“Oh!” Tansy squealed with laughter. “I wish I could have witnessed that.”
“Doc says, ‘Woman, you do have a foul mouth on you, but I could surely get used to those hands of yours?” Aster slapped the counter and laughed until she coughed. “You know, I actually liked the man.”
Faith’s laughter mingled with their howls. She loved these bawdy women and their honest revelations.
“Did you ladies scare away our customers?” she asked. Two women had come earlier for a mix of chamomile and bee balm to make a tea to ease their monthly discomfort. One woman stopped for rosemary and mint oil to help her sleep better. But Faith’s busy greenhouse was empty of customers for the first time all week.
“It’s been quiet all day” Dahlia leaned her elbows on the counter, resting her ample bosoms on the surface. “I may as well go help Anna and her houseguest Millie with a quilt they’re working on.”
Dahlia and Anna had become fast friends, and Faith was glad her aunt was settling in to their new life. They all were in small ways, and it pleased Faith, but she was worried about their in-come. If the customers stopped coming in, so would their money. She couldn’t expect Duke to provide for all of them.
“I can’t imagine our hot bath has much appeal in mid-July” she said, hoping it was just the weather keeping the women away. “Maybe we should offer a cold bath instead.”
“That would have seriously shrunk the doctor’s arrogance,” Aster said, setting everyone off again.
When the door opened, their laughter ceased, and they turned to see a boy Adam’s age carrying a large package in his arms. “I’m looking for Mrs. Wilkins,” he said.
Faith identified herself, and the boy brought the package to the counter. She gave him a nickel she had in her skirt pocket, and he scooted outside with it clutched in his fist.
“What is it?” Tansy whispered.
“I don’t know. I didn’t order anything.”
Iris, who had behaved herself all week, poked at the package. “I’ll bet it’s from the sheriff.”
It was. He’d sent a dress in sky-blue silk patterned with tiny white dewdrop flowers and decorated with blue satin ribbons. He’d included matching shoes and a shawl as he had for her other dress. Faith had planned to wear that dress again to the theater performance tomorrow evening, but he clearly had a better idea.
Iris heaved a dramatic sigh. “Now I regret not trying to steal him away from you.”
“You couldn’t have,” Tansy said. “The sheriff wanted Faith the minute he set eyes on her. But I think Mr. Lyons will buy you lots of dresses if you marry him.”
“What I want from that man doesn’t involve wearing a dress.”
Tansy whacked Iris’s arm. “You are utterly crude.”
“Don’t play innocent with me. I’m sure Mr. Dahlin’ has found his way under your petticoats by now.”
Tansy lifted her chin. “That man can barely find his way to my mouth without a map.”
“So he’s kissed you!” Iris clapped her hands together. “With you and Faith getting married soon, we won’t have to worry about our income. He’ll ask soon, Tansy”
“Won’t matter. I can’t marry a Yankee.”
“Why the hell not?” Aster asked, her voice booming across the greenhouse.
Tansy pulled back as if Aster had slapped her. “Because Yankees killed my husband.”
Faith dropped her dress onto the counter and gaped with the rest of them.
“You were married?” Iris asked softly. “You never told us.”
Tansy released a trembly sigh. “I married Leroy when I was nineteen. I was two months pregnant when he went to war in ‘sixty-one. I lost the baby shortly afterward, and Leroy was killed three years later.”
“Oh, honey . . .” Iris stroked Tansy’s narrow back. “That’s heartbreaking.”
“It destroyed me,” she agreed, the sadness in her voice making Faith’s eyes tear. “When they gave me the news about Leroy, I thought of Mama and Daddy and all the people I loved and would someday lose, and I wanted to die right there. Everything in the South was destroyed by then, and I walked out the door hoping to find my own death, but I wasn’t that lucky. I became a prostitute, and ya’ll know the rest.”
Aster patted Tansy’s shoulder. “Why didn’t you ever share this with us?”
“Because it hurt too much to remember. And it never mattered until now” She hung her head. “Cyrus sings like an angel.”
