by Linda Daly
“Well aren’t you going to offer an apology for embarrassing me by not accepting my hand and then inappropriately commenting on my appearance?”
Chuckling, he said. “Well lass, not only am I not sorry fer what I said, but less you’re daft, I did apologize.”
Miranda’s eyes widened and her mouth dropped. “Daft? Well clearly, you are no gentleman!”
“Aye. Never said I was, lass. As I told you before I’m a laborer who works hard for his money rather than parade around town with more money than brains.”
It was clear to Miranda that he resented the upper class, and against her better judgment, rather than end the conversation, she stepped closer to him. “Mr. O’Flaherty, I’m sure you work very hard for a living, which is admirable. What I don’t find gallant is that you insist on behaving rudely. Not that it matters, but all I was trying to do was be kind, and in return you have managed to insult me repeatedly. What possible reason does this serve other than prove you’re meanspirited?”
“Meanspirited you say? Well coming from a fair maiden who has her fists clenched at her hip while her pupils are watching, I’d say you are a fine one to talk, Miss Brown. Now is that how a fine upstanding lady of America behaves?”
There was no mistaking the amusement in his eyes and Miranda’s back stiffened while glaring at him, realizing he had managed to goad her into losing her temper. Taking in a deep breath to try and regain her composure, she turned her attention to Felicity who stood ringing a bell for the children to line up.
Without saying another word or looking back, Miranda, flushed by such an encounter, rounded up the children and walked across the courtyard of the orphanage, feeling his eyes still upon her.
“Who was that?” asked Felicity, watching the man slowly move toward the other buildings at a slow pace, whistling.
“A very rude man, named Gilbert O’Flaherty. Who apparently loves to annoy women almost as much as he hates America, judging by his sarcastic comment of the land of opportunity.” Miranda tooted, then paused glancing back in his direction, speaking her thoughts. “Hmm, I wonder if he’s any relationship to Margaret–Ann O’Flaherty, the housekeeper at Michael’s old home, the one that Elise and Joshua moved into?”
“I’m sure there must be countless O’Flaherty’s, with so many Irish immigrants these days. Did you notice a resemblance?” Felicity asked, while assembled the children in a single line.
“What I noticed is that he’s obnoxious, with hate in his green eyes.”
“So Miranda, Mr. O’Flaherty mustn’t have been too unappealing if you noticed he had green eyes …” Felicity purposely let her voice trail off while raising her brow. “How green were they? Like the meadows of the moors?” she asked, teasing her friend.
“Oh pish-posh! Now don’t go trying to make something out of an innocent comment in passing.” Miranda scolded, shaking her head as she followed her friend into the schoolhouse.
~
Hearing the laughter of his wife, Benjamin smiled and entered his newly-arranged office to start on the Sunday service. Just as he sat down in front of the blank sheets of paper, there was a knock at the door and he said, “Yes. Come in, Megan.”
Before him stood an older girl that would have been forced to leave the orphanage if she hadn’t agreed to stay on as a maid to help with the housework in exchange for room and board and a few dollars a month.
“Begging your pardon, Reverend, Mr. James Sterling is here to see you.”
“Right. Well show him in.” As an afterthought, he quickly added. “Oh Megan, I missed you at service this morning. Was there a problem?”
“No, sir. I was helping the cook after the morning meal, before I started with my chores.”
“Hmm, that is most disturbing,” he mumbled more to himself then to the young woman. “It would appear more help is needed around here.”
Making a mental note to address that problem with the bishop, he absentmindedly said, “Please, show Mr. Sterling in.”
As James Sterling approached, Benjamin stood up and shook his hand. “James, how good of you to come by this morning. To what do I owe this honor?”
“Reverend Myles, good to see you too.” Shaking Benjamin’s hand, hoping he didn’t look as desperate as he felt. “I dropped off some extra meat and other canned goods that I thought you could use.”
