From the stunned expression, Wyatt hadn’t expected as much. When he cleared his throat, everyone pretended not to notice the tears he blinked away.
“Wonderful dinner,” Elias said to Aurora. “Best meal in a long time.” He quickly recovered and turned to Esther. “Of course, you’re learning very well, too.”
It was too late. Her breath caught and her chest constricted like a band around her lungs. Esther managed a weak smile. “Dinner was very good,” she repeated to Aurora.
“Esther did most of the cooking. I just helped her a little.” It was not true. In actuality, Aurora had done most of the cooking while Esther learned to make the biscuits, which were hard and not quite edible.
Why had she not realized how hard it would be away from Philadelphia before coming? She was not cut out for life there in the west. No matter how hard she tried, it was not in her nature to want to cook or do all those things most women seemed to find joy in. Sewing was the only thing she loved.
And when she’d asked her husband about sewing to sell, Elias did not want to like the idea of her need to do something to earn money on her own.
Of course, being that she couldn’t cook a simple meal, it was true she needed to focus her energy on at least them having edible meals before pushing him to allow her to sew for others.
Thankfully, the conversation turned away from the meal as they began planning to visit Wilhelmina and Lucille the following day. Only she and Aurora would go as Elias pronounced there was too much work to do there.
Wyatt was volunteered to drive the wagon and the boy eagerly agreed. Esther was glad to hear they’d return in time for supper. She needed to ensure she and Elias would be together nightly.
* * *
The lantern remained lit as Esther slid between the covers. Barely able to keep her eyes open after all the activity of the day, she hoped Elias wouldn’t be too long. Once they made love, which she hoped would be a speedy affair, she could finally allow slumber.
By the time Elias came in, she had almost lost the battle to remain awake. “I expected you’d be here sooner. I am so very tired and need to sleep.”
His gaze met hers and he frowned. “Why didn’t you go to sleep then?”
“Because. We have to... I mean... we should...” unsure of what to say, she finished with a long sigh. “Hurry, Elias. Come to bed.”
“No.” He stood with his hands on his hips, scowl firmly in place. “If you don’t enjoy it, why do you keep insisting we have relations nightly?”
“What does it matter if I enjoy it or not?” Impatience pushed the fogginess of sleep way. “Honestly, Elias. It’s your duty. Come to bed.”
He undressed, leaving his underpants on. He slid in beside her, but then promptly turned his back. “Good night.”
Unsure of what to do, Esther stared at his back. Did her husband refuse her? Would it only be a matter of time before he moved into a separate bedroom?
A sob escaped. She tried to hide it by shoving her face into the pillow.
“Are you crying?” Elias asked in a resigned tone. “Don’t cry.”
She let out a soft sniffle. “No.”
Elias rolled to her. “Please, don’t cry.” He began to kiss her. Once it was evident they’d make love, Esther allowed the sensations of his touches to fill her.
Unlike other times when it was functional for a purpose, this time it felt different.
When he finally slept beside her, Esther prayed for a child and allowed slumber to overtake her while lying in his arms.
* * *
“Every night!” Wilhelmina exclaimed and leaned over laughing. “Poor Elias.”
“Stop it. Stop it,” Lucille was holding her stomach, leaning over, tears trailing down her face. “I can’t laugh anymore.”
Unlike the others, Aurora tried to maintain a straight face. But it was obvious she fought as her lips quivered. “I do believe Esther needs our sympathy. Honestly, ladies, you’re going to make her cry.”
“I’m already crying, so I don’t feel bad,” Eleanor quipped, wiping at her face. “I can only imagine what our husbands would think if Elias complains to them.”
Once again, the group dissolved into laughter. Unable to keep from it, Esther joined in. She, finally, was able to speak clearly. “I have to make sure I can give him children.”
“He’ll be too tired to raise them,” Lucille said and they began laughing again.
It was later, after the subject finally changed, that Eleanor spoke to her. Putting her hand over Esther’s, she gave her a reassuring smile.
