Amanda seemed to calm a bit. “Marriage is more than emotional entanglements, Pierce, and you know it as well as you know your bank account. To marry my fortune to yours would ensure our future. It would set forever our place in society. Imagine the possibilities, Pierce.”
“I have, and they do not appeal to me.”
“You aren’t that stupid,” she said, the caustic tone returning. “You are too smart to throw away your future. You’ve worked hard to set it into place.”
“You are exactly right,” Pierce replied.
She smiled with a seductiveness that ordinarily would have been charming. “I knew you’d see it my way.”
“Oh, but I don’t. I merely said you were right about my being too smart to throw away my future. I’m not about to sit around in houses that look fit only to be mausoleums, stuck in the middle of a city that’s driven by greed and avarice and married to a woman who concerns herself only with parties and the value of her possessions.” He turned to leave, but Amanda reached out to hold him.
“If you leave, I’ll see you ruined!”
“Do what you will, Amanda, but do it without me.”
He strode from the room without so much as a backward glance. He heard the sounds of the party behind him, the tinkling of glass, the faint strains of the stringed quartet, the laughter of shallow-minded associations. It was all a facade. There was absolutely nothing real or of value here for him.
He hailed a hack and gave the driver his address. Chicago loomed in his mind like an unattainable prize. Somehow, he would make his way west. Somehow, he would leave New York behind.
Darlene. The name came unbidden to his mind. Could he leave her as well? Could he walk away from a woman he was now certain he loved? He couldn’t suggest marriage, not with their religious differences. He couldn’t take her away from her father, and even if he suggested Abraham accompany them west, Pierce didn’t know if the old man was well enough to do so.
Chicago would mean leaving Darlene. Chicago would mean throwing off every matter of security ever known to him and going into the unknown alone. Could he do it? Could he leave the comforts of life as he knew it, and forge into the wilds of Illinois?
The hack pulled up to the red brick house and stopped. After paying the driver, Pierce made his way inside and found the house quiet. Grateful for this blessing, he made his way to the library. Tossing his frock and waist coat aside, Pierce undid his cravat and eased into a plush leather chair. On the small table beside him, a copy of the newspaper caught his eye.
Picking it up, he scanned the pages for anything of interest. “Irish Riots on the Wabash and Erie Canal,” titled one article. Another announced the cause of some shipping disaster. He looked for something related to Chicago or travel west and found only one tiny article related to the suggested building of a railroad from New York State to the rapidly growing towns ofCincinnati and Chicago. It was such a small article and told with such a negative slant that Pierce was certain no one would paid it much mind.
He folded the paper, tossed it aside, and stretched out his long legs. Dear God, he began to pray, what is it that I should do? I have no peace here. No happiness within my soul. I am as out of place as a fish taken from water. Society bids me be greedy when I would be generous, and tells me to have nothing to do with those who are beneath my status, when I would take all mankind to my heart. He sighed. Oh, God, please show me the way. Give me peace about the direction I should take. Give me a clear path to follow. Amen.
“Whatever are you doing in here?” Eugenia questioned from the door. “I heard a carriage and couldn’t imagine what you were doing home so early.”
“I left because the party was not to my liking,” he answered simply.
Eugenia frowned. “But what of Amanda? Surely she compensated you where the party was lacking.”
“She was the one lacking the most,” Pierce replied.
Eugenia looked behind her before entering the room and closing the door. “Pierce, you and I need to talk.”
“We’ve talked aplenty as far as I’m concerned. Just leave it be.” Exhaustion registered in his voice.
“I don’t wish to cause you further grief, but you must understand,” Eugenia began, “it is very important to your father that you settle down and marry. Amanda Ralston is everything you could ever hope to find in a wife. She’ll be congenial. She’ll run your home efficiently and she’ll never interfere in your business. She’s been groomed for just such a job since she was old enough to walk. Amanda knows her place and she’ll benefit you in many ways.”
“But I don’t love her. I could never love her.”
Eugenia grimaced. “Who could you love? That little Jew?”
Pierce narrowed his eyes. “Don’t think to bring Darlene into this matter.”
“Why shouldn’t I? She clearly is a part of this matter. You fancy yourself in love with her, and I say forget it. She is not of your kind.”
“And which kind would that be? The greedy kind? The selfish kind? Oh, wait, I know, maybe it’s the kind who look down on others because they are different.” Pierce got to his feet. “I’m glad she’s not of those kind. But what you tend to forget because you’re so mired in it yourself, is that I’m not of that kind either!”
“You are better than she is!” Eugenia said, blocking his escape by throwing herself between him and the door.
“No,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m not. I’m not better than Darlene. I’m different in some ways, I’ll give you that much. But I am not better.The Bible says that we should love one another, even as God loves us. Do you suppose God loves Darlene less because she’s of Hebrew lineage? Jesus, Himself, is of such lineage! What if God loved me less because I’m not?”
“You cannot marry a Jew. Even by your own standards and beliefs you cannot do such a thing. You’d forever link yourself to a woman who would never believe as you do. Think of the irreparable harm you could do yourself.”
