by Riker, Becky
Mrs. Hollingberry nodded vigorously, “The salmon was a simple thing. I had to send to London for the maple as we do not often have a request for it here.”
“Very good,” Naomi was pleased the cook had taken this matter into her hands. “If there is anything else that we can do to improve on Mrs. Haydn’s health, please feel free to discuss it with me.”
The cook pressed her lips together.
“What is it?”
“Are you fond of salmon, madam? I would not have you going hungry again.”
“I assure you,” Naomi smiled broadly, “I did not go hungry when I skipped the lamb. I just ate more of your wonderful dill bread.”
Mrs. Hollingberry did not look convinced.
“I do like salmon, however,” Naomi continued. “And you may serve it as often as you care to prepare it.”
The cook smiled, “I doubt it will be often. The missus will probably request something else next week.”
“I am glad to hear it. Is there anything else you need from me?”
“No, thank you, ma’am.”
“I will be taking a walk down by the pond then. It seems a bit warmer today, and I need some air.”
Naomi had discovered the joy of praying as she walked. She had ordered a Bible from the bookstore in the village since Diana had possession of the family Bible. Naomi read from the Scriptures every morning before meeting with Mrs. Hollingberry. Then she walked.
She was learning a lot about what God’s plan for her was. She would not claim to be following through in every area, but she was praying for strength to do what was right and best.
This morning, she had read in Romans about how Paul did not do that which he knew was right, but did exactly the opposite instead. Naomi felt she could understand that perfectly.
She wanted to behave in a respectful manner toward her husband, but with every passing bit of gossip, she found it more difficult to think of him in an honoring way. Perhaps it was best that they were apart, for she would certainly have difficulty controlling her tongue since she had not yet even reined in her mind.
She sat down on a bench to pray about her attitude and was just noticing the cold seeping through her skirts when Mr. Dillon came outside for her, frantic that she should hear his news immediately.
“Mrs. Haydn,” he hurried over the cold uneven ground, “you have an express. An express from Lord and Lady Dunham.”
Naomi leapt to her feet and hurried toward her butler, “Thank you, Dillon.”
She tore open the seal.
Dillon looked nervous, but she beamed at him, “It is a boy, Dillon. Lady Dunham has given birth to a healthy boy.”
Dillon’s grin nearly split his face.
“Please tell the staff,” she spoke as she continued toward the house. “I will inform Mrs. Haydn of her new grandson.”
Naomi hoped the woman was sober enough to comprehend the information. It was not yet the noon hour, so chances were good Diana had not yet begun to imbibe.
“Enter,” the elder Mrs. Haydn spoke harshly.
“I came to bring you good news,” Naomi stepped into the darkened sitting room, but did not sit down.
Mrs. Haydn met that statement with silence and an appearance of impatience.
Naomi held out the letter from Nicholas, “Tessa has given birth to a boy; you are a grandmother.”
Diana did not reach for the missive, “I suppose it would have been too much trouble for her to write to me as well.”
“She did include you in this one.”
Diana rose and moved to the cabinet along the wall, “When will she be bringing him to meet us?”
Naomi swallowed a sigh, “I thought we might go see them tomorrow. Tessa expressed a particular wish for us to come tomorrow.”
Diana poured herself a glass of red liquid, “I’ll not try to stop you if you wish to go, but it is rather unreasonable to ask that of us.”
Naomi planted her hands on her hips, “It is not unreasonable at all. Tessa is your only daughter, and Conrad is your first grandchild. It is not too much to ask that you participate in their lives a little bit.”
Diana’s cheek twitched, “They named him Conrad?”
Naomi wondered if the name had special meaning, “Conrad Nicholas Dunham.”
Diana took a sip of her sherry, “I suppose it was necessary to give him his father’s name.”
The younger woman glared at the older, “Is there nothing that pleases you?”
Diana turned and faced her son’s wife, “I beg your pardon?”
“You are determined to hate everyone and everything. Is there anything in the world – beyond your liquor – that gives you pleasure?”
Diana slammed the glass to the table, spilling its contents over the side, “How dare you speak to me in such a manner?”
“Very easily, I assure you,” Naomi took a step closer. “What was so difficult was keeping silent for as long as I have.”
A cold laugh forced its way past Diana’s lips, “I imagine you would not be so vocal if your husband were here to check your behavior.”
“Do not be so sure. My patience has reached its limit where you are concerned, and I do not know that the presence of any mortal could keep me from expressing myself as I have.”
“Perhaps it is your frustration with my son that causes your patience to wear so thin. That, and the knowledge that I was right.”
Naomi drew a deep breath, “You go too far, madam.”
Diana laughed again, “I told you he would not remain faithful. He has gone off to London and trapped you here.”
The woman took another drink.
“Has it ever occurred to you to think of someone else?” Naomi grasped the door handle. “You were so determined to block out the pain of your husband’s treatment of you that you destroyed your children’s youth.”
Naomi darted out the door and pulled it closed behind her, but it did not shut out the sound of the glass breaking against it.