“It took me years before I came to be with child. As a matter of fact, I’d convinced myself it would be all right if James and I didn’t. We’d stopped talking about it, mostly because there was nothing left to say. I know James wanted children and my heart broke more for him than myself. Every day, I prayed for a miracle. Finally, after six years it happened. Don’t give up so soon, Esther.”
“I overheard him talking,” Esther blurted. “He was telling Filbert he was afraid I couldn’t have children.”
Aurora threw her hands up. “For goodness’ sake, Esther, talk to the man. Explain the situation of your last marriage. You might want to let him get some sleep before you talk to him, so you’re sure he hears you.”
Despite the chuckles and mirth, Esther wasn’t sure how she’d broach the subject. What if Elias didn’t want to speak of her past relations?
Goodness, it was certainly a mess.
* * *
The ride back was nice. The scenery was so beautiful, it was easy to relax for the first time in many days. Esther wondered about the conversation she’d have with her husband.
The peacefulness was broken when thunder boomed suddenly. The startled horse bucked, made alarming noises and broke into a gallop. As the wagon sped over uneven terrain, Esther and Aurora tried to grip to whatever they could. Despite their efforts, they were tossed about like rag dolls.
Esther screamed when the wagon flew upward. She lay over Aurora in an attempt to hold Aurora down and keep her from harm. Her cousin was with child and something like this could cause unthinkable injury.
White knuckled, Aurora gripped the side of the wagon while scowling at her. “Hold on to something besides me you ninny.”
Instinct told Esther that Aurora was right. But, at the same time, the need to ensure her cousin did not come to harm was more important. She covered Aurora with her body, holding her as steady as possible while Wyatt attempted to control the terrified animal.
Wyatt called out for them to hold on, his voice trembling with fear. “Whoa! Whoa!” His calls went unheeded by the now fearful animal.
The wagon went sideways and off kilter. Although the horse seemed to slow, it was too late.
Esther lost her hold and tumbled over the side, rolling several times. She was a tangle of limbs and skirts until she finally landed on her back, the wind knocked out of her.
Too disoriented to sit up and look, she stared up at the cloudy sky and prayed Aurora was not hurt.
Chapter 15
“It’s getting late. They should be back by now.” Evan peered out the window. “Should we ride out and meet them so they don’t continue here in the dark?”
Elias had already begun thinking the same thing. The women promised to stay only a few hours and return by suppertime. Now, as the sun had begun its descent, it was obvious they’d not be there in time.
“Let’s get the horses saddled. Even if they’re almost here, it will be best to meet them. Wyatt may have lost his way. I didn’t think that the boy isn’t from here. And if those two are giving directions, it’s possible they’re anywhere but on the right track.”
A few minutes later, they rode side by side, neither speaking about their growing alarm at not spotting the wagon. Surely, the women had not stayed at the Hamiltons’ place? If so, they could’ve sent Wyatt or someone to let him and Evan know so they’d not worry.
“There,” Evan said taking his horse to a gallop. “Looks like a w
agon wheel broke.”
Although it was far, he could make out at least two people standing and waving toward them.
Neither of them was his wife.
* * *
Wyatt was beside himself, despondent as the young man ran towards them. “Thunder spooked the horse. I could not control him. Mrs. Jones got thrown.”
Not waiting for the horse to come to a complete stop, Elias jumped from it and raced toward the wagon. “Esther?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Thank God you’re here.” Aurora turned to them, her dirt-smeared face stricken. “I hoped we didn’t have to figure out a way to walk to your house.”
Esther sat on the ground with her back against a wheel. Hair askew and skirts torn, she didn’t seem injured. However he noted her foot was wrapped and someone had propped it up on a bundle. “I may have sprained my ankle.” She wiped at her face, smearing dirt across her cheek.
The fabric of her sleeve was torn. Elias caught sight of a gash on her elbow. Blood stained what was left of the surrounding fabric.
