By Way of the Rose

by Cynthia M. Ward

  “Will we be making a lot of trips back and forth from Rochester to Tennessee?”

  “A few, yes. But I'll probably have to start work when I get back. It takes a lot of my time. But you can go back and forth as much as you'd like.”

  “Alone? Just me?”

  “Sure... It'll be fine. You can do anything you set your mind to.”

  “John, I really don't think I'll ever want to go back.”

  “Is that so?”

  “Yeah. I'll miss them, but I won't miss that situation at all. I never could help myself or have an opinion without being scorned. This is my new life... my chance to break free.”

  “I know how you feel, Sarah.” John looked out the window and smiled. “I guess I stopped taking the time to look out the window, it still gives me that feeling too. I suppose it doesn't matter how many times you travel, it's exciting. And your being here makes it even more exciting for me. I'm glad you're here to share and show me what I've been ignoring.”

  When they stepped off the train in Rochester, Sarah was amazed at the hustle and bustle of this place. There were people going and coming everywhere. A noise echoed through the station all the time. Not just one noise that you could point to and say, oh, that's it. This was a sort of continuous hum that was there all the time. Sarah felt her stomach tighten up with excitement. She liked it!

  “Hello, Sir,” a man dressed in a funny looking costume spoke to John. “Mr. Tyson sent me to bring you both home.”

  “That will be fine, Ben.” John took Sarah by the arm as she reached down to pick up her luggage. “Leave it there.”

  “But I can't leave my luggage here!”

  “No, Madam, I will get that for you,” Ben informed her.

  “I can get it. It's not heavy.”

  “That's what he does, Sarah. Just let him. Makes him feel bad if you don't.”

  “I see.” She smiled. Then the man led them to a fancy looking box on wheels called a carriage. “I've seen these things in pictures, John. But never thought I'd ride in one.”

  “It's a might different from the old buckboard, isn't it?” John laughed.

  “You can say that again!” Sarah's eyes were wide. The man opened the door and held out his hand towards her. She climbed in and sank down into the soft crushed velvet seat. She had never seen such comfort and richness in her life. This was so fancy it belonged in a parlor, and not in a means of transportation. John climbed in and sat beside her.

  “Pretty fine indeed, huh? Almost fit for my Princess!” He winked at her.

  “It's beyond anything I've ever known!”

  “Just wait till you get to the house.”

  “It's fancier than this?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement.

  “Perhaps,” John chuckled.

  The carriage came to a stop in front of a very large house. It loomed before Sarah as she stood on the sidewalk in front of it. The grounds were perfectly manicured, the house was white and stately with columns and a balcony in front. A fountain in the form of a cherub pouring water out of a bucket stood in the middle of the front yard. It flowed from the first small level, to the next and next then into the large pool with a relaxing sound. Its trickling music reminded Sarah of the mountain stream back home.

  “This is where you've lived all these years, John?”

  “Be it ever so humble.” He grinned.

  “No wonder you didn't want to come home again!” Sarah stretched her eyes. “I wouldn't want to leave here either.”

  “This is all well and good, but none of it even comes close to you.”

  “Me, above such elegance?”

  “Yes, you, my Princess.” He took her hand as they walked up to the mansion.

  When John knocked on the front door, a short young woman answered. Her auburn hair was fixed in a loose bun with ringlets falling haphazardly here and there. Her face was pretty, with skin smooth and white as a china doll's.

  “Have a room for a wandering man?” John teased.

  “Mr. DuVal, sir! What's ‘appened to ya?” She looked at him in horror. Sarah noticed her funny accent.

  “Is something wrong with me?”

  “Sir, ya know good and well yer face is all busted up!”

  “Oh, that.” John touched his swollen eye. “That'll teach me to play poker with an extra deck!”

  “What?” She looked confused.

  “I was caught cheating at poker, Tess.” John teased.

  “Oh... ye are bad, ye are! Ye know better than that!”

  “Are you going to leave us out here all day? Now that would be what I'd call, bad!”

