The Letter (Carter Sisters Series Book 4)

by Morgan Dawson

  “Good morning, Lydia? It’s, Lydia, right?” Ophelia stands, making her way to the counter. “I’ll get you some eggs and bacon.”

  “Thank you,” I say, moving to sit down in the chair I’d been sitting in last night. Last night…when I cried in front of someone. How embarrassing. And to think a week ago I wouldn’t have even wanted to talk to someone. It’s like hard times make you do strange things.

  I look to the other girl I haven’t met yet who’s sitting in the chair beside Oliver. Her brown hair looks much the same as Oliver’s and hangs down in neat waves.

  He must notice me looking at her and smiles. “This is my youngest sister Ada.”

  She looks up from her plate and gives me a small smile. She must be nervous. I don’t blame her. I feel much the same, but I don’t really have much choice but to talk to these strangers.

  “It’s nice to meet you, Ada,” I say as Ophelia sets the plate of food in front of me.

  It smells good, and I smile, still feeling hungry from yesterday.

  “So, I was thinking,” Oliver starts, “that we go to the town hall and see if we can find records or something about the lady you’re trying to find.”

  I nod, taking the fork in my hand. “That sounds good.”

  Ophelia smiles, her bright green eyes sparkling. Her hair is different from Oliver’s and Ada’s. Hers is a dark brown, and straighter.

  “Oliver told us about the letter your ma wrote to you before she passed away. That’s such a lovely thing for you to have, and I do hope you can find who you’re looking for. It’ll be such fun.”

  I look up at her and raise my eyebrows. “My sister said the exact same thing before I left, and so far, this journey has not proven to be fun in any way.”

  “Did you ride on a train?” Ada speaks to me for the first time, her voice soft and quiet.

  “Yes. I did.”

  Ophelia grins. “What was it like?”

  I give a faint smile, thinking back to my trip. “Terrifying but incredible at the same time.”

  Ada looks up to Oliver. “We should go on one sometime.”

  He lets out a breath. “Why? What would be the point of going on a train if there’s nowhere we need to go?”

  “I don’t know. For the experience.”

  “Sorry. That reason isn’t enough.” Oliver smiles.

  When I’m done eating, Ophelia clears my plate and begins to wash the dishes.

  “Do you need help?” I offer.

  “No. It’s fine. I think Oliver’s going to take you to the town hall soon anyway.”

  “Yes.” He comes back into the room, his hands in his pockets. “Lydia. You can leave your belongings here until we know for sure where Anna is.”

  “All right.” I stand up and push my chair in.

  Oliver opens the door, and I almost want to run and hide, instead of stepping out into the streets of this city again.

  “I’ll be home soon,” Oliver says, taking his dark brown hat off the hook.

  I step outside and look around, making sure that man isn’t out here. It’s warm outside and the sun is shining. There are lots of people walking around, and a child laughs in the distance.

  “You know,” I say as Oliver shuts the door. “It’s a lot less scary out here when there’s light.”

  He begins walking. “Yes. This area of Northwood is bad for people staggering out of the saloons. Lots of gambling happens here at night and fighting. It’s too bad you had to see Northwood’s bad side first.”

  “It’s definitely different than what I’m used to,” I say, falling into step beside him.

  We walk down the edge of the street, and a man pulling a wagon drives past us.

  “What’s it like where you’re from?”

  “Well.” I smile. “Everyone knows everyone in the area. I lived on a farm with my family, but there’s a little town called Riverbend. It’s quite small. Only enough houses for those who live there, a mercantile, church, and a schoolhouse. Though they’re working on expanding.”

  Oliver chuckles. “Is that why you came expecting someone to know who you were wanting to find?”

  “Yes. I mean I knew Northwood was large, but I figured someone would at least know her.”

  “We’ll find her.”

  We walk in silence for a while before I turn my head to look up at him. “Thank you, by the way, for stepping in yesterday. You could’ve not gotten involved, but you did. I will pay you the money you gave to that man. I have some from my father.”

