When the slow wedding music started, Rowena raised glowing eyes to meet Perry’s ardent gaze. Her ivory-colored dress clung to her curves and enhanced her subtle beauty more than a white dress would have. The scalloped hem and short train made him think of European princesses, and his breath caught. When she reached him, he clasped one of her hands and kissed her palm.
They turned to face the minister, and Perry attempted to focus on the words, but his mind was filled with gratitude. When they turned to face each other to recite their vows, he traced a finger over her cheek and jaw before speaking in a loud, clear voice. She did the same, and soon he leaned forward to kiss her.
He backed away, far sooner than he wanted to, whispering in her ear, “Finally I am yours, and you are mine,” and he smiled at the small group of friends who had gathered to celebrate with him. Lucas hugged him, while Zylphia and Parthena pulled Rowena close. Sophronia waved her cane about and nearly whacked him in his leg, but he deftly caught it and leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“About time one of you girls was sensible,” she intoned, her aquamarine eyes lit with joy. “None of that dillydallying that your friends suffered from.”
Rowena laughed and pulled her friend close. “Thank you, Sophie.”
Soon they held glasses of champagne, and toasts rang out through the room. A small wedding feast awaited them in the dining room, and they moved there before Perry and Rowena were to leave on a short honeymoon. They had not informed anyone, but they planned to remain in their new home on Marlborough Street. Perry prayed for no interruptions.
As they walked to the dining room, the front door opened with a clatter. He frowned as Mr. Clement stormed in, his dark coat swirling around his ankles as he approached them. “Mr. Clement, you are just in time to wish us well,” Perry said with a jovial smile. His head jerked to the side as Rowena’s father slapped him.
“You insolent fool. I warned you to leave town last month. How dare you believe you can marry my daughter?” He glared at Rowena, who stood proudly beside Perry, and grabbed her arm. “You are coming with me, and this folly ends now.”
“No!” Rowena screamed, yanking on her arm. However, her father tightened his hold to the point she grimaced in pain. “I am married to him.”
“It will be annulled,” her father growled.
Aidan, Morgan, Teddy and Lucas formed a circle around the three of them, all glowering at her father. “Let Rowena go, Reginald,” Aidan said. “You must admit when you have been defeated.”
“Defeated? Defeated by this son of a whore?” He sneered at Perry. “I would rather die than see my daughter defile herself in such a manner.”
“Perry is a good man,” Rowena said as she trembled with anger.
“He’s nothing but a charlatan, and you’re the fool for falling for his lies. He grew up in a whorehouse! Did he tell you that? That he peddled himself in order to survive? You’re marrying nothing more than a two-bit whore.”
She screamed and kicked, lashing out with such force that she shocked her father and freed herself. “Have you no shame? No decency? Perry is the best man I have ever met. He might have had a … a troubled childhood without the support of parents as I did, but I will never judge him for it. I will never find him lacking.” She sniffled and swiped at her cheeks. “I will always find you inadequate because you are incapable of love or of any depth of feeling for something or someone you cannot control.” She shook her head and backed away, placing her hand on Perry’s arm.
Her father glared at her and then at those surrounding her like an honor guard.
Zylphia now stood beside Teddy, and Sophronia appeared eager to wield her cane.
“You are all fools, taken in by his shiny looks and melodious voice. You won’t be able to say I didn’t warn you.” He turned on his heel and stormed out of the hall, slamming the door behind him.
Air whooshed out of Perry’s lungs, and he collapsed to his knees. Rowena fell down with him and wrapped her arms around his shoulders. After a few moments, they were the only ones in the hallway. “Perry?” she whispered. She clung to him as he shook.
“I’m sorry,” he whispered.
She cupped his face. “I should apologize. He’s my father.”
He shook his head and closed his eyes. “I knew he’d use my past against me.”
She tilted his face so he had to look at her. “I know about your past. I know that you are embarrassed by some of the things you had to do.” She brushed at his cheek, uncaring as tears coursed down hers. “I have not lost any regard for you, my love.”
