The Spirits of Nature

by Michelle Post

  “It is so wonderful to be home after all these years!” she said almost in tears. Rebecca was overcome with emotion that she found surprising.

  “Where is father?” she asked.

  “I asked him to stay at home. I wanted you all to myself for a while.”

  Rebecca was pleased. She and Philip had a special bond. They were as different as night and day, but loved each other deeply. Philip had always been her protector and she found that endearing since she felt she needed little if any.

  Rebecca took Philip to Sarah and Robert who were waiting in the wagon.

  “I would like for you to meet Robert, Philip. He and Sarah were married about a year ago.” She pointed to Sarah’s enlarged belly. “They are having a baby in a few months,” she said. Rebecca was excited for Sarah and happy it was not she in that condition.

  “Follow us back to the house,” Philip instructed. “You can get some rest before the party tonight.”

  ~

  Mrs. Walters was helping Rebecca dress for the party. Only moments after Rebecca returned home it was obvious she had not changed. Rebecca was still the spoiled child. It was evident that Christine had not accomplished what Jeremiah had hoped she would do. He knew his daughter well. He was safe in assuming that she had manipulated his sister-in-law. Christine had fallen into the trap that Rebecca could easily plant. Too many had given into the demands of this rambunctious child. This was due to their sympathy in the fact that she had been robbed the birthright of a mother.

  Rebecca had only been home a few hours when she had tested the patience of the older woman. This dissipated when she saw her dressed for the party. Mrs. Walters looked on the woman she still loved as a daughter with pride. She looked absolutely lovely. Now if she could only get her to keep her mouth shut. She feared that Rebecca’s candor would someday buy her ticket to heartache. She had to admit she admired her defiance to an extent. Mrs. Walters had been hopeful that the lifestyle Rebecca had for more than a decade would make her a fine woman of substance.

  “Miss Rebecca, you look lovely. I am sure it will not be long before you attract a fine young suitor”

  Rebecca breathed a sigh. “Come now, Mrs. Walters. I am now thirty-five. You know that is well past the age when men come calling.”

  “I was surprised that you did not return with a husband,” Mrs. Walters said.

  Rebecca laughed. “A farm boy? That is all that I met. No, not for me.”

  Rebecca thought about what she had said. She was a snob but did not want to appear to be. “I mean Robert is a good man, just not for me. I don’t really think that any man is.”

  Mrs. Walters was not shocked but disappointed.

  “Don’t you want to have a husband and a family someday?” she questioned.

  Rebecca shook her head almost in horror. “Me? Not ever! I don’t want a man and I certainly do not want children. I took care of Sarah. That is my contribution to society,” she scoffed.

  “She adores you,” Mrs. Walters added.

  It was obvious. Sarah looked up to Rebecca as the older sister. Rebecca was ten years her senior. She had taught her how to braid her hair and have tea parties with her dolls. Rebecca was everything that Sarah would have liked to have been. But, Sarah knew they were different. She looked upon her with great admiration.

  “Well, maybe tonight. There will be many available men at the party,” Mrs. Walters insisted.

  “You are not understanding, Mrs. Walters. I don’t want to get married! You are not married and you seem perfectly happy to me!”

  Mrs. Walters sat her down on the bed. This was very strange to Rebecca because Mrs. Walters had always been careful about her position in the family. She had to say something. In spite of the fact that Rebecca was spoiled and selfish she loved her as her own. She had watched helplessly for years as her father pandered to her and she could not do anything. She felt compelled to step in today. She wanted to let her know how wrong she was.

  “I did have a husband at one time, Rebecca. It was too short of a time. He was a wonderful man. No one could replace him.” She put her hands on top of Rebecca’s.

  Rebecca felt very foolish. “I’m so sorry,” she said sincerely. “I did not know.”

  Mrs. Walters smiled. “I have enjoyed being part of this family Rebecca. But, I had a life and love that I will never forget. I would like to see that for you.”