She raced to her own wing of the house and closed herself up in her chambers the rest of the day.
Naomi did not want to give extra trouble to Mrs. Hollingberry or Missy, so she went to the dining room for her evening tea. Mr. Dillon’s extra care as he served her made her believe the encounter with Diana had probably been discussed among the staff.
“Thank you, Mr. Dillon,” she allowed him to assist her from her seat.
“Would you care for some coffee in the parlor?”
“No, thank you,” she looked at him. “I will be retiring early. Please send Missy to me when she is finished helping Mrs. Baker.”
“I will take some coffee in the parlor, Dillon,” a deep voice sounded from behind her.
Naomi’s heart picked up its pace, and she spun to see her husband. His beard had grown in, and he had let his hair grow out a bit, so it curled around his ears and the nape of his neck.
“Mr. Haydn,” her voice sounded breathy to her own ears, “you are home.”
Mr. Dillon stepped from the room.
Naomi approached her husband, “I was not expecting you.”
“Sorry to intrude on your calm.”
She was hurt by his response, but she could scarcely blame him given her behavior just prior to his departure from Selby.
“It is no intrusion, Finn,” she spoke softly. “I welcome your presence.”
He narrowed his eyes as if he were trying to discern the veracity of her statement. Finally he grinned and remarked flippantly about what a surprise that was before crossing through the hallway to the parlor.
Naomi followed him.
“How have you been keeping yourself busy while I have been away?” he didn’t bother looking at her while he spoke to her.
“I have spent a lot of time in the Scriptures, actually.”
He spun and gaped at her, “You are reading the Bible?”
She was a trifle offended that he would be so surprised, “Your sister suggested it.”
He dropped to the chair
next to her, “Now you will be able to discern just how desperately wicked I am, my love.”
She looked down at her hands folded in her lap, “I would rather not.”
He chuckled as he pulled her hand into his lap, “Would you prefer to pretend I am not a cheating cad, Naomi?”
Her temper was awakened, “I would prefer you did not speak of serious issues in so flippant a manner.”
His mouth lifted in a grin, and she knew he was not going to take her seriously.
She sighed, “Why have you returned? It seems it is not because you have missed me.”
Finn looked quickly away from her, “My sister is soon to have her baby. I would like to see the child when he or she is born.”
For some reason, Finn’s tenderness struck a chord in his wife’s heart.
“He,” she whispered.
Finn turned quickly back to her, “I beg your pardon?”
“He was born this morning,” she rose. “I have the express in my sitting room if you would care to read it.”
Finn tugged her back to her seat, “No. You have learned all the details by heart now, I know.”
She laughed, glad to be able to share the joy with someone, “They have named him Conrad Nicholas. He was born in the very early hours, and he has a headful of dark hair.”
“Conrad,” Finn whispered. “She named him after my grandfather.”
Naomi knew it must be Diana’s father.
“Is my mother aware of the birth?”
Naomi nodded, “I told her myself. She was still able to comprehend what I said.”
Finn rose and took his wife’s hand, “It must have been early indeed.”
She followed him willingly up the stairs, “Your sister has asked that we – your mother and I – come visit tomorrow. Will you join us?”
He stopped and looked down at her, “My mother has agreed to this?”
“No,” Naomi admitted, “but she may change her mind if she knows you are going.”
Finn laughed and led her to her bedchamber, “Good night, Naomi.”
She grabbed at his hand when he would turn to go, “Are you not joining me?”
He didn’t look at her, simply shook his head, “Not tonight, my love. I am weary from travel.”
Naomi had no choice but to accept his decision and go to bed. She did not sleep well.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Finn could hear his wife tossing and turning in the next room. He wished he had not left open the doors between them, but he did not wish to alert her to his own wakefulness by closing them.
She had been hurt by his refusal to join her as well as his dismissal of her feelings regarding his return. Perhaps she really did love him, but her love was clearly conditional and transitory. It would fade quickly.
Finn did not know what to believe about her new habit of reading the Bible. It hadn’t seemed to do his sister any harm, but Tessa had always been a sweet girl. Perhaps she was not as likely to fall into the self-righteous behavior Finn expected of Christians.
As much talk as there was among the gentry of religious people being hypocrites, Finn had seen little of it. Nicholas was forthright and genuine, never looking down on Finn because he did not follow the same path. George and Rhoda were also kind and generous people who were more likely to help those in need than gossip about them in sitting rooms.
Time would tell what religion would do to his wife. Naomi was fiery and tempestuous, and he hoped her new convictions would not dull her ability to tease and challenge him. At any rate, Finn did not feel he could tell her not to pursue Christianity. He was on tenuous ground, and that might just be the straw that would break the proverbial camel’s back.
Naomi knocked on his bedroom door before he was out of bed the following morning.
“Come in.”
She glanced first toward the dressing table and then, surprised, to the bed, “I thought you would be up by now.”
He sat up, “Were you waiting for me?”
She remained in the doorway and shook her head, “Not really, but I had hoped to be on our way in the morning.”
