by Laura Locke
“Is this the Wellchester farm?” he asked, out of breath from his long, fast-paced ride.
“Indeed, it is,” responded Richard and Ira joined him, hearing the voices outdoors.
“Lieutenant Bower, Lord Cunningham, asks that Johanna and Melody Wellchester accompany me and aid the injured. Lord Cunningham believes that Ms. Wellchester’s healing skills are superior and he is badly in need of help. He begs Ms. Johanna’s father to either accompany her or send representation if he is uneasy.”
“Johanna? Melody? Why would a soldier in his Majesty’s army ever think to request my daughters, much less how does he even come to know them?”
Johanna’s eyes grew large and her heart began beating rapidly as she realized the time for truth, had come. “Father, while you and Mother were gone, something happened that I have yet to tell you about. Neither Richard nor Melody know about it, so please do not chastise them for my carelessness. The only person who does, is Aunt Margaret.”
“It sounds to me as if you had better let me know what you are talking about. This does not sound very proper.” Ira’s face was stern and his mannerisms defensive. The soldier on horseback looked uncomfortable, as if he wished he could be anywhere else at that moment.
Johanna looked up at the soldier. “Please, would you be so kind as to allow me to offer you a cup of tea and a bit of food, please? I must speak with my parents before I can give you an answer.”
The horseman nodded and climbed down, Richard coming forward to take the reins and lead his horse back to the barn where it would be fed and given fresh water. The soldier followed Johanna into the garden where she pointed to the bench where she had last seen William sit. “Please, make yourself comfortable,” she said, pointing to the bench. “I will return shortly.”
As her parents watched in amazement, Johanna went into the kitchen, calmly cut two thick slices of bread and layered a tender piece of beef between them. She poured a glass of cool ale and carried these out to the soldier who was waiting on the bench as requested. “Please, but as I said, I must have a talk with my parents. I hope you enjoy your meal, and I will return shortly.”
The rest of her family awaited her at the great trestle table in the kitchen. Johanna walked in calmly and sat down in her normal spot. “First, I ask your forgiveness in not telling you before this, but when I am done, I hope you will see logic and duty, the kind you brought me up to believe in, above all else.” She then went on to relay the story of having found William and his horse while during her walk. She admitted to not being completely forthcoming to Ira or the others out of fear that they would become involved and thereby put into danger. She explained that at the same time she was loathed to allow the soldier to die. “He is a good man, Father. Aunt Margaret met him when he came through the village looking for a farrier. She directed him to Richard and that is how he came to learn my full name and where I lived. I did not expect to see him again and nothing untoward, not remotely close to it, ever took place between us. I will admit to you that he has filled my thoughts since he left and that I am drawn toward his company. It is one of the reasons that I was reluctant to accompany Mother as she sought to find us husbands. No one knows of our meeting, with the exception of those of you in the room, the soldier in the garden, Aunt Margaret, William and myself. There is no gossip and no explanation required because nothing happened.”
Ira was silent for long moments, and he looked towards Sylvia to ascertain her reaction to what Johanna had shared with them. “I think I speak for your mother as well as myself when I say that we have always implicitly trusted you, Johanna. I do not believe you would ever willingly place yourself in a compromising position, however, you cannot always be in full control of what takes place. I would caution you never to do anything so foolish again.”
Johanna nodded. “I understand, Father, and I agree.”
“That said, this family believes in God and country and other than Richard, I did not share with you other three the serious events which are taking place for England as we speak. The soldier in the garden wishes your help in giving aid to those who have most likely participated in the Luddite rebellion. Without going into great detail, the Luddites are, for the most part, members of our own level of society whose jobs have been replaced by machinery, owned by the very wealthy. They protest not only the loss of their jobs, but the poor quality of the products output and the fact that unskilled labor is being paid a pittance to run these machines. They believe that it is detrimental to those who buy the products, to the reputation of Britain, overall, and an indication of the future that will bring us all down. It was my judgment not to tell you, for I wanted you to be safely married and concerned with raising a family, rather than becoming involved in politics. However, it would appear that politics have come home to visit us. And as a Wellchester, we will not ignore that call. Therefore, I give you leave to go and be of aid, with the requirement that you follow my instructions.”
Ira heard the soldier’s words and knew the time had finally arrived when he could no longer shelter his family from the events that would soon involve them all. Better to have rendered help early on while temperatures could still be controlled. Gaining an assurance from the soldier that he would keep the girls safe and they would be likewise escorted home safely, Ira allowed the girls to go.
Johanna was beside herself at the idea of seeing William again. She ran quickly to Shepherd’s Nest and gathered what herbs supplies she had on hand. Her mother sent baskets of fabric that could be torn into strips for bandages. Ira sent along enough money to keep the girls well boarded, and Sylvia kissed them goodbye with tears in her eyes as they left.
It was a two-hour ride to the small town where William was waiting. Although it was nighttime when they arrived, Melody and Johanna immediately set to work tending to the injured. As Melody’s skill with the needle was far superior to that of Johanna, Melody tended to the open wounds, neatly stitching them closed and binding them before sending the victim to either the field hospital or to his or her home. Johanna created herbal painkillers and helped to set broken bones.