Dahlia released a sad laugh and hugged Tansy. “No wonder we love you.”
“We surely do.” Iris hooked her arms around Dahlia and Tansy. “Maybe Cyrus wasn’t even in the war, hon. You should ask him.
Aster looked on like a mother hen, and Faith felt a deep sadness for all of them, for their lost innocence, for their lost dreams, for the love they were worthy of but didn’t have.
o0o
After supper, Cora rushed into the house with a note clutched in her hand. “A man said to give this to you.”
Faith had her hands in dishwater, so Aster read the note to her.
“‘Time for us to settle this matter’,” she said, a scowl drawing her white eyebrows down. “‘Meet me in the greenhouse tonight at ten o’clock. Come alone. I won’t take no for an answer.’”
Faith’s blood turned to ice and she froze with her hands in the water.
Aster’s face turned as white as her hair.
Tansy dropped the pan she was drying. It landed on the floor with a bong and rolled into the wall. “God in heaven, who sent that?”
“It doesn’t say.”
Iris and Dahlia rushed from their bedchambers. “What happened?”
Fingers trembling, Aster passed the note to Iris. “I think Judge Stone has found us.”
Iris and Dahlia read the note, and Dahlia slammed her hand on the table. “I swear I’ll kill that man.”
Cora cast a frightened look at Faith.
“Come here, honey” Faith wiped her hands on her apron then opened her arms. “Who gave you the note?”
“A man did,” Cora said, rushing into Faith’s protective embrace.
“What did he look like?”
“A bear with white hair.”
Faith had seen several white-haired men in the village, but the only man who would write a note like that was Judge Stone. Her stomach clutched with fear, knowing he had approached Cora and could have easily taken her, and would have done so deliberately to remind her of his power. She looked for Adam and panicked.
“Where’s Adam?”
“Under the bridge with Rebecca,” Cora said. “He told me not to come down there by the water.”
Faith trembled with fury and fear. Adam was supposed to be watching Cora while Faith was cleaning up. Instead he was flirting! Was that all boys and men could think about?
She handed Cora to Dahlia. “We need to make a plan. I’ll be right back with Adam.”
She stormed to the bridge that crossed Canadaway Creek at Water Street, and saw him sitting on the bank with Rebecca. “Adam Steven Dearborn! Get up here this instant!”
His head snapped up, and he stared in shock.
She had never screamed at him, but she was terrified. “Judge Stone just gave Cora a note while you were down here playing. He could have taken her!”
Adam’s eyes widened, and he clawed his way up the bank. “Is he here?”
“Somewhere, yes. And he’s coming back.”
“I got to go,” Adam yelled to Rebecca, then ran for the house.
Faith followed him, not caring if the neighbors saw her mad flight. She wanted to get inside and bar the door. She wished she could run for Duke, but how could she ask for his help without confessing everything? What a mess she’d made for herself. What a grave she’d dug when she cheated Stone of the prize he wanted.
Faith gathered at the table with her aunts and slowly formed a plan. At nine-thirty that night, she slipped out to the greenhouse with Aster and Iris, leaving Tansy and Dahlia behind to guard Adam
and Cora. She lit a lantern on the counter, then lowered the wick to keep the interior deeply shadowed. They armed themselves with clubs and a strong rope, then crouched between flats of plants to wait for the judge.
A few minutes after ten o’clock, the door swung open. Iris leapt forward with a grating growl and beaned the man on the head with a three foot piece of leftover lumber. He clutched his head and fell into a flat of wintergreen. Aster leapt at him with her club, and Faith rushed forward with the rope.
“Stop!” Patrick Lyons thrust his hand up to block Aster’s swing. “What the hell are you women doing?”
“Patrick?” Iris dropped to her knees beside him. “What are you doing here?”
“Getting killed by crazy women.” He rubbed his head and pushed to his elbow. “What did you hit me with? I’m bleeding like a stuck pig.”