  “I don’t want your money. And I would never not have stopped to help someone. I was watching you for a while when those two men first started fighting. I knew it could get bad.”

  “Wait. Where were you?”

  “Somewhere.”

  I smile. “Okay, that’s helpful.”

  “I was walking home.”

  “Oh.”

  We keep walking. I have no idea where we’re going, but I’m hoping Oliver does.

  “Do you like living in this part of town that’s like this?” I ask.

  He smiles. “It’s not bad during the day…”

  “But at night it is. Don’t you worry about your sisters when they’re alone?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Isn’t there somewhere else you could go?”

  Oliver lets out a breath. “There is, but I can’t leave.”

  “Why?”

  “You sure ask a lot of questions.” He chuckles.

  “Sorry.”

  He sighs. “I can’t leave because of my father, but that’s all I’m telling you.”

  I smile. “That’s okay. I’m sorry that you’re having to deal with this right now. I could just walk there myself and figure it out. I’m sure you’ve got things you’d rather be doing.”

  “I really don’t mind. And besides, I was thinking if one of my sisters were in this position I would want someone to help them get home, or wherever they needed to go.”

  “Thank you,” I pause before continuing. “I have four sisters.”

  “You’re very lucky then.”

  Smiling, I think of my sisters. “Yes. Yes I am.”

  We keep walking now in silence, in the direction Oliver says the town hall is. And what we’ll find there I don’t know. Either my ticket to the adventure I came out here for or the plan of going home.

  And for some odd reason, I hope I don’t end up going home just yet. I feel like my adventure has only begun.

  Chapter 12

  We step into a small building and inside the door is a man sitting at a long table.

  “Good day,” he says, looking up from some papers.

  “Good day, Mr. Walton,” Oliver says, making his way over to the table. “I need some help and I’m hoping you can help me.”

  I decide to follow him to the desk, and stand beside him as Mr. Walton looks at me.

  “All right. What do we need?”

  “Do you have records of someone named Anna Harris?” Oliver asks.

  Mr. Walton lets out a breath. “I can go look. I might be a minute.”

  He goes into a different room and shuts the door behind him.

  “Mr. Walton was a friend of my father’s. That’s how I know him.” Oliver smiles and sits down on a chair.

  I do the same. “Was?”

  “My father’s a little busy with…other things right now.”

  “Oh,” I only manage to say. I feel like he’s hiding something. I mean, I don’t blame him. I’m only a lost woman he found and is trying to help. It’s not my business really.

  We remain seated for what seems like hours, but I know it’s only been a few minutes. I’m so nervous that Anna Harris isn’t in Northwood anymore.

  Soon Mr. Walton steps out of the room with some papers in his hand, so Oliver and I make our way back to the table.

  “Okay, so I have records here for…let me see.” He traces his finger along the paper until he spots it. “For Mr. Andrew Harris. And we have some marriage records f
or Mr. Andrew Harris and Mrs. Anna Harris.”

  I let out a breath, smiling. I don’t feel so faint anymore.

  Oliver smiles down at me, then looks back to Mr. Walton. “Where can we find them?”

  “I’ll write it out for you.”

  “Thank you,” I say to Mr. Walton. He’s the only one who knew where to find Anna. And now I feel like I’m actually going to make it to where I’m meant to be.

  He smiles before quickly writing out some information.

  Oliver takes the paper and puts it in his pocket. “You ever ridden in a carriage?”

  “No.”

  He smiles. “Well you’re about to.”

  I smile as he opens the door for me and step out onto the streets of Northwood to follow Oliver.

  Northwood is not so scary when there’s daylight. And when you’re with someone who knows the way.

  I pick up my skirts a little and match the quick pace of Oliver.

  * * *

  We’re seated in the carriage now. I run my hands along the red velvet fabric of the seats. The inner carriage is a circular shape. Much different from the rectangular shape of the wagon I’m used to. And this one is covered with a different hard material, unlike the worn fabric cover of the wagon at home.

