by Marie Silk
“When Ethan comes back with him, I’ll show you how he looks all dressed up in it.”
“I wanted to speak with you about that,” Mary told her. “I wondered if William and I may go to the christening. Father Salvestro said that we may attend as witnesses, even though we are not Catholic.”
Abigail was bewildered. “You have spoken with our priest?”
Mary smiled bashfully. “I’ve visited him on several occasions now. He was so helpful to me in a time of need. We are also making plans to assist the orphans at the convent.”
Abigail smiled and shook her head. “And I thought I knew all the secrets of the house. You have surprised me, Mary.”
“I’m also going to ask Clara if we might have your priest over for dinner sometime. I’ve told William all about him, and he is eager to meet him properly.”
“How wonderful. To answer your question, Ethan and I would be honored for you to attend the christening.”
“Then you can come help me pick out what dress to wear,” Mary replied. “But first, I think I would like to eat. I’m starving!”
Fiona entered the doorway just then. “Oh, I’m sorry to interrupt, I’ll come back later,” she said when she saw Mary.
“It’s alright, Fiona, I am just leaving for the dining room. Is lunch about to be served?”
“It is, Mrs. Hamilton.”
Abigail turned to Mary. “I’ll be down in a moment, you go on ahead without me,” she said. Mary then headed out the doorway.
Abigail smiled knowingly at Fiona. “Well?”
Fiona was too embarrassed to look her in the eye. “Sam spoke to me. He showed me the building site for his cabin.”
Abigail continued to look at her expectantly. “And? Are we to be sisters?”
Fiona blushed and nodded. “I wanted to thank you for everything, Miss Abigail. I’m grateful for the position you offered me at the manor house, but I will be staying here after all.”
“Of course! I am so glad for you,” she said, hugging Fiona and kissing her cheek. “But now that we are about to be sisters, you must begin calling me Abigail.”
Fiona smiled shyly. “I’ll try. But I don’t wish to keep you from your lunch. Goodbye, Abigail.” She left the room for the servants’ stairs and was suddenly aware of the fact that she couldn’t stop smiling.
At the Valentis’ farmhouse, Phillip stood speechless at the front door when he opened it to Ethan holding the baby.
“I want to ask you something,” Ethan said to him.
“Sure—” he sputtered. “Come in.” Phillip cleared a space for Ethan on the sofa while Donnie and Gabriella eagerly looked upon the baby.
“He’s so little,” Gabriella remarked. “And handsome.”
“Alright children, don’t crowd my friend,” Phillip told them. “Why don’t you take the game to your room while the grown ups talk out here.” The children obeyed, but sneaked another look at the baby before they left for their room. All was quiet in the sitting area for a moment.
“How’s everything at the house…after that miserable business with the police?” asked Phillip.
“I suppose everyone is eager to move on and forget about all that.”
“Makes sense,” Phillip said with a nod. The room went silent again.
Ethan cleared his throat. “Did you know we are having a christening for the baby at your priest’s house?”
“I suppose I heard something like that,” he replied.
“That’s what I’m here about. Abigail and I talked about who we want to be godparent for our son…I told her I wanted to ask you.”
Phillip stared at him in silence, trying to find the words he wanted to say.
“It’s alright if you say no,” Ethan added slowly. “We can ask Abigail’s brother.”
“I want to do it,” Phillip said quickly. “I’m honored that you want me to.”
“Then I’ll tell Abigail,” he responded. “Do you want to hold him for a minute before I go back to the house?”
“Sure,” Phillip said, carefully taking the baby into his arms.
Serena emerged from her room after putting Angelina down for an afternoon nap. She was stunned to see Phillip holding the baby while Ethan stood nearby. Phillip turned to Serena. “They’re asking me to be godfather for this little one.”
She tried to contain her surprise. “You must be honored, brother.”
“I am indeed,” he answered proudly. He handed the baby back to Ethan and led him to the front door.