Faith rushed to the counter and raised the lantern wick. The right side of Patrick’s forehead was covered in blood. “Good grief,” she said, grabbing a clean linen off the shelf. She rushed it to Iris, who pressed it to Patrick’s head. “You stupid man. Don’t you ever sneak in here again.”
“Sneak?” He winced. “I sent a damned note.”
They all gaped at him.
“You idiot!” Iris punched his shoulder. “I didn’t get the note. Some white-haired man gave it to Cora, and it scared us half to death.”
“I had one of the men I work with deliver it.” He groaned and sat up. “I told him to give it to the pretty lady with black hair.”
“Well, he forgot that part because he gave it to a four-year-old girl and told her to give it to her mother.”
Faith’s legs gave out and she sank to her knees. “Patrick, if I had any strength left, I’d wallop you again. You just scared ten years off my life.”
“Mine too,” Aster said, “and I don’t have any to spare.” She nodded to Iris. “Finish him off.”
“Don’t tempt me.” Iris pinched his arm. “Are you insane?”
“I’m injured, and my ass is planted in six inches of wet soil. I’m about to sprout mushrooms in places I can’t mention.”
She stood and tugged him to his feet. “Come over to the counter so I can patch you up.”
Faith’s legs quaked as she got up, but she needed to make sure Patrick was all right, and that he wouldn’t tell Duke what happened out here.
Iris dabbed the blood off his forehead and Faith was relieved to see only a small gash in his hairline.
Iris scowled. “You’re going to have a goose egg and a sore head for a while, but you’ll survive. Now, what was that note all about?”
“This.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket. “I got your letter, but I’m not taking no for an answer, Iris. You care about me. I know you do. And I care enough to marry you.”
Faith exchanged a surprised look with Aster. Patrick had teased Iris, but no one thought he was serious. At least, Faith hadn’t.
Iris pushed the paper away. “Stand still so I can finish this.”
Patrick scowled, and Faith wanted to leave them to their private conversation. “I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell anyone about what happened here tonight,” she said, praying he wouldn’t ask for an explanation.
He braced his elbow on the counter. “No one would believe me anyhow.” He tipped his head so Iris could clean the gash with iodine. “What are you afraid of, Iris?” he asked quietly.
“Nothing. This gash on your head should prove that.”
But Faith could see Iris was afraid: She wouldn’t meet Patrick’s eyes, and her fingers trembled as she taped a thick pad of gauze over the bleeding wound.
“Done.” Iris stepped away. “Go home, farm boy.”
He sighed and asked, “Are you afraid you won’t live up to my expectations?”
“I’m afraid you won’t live up to mine.” She threw the towel at his chest, then stormed outside, letting the door bang shut behind her.
Faith’s jaw dropped, but Aster caught her hand. “Come on, hon, let’s go back to the house and figure out how you’re going to get rid of that damned property.”
Chapter 24
Faith had Iris wrap her hair into a pretty twist in back of her head, then added a sprig of forget-me-nots to match her new blue dress. The outfit was so beautiful and gay, Faith wished she could sneak into the Barkers’ foyer and peek in their big beveled mirror.
To celebrate Duke’s thirty-first birthday, they were going to Union Hall to see Ashton’s theater company present Rip Van Winkle. She heard him knock at the door, then Cora’s feet pounding across the floor. The little girl couldn’t wait to give Duke his birthday gift.
Faith picked up her reticule and left the room. Cyrus was in the parlor with Tansy, building a window seat she wanted. They all greeted Duke, but Cora was too excited to mind her manners. “We made a present for you,” she said, interrupting.
“Is that so?” Duke knelt and tweaked the child’s belly “Whoa! Are you getting fat, princess?”
Cora giggled. “I got your present under my shirt.”
“Is that why you’re all lumpy?” He tickled her side, and she danced away.
Faith watched her handsome suitor tease her daughter. He wore a navy blue suit and a starched white shirt that made his smile seem wider and brighter. He raised his eyes to hers, and she wanted to rush into his arms, into his passion.
“This will make your shoulder better,” Cora said, interrupting their private exchange.
