Doves Migration

by Linda Daly

  After Jerome had politely excused himself showing Elise and Sarah their rooms, he looked at Miranda, asking, “Miss Brown, shall I expect your father as well?”

  “No, Jerome. Father has remained in Washington,” Miranda said sadly.

  “Well then, if you’ll excuse me, I’ll get a tray for all of you. Is there anything special you would like?” Jerome, out of respect, directed his attention to the senior woman.

  Sarah smiling politely, said, “Some coffee with cream and sugar would be most welcoming.” Glancing at Elise and Miranda, she asked, “What about you, girls?”

  “Jerome, has cook prepared her famous strudel?” Miranda smiled affectionately.

  “Of course. Apple or cherry?” he said affectionately with a trace of a glimmer in his eyes.

  With a devilish grin she looked at Sarah and Elise, and said, “Why both of course,” snickering fondly back at the butler. “You know me. I just love Hilda’s strudel.”

  “I remember, Miss Brown.” Then risking appearing improper by being too familiar, he added hastily, “Welcome back miss, we’ve missed you.”

  “And I’ve missed you. Have you heard word from your sister recently?”

  The butler looked nervously over at Sarah and Elise. “No Miss.”

  Seeing the butler’s concern, Miranda reassuringly said, “Don’t fret, Jerome. Mrs. Honeycutt and Elise are old friends of mine, and your secret is safe with them.”

  Nodding politely, he heartily welcomed them both, which Sarah and Elise responded to warmly.

  “Well, then if you’ll excuse me, I’ll see to it that a welcoming tray is sent up immediately.”

  “Oh thank you kindly, Jerome. And I promise to have our guests changed into something of mine and their gowns ready for Beatrice.”

  “Thank you, Miss.” With that, the butler bowed politely, dismissing himself.

  “Miranda dear, it would appear that you’ve adjusted well to your surroundings since we saw you last. It’s clear that Jerome is very fond of you,” Sarah exclaimed.

  “Oh he’s a nice man. Most of the staff here at the Honeycutt’s are in fact. Once they discover you can be trusted, they will warm up to you too. Mrs. Honeycutt expects perfection and a certain aloofness from her hired staff. This, as I’ve found out, is exactly how most of those in the North treat their hired help. Not at all the relationship we had with Bessie and Chester at Glenbrook or you with Mammy Tess.”

  “I see. Well, I will definitely keep that in mind, my dear.” Sarah made a mental note, realizing that not only were the homes different from what she had been used to and where she was going to be now living, but so were the attitudes.

  Looking around the heavy decorated room, which she had taken an instant dislike to, Sarah asked, “Not that I’m criticizing mind you, but Miranda dear, I was wondering, are all the homes in the North so …”

  “So in excess?” Miranda chuckled, adding. “Why heavens no. Mrs. Honeycutt tends to favor a little grandeur, is all.”

  Sarah sighed, taking in the bits and pieces she had gathered about her motherin-law, saying apprehensively, “Ah I see …”

  Her daughter was not so delicate and reacted by bursting out laughing, saying, “A little? Why in all my born days, I’ve never seen anything like this house before. Nothing like flaunting your wealth.”

  “Elise, how unkind of you.” Sarah scolded. “Why I’ve taught you better manners than that. We are a guest in Michael’s parent’s home and I forbid you to say or do anything that will dishonor him.”

  “Yes, Mama. But from Michael’s outburst earlier and the way he acted when we arrived, I’d say anything we did would be upsetting to him.”

  “Please, Elise. I know you mean well, but you are not helping the situation. Obviously, Michael is already upset about something, so out of regard to him and as difficult as it might be, we must be certain to do nothing that will further add to his burdens. Promise me, Elise, that you will do nothing to upset him further.”

  “I promise Mama.”

  Smiling at her daughter wearily, Sarah said, “Good. Well, if we are to be changed, before the servant comes back, I would suggest we do so now.”

  Immediately Miranda went to her wardrobe and selected silk robes for Sarah and Elise to change into. Moaning, Elise marveled at all the lovely suits and gowns Miranda had.

  “Mama come look,” she exclaimed, “Why I’ve never seen such beautiful things in all my life.”

  “Tomorrow we will go shopping, so don’t fret. While you admire Miranda’s gowns, I’ll take my leave. Just do me a favor dear, as you convince Miranda to loan you a gown, please choose wisely. Nothing too fancy, mind you. Soft and alluring, but sensible too. Miranda dear, do you have something like that in your magnificent collection?”

