Clarissa: Historical Romance (Chronicles of the Hudson River Valley Book 1)

by Jean Jacobsen

  “A basket full of prayers would do nicely. Thank Gran for the food and drink. Tell her there is no good news to report at this time.”

  “Very well, Miss. I’ll deliver your message to her straight away.” The maid hurried away, avoiding hearing the pain in the horses’ cries for help, unlike Clarissa who heard every moan as if it were her own.

  The hot tea was most welcome as the vigilant staff continued to walk the horses. The food was left untouched, as they had no appetite. Minutes stretched into hours and weary though the helpers were, the horses were never left alone.

  Near midnight, the sounds of a dying horse emanated from the stables. It was Lady Jane, a fine broodmare. Clarissa’s face was tear-stained as she knelt near the stall, Baines by her side. Sobs racked her petite body as she held her hands to her face and wept, mourning their loss. How much could a person be expected to endure?

  “She was a fine one, to be sure, Lassie. There is nothing we can do for her now. We must do what we can to save the other horses. Com’ on now, up we go.” With this, Baines, also grief-stricken, took Clarissa’s elbow and helped her stand.

  With a heavy heart, Clarissa walked the length of the stables checking on each remaining horse. Two others had also worsened. “Baines, we need to send for Doc. I fear we will lose more without his help. Which of the stable lads can we send?”

  “Well now, let me think. I’ll send one who’s accompanied me to Doc’s place before, so he’ll know the way.”

  At that moment, Jimmy returned to the stables looking as though he had been in a fight with a wild cat, torn shirt, a black eye, and various cuts and bruises. “What happened to you?”

  “The other day I thought the feed buckets felt heavier than usual but I couldn’t dismiss the thought. Not wanting to lose my newfound employment, I thought it best to do some checking on my own before bringing it to Baines's attention.”

  What did you do, Jimmy?”

  “I know a couple of the lads who started working at the feed store recently and from time to time they have worked for Alex Kilpatrick. I personally think he is the scum of the earth. When I confronted the two lads, they told me to mind my own business and they proceeded to beat me up.”

  Clarissa had enough to deal with and the horses were a priority. “Do you know the way to the vet’s house?”

  “Yes, Miss. I’ve gone there before with Baines.”

  “Quick now, go with all speed and tell Doc we have lost four of our horses and need him to come immediately.”

  Clarissa’s strong resolve was slowly making its way back from the depths of despair. She would will the horses to live with her remaining strength.

  Minutes became hours and hours stretched into days and two more mares and one stallion died in agony. Clarissa stood fast with Baines and Doc by her side in the stables. It was clear—the auction would have fewer horses to offer from Lochwood Stables. Clarissa would have to come up with an alternate plan to raise the funds lost that each horse represented. It was as if she could see the faces of Uncle Robert and Alex Kilpatrick laughing at her and her attempt to save Lochwood. She could have easily gone back to the manor house and crawled into bed with the curtains drawn and accepted defeat, but that was not her way. Instead, Clarissa thought of her loss as a gauntlet being thrown at her feet. She would pick it up and accept the challenge, weary as she was.

  Word of the stricken horses spread like wildfire throughout the racing community. Some condolences came in, but for the most part, there was silence.

  Clarissa sent word to the other horse farms that the auction was still on. They would move forward and hope for the best price for the remaining stock.

  She finally gave herself permission to indulge in a hot bath and clean clothes. The hot water was soothing as she lay limp and exhausted.

  Her maid appeared with more hot water and a fresh sachet of soap. “Here you go, Miss. This is a special combination of herbs I’ve prepared, sure to be restful while you soak a bit longer. How shall I prepare your clothes? Will you be returning to the stables or rest for a while in the comfort of your bed?”

  Feeling the horses were out of danger now she replied, “I’m ready for my bed.”

  “Very well Miss. Shall I send for a supper tray for you before you retire?”

  “Hot tea and see if Cook has any soup in the larder.”

