“If all of my patients were as demanding as you, I’d accomplish very little,” he called over his shoulder as he strode back toward his office.
Moments later he returned with an article he’d clipped from a medical journal. “Read this. I found it quite interesting.”
“This won’t keep me busy for long,” she grumbled.
He ignored her complaint, not even offering so much as a good-bye before leaving the room.
She propped herself up in bed, slapped the article on the small table beside her bed, and stared across the room. She must regain her strength and get out of this bed or she’d go mad.
“What’s this I hear about my niece being a difficult patient?” Her uncle entered the room carrying a tray laden with two plates and two cups. “I thought a bit of company while you ate your lunch might be in order.”
“I would be delighted to have lunch with you. I am starving for both food and civil conversation.”
Quincy laughed and set the tray atop the small table. “Are you implying that Dr. Carstead is boring?”
“He does nothing but issue the same orders over and over. I’m to remain in bed until he deems me fit to return to my duties. Surely you would agree I’m strong enough to be of some help around here.”
“I’m not a physician, so I can’t offer any opinion about your recovery, but I can offer you some chicken and dumplings that smell quite delectable.” He handed her a napkin. “I thought you might be interested in hearing about the family. Your father received a letter from your mother, and it seems all is going well at the island. She included this note for you.” He handed her the paper, and she tucked it under her pillow.
“I’ll read it after I finish my lunch.” Amanda swallowed a bite of chicken and sighed with approval. “This is as good as it smells.” She poured a cup of tea for each of them. “Has Sophie adjusted to being on the island without Fanny or me? I’m certain she must be lonely.”
He patted her arm. “She knows it’s best for Elizabeth that they remain out of the city, and I imagine caring for the baby fills most of her waking hours. Your mother mentioned some of the other families have also escaped to the islands.”
“Others who live in Rochester?”
“Yes, but also families from other cities. I think most of them thought it prudent to escape earlier than usual, although I think the idea rather silly. Mr. and Mrs. Oosterman are there and have already hosted a gathering at the Frontenac Hotel.”
Amanda ate the final bite of her lunch and wiped her mouth. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Mrs. Oosterman wouldn’t be happy without some sort of soirée where she can gather the latest gossip.”
“That seems a bit harsh. I think she’s lonely when she’s in the islands, and social gatherings are her way of helping pass the time.”
Amanda didn’t argue. Let her uncle think what he would. But he wouldn’t convince her that Mrs. Oosterman simply wanted to while away the hours. As far as Amanda was concerned, Mrs. Oosterman had more interest in the lives of others than in her own.
Her uncle returned her plate and utensils to the tray. “I could bring you some writing paper and a pen if you’d like to post a letter to Sophie. I’m certain she’d enjoy hearing from you, and it would help pass the time.”
She nodded. “I asked Dr. Carstead to bring me writing supplies, but he hasn’t done so. I would be most appreciative.”
He kissed her cheek, and after a promise to return with paper and pen later in the day, he left. She withdrew her mother’s letter from beneath her pillow and perused the contents. Except for a few additional details regarding the Oostermans’ party, there was little more than what Uncle Quincy had related. She tucked the letter back into the envelope. Now what?
She folded her arms across her chest and then remembered the article Blake had given her a short time ago. She took it from the bedside table and read the headline. Infant Mortality Rate Approaches Twenty-Five Percent in Largest Cities in the United States. Amanda immediately considered little Elizabeth and was thankful Sophie had taken her to Broadmoor Island. The article commended some progress where tent cities had been erected for infants during the summer months.
Amanda was familiar with the concept. Though she’d never visited any of the facilities, she’d heard about the Infant Summer Hospital near Rochester. It had been established along the shores of Lake Ontario several years ago. The doctors professed that lake breezes blowing through the tent community were believed to be healthful for the babies during the hot summer months. They also quoted statistics showing a reduced number of deaths among those children afforded the opportunity to spend their days in such an environment.
She was nearing the end of the article when Blake arrived and dropped a stack of books, newspapers, and magazines onto her bed. “What’s all of this? Do you expect me to complete a research project?”
“You said the article wouldn’t occupy you for long, so I located a few more items to keep you busy for the remainder of the day.”
“Are they all medical books? If so, you may find I’m more knowledgeable than you by the time I return to my duties.”
He reached for one of the publications and held up a copy of the Delineator. “I believe this should keep you from learning enough to take over my medical practice.”
“Did you wish to discuss the article regarding the Infant Summer Hospital?”
He shook his head. “I haven’t time to stay.”
“I’m willing to help you,” she called after him, but he didn’t acknowledge her offer. At least now she had some excellent reading material to help pass the time.
She finished reading the article on the Infant Summer Hospital and then thumbed through the newspapers. She wondered where Blake had found such a variety. Surely he didn’t subscribe to all these newspapers. Many of them were several months old, but she continued her quick review. Out-of-date news was better than no news at all. She snapped open a copy of the New York Journal and turned to the social columns. She scanned the page but stopped short when she saw Wesley Hedrick’s name.