  “Why certainly, Mrs. Honeycutt,” she responded eagerly. Turning to Elise, she enthusiastically began showing off her gowns. “Look at this one Elise …”

  “Oh Miranda, I adore it. How chic and elegant. Joshua won’t be able to keep his eyes off me …”

  Shaking her head while smiling, watching her daughter’s excitement, Sarah commented, “Darlin’, I said sensible. As lovely as that gown is, perhaps it is a bit revealing. Do keep in mind, you are meeting his mother as well.”

  Frowning, Elise reluctantly handed back the dress, mumbling, “Oh pooh! Surely Mrs. Carmidy doesn’t expect her son to marry a frump.”

  Seeing the disappointment in Elise’s eyes, Miranda began looking for another gown more suitable. “Don’t fret Elise, there are others.”

  Just then, a soft knock at the door alerted them that the maid had come, and Miranda called out, “Come on in Beatrice.” Sarah smiled at the fiery red-haired woman who had let herself in, carrying a tray.

  “Hello, Beatrice is it? I’m Sarah Honeycutt, Michael’s wife, and if it wouldn’t be too much trouble, could I have my tray sent to Micha … er … Mr. Honeycutt’s room?” She suddenly recalled Miranda’s warning how her motherin-law expected her house to be run.

  “Yes Mum. Shall I do that now?” From her accent, Sarah knew this young woman was an Irish immigrant and she smiled to try and sooth her discomfort.

  “Mercy no. Take your time.” Then looking at Miranda and Elise who were still busy selecting a dress, Sarah said, “Well, I’ll be on my way. Elise dear, did you say what time Joshua was coming for you?”

  “I’m not sure, he did say a few hours.”

  “Well that gives you little time to do anything but freshen up. When were you intending to rest?” she asked motherly.

  “Oh Mama, please don’t fuss. I want to be with Joshua.”

  Smiling, Sarah came over to her daughter and softly caressed her cheek. “Well soon enough, you’ll be with him everyday, my darling.” Not waiting for a reply, Sarah went to the door, pausing to watch the two women together. How lovely it was for her to see something familiar.

  When Miranda called Beatrice to the cupboard, Sarah watched the young Irish woman’s eyes light up. “Hello Beatrice, how good it is to see you again,” Miranda said. “Come help my dearest friend in the world pick out a dress to wear to meet her future in-laws—the Carmidy’s.”

  “The Carmidy’s you say, miss? Oh, me John loves working for them. Fine people they are, miss.”

  Hearing the servant’s comment, Sarah slowly stepped out of the room. A sense of peace filled her. No longer did she have to worry that her daughter would be walking into a situation much like the one she found herself in. As she closed the door, she paused and leaned against it before she went down the corridor to hers and Michael’s room.

  “Oh, Miss Miranda, I fancy your pale blue one, with the matching parasol. With your friend’s hair, she will be so striking.”

  “Hello Beatrice, I’m Elise. My hair? Oh dear, I must look a fright. How will I ever become presentable with it all tangled so?”

  “I’ll help, miss,” Beatrice offered quickly.

  Ah, how wonderful, Sarah thought, at Elise being excited about he
r new life. The soft muffled sounds of her footsteps echoed in the hallway as she stepped into Michael’s room. How wonderful to have nothing more pressing on your mind but what gown to wear. Forcing herself not to think about her fears, Sarah hastily changed from her soiled and creased gown. Looking at the grass stains, she dreamily recalled the look on Michael’s face when he had seen her and Elise come out of the shop in Washington. How happy and excited he had been that day. Not yielding to her troubled mind, Sarah immediately went to the dry sink and quickly washed before slipping into the pale green silk robe Miranda had loaned her. While tying the wrap tightly around her, a gentle knock at the door alerted her that the servant had returned.

  Taking a seat at the bureau to brush her hair, Sarah softly said, “Come in, Beatrice.” Casually stroking her tresses, not looking at the servant, she added. “My gown is folded in the chair. I fear, though, no amount of cleaning will restore it.”

  “Then burn it, my dear.” From the reflection in the mirror, Sarah saw Michael smiling at her, and she quickly ran to him. “Oh darling, I thought you were the maid.”

