“That’s Nicholas,” I said, following Savannah, Jeremy and Araminta inside with Gabriel on my heels.
Colin and Melinda were the last ones inside, and he closed the door, handing Melinda to Araminta. Nicholas raced back toward us, and Colin scooped him up in his arms, holding him upside down while Nicholas squealed with glee. “There’s my boy,” Colin said.
Amelia emerged from the kitchen, removing a stained apron. She swiped at her flour-dusted cheeks and extended her hand.
“You must be Amelia,” Savannah said. “I feel as though I know you already after all Clarissa’s written. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“And you. You’re very welcome,” Amelia said. “I imagine you’d like to freshen up, have a little time before supper. I’ve a roasted ham, mashed potatoes and one of my last jars of pole beans planned for supper tonight.”
“And cake?” Colin asked hopefully. “You always have cake.”
“There is something for dessert,” Amelia said with a smile.
I hadn’t seen her this happy since Sebastian had departed.
“Whoopee!” Colin said twirling in place with Nicholas in his arms. When he stopped spinning, he nodded to Araminta, and they both set down their charges.
I watched as Melinda became acquainted with Nicholas, his natural tendency to friendliness overcoming any impulse to keep Colin for himself. When Nicholas showed Melinda his favorite marbles, I sighed with relief.
“There’s enough for all of us, isn’t there?” Gabriel asked as I poked him in the side.
“Yes,” Amelia said while Colin laughed.
“I haven’t felt like cooking as much now that the birth nears,” I protested.
“It’s still more than a month away,” Gabriel said. “Thankfully the nearby café is decent.”
“You should plan on having supper here most nights,” Amelia said. “It’ll be like old times with our big family gatherings.”
Colin and Araminta remained in the living room with the two children, and I saw Gabriel give Jeremy a silent tilt of his head, indicating he should follow him.
Savannah smiled as she followed Amelia upstairs to the bedrooms while I lumbered up after them. “You have the choice of room, Miss Savannah,” Amelia said.
Savannah flushed as she poked her head into the three bedrooms. “I like this one,” Savannah said, indicating the one at the end of the hall.
I’d never been in it and giggled as I peered inside. “Of course you like it. It’s the grandest bedroom in the house.” I looked at Amelia. “This was Aidan’s.”
Sturdy oak furniture filled the room, including the bed frame, two nightstands and a pair of bureaus. An ewer and basin sat atop large lace doilies, most likely tatted by Amelia, on the taller bureau, while above the lower bureau was a mirror reflecting the room. A lamp sat on each of the bureaus and the side tables. A sturdy rocking chair placed in front of one of the two windows allowed for moments of quiet contemplation.
“I always wondered where he put the rocking chair Gabriel made for him,” I said as I moved to it and traced the fine lines. I gave into my fatigue and sat into the comfortable chair, although it was too large for me.
“He says he does his best thinking staring out the window, looking toward the mountains with the birds in the trees singing to him,” Amelia said. “To answer your question, yes, this was Aidan’s room, although he hasn’t been here in over a year. In the letter he wrote me, he indicated that he wanted them to use any bedroom they desired. With the three of you, and the maid, I don’t know how we’ll all fit.”
Savannah blushed. “Ah, well, as to that. Jeremy and I are engaged. We’d like to marry here, with all you present. Thus, the room situation shouldn’t be much of a problem for long.”
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” Amelia said. “We’ll have a feast here at the house. Although you should have a private place for your wedding night. Not a house full of children and relatives.” She frowned.
“They should rent a room in the Florence Hotel,” I said. “I remember staying there when I first arrived, and it should prevent you from being chivareed.”
“Chivareed?” Savannah asked with a small catch in her voice.
I laughed as I remembered my wedding night. “It’s when the men from the town come to your window and make a racket, and won’t cease until your husband leaves to buy them drinks at the saloon.”
“I think it’s because the single men in town are jealous of the husband’s good fortune,” Amelia said.
I sobered after a moment, frowning. “Sav, what about Jonas?” I whispered. “You can’t be married to two people at once.”