“Are you serious? We can always use extra provisions. How good of you to think of us. With the budget so meager, it’s becoming a challenge to feed the children we already have, not to mention the extra ones that arrive daily.” Realizing he was rambling and seeing the distressed look on James’s face, he hastily said, “Forgive my rudeness, I’ve forgotten my manners. Come in please, and sit down if you have a moment.”
“Yes, if you have some time.”
As James took a seat in the chair Benjamin was pointing to, he politely asked, “How are you and Felicity settling in after returning from Washington? I trust your trip went well?”
“Let’s just say the trip was disappointing. Congress seems to be sympathetic, yet not willing to offer any more funding. No one seems to have an answer, yet everyday more and more children are at our doorsteps. Even though this was once a Negro orphanage, we have so many Irish immigrants that we should just change the name. I cannot imagine what I would do without Felicity. She is wonderful with the children. They take to her beautifully, and of course, now with Miranda back helping out, I hope that will help relieve some of Felicity’s burdens.”
“You are indeed a fortunate man to have such a loving and devoted wife. How many children do you care for now?”
Benjamin rubbed his beard for a moment, in thought. “Well, when we left at the latter of last month, there were just under two-hundred and seventy, but that number is now nearly up to three-hundred, in less than a month.”
“Three-hundred, where do you house them all?”
“In this building, we house the boys. Their dorms are on the second floor, and the hall on this level is filled with tables to feed all of the children, which we do in shifts with the numbers increasing daily. Then in the other smaller building, next to our living quarters over there …” Benjamin walked to the dingy windows and pointed to the red bricked building. “All the girls are in that building right next to the church.”
“Well Reverend, it does appear you have your hands full. Who takes care of the cooking and cleaning for all of these children?”
“We have a small staff, unfortunately. So, the children are responsible for making up their own beds of course, and we’ve just hired Megan, that nice young girl who showed you in, which brings us up to twelve, including Felicity and myself. Unfortunately, Megan is very young and needs direction, so she’s not much help as of yet. After the age of sixteen, children are not allowed to stay on here any longer as a pupil. So instead, Megan has elected to stay on in exchange for room and board. She’s our housekeeper.”
“Ah so sixteen is the cutting-off, age is it? Then what do they do?”
“Well, that is a problem. Them being orphans, of course they have no families, so we are supposed to help them get established elsewhere.”
“Right. And just how are you to do that?”
“Thank goodness, I’ve only got to worry about two young men for now. Since the rest of the children are younger, but eventually of course, I’ll have to make arrangements with local merchants to see if they can take them on as apprentices.”
“Hmm …” James asked while rubbing his chin in thought. “You say you have two lads now, that you must find positions for?”
“Yes. Jessup, and Christopher. Both will turn sixteen within a month.”
“Why not send them by the warehouse? Maybe I could get them started in my shipping plant?”
“That’s mighty fine of you, James. I’ll do that first thing tomorrow, right after services. I can even have you meet the young lads today if you like.” Benjamin’s enthusiasm clearly showed in his tone.
“Right. Well then that�
�s settled. Now who feeds all of them? If you don’t mind me asking of course?”
“No of course not. Molly is our cook, and Felicity comes in before the noon meal to help while Miranda keeps the younger children occupied in the courtyard. It works out, but the strain on Felicity is so great, she works from sunup to sundown tending to the children.”
“Well then why not hire more help?”
“That’s another dilemma. There are simply no funds. The bishop sympathizes with our needs, but the whole diocese is in need of financial aide, so he’s stretched things as far as he can as well. As it is, Megan’s meager monthly wage of three dollars comes directly out of our salary, but we need her and there was no other way. As it is, I’ve already dipped into Felicity’s inheritance for the children, and I will not see it dwindle to nothing …”
“I had no idea things were that desperate.”