  As he put his arms tightly around her, Sarah knew her husband was troubled by the way he clung to her. She desperately wanted to ask how his visit had gone and why he had been so distant the past several days, but instead of badgering him with questions, she just held him tightly, needing to feel him near to her too, obviously as much as he needed her.

  Feeling her pull away, Michael asked, “Darling where is your tray? Haven’t you eaten anything?”

  “There’s hardly been time. After Jerome showed us to our rooms and Miranda lent me her robe … Besides, that lovely maid, Beatrice, is busy helping Elise get ready since Joshua is coming for her early. And as you see, I’ve managed quite nicely on my own. Why not come lie beside me. You look exhausted.”

  Stretching his neck then looking at his wife, childlike he mused, “Only if you remove your robe.”

  Laughing softly, she blushed. “Why Michael Honeycutt. Shame on you!” As the couple began to kiss, a soft knock at the door alerted them that Sarah’s tray had arrived. Huskily Michael whispered, “Enter.”

  Beatrice, seeing Michael and Sarah embracing, walked in carrying a tray and sheepishly said, “Mrs. Honeycutt, here is the coffee and strudel you requested. I’ve taken the liberty of adding another setting for you, Mr. Honeycutt.”

  “Fine, Beatrice, set it over there,” Michael said pointing to a table by the window. “Mrs. Honeycutt’s dress is folded on the chair. See that it’s burned.”

  “Oh darling, does it have to? I rather hoped to keep it. Beside the fact that you bought it for me, I have nothing else …”

  “You heard Mrs. Honeycutt. That will be all, Beatrice.”

  As soon as the young woman exited the room, Michael bent down and fiercely began kissing Sarah. Within moments, Michael had gratified his needs, without the tenderness the two of them usually shared. Feeling bereft and empty—more of a sexual object than someone he loved and cherished—tears stung Sarah’s eyes.

  As Michael pulled his body from her, he looked at Sarah, hoarsely whispering, “Oh God, I’m sorry. I don’t know what to say. I just needed you so desperately, I wasn’t thinking. Only reacting.”

  Seeing her tears, Michael tried to pull her to him. Feeling Sarah pull away from his touch, he apologetically said, “Please don’t cry, darling. Did I hurt you?” Tenderly Michael wiped her tears, still pleading for her to forgive him.

  “You didn’t hurt me, Michael. I just don’t understand what has happened … Why are you behaving so strangely?” she pleaded, looking at him.

  Rolling onto his back, Michael shook his head and sighed, “I overheard Miranda.”

  Sarah gasped, “Oh no … Surely darling, you realize Miranda would never say anything deliberately to hurt you. Anyway, it’s only her opinion.”

  “Please stop. When a woman, speaks from the heart and says it as delicately as she did—that my son is not a man she chooses to share a life with—this was not something said in haste. Especially, if that woman is Miranda Brown.”

  “Yes, but darling, surely you can’t blame …”

  Interrupting her, Michael said solemnly, “My darling Sarah, of course I’m to blame. Not only did I fail my son, but I broke a promise.”

  “A promise? I don’t understand.”

  “On Emily’s death bed, I promised her I would take care of our son and make certain he never turned out like my mother. My late wife and mother never got along—as a matter of fact, Emily despised her. The feeling was mutual, I’m sure.” Michael looked at Sarah, his eyes showing his deep pain and anger. “So no matter what you say, Sarah, after hearing Miranda say my son was more like my mother than my father and me, I had to face the fact. I’ve failed them both, Emily and Tad.”

  “But Michael, you can’t be responsible for taking Emily’s death so hard and throwing yourself into your work. We all deal with inner grief and pain differently …”

  “No.” Michael shook his head, his voice barely above a whisper. “For the past several days, I’ve asked myself over and over again if my reason for leaving Tad for so long was due to grief or an act of cowardliness.” Sarah said not a word, but silently allowed her husband to express his pain fully to her. “You see, Sarah, my mother is a difficult and manipulative woman. I say this not out of malice, nor disrespect, but as a man who is not blinded by her faults. I honestly don’t know how my father has lasted this long. The closer we came to New York, the old resentments and bitterness that I’ve felt most of my life returned, along with the hatred and contempt I feel for myself in not being a better father to my only son. Do you have any idea how it feels to come to the realization that you are nothing but a spineless coward?”