He sighed and turned his face into the crook of her shoulder. “What he said was true, Ro. Except for my mother being a whore. Or that I sold my body.”
She met his gaze filled with shame and embarrassment, and she cupped his cheeks between her palms. “I trust you, Perry. You told me the truth, and I know you would not lie to me.” She saw the truth of her words echoed in his eyes, and her smile softened. “Our friends will not think any less of you. They will ensure my father is the one to suffer for interrupting our wedding day.”
“I hate that my past tarnishes you in any way.”
She stared into his eyes with a fierce intensity. “Nothing you could have done would ever change how I feel about you, my love. Nothing you have done has tarnished me or my love for you.” Her fingers stroked his cheeks. “I have no idea what it is to be alone and young and vulnerable with no one to care if I survive or not.” She waited until she saw his acceptance of her words. “Rather than becoming a bitter, cruel, miserable man, you are …” She stared at him with wonder and love. “A marvel.”
She pushed herself up and reached a hand down for him. “Come. We have our wedding to celebrate with our friends.”
He rose and tugged on her hand to prevent her from rejoining the others. “You can annul our vows,” he whispered. “I …”
She blinked away tears. She stood on her toes and kissed him. “I love you and want you and need you. Never doubt that.” She beamed at him. “I refuse to be miserable like my father. Please celebrate life with me.” She met his searching gaze, hers unguarded and filled with hope and love.
He pulled her close, his breath catching at her singular scent and the comfort of her arms around him. “God, yes, my love. Always.”
* * *
A few days later Jeremy stood with his family in Aidan’s front parlor. Aidan and Delia had opted to use that room because it was the largest and had a huge fireplace to keep the room warm on the cold early November evening. Jeremy held his son in his arms, although he would soon hand him to his aunt and uncle before Breandan returned to the nursery. “Thank you for having a gathering, Uncle,” Jeremy said.
“I want to celebrate our family as you prepare to leave us.” Aidan cleared his throat as though it were thickened by tears. “I will miss all of you and will travel to Montana soon with Delia to see how you and Breandan fare.”
“I hope you are not upset that I decided to wait to have the christening in Missoula,” Jeremy said. He watched Gabriel and Richard laugh as Richard’s boys played on the floor with Zylphia.
“No. I had wondered at your decision to have anyone other than Clarissa be godmother.”
Jeremy nodded and blinked a few times to clear away tears. “I know she would shower Breandan with her love even if she weren’t his godmother, but this is one way I can honor Savannah’s wishes.” He nodded to his uncle and joined his brothers.
Richard slung an arm over Jeremy’s shoulder, and the three tall McLeod brothers stood to one side of the room as they watched their family gathering. “I’ll miss you both,” Richard said. “Please continue to write. I hate when there is a lapse in communication between us.”
Gabriel nodded. “We will. And I will keep to the promise I made Florence.” He smiled as Zylphia joined them, breathless and red-cheeked from playing with her cousins. “You always were a bit of a heathen, Zee.”
He laughed as she belted him on his arm. “I am not. I
just refuse to be restrained by what society deems the necessary decorum for a woman.” She sobered and looked at Jeremy. “I know you leave in two days. I was hoping to speak with you.”
He frowned and nodded. “You can speak in front of the family.”
She shook her head. “No. I have something for you, and I think it’s best if it’s shared in private.” She grabbed his hand and tugged him into motion as she led him from the front sitting room, down the long hallway and into the back room that was a glass conservatory. The palms that had died in a blight had been replaced, and it resembled a tropical oasis again.
His brows furrowed as she wrung her hands. “Whatever it is, Zee, you can tell me. I’ve been through hell, and I’m still here.”
She nodded. “I don’t want to cause you more pain, Jeremy. I would never mean to do that.” After another deep breath, she moved into the room and sensed him following her. When she approached a sheet-shrouded painting, she paused. “This is my parting gift for you.” Her breathy voice was barely audible as she lifted the sheet.