  “Of course not, sir. Come right in. Yer room is just as you left it. Just as ye ordered.”

  “Oh no, I'd better get up there and clean it then before my sister sees it! She'll think I'm a slob.”

  “Ain't ye that, sir?”

  “I'm just as sloppy as the maid lets me be!”

  “Oh, so now ‘tis bein’ my fault, it ‘tis?”

  “I didn't say that.”

  “I may not be as quick in mind as ye, sir. yet accordin’ to me limited thinkin’ there's no other way of understandin’ it!” She cut her gaze at him.

  “Now, Tess, don't get your back up. Not before you've had a chance to meet my sister.”

  The small woman looked Sarah up and down. “Hum, you two look nothin’ alike. And you're a bit shy aren't ye missy? Not at all like your big lug of a brother here!”

  “I'm a bit shy at first, yes. But I warm up quickly.” Sarah looked at the short servant woman. She couldn't be more than five feet tall. Sarah towered over her but she couldn't deny that Tess was rather pretty and she smiled at John just like Shane smiled at her. Tess's fiery green eyes were fixed intently on him. Then, Sarah knew the truth. This woman was in love with John! The way he carried on with her, did he love her too? Sarah felt a twinge of jealousy over the situation. She resented the relationship John and this strange woman shared. But she quickly scolded herself for feeling that way. These people are his friends, Sarah DuVal! They've been with him many years and he should care for them and they should care for him! Sarah smiled warmly at Tess, the maid.

  “We got your telegram and I did freshen up your room and had the ajoinin’ apartment fixed up for yer sister.

  “That's fine, Tess.”

  “Will ye be takin’ your dinner in the dining room or in yer rooms?”

  “I think we'll keep to the rooms tonight. We're both tired from the trip.”

  “Well then, I'll be bringin’ it up to ye soon as ‘tis ready.”

  John led Sarah up the grand staircase. The railing swirled upward in rich dark wood that was artfully carved in elaborate designs. At the top was a hallway. You could turn either left or right. John led her to the right then left again and they were walking down a fabulous white hall. Doors lined both sides with elegant carved wood framing. When they reached the end of that hall, John opened the door to the last room. “Welcome to my home away from home.” He motioned for her to enter. The room was warmly lit by two lamps, one on either side of the door. There were two plush chairs sitting in front of an ornate fireplace. Two very large windows overlooked the gardens.

  Though it was dusky evening now, Sarah could still see the bright pinks, reds and yellows of the rose garden. “This is grand, John! Truly grand. I can't believe I'm actually here. I can't believe you live here. This is unlike anything I could have ever imagined.”

  “You should have seen the place I lived when I first moved up here. Drab, nasty, rat infested hole in the wall! I don't know how I survived that.” There was a knock at the door. John turned to the door and admitted Tess with a large tray of food. She crossed the room and placed it on a small table between the two windows. John pulled out one of the plush high back chairs and motioned for Sarah to sit.

  “Thank you, sir.” She giggled, acting prim and proper as she sat down.

  “You are most welcome Princess.” John bowed to her.

  “Royalty indeed!” T
ess laughed and rolled her eyes as she left the room.

  “She's a funny sort isn't she, John, with that accent and all?”

  “She keeps me in stitches. She loves to pick on people but when they pick back, she gets offended. We all have great fun with her temper.” John sat across the table from Sarah. “I guess that's the Irish in her, a real fiery woman, she is.”

  Sarah giggled and placed the linen napkin embroidered with ETC on her lap. “What's that stand for?”

  “Emerald Clyde Tyson. The fella who owns all this. He's a good sort too.”

  “I'm glad to see that you have happy people around you.” In fact, she didn't think Tess was truly happy, she got an odd feeling from her but she chalked it up to her own jealousy. “That's what we all should do, surround ourselves with happy and friendly people.” Sarah tasted her soup. “There was none of this kind of ‘play picking’ at home. It was always so grim and serious. Just pure grumpiness.”

  “We have no grumps around here. We're all just like playful children, I suppose.”