They shook hands before Ethan walked away. Phillip closed the door behind him and leaned against it, clutching his chest. “I can’t believe I got to hold him. I never thought I’d see him again.”
“You will see him soon enough at the christening,” Serena told him gently. She watched through the window as Ethan walked away from the farmhouse. “Do you think he knows?”
A feeling of peace settled over Phillip as he joined Serena at the window, and together they watched Ethan carry the baby away. “He knows.”
Chapter 12
…six months later…
“Oh Sam, the cabin looks lovely!” Abigail cried in excitement.
Sam looked on proudly as he dismounted from his horse and helped her down from hers. “I can’t take all the credit. Joe and Ethan helped me over the summer.”
“Is it finished?”
“Just about. Come look inside,” Sam told her, leading her through the doorway.
“Do you suppose it will be big enough?” she asked.
“We made it so we can add more rooms the more children we have.”
Abigail giggled. “It’s funny to hear of my own brother thinking of having children. Have you decided on a wedding date yet?”
“Not yet. Sometime when the house is done, I suppose.”
“And will Fiona stay on as Clara’s housekeeper?”
Sam shrugged. “I told Fiona she could stay home and have babies all day if she wants to, but she wants to keep working at the house for now. How’s your little one doing?”
Abigail laughed. “Ever since Patrick learned to crawl, he has been getting into everything. He certainly keeps Ethan and I on our toes. You’ll see how it is someday.”
“I guess we better get back now, but I’m glad you like the cabin, Abby.” Sam helped her back onto her horse and they both rode back to Davenport House.
As Sam was putting the horses away in the stable, Abigail headed into the house where she nearly ran into Fiona. “Sam showed me the cabin,” she said gladly. “It really turned out nicely!”
But Fiona did not seem to be listening. “Abigail,” she said urgently. “Miss Mary is having her baby!”
Abigail put her hand over her heart. “Oh my! Has anyone called William?”
“Miss Clara called him just moments ago, but she’s beside herself with worry!”
Abigail gave her a reassuring smile. “I’m sure everything will be alright. I will go attend to Mary.”
When Abigail entered Mary’s room, Clara was there pacing anxiously and wringing her hands. “Abigail! Thank goodness you’re here!” she cried.
Abigail looked at Mary, who was grimacing in pain and breathing hard. “Oh dear, I think it must be getting close,” she whispered to Clara. “She needs water. Why don’t you bring some?”
“Oh! Right away!” Clara hurried out of the room and Abigail closed the door behind her.
She walked up to Mary and rubbed her back. “How are you?”
“It hurts more than I thought it might,” she replied, her eyes brimming with tears. “Does every woman truly go through this for a baby?”
Abigail smiled compassionately. “I’m afraid so. I know it’s difficult, but you must try to relax as much as you can.”
Mary nodded. “I’ll try. I hope William comes in time. Clara said he was not at the clinic when she tried to telephone!”
“Don’t worry about that just now, Mary. Try to relax.”
Hours went by that Abigail attended her. Fi
nally, she told Mary gently, “I’m sorry to leave you, but I must feed my son. Clara will sit with you while I’m away.”
Mary whimpered in pain. “I’m afraid, Abigail. I feel like I will faint at any moment.”
Abigail bit her lip nervously, but knew she could not wait much longer to feed the baby. “I won’t be long, Mary. Have another glass of water and try to breathe through it.”
When Abigail opened the bedroom door, she breathed in relief to see William running up the stairs toward her. “How is she?” he asked, but ran past her into Mary’s room before she could respond. Abigail went to her own room, satisfied that William was now with Mary. Ethan was holding Patrick in the bedroom.
“How’s Mary?” he asked.
“She’s in labor for certain, but the pain will pass eventually,” Abigail told him. She began nursing the baby, but could not shake the feeling that she had left Mary too soon.
In Mary’s room, William rushed to her side. “Sorry I’m late. I was held up at a house call.”
“I’m in terrible pain,” she cried. “I don’t think I can do this, William!”
