Unrelenting Love: Banished Saga, Book Five

by Ramona Flightner

  “How long do you have, Mother?” he whispered.

  “A few weeks, maybe a month.” Her lip trembled before she stiffened her spine and gripped her hands together on her lap. “I’ve known this moment was coming for some time. There’s no need to be sad.”

  Lucas lowered his head, his long hair flopping over his forehead. “You’re my mother. No matter what you’ve done, how much I’ve railed against you, you will be missed.”

  “Why?” She watched him with a curious expression. “You’ve acted as though you haven’t had a mother for over ten years.”

  He watched her in silence before he spoke in a soft voice. “I remember you tucking me into bed every night. You read me a bedtime story and ensured my stuffed puppy was by my side. You came when I had nightmares, soothing me and promising me how I would be safe. You had joy in you then.” His brown eyes clouded with grief. “I’ll mourn the woman you were and the dream of what you could have been to me. To Savannah.”

  They shared a long look as they both battled tears.

  “Will you remain here until the end?” she asked.

  “I don’t know if I’ll be able to. I’ve been asked to perform a favor, for a friend, and it might force me to leave.” He studied his mother. “If you had to do it again, would you marry Father, a man you didn’t even meet until your wedding day?” At his mother’s prolonged silence, he prompted, “Would you do it?”

  “Yes. He’s a good, honorable, decent man who provides well for me. He gave me wonderful children and never thought less of me for my past transgressions.” Her smile was rueful. “I haven’t always treated him well, but he has never failed to treat me with respect. The question is whether or not he’d do it again.” She rose, lifted a hand to place it on Lucas’s head as she passed but lowered her arm without touching him. She departed, leaving Lucas deep in thought.

  Parthena covered the hand of her next youngest sister Genevieve. “I don’t want you to panic, Viv. Morgan has promised he’ll find a way out of this for you.”

  Genevieve sat next to her elegantly dressed sister. “How can he? No man will want to be burdened with an unattractive bride. There is no incentive for any man to marry me.” She picked at the seams of her modestly styled sage-green dress, her dull brown hair pulled up in a stylish chignon. She met her sister’s vibrant hazel eyes with her plain brown ones.

  “You aren’t unattractive. You’ve decided to dress in clothes as appealing as sackcloth, for reasons I’ll never understand.” Parthena looked at her sister expectantly as though trying to coax a confidence from her.

  “I can’t help but feel like …”

  Parthena patted her sister on the hand as the door opened. Her eyes widened a fraction in surprise before she smoothed on an impersonal smile. “I didn’t expect you,” Parthena said.

  “I should think you never would have imagined me to be welcomed here,” Lucas said with a laugh. He shared a smile with Morgan and sat in one of the chairs facing the couch and the two women.

  Genevieve nudged her sister, and Parthena waved to Lucas. “Excuse me, this is Mr. Russell. He has been my piano mentor. This is my sister, Miss Tyler.”

  Genevieve’s mouth formed a shocked O before she smiled at him. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Lucas fought a smile at how he was introduced while Morgan frowned. “How are you, Miss Tyler?” Lucas asked.

  She smiled inanely. “I’m fine. I’m enjoying my visit with my sister.”

  “I imagine you’d want to as you’ll be separated soon.” At their confused stare, he said, “I’ve been told congratulations are in order.” His offhand comment provoked instant tension in the room as Parthena stiffened and glared at Morgan, and Genevieve slouched in her chair. “Mr. Wheeler told me of your father’s plans.”

  “He had no right,” Parthena hissed.

  “No need to act as you are, Hennie,” Morgan said, ignoring Lucas’s snicker at his nickname for her. “You asked for my help, and I think he can help us.”

  “Hennie?” Lucas said as he fought a smile while Parthena glared at him.

  “It’s an old childhood nickname,” Morgan said absently.

  The reminder that he’d known her since his youth sobered Lucas.

  Genevieve crumpled farther into her chair as though she were hoping to disappear. “I don’t know why you believe this man could help me, Morgan.” She tapped her fingers on her knees but then moved them under her legs as she noted Lucas’s interest.

  “He has influence, wealth, and family far outside Boston.” Morgan shared a quelling glance with Parthena, although it also contained an entreaty with her not to argue with him.

