by Marie Silk
“You are wrong, Mary.”
“I am?” Mary asked, suddenly feeling panicked. It was not often that she was called out by one of her friends.
Abigail nodded, casting her glance toward the blanket in front of her. “I am going to tell you something now. I had not planned on saying anything to you yet, but I think the time is right.” Abigail took a deep breath before she continued. “You see, not long ago, I realized that I was pregnant.”
Mary looked surprised. “Oh Abigail, how wonderful.”
Abigail looked pained as she continued. “Please, let me finish what I have to say. Otherwise I will burst into tears now and not be able to get through it.”
Mary’s countenance fell and she became serious, worrying about what Abigail might say next.
“The baby didn’t survive,” Abigail stammered while a tear rolled down her cheek. “I went to see William as soon as it happened. He helped me to understand that it happens to many women, and he has given me medicine for the pain. It is why I moved back into the house. William said that I should not take the stairs so often, but instead let the servants bring me what I need. I have been seeing him all this while at the clinic. But I know he has not said a word to you about it.”
Mary was stunned and mournful at the same time. “No, William has not said anything,” she whispered.
“And he has done the right thing by not telling you—even though he loves you more than anything in the world, and he knows that you and I are so close. There are things that are not his right to tell. I also love you dearly, but I was not ready for you to know this. You were so happy about your engagement and making plans for your wedding…I could not bear to think that you might become as sad as I have been. I planned to tell you after—after your wedding.”
“Is there anything I can do to help? Will you be alright?” Mary asked in concern.
Abigail shook her head. “I am not alright, but I want you to be. I wish that everyone in the house would go on like usual and not worry about Ethan and me. It is better to keep this just between us and grieve quietly. I don’t know how else to explain it.”
“You do not have to explain,” Mary said compassionately. She sat quietly for awhile, feeling helpless, sad, and guilty. “I think I understand why you told me this now. It is a sad time for the house on all fronts, but I will do as you wish by going on as usual.”
“Thank you. That would be easiest for me,” Abigail said, looking down in sorrow. “I am going to see William tomorrow to ask if I have healed enough to take the carriage to Philadelphia. I do wish to move to the manor house as soon as possible. I suppose we must wait until the new groundskeeper position is settled so that Ethan is free to leave.” Clara entered the room just then. She seemed surprisingly cheerful.
“Oh Mary, you are here too. Look what I have found in Mother’s things,” she said, holding out three envelopes. “She has written these letters for us. I have already read mine, and Mother said the dearest things to me! I am sure to treasure it always. These two are addressed to you and Abigail.” Clara gave them the envelopes and stood there as they were read.
“How good of her,” Abigail smiled as she read the kind words from Mrs. Price. “What does yours say, Mary?”
Mary had tears falling down her face as she read the message over and over. “I will let you read it tomorrow,” she promised. “There is something I must do first.”
Chapter 13
“Well Samuel, I think it’s safe to say that you don’t need to finish the trial period that Mrs. Price set for you. I believe you are the right man for the job, and I never thought I’d say those words after working here with my pa all my life. I am going to tell Clara that you are ready to be the groundskeeper.”
Samuel was beaming. “Thank you, Ethan,” he said, giving him a hearty handshake.
“Just one final thing before I tell her—are you sure you won’t be enlisting to fight in this War, leaving the ladies in search of another groundskeeper?” Ethan asked seriously.
Samuel laughed. “No Sir, not me. My pa says that the English deserve what they get from the Germans, and I agree with him.”
“That is just what my wife says,” Ethan chuckled. “But it is only because she is Irish, and not so fond of what the English have done to her country.” A look of realization slowly crossed his face while he stared at Samuel. “What did you say your surname was?”
Samuel laughed nervously. “You caught me, Ethan. My surname is O’Connell, same as your wife’s. I’m your new brother-in-law.”
Ethan laughed incredulously. “Why didn’t you just say that you were Abigail’s brother? We would have given you the job right away.”
“That is the reason I did not say. I was not trying to be deceitful, only I wanted to prove myself as right for the job. It wouldn’t be honorable if I got the job just for being related.”
Ethan shook his head. “Well I’ll be. I knew I liked you from the start, but could not figure why it seemed like I already knew you. Does Abigail know about this?”
“She’s the one who wrote to me about the job,” Samuel answered.
“Do you want to go into the house to see her? I imagine it has been a while,” Ethan offered.
Samuel grinned. “Could I? I’d love to see Abby!”
Ethan led Samuel into the house to Abigail’s door, but told him to wait in the hallway until after he talked to Abigail. “How are you feeling?” Ethan asked when he saw her.
Abigail managed a smile. “I am doing better, but I am still very sad for us and for the girls, of course.”
Ethan nodded in response. “Have you talked to William about taking the ride to Philadelphia?”
Abigail frowned in disappointment. “I saw him earlier today, but he said it would be best to wait at least a few more days.” Abigail paused, then casually questioned, “How is the new groundskeeper working out?”
Ethan walked over to the window so she could not see the mischievous smile crossing his lips. “Who, Samuel? He is just terrible! The kid wouldn’t know a fence post from a hole in the ground.” Ethan turned to see Abigail’s reaction. She looked surprised then furrowed her brow.