Pierce picked up his coats and with little trouble, maneuvered Eugenia out of his way. “I’m finished discussing this. If you ever bring up the subject again, I will leave this house for good.”
“I’m only trying to be wise about this, Pierce.”
He realized that she truly believed this. Turning, he said, “Man’s wisdom and God’s are often two very different things. I’ve tried it man’s way. Now I seek God’s.”
Chapter 12
The preparations of the heart in man,
and the answer of the tongue, is from the Lord.
Proverbs 16:1
So who are the flowers from?” Abraham asked his daughter.
Darlene stood holding a newly arrived bouquet of roses and the blush on her cheeks felt as warm a red as the flowers. “They’re from Pierce Blackwell. He’s coming this afternoon to. . .well. . .see me.”
Abraham smiled and nodded. “That’s good. I think he likes you.”
“For whatever good that could ever do him,” Darlene muttered and took the flowers upstairs to put on the kitchen table. Then, without thinking consciously of what she was doing, she hurried into her bedroom and changedher clothes.
Wearing a simple gown of green cotton and ivory ruching, Darlene tried to steady her nerves as she sewed a silk lining into a frock coat. Pierce had sent her flowers before, but never roses and never such a large bouquet. She felt a surge of anxiety and drew a deep breath. I mustn’t let him see me so jittery, she thought. I don’t want him to think I’m drawing unmerited conclusions in this matter. But she was. She was already imagining all of the most wonderful things that Pierce could come and tell her. Furthermore, she imagined how she might respond to just such things.
Even though Darlene knew and anticipated Pierce’s arrival, it was still a surprise when he bounded through the door. He was dressed in a stylish brown suit that her father had made. His waistcoat of amber and orange might have appeared too loud on another man, but it seemed just right on Pierce.
“Hello,” he said with a da
shing smile and deep bow. “You look very pretty today.”
Darlene put aside her sewing. “Thank you.” She didn’t know what else to say, so she folded her hands and said nothing more.
“You received my note, I presume.”
“Oh, yes.” She nodded, then remembered the roses. “The flowers aresimply beautiful. I’ve put them upstairs. I was afraid down here someone might knock them over.” She was also afraid that if Esther saw them she’d immediately begin questioning Darlene for all the facts.
“I thought you might enjoy them. I was passing a shop and saw them in the window. With winter coming on, I thought they might perk up the place a bit.”
“They brighten the kitchen considerably.”
The silence seemed heavy between them and Pierce searched for another topic. “And your father, is he well?”
“Yes. Well, he has a cold, but I’m hoping it won’t be anything serious.”
“Good.”
“What of your family?” Darlene asked, raising her eyes to look upward.
“They are well. Constance had a birthday last week. She’s sixteen now and feels very grown up.”
“I remember sixteen quite well,” Darlene replied. “I didn’t feel very grown up at all. Of course we’d not been long in this country. I was struggling to improve my English and to make a good home for Tateh.”
“I wish I could have known you then,” Pierce said in a soft, almost inaudible tone.
Just then Abraham returned from an errand. His arms were full of brown paper-wrapped packages, and Pierce and Darlene hurried forward to take the burden from him.
“Tateh, you shouldn’t have carried all of this yourself. I could have gone back and brought it home.”
“Nonsense.” He waved away her concern. “I’m an old man, but I’m still good for some things, no? Ah, Pierce, good day to you. I heard you were coming this afternoon.”
“Yes,” Pierce replied, putting the packages where Darlene motioned. “I would like very much to take Darlene for a walk. Would that be acceptableto you?”
Abraham smiled and struggled out of his coat. “It would be very acceptable. She works too hard now that Hayyim is gone.”
“And you haven’t found another assistant to help with the work, Itake it?”
“No, but God will provide. He always has.” Abraham’s words would normally have comforted Darlene, but since all of the changes in her father’slife, she was never certain whether she should take hope in such things.
“Of course He will. If I learn of anyone who might be adequate help, I’ll advise them to come to you.” Pierce then turned to Darlene. “Would you mind walking with me? It’s a bit chilly, but otherwise very nice.”
“I’ll get my shawl,” she replied. Now curiosity was taking over her fears. She had never known Pierce not to discuss every single matter of interest in front of her father. What was it that he wanted to say to her in private? And if it wasn’t a matter of discussing something with her, then why was he suggesting the walk? For a fleeting moment she hesitated. What if Esther saw her? Oy! What mutterings and innuendos she’d have to answer to then!
She pulled a cream-colored shawl around her shoulders. She’d only finished knitting it two days earlier, and this was her first real opportunity to show it off. Pulling a bonnet over her dark-brown hair, Darlene hurried to join Pierce. If Esther saw her, she’d just deal with it later.
“I’m ready,” she announced. “Tateh, are you sure you can spare me?”
“Be gone with you already,” Abraham said with a chuckle. “You can do Pierce more good than me.”
And then they were outside and walking amicably down the street. When Pierce offered his arm, she hesitantly took it. Outside in the public eye it would mean dealing with more than just Esther. What would any of her friends say if they saw her walking with the goy? She squared her shoulders. It didn’t matter. They’d all turned their backs on her father and she wasn’t going to concern herself with what they thought. Oh, they were nice enough to her face and Esther still invited her over from time to time, but she knew they were all talking about her behind her back. And, she figured the only real reason Esther still called on her was for the simple purpose of gathering information.