  Rebecca shook her head as though it would not happen for her.

  “Rebecca, there is someone for you. He will be wonderful,” Mrs. Walters said as she put her hand to her chest. “I can feel it.”

  Rebecca smiled. “You are a lot more hopeful than I am. Beside they are all the same. Other than a few, such as Philip and Robert I can do without them.”

  “Rebecca, there are different kinds of men. There are the ones you can rely on. There are men who will cherish the ground you walk upon. Then, there are men who will undoubtedly break your heart. Be wise, Rebecca.” She took a deep breath. She had done what she had always wanted to do. She wanted to guide Rebecca in the most important aspect of life.

  Rebecca sat for a moment touched by her concern. She appreciated the wisdom she seemed to want to convey. Rebecca became very quiet. She thought about what the wise woman had to say. As Mrs. Walters walked to the door she approached her and hugged her.

  “Thank you,” she said sincerely.

  ~

  Ross Millstone was a business associate of the Butler’s and therefore invited to the gala. He was standing with a couple of his friends, who were equally as rogue. Philip politely greeted him. He wished Ross would conveniently disappear.

  It must have been Ross’ arrogance that allowed him to be so careless. He was looking about the dance floor while his wife Abby was getting a drink.

  “I’ll bet that I can get the infamous Rebecca Butler tonight,” he bragged. “At her age I am sure that she has few prospects for marriage.” He smiled. “She is perfect mistress material.”

  “Come on, Ross, she is off limits. You will never succeed. And if you do I would not want to face her brother,” he laughed.

  “Butler does not bother me,” he boasted.

  “All right then you are on, are you willing to make a wager on this Millstone?” The friend dared him.

  “Fifty dollars!” Ross smirked.

  Mrs. Walters happened to be passing food at the time of this conversation and was careful to listen without letting them know of her presence. She was shaking as she put the tray of hors d’oeuvres down. How right she had been about Ross.

  She surveyed the room for Rebecca. While Rebecca professed she did not need any man she had a soft spot for Ross. Or at least at one time she did. Mrs. Walters did not trust this scoundrel and did not want Rebecca to fall prey to his advances. She must warn Rebecca. Mrs. Walters feared the longings of a woman’s heart would supersede her better judgment. Once under the ‘spell’ of desire she might make a foolish mistake.

  The party was exciting for Rebecca after being tucked away in the countryside for so many years. She had noticed Ross but had not approached him. She was aware of his eyes on her for the duration of the evening.

  Ross managed to break away from Abby. He searched the room for Rebecca. This was all done under the watchful eye of Philip who was unaware of the wager, but equally as concerned about Ross.

  Ross asked Rebecca to dance. She glided in his arms.

  “You have always been a beautiful girl, Rebecca but now as a woman you are ravishing,” he said as his hand caressed her back.

  “Thank you Ross. Are you sure that it is okay with Abby that you dance with me?”

  “I can do what I please; Abby is not the jealous type. Beside that I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know that I have always been quite taken with you.”

  Rebecca was taken aback by his remark but deeply flattered at the same time. The wisdom of Mrs. Walters suddenly left her conscious mind.

  “So, that is why you married someone else?” she said in a
sarcastic tone.

  Ross had to pick his words carefully.

  “There are family obligations in a business sometimes. Beside that, you disappeared for such a long time. I doubted you would ever return.” He smiled. His eyes appeared to be sincere to Rebecca. She was quite enamored but did not want to show her vulnerability.

  “I see,” she replied. “So, you are not happy Ross?”

  “I am content. Abby is a good wife, but not exciting. Not like you Rebecca.”

  Rebecca knew better. She loathed him for disrespecting his wife. However, Ross was the one man that somehow tugged at her heartstrings. She did not know why. She wanted to get away from him and at the same time she wanted to see how much she could play on his emotions. She enjoyed the attention of such a charismatic man.

  “Well, it is somewhat warm in here,” Rebecca said as she fanned herself. “I think that I will step outside for a short time. Please excuse me?”

