. I can’t imagine smothering the children with our worries, as we limit their escapades to our small backyards. However, I can believe her capable of using them to get to one of us.”
“Let’s discuss this with Uncle Aidan, and we can decide what we should do,” Gabriel suggested. “I do believe we should all be on our guard, and we should be extravigilant. I do not want to worry the children, as I would hate to steal any of their innocent joy.”
“Nothing will happen to any of us, Gabe,” Colin murmured, reassuring them with his conviction. “We are together, and we will ensure we all remain safe and well.” He smiled at Gabriel as though instinctively understanding Gabriel’s terror of suffering as Jeremy had.
* * *
Although Zylphia fought a small amount of hurt and annoyance at being excluded from the small gathering in Jeremy’s study, a part of her was relieved to not have to focus on another family crisis this evening. She trusted that her father or cousins would inform her of what she needed to know, and she let out a deep breath, expelling any pent-up frustration. When she opened her eyes, she studied her reflection as she stood in front of the cheval mirror in one of Jeremy’s guest bedrooms. She cast a critical eye over the cut of her navy-blue gown, lifting the skirt up and dropping it, so it hung at its natural length. “These new fashions make it impossible,” she muttered.
“Make what impossible?” Teddy asked.
She shrieked at his voice and spun to meet his gaze. “Teddy! You shouldn’t sneak up on me like that.”
He leaned against a doorjamb and studied her with intense curiosity. His silver eyes roved over her with passionate interest. He wore an impeccably tailored gray suit that matched his eyes with a burgundy waistcoat.
“How can you wear such a formal suit when it is so hot?”
He shrugged, ignoring her question, and continued to watch her. “You seem quite taken with yourself.” He frowned. “Which is unlike you.” He rose to his full height and walked toward her. “Why is that?”
She flushed and shook her head. “I’m sure I don’t understand.”
“Don’t you?” he asked. “You no longer desire my touch.” He met her gaze as she looked at him imploringly. “You are asleep every night when I come to bed.” Although it appeared he attempted to hide the anguish in his gaze, it shone through. “Have you found another, Zee? An unscrupulous beau you had while you were here in Montana alone, before we married, who was only too happy for your return?”
“No!” She reached for him and grabbed his right hand, ignoring his injured fingers and the scars he’d sustained while fighting in the Great War for Britain. “No,” she whispered again as she fought tears. “I love you. Only you.” A tear snaked down her cheek. “Please never doubt my constancy or my love for you.”
He swiped away her tear, his gaze filled with trepidation. “Then what is it?” When she remained quiet, he firmed his shoulders. “The last time we suffered such discord in our marriage was when you insisted to return to Washington. Is that it? Are you afraid to tell me that you’re returning to Washington again, after the wedding and the family party?”
When she remained quiet, he said, “For, if you are, I’m traveling with you this time. I will not allow us to be separated like we were in ’17. I will not live apart from you, Zee. I cannot.” His impassioned gaze implored her to agree with him.
Zylphia shook her head and cupped his cheek. She smiled as he turned his face into her caress. “No, my love.” Her voice had thickened as she fought tears. “No.” She pushed herself forward and sighed as he held her close. “There was another time we were miserable.”
He kissed her head. “Shh, love, there’s no reason to think about that. We’re well.”
She pushed back and looked into his eyes. Her tears made the blue of her eyes sparkle. “Oh, Teddy, the love of my life, I fear you will soon have competition for my affection.” Tears coursed down her cheeks, as he stared at her in dumbfounded confusion. She patted her belly and smiled as he met her gaze, then looked at her belly and met her gaze again.
“Truly?” he whispered in a hesitant, joy-filled voice.
“Truly,” she said and then shrieked, this time with joy as he picked her up and twirled her around. When he set her down, she beamed at him through her tears. “I wanted to wait to make sure I would not lose this baby.” Her voice choked at the word lose.
“Shh, love, I’m here with you this time. Whatever happens, we are together. I will always love you,” Teddy whispered. He pulled her close as he attempted to banish the agony and fear induced whenever their previous pregnancy loss was alluded to. “We must have faith that this time will be different.”
She nodded, unable to hide her joyous smile. “Yes. I’m four months late. I think I’m—we’re—safe now.” She looked down at her belly again and placed her hands over it.
Teddy placed his hands over hers and then dropped to his knees. He wrapped his arms around her waist and tugged her close as he kissed her belly. “Stay safe, little one. We are eager to meet you, but we will wait until you are ready.” His words earned a chuckle from Zylphia, and he beamed at his wife as he looked up at her.
She played her hands through his hair, and her gaze softened further when she saw the tears trickling down his cheeks. “Oh, Teddy,” she whispered. “I’m sorry.” She dropped to her knees and brushed her fingers over his cheek. “I should have told you weeks ago. I never realized what you were worried about. It was selfish of me to want to be sure I wouldn’t lose this baby too.”