“That is a shame. I hoped he would work out,” she said.
Ethan walked toward the bed and sat down in front of her. “And why would you hope that?”
She gave him a wide-eyed look and stammered. “Oh—well I—I just hoped that we could be free to move to the manor house. Now it will take even longer to find a new groundskeeper. But perhaps you made Samuel nervous and that is why he did not keep up.”
Ethan could no longer keep a straight face and burst out laughing.
“What is so funny?” Abigail demanded.
“I know that he is your brother, Abigail. I was just teasing you.”
She gasped indignantly. “How could you be such a beast to me?” Abigail threw a pillow at him, but it only made Ethan laugh harder.
“That’s what you get for keeping secrets from me,” he finally answered.
“But Sam insisted that he earn the job on his own merit. I was sworn to secrecy!” she cried defensively.
Ethan smiled at her and stroked her cheek. “Do you want to see him? He is just out in the hallway.”
Abigail’s face lit up in delight. “Yes! Show him in, please!”
Samuel walked in when Ethan opened the door. “I got the job, Abby,” he grinned, walking over to hug her.
“I’m so proud of you!” she cried. Then she turned to Ethan. “I tried to talk him into moving into the manor house with us, but he says he would rather work here.”
“That’s right,” Samuel agreed. “I aim to buy a property for myself and build a house on it with my own two hands. It is good to see you again, Abby. But for now, I gotta get back to work.”
After Samuel left the room, Abigail smiled at Ethan. “Thank you for bringing him up here. It feels good to smile and laugh again, but I can’t help but feel guilty for having joy in the midst of such sadness.”
“I suppose you are right,” she agreed. “I love you.”
Ethan leaned toward her and kissed her softly. “I made something for you,” he whispered. He reached into his pocket and retrieved a small object, placing it into Abigail’s hand before he left the room. “I love you too, Abigail.”
She tearfully admired the tiny wood carving of a rocking horse, and treasured the loving hands that made it. At the bottom of one of the rockers were the words carved, In Memory of Our Child, 1915.
Chapter 14
Fiona met with Bridget and Jane in the servants’ quarters. “We expect to hear that Miss Abigail will be moving to Philadelphia soon, and she will have Bridget as her personal maid. Jane, you will be attending the girls after Bridget leaves. I would like you to begin training with Bridget right away so you are prepared for your new duties.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Jane said obediently.
Nora was hiding around the corner while Fiona spoke to the other maids. She strutted toward them and looked the maids up and down. “What is this? A meeting with the maids? Why wasn’t I included?”
“I was just telling Jane that she will be attending the girls after Bridget leaves us. I have put out inquiries for a new housemaid and hope to fill the position by the end of the week,” Fiona explained.
Nora responded angrily. “You can’t be serious! Jane has worked here just as long as I have, and I’m her superior!”
“It was at Miss Clara’s request that Jane be her new maid,” Fiona responded. “Now, let’s get back to work.”
“I don’t believe this,” Nora muttered, turning for the servants’ stairs. She stormed up to Clara’s bedroom and found her lying on the bed. “Miss Clara, I must speak with you.”
Clara held her hand to her forehead as if in pain. “Can it wait, Nora? I am tired and have a headache.”
“It is urgent—in fact it is something that has waited too long to be said. I cannot have it weighing on my conscience any longer. You see, I have caught a member of the staff stealing from you.”
Clara groaned and sat up on the bed, rubbing her temples with her fingertips. “Stealing? Who do you mean?”
“It is Fiona, Miss. She has been forcing myself and Mrs. Malone to distribute food for Mr. Valenti from your very own kitchens. Fiona admits that she has been doing so without your permission. I think it is because she fancies Mr. Valenti, but certainly you must see how her behavior is not suitable for a housekeeper…”
“I already know about her taking food to Phillip. But I find it in very poor taste that you have come to me at a time like this to complain about such things. It is not your place to decide whether Fiona is suitable, and if I find that you are causing trouble downstairs, I will have her find a maid to replace you immediately. I know what it is like to serve in this house, and I have no patience for maids who stir up strife. I wish to be left in peace now.” Clara lay back down on the bed and Nora scurried out of the room in a panic. Fiona watched her leave the room from the upstairs hallway.
“What were you doing in there?” Fiona demanded. “I hope you were not bothering Miss Clara in her time of grief.”
Nora hung her head. “I’m sorry, Fiona. I won’t cause trouble again. My mother has been ill for some time, and I desperately need this job. Please, if you have any compassion in your heart, don’t send me away.”
Fiona looked at her carefully. “I will not dismiss you if you behave yourself. Now go to the kitchen and see if Mrs. Malone requires your help with dinner.”
Nora nodded respectfully. “Yes, Ma’am.”
Ethan was startled by a knock at the door of the stable apartment. “Mary,” he greeted her in surprise. “Is Abigail asking for me?”
“No, I just wanted to come talk, if it is alright,” she said gently. “You see, I have done something dreadful.”
“I can’t believe that,” Ethan replied.