  Ross let her go and watched like a cat stalking his prey as she left the room.

  Rebecca could feel his glance as she walked away. She did not hesitate to put an extra swaying in her hips, just to entice him. She was having fun as she accented her female powers.

  Rebecca had descended the stairs and was outside in the rose garden. She was hoping that he would follow. He did. It was not long before she was in his arms.

  “Someone will see us here,” she said looking around. She was not sure what she was doing or why. She was caught in the moment.

  “Come this way.” Ross led her to the servant’s quarters. Rebecca followed her heart pounding.

  Philip had seen her leave and was headed in the same direction hoping to keep his sister from making a terrible mistake. Ross did not care for her. He did not have the capacity to love anyone. He would only hurt Rebecca. He thought she knew better.

  Ross did not waste any time. He took Rebecca into his arms.

  “We could have some good times together, Rebecca. No one would ever have to know. I will see to it that you are well taken care of.”

  Ross held her close to him as he tried to lower her to the couch. He was kissing her neck. His hands were caressing her body in a way she found frightening and offensive. Things were moving so fast that her head was spinning. She finally realized that he did not value her as anything more than a possession.

  Rebecca pulled back. “You are scaring me, Ross.”

  He was becoming impatient. “Why did you lure me out here?” he asked as if it were a given. He tried to kiss her again and pulled her down on the couch.

  Rebecca managed to scream. She struggled and in doing so he ripped her dress at the shoulder. She tried to hold the torn dress together.

  “Please don’t Ross,” she began to beg, her fear mounting.

  Philip had followed them but found it too dark to see where they had gone. He looked in the gazebo. They were not there. As he looked around the yard he heard Rebecca scream from the servant’s quarters. He ran toward her voice.

  Ross was on top of her and Rebecca was becoming weaker from fighting him. He was too intent on what he was doing to notice that Philip had entered the room.

  In a rage Philip grabbed Ross by the back of the collar. He pulled him off Rebecca and struck him with his closed fist. The force of the blow sent Ross across the room and onto the floor. He took a small table and the oil lamp that was on it with him.

  Philip shifted his attention to his sister. She was out of breath and shivering from fright. He helped Rebecca to her feet. He turned again to Ross. He was not finished.

  When Mrs. Walters saw Rebecca leave the room and go outside she had alerted Jeremiah. She informed him of the bet and what could happen to Rebecca. They were only seconds behind Philip.

  Because Jeremiah had left in a hurry it attracted the attention of others. They had followed him to the cottage. It was an embarrassing moment for all involved who had followed not knowing but sensing that something was wrong.

  Abby gasped when she entered the room with many others.

  Jeremiah approached the fighting men and pulled his son off Ross. He had a definite advantage in the fight. They turned to find that the room had filled with bewildered and curious guests.

  Ross had a bloody lip.

  “I won’t forget this Butler,” he said as he left the room trying to stop the bleeding.

  Rebecca was trying to fix her torn dress, wanting to die from humiliation. Nothing was said, but everyone knew what had happened.

  In an effort to keep from causing any more awkwardness for all involved they silently left the room. When everyone had gone, Rebecca fell into the arms of her brother crying. Phillip held Rebecca for a long time. He did not say anything except to be sure that she was all right.

  Jeremiah was mortified. He said nothing and left the room. She had humiliated him in front of the guests, many who were business associates.

  ~

  A couple of days later Philip insisted that he escort Rebecca into town. He did not accompany his father into the office that day in an attempt to get his sister out. He insisted the incident with Ross was much bigger in her mind than in reality. A trip to town would brighten her spirits. Philip was really quite surprised that Rebecca had let it bother her as much as she did. She had always been so resilient and gave little care to what others thought.

  Sarah and Robert had taken a hotel room in town. Robert had been given an apprenticeship with the local blacksmith. They also felt it was better to leave the Butler mansion after the embarrassing incident with Rebecca.