Savannah paled. “Didn’t Aunt Betsy write you? Inform you of everything that’s happened the past few months?”
“No. I haven’t received any real news from either Sophie or Aunt Betsy in a while. At least, not as pertains to you.” I frowned. “Aunt Betsy’s rheumatism must be bothering her, as she said she’d never dictate to a maid any overly personal matters in a letter.”
Savannah grimaced. “With all that happened, I’d forgotten about Aunt Betsy’s rheumatism. As for Sophie, she did no end of muttering that some news one had to share oneself.”
“I should leave you to catch up,” Amelia said as she moved toward the door.
“By all means stay,” Savannah said, waving toward the other side of the bed. “I’m sure it will become common knowledge soon enough, and I’d rather have you hear the truth from me rather than as mangled-up gossip.”
“There wouldn’t be much they could say about you that would shock me,” Amelia said.
“What if they told you that I skewered my husband with a letter opener and felt no remorse?” Savannah asked.
I gaped at her while Amelia gasped.
“He’d already shot my father and Lucas, who are both recovered, and it appeared he’d stop at nothing to have me return to him.”
“Good God,” I muttered. “Are you all right? Are you sure Uncle Martin and Lucas are well?”
“I assure you, they’re fine, Rissa. Lucas was quite ill for a while, and I worried he’d die from an infection.” She blinked away tears before she firmed her jaw, and I saw steely indignation take the place of any sadness or grief. “I’m filled with regret I didn’t do it sooner,” Savannah whispered. “I know that makes me a wretched person, but I can’t help it. He took undue pleasure in tormenting me.”
“Thank God you are free of him,” I said.
“Even though he’s gone, I’ll never be fully free of him.” Savannah shared a long glance with me, and I saw the echo of pain and loss in her eyes.
“I know,” I murmured, and Savannah nodded her understanding.
Amelia shook her head as though coming out of shock. “You killed your husband? You defended yourself against the man who stole your child and beat you? Who would have tried to kill you had you returned to him?”
Savannah nodded.
“I don’t know what I feel,” Amelia said, “but it’s not disgust. I’m embarrassed to admit it might be admiration.”
“If you’re uncomfortable and would prefer me to stay elsewhere, I’m sure Jeremy would be willing to find rooms at that Florence Hotel you mentioned.” Savannah traced patterns on the quilt on the bed, not meeting our eyes.
Amelia raised an eyebrow, frank amusement shining from her eyes. “You imagine I worry for myself sleeping in my bed at night in the same house as a woman who … killed her violent husband? No, I have no concerns, although I’m sure the sisters Bouchard and Vaughan will relish the retelling of this story.”
I shuddered at their names. “Don’t worry about them, Sav. They are townswomen who live to gossip. Now you’ll be their most interesting target as our stories have worn thin,” I said pointing to Amelia and myself.
Savannah took a deep breath and met my eyes. “The other news, Rissa, is that I met my daughter, Hope.”
“Where is she? Why isn’t she with you?” I demanded.
“She died,
” Savannah whispered.
I pushed myself out of the rocking chair, arching my back to gain the leverage I needed to free myself from the chair. “How?” I sat next to her, pulling her into my arms as Amelia closed the door gently behind her, granting us privacy.
“She caught typhoid and died. No one knew how severe it was. Even the doctor thought she was recovering. She didn’t and she died.” Savannah sobbed, leaning into my embrace.
She tried to pull away, but I kept a firm hold of her shoulders, restraining her from rising and placing any distance between us.
“I’m so sick of crying. I worry Jeremy will become tired of me and yearn for a different woman.” Savannah sniffled.
“Sav, how could he want you to be anything other than who you are? It’s normal to mourn your daughter. How could you not?” I stroked her head, shoulder and arm in an attempt to impart comfort where no comfort was possible.
I glanced at my belly, patting it. “I’m sorry.” When she shook her head in denial, I said, “It’s normal to resent me or to wish you too could be expecting a baby with Jeremy.”
“I haven’t given up all hope, Rissa. Even with what the doctors said, and with everything that happened with Hope, I’d cherish any child I was blessed enough to have.”
