by Lilah Rivers
“I think it is a wonderful decision and I am more than happy to get you the paper and the ink,” he said.
Gemma nodded, happy for him to do so.
In her room, she sat at the desk and tried to find the words. She knew that it would take a couple of months to reach her parents, but this letter was a starting point.
Dearest Mother and Father,
I am writing to you because I know that you must be worried about me. In truth, leaving you without a word was deeply difficult and my heart ached to do so.
However, I knew that this was the right choice for me. Lord Linton would have brought harm to me eventually and I did not feel as though you were willing to listen to my warnings regarding him. Therefore, in my fear, I had little choice other than to leave England behind.
I am currently in America, a city called Tucson. It is different here, but I am happy. I am also married and I am sure that this comes as a shock to you, but it has been the right choice as well.
My husband is a very good man. You would be proud to see me married to someone like him. He is deeply respectful and so kind. He is a man of faith, hard-working, and while it matters not to me, I am sure that you would be glad to know that he is also wealthy.
I live in the house with him and his sister, with a room of my own as we still are learning to know one another.
We have friends here and all is well.
If you are able to understand my decision, we would like to come and visit. If not, I trust that you will come to understand in time.
Your Loving Daughter,
Gemma
She left it at that, knowing that it would be up to them. She would likely not hear back for four to five months, which was going to be challenging enough.
Gemma would spend that time in deep anticipation, hoping that she might eventually receive their approval. But until then, she would try to be patient. She would continue in her marriage and getting to know Amos.
And she would do all within her power to stay safe from Lord Linton.
Chapter 23
Amos was trying to get a few papers taken care of at the bank when he saw his new customer Mr. Lindsey enter.
“Good afternoon, Mr. Thompson,” he greeted.
“Mr. Lindsey, good afternoon to you as well. And how are you finding the city?” Amos asked.
“I am quite fond of it, Mr. Thompson. Although there is a great deal that I have not had the opportunity to enjoy as of yet,” he said.
“I am sorry to hear that. Is there anything that I may be able to help you with?” Amos asked.
“Yes, actually. Being so new in town, I would like very much to get to know the city. My poor family is terribly bored,” he said.
“That is rather a difficult thing. I’m not sure what you enjoyed doing back in England, but we can certainly find something to entertain you all here,” Amos said, hoping that he could think on his feet.
“Really? I would like for them to have a nice time here and could use a bit of help. I am wide open to suggestions of anything that you may recommend,” Mr. Lindsey said.
“Well, what kinds of things do you enjoy, Mr. Lindsey?” Amos asked.
“We like a great number of things. Let me think. Well, certainly I enjoy the theater,” he said.
Amos racked his brain for anything like that which was available in Tucson. Maybe one day there would be a theater, but for now, that kind of entertainment was certainly missing.
Mr. Lindsey was obviously a great man, one who cared much for his family and was someone that Amos felt he could admire. He realized that he had someone there before him that he could really learn from.
But he wanted to help Mr. Lindsey in finding ways that he could entertain him. Surely, there had to be activities that were familiar to him and to his family. There had to be things that they once did in London and could do now while they were in Tucson.
“I am not sure if we have much of a theater, but I can certainly ask around with some of my friends. But what else? What other things do you like?” Amos asked.
“I enjoy exercise, sports, and I am rather fond of food,” he said.
“Oh? What kind of food? I don’t know what all there is here that will be like your home. My wife likes a certain kind of fish that she said has recently become popular in England, but we don’t have it the same here,” he said.
“That’s fine. I am not fond of fish, anyway. But I do like a good bakery. Tell me, are there any good bakeries around town?” Mr. Lindsey asked.
“Of course!” Amos exclaimed. “We have quite a few. The one on Third Street is my personal favorite. Wilkin’s Bakery. You can find just about anything you want there.”
“Wilkin’s, that sounds perfect. I shall make every effort to go there this afternoon. On Third Street, you say?” he asked.
“Yes, on Third Street. But there are other good ones as well. And there is a nice park to go walking in. Let me think, what else? Oh, I’m not sure, but I know that we can find something good for you,” Amos said.
