Reclaimed Love: Banished Saga, Book Two (16 page)

“We’ll see you tomorrow at work, Gabe,” Niall said as the three of them wandered toward the punch bowl and the single ladies. Gabriel watched as they joined Matthew. He saw Matthew tilt his head to one side as the music changed and then ask one of the women to dance.

“Oh, that was lovely,” Amelia said as she and Liam returned from the dance floor. “I just wish I could dance every dance.”

“I doubt the doctor would approve of you dancing jigs, love,” Liam said as he stood behind her and rubbed her shoulders.

Gabriel smiled as he watched their byplay. He turned to watch his friends on the dance floor, Ronan now with a different woman. Gabriel relaxed against the wall. His mind filled with images of Clarissa and dreams of holding her in his arms again.

CHAPTER 12

I STOOD IN MELINDA’S NURSERY, rocking her to and fro as I walked from window to window. “Shh … little sister, don’t cry so. Whatever it is, it can’t be that bad.” I kissed her forehead. “Although I’d cry as much or more if I had your mother, so maybe a good cry is called for.”

She calmed with my voice so I continued to speak in a soothing tone. “Yes, my little darling. Hopefully you will sleep soon and give me a moment’s respite. I want to venture outside into this beautiful spring day. We don’t have many of them here in Boston, as you will learn. You must take advantage of them as often as you can.”

I continued to stroke her forehead and sway side to side as I looked out the window to the sunny day.

“Clarissa! Clarissa Sullivan quit your hiding this instant!”

“Shh … little love, don’t let the monster awaken you,” I whispered as I laid a now dozing Melinda in her crib and softly closed her door.

I descended the carpeted stairs, my hand resting on the oak banister. When I reached the first floor hall, I noted a light gray wool coat with gold-colored buttons on the hallstand. I turned toward the parlor and straightened my shoulders. “You desired my presence, stepmother?”

“Do you realize you are eighteen minutes late for tea? And we have a very important guest today who has patiently waited your tardy arrival. You selfish, unfeeling girl.” Mrs. Smythe sat on the edge of her chair, her posture impeccable. Her copper-colored satin dress shimmered with her movement as she motioned for me to sit.

“I was—”

“What are you wearing? Have you listened to nothing I have taught you these past months? Why do you continue to thwart me so, Clarissa?”

“It is because she takes after her mother.”

I spun to the guest in the room and blanched. “Mrs. Masterson. I had not hoped to see you again.” Although I had not seen her in months, I recognized her instantly. Her black satin dress with gray ribbon around the waist highlighted her emaciated form. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun, enhancing her pronounced forehead and the frown lines around her mouth.

“Apparently. Is that a new perfume you are wearing?” Her turquoise eyes shone with derision.

“Yes, eau de spit-up.” I sat with a
thunk
in my lumpy refurbished lady’s chair and squirmed to find a comfortable position. I patted down the skirts of my blue-gray wool dress and tucked my feet under the chair. My hair was anchored in a loose chignon, and I feared it would tumble down at any moment.

“Clarissa!”

“I was tending Melinda. She has colic and needed to be held. I thought something dire had happened and came to see you when you called, Stepmother. I did not wish for your voice to wake her once she had finally settled.”

“You spoil that girl to no end. She will learn to soothe herself if you will leave her be.” Mrs. Smythe glowered at me. “And that is no excuse for your dreadful attire.”

“Your daughter is barely four months old. She needs to be held when she is upset,” I argued.

Mrs. Smythe shared a smirk with Mrs. Masterson. “When you have a child, Clarissa, I will readily accept your criticism and advice. Until then, I expect you to do as I ask. No more coddling of her. The child must learn to be self-sufficient.”

“It is the problem with children these days. We spoil them and then wonder why they are such a disappointment to us. It was the same with my nephews. They came to me ruined by their parents. I had no way to undo the damage already wrought by the indulgences of such ignorant people.” Mrs. Masterson sighed.

“I understand completely.” Mrs. Smythe nodded in my direction causing me to stiffen. “My only hope is that some good can come from my influence. I continue to pray that dearest Clarissa will make a good marriage.” Mrs. Smythe looked toward me with pity.