“Even though it would mean another birth?” I asked biting my lip.
“Even then,” Savannah said, squeezing my hand. “I know the thought of birth might scare you, but you won’t be alone. Amelia and I will ensure you receive the best care.”
“I know. It’s the unknown that terrifies me,” I admitted.
“Just as there’s no cure for my sorrow, there’s nothing that will prevent you from feeling trepidation as your time nears. It’s normal, Rissa.”
“Thank you for bringing little Melly here. Gabriel teased me for worrying as much as I did, even though I knew she’d been rescued. Thank you for caring for her all this time.”
Savannah bit her lip and firmed her shoulders. “You’re to be a mother, Rissa. Something I’ve always dreamed of. Deep inside, I know I’ll never have a child. Could you consider allowing Jeremy and me to raise Melinda? We already love her, and …” She broke off.
I paused for a long moment before answering. “I can’t answer right away, Sav. I’d always thought I’d raise her, as she’s my sister. And yet I see the bond that’s already formed between you.” I smiled as I saw a tremulous hope in Savannah’s eyes. “Can I think about it for a day or two?”
Savannah nodded, blinking away tears.
I hugged her and rose. “Why don’t you wash and then try to relax a little? One of us will come for you when it’s time to eat.”
“Would you mind terribly if I slept through supper?” Savannah asked, biting back a large yawn.
“Of course not. I remember my fatigue when I first arrived in Butte.” I opened the door and glanced back, watching Savannah burrow under the covers, fully clothed. “We’ll check to see if you’re awake later.” I smiled as she mumbled her agreement, already half asleep.
***
GABRIEL LED JEREMY into their uncle’s study while Colin sprawled on the living room floor, playing toy soldiers with Nicholas while Melinda played with Nicholas’s marbles.
“A word to the wise,” Gabriel said as he shut the door. “I wouldn’t let Nicholas know you were in the army unless you want to be barraged with questions. Almost daily he has one of us act out Teddy Roosevelt’s charge up San Juan Hill, with Nicholas, of course, always the victor.”
“That happened years ago. Why’s he focusing on that now?”
“One of Rissa’s semisenile friends got to talking about the army and told Nicholas about it one day when they visited them at the depository.”
“Don’t they have a library here?” Jeremy asked.
“Not yet, although they’re starting to build one. Missoula’s best architect, Mr. A. J. Gibson, is to design it. Another word to the wise, never confuse the architect, A.J., with Clarissa’s friend, A. J. Pickens. They couldn’t be any more different.”
Jeremy nodded as he filed away the information.
“It’s hopeful the new library will be finished sometime early next year.” Gabriel sat in one of the two leather chairs in front of his uncle’s desk, and Jeremy took the other.
“I’m sure you understand how glorious it feels to sit on something that isn’t moving.” Jeremy closed his eyes as he rested his head against the top of the chair for a moment.
Gabriel smiled, his eyes continuing to rove over the brother he hadn’t seen in years. “You look different, and yet I’d recognize you anywhere.”
Jeremy rubbed a hand over his closely trimmed beard.
“It’s not just the beard,” Gabriel said with a shake of his head. “It’s how you hold yourself. With an air of command, of responsibility.” His smile held a touch of regret. “You’ve grown up, and I wasn’t there to see it.”
“I missed you and Richard every day I was away,” Jeremy said. “I needed to go on my adventure, become the man I was meant to become, but I always knew I wanted to return to Boston. Naively I thought we’d all live near each other. Raise families together.”
“I couldn’t remain in Boston any longer, Jer. Besides putting you on that train, or watching our home burn, leaving was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
“Although you seem happy,” Jeremy said as he watched his older brother, a look of wonder passing over his face to be in the same room as him.
“I am now. Clarissa was brave enough to travel to me. We are to have our first child soon. You are here.” Gabriel’s brow furrowed. “With Savannah.”
Jeremy huffed out a laugh. “You don’t have to act like the older brother anymore, Gabe. I can take care of myself.”