He looked at her and shook his head. “No,” he whispered. “Forgive me for ever doubting you. For letting my fears creep in again.” He kissed her gently for a few minutes, finally breaking apart and cradling her in his arms. “I … I was afraid to dream of this.” His voice broke, and another tear trickled down his cheek.
“Oh, Teddy,” Zylphia murmured. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, one thing you’ve taught me, it’s to never be afraid to dream. For, if I don’t dream, I never have a chance to attain my heart’s desire.”
Teddy’s arms tightened around her. “As long as you understand that you are my heart’s desire, Zee. Whatever the future brings, you will always be enough.”
* * *
Two days before her wedding, Eleanor stood in her room at Colin and Araminta’s house, staring at her wedding dress. She had opted for a simple-cut ivory gown that would highlight her curves. She tried to remember how she had looked with it on, and then she tried to envision what Jeremy would think when he saw her walking down the aisle.
Flushing with hoped-for pleasure, she turned away and packed her few items into a trunk. Soon she would move to Jeremy’s home, and she wanted to be ready. Letting out a sigh, she admitted to herself that she was eager. Eager for her life with Jeremy.
Although his family would stay on for a few weeks after their wedding, she was not troubled by the prospect of a full house. Instead she rejoiced at the thought of being surrounded by loving, caring people. Even when Delia, Aidan, Zylphia, and Teddy departed, Martin would remain. He was a great help with Breandan, and she knew Martin enjoyed splitting his time between Butte and Missoula.
When everything she had was in one trunk, she sat with a thud on her bed and listened to the soothing noises of the house. Araminta sang in the kitchen while preparing a meal, occasionally saying something to baby Lily. A clock chimed the quarter hour.
As she sat in quiet contemplation, her shoulders slumped. For weeks, she’d had no news from her mother, and Eleanor knew she held little hope that anyone would sit on her side of the church. She fought flushing with embarrassment at the prospect of walking down the aisle of the church without even her father’s support.
A rap on the front door startled her, and she jerked where she sat. She listened as Araminta’s shoes made an irregular tap-tap-tap on the floor as she walked to speak with the caller. When Eleanor heard the imperious voice filtering into her room, Eleanor rose to rush to the front door.
“Mother!” she said, unable to hide the shock in her voice. “What are you doing here?” She motioned for Araminta to leave them alone, but Araminta refused, merely backing away to give them a small amount of privacy, as she waited to hear what Mrs. Bouchard would say.
“I am appalled. Appalled,” Mrs. Bouchard bellowed in such a loud, grating voice that Lily cried in the kitchen, “that my daughter has forced me to call on such a home.”
Araminta, who had rushed to the kitchen to comfort her daughter, returned with Lily in her arms. “Such a fine home, you mean?” she asked with an edge to her voice. “A home of a respectable man and woman who have a lovely daughter and a wonderful friend living with them before her marriage? I’m certain that is what you meant.”
“You hussy,” Mrs. Bouchard hissed at Araminta. Mrs. Bouchard’s salmon-colored dress made her look pale and washed out, even though she blushed with indignation. “You should know better than to give my daughter shelter.”
“Why is that, Mother?” Eleanor asked. “You did not want me living at home. Colin and Araminta will be my family soon. They are already like family to me now. Why should I not live here?” She gasped as her mother slapped her.
Mrs. Bouchard smiled with maniacal pleasure as Eleanor held a hand to her cheek.
“Leave my house this instant,” Araminta said. “Now.”
Mrs. Bouchard ignored her, focusing on Eleanor. “I taught you better than to ever seek refuge from the likes of a Sullivan or McLeod!”
Araminta stood between mother and daughter, quivering with rage. She protectively held her daughter, Lily, in her left arm, so Lily was closer to Eleanor than Mrs. Bouchard. “You are never to return here,” Araminta said. “You are not, and never will be, welcome here.”
“You should have gone to your aunt’s house.” Mrs. Bouchard continued to ignore Araminta, her focus on her daughter.
“I will inform my husband and his brothers how you have treated your daughter today. You will no longer have any time or place to continue your abuse of Eleanor,” Araminta said.
Mrs. Bouchard glanced at Araminta with a consuming hate in her eyes.
“Why?” Eleanor whispered to her mother. “Why would I ever have sought refuge with my aunt? She would have abused me as badly as you did. As you have.” Eleanor met her mother’s shocked gaze as she stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Araminta. “You are a bully and a mean-spirited woman. I used to believe your words were meaningless and harmless. I’ve since learned how powerful words are. And how harmful.”
She shook her head, backing away from her mother as her mother made a grab for her arm. “I will never return to your home. This is my home for now. Soon I will marry. And I will make my new home with my husband.” She tilted her chin up with pride. “And I will have no need of your esteem. Or your blessing. For I will have the blessing of my husband’s family, and I could never want for more.”