  The outer part of the carriage is lovely. Dark brown with red trim. Almost the same as the one Abigale had gotten into, only with different colors.

  Abigale. I wonder how she’s doing with her aunt. I must write to her soon.

  “What do you think?” Oliver smiles from the seat across from me.

  “It’s…incredible. Is it yours?”

  He lets out a quick laugh. “No. We don’t even own a regular wooden wagon. For the amount we go out, it’s easier to just walk. Plus, these are rather expensive.”

  I smile. “Oh. Back home we only have a wooden one. We use it a lot, though, because being on a farm, we can’t walk anywhere.”

  “Yes. That would make sense. This one we’re riding in is a type of chauffeur business. I gave them the address and now they take us there for a fee.”

  I feel my stomach sink. Fee. Of course, this wouldn’t be free. “How much was it? I have money.”

  “No. I told you, I don’t want your money. This is your first trip to Northwood and I don’t want you to think of it as some home for a bunch of fighting, drunk men.”

  “It’s better in the daylight.”

  He smiles. “I’m glad. Plus, I haven’t gotten to ride in one of these for a while, so it’s kind of nice.”

  “My sisters, I think they’d like this.”

  “Yes?”

  I think of my sisters sitting here with me. “My oldest sister Darlene would likely feel uncomfortable in here, knowing how expensive it is. Then Adeline, she would be so enthralled by the beauty of it. And Genevieve would probably be looking out the window the whole time, talking about the sights. And Hazel.” I smile. “She would be right beside me, laughing at what an adventure we were on.”

  Oliver gives a small smile. “You miss them?”

  “Incredibly so.”

  “I couldn’t imagine leaving my sisters.”

  “Yes, but the letter had clear instructions. And most of them are married now anyway.”

  He lets out a breath. “Ophelia. I love her dearly, but she is very…angry at our father. She wants us to move away and start a new life somewhere. Her feelings toward my father are starting to rub off on Ada now. I’m the only one who wants to give him a second chance.”

  “Where is your father?”

  “He’s not home much.”

  “Your ma?”

  Oliver eyes soften. “She was wonderful. Always did so much for me and my sisters. But she died of heart problems when I was seventeen.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  We ride the rest of the way in silence until we stop moving and the door opens. Oliver jumps down, then offers his hand for me to take.

  I carefully step down onto the cobbled sidewalk. It seems better here, wherever here, is.

  There’s not as many people walking around, but still much more than I’d like.

  I look up at the building we’re standing in front of. It’s massive—two stories high and made of some sort of smooth, white material. There are intricate designs around the windows, and large pillars in the front.

  “Lydia? Who is this Anna Harris?” Oliver chuckles, shielding his eyes to look up at the house.

  “Well, I’m not so sure, but let’s go in.” I smile, feeling excited as I quickly walk up the steps to the house.

  The door is large as well. Double the size of any door I’ve ever seen. A golden colored trim makes a floral design.

  Oliver knocks and we wait a few minutes. I wonder if anyone is home.

  Soon the door slowly opens, revealing an older man dressed in a black-and-white outfit.

  “Good day, Mr…?”

  “Hayes.”

  “Right, Mr. Hayes, and Miss…?”

  I smile. “Carter. We’re here to call on Mrs. Harris.”

  “All right, please come in, and I will fetch Sir Harris.”

  We step inside the door, and I look up at the high ceilings. There is a massive staircase on the opposite end of the room, with doors leading to an unknown place.

  The man who greeted us steps into another room.

  “Oliver?” I whisper.

  “What?”

  I look around. “This is crazy.”

  “You’ll have a more than comfortable stay it seems.”

  The man who must be Anna’s husband, steps out of a room at the end of the long hallway. His hair is a grayish brown, and he’s dressed in a simple suit.