Adam looked up from the wing chair where he was reading. “Well, give it to him before you bust a seam.”
“Surprise!” Cora pulled a drawstring bag filled with field corn from beneath her shirt and thrust it at Duke.
His expression made Faith laugh. He had no idea what he was holding.
“It’s a heating bag,” she said. “Heat the corn in the oven, then pour it back into the bag and pull the drawcord tight to close it. The corn will stay hot for about half an hour, and the heat will feel good on your shoulder.”
He bounced the bag in his palm a couple of times, then grinned at Cora. “I’ll bet this was your idea.”
“Nope.” She shook her head and pointed at Adam.
Duke’s eyebrow lifted, and he looked at Adam, who slouched down in the chair.
“It’s just a bag of corn,” the boy said.
“Well, it’s a smart idea and a perfect gift. My shoulder says thanks for being such an intelligent young man.”
Adam rolled his eyes, but Faith noticed his pleased look. “Mama sewed the bag, and I put the cord in by myself,” Cora said.
As was becoming his habit, Duke spoiled the children, and even Faith’s aunts, with licorice sticks before he whisked her outside.
“Seventeen days, and you’ll be Mrs. Grayson,” he said, pulling her behind a tree for a kiss.
A reckless thrill rushed through her, as if she were standing on the roof of her three-story greenhouse.
She would be his wife.
His lover.
The mother of his children.
And the one who deceived him each day of their lives.
She couldn’t do it.
She had to do it.
Once they jumped, there would be no turning back. Somewhere, some day, the truth would come out and they would crash to the hard, rock-strewn earth below.
Duke leaned back and rubbed her arms. “Why are you trembling?”
“I’ve never seen a theater performance.”
“You’ll love it. No arrogant doctor to battle, no nasty competitor to attack you, just an evening of entertainment for you to enjoy.”
“Speaking of the doctor, he visited my bathhouse yesterday” She recounted Aster’s story about massaging the doctor’s posterior, and Duke was howling with laughter when they reached Union Hall on Main Street.
The second floor was jammed with people. Heavy velvet draperies covered tall windows on the north and south ends of the spacious room, and a huge crystal chandelier hung in the center of the ceiling.
He grinned. “Likewise.”
With immense pride, she took his arm, honored to be this man’s choice. Of all the women vying for his attention, he’d chosen her. She smiled with pleasure as he escorted her to the front row where Claire and Boyd were sitting.
“You’re going to love the performance,” Claire said, greeting her with warmth. “Ashton’s troop is the best.”
“That’s what I told her,” Duke said, giving Boyd a nod, then settling himself in the chair beside Faith. She liked the feel of his shoulder against hers, and the way he linked her nervous fingers with his. Maybe his actions were too familiar for polite society, but she couldn’t give up his solid, steadying hand.
They would be married soon, and his strong hands would touch more than her fingers. Faith’s stomach dipped and she pressed her palm against it to settle herself. Duke would be considerate. He would keep his big hands gentle and not overpower her. He would control his strong, muscled body and make love to her. Soon she would know him intimately. And he would know her, and her lack of experience.
Anxiety flooded her as Duke rubbed his thumb over her hand and pointed out friends in the audience. Then Ashton’s troop came out and the performance began. In minutes the drama captured her attention so completely, she lost track of time. When the artists gave their final bow to a roaring applause, her chest expanded with joy. Never had she been so enthralled in her life. She wanted Adam and Cora to experience this wonder. She wanted her aunts to find decent, honorable men who would bring them to lawn parties and heartwarming performances. And she wanted to spend her life at Duke’s side, sharing these occasions without a heart full of guilt.
Chapter 25
Flutter-birds beat their wings in Faith’s stomach, but she spoke her wedding vows with assurance. She stood beneath the leafy maple tree with Duke where he had proposed, her emotions fluctuating between joy that she was marrying a man she was falling in love with, and terror that Duke would someday hate her for the colossal crime she was committing against him.
Wendy Lindstrom Page 21
