Love Everlasting

by Tracie Peterson

  “We have had our concerns. There are questions from the congregation, as you must realize.” Brother Mitchell looked most uncomfortable.

  “There will always be someone questioning something,” Abrianna said with a smile. She tried to make light of the situation. “Goodness, but most of the congregation have issues they would rather not come to light. I would think in a situation like this, where the accusations are so evidently false, they would stand behind Wade in support.”

  “I believe most will,” Brother Mitchell said.

  “Indeed,” Brother Williams said, nodding. Brother Adams did likewise.

  “I’m glad,” Abrianna said, feeling that she’d done all she could to support Wade’s innocence. “I firmly believe that Wade and my father will soon be released. I am certain of it.”

  “So you didn’t change your mind about marrying him because you thought him guilty?” Brother Adams asked.

  She frowned. “Is that what people are saying?”

  “I haven’t heard such,” the man admitted, “but it was something that did come to mind. Everyone knows that your aunts have nothing but the highest standards. I thought perhaps they had asked you to refuse him.”

  “Not at all. They do not believe Wade guilty any more than I do. As I said, I’m certain the truth will come out very soon.”

  “We are praying for just that,” Brother Mitchell replied. “We wanted to speak to your aunts on the matter.”

  “Of course.” Abrianna noted the time as the mantel clock began to chime the hour. “I’m afraid I must excuse myself, gentlemen. I have a previous engagement.” She left them in the parlor just as her aunts came down the hall.

  “Abrianna, I do not condone this arrangement of you going out to supper without a chaperone.” Aunt Miriam reached out to take hold of Abrianna’s gloved arm. Aunt Selma and Aunt Poisie nodded but said nothing.

  Hating the worry in their expression, Abrianna longed only to ease their mind. “You all have raised me to be a good woman of high morals. I promise you that I will not do anything to shame you. Please trust me in this matter.”

  “It’s not you I worry about.” Aunt Miriam’s mouth was set in a grim line as she drew a deep breath and released Abrianna. “I wish I understood what was going on.”

  Abrianna nodded. “I know. I am sorry.” She hurried on toward the front door, worried that if she remained even a minute more, she would break down and tell her aunt every detail of Welby’s threat. She was glad Aunt Miriam didn’t press further but instead murmured something to the other two before the trio made their way to the parlor. Abrianna breathed a sigh of relief.

  She reached the front door just as the knocker sounded. Opening the door, Abrianna found Priam Welby. He seemed surprised to see her.

  “My dear Abrianna. May I say that you are clearly the most beautiful woman in all of Seattle?”

  “Say what you will. You seem quite good at that.” She picked up her small reticule and moved past him. “Let’s get this over with.”

  He chuckled and followed her to the closed carriage. A liveried driver sat at attention in the driver’s seat, while a groomsman stood by the open carriage door. Abrianna allowed the man to hand her up into the conveyance. She took a seat, only then remembering that she’d left her shawl behind. It was already chilly and no doubt would be even more so by the evening’s conclusion. However, rather than deal with a delay, she decided to say nothing.

  Welby joined her in the carriage, wedging himself into the seat beside her. She had hoped that her position in the middle would dissuade this, but the man was most demanding. Abrianna moved as far away as the seat would allow, which wasn’t anywhere near far enough.

  “If I didn’t know better, I would think you were trying to escape me.”

  “You know full well that’s exactly what I’m trying to do.” Abrianna rearranged her silk and lace skirts, and the carriage began to move. “I may put on a show for the world around me, but here, inside of this far-too-private quarters, I want to make my feelings clear to you.”

  “Yes, well, be that as it may”—he sounded most amused—“in time you will find yourself yielding to me in every way.”

  “And what of my father and Wade? Why haven’t they yet been released?” She looked at him hard. “Are you backing out of the arrangement?”

  “Not at all. I have it on the best authority that they will be released tomorrow.”

  She felt her heart skip a beat. Please, God, let it be so.

  “Are you certain?”