His confused gaze flit from her to the canvas, and then he froze. He studied the fine brushstrokes of Savannah with their babe cradled in her arms, the joy in her gaze, her cheeks rosy as she flushed after he had teased her. The inherent promise of tomorrow in the painting. He looked at himself, a satisfied man with the world in his arms. A man he no longer recognized. He fell to his knees as tears leaked out. “Oh, God,” he whispered.
She stood there, wringing her hands as he stared with unflinching, unblinking eyes at the painting. “I didn’t know if you would want it. If it would bring you too much pain.”
“It hurts,” he rasped. “But it would be so much worse not to see it.”
She squeezed his shoulder. “It’s yours, Jeremy. To bring home to Montana.”
He collapsed forward as he was racked by sobs. “I …” His voice broke off.
Glancing toward the door as it eased open, she let out a sigh of relief to see Richard and Gabriel poking their heads in. “Please, come in and help me.” She swiped at her cheeks. “I gave Jeremy a gift, and I fear it is too much.”
Gabriel and Richard stilled a moment as they beheld the painting before focusing on their brother. Gabriel dropped to his brother’s side and pulled him against him, murmuring words of comfort to him. Richard did the same, and Zylphia watched in wonder at the brothers’ ability to soothe some of Jeremy’s immediate pain.
Jeremy looked up and reached a hand out to Zee. “Thank you, Zee. Thank you for giving me such a gift.” He shook his head. “I never thought you’d paint it after … after she died.”
She nodded as tears coursed down her cheek. “I painted it before I knew. I don’t know if I could have painted it after … after …” She shrugged as her voice broke. She fell forward and was soon enfolded in a hug with all three of her cousins.
Gabriel eased away and ran a hand over Zylphia’s head. “I hate that we will be separated soon.” He looked at the small circle of his family around him. “You are like a sister to us, Zee, and it seems wrong to have us separated from you too.”
Richard cleared his throat. “It’s unfair to leave me behind alone in Boston. This way, there are two of us in Boston, and two in Montana.” He attempted a smile as they gave Jeremy time to recover from his deep emotions. “Remember your promise, Gabe.”
Gabriel nodded, one hand on Jeremy’s back and the other clasping Zylphia’s hand. “We will have a family reunion and celebration when women are finally allowed to vote.”
Zylphia’s eyes lit with the promise of a family gathering. “Oh, yes. That would be wonderful.”
Gabriel squeezed her hand. “Keep working hard so that it won’t be long.”
Chapter 20
Missoula, Montana, November 1918
Gabriel eased open the door to his home and breathed a sigh of relief. He cocked his head to one side, listening for his children. When he heard their calls to each other coming from the backyard, he walked with stealthy quiet through the house and to the kitchen’s back door. He peered out the window to see them playing chase. Myrtle and Billy collided and fell to the ground. Rather than crying with displeasure, they shrieked with laughter. His breathing stuttered as he caught sight of Clarissa standing to one side, laughing and cheering them on as they played. Her chestnut-brown hair had been loosened in the soft breeze, and her eyes were filled with joy as she watched their children.
He opened the door and was immediately engulfed in a hero’s welcome. He tumbled to the ground under his children’s exuberant delight at having him home, laughing and kissing them on their heads as he held them each a moment. He rose, pulling Clarissa close, clinging to her as he battled a sob.
“What is it?” she whispered. “When I heard no news …” She leaned back, running a hand over his face, frowning at the lines that appeared to have formed in his short absence.
His gaze roved around the backyard and lit on Araminta, standing to one side. “Minta,” he whispered. “I hate to ask this of you, but can you watch the children?”
She narrowed her eyes as she studied his appearance. Her joy at his arrival dimmed, and she nodded soberly. She called to the children, planning out another game for them to play and distracting them from their father’s hasty retreat.
Gabriel reentered the house, holding Clarissa’s hand. He led her upstairs to their bedroom, where he shut the door behind him. Rather than speak, he tugged her into his arms and rocked her from side to side. A sob shuddered forth, then another.
“Oh, my darling,” she whispered. “Is it Jeremy?” She held Gabriel tight, her arms wrapped around his back.