  Then, to my relief, a lady steps out. She has long brown hair and is dressed in a lovely pink dress with a deep purple satin sash hanging from one shoulder and down her back.

  I swallow the lump in my throat and try to smile, but I’m sure it looks like I’m in pain.

  “Lydia?” The woman says.

  “Yes.”

  She raises her white, gloved hands to her face, before moving to pull me into a quick hug.

  “Your mother. Oh you, poor girl. I knew you would be coming sometime this year, but I wasn’t sure when. As soon as Mr. Owens said Carter, I just knew it was you. I’m Mrs. Harris but you may call me Anna. Your mother and I were very close friends when she lived here. I wish I could’ve been able to meet you and your sisters when you were younger.”

  I don’t know what to say, so I just smile and nod.

  Anna’s brown eyes move to Oliver beside me. “And who’s this?”

  “Well you see, my ma didn’t give me clear instructions on how to find you. I got off the train yesterday with the instructions to ask around for you. But no one knew who you were. And it’s a long story, but basically he helped me find where to go.”

  “Well thank you, Mr. Hayes. That was your name, right?”

  “Yes. I’m glad I was able to help. If you’re good now, Lydia, I can go back to the house and bring your bags here for you.”

  Sir Harris says the first thing since he came. “Nonsense. One of my chauffeurs will give you a ride home. Then the carriage will bring her things back.”

  “Thank you, sir.” Oliver smiles, turning to face me. “Goodbye, Lydia. I hope you enjoy your stay in Northwood.”

  “Thank you for all of your help, Oliver. It’s much appreciated.”

  He nods, before stepping back outside the door. I watch as he walks down the path, where a man is waiting to help him into a black carriage.

  The man who greeted us, who I now know as Mr. Owens, shuts the door before I can see anything else.

  “Come into the sitting room, dear. You must’ve had a long journey, and we’d all love to hear about it.”

  Anna smiles, resting her hand on my back as she walks toward the room they came from.

  I follow after them and know I have a lot of explaining to do.

  Chapter 13

  It’s been a few h
ours since Oliver dropped me off here. I’m now sitting in a chair that I assume is very expensive based on the floral design decorating it. This room alone is probably the same size as my whole house.

  This is a very odd way of life. One I’m feeling rather uncomfortable about.

  But I’ve explained everything to them. How I got here, what happened, and how I had to find them.

  I also was introduced to Anna’s three kids.

  The eldest is Josephine, she’s eighteen, the same as me. They all have the same dark brown hair but hers is styled in a pinned-up braid. Sadie’s a few years younger than Josephine. And Russell is the youngest at thirteen.

  There’s a lot to take in here. The fact that there are servants is something I never thought of.

  “Well, Lydia,” Anna starts. “I’m sure you’re eager to get settled. Josephine will show you to where you will be staying. Your bags have already been brought up. And I will call for your maid to come and attend to you. She’ll help you to get ready for supper.”

  “My maid?” I raise my eyebrows, standing up.

  Josephine intervenes. “Your lady’s maid. She will be looking after you while you’re here.”

  “Oh yes. I remember now,” I lie.

  I follow Josephine out into the main entrance. She turns in the direction of the large white staircase, covered in a dark blue carpet.

  “This is beautiful.”

  Josephine smiles. “My father takes great pride in his home.”

  I follow her up the stairs. I realize as we’re halfway up how many there really are. I’m not used to climbing such a large staircase.

  We reach a large door, and she pushes it open, revealing a lovely room.

  “Here’s your room. Your maid should be here soon.” Josephine smiles, shutting the door once I step inside.

  I take a minute to observe everything in this room. The floor is a dark brown and the walls have a pink, floral design. The bed is massive with a white bedspread and enough pillows to supply my whole family.

  A fancy table sits by the window, with a matching chair.

  And on the opposite side of my bed are some drawers for my things.

  I cross the room and pull the sheer pink curtains across. I look out the window and can see down on what I believe is the whole city. Buildings everywhere and people walking around on the street.