When their work was done, Johanna and Melody sought the refuge of the rooms they had rented. Both girls bathed thoroughly, and they ordered their dinner delivered to their room as it would be unseemly for either of them to appear in a tavern. They were waiting when there came a knock at the door. Johanna went to answer it, assuming that it was the tavern boy with their trays. There stood William.
Throwing caution to the wind, Johanna cried out with pleasure and threw her arms about William’s neck. Remembering herself, she quickly released him and stood back, substituting the hug with a curtsy.
“I liked the first greeting better. However, I’m very glad to see you, regardless. I want to thank you both for coming to our aid. There was no one else I could think of to ask.”
“We were only too happy to help out,” Johanna responded. “No one should be in pain, no matter on which side of the popular opinion they sit. Were you injured?” Her eyes searched his body thoroughly, and her glance brought heat to his loins. He had not until that very moment, realized how very much he had come to miss her and to think of her as belonging to him.
“No, I am unharmed.”
Melody, who had been industrious but silent up until now, could not help herself any longer. “You are the soldier who came by our cottage,” she said, recognizing him.
“Indeed, I am. Your brother, Richard, was kind enough to see to my horse as he had gone lame. May I assume by the fact that the two of you are present, that Johanna has made all the parties involved aware of what, or more to the point, what did not transpire between the two of us?”
Johanna nodded. “When your soldier came to recruit us, I had no choice but to be forthcoming. I know who you are now. The kind old lady who directed you to our smithy is known throughout the village as Aunt Margaret. She is a good soul and matchmaker for the village. She and I had spoken right after you left and she had drawn her own conclusio
ns, I’m afraid.”
“And what conclusions would that be?” he asked her, his eyes twinkling.
“Do not press me so, for I am loathe to say. It would be unseemly for me to express such things.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Johanna, just tell him that you are interested in getting to know him better,” Melody burst forth with exasperation, as well as enthusiasm that her sister capitalize on such a situation. “There is a time for modesty and a time for efficiency,” she pointed out. “Anyway,” she rolled her eyes and sighed, “if you, Johanna, are out of the way, I may feel free to be courted by anyone without worrying about your interference.”
“Melody! Do not be so free with your words. This is my life we’re talking about.” Johanna looked toward William as he began chuckling. “She had no right to tell you that.”
“She had every right and God bless her for doing so. Melody, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for accelerating what might have otherwise been a very lengthy, very wasteful period of time.” He turned to Johanna and said, “Johanna, everything your sister has confided about you, could also be said about me. Before I can continue with this conversation, it is my desire that the two of you enjoy your supper and have a good night’s rest. Tomorrow, I will accompany the two of you back to Tymington, for I wish to speak with your father directly. With that, I bid the both of you a good night,” he announced, and turned, descending the steps to leave.
“Melody, how could you have been so bold? I am feeling quite flustered now. I fear my heart has stolen some of my common sense.”
The tavern boy who had come up behind William quickly set up their dinner on a small side table and dragged chairs alongside so the girls could sit and enjoy their supper. “He is a good man, that one,” the boy said. “I hope you do not mind my saying so, but he is generous and fair, and that is not a quality, you will often find, particularly in the city. Were you my sister, I should urge you to accept his proposal.”
Johanna’s eyes widened and her mouth opened in astonishment. “I do not know you, and you do not know me. I would appreciate if you will attend to your own business.”
Melody rolled her eyes and said, “Johanna, mind your manners. I swear, you can become so arrogant at times. This young man has brought us a fine supper and the word of client advice. The least you can do is to be less churlish with him.”
Thus admonished, Johanna nodded. “You are right, Melody. Where are my manners? Thank you, young man for bringing our supper and for the benefit of your opinion.”
The tavern boy shrugged, grinned and left them to their supper.
“Melody, I must say I am surprised at you.”
“How so, Sister?”
“I had always thought you to be such a meek little mouse who would not have condoned my decision in helping William when I found him alongside my forest path. And yet you seem to be championing him and throwing us together without so much as a blink.”
“Johanna, I am not the innocent idiot you believe me to be. Mother’s clients tend to talk quite a bit while I am filling their orders. I believe I know more about the world and its ways than you have had occasion to learn. One thing I do know is that happiness is difficult to find when it comes to marriage. Most girls our age are married off for the benefit of what the groom can bring in terms of wealth and connections. Fondness for one another is never taken into consideration. Although it is ultimately what you will live with for the rest of your life. As soon as I saw your face, I knew you were in love with that man. I did not know why or how you would have ever come to meet him. But the fact remains that it is plain he adores you as well. I am neither blind nor stupid, and as I said earlier, it would please me if you were out of the way as I entertain my own suitors.”
“Melody, why would you believe that I would interfere with your finding a suitor?”