  He looked at her with a leering grin. “Do you suppose I would risk losing you?”

  Abrianna let go a sigh of relief. If he was telling the truth, half the battle was won. “How did you arrange it?”

  “Like I said before, I wield a great deal of power in this town.”

  “Threatening others like you did me?”

  He laughed. “With whatever means I need to get the job done. Now let us change the subject to something more pleasant—our wedding.”

  She looked away to gaze out the small window. Her fingers toyed with the edge of the burgundy velvet curtain, uncertain what to say. She waited for him to continue, and when he didn’t, Abrianna looked back to find him watching her.

  “What about our wedding?”

  “I have decided we will allow your aunts to host the wedding breakfast at the school. They seemed so disappointed in not being able to make your gown, and when I mentioned having the wedding breakfast handled elsewhere, they were positively downcast. I want them to know that I am not a heartless man.”

  “More lies.” She shifted her reticule to her left wrist. “I don’t know how you sleep at night.”

  He leaned closer. “Sleep has never been my favorite thing to do at night.” His breath was warm and smelled of liquor. He ran his hand down her arm. “You truly are more beautiful than I ever gave you credit for. I suppose it was that dowdy and childish way you dressed yourself. From now on how you dress . . . or undress . . . is going to be up to me.”

  Abrianna pulled away as best she could, but Welby would have none of it. He grabbed her to face him, almost pulling her off the carriage seat. Her arms were all but crushed together in his hold. He tried to kiss her, but Abrianna turned her face away, causing him to take hold of her face instead. It was the opportunity she’d hoped for.

  “You will learn to endure, if not enjoy, my affections,” he said, his lips only inches away from hers.

  “And you will learn to conduct yourself as a gentleman.” Abrianna pressed her point home with the tip of a boning knife atop his thigh.

  Welby very carefully let her go and glanced down at his leg. She held the knife in position. He slowly held out his hands and grinned. “I suppose I should have expected such nonsense.”

  Abrianna shook her head. “You will respect my virtue and my values until we are married. After that, I will do my wifely duty but nothing else. I will not shower you with affection nor even give pretense to liking you, Mr. Welby. God knows that in dealing with you, I’ve told enough falsehoods to last me a lifetime.”

  “If I were Ackerman, you’d no doubt feel differently.”

  She withdrew the knife and replaced it in her bag. “Wade would never take advantage of me in such a way. He has done nothing but respect me. We’ve shared a few kisses, but even those were innocent. You have in mind to dishonor me and take liberties with me that I will not allow.”

  “I could force you. You realize that, don’t you? It wouldn’t be at all difficult to knock that little knife from your hands. Oh, I might suffer more than a nick in my trouser leg, but I would endure. You, on the other hand, would most certainly be less successful.”

  “I’m not afraid of you, Mr. Welby.” She narrowed her eyes. “Keep that in mind. I hold great concern for my loved ones, as you well know, but for myself . . . well, let’s just say that I’m no man’s fool. Not yours or anyone else’s. In spite of what you might think, I can take care of myself.”

  The ca
rriage drew to a halt, and Welby’s man quickly opened the door. Abrianna drew a deep breath and forced a smile. “Just remember, Mr. Welby, you aren’t the only one who has a friend in a powerful position. My hope is in the Lord.”

  “Well, He doesn’t seem overly concerned about your plight.”

  She relaxed her tense muscles, and this time her smile was born out of confidence. “You’d be surprised, Mr. Welby. I have come to learn that God will not be mocked. He will deal with deceit in His own way and in His own time.”

  Wade looked at the uniformed officer who unlocked his door and told him he was free to go. It was almost like a cruel joke. He’d had dreams like this, but they always ended up with the guards leading him to the gallows.

  “Come on, Ackerman. I haven’t got all day.”

  Wade stepped from the room that had been his cell and saw Kolbein waiting for him down the hall.

  “I’m really free to go?” he asked, approaching his friend.

  “You are. All charges against you have been dropped.” Kolbein handed him a coat. “It’s turned rather cold.”