“Seems you took quite a spill.” Evan neared after ensuring his pregnant wife was well. Aurora insisted she felt fine and that she’d not had a tumble at all, but had remained seated in the back the entire time. Although she’d been a bit shaken, she admitted to becoming distraught only after Esther was tossed from the wagon.
Wyatt shifted from one foot to the other bravely fighting tears. “I understand if you send me away. It was my responsibility to get them back home safe.” He absently patted the horse’s rump. “He got spooked. I figure it was thunder or something that sounded.”
A storm had threatened, yet rain had not fallen. “We’ll talk once we get back. Figure it’s best to leave the wagon here. You and Filbert can return tomorrow for it.”
“Yes, sir.” Wyatt began unhitching the horse.
“Ride on back. We can talk later, once we get the women back.”
* * *
Riding back, he allowed Evan to lead the way with a chatty Aurora, who seemed to be recounting something quite comical as both laughed. Every so often, Evan would look his way and then laugh again.
He scowled at his brother, wondering what they spoke about. Evan wasn’t usually so jovial, so whatever it was had to be quite funny.
Unlike Aurora, Esther remained quiet. She looked to the other couple. “They get along so well. I’m so happy for my cousin.”
“Do you not feel we will be as suited?” Elias had to ask, hoping she’d say they were.
“It’s just that we, I am not blessed with as sunny a disposition as Aurora.”
“Evan didn’t consider her to be disagreeable when they first met. Quite the opposite, in fact.”
Instead of a reply, she studied him for a moment. “Elias. Do you fear us not having children?”
His heart skipped a beat and he wondered if somehow he’d allowed it to show. He’d been disappointed when her monthly courses had arrived. Especially after they’d been intimate so often since marrying. Yes, it was too early yet and nature often took its time. There wasn’t anyone that could hurry it along.
“I want to have a family with you, Esther. Is that what you’re asking?”
“No, not really. I was married before and never had a child.”
Evan and Aurora had moved further ahead and out of earshot. Yet it seemed strange to have such a conversation on horseback, with his wife awkwardly in front of him.
“Did it occur to you strange to be married for so long and not?”
Her gaze moved away from him to the distance. It was obvious she thought of her past, of marriage to a faceless man he’d not ever asked about. Didn’t care to know about, if he were honest. It was better, in his opinion, not to know about the man his wife was once married to.
“Did you or he prefer not to?”
“At first, yes. I wanted a child more than anything. However, my husband was...well he was eccentric and preferred not to share the marriage bed. We slept separately and rarely...or ever had relations after the first few months.”
Although she’d been rather demanding of his time at night, it would never occur to him to not share the bed with his wife. The man must have had his reasons, of course, but that he knew of, no normal man would ever scorn his own wife in such a manner.
“We will discuss this further once my brother and Aurora leave. Right now, we have to concentrate on your injury and ensure you are well.”
Although he was curious as to why that had happened between Esther and her deceased husband, renewed hope surged in his chest. The news that he could have a family filled him with joy. More than ever, he wanted to understand her, to know more about her past. This was not the time, however. Elias decided to put off the conversation for another time as their home came in to view.
Once they dismounted, everyone moved inside and settled. Elias stood by as his brother examined Esther’s ankle and other cuts and bruises.
She’d done her best to keep Aurora from injury, being his sister-in-law was with child. Esther had put herself in direct danger by not holding on to anything. He admired that about her, understanding the need to protect family.
Aurora, on the other hand, fussed the entire time, chastising Esther for not being more careful. “You could have been killed. Broken your neck and died. You saw I was holding on for dear life.” The pretty woman paced back and forth every so often stopping to peer down at Esther, a frown marring her brow. “Elias, tell her to never do that again.”
He wasn’t about to get between the two women. Aurora and Esther exchanged an occasional glare, they kept looking over one another as if to ensure there wasn’t any further injury.