Eleanor grabbed Araminta’s free hand. “As Araminta said, you are not welcome here. You will never be welcome to visit me at my new home with Jeremy.” She saw the shock in her mother’s eyes. “I have suffered enough abuse and refuse to allow you to sully what I will have with Jeremy.”
“You can’t speak to me that way. I am your mother!” Mrs. Bouchard sputtered.
Eleanor shook her head. “No, you’re not my mother. I never truly had a mother. For a mother loves and honors and cherishes her daughter.” Eleanor paused as her voice broke on the word cherish. “You have never seen me as anything other than a pawn to be manipulated. And I disavow any claim to the Bouchard name or connection to your family.”
“You ungrateful child,” Mrs. Bouchard seethed, her cheeks flushed beet red. “I will never understand why I was cursed with such a willful, churlish daughter. You should be more like Victoria. At least she is amenable to my guidance.” She stood tall as she glared at her daughter. “Mark my words. Your marriage will be a failure, just like you have always been. He will never be satisfied with you. And you will crawl home to me, begging me for forgiveness.”
“Never,” Eleanor whispered. “Those are your truths. Not mine. Never mine.” She watched as her mother flounced from the house, slamming the door behind her. After a moment, Eleanor collapsed to her knees, trembling subtly.
“Oh, Eleanor,” Araminta whispered. “I’m so sorry. I knew your mother was challenging, but I never imagined she would treat you like this.” She kissed Lily’s head and set Lily down.
Eleanor heaved herself up and shook her head. “No, I’m fine,” she gasped. “I just need a few minutes to myself.” She stumbled to her room, closing the door behind her. She collapsed onto her bed, burying her face in her pillow to stifle the sound of her sobs.
* * *
Zylphia gave a huff of frustration. Every room in Jeremy’s house had someone in it. It was simply too full, which was hard to believe for such a large home. She reentered the bedroom she shared with Teddy and fell backward on the bed, letting out another groan of frustration. A half hour later, a soft caress to her cheek and shoulder woke her.
“Zee,” Teddy murmured, as he kissed her forehead. “Did you want to sleep the day away?” he asked. “If you do, I’ll go away.”
“No,” she mumbled, as she fought to wake up. “I’m never tired midday.”
“I fear things might be different now that you are carrying our babe,” he whispered. At her delighted smile, he kissed her reverently. “Oh, how I love you, Zee.”
When he broke the kiss, he frowned. “What’s the matter?”
“I can’t find an unoccupied room in this house so we can inform my parents. I want everyone to know eventually, but my parents should be the first ones to hear our news.”
Teddy looked around their spacious well-lit room with a rocking chair and a desk. “Why not here? Not even Sophie would barge in here and demand to be included in our discussion.” He smiled as she giggled, and he kissed her forehead. “Wait a minute, and I’ll get them.”
She watched him rise and rested her head again on the bed.
“Oh, Zee, what’s the matter?” her mother exclaimed when sh
e entered. A cool hand brushed against her forehead, and she struggled awake again.
“Nothing. Nothing,” Zylphia repeated, as she yawned hugely and pushed herself to a sitting position. Her hair cascaded down her back, and she had a healthy flush on her cheeks. “I’ve never felt better.”
Her father glowered as he stared at his daughter resting on her bed in midafternoon. “You never rest, Zee. You always have too much pent-up energy.”
Zylphia hopped from the bed and gripped Teddy’s hand. She couldn’t hide a triumphant smile. “That was before something momentous occurred.” When Teddy squeezed her hand, as though indicating she should tell the news, she said, “That was before I became with child.”
Her smile faltered for a moment as her parents gaped at her. However, her mother recovered and yanked Zylphia into her arms. “Oh, Zee, I’m so happy for you. I know how much you’ve wanted a child.” She stroked her hands over her daughter’s shoulders and head. “You’re well? You’re eating enough? Getting enough rest?”
“Delia, stop smothering the girl,” Aidan said with a chuckle. “You can see she’s sleeping enough, and we know for a fact she’s eating well.” He winked at his daughter as he enfolded her in his embrace. “I’m so happy for you, my darling girl.”
“Thank you, Father,” she whispered as she backed away, swiping a tear off her cheek as she grabbed Teddy’s hand again. However, she was pushed aside as her parents congratulated Teddy.
“Oh, when will you tell everyone?” Delia asked.
Zylphia turned to smile at her husband, who seemed to glow with contentment. “We thought after Jeremy and Eleanor’s wedding. We didn’t want to steal their moment.”
“I thought the family party would be the perfect time,” Teddy said. “We will all be together, and Jeremy and Eleanor will leave for their extended honeymoon the following day.”
Triumphant Love: Banished Saga, Book Nine Page 38