  “Everyone?”

  “Just wait till you meet the others. You'll see what I mean.”

  “I can't wait!” Sarah smiled as she took a drink and dabbed at her lips with the corner of her finely embroidered napkin.

  Chapter Thirteen

  * * * *

  Early the next morning, John, anxious to show Sarah all the wonders of Rochester, knocked on her door. “Rise and shine,” he called out. “The day can't start without you, sunshine!”

  Sarah stretched before sitting up in bed and rubbing her eyes. She looked around, still a bit shocked by being here. Then quickly got up and put on her robe.

  “What time is it?” She peeped through the door.

  “Almost eight. The sun is over the trees already, lazy bones! Come on, get ready. There's so much I want to show you... so much we have to do.”

  “What are we going to do?”

  “First of all, we're going shopping. We have to get you some big city clothes to wear.”

  “But, John, I have no money.”

  “Come on. I'm buying!”

  “I can't let you do that. I'll be getting a job soon and can buy my own clothes.”

  “First you need decent clothes to get that job, don't ya know? Come on!”

  “Just give me a minute.” Sarah got up and dressed in a hurry.

  They went on an all-day shopping spree. Buying dresses, shoes, gloves, hats and under things. “You're going to be the best dressed girl around!” he told her.

  “With all these new clothes, I know I will be! I hope I can afford to pay you back.”

  “They're gifts.” He paused as they passed by a shop window. “Look at that.”

  “What is it?”

  “That, right there.” John pointed to a gold locket in the window.

  “It's very pretty.” Sarah walked on.

  “Wait, come on... let's go inside and see how it looks on you.”

  “No, John! I mean it. No more! I'll already have to work half my life to pay this back.”

  “It can't hurt to try it on. Besides, I told you, these are gifts. You don't have to pay me back.”

  “Try it on... Just try it on... That's what you said about the last two shops we went in and we walked out with more boxes. I'm not going in there and I'm not trying on that necklace and that's final!”

  “You don't want to see how it looks?”

  “John, you're just feeding my bad side. Of course I want fine things, but you're taking it too far!”

  “Have you ever seen a princess without some kind of fine jewelry? Doesn't my Princess deserve the best of everything?”

  “Well, I already have the best standing right here beside me.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “I don't need a lot of things to make me feel special when I have you!” John's look became deep as his eyes transfixed on her. He reached out and caressed her face. Sarah had seen this look before from Shane, but surely she was misreading it now. Perhaps imagining something in his gaze that wasn't there. All she would ever be was his little Princess. “Do you want me to have that necklace that bad?” she said with an awkward laugh. “I do love being spoiled, but this is more than enough. It's almost shameful!”

  “I— I want to get you these things for you. I want to see the necklace on you. Will you give me what I want?”

  “Not today. Not until I get a job so I can pay you back for some of this falderal.”

  “Like I said, these are gifts. I've missed a lot and now I'm making up for it. At least I'm trying to if you'll let me.”

  “You never missed sending us gifts and money. But that isn't what I wanted. I wanted you.”

  John wrapped his arm around Sarah. “You have me.” He kissed her on the forehead. “You will have me forever and always. But you can have that locket too.” He grinned down at her.

  “But not today, my darling brother. Let's go home now.” Sarah smiled back at him.

  “As you wish. You can wear one of your new dresses to dinner this evening. Won't the eyes be popping then!”

  “Where are we going?”

  “It's just dinner at the boarding house, but they always make it a special occasion on Friday evenings. I can't wait to show you off. Everyone will be there.”

  “Can't we just take our dinner in the room again tonight? I think I'd be too nervous to eat around all those strange people.”

  “And miss this opportunity to wear one of those beautiful dresses? There's nothing to be nervous about. Everyone wants to meet you and they're all just as good as gold!”

  “I suppose I have to meet them sooner or later.”

  “That's my brave Princess! You'll be so glad when you do, they're all good people and I mean the best of the best.”