“I told William that I never wanted to see him again,” Mary confessed.
Ethan was taken aback. “Why would you do that?”
Mary sighed. “It was over something that does not seem so significant now. What I want to know is, do you think he would still want me, after the way I have spoken to him?”
“Then you did not mean what you said to him,” Ethan said in a statement rather than a question.
“I meant it at the time, but now I am afraid that I have ruined things between us,” she explained.
Ethan put his hand on her shoulder. “You must talk to him, Mary. He loves you dearly and I’m certain he would do anything for you.”
Mary felt butterflies in her stomach. “Thank you for saying so. I know that I must talk to him, but I do not know how I will find the courage to do so. What if he does not want me back? Or maybe he will tell me all of the things that are wrong with me.”
Ethan managed a smile. “Do you want to have a ride over the fields? Abigail and I will be leaving soon, and there are not many more days that we can ride together like we used to.”
Mary’s face relaxed. “Yes, I would like that very much. Thank you.” Ethan hugged her tightly for several moments, while neither of them said a word. Then they rode over the fields until the evening, feeling the the return of strength that both of them thought they had lost.
After the ride, Mary went into the house to check on Clara. She was staring blankly out the window of her bedroom, but managed a smile when Mary walked in. “How was your ride?” Clara asked her.
“It was much needed,” replied Mary. “How are you feeling?”
Clara looked nostalgic. “I was just remembering when Nellie invited me to be her companion on the voyage. I wanted to go, desperately. But when I told Mother, she warned me not to go. That was the same night the stable caught fire, and Mother pleaded with me to stay at the house. She said that the fire was an omen. Can you imagine if I would have gone? Even if I had lived to see Britain, I would never have seen Mother again. It was as if she knew. She probably saved my life.”
Mary smiled and sat next to Clara in front of the window. “Your mother was a great lady. Did you know that she saved me too? If not for her, I might be in a hospital for lunatic people right now.”
Clara looked confused. “How could that ever happen?”
“Your mother found out that Mrs. Davenport was conspiring with Dr. Jones to lock me away. It was so she could control my inheritance,” Mary explained. “But your mother stole the document from her and warned me just in time so that I could set things right with the trustee.”
“Mary, how dreadful! I had no idea that Mrs. Davenport had done such a thing. I am sorry I ever suggested that you should listen to that woman. I still feel terrible for going to her about the estate.”
“It is all forgiven now,” Mary assured her.
Clara began to giggle. “I cannot imagine Mother stealing anything! She was always so proper.”
Mary nodded. “The house will never be the same without her. Even the servants have been terribly grieved these last days. It was your mother who made the house what it is today.”
“We must do all that we can to keep it great, Mary. Will you help me?”
“I will do anything you ask,” Mary answered. “Only I should tell you that I am about to leave to see William again.”
Clara’s face lit up. “Good for you, Mary! I hoped that you would change your mind about calling off the engagement.”
Mary nodded. “If he will agree to have me back, I will ask for a later wedding date so that I can be here with you and help with the house.”
“No, you must be married on schedule,” Clara insisted. “The flowers and church have already been arranged. I think it would do us all good to have a cheerful event to look forward to. I am certain that Mother would agree with me on this.”
Mary smiled and kisse
d her cheek. “I believe you are right. Thank you, Clara. You and Abigail have become the dearest sisters I could have wished for.”
Mary rehearsed what she was going to say to William on the drive to the clinic. When she stepped in the door, she instantly recognized the woman who stood in the waiting area. “Good evening, I’m Nurse Anderson,” the woman said chattily. “We are just closing up, but of course if there’s an emergency, the doctor will see you—unless it can wait for tomorrow—Dr. Hamilton is still with a patient. Just tell me what seems to be the problem.” Nurse Anderson was the woman that Abigail was afraid to speak to the day she and Mary went to town. Mary was beginning to see why Abigail wanted to get away.
“I will just wait here for Dr. Hamilton,” Mary said, pointing to the chair by the desk.
“Then it is an emergency? You can tell me, whatever it is. Oh dear! Are you pregnant? Has your man left you?” the woman asked with wide eyes.
“What? No!” Mary cried aghast. “I only wish to speak to Dr. Hamilton.”
“I see…” Nurse Anderson trailed off. “Let’s get you to an exam table.”
“No, it is really not necessary—” Mary was interrupted by Nurse Anderson taking her hand and leading her to a hospital bed behind a curtain.
“Now you just wait here. Dr. Hamilton will be with you in a jiffy.” Nurse Anderson then pulled the curtain closed and walked away, much to Mary’s relief.
Mary sat down on the bed, trying to recall the words she wanted to say to William. But when he pulled back the curtain, Mary just stared at him and could not remember what any of them were. William was also speechless as soon as he saw her there. He took a deep breath before approaching her. “Are you—feeling ill?”
Mary shook her head. “Nurse Anderson did not understand that I had only come to talk to you.”
“I see. Nurse Anderson can be—overzealous,” William said quietly.
Mary held back tears while she looked into his eyes. “I’m desperately sorry for what I said. I was wrong for expecting you to do any differently than you did.”