The article stated that Wesley Hedrick had been the host at a number of grand parties attended by many dignitaries. Wesley was described as the sole beneficiary of Lord and Lady Illiff, who had been lost at sea when their ship went down off the coast of France. The newspaper fluttered to her lap. How could this be possible? The man who had fathered Sophie’s child and then run off like a thief in the night had inherited a vast fortune and was dividing his time between London and New York City.
What if he should decide to reenter Sophie’s life? Surely he wouldn’t do such a thing. He’d have far too much to explain. Should she tell Sophie? Would it be best to prepare her cousin for such a happenstance, or would such a revelation only open old wounds and create more pain? She considered writing Fanny to seek her advice, but there was the possibility the letter would be seen by someone other than Fanny. She best not take such a chance. If only they would lift the quarantine, she could talk with Fanny. Together they could come to a sound decision. She looked to the bedside table for scissors but seeing none decided to simply tear the article from the paper. It might come in handy later when she tried to explain her concerns.
Fanny stood outside the gate at the Home for the Friendless and pulled the rope attached to the metal bell. She hoped the noise wouldn’t disturb any patients who might be resting. Her uncle waved from the doorway and then hurried down the path to greet her. “Fanny!” he said, stopping a few feet from her. “I do hope you’ve brought some of the supplies from the pharmacy.”
She nodded and set the basket down in front of her. “Yes, but not the amount requested by Dr. Carstead. The pharmacist said to tell him that he’s running low on supplies but expects another shipment next week.”
“Next week? Some of our patients can’t wait that long. Perhaps Paul could take the train to Syracuse. Surely he could purchase drugs at one of the pharmacies there.”
“I’ll give him your message and tel
l him it’s important he leave as soon as possible.” She dug her toe in the dirt. “I brought these things for Amanda. There’s also a note for her,” she added.
“Why so downcast? Is something amiss?”
“Nothing that can be easily remedied, and nothing that I can’t learn to accept, I suppose.”
Her uncle frowned. “Are you ill?”
“No, but I do feel pain.”
“What kind of pain? In your stomach? You should see a doctor immediately. We don’t want you coming down with cholera.”
She shook her head. “My pain isn’t caused by illness. Have you ever felt betrayed by someone you care about? Someone you trusted and thought loved you and cared for you?”
“Does this have something to do with Michael? Has he written and said he no longer intends to marry you?”
Tears welled in her eyes. “No. I haven’t had a letter from Michael in months.”
“Tell me what’s happened, Fanny. I’ll help in any way I can.”
She longed to tell him that Uncle Jonas had betrayed her trust and deceived Amanda. Yet she didn’t want to be the cause of another rift between the two brothers. There had been enough harsh words among family members in the past. Better to remain silent than say something that couldn’t be taken back. What was the Bible verse that Michael’s mother had quoted to her? It was from Proverbs. Something about the tongue and power. “The tongue has the power of life and death, and they that love it will eat the fruit,” she muttered. That was close, anyway. Better to keep Uncle Jonas’s name out of the conversation. “I’m simply disappointed because someone I thought I could trust has let me down.”
His brow furrowed. “What has Jonas done now?”
9
Monday, June 12, 1899
Amanda folded her hands in her lap. “This is entirely unfair. My parents can’t continue to order me from pillar to post because it suits their whims. I’m no longer a child.”
“They are doing what they believe is best for your full recovery. Besides, it’s June and the weather is quite lovely. In times past we would already be at the island for our annual summer stay. And when your mother departed, I promised I would escort you to the island.” Fanny had been trying to reason with her cousin for well over an hour before Dr. Carstead and Uncle Quincy joined them.
“In the future, you should refrain from making promises you can’t keep.” Amanda tightened her lips into a sullen pout.
After more than six weeks the quarantine had finally been lifted the preceding day. Immediately after breakfast Fanny had arrived at the Home and announced she planned to escort Amanda to Broadmoor Island. Amanda had promptly refused. She planned to remain in Rochester and work at the Home. Though their train would leave the station in only two hours, Amanda continued to wage a battle.
“Tell my cousin that I am needed here to assist you with your duties,” Amanda said, waving Blake forward.
“I’ll do no such thing. I plan to escort you to the train station and make certain you board the train.” He sat down in a vacant chair beside her. “In fact, I’m going to wait until the train leaves the station to make sure you don’t attempt an escape.”
His chuckle didn’t ward off her feelings of betrayal. How could he? Until stricken with cholera, she’d worked alongside him without complaint. There had been days when her back ached and she longed for a few minutes’ rest, but she’d continued to do his bidding. Now he sided against her. “So this is my reward? What did my father promise you in order to gain your complicity in this plan?”
Blake’s jaw twitched. “I have not had contact with your father, and I have not sided against you. But I am intent upon seeing you attain a full recovery.”
“I am well. Why don’t you offer me that wager again, and we shall see who will win this time?”
He shook his head. “That kind of talk is exactly why you must leave Rochester. If you stayed here, you’d work too hard. No matter what you say, I will not change my mind.”
“You don’t control me, Blake Carstead. If I want to remain in Rochester, you can’t force me to go to Broadmoor Island.”
He shrugged. “You’re right. But if you don’t go, I’ll no longer teach you. If you want to continue with your medical career, you’ll have to enroll in medical college or find another physician willing to train you.”