“I am glad to hear it. Perhaps you might be able to show me around later on?” Mr. Lindsey asked.
“That would be wonderful!” Amos said.
Immediately, his thoughts went to Gemma.
Amos knew so little of British culture, but he wanted to learn more. He thought this would be an ideal opportunity to learn more, and how the men behaved.
He could ask about little things, and even learn how they interacted with their wives. Some of these things might help him to relate better to Gemma. This way, he could be sure he was doing things the way that she expected him to.
Or, at the very least, they would better understand one another when they had difficulties in their different way of doing things. At least, the things that related to where they were each from.
It was an ideal opportunity for him, one that he knew he would have to jump at and take advantage of if he was going to have any hope for a solid foundation of understanding with his wife.
“Very well, then. What time do you finish this evening? I can come by and we may leave and explore the city together,” Mr. Lindsey suggested.
“Yes, that would be good. How about we say six o’clock? If we meet then, I should be all finished up,” Amos said.
“I am glad to hear it. I shall see you then,” Mr. Lindsey said.
With that, the man departed, leaving Amos excited about the prospect of getting to understand his wife better.
He wanted her to be surprised by his sudden knowledge of things. Amos tried to think of questions that he could ask. Terminology that differed, men’s fashion styles in England, other foods that were not present in America? Any of those things would be good to learn.
But he also knew that she and Justine were expecting him home for dinner, so he wrote a quick note, stating that he would be out that evening for work purposes.
It was quite fun, getting to say this when he was actually putting together the surprise of knowing more about England. In many ways, his time with Mr. Lindsey would be like a class wherein he might study a nation so foreign to his own, but one that would reveal to him much more about his wife.
One of Amos’s other customers, Charles Himby, came in and agreed to take the note to the house so that Gemma and Justine would not worry when he didn’t arrive home that evening directly after work.
This way, they would not even be expecting him.
Amos continued his work, but he was surprised when Randall came over to him.
“Hey,” Randall said, his voice quiet and awkward.
“Randall, how’s it going?” he asked in reply.
Although Amos had been going about his duties at work as if there was nothing amiss, there was still an awkward tension between him and a few of his coworkers after he had heard them speaking ill of him. He had let it go and chosen not to continue feeling sorry for himself, but rather to be at peace and wish them well anyway.
Nevertheless, he knew that they were still embarrassed for h
aving spoken about him like that and getting caught. Therefore, they kept their distance, only interacting with him when they had to for work purposes.
“I just wanted you to know that I haven’t liked these last few days,” Randall said.
“What do you mean? Because we haven’t all been communicating like normal?” Amos asked.
“Exactly. I mean, you’re a really great guy, you know? It was a mistake for us to judge you like that. Honestly, it’s a bit difficult when we know that we made a mistake to behave like that, but we were just really upset,” he said.
“I understand. I did something wrong, I guess I just hadn’t realized there was still a divide with us all,” Amos said.
“I think that in some ways we were all a little jealous,” Randall said.
“Jealous? Why? You’re all married. I got myself into that mess of a lie because I was the one who was jealous. My pride was wounded and I wanted to be married. I wanted what all of you have,” he said.
“Yeah, maybe so, but we are all jealous because even though you lied, you still have so much. You got your beautiful British wife. You have so much favor here at work. Everybody loves you,” Randall said.
Amos was humbled.
“Oh, come on now. Not everybody, surely,” he said.
“No, it’s true. People look up to you. You’re a great man and we all know it. I think, in wanting to be like you, we were angry that you even have all of this through a mistake that you made,” Randall said with a shrug.
“I guess I am very fortunate. But it’s only more evidence that the Lord gives to us based on his will and not on our merits. He loves us even when we make mistakes and he gives us different lives because of what he wants for us,” Amos said.
“I suppose that’s true,” Randall said.
“Anyway, just know that there is no anger on my side. What you guys were talking about was legitimate. I made an error, but it’s in the past and I would really like to move on,” he said.
“Yeah, let’s move on,” Randall agreed.