  “I’ll put your bedclothes and dressing gown out for you and return straight away with your dinner tray Miss Clarissa.”

  Clarissa lingered a few more minutes in the bath until it cooled off, then dressed, and was sitting at her writing desk when the maid returned with her supper tray. The fragrance of chicken soup suddenly reminded Clarissa she was in much need of nourishment. While tending to the horses, she had not been mindful of her own needs. She would require every bit of strength she could muster in the coming days before the auction.

  With the dawn of a new day, Clarissa and Baines made one final assessment of the remaining horses to be auctioned. Casanova was still questionable as he was recovering more slowly than they had hoped. The broodmares were looking good, so prices should be high on them. Lochwood’s reputation for fine breeding stock had taken a hard hit, but the buyers would see for themselves on Saturday that rumors of failure at the Farm were false.

  As tired as Clarissa was, her sleep had been restless and dark circles appeared under her eyes. Although she had looked in the mirror to brush her hair, she had not noticed her appearance that morning. In the breakfast room, Clarissa prepared her tea at the sideboard as Abigail released a sigh and plopped her napkin on the table.

  Clarissa caught the look of sadness on Gran’s face. “Gran are you alright? You look so unwell today.”

  “Not so much unwell as disappointed with the loss of our horses and the funds which they would have fetched, however, we still have my plan to fall back on.”

  Clarissa was shocked to hear her grandmother had given up before the auction was even held. “Having been with the horses night after night, I assure you everything possible was done to save them. I know it’s quite a blow to our pocketbook.” Clarissa moved to the table and stood facing Abigail. “Rest assured I’m doing everything in my power to make this auction a success. I’m not giving up yet and definitely am not hearing wedding bells.”

  “You have worked tirelessly for the success of our stables. I’m so proud of you and the manner in which you have carried out your pledge.” Holding back the mist in her eyes, Abigail reached up and patted Clarissa’s hand.

  Momentarily taken aback by her grandmother’s rare display of emotion, Clarissa cleared her throat. “Ah-um-thanks Gran, I appreciate your vote of confidence, but don’t send for the dressmaker just yet.”

  Clarissa gave a loving squeeze to her grandmother’s shoulders and then proceeded to leave for the stables. She paused for just a moment at the doorway. “Casanova has not fully recovered from his brush with death, and we may need to pull him from the auction. Doc John will make that determination this morning. I worked late into the night revising the list of horses for the auction flyer. The changes must be in the printer’s office this afternoon to meet our deadline. I could really use your help, Gran. Will you take care of this for me?”

  “The loss of money Casanova would have brought to our accounts will be a hard blow indeed. However, his health is more important than any amount of coins in our pocket,” said Abigail. Her chin up and determination on her face now she added, “I will arrange to make that delivery to the printers myself dear.”

  Clarissa had formulated a plan to garner the necessary funds needed to pay off the notes, which now seemed to loom overhead even heavier than before. It pained her to think about it, but there was no getting around it. She would need to auction off more of their stock than she had hoped. She would discuss her decisions with Baines, but in the end, she had the final say. How fortunate she was to have such a good friend, so knowledgeable about the horses. It was hard for Clarissa to ask Gran for help knowing that the mar
riage market was hanging heavily overhead and it seemed as if Gran would once again, get her way of things. The revisions Clarissa made to the horses up for auction added to the potential profits to outweigh the losses. She only had a few days to work with the new horses and needed every minute of training time she could garner. The now-familiar knot in her stomach tightened and her whole body was tense as she started for the stables.

  About midmorning, Clarissa saw Jimmy and Gran heading to the printers in the buggy. With one less thing to worry about, she returned to the horse she was working with. Try as she might, this horse was not cooperating until Baines stepped in.

  “Here now, Lassie. Let me take over for a minute or two. You look wound up tighter than a top.”

  Clarissa had been so engrossed in the routine that she hadn’t noticed Baines. “Oh, Baines, you gave me a fright. What did you say?”