“You’ll always be my baby brother. I had the raising of you for too long not to worry.”
“I know.” Jeremy sighed as he settled his long legs in front of him. “The moment I saw Savannah again, I knew I wanted her. At first I tried to tell myself it was because she had been abused, and I wanted to help her as a friend. I think I knew all along I was deluding myself.” He smiled a half-mocking grin to himself as he stared at a point in the distance.
Gabriel took a deep breath. “I always imagined that’s why you were attracted to Savannah. The damsel in distress.”
Jeremy bristled at Gabriel’s raised eyebrow. “There’s much more to it than that.”
“I should hope so if you’re going to last for longer than a few months.” He held up a hand to forestall an argument. “Before you become righteous in your anger—which Clarissa says we McLeods thrive at—I’ve always suspected there was more to her than she was willing to admit while she was under the control of her grandparents. I want you to know that I’m very happy you’re content with her.”
“Content? Do you remember what Mr. Smithers said when you used that word as your goal for your future life?” He raised an eyebrow.
“’A namby-pamby word,’” Gabriel said with fond affection, as he recalled his old mentor and friend.
“I feel a hell of a lot more than content with Savannah. The extraordinary thing was that, the more time I spent with her, the more I genuinely liked her. I never saw her as damaged. She’s always been the strongest woman I know.”
“I may have to argue with you, as Clarissa’s the strongest one I know.” He shared an amused grin with Jeremy. “Why don’t we agree they’re tied and forgo an argument?” Jeremy laughed and Gabriel relaxed further, seeing the echo of his youngest brother he’d fought so hard to safeguard from harm.
“Tell me about Florence and Richard,” Gabriel said as they settled in for a long conversation.
***
I KNOCKED TWICE on the study door before poking my head in. I heard loud laughter and saw Gabriel wiping his eyes and Jeremy doubled over, holding his stomach. Even though I had no idea what was funny, I giggled due to their infectious laughter.
“Ah, my darling, is it time for supper?” Ga
briel asked as he swiped at his eyes.
“No, not quite yet. I thought I’d come to see how you were after I left Savannah. She’s fallen asleep, and I think she’ll remain abed through supper.” I moved toward Gabriel but didn’t sit on his lap. I wasn’t sure if his uncle’s furniture was as sturdy as ours and didn’t want to test it with our combined weight. Gabriel rose, pulling out the chair behind the desk, and I sat in it at Gabriel’s side.
“She didn’t sleep well on the train. Never dosed for more than an hour,” Jeremy said as he recovered from his laughing fit.
“What had you laughing so hard?” I asked, unable to stifle a sigh as I settled, rubbing my belly. Gabriel reached over to lay a hand there too, smiling as the baby kicked where his hand lay. After a few forceful kicks, the baby calmed, and I relaxed into the chair.
“Oh, just stories from when we were younger,” Gabriel said, dropping his hand to clasp mine.
“I thought you lived with your aunt and were miserable,” I said.
“Not every moment of our lives was devoid of happiness, Rissa.” Gabriel lifted my hand and kissed it. “Aunt would have wished it so, but she wasn’t able to destroy our sense of humor or our ability to find joy.”
“I worried she had for you, Gabe,” Jeremy said. “Always so serious, taking care of Rich and me. I can see you’ve stopped dwelling on the past, as Uncle Aidan recommended.” Jeremy nodded to the two of us.
“His favorite advice, I think,” Gabriel said with a wry smile.
“Jeremy, who’s Araminta?” I asked. “Savannah and I spoke of other things, and then she was exhausted and fell asleep.”
“She’s a young woman who was going to age-out the orphanage with nowhere to live or work. Mrs. Maidstone was very worried about Araminta because she had injured her leg when she was younger. I think she broke it, and it didn’t mend properly. At any rate, she can walk short distances, but she can’t run or stand for long periods of time. She’ll have that limp for the rest of her life.”
“How is she going to care for Melly? For I assume she’s come here to help with Melly,” I said.
Undaunted Love (PART TWO): Banished Saga, Book 3.5 Page 28