“You don’t seem to be listening to me.”
Darlene looked up with an apologetic smile. “I do tend to get caught up in my thoughts.”
“Yes, I know. That’s why I suggested walking with you. I’ll keep an eye for the freight wagons while you daydream. But it comes with a price.”
“Oh?”
“Yes.” He nodded and added, “You must tell me what those dreams are about.”
She shook her head. “They weren’t really daydreams. I was actually thinking of the old neighborhood and how much it has changed.”
“Has the neighborhood changed, or have you changed?”
“Some of both,” she admitted. They walked past a fishmonger’s cart and the heady scent of fish and other seafood assailed her nose. “Some things never change,” she said, wrinkling her nose.
Pierce laughed and pulled her a little closer. “But change can be good, don’t you think?”
“Is that why you’ve come to talk to me today?” There, she thought. I’ve just come right out with it and I don’t have to wonder any more what he’s up to.
Pierce wasn’t phased by her boldness. “Yes,” he answered simply.
“So what change is it that you wish to discuss?”
“I’m leaving New York.”
The words hit her like boulders. “Leaving? Where are you going?” She tried hard to sound distant and unconcerned.
“Chicago. It’s a fairly new town in Illinois. It’s quite far to the west and there’s great opportunity to be found there.”
“I see.” She focused on the ground.
“Darlene, I wondered if you and your father might consider moving there also. I mean, I know what your father has experienced here in the neighborhood. He’s told my father about some of the ugly letters. . .”
“What letters?” Darlene interrupted. “I’ve heard nothing of letters.”
Pierce looked genuinely embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I presumed that you knew.”
“Tell me everything,” she demanded, and halted in the middle of the street as they crossed. “I have to know what has been said.”
“Surely you know already,” he pulled at her arm, but she held her place. “Come now, Darlene. I will share what I know, but not in the middle of the roadway.”
She allowed him to take her along and waited silently, although impatiently, for him to tell her the truth.
“Apparently there have been some threats,” Pierce said as delicately as he could. “I believe the letters are harmless enough, but they probably bear consideration. I know the shop has been vandalized twice.”
“But that was probably only street urchins,” she said, even now wondering about the truth of the matter.
“Your father thinks perhaps it is more than that.” Pierce pulled her into an alleyway and stopped. “You must know that he doesn’t wish to worry you, but, Darlene, I do fear for both of you. I know the ugliness of those who cannot accept what is different from what they know. Your Jewish friends can be just as prejudiced as my Christian friends.”
She nodded, knowing that it was true. She could remember well the haughty stares of neighbors when her father stopped going to the synagogue. It was as if the Lewy family simply ceased to exist. Oh, they tried to be kind to her whenever she was alone, but ridicule followed even her. Especially when people asked her why she didn’t leave Avrom and go to live with Esther.
“Chicago could be a new start for you both. I have property there and would be happy to set up a new shop for you. It could be as big as you like and I’m certain we could entice someone to sign on as an assistant to your father.”
Darlene felt a single moment of excitement, then shook her head. “Tateh would never leave.”
“Well, well. What ha
ve we here?”
“Looks like rich folk to me.”
Pierce thrust Darlene behind him as he turned to face a group of filthy street rowdies. “What do you want?”
“Money, same as you uppity dandies,” one of the taller boys said, coming a step closer.
“And jewels,” another boy said. “Give us your lady’s jewels.”
There were five of them, with another two watching the street at the end of the alley. One of the boys produced a club and began whacking it in his hands. “Let’s have it,” he said in a low, menacing tone.
Pierce moved a step back, pinning Darlene in place against the brick wall behind her. “I think we can work this out with no need of violence. Let the lady go and you may have my wallet.”
“We’ll have your wallet and the lady if we want,” the boy replied.
Darlene peered around Pierce’s shoulder. They couldn’t be much more than teenagers, certainly not men. She was about to say something, but just then one of the five pointed at her.
“Wait a minute, Willy. That’s the lady that helps us from the tailor shop. We can’t rob her.”
Pierce relaxed enough for Darlene to slip out from behind him. “I know your little brother. You must be Sam.”
The boy nodded, looking rather sheepish. “Come on, guys. These are good folk.”
The gang backed off and ran down the alley, signaling to their conspirators as they passed by. Pierce started to go after them, but Darlene reached out and took hold of him.
“Please let them go. They’re only trying to survive. They wouldn’t havehurt us.”
“It didn’t look that way to me,” Pierce said angrily. “Scum and lowlife! That’s all they’re good for. The filth and despair of this neighborhood are all they know. Probably all they care to know. The lower classes always breed this kind of criminal element. Something should be done to clean up this neighborhood and rid it of the vemin.”
“But Pierce,” she said in a calm, soothing tone, “I am this neighborhood. My friends and family all live here. If you condemn them all because of the actions of a few, then you must surely condemn me as well.”
My Valentine Page 10