He pulled away and swiped at his cheeks. “Forgive me. I … I don’t know how to say this.” He grabbed her hand and led her to her chair and pushed on her shoulders so she sat.
Her breathing picked up to the point she was almost panting, and her gaze had become panic-struck. She gripped his hand as her gaze locked with his.
He opened and closed his mouth, before finally rasping, “Savannah …”
He nodded as Clarissa shook her head in confusion and then cried unabashedly as Clarissa let out a keening wail. She leaped at him, hitting him on his shoulders and beating at him. He wrapped his arms around her, stilling her erratic, bruising motions, and pulled her to him. “I’m so sorry.”
“No,” she howled. “No.” She butted her head against his chest and squirmed until he released her arms. “I don’t believe you. She can’t be.” She bit off the word, refusing to say it. “Jeremy took her to the best doctors. They were going to save her. I received a letter from her. She had a beautiful, healthy baby boy!”
“It wasn’t the birth.” Gabriel fell to his knees in exhaustion and grief. “It was the influenza.” He raised eyes with an echo of anguish she had not seen since their son Rory’s death, and she collapsed to her knees in front of him. “She was weakened after the birth and got sick. So did the baby.”
“The baby,” she gasped.
“But he survived. I think he’s the only reason Jeremy is sane right now.” Gabriel shuddered as he thought about his brother.
Clarissa shook as though the shock was too much for her mind and body to assimilate at once.
He tugged her into his arms, holding her close. He nestled her between his legs, murmuring soft words as the heavy heaving sobs began. He did not ask her to stop, nor did he attempt to forestall her crying, for the grief was too great for any partial lamentation.
Clarissa had just begun to calm in his arms when the door burst open. Gabriel looked over his shoulder to see a sweaty, breathless Colin in his dirty work clothes. “Gabe,” he panted. “’Bout time you returned home after not writing for so long.” He stilled when he took in Gabriel’s anguished gaze and Clarissa gasping for breath in his arms.
Gabriel motioned for him to enter.
Colin shut the door behind him and knelt by them. “Is it the baby?” he asked, grasping Clarissa’s hand.
Gabriel gave
Clarissa a moment to speak but realized she was still too far into her grief to form a coherent sentence. “Savannah perished due to the influenza,” Gabriel whispered. “The same outbreak that took Melly.”
Colin fell to his bottom in a thud and sat, dazedly staring back and forth between Gabriel and Clarissa. “You must be mistaken. Sav is strong. She’d survive the influenza.”
“That’s what we said about Melly,” Clarissa whispered, clinging to Gabriel. She buried her face in his shirt, pulling him as close as she could hold him. Gabriel tugged her closer, his soothing hands moving up and down her back.
Colin sat there for a few minutes, his expression vacant. “I keep thinking how we were so worried about the birth. And, in the end, that’s not what should have concerned us.” Tears tracked down his cheeks, and he sniffled. “I need Ari.”
“The children don’t know,” Gabriel whispered. “We must tell them.” He attempted to ease away from Clarissa, but she clung to him.
Colin nodded, resting a hand on Clarissa’s shoulder a moment. “We’ll wait for you. If I can hold Ari a moment, I’ll be able to control myself for a little while.” He paused when he got to the door. “How is Jeremy?”
Gabriel shook his head. “I doubt he’ll ever fully recover. He’s lost his wife and daughter. In a matter of a few weeks. He blames himself for traveling to Boston. For exposing them to the illness.”
Colin closed his eyes. “He couldn’t have known. He did what he thought best.”
Gabriel nodded and met Colin’s gaze, Gabriel’s terrified. “It’s coming west, Col. It’s in Butte and Anaconda.”
Colin nodded. “I know. It’s starting here too.” He paled and slipped from the room.
Gabriel moved away from Clarissa, but she protested and linked her hands behind his back, refusing to release him. “Ah, my love,” he whispered into her ear. “Thank you for letting me comfort you. I will comfort you, cherish you, forever.”
Abiding Love: Banished Saga, Book Eight Page 38