“How ungracious of me to ramble on about our problems. Especially after you have so generously offered to help with Jessup and Christopher. Not to mention you were kind enough to deliver some much-needed food. I’m in your debt, James. Thank you! If there is ever anything I can do to assist you, I hope you won’t hesitate to ask.”
James looked at Benjamin, sheepishly. “As it turns out, the donation of food was no more then a ruse to come and speak to you today. Hell, I don’t know if it’s for guidance, or because you are the only man in the world who can appreciate how difficult it is at times being married to Lavinia. I know I have no right to ask for your help, after all that has transpired between us …” James fumbled over his words, apparently embarrassed by bringing up the past and quickly added. “But I’m desperate.”
“I see. Don’t get me wrong, James, your kindness is most appreciated for whatever the reason. However, you need not have felt it was necessary to bring food as a bribe or for that matter, offering apprenticeship for our two orphans, if you were in need of spiritual guidance. That’s assuming that’s what you’ve come to see me about this morning?”
“Yes and no. You see I was told this morning by my wife that last evening I did something shameful, unthinkable really, and I was hoping you could offer me some advice.”
“I’m not sure I follow you, James. Maybe it would be better to start at the beginning.”
“Right.” James looked at Benjamin with troubled eyes. “It’s regarding Lavinia.”
“I guessed as much. But as you know our past relationship was strained to say the least. Lavinia and I were like strangers living under the same roof, I’m afraid. So regretfully, I won’t be much good to you on advice where she is concerned. However, why not tell me what it is that has troubled you enough to come to me of all people, this morning. Perhaps I can be of some help after all. Certainly I will try, if at all possible.”
Without looking at the man before him, James began. “Marriage to Lavinia, has been shall we say … difficult. As you know, the woman has many moods, easily to be upset.”
“Yes. That I do recall. I always felt this was from her upbringing though.”
Ignoring Benjamin’s opinion, James quickly added. “Since the death of the Squire, and him leaving the lion share of his fortune to Annabelle, she has been volatile. Consumed with anger and hate.”
“I wasn’t aware of how he divvied up his holdings. Nor was it any of my concern. So are you saying Lavinia resents the division of his holdings, rather than her father’s passing?”
“I would like to have said his death, however to be frank, Lavinia resents being left with the townhouse in London while Annabelle has everything else.”
“I see … go on,” Benjamin said pensively.
“As I’ve said, her behavior has been radical, or possibly I’m seeing her for what she really is for the first time, with my eyes opened. She enjoys manipulating people. I hate to admit that, especially by manipulating me and taunting me sexually.”
“James, Lavinia is a strikingly beautiful woman. There is no doubt about it. But of these matters I’m not one who would be able to comment, nor would I want to.” Benjamin blushed, recalling how he had been seduced by her charms the time he had been physically involved with Lavinia, and quickly added, “Surely you can understand?”
Noting James hadn’t responded and sensing James needed reassurance regarding his prior involvement with Lavinia, Benjamin asked, “Is this what’s troubling you? Trust me, I know how sensitive it is with all of us living so close to one another, knowing the same people as we do. However, I can assure you, I love only Felicity.”
“No, no I understand that. And as awkward as it is, your prior involvement with my wife is not the only thing that is troubling me where you and Felicity are concerned. And although I had no intention of bringing any of this up today, since we are on the subject may I speak freely?”
“Of course.” Benjamin leaned forward, showing great concern as James continued.
“From the day we returned from our honeymoon and discovered that you and Felicity were here … Well, in truth, our relationship took a turn for the worse. Of course, receiving a copy of Randolph’s will from his solicitor only made matters worse, compounded by the fact that Annabelle was traveling extensively through Europe with Rupert, which caused Lavinia to become bitter and angry. Reliving the past daily, she recalled those events that caused her to be excommunicated from the life she had once known. I’m sure you have seen how agitated she is every time she happens to run into you or Felicity. It’s as if she must face her past all over again. As a result, I’ve been spending more and more time at the club to avoid her tantrums.”