  “Do you desire to marry Mr. Carlisle?” Lucas asked. “For, if you do, I’d hate to pose any interference, no matter what your brother-in-law has informed me.”

  Genevieve’s head shot up as she glared at Lucas. “Of course not! He’s old enough to be my grandfather, and he’s … he’s … he’s a pervert.”

  Lucas’s gaze became contrite as he watched her fuss under his stare. “What’s he done?” he asked.

  “Yes, Viv, how do you know he’s such a man?” Parthena demanded. “We are determined to help you, so please tell us what he’s done.”

  Genevieve closed her eyes and spoke in such a soft voice that Lucas and Morgan canted forward to hear her. “He considers me his already. He traps me in ballroom corners and speaks of lewd things. He peers down my ball gown, comments on my endowments, and talks of how much I please him.” Her voice trembled as she fisted her hands, now on her lap.

  “Bastard,” Lucas hissed. “I beg your pardon,” he muttered as Morgan hit him on the leg. “You know you were thinking it too.” Parthena nodded as did Morgan.

  “You can’t marry him,” Parthena said, her voice choked with panic and tears. “She can’t.” She faced her husband and then Lucas, her expression filled with entreaty.

  “Which is why you’ve altered your normal elegant form of dress into one better suited to a millworker,” Morgan commented.

  Parthena bit her lip to forestall crying as her sister nodded her agreement. “I should have noticed sooner. I should have paid more attention. Forgive me, Viv.”

  “I think we know what it is you and Morgan desire, Mrs. Wheeler. Why don’t we ascertain what your sister wants?” Lucas turned to an ashen Genevieve. “Miss Tyler?” he asked in a softly coaxing voice. “What is it that you desire?”

  “I want to be free to play the violin. I want to not fear my husband,” she said in a rush. “I don’t want to have to leave Boston.”

  “You play the violin?” Lucas asked. At her nod, he smiled. “How fascinating to have two artists among sisters.”

  “Ironic,” Morgan said, “considering their father detests music.”

  Parthena snorted. “I think we started playing just to annoy him. And then we realized how much we loved it.”

  “And to gain some attention from him, even if it wasn’t always positive,” Genevieve said, sharing a secret smile with her eldest sister. She clasped hands with Parthena for a moment before looking up to see Lucas’s curious gaze and flushed.

  Lucas crossed his legs as he studied the sisters. “I can’t promise that I will be able to come to your aid in the manner you hope. I’ve received troubling news in the past few days.” He shook his head to silence any inquiries to extrapolate further. “However, I want you to know that I am considering all that can be done to help you, Miss Tyler. Including what my part in that might be.” He shared an intense stare with Parthena before breaking eye contact and watching Genevieve.

  21

  Two weeks after the disastrous Massachusetts vote, where 64.5 percent of the men of Massachusetts voted NO to universal enfranchisement, the women of the movement met. They decided to meet at historic Faneuil Hall. Many of the movement liked the symbolism of using the hall to signal they were far from defeated. The upstairs meeting area was packed with women and men supportive of the movement, the wooden floor filled with wood
en folding chairs. A large painting of the American forefathers hung behind the platform at one end of the room where a lectern stood. Anemic light filtered in through the high windows along the galley, with little sunlight passing through the thick gray clouds outside.

  Sophie found a seat next to Parthena, Rowena, and Delia. She exchanged nods with others present but refrained from mingling as she settled onto the hard, uncomfortable chair. Most remained standing as they engaged each other, and so the four women had privacy for their conversation as no one sat near them. They spoke in hushed tones to ensure their conversation remained private. “Delia, any news from Zylphia?” Sophie asked.

  “I just received word from her in this morning’s post. She and Teddy are enjoying their time in San Francisco.” Delia smiled as she thought of her daughter. “I know she was disappointed to miss today’s meeting. However, they will attend the Pan Pacific Exposition, and there will be much to engage her.”

  “Do you think they will extend their journey by traveling to Montana?” Parthena asked.

  “I’m uncertain. I think Zee would like Teddy to visit Montana, but winters are quite dreary there. Besides, I’d like her home for Christmas,” Delia admitted.

