My Sister's Prayer (40 page)

She'd had no idea herself until this moment. How could she have done something so horrible as to come to the point of loving him? He would never return her feelings. She would have to live out her life watching him love her sister.

The pangs of jealousy quickly turned to heartbreak. Real pain twisted inside her chest. She loved him, but no one could ever know. Because of Berta, she had no choice but to swallow down this newfound realization, burying these thoughts of love somewhere deep inside. It didn't matter how much she loved him. She would never hurt Berta that way. She just hoped her sister would value him and treat him as he deserved.

A block from the inn, as Celeste turned the corner, her head down against the wind, she nearly plowed into a man in a red coat.

Hands fell to her shoulders to steady her as she stepped aside, landing in a puddle. “Excuse me.” She looked up into Captain Bancroft's face. “Oh. It's you.”

He chuckled. “I hoped to see you, Miss Talbot. I take it you've had a chance to discuss your circumstances with your brother?”

“Yes, I have.”

“And your sister? Is she still at Constable Wharton's?”

“Yes.” She had no desire to explain Berta's situation to him, how ill she'd been and that Celeste had purchased her contract, only to have it revoked. But she did owe him an apology for the lie she had unknowingly helped to perpetrate.

“The situation is complicated.” She paused and cleared her throat. “But I'm afraid I was wrong about my sister's contract. Apparently, that was her signature, and she did board the ship of her own free will. She…
allowed me to believe otherwise for reasons that are far too difficult to explain here. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for all the trouble I caused. You're a fair man, and I appreciate that you didn't dismiss our claims outright.”

There. She felt better. Berta might have had no problem lying, but Celeste wanted only to tell the truth, to clear up the messes her sister had left in their wake.

“I appreciate that, Miss Talbot,” he said, and when she allowed herself to meet his gaze, she saw that his smile was genuine.

“I believe my brother will be traveling to Norfolk on your ship to tend to my sister,” she said, looking away again.

“Very well.” He bowed slightly. “Best wishes to all of you Talbots. Here and in London too. I found your father to be a delightful man.”

She stuttered. “Y-you met him?”

“I did. At your family's inn and then when he accompanied your brother and his friend as they boarded the ship.”

“Why did you visit the inn?”

He shrugged. “I was curious, is all, after Hayes told me your father was educated and of means.”

“Oh,” Celeste answered, still confused. A wave of homesickness nearly overcame her. “I have to ask you to excuse me. I need to get back to work.”

Perhaps he hadn't heard her. “It's really a shame, all you and your sister have gone through. I'll be honest. I didn't expect, at first, that you came from a good family. You've had one self-inflicted trial after another—and for what?”

“Exactly,” she said, brushing by him. He'd been kind to her, true, but she had no patience for his reflections, not at her expense. She was well aware of the situation she'd thrust her entire family into.

By the time she reached the inn, Emmanuel and George had congregated with a group of sailors around the bench on the other side of the fence. Celeste relayed Spenser's message and then told them goodbye. “Give Berta a hug.” Tears sprang into her eyes again. “Tell her I love her and hope to see her soon.”

It was true. She did love her sister. Beyond measure. That was one
good thing that had come from their trials. It didn't matter if Berta had lied about Jonathan or consorted with him. Celeste would stand by her no matter what.

Emmanuel told her goodbye and George simply nodded to her. She paused a moment and then blurted out to him, “I shouldn't have treated you so badly, George. The least I could have done was be honest with you.”

“You're right.”

“Please forgive me,” she said softly.

“Celeste…you have no idea how badly you hurt me.”

Actually she did, but she didn't say so. “I'm sorry.”

He nodded curtly and then stood when Emmanuel got up to head to the dock. The men walked away together.

She hadn't expected George to forgive her, but she couldn't help but wonder why he'd come. Obviously, it wasn't for her.

That evening, Mr. Edwards and Celeste managed to make savory cheesecakes for dinner with a little direction from Sary. She didn't speak, but she communicated with gestures and expressions until they got the recipe right. Then Celeste served it to the few patrons in the dining room. Among them was Monsieur Petit, who asked after Berta.

Celeste explained that their brother Emmanuel had come over from England, much to her surprise, and that he was now on his way to Norfolk to straighten things out with the constable there. The man seemed relieved to hear it, and from the way he talked, she could tell that both he and his wife had grown quite fond of Berta during her convalescence in their home.

Later, Celeste was in the kitchen when Mr. Edwards appeared.

“Lieutenant Gray is here to see you,” he said, brows furrowed. “I told him I thought he should stay away, but he insists it's important.”

She wiped her hands on her apron, weariness nearly overtaking her. “I'll talk to him.”

“He's in the sitting room. And I'll wash these up. The water won't be good on your hands anyway.”

Celeste thanked him for his kindness and trudged back to the inn. Jonathan was standing at the window when she entered the sitting room. Thankfully, he was alone. He turned quickly. “Celeste. How are you?” He appeared genuinely concerned.

“All right,” she answered, wondering what he'd heard.

“Mr. Horn came out to the plantation this morning, ranting about what happened. But I'm guessing it was all an accident. I know you wouldn't hurt him on purpose.”

“No. Of course I wouldn't.”

Jonathan opened his hand and extended it, revealing the brooch. “Constable Wharton had this. I told him I gave it to you and that he had no right to it.”