  ~

  Philip dropped Rebecca off at the hat shop. Sarah was browsing around when she saw Rebecca enter. She rushed to greet her.

  “How are you today, Rebecca?” Sarah asked genuinely wanting to know.

  Rebecca hesitated. She really did not care what others thought. She did resent the gossip, thinking it would have an adverse effect on Sarah. She had always looked up to Rebecca. She feared that the cousin who was more of a sister had lost respect for her.

  “I am alright, I guess. Philip insisted that I come to town with him today.”

  “I think that was a very good idea.” She tried to be supportive.

  “I have let you down, haven’t I?” Rebecca questioned her.

  Sarah shook her head. “No, that could not happen, Rebecca. If anything I have always wanted to me more like you.”

  Rebecca was touched by how genuine Sarah was. “Oh, I don’t think so, Sarah. Just look at what a mess I have made of things!”

  “Don’t be silly,” she reassured her. “It was a mistake and in time it will be forgotten.”

  Rebecca shook her head.

  Sarah changed the subject. “You know, I need to find a place to live. It would mean a lot to me if you would help,” she inquired.

  “I would like that very much, Sarah,” Rebecca said gratefully. Then, she remembered that she was to meet Philip near to the saloon. “I would love to stay and shop with you but I need to meet Philip. He is just up the street at Mulligan’s for a drink.”

  “Maybe some other time?” Sarah suggested.

  “Yes, thank you,” Rebecca added as she left the shop and walked up the street to meet her brother.

  Philip had entered Mulligan’s and stayed at the bar for a drink. In the same saloon were the two men who were with Ross at the party. They were sitting with their backs to Philip. They did not know he was there. They were laughing as they conversed.

  “To think I almost lost the bet with Ross the other night,” said one of the men.

  “Hey, had it not been for Butler interrupting them, you would have paid out, my friend.”

  It did not take Philip very long to realize there had been a bet and a set up against Rebecca the night of her party. He immediately became furious. Before the man could finish what he was saying Philip had pulled him out of his seat by the collar. They were shocked when they realized he was there and had heard their conversation.

  Philip hit him with such force that it kno
cked him to the floor. He approached the other and did the same. By this time the first man had recovered enough to stand and seek revenge. He hit Philip from behind with a chair. This began a brawl that was immediately interceded by Pat Mulligan, proprietor of the establishment.

  He pulled the men apart and threw out all three as Rebecca was climbing in the wagon to wait for Philip. She was alarmed when she saw Philip bleeding from the mouth. She immediately knew why.

  One of the men who Philip had fought did not hesitate to

  insult her when he saw Rebecca. “There she is now, the trouble maker herself. Home wrecker!”

  Rebecca was mortified. She ran to her brother and wiped the blood with her handkerchief.

  “I am so sorry, Philip,” she wanted to die knowing he was hurt defending her honor.

  They rode home in silence and did not mention the episode to Jeremiah.

  The incident in the saloon did not discourage Philip. He was bound and determined to bring Rebecca out of her gloominess.

  The Butlers were a high profile family. There were countless functions to attend. Philip would insist on them attending. Rebecca did with reluctance.

  They were invited to the house of the mayor. Rebecca looked lovely as she, Philip, and her father rode to the entrance in their carriage. She was wearing a gown the color of salmon. It highlighted her eyes and was the perfect color for the tone for her skin. She felt good and thought Philip was probably right about the memory of her party being only significant in her mind.

  Philip was at her side most of the day. Word had spread about his encounter with the friends of Ross in the bar. When he was approached it was with respect and kindness toward Rebecca.

  They had been at the party for about an hour. Rebecca walked away to get a drink from the punch bowl. Philip went outside to have a smoke.

  She saw Abby Millstone. She tried to pretend she was unaware of her presence. However, the others around the table had the look of confusion as to what to do. Rebecca reached for a cup. A good friend of Abby’s named Claire put her hand on top of Rebecca’s.