Finally, Evan straightened. “You didn’t break your ankle. Looks to be a mild sprain. A couple days off your feet and you should be fine.”
“Oh no, Aurora is supposed to teach me to cook tomorrow. I can’t be sitting around with my leg up. That won’t do,” Esther informed Evan, who didn’t seem at all perturbed by her announcement. There were probably plenty of patients who refused to do as instructed.
“If you insist on moving about, at least keep from putting pressure on it.” Evan moved to the kitchen. “In the meantime, both of you come and eat. Elias and I cooked.”
Eyes rounded, Esther met his gaze. “Elias, I’m sorry. You cooked?”
He couldn’t help but smile at her consternation. “Mostly I helped Evan. Other than beans, I’m not much of a cook.”
She allowed him to help her up. It took restraint not to carry his wife to the dining table. Instead, she hopped on one foot doing a great job of keeping her balance.
The meal was simple. Evan’s specialty was stew. Over the meal, his brother explained that adding root vegetables and meat with only a bit of water would make a hearty meal every time.
“Onions and spices are what give the flavor. All you have to do is keep it simmering until the meat is tender and then add your potatoes, turnips or the like,” Aurora added and Esther hung on every word.
“We shall try tomorrow. I will do all the work, while you instruct me.” Esther’s lips curved into a wide grin. “I can hardly wait to start.”
It was a nice change to see her so animated. The conversation they’d started earlier crept back and Elias considered if they’d discuss it upon going to bed. Now that he knew it was possible to have a family, renewed hope filled him.
“Can we make bread?” Esther interrupted his thoughts as she continued talking to Aurora, who nodded.
Evan yawned and Aurora patted his hand. “Go on to bed, darling. I know you’ve had very little rest the last few days. I’ll be along shortly, once I help clean up.”
“You will do no such thing. Go on to bed, Aurora. I’ll clean up.” Esther nudged Aurora’s arm.
Her cousin turned a sharp look toward her. “How will you manage? You can’t stand on one foot and clean.”
Evan looked to the ceiling and, once again, yawned.
Sure the women would continue argu
ing over which one would do the chore, Elias leaned forward and placed his elbows on the table. “I’ll clean up. Everyone, please go to bed.”
Before his wife could speak, he stood and went to her. Elias slipped his arms under her legs and lifted her up into his arms. “I will take care of everything after I put you to bed.”
Esther sputtered and Aurora giggled. Not waiting for more discussion, Elias walked to their bedroom.
“You don’t have to carry me.” Esther’s flushed cheeks and bright eyes told him that she enjoyed the attention, so he took his time lowering her to the bed.
“I want to. It’s nice to take care of you.” He pressed a kiss to her temple. “Get ready for bed now. Let me know if you need help with anything else.”
Elias allowed his gaze to trail down her body and Esther slapped playfully at his shoulder. “I’ll be fine. Go on now. Do what you can. I can finish in the morning.”
He didn’t move. Instead, he studied her face. “When I didn’t see you standing by the wagon, it scared me. All kinds of ideas popped in my head. I’m glad you’re all right.”
Her lips curved into a soft smile. “I’m sorry to have given you a fright. I was so afraid something would happen to Aurora. I didn’t think about anything except protecting her.”
“I understand.” He squeezed her hand. “Get some rest.”
Heading to the kitchen, a sense of calm filled him. The quiet house was lit only by the fire in the hearth. The two dogs were sleeping in front of it were the perfect setting. For the first time in his life, he felt a sense of belonging.
This was different. Not at all like when his brothers had lived there in the same house, but a sense of ownership, propriety. This was his home and it was his duty to protect those inside.
“I know that look.” Evan looked up from the table.
“What are you doing up?”
His brother met his gaze. “I needed a bit of time alone. I mean, without Aurora watching me.”
“Scared you bad today,” Elias said, understanding how much worse his brother had felt at seeing the lopsided wagon. “She seems fine.”
Esther, An Easter Bride (Brides for all Seasons Book 4) Page 7