“Of course you can,” he said, looking into her eyes, and trying to get her to look into his.
When Abigail had finished feeding the baby, she suddenly cried out, “Ethan!”
He was startled and jumped from his chair. “What is it?”
She held out the baby to him. “Here, take Patrick. Something is wrong with Mary! I just had a terrible feeling.” She hurried away and entered Mary’s room in time to see William attempting to shake her awake.
“Mary!” he cried. His eyes were wide with fear when he turned toward Abigail. “Bring the smelling salts—she’s unconscious!”
Abigail obeyed quickly and felt her breath catch in her throat when she observed Mary lying limp on the bed. “What else can I do?” she asked.
“I’ve just examined her,” he replied, his voice shaking with emotion. “Her body hasn’t progressed and she is shutting down. I’ll have to remove the baby by Cesarean if either of them is to have a chance.”
Abigail covered her heart with her hand, feeling the pain in William’s voice. “I’ll help,” she said. “Tell me what you need me to do.”
“I’ve never done this operation before,” he answered her mournfully. “I need you to pray…get everyone in the house to pray that I can do this, and that Mary will live to see our child.”
Abigail nodded solemnly and went out of the room to tell the others. When she returned, William was stroking Mary’s hair and saying in a pleading voice, “I can’t live without you. Stay with me.”
Abigail put her hand on his shoulder. “She’ll be alright. I have faith.”
He buried his face in his hands. “I’m not sure if I do. I’ve never been this afraid to do anything in my life.”
“William…I want to tell you that I’ve had dreams about our children growing up together, yours and mine. Mary is always in the dreams with us. She calls your little girl Violet. I know she will be well.”
William moved his hands from his face and looked at her. “Has Mary told you about Violet?”
“It’s only the name that she calls your daughter in my dreams. Mary has never mentioned the name to me.”
William swallowed painfully before he spoke again. “We have to work quickly. I’m afraid of what might happen if we don’t.”
He and Abigail prepared Mary for the operation, hoping all the while that she would make progress before they started, but she remained limp on the bed. The sweat rolled off both their brows as they worked to control the bleeding. William soon handed Abigail the wailing baby, which she promptly wrapped in a receiving blanket.
William focused on attending Mary, and soon wrapped her with a bandage while Abigail calmed the newborn. “I’ve done all I can do,” he whispered hoarsely.
“She will live,” Abigail assured him. “You’ve done well.”
“I hope so.” He went to the washroom to clean up and returned looking weary.
Abigail felt sad for him. “Why don’t you have a seat and hold your dear child while we wait for Mary?”
William lowered himself into a chair and gratefully took the baby from Abigail’s arms. “She looks just like her,” he sputtered, holding the baby close.
As the hours passed, everyone in the house waited in anguish for Mary to wake from her operation. Abigail observed that William fell deeper into despair with each passing moment, doubting his own abilities as his mind replayed the birth. Wishing she could alleviate William's sorrow, Abigail knelt beside Mary's bed and softly stroked her cheek. “You must wake, dear. We are waiting for you.”
Mary’s lips began to move. “It hurts so much,” she mumbled.
Abigail quickly rose and took the baby from William so he could be by Mary’s side. “Don’t try to sit up, Mary.”
Her eyes fluttered open and she turned to look at William. “You’re crying. I’ll try my best, but it hurts so terribly. I don’t know if I can do it.”
“It’s already done,” he told her gently. “It was all done while you slept.”
“The baby has been born?”
“Yes,” he answered.
“Did we have a girl?”
Abigail handed the baby to William to show Mary. “Don’t try to get up, Mary. I will show her to you.”
“Oh, she’s lovely,” Mary said weakly. “I wish I could hold her, but the pain is too much. I don’t think I can move.”
“Just rest for now,” William told her. “You’ll have plenty of time to hold her later.”