  “Take a break, I’ll work with him. You look so tense, it’s no wonder the poor horse doesn’t know what you want of him. They can tell, you know.”

  “Yes, I suppose you’re right about that. I’m really feeling the pressure of the auction, it being so close at hand and all. I’ve revised the list of horses I’m putting up for sale to make up for the loss we sustained. Our breeding stock will be reduced greatly, but we’ll have to deal with it down the road.”

  “Easy, Lassie, I understand, but you’ve got to loosen up a bit or you won’t be getting’ any good results out of the trainin’. How long has it been since you’ve ridden your horse, Figgy?”

  Clarissa paused to reflect on his question. “I suppose it’s been a while with the horses sick. She probably thinks I’ve abandoned her.”

  “Take my advice and go saddle her up for a short ride. I know what you’re goin’ to say, ‘you don’t have time’. Well, you need to take the time. Go now, be off with you.”

  Clarissa smiled for the first time in days, realizing how right Baines was about horses feeling their trainer’s tension. “You are right, as always. I’ll go for a short ride and even treat Figgy to a few carrots as a peace offering.”

  ~~~

  Abigail and Jimmy were on their way to Mount Pleasant to drop off the revised auction list at the printers. Just as Abigail was relishing the thought of having tea with a couple of friends while she waited for the handbills to be printed, two masked men approached from the thick woods. The buggy lurched forward as the two men continued whooping, hollering, and shooting their guns. Jimmy, nearly thrown to the back of the buggy was trying to regain control of the horses while the rocking of the buggy threw Abigail across the seat and onto the floor where she sat holding on for dear life.

  The two men tried to circle the buggy, but it was speeding down the dirt road at a break-neck pace throwing a cloud of dust up in its wake. Abigail stayed in her crouched position until Jimmy brought them under control as they entered the town limits and stopped in front of the print shop.

  Jimmy quickly jumped down and went to Abigail’s aid. “Are you hurt, Ma’am? Can you stand up?”

  Although Abigail was shaken, she managed to look up at Jimmy and nod her head that she was alright. Several minutes passed before she took his offered hand and managed to alight from the buggy with shaky legs and her hat askew. “What on earth happened back there?”

  “I’m not sure, Ma’am, what those men were trying to do. If they were highwaymen, they certainly didn’t have a chance to sack us. I never realized how fast the horses could run before today. I guess the training Miss Tanner has been putting the horses through paid off this time.”

  “Be that as it may, I’ll make a report to the constable after I leave these corrections here at the print shop.” Abigail brushed off her skirts and straightened her hat. As she started to take her first step, her knees buckled, and Jimmy was right there to catch her.

  “Here you are Ma’am, take my arm. I’ll help you to the shop and stay with you while you make your transaction.”

  “That’s very kind of you.” She straightened her shoulders and proceeded into the shop.

  Their next stop was the constable’s office where Abigail related their incident and asked if they might have an escort home.

  “Indeed, you may, Mrs. MacDonald. Just stop by here on your way out of town and I’ll send someone with you. Unfortunately, without a description of the men or horses, I’m afraid I don’t have much to go on to make an arrest.”

  “I understand,” she said shakily. “I require a cup of tea while I’m waiting for my printing but will depart immediately thereafter.”

  Jimmy tended to the horses after he escorted Mrs. MacDonald to the tea shop to meet her friends who were already seated.

  “Good Heaven’s Abagail, you look a fright. Are you alright,” asked one lady?

  “I’m a bit shaken. Allow me to be seated and have a sip of tea before I relate my harrowing experience to you.”

  In unison, the friends agreed, then one said, “Certainly, take all the time you need. Shall we call for the doctor to come and check you out?”

  “I’ve had a terrible fright, not a broken leg. I will be fine.” Abigail let out a huge sigh as she plopped down in the nearest chair most unladylike and waved off the friends' attempts to fan her. She held her teacup with both hands as she attempted to regain her composure.

  “Thank goodness Jimmy had the good sense to speed up the horses and outrun the men who came out of nowhere shooting their guns in the air and whooping and hollering.”

  “Do you think they meant to rob you,” asked the first friend?

  “They would be sorely disappointed if that is so. I carry no coins in my reticule.” She sipped more tea and sat back in the chair to gather her composure.

  “Have you spoken to the constable yet,” asked the second friend?

  “Yes, of course. He was our first stop. Unfortunately, I ended up at the bottom of the buggy with my hat over my eyes so I haven’t a clue as to who they might be.”

  “What about your driver. Did he recognize them?”

  “He said not as the dust kicked up by the horses left the men in the thick of things as we raced into town.”

  “My dear friend, all that matters is that you are alright.” She patted Abigail’s hand.