“It is simply who you are, Johanna. Of the three of us, you are the independent one. It is you who sets the tone for the three of us, and I do not think it has anything to do with the order in which we were birthed. I believe it is a spirit deep within you. I hope you can see it for yourself and will always live your life in a manner that makes you happy. I do not think you were meant for Tymington and perhaps not even for England. Just as you wandered the forest path, your heart calls to you to wander the world. Whether this opportunity ever comes your way, I have no way of knowing, but my guess is that your soldier would be the most likely candidate. You know, of course, that Father would not be happy to see you live far away, but he loves you, as does Mother and they both want you to be happy.”
“Melody, I am astonished at your perception. I had no idea you were so deep and thoughtful.”
“You just never thought to look. I suppose it is natural that when three siblings are born within moments of one another that they should compete for a lifetime. We have done our fair share of that, heaven knows. But it does not mean that the three of us are identical — not in our views, not in our gifts, and not in our dreams. You have spent your thoughtful times wandering the path while I have spent mine stitching with a needle. Richard has found his means, as well, of that I am certain. I think the time has come that the three of us learn to respect one another as individuals more than siblings.”
“Melody, when you did you become so wise?”
“Enough of that. None of us know what lies in the future. What we have just witnessed, is proof of that. As for me, I would prefer to stay close to Tymington and to continue to work with Mother in her business. I have no desire to wander. What I do have a desire for, at this moment, is to eat the supper as I am quite famished and tired from the day.”
“You will get no argument from me, Sister,” Johanna told her.
Chapter 17
William appeared at the girls’ door early the next morning. “I thought we might breakfast together downstairs before leaving,” he told them and they nodded and followed him. The three enjoyed a healthy breakfast of eggs and bangers, topped with a tall glass of milk for each of the girls. They emerged outside into the daylight, mounted their horses and set off down the road toward Tymington.
Along the way, William kept them entertained with stories of things he had seen in his travels. It was a beautiful day and the air crisp, making their journey most enjoyable. William shared his news of having just lost his father and the girls expressed their sincere condolences.
“Will you leave His Majesty’s Army?” Johanna asked.
“That depends,” he responded. They gave him a look of question, and while they would not ask him outright, he decided he would relieve them of the curiosity. “My father’s estate is being liquidated, including the family home. My father did not attend his inheritance. Well, his time has come to an end. It is my wish to travel. Once his affairs have been concluded, I plan to use the funds still available to see more of the world. I would prefer not to do this alone,” he said with a meaningful look in Johanna’s direction. She blushed wildly and Melody nodded her head, rolling her eyes.
In a short time they arrived at Tymington and Sylvia met them in the drive. She had not been included in the discussion of the girls’ participation, but had followed Ira’s decision without question. She was very relieved to have her daughters back, safe and sound.
“William, will you not join us inside?” Sylvia requested.
William nodded, and Johanna had the distinct impression that the request did not come as a surprise to him. She knew her father would not only want to meet him, but would want some indication of his intention to wed Johanna. After all, his presence had placed her in jeopardy of losing her good reputation. The three of them followed Sylvia as they went into the kitchen where Ira and Richard awaited them, seated at the trestle table. Sylvia served refreshments and then, the women withdrew and left the men to talk.
“I have heard many admirable things about you, William,” Ira was kind enough to say. “However, it cannot come as a surprise to you that I wonder what it is you have planned for my daughter?
You have placed her in compromising situations and perhaps even taken a bit of advantage of her talents and kindness.”
“You are correct, sir. While it was never my choice to be injured, and I certainly never did anything untoward with regard to Johanna, it was my good fortune that she be the woman she is. Otherwise, I surely should have expired there on the path between the trees. She did, quite frankly, save my life.”
“My daughter is a fine woman, and I have her mother to thank for that. All of my children have grown to make their parents proud.”
“Sir, you should know that my father, Lord Cunningham, recently passed away and I have, of course, inherited his title. My father had fallen on bad times, in great part due to his lack of restraint. I have ordered his solicitor to liquidate family estates and after his debts are settled, I do expect to come into a sum of money that would liberally allow me to take a wife and to provide for her for the rest of our lives. It cannot help but have come to your attention that your daughter, Johanna, is the object of my affection. With that in mind, I would ask you, kind sir, to allow me to have your daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Ira’s eyebrows rose. “I was not aware things had progressed quite so quickly,” he said.
“I am not a man who wastes time once he has found that which he seeks,” William told him. “Your daughter is the kind of woman I have always wanted. Are you aware that she is holding out the desire to travel, beyond the shores of England?”
Ira looked surprised. “No, she has never mentioned such to me, although I don’t know why this would surprise me, as she has always been a wanderer and her heart has been far from home. Is this something the two of you have discussed?”
“No, sir, I could not discuss such matters with her until I had spoken with you. Since I have now come into my title and the very meager wealth that it entails, I have plans of buying a ship and establishing trade between England and other lands. It would be my wish that your daughter would accompany me, therefore availing her of her desire to travel and to see the strange and wonderful things throughout the world with me at her side. Should we, at some point, begin a family, I would encourage her to choose where she would like to raise our family and we would settle there permanently for I believe that children should have the stability of the home. That is not to say that I would not take them on a voyage or two when they reached an appropriate age.”