Mary closed her eyes and breathed deeply as if she was drifting into sleep. Abigail left the room to tell those anxiously waiting outside the door that Mary was going to be alright. “She will need much help from us over the coming weeks,” she explained. “Mary had an operation and it will take some time for her to recover.”
“The poor dear,” Clara replied. “Of course we will help her! We won’t let her lift a finger to do anything for herself for a long while.”
“I’m glad she’ll be alright,” Ethan said. “You had me worried for a while there. Is there anything we can do for her now?”
“Why don’t you bring our cradle into Mary’s room? William could use a place to lay the baby.”
William was grateful when Ethan entered with the cradle. “Thank you,” he said, placing the baby onto the soft mattress.
“Is Mary asleep?” Ethan whispered.
William nodded and Ethan carefully kissed her on the forehead before he left the room. William sat beside her again and stroked her hair. Mary’s breathing quickened and her eyes slowly opened again. “William,” she smiled. “Have I dreamed it, or did you tell me the baby has already been born?”
He chuckled. “You didn’t dream it. She is safely asleep in the cradle now.”
“I’m sorry I couldn’t manage it on my own,” she said, her chin trembling with emotion.
William kissed her face. “You did wonderfully. Now all you need to do is get better.”
“I’ll do my best,” she sighed. “Have you thought of what name to give the baby?”
He hesitated. “What name do you think?”
Mary looked into his eyes endearingly. “I thought that if we had a girl, we might name her for your dear little sister. What do you think?”
William felt the hair on his neck standing up and goosebumps covered his arms. “I think it is the perfect name for her,” he whispered. “Thank you, Mary.”
Chapter 13
“How are you feeling today, Mary?” Clara asked, peering into the doorway of her room.
“I am well, thank you,” she replied cheerfully. “Violet is nursing so well now. Of course, William is taking splendid care of us.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” Clara responded. “Look what came for you today.”
Mary smiled at the large bouquet of flowers that Clara held in front of her. “Who did they come from?”
“Joe,” Clara answered. �
�I told him you had the baby and he gathered these from his own gardens.”
“It was thoughtful of him,” Mary remarked.
“He is very thoughtful…when he’s not being utterly blind!”
Mary began to laugh, then winced at the pain. “Don’t make me laugh…it hurts too much! Why do you say he is blind?”
“He kissed me once, you know. But he has never done so since! I give him every opportunity. I couldn’t be more obvious that I want him to kiss me again. Sometimes I wonder if it’s because I cut my hair short. He’s been awkward around me ever since.”
“Why don’t you speak to him about it?”
Clara wrinkled her nose. “If he tells me that I am unattractive because of my hair, I think I would regret asking him at all. Men have no idea how difficult it can be to manage long hair, yet they seem to think that all women should have it.”
“I suppose it was a bit shocking at first, but over the summer, I noticed several women in town with short hair. Perhaps Joe is only intimidated by you,” Mary suggested carefully. “You are…outspoken. Men are sometimes intimidated by a bold woman.”
“Well how else is anything to get done? We are so close to the vote now, Mary. I can feel it! I have every faith that we’ll finally have it for the next election. But it will never happen for us unless we continue to speak out about it!”
Mary smiled at her. “I’ll be certain to tell my daughter who to thank when it comes time for her vote.”
Clara beamed. “It will be the most important change of the century. But what is so wrong with a woman having a mind of her own, and a voice of her own? I can’t imagine altering my own convictions for the sake of pleasing a man. I tried it once before and it made me miserable.”
“There’s no reason to be miserable, Clara. I suppose I just mentioned it because Mr. Blake behaves shyly around you. The attraction between you two seems clear as day.”
“Do you really think so?” Clara asked quickly. “Even after I cut my hair?”
Mary had to hold her stomach and stop herself from giggling. “Even since then. Why do you suppose he spends so much time with you, anyway?”
“We’re good friends,” Clara replied. “I can speak to him about anything, just the way I speak freely to you and Abigail. Well, almost anything. Clearly I cannot talk to him about this!”