  Wade pulled the jacket on. “What about Jay?”

  “He’s waiting for us in the carriage. The judge was amazingly lenient. He gave him time served and a small fine for assault.” Kolbein shook his head. “The attempted murder charges were all but apologized for. None of it makes much sense to me, but since it resulted in the charges being dismissed, I’m taking it as a gift from God.”

  Wade climbed into the carriage while Kolbein had words with the driver. Jay sat against the far corner, looking considerably better than the last time Wade had seen him. “You still look like you went a few rounds with the local boxing champ.”

  “Feel like it, too.” He moved with great difficulty. “Ribs still hurt like the dickens.”

  Wade sat back and shook his head. “I don’t know why this has happened to us, but I do intend to get to the bottom of one thing.”

  “Abrianna?”

  “Yes. I have no idea what she’s up to.”

  “I don’t believe she loves Welby,” her father said.

  “No. I don’t either. Kolbein says, however, that she isn’t talking much to anyone. She hasn’t even gone to see Lenore. Kolbein also said that Mrs. Madison tells him that Abrianna is so often in the company of Welby or his lackeys that they never have much of a chance to speak to her alone. Not that she allows for it, anyway. Apparently Abrianna has been quite reclusive when at the house and refuses to answer anyone’s questions.”

  “That’s not like her.”

  “Not a bit,” Wade replied. “Since when has Abrianna ever hesitated to share her mind on any matter? I have an idea that she’s done this to somehow benefit getting us out of jail.”

  Jay frowned. “Do you really?”

  “I do.”

  Kolbein climbed into the carriage and looked at Wade. “You do what?”

  “I think that Abrianna had something to do with getting us out, and I think it has to do with her agreeing to marry Welby.”

  Kolbein nodded. “Lenore and I think the same, but she isn’t speaking to us. She’s not speaking to anyone, with exception to Welby and maybe Flora.”

  “Flora? Eloise’s niece?” Jay asked.

  “One and the same. According to Mrs. Madison, Flora is very often in Abrianna’s company. The two share Abrianna’s bedroom.”

  “Then if Abrianna won’t talk, perhaps Flora will,” Wade said, giving the matter consideration. “I’ll see if I can’t corner her when we get home. Unless, of course, I can get Abrianna alone.”

  “Welcome home, Wade . . . Mr. Cunningham,” Mrs. Madison declared. The old woman had tears in her eyes.

  “Yes, welcome home.” Eloise surprised them by embracing Jay, but at the sound of his moan she quickly released him. “Oh, I’m so sorry. That was quite thoughtless of me.”

  “No matter,” Jay said. His grin assured them all that he wasn’t displeased. “I’m honored to see that you’ve come all the way from Tacoma to celebrate our return.”

  The old ladies embraced Wade one by one while the others congratulated him and Jay on being cleared of the charges. The only person who was obviously missing was Abrianna.

  “Mr. Welby appeared here at noon to pick Abrianna up for a dress fitting. He told us they were to be present at an afternoon tea with the governor, who is here regarding some sort of community business. After that they were going directly to a party being hosted by one of the city officials,” Mrs. Madison explained.

  “But first they were going to have a quiet supper,” Miss Poisie added. “Whatever that means.”

  Wade felt his anger getting the better of him. He knew men like Welby and didn’t figure it meant anything good. “How can you just let her go like that?” He knew the question was unfair, but he was at a loss as to what else to say.

  Mrs. Madison shook her head. “It is not our choice or desire. We have prayed long and hard for Abrianna to come to her senses. She doesn’t love him—of that I’m certain.”

  “I am, too.” Wade looked around the room. “I think we all are.” His gaze fell to Flora who instantly looked away.

  “It’s left us quite filled with sorrow,” Miss Poisie said. “She even snapped at me the other morning when I asked her if she was happy that Mr. Welby had moved the wedding breakfast here.”

  “Here?” Wade asked.