Amanda extended her neck. “Do you have a collar and leash you’d like to place around my neck so you may control my every step?”
Fanny nudged Amanda and shook her head. “What has come over you?”
“Nothing has come over me. I’m simply weary of others controlling my life.”
Blake leaned forward and rested his forearms across his thighs. “You’re exaggerating in an attempt to gain a toehold in this argument. You know that your plans to remain in Rochester are faulty.” Blake raked his fingers through his unruly dark hair. “I don’t want to part on unpleasant terms. Surely you know that my concern for you is well founded and has nothing to do with any edict you’ve received from your parents. You have my word that you can continue your training with me once your family returns. I hope you’ll get plenty of rest and avail yourself of the fresh air.”
“I’ll have little choice, will I?” Her behavior was no better than that of a petulant child, but Amanda didn’t care. “And we’ll see whether I’m still interested in working with you when I return.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I may very well decide to move to Syracuse or New York City. I’m certain I’ll find a physician who will be pleased to continue my training there.”
“Please give that matter considerable thought, Amanda.” He stood and held out his hand. “I believe we should be on our way. I assume you’d like to stop at home and put some things in a trunk before we head to the depot.”
Amanda huffed but took his hand nevertheless.
“We’d better make haste. I don’t want you ladies to miss your train.”
Throughout the ride to the train station, Amanda stared out the carriage window. Fanny and Blake discussed the cathartic effect the fresh air at Broadmoor Island would have upon Amanda during the next weeks, but she steadfastly ignored their conversation. Let them attempt to win her over by expounding upon the beneficial and invigorating effects she would experience while languishing in the fresh air and strolling along the St. Lawrence River—she’d not be swayed by their talk.
Blake didn’t budge from the strategy he’d laid out to her. He accompanied them through the station and out the heavy wooden door that led to the platform. “Once Amanda ceases her pouting, you might ask her to tell you about the healing effects of fresh air upon infants who have been transported to live near the water during the heat of summer. She read a lengthy article on the topic, didn’t you, Amanda?”
Amanda decided against breaking her silence, but she did offer a slight nod.
Fanny grasped her arm. “Oh, I do hope you’ll tell me all about what you’ve learned. It sounds fascinating.”
The hissing and clanging of the arriving train mixed with shouts from the porters, crying children, and passengers bidding their loved ones farewell. Amanda was thankful the noise prevented further conversation. While Blake assisted Fanny up the steps to the train, Amanda stared longingly at the door leading back inside the station. She could make a run for it—but to where and for what purpose? She’d still be unable to tend to the ill. Blake would make certain of that. No need to dwell on thoughts of escape.
“Come along, Amanda,” Blake said.
The toe of her shoe caught on a heavy baggage cart as she stepped toward the train. Like a bird attempting to take flight, her arms spread and flapped while she lunged to gain her footing.
Blake charged toward her and captured her in his arms. “Are you all right?” His dark hazel eyes glistened with concern.
Her pulse quickened as she stared into his eyes. “I th-think so,” she stammered.
He pulled her close to his chest. “I was so worried. I thought you were going to fall and injure y
ourself.”
She took a backward step. “Did you worry for my safety, or was your concern that if I suffered injury you wouldn’t be able to send me off to Broadmoor Island?”
His eyes turned darker. “Think what you will, Amanda. Whether you wish to believe me or not, my concern is for your welfare.”
“Are you injured, Amanda?” Concern edged Fanny’s voice.
Her cousin’s words were enough to bring her back to the present. One glance at his hands resting on her hips was enough for Blake to release his hold. He escorted her to the train and bid her a formal good-bye. As promised, he waited on the platform while their train departed the station.
Once the train had begun to gain speed, Fanny nudged her. “I believe Dr. Carstead cares for you.”
“I had thought the same thing. But what man who truly cares does everything in his power to rid himself of the woman he loves?” Amanda settled against the dark green upholstered seat. “Now let us speak of something else. I don’t wish to dwell upon Dr. Carstead.”
“As you wish, but I’m not convinced you’re correct.” Fanny adjusted her skirts around her. “Do tell me about the report you read on the infant hospitals.”
At Fanny’s mention of the article, Amanda’s thoughts returned to the piece she’d seen in the paper regarding Wesley Hedrick. “I’ll tell you about the summer hospitals later. First I must tell you about something else I read while I was in confinement.” She reached into her reticule and handed the now neatly trimmed piece of newspaper to Fanny.
Fanny quickly scanned the piece and looked up in disbelief. “Instead of simply a ne’er-do-well, Wesley has become a wealthy ne’er-do-well. I cannot imagine why Lord and Lady Illiff would leave their vast fortune to the likes of Wesley Hedrick.” She handed the article back to Amanda.
Amanda shrugged and slipped the paper between the pages of a book she’d brought along. “They had no other family.”
“He wasn’t a blood relative. I’m not certain he was married to Lady Illiff’s cousin for more than a few years before she died. I would think they could have found someone more deserving of their wealth. A charity would have been a better choice. I can only imagine the women who must be flocking around him.”
A Surrendered Heart Page 10