With that, Amos was feeling even better. He really did have everything he wanted and needed. His life was a fortunate one, indeed.
As the day at work came to a close, Amos was happy to see Mr. Lindsey show up right on time for their plans. They greeted one another and then decided to go for a walk around the city before getting dinner.
“Did you have a chance to go to Wilkin’s?” Amos asked.
“I did, indeed, thank you. Splendid cakes,” Mr. Lindsey said.
Amos was thinking that if Mr. Lindsey had been able to indulge in multiple varieties, he really must be quite wealthy. He started to think more about the money that he was saving for his future with Gemma and what that could look like.
It probably would not involve feasting on candy at all times, but at least they would be able to raise their children in an economically sound home where they would want for nothing. He would do his very best to work hard enough to ensure that.
“I asked around and there is a little theater, but I’m not sure if it’s something for the whole family. They do some Shakespeare now and then, but I don’t know how you feel about Shakespeare in an American accent,” Amos teased.
“I can’t say it will be the same, but I would love to give it a go and enjoy a show,” Mr. Lindsey said.
“Great, I’ll show you where that’s at. Oh, and that over there is the best butcher in the whole city limits,” Amos said.
He was having a nice time, sharing his city to help Mr. Lindsey. The man appeared perfectly genial and was quite humorous. They laughed a great deal as they tried to find things that they had in common.
But Amos also had many questions.
“What can you tell me about the things that England has that America doesn’t? I want to learn for the sake of my wife,” he said.
“Your wife is British?” Mr. Lindsey asked.
“Yes, she is. British and beautiful. But I know that there are many things that are different between your nation and mine. I don’t like feeling as though she and I come from different places. I want us to understand one another. What do you suggest?” Amos asked.
“Well, I suggest that you not worry too much, to begin with. British women are lovely and regal and I am sure that she will love you no matter what. That’s another thing about them. They are taught to love whomever they have been matched to love,” he said.
“That’s no kind of love that I want. I want her to love me for me,” Amos said, suddenly worried.
“Has she said that she loves you?” Mr. Lindsey asked, looking at him in the strangest way.
Amos laughed.
“Oh, goodness no. But if she ever does, I want her to mean it,” he said.
“Do you love her?” Mr. Lindsey asked.
Amos took in a deep breath and nodded.
“I really do.”
Chapter 24
Gemma was reclining on the sofa with a book in her hands and drowsy eyes. Justine was out and Amos had sent a note saying that he would not be home until later that evening, so she was happy to just sit back and enjoy the quiet for a while.
The book had been holding her attention until she grew too tired to read anymore. Deciding to go ahead and indulge, she closed her eyes and began to drift into the loveliest, most peaceful nap.
A loud knock on the door startled Gemma awake. How long had she been asleep? Glancing at the large clock in the room, she realized it had been only minutes.
The knock sounded again and she stood up, wishing that she had not been alone in the house. Fear began to grip her and she wondered if she was better off just ignoring it. Whoever it was could come back another time. Maybe when Amos or Justine were home with her.
But at the third knock, Gemma told herself that she was being ridiculous. Besides, what if it was Amos or Justine and they had failed to remember their key to the lock? Of course, she always had the door locked when she was at the house alone.
Gemma made her way to the door and took a deep breath before turning the lock and opening.
But there they were. The last people she ever expected to see before her eyes.
“Mother? Father?”
“Gemma,” her mother said, taking a step forward with her arms outstretched for an embrace.
But Gemma’s father put out his arm to stop her. As if he was unsure it was a good idea. As if he was unsure that they ever ought to embrace their daughter again.
“H-how did you find me? I wrote to you only within these last days,” Gemma stuttered, her shock overwhelming.
“In asking around about you, a Miss Collins came forward. She gave us all of the information that she had, including records from her sister that you were set to be matched with a man by the name of Amos Thompson,” her mother said, standing and staring as if she had seen a ghost.
“D-did her sister tell you anything?” Gemma asked.
“We did not go to her. We learned easily where Mr. Thompson lives,” her father said, gravely and with a hint of anger in his voice.