  “I received a letter from her last week, describing the beauty of the first part of the trip. I never thought a frozen cornfield could be beautiful until she drew a small picture of it for me in her letter,” Rowena said with a laugh. “She admitted being concerned that we were upset with her for missing today’s meeting.”

  “She should spend time with her husband. They’re newly married, and they won’t have this time again,” Florence said. “Besides, we’ll be able to inform her later of any momentous decisions.”

  “I’d think the momentous decision will be what that young Russell boy decides to do,” Sophie said with an imperious arch of her brow as she stared pointedly at Parthena.

  “I fear he won’t save my sister,” Parthena whispered. “He doesn’t want to marry where there isn’t affection.”

  Sophie proffered a small noise but failed at her full-throated harrumph. “I wouldn’t lose hope yet. If my sources are correct, his mother will be dead within the next day or two. I imagine he’ll feel freer to act, and leave Boston if necessary, once he’s stood beside his father as they bury her.” She met Parthena’s stunned gaze. “He may seem open and without a care in the world, but he’s a deep river.”

  Parthena nodded. “I can’t go to him. Not now. Not if he’s to be my brother-in-law,” she rasped.

  “No, you can’t,” Delia said with a scowl. “Nor would he want you to. And it would be horrifically unfair to your sister, if they are to marry.”

  Rowena shook her head at Parthena. “You acted like you let him go months ago, P.T. You have to do it now. You can’t continue to pine for a man you’ll never have. It’s not fair to him or to your husband.”

  Parthena nodded. “He would be a good husband to Viv.” She closed her eyes. “I hate imagining holiday dinners.” She fought a smile as Sophie snorted and Delia laughed.

  “Yes, they would be awkward. But, by that point, you’d have your own children, your own family, and your memories would have faded,” Sophie said with a pointed stare.

  “What does your sister think of him?” Delia asked.

  “She isn’t convinced she wants to marry, but she knows that he is a much better option than the man my father has chosen for her. I think she worries that Lucas will dither too long and she will be forced to flee on her own or succumb to my father’s will.”

  “You must reassure her and inform her of what you just learned about Lucas,” Sophie said.

  “Yes, but does she like him?” Rowena asked. “If she at least likes him, it’s a good beginning for a marriage.”

  “I think she does. She likes that he’s a musician and won’t resent her disappearing to play the violin. She likes that he is wealthy but not snobby about it. She likes how he talks about his sister.” Parthena shrugged.

  “We know he’s an honorable man. If your sister is too witless to discover that for herself, there is little hope for her, with or without your aid,” Sophie said, her hands gripping the handle of her cane.

  Parthena nodded.

  More women moved to the chairs, and the foursome was soon surrounded by fellow suffragists who had fought hard for the referendum. Parthena spoke in a carrying voice, changing the topic. “I can’t imagine what they could plan that would be momentous, considering that all four ballot measures in four different states failed two weeks ago. I’d think Mrs. Catt and Mrs. Shaw would be panicking right now with their chosen course.”

  Sophie harrumphed. “Anyone with sense would know what we need to do. However, I will be patient and listen to our esteemed leaders to see if they have come to the same conclusion I have.”

  They turned toward the front of the convention hall as the chairwoman rose to stand in front of the lectern. After a few moments the hall silenced, and the speeches began. Within a few minutes, it was apparent to all present.

  The course was set.

  The next fight would be for a national constitutional amendment.

  The battle had just begun.

  Historical Note

  When I thought about my Banished Saga, I never planned on writing this book. However, I learned about the struggle for the vote in Massachusetts when I visited a friend and saw a piece of propaganda that was used in 1915. You will recognize it as the metal bird that Zee designs and is given out at her art show. Thus, when I decided to write this, I thought I’d write a short novella. However, as you probably know by now, I don’t write short stories often, and it evolved into a full-length novel. (And I had a lot of fun writing it!).

  This is a photo of the bird that inspired this book!

  The drawing for The Suffragist by Nina Allender was in a March edition of the Suffragist, but I thought it was a wonderful drawing and used it in June in my novel.

  The Remonstrance Against Women’s Suffrage cited in the novel was released in July 1915, but it worked for late June in my novel.

  Author’s Notes

  Thank you for reading Unrelenting Love. Never fear, dear reader, I’m already busy at work on the next two books in the series. I hope you will continue to join me on this journey.

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