“I hear that Mr. Wright has again taken an interest. You are most fortunate.” Mrs. Masterson watched me over the rim of her teacup.

“We are, although Sean would like to ban him from this house. As though such a fine, upstanding young man should not be allowed entrance! Can you imagine the disgrace?”

“Really, Rebecca. I would think by now you would have him under control. He is only a blacksmith after all and ignorant of the ways of the world. You must continue to exert your influence. Do not let him be persuaded by the feelings of others.”

“I agree. Mr. Wright is the only decent man who would ever want her. But does anyone listen to me? No. They are focused on the past and imagined slights. He is here, now, desirous of her. It’s more than can be said of others.”

“Ah, the young. They fancy themselves in love, but often fashion themselves glass castles that are no more than an illusion. I fear your stepdaughter has done just that. For Gabriel is as fickle and feckless as his father. He’ll come to ruin and be unable to provide her with the life she deserves. She’ll walk the streets in rags, starving, too proud to beg for food,” Mrs. Masterson said with scorn and a small amount of glee.

“How can you say that about your own nephew? He’s a talented cabinetmaker! He’ll always have a good profession.” I gripped the arms of my chair in my agitation.

“If you knew anything about him, you’d know he is never coming back for you. He will have forgotten you. I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t already have another woman, more beautiful, demure and ladylike in whatever dreadful place he has found himself in. It is the McLeod way, after all.”

“That’s not like Gabriel. Or Richard.”

“You believe you know them better after a year’s acquaintance than I do? Half of which has been spent sending letters back and forth? You really are a foolish girl.” She leaned forward and tapped me on my knee with the tip of her walking stick. “You need to follow the advice of those who care for you and desire for you to have a prosperous future.”

“And that would be the two of you?” I asked with a raised eyebrow. “The two who forced the man I love out of this city in disgrace? Never.”

“You will never find happiness, Clarissa, until you accept you will marry Mr. Wright. Cameron is an estimable young man. You will live a life similar to Savannah’s. How could you want more?” Mrs. Smythe asked.

“Accept the truth that my disgraceful nephew is never to return to you. You never were and aren’t that important to him. You are bound to be alone, forever, if you do not accept Mr. Wright. Is that the sort of future you want? Tending other women’s babies because you were too proud to accept the advice of those more worldly than you? Living off the charity of your family because you didn’t have the sense to marry? Eking out a living at that miserable school, teaching worthless immigrant children when you could have had a better life?”

“You’re wrong!”

“Ah, even you lack conviction,” Mrs. Masterson said with a smug smile as she heard the tremor in my voice. “I can see my nephew is as fickle as I always thought.” She shared a triumphant smile with Mrs. Smythe. “I look forward to reading about the forthcoming marriage in the papers.”

I shook my head in denial.

“Has that Mr. McLeod ever once indicated he wants you with him? Has he invited you to join him?” As I paled further, Mrs. Smythe smiled with satisfaction. “Of course he hasn’t. Because he never believed in a future with you. Only you were foolish enough to continue to fashion such a future in your dreams. My poor Clarissa. How you have suffered.”

I rose from my chair. “If you will excuse me?” I rushed toward the door, almost tripping in my long skirts in my haste.

“Give my regards to Mr. Wright the next you see him, dear,” Mrs. Masterson said.

I left the room to the sound of their laughter.

CHAPTER 13

“YOU SEEM WORRIED, GABRIEL,” Amelia said as she moved around the kitchen preparing dinner. While she chopped vegetables, cleaned dishes and checked the bread baking in the oven, Gabriel leaned against one wall, sipping a cup of tea. He shrugged his shoulders a few times to ease the tension after a long day bent over a workbench.

“I … it’s nothing.”

“It’s clearly more than nothing. Aren’t we friends? You keep me company as I wait to see if Liam comes back to me. Let me offer you the same support,” she said.

“I worry about them too, you know,” Gabriel said. “I hate them having to go down into the mines, spending their days in darkness. I wish…”

“So do I, but there’s nothing more we can do but wait and pray that today is not the day for them.”

“You feel a little hopeless though, don’t you, Amelia? I mean, I wish there were more I could do than pray.”