  “Oh yes.” Miss Poisie’s head bobbed. “He was to have it elsewhere, but as a favor to us, I suppose, he’s allowed it to be here. He did require it be of the utmost elegance and beauty. He plans for over two hundred people to be present and has hired a caterer to furnish all of the food. He said it wouldn’t be right for us to have to work on Abrianna’s wedding day.”

  Wade gritted his teeth. It wasn’t going to be Abrianna’s wedding day. Not to Welby. Never. He looked again at Flora. She slipped away from the group and disappeared. He was more certain than ever that she knew something. Now it was just a matter of getting her to explain.

  “There’s something else.” Mrs. Madison looked most uncomfortable. “I would prefer to speak to you alone, Wade. Will you join me in my office? The rest of you go on about the celebration. There are refreshments and cake. Let us make merry as best we can.”

  But her tone was anything but merry. Wade was certain he’d never heard or seen the woman be so downcast. He followed her into the small office and waited for her to speak.

  “I don’t know quite how to say this, but Abrianna . . . well, Mr. Welby to be exact, is uncomfortable with you living here so near to Abrianna. He said it wasn’t proper and that people would talk.”

  “Rather like the pot calling the kettle black, isn’t it?” He barely held his anger in check.

  She nodded. “Be that as it may, I don’t know what else to do.” She sat down, and it was only then that Wade noticed tears in the old woman’s eyes.

  He went to her side and knelt. “I’m sorry. We both know that something isn’t right. We know that she doesn’t love him, and that for whatever reason, she thinks she has to do this.”

  “She won’t even talk to me. She’s never done this before. I think of all the times she’s given me cause to worry, none of them frightened me as much as this.”

  Wade took hold of her hand. “Try not to fret. We have eighteen days to get it all figured out. For now, I’ll get my things and stay elsewhere. I don’t want there to be any additional pressure on Abrianna to do something stupid. Welby is the sort who will make everyone miserable if he doesn’t get his own way.”

  “The Booths have said they will take you in.”

  Wade nodded. “I will take advantage of that, then. Please don’t worry. I promise you, I will take care of everything.”

  19

  Lenore reclined on a chaise lounge while Kolbein paced the beautifully polished oak floor. Wade watched their faces as they recounted all they knew in regard to Abrianna’s sudden decision to marry Welby.

  “It’s been impossible to get her to
come see me.” Lenore twisted her hands. “I have tried many times, but there’s been no reply.”

  “There has to be a way.” Kolbein rubbed his chin. “What is it that Welby wants most?”

  “Abrianna.” Wade was losing his patience in the matter.

  “Besides that,” Kolbein replied. He stopped midstep. “He wants power.”

  “And approval of the socially elite,” Lenore added. “Or at least the pretense of it.”

  “She’s right.” Kolbein’s expression was one of intense thought. “I wonder . . . yes, I know a way we can get Abrianna to come here, but it will require Welby come, as well.”

  “How?” Wade asked.

  “We’ll host an engagement party. We’ll do it right away.” He looked to Lenore. “I’ll have it completely arranged with the housekeeper. I don’t want you lifting a finger.”

  “I don’t have to lift a finger to plan a party.” Lenore smiled. “I will arrange it, husband.”

  “But how are you going to make it such that it will assure Welby’s attendance? He might not know that I’m here, but he knows how you two feel about Abrianna marrying him.”

  “It won’t matter. I’ll put the governor and mayor and anyone else with power and social position on the guest list. He wouldn’t dare refuse to attend.”

  “But there’s so little time.” Wade shook his head. “How is that going to help us?”

  “Well, the way I see it, if we can get Abrianna here, then Lenore can talk to her alone, and if not Lenore, then you.”

  “He’ll never attend a party where I’m also in attendance,” Wade replied. “He’ll be far too worried that Abrianna might speak to me.”

  “He won’t know you’re here,” Kolbein said. “I’ll make a personal invitation to him and in the process mention that no one knows exactly where you are. That should make him feel more at ease. Meanwhile, you hide out wherever you like. Don’t tell me, so I don’t have to lie.” He grinned. “This is a very big house.”