  “Well now you have me looking forward to it, if you're sure there's none of those Tennessee Eastland type snobs here.”

  “Nah, we don't put up with goodie-goodies.”

  Sarah wasn't sure about how she should fix her hair. She'd never worn it in any style. She'd always just pinned it back from her face. But dressing up required something more, she knew that. She fussed with her hair trying to get it balled up like the maid's. She thought Tess's style looked just beautiful, but try as she might, she could not get her hair to fall in those lovely ringlets. She was disappointed with it but decided it looked better than her usual pinned-back style, this would have to do. She put on layer after layer of under things. The pantalets first, then first petticoat, then Tess laced up the corset, then more petticoats, then the bustle before topping all this with the lovely wine colored frock. She blushed as she thought about the woman in the shop showing her how to arrange them all in the right order. She looked in the mirror as the first dinner bell rang throughout the house. Right or wrong, this was it. Her time was up. She went down the stairs and stepped into the parlor full of people, but her eyes rested on John. He sat in front of the fireplace dressed in his dinner suit. Sarah noticed how dashing he was as he stood up looking at her. Then she sensed it again, the feeling she got from that strange man she'd seen in town and felt so drawn to. He was back, his eyes calling out to her, she could feel her cheeks flush and quickly looked away. Oh Sarah, you stupid girl, What's wrong with you? This is John! she scolded herself back into reality.

  “My, my... you're a vision,” John exclaimed.

  “My hair isn't right,” Sarah stuttered. “You look mighty handsome in that suit. I've never seen you in a suit before. You look so different.”

  “Yeah, we both look fine, don't we? I have something for you.” He pulled the locket from his pocket and put it around her neck. “Now, let's go show off,” John said as dinner was announced.

  “You shouldn't have!” she gasped as she opened the golden, oval shaped, treasure. There he had placed a small photograph of himself.

  “There, now you'll have me with you always.” He held his arm out to her. Sarah wrapped her arm around his and in this moment she felt that his was the only arm she
'd ever want to hold to. It felt so natural, so safe and warm. She wished this man was anyone but John as he led her to the dining room.

  Everyone was seated around a long table. Tall silver candelabras were placed in a line down its middle with candles flickering in each one. Beautiful bowls of roses, babies’ breath and ferns were sitting in decorative sprays between each candelabra. The white tablecloth was scalloped with beautiful designs woven along its edges. China plates and crystal glasses gleamed in the candlelight. Sarah felt every eye in the room following her as she and John walked the entire length of the table and sat very close to the end. There were three other women at the table. The rest were men.

  She looked at the women's hair. Theirs was nothing like hers or Tess's. Their hair was neatly swept up with tight pretty ringlets strategically placed on their heads. They were beautiful. The most captivating was a young negro woman about her age. Her almond shaped eyes followed Sarah. Suddenly, Sarah wanted to run from the room. She wasn't dressed right, she knew it! John had let her come to dinner looking like a fool! She felt every eye looking at every little wisp of flyaway hair that she had purposely pulled out of the bun to create the glamorous style of Tess, the maid! The most horrible fact to Sarah was that hers didn't even look as nice as Tess's.

  Mortified, Sarah noticed the fixed stare of a red-haired man sitting across the table from them. His face boasted a large crooked nose and full puckered lips. His gleaming white teeth were a little bucked yet everything came together to fit his impish personality handsomely. She tried to ignore him by looking around at other things. She hoped beyond hope that he would look somewhere else, but alas, his bright hazel eyes were still fixed on her no matter what she did. She started to feel even more inept.

  John took his seat beside Sarah. He began to introduce her to everyone. She just wanted to crawl under the table and disappear. She didn't care who any of them were! “This is my sister, Sarah. Sarah, these are all my friends... ” He went around the vast table calling their names— names that she would most likely forget as soon as she'd heard them. But as he called out the red haired man's name, she knew it would be burned into her mind from then on as he was still staring at her. “There is Amos Douglas Mahaffey, but we all call him Doug.” The man winked at her before she looked on to the next person.