He closed his eyes and searched his memory, “On our way?”
“To see Tessa,” she reminded him.
Her voice then took on a hesitant tone, “You are coming, are you not?”
He looked at her. It seemed she really did want him, but her behavior the last time they visited Tessa left him with little desire for a repeat performance.
“I can be ready to leave in under an hour.”
She beamed at him, “That is wonderful.”
He watched her leave, wishing he could control the rapid pace of his heart just once when she was around.
Finn got out of bed and dressed in record time. He was not sure if Naomi would prefer him clean-shaven, but he did not wish to be apart from her any longer than necessary.
“Have you ordered the carriage?” he joined her in the breakfast room and helped her get seated.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Is my mother joining us?” he guessed not.
Naomi’s face registered something that looked a lot like guilt.
“No,” she trifled with her napkin, “she does not care to accompany us.”
Finn speared a piece of bacon, “She said that?”
Naomi sighed, “And more.”
He hoped his mother had not done anything to hurt Naomi. He was doing a fine job of that himself.
“Perhaps it would do some good if I spoke to her.”
Naomi nodded as she chewed.
“I will speak to her before we leave. If she agrees to go with us, we may be forced to delay our departure.”
She nodded again.
Finn set down his fork, “Is something wrong?”
Naomi nodded.
He waited.
“I yelled at her yesterday,” she admitted. “I did not mean to, but she was so. . .so angry.”
He was not surprised the women had argued. It was bound to happen, “She was angry about the baby?”
“About everything,” Naomi pushed back from the table. “She is so busy feeling sorry for herself that she can find no joy in her children, her grandson, anything.”
He nodded, “You’re right.”
“I know I am right, Finn,” she sounded tired, “but it does not follow that I was right to yell at her.”
Finn had missed this woman so much. Every day he had considered running back to her, but he was trying to give her some space. It was not his new nephew that brought him back to Selby; it was his wife. He could not stay away one day longer.
They finished their meal in silence. Finn’s mother refused to see him, and he did not feel inclined to press the issue.
“Are you ready to go?” he found his wife in the music room.
She rose from her seat, “I am.”
He offered her an arm and led her to the waiting carriage.
“Did your mother decide not to come?” she spoke once they were on their way.
He shrugged, “She would not see me.”
Naomi nodded as if she expected as much.
“Has her drinking increased?”
Naomi appeared to be in thought about it.
“I am not sure,” she frowned. “I have not seen an increase in spending for spirits, but it does seem she is starting earlier in the day.”
Finn had always felt it was his responsibility to distract his mother from her gin and his fault that she would not stop drinking.
“I suppose she is spending her allowance on that.”
Naomi nodded, “Likely. She has no need for new clothes because she has not had a visitor since you were last here. In fact, there have been days in succession when she has not changed from her night things.”
Finn wondered if his mother was cleaning herself or eating.
“Mrs. Hollingberry has been trying to tempt her to eat by making your mother’s favorite foods.”
Finn was pleased the woman would think of that, “Has it
been working?”
Naomi nodded, “She still takes her dry toast in the morning, and we cannot get her to take evening tea at all, but she usually eats a good dinner.”
Finn reached his hand across the expanse, “Thank you for taking care of my mother.”
She gripped his hand and held tightly to it for the rest of the journey. He wondered if, perhaps, she was ready to forgive him for the wrongs he had done.
Tessa was beyond thrilled to see them. She was not able to go down the stairs yet, but she was out of bed and in the sitting room when Finn and Naomi arrived.
“You look marvelous,” Naomi sat beside her and gave her a gentle hug. “How are you feeling?”
“I feel marvelous,” she smiled at Naomi before looking up at her brother. “I had not expected to see you here.”
Finn could well believe that. He had not written to his sister while in London despite her regular letters to him.
He smiled down at her, “Would you prefer I wait out in the carriage?”
Tessa laughed and pointed to a seat, “Please sit.”
He did as instructed.
“Have you been home long?” she asked as she adjusted her robe around herself.
“I arrived last night, and my wife informed me of your news.”
“Speaking of which,” Nicholas entered the room with a tightly wrapped bundle and placed it in Naomi’s arms.
“He’s beautiful, Tessa,” Naomi breathed.
Finn rose and knelt beside his wife and sister so he could get a better look at the baby. Little Conrad’s face was slightly wrinkled and very red. The addition of all that hair made him look like a furry tomato.
“Isn’t he beautiful, Finn?”
He looked up toward the woman holding the baby. Her face was flushed in pleasure, and her mouth was upturned at the corners.
“Very beautiful,” he whispered.
Tessa nudged him and spoke into his ear, “She was talking about my son, not herself.”
Finn smirked when he saw the blush deepen on his wife’s cheeks.
Naomi turned to her husband a few minutes later, “Would you like to hold him?”
Finn was torn between a deep longing and absolute terror. He nodded and rose.
Tessa waited for him to be seated and took her son, placing him gently in her brother’s arms.