Leaning forward in his chair, James added. “In truth I’ve enjoyed the drink far too much in excess, which seems only to add to our difficulties as she constantly reminds me of your virtuous behavior. So much so that I have grown to hate the sight of you. And have taken pleasure in Lavinia’s demeaning you and Felicity at every opportunity.”
James’s words obviously caused him distress, and as he glanced down at the floor, Benjamin, feeling the other man’s pain, putting his own personal feelings aside, spoke as a man of the cloth.
“As I’m sure you have come to realize, alcohol is only an escape. It serves no purpose other than to mask your burdens and can only create more.”
Judging by Benjamin’s demeanor, James felt confident he had drawn him into his confidence and said, “Reverend, I know that only too well. Last night is proof of that.”
“What happened last night?” Benjamin asked with genuine concern.
“I think the more appropriate question would be, what didn’t happen last night?” James said, looking up at the puzzled Benjamin.
“I don’t follow?”
“This morning I have been accused of attacking my wife last evening. Forcing myself on her.” James’ voice was barely audible watching Benjamin’s eyes closely paying particular attention to his reaction by saying Lavinia had been attacked.
“Are you saying Lavinia has accused you of defiling her sexually? Forgive me James, for asking such a question. But is there any truth to her accusation?”
Compelled to exonerate himself of any wrongdoing to the man whom he knew capable of such an act himself, having been told on countless times by Lavinia how Benjamin had been a wild beast, James said, “No. I’m certain of it. I’ll admit I was drinking. Quite heavily in fact, but I did not force myself on her. This may seem hard to believe, but the truth is Lavinia seduced me, as only she can do being a master temptress.”
Suddenly realizing the irony of speaking such a topic with James, Benjamin stirred in his chair as James continued.
“Don’t misunderstand, my manly needs were met all right, however there was never any force on my part. This I’m certain of.”
“Just how can you be certain? You have just confessed that you were filled with the drink, and possibly under this influence …”
James was not going to give the high and mighty hypocrite that sat before him any opportunity of giving himself an excuse for the heinous crime he ha
d committed against his wife, so he responded loudly. “No! I recall her drawing me to her, pulling me even to her …”
As James recalled the events of the prior evening, his anger and hatred increased for the man who had caused his marriage to sour.
Following the wedding of Elise and Joshua, James had gone straight to his study with Lavinia complaining how he had done nothing to prevent her from looking like a fool by Felicity’s friend, Elise. James recalled how he had thrown up his arms in desperation, yelling back. “For God sake Lavinia, what in the hell were you doing greeting guests anyway? Surely you and Vivian had to have known this was not your place.”
“Why would I expect you to understand? For the past two years all I’ve heard out of your mouth is I’m in the wrong. Always siding with Benjamin and that precious little tart of his! Have you forgotten what they did to me?” she snarled. “Why must I continue to bear the shame and humiliation of our pasts in England while the two of them are adored by all living a lie?”
“Look, that was a long time ago and still you harbor a grudge. Let it go!”
“Are you insane? How can I let it go when I know what a conniving little bitch Felicity really is and what a monster she is married to? Or, are you too drunk again to see what I mean? How many drinks did you have at the club before coming to the reception?” Lavinia had asked accusingly.
James had yelled back to her snide comments defensively. “Apparently not enough! Besides, what is the harm if I had a little too much to drink? As I recall, you enjoy a good belt every now and then yourself.” Gulping back his drink in hand he had said, “Is it any wonder I find refuge at the club? You never want to talk about anything but the damned Myles’. Hell, we rarely are together anymore, not like before we were married … back in England things were so different.”
“Always the same tripe, I’ve changed, I’m not the sweet girl I once was … Honestly, James, you really are becoming such a bore. Sounding more like that old crotchety Alfred Honeycutt everyday,” Lavinia spouted, turning on her heels to enter the sitting room of their master suite.