“Well, you can entertain me with whatever it is that’s bothering you so I don’t have to think about it,” she said with a small laugh as she stirred the stew pot. She swiped at her fine honey-blond hair curling around her face, pushing long strands behind her ears. Nicholas played with marbles in the living room, shouting his joy every few minutes.

“It’s nothing,” Gabriel said again.

“Are you worried about your Clarissa?”

“Yes. I’m also worried about my brother Jeremy. Ever since he got back from the war, he’s different.”

“Different. In what way?”

“Well, I haven’t seen him, so it’s just perceptions, but Jeremy was always the gentlest of us all. Never wanted to hurt anyone. And then, because he wanted adventure and to escape our aunt’s home, he left Boston, ended up in the Midwest. He got caught in the fervor for the war spreading through the country and enlisted. He wrote me once that he didn’t know what else to do, and he thought joining the army seemed like a good decision. I worry he got more adventure than he bargained for in the Philippines.”

“Why do you say that?”

“He’s not as open as he used to be. As though he’s afraid of saying too much or…”

“Getting in trouble?”

“Maybe, I don’t know. It would be much easier if I could see for myself that he is well.”

“Well, that’s one of your concerns. Why are you worried about Clarissa? What does she say?”

“She’s as positive as ever, although I can’t imagine her life—sequestered at home with her miserable stepmother, forced to care for her infant sister—would bring her much joy. When she writes to me, she talks about how much she misses me and dreams of us being together again.”

“That all sounds positive, Gabriel. Why would you be worried by what she has written?”

“I worry that she will be convinced I am no longer acceptable.”

“Why?”

“I know I’m not. It’s why I’m here. I was banished from her life, and then her stepmother and my aunt worked together to ruin my business. I left to build a life for myself with the dream of reuniting with Clarissa again one day.”

“Well, it seems she continues to share that dream with you, Gabriel. Now all you need to do is find a way to reunite.”

“I have trouble imagining her here, Amelia,” Gabriel said with a sigh. “It’s so different from Massachusetts.”

“In what way?”

“There’s water everywhere with the harbor and the river. There are green parks and promenades lined with trees. I used to walk by the harbor just to inhale the briny smell of the sea.”

“You miss it,” Amelia murmured.

“I’ll always miss it, even if I never return,” Gabriel admitted.

“It sounds lovely, but it couldn’t be any more different from Butte.”

“That’s what concerns me,” Gabriel said with a sigh.

“Have you written her, asking her to join you here? To journey to you rather than have her continue to hope for your return?”

“I’m afraid she’ll say no.”

“The longer you wait, the more likely you are to lose her. Write her, Gabriel.”

Amelia removed the cooked bread from the oven, stirred the stew pot once more before turning it down to low and moving toward the living room. She sat, letting out a low groan.

“I can’t wait for this baby to be born. I know the doctor says April, but it seems like any day now.” She gave her protruding belly an affectionate pat.

“Is it worth it? Giving up teaching? Forgive me my bluntness. I wonder because of Clarissa. If she would find contentment in homemaking.”

“I can’t answer for your Clarissa. I can say that, for me, I find tremendous joy in my life with Liam. He is a good man and a wonderful father. He treats me well, and that’s something that cannot be overlooked.”

“Of course he does,” Gabriel sputtered.

“There’s no ‘of course’ about it, Gabriel. When a woman marries a man, she has to have tremendous faith that he’ll treat her well. Or believe that the life she will live with him will be better than the life she is leaving behind.”

“Liam would never harm you.”

“I know. And that is my point, Gabriel. Liam is a wonderful man, and I am very fortunate. But not all women are.”

“You sound like Clarissa when she becomes passionate about her suffragist cause.”

“Well, to my way of thinking, suffragism is an extension of wanting women to have rights and protections equal to what a man has. And I would have to agree with that.”

“You never seemed ra…”

“Radical?” Amelia asked amused. “Well, in one way, I am not, as I am a contented wife and mother. In another sense I am, because I foresee more for women than what they are currently living.”

“And does Liam know your views?”

“Of course. He might not agree, and he encourages me not to be too vocal in certain spheres, but he always listens to me. That is one of his greatest gifts to me.”