  Leaning toward him, with tears streaming down her cheeks, Sarah gently cupped Michael’s head between her hands. As their eyes locked and she reassuringly whispered, “Michael Honeycutt, you are no coward! I will not now or ever allow you to say anything like that again. Over the past few years, I have come to love and respect you as the most tenderhearted, caring, loving and fearless man I have ever known. If you overheard Miranda, then you must have heard Elise’s comments too. What she said is true. As hard as it was living through that hellish war, the only thing that I hold near to my heart from that time is you, Michael. The wonderful man that you are. Now I don’t know anything of your mother or your son, but I do know you. And if Tad does have problems, nothing can’t be rectified. Just look at Elise. We—you and—I helped Elise, and I swear to you Michael, if you will let me, I’ll be there for you now. All that matters is that you are home now. And I give you my word, for as long as Tad needs you, I will never keep you from your son again. Can you ever forgive me for being so selfish?”

  Tenderly he pulled Sarah in his arms, as he passionately kissed her. “Oh Sarah, I love you so much. Promise me you won’t leave me, too.”

  “Never. You’re stuck with me darling.”

  This time the two of them shared a tender and gentle lovemaking, followed by the two of them discussing his short visit with his son and parents. Openly, for the first time since they had wed, Michael spoke of his life as a child and the hardships that his late wife Emily had endured living with his parents. Explaining further that before they had an opportunity to move into the house he had built for them, Emily had died giving birth to their son, Tad.

  “Is that the home Lucas uses while he’s in New York?” Sarah asked.

  “Yes. In fact, I have never been inside it after it was completed. Lucas has expressed an interest in the home, and if it’s agreeable with you I’d like to sell it to him.”

  “Darling, you don’t need to discuss such matters with me. I told you before, I have no claims on your holdings, or your wealth. Whatever you decide is fine with me.”

  As the two remained holding one another in Michael’s room of his parent’s home, it was decided that as soon as Elise’s wedding was behind them, they would find suitable accommodations. Reli
eved that Michael had no desire to remain in his family home, Sarah snuggled closer to her husband. As her eyes grew heavy, she savored the closeness, instinctively knowing the road ahead of her would not be easy. Michael’s guilt was deep seated, and would need more soothing than a moment of tenderness. I won’t let you down my darling.

  Five

  A New Dawn

  As giddy as a schoolgirl, Elise in her wedding dress, looked at her reflection while nervously chatting with Sarah. “Oh Mama, can you believe what a difference a fortnight makes? Why these past two weeks have just flown by. Between meeting Mr. and Mrs. Carmidy …” She paused to turn and look at her mother with concerned eyes. “Mama, you really do like them don’t you? I mean you weren’t just being polite, were you.”

  “No darling, Mary and William are wonderful …” Not waiting for her mother to finish her response, Elise jerked her head back in front of the mirror while fidgeting with a pesky curl that had a mind of its own. “I agree. I like them very much too. And you know Mama, Mother Carmidy agreed with …”

  Laughing giddily Elise interrupted herself. “That’s what she wants me to call her. Oh mercy, I’ve already told you that, haven’t I?”

  Nodding her head, Sarah said, “Yes dear, as a matter of fact several times this mornin’. What was it that Mary agreed about?”

  “Agreed? Oh yes, I remember now … Mother Carmidy agreed with my concerns about choosing a red wedding dress, even though it’s the fashionable thing to do these days. As soon as I told her I had seen enough blood spilled to last me a lifetime she suggested a cream color dress, just like you did. Especially since Joshua has been calling me his precious pearl.”

  Turning to face her mother with a tear in her eye, Elise softly said, “Oh Mama, I still can’t believe that in less than an hour, I’m going to be Mrs. Joshua Carmidy.”

  “Yes, and while you’re still Elise Hamilton, I’d like to say something to my beautiful and wonderful daughter. Sweetheart, there has never been a more proud mother than I am now, looking at you today. Throughout all the toil and hardship that you and Joshua faced, the one thing that remained constant, once you finally realized how much you both loved and needed one another, was that you remained true to yourselves. Both of you, as I’ve said several times in the past, are both headstrong, fiercely independent people with a great capacity to love. No mother could have chosen a finer man for her daughter to marry, than Joshua. As you begin the next phase of your life together, darlin’, please remember that your husband is a proud man who loves you more than I think you even know today. And if at times in your life you and he don’t see eye to eye, please remember …”