“Thank you, Jonathan.”

He stepped closer. “Please take it.”

“Perhaps you should give it to Miss Vines.”

He winced, but Celeste didn't apologize. Nor did she take the brooch. He closed his hand around it again.

She asked if he'd seen Berta.

He shook his head. “I was told she was with Wharton, but I didn't see her.”

Celeste squared her shoulders. “And what about the ring? Did Constable Wharton come to a conclusion about it?”

“What ring?” Jonathan asked.

“The one I used to buy Berta's freedom—the one he accused me of stealing. It was my mother's—”

“Goodness, he didn't ask me about that at all. I could have told him your family has means, that you wouldn't need to steal such a thing.”

Celeste sighed, grateful for his words. “When did the constable leave?”

“Soon after he arrived. I saw him briefly, and we only discussed the brooch.”

“I appreciate your coming to see me,” Celeste said, “but I need to get back to work.” Or collapse if Mr. Edwards would let her.

“Please wait a moment. There's something I need to tell you—and ask you.”

Her heart lurched at the sadness in his voice. Even after all he'd done to her, she still cared about his well-being.

“First, I want to apologize again—for everything.” He's eyes grew watery as he spoke. “I haven't been sleeping, Celeste. All I can think about is you.”

She crossed her arms but didn't respond.

He blinked a few times, as if trying to rid his eyes of tears. “I sold the carriage. I finally have the cash to buy your freedom.”

She gasped, her hand going to her throat. Emmanuel didn't have enough money to buy both Celeste's and Berta's contracts, but if Jonathan bought her freedom, then that would solve some of their problems. “Thank you,” she whispered.

“I've been given orders to go to Carolina, down by Charles Town. This time a land grant has been guaranteed.”

“Oh, Jonathan, that's wonderful! Will you marry before you go?”

“I've chosen to go to Carolina rather than remain here. And because of that, I will not be marrying. Unless…”

Celeste's heart lurched again.

“Unless you'll have me after how horrible I've been.”

Celeste was too shocked to respond. Surely she hadn't understood what he said. Perhaps she was delirious.

He stepped closer. “I've loved you since the first time I saw you. I made a huge mistake not to wait for you. If I had, none of this would have happened. Come with me to Carolina. We'll start a new life together. I'll be a landowner again. You'll be the lady you were meant to be.” He reached for her red, rough hand. Numbly, she let him take it. “I want you with me, Celeste. There's a Huguenot community there, including a church, where we can marry. I'll take care of you, I promise. I've never regretted anything in my life as much as I have not waiting for you.”

She tried to speak, but no words came out.

“Please say yes.” Jonathan's eyes now swam in tears. “I must leave tomorrow.”

“Give me tonight,” she managed to say. “I'll let you know first thing in the morning.”

He slipped the brooch into her hand. “This is just the first of many gifts. You'll have far more than the ruby ring Constable Wharton took from you.”

Celeste closed her hand around the brooch. There was still the matter between them of Berta's claims. Jonathan had already told her Berta was lying, but she simply had to be sure before things went any further.

“I talked to Berta about what you said. She insists that you asked her to join you in Virginia.”

A pained expression passed over his face. “I gave this more thought after I last spoke with you about it. I saw Berta one time, late in the evening along the Thames. I was worried about her being out by herself and escorted her home.”

Celeste cocked her head.

“Yes,” Jonathan said. “I hardly gave it a second thought, but I remember she asked quite a few questions of me, including if you and I were still seeing each other. I evaded answering her, not wanting to discuss my relationship with you. Then she said she longed to go to the New World. I simply listened. But looking back, I wonder if she got the wrong impression somehow. Perhaps she's fanciful enough to have concocted something from that small exchange?” He shrugged. “That's the only thing that I can think of that would cause her to come up with such a story.”

Celeste looked him in the eye. “I honestly don't know what to believe.”

Jonathan reached for her hand, the one now clasping the brooch, and held it gently. “Please trust me. Please believe me. Please give me a second chance.”

She exhaled deeply, the air catching in her chest.

“I heard about what happened to the cook. About her hand, and about Edwards buying her contract.” Jonathan leaned toward Celeste. “I was thinking I could buy her too.”

“Buy her?”

“Free her. As a gift to you. She can come with us. Mr. Edwards said the two of you have become close.”

Celeste pulled her hand away, trying to think it all through. Jonathan wasn't Spenser, that was for sure, but he
was
offering to free Sary.

“I can speak with Edwards right now,” Jonathan said. “I'll negotiate for both of you.”

She could save Berta and Sary if she agreed to marry Jonathan. Yes, she'd been hurt by him, but he did genuinely seem to love her. And she'd be close to a Huguenot church. That was more important to her than she'd realized when she'd agreed to leave London.

What reason did she have for not accepting his offer? He said he'd acted in fear in agreeing to marry Miss Vines, and now he'd made it right. Celeste had forgiven him—so why not marry him? In another year the last few months would be nothing but a distant memory. All the hurt and pain would be gone. They would have a new start, at last, in this New World. And she wouldn't be reminded over and over, as she would be if she stayed with her sister, of her failures. In fact, Berta might be better off without Celeste around. And Celeste wouldn't have to watch Spenser devote himself to Berta. In time, she would forget her love for him.