  ~~~

  Jimmy made his way to the mercantile and feed store to look around while he waited for Mrs. MacDonald and the auction brochures. He was hoping to catch a glimpse of the two young men he knew worked for Alex Kilpatrick. Entering the store, he noticed numerous customers lined up at the front counter waiting their turn. He casually wandered up and down the few isles and made his way to the back of the store where the feed and other farm supplies were kept. The store owner was assisting with the loading of several wagons but the men he observed working there last week were nowhere to be seen.

  By the time Jimmy made his way back to the buggy and the tea shop, Mrs. MacDonald was just exiting the building.

  “There you are, Jimmy. Let us see if the printing order has been filled. I’m in need of a good rest when we return to Lochwood.”

  “Yes, Ma’am.” He offered his left arm to assist her down the two steps from the boardwalk to the road.

  Abigail sent Jimmy into the print shop for her package, then stopped at the constable’s office for their escort back to Lochwood. She wouldn’t rest until she arrived home.

  ~~~

  When Abigail didn’t appear at the dinner table that night, Clarissa asked Cook if she had seen her grandmother. “Oh, that I have Miss Clarissa. She is resting in her room and asked not to be disturbed.”

  “Thank you, Cook. That certainly doesn’t sound like her. I’ll go check on her before I eat dinner.”

  “I offered to send up a tray for her, but she said she wasn’t hungry. I hardly blame her. With the cutbacks to household funds and staff, I’ve had to make do with vegetables from the kitchen garden for soup most nights. What I wouldn’t give for a good pork chop.”

  “I expect our lack of funds to be temporary, at best. With a li
ttle bit of luck, we’ll be eating steak and you won’t have to do the laundry anymore.”

  “I’m not holding my breath until then, but it will be nice to have more than just me on staff again.”

  “You’re doing an excellent job with what we have to work with, Cook. I should remember to tell you that more often.” Clarissa sighed and went upstairs to check on gran.

  After hearing the harrowing tale of Gran and Jimmy being chased into town, Clarissa had no doubt Alex Kilpatrick was somehow involved.

  “Try to rest, Gran. We have a big tomorrow.”

  Chapter Ten

  C larissa was up and dressed before Gran had made her way to the breakfast room. Too nervous to stay in the house, she quickly walked to the stables. The day of the auction had finally arrived. Newspaper reporters and Jockey Clubs from Maryland to the Carolina’s heralded this momentous event.

  When the Jockey Club president had suggested other Thoroughbred farms be invited to the auction, the initial response had been overwhelming, considering Horace Tanner, Clarissa’s father, had passed away only weeks before.

  Clarissa was worried that she had not been fully accepted into this male-dominated world of breeding and racing horses. She was even more worried about how many of the people in attendance today were coming to observe her demise and pick over the remains of the stables or truly see what she was all about.

  Clarissa had gleaned so much information about the horses, care, feeding, and training just from following her father around, but never with the thought that she would need to use it. That day had come and now she was put to the test.

  Admiration was one of the many feelings Clarissa had for her father. He was deeply missed, especially on a day like today. She could only hope that she had learned her lessons well and he would be looking down on her this weekend with an approving smile. She was determined to do her best and make him proud and the thought brought a tear to her eye.