The Proposal (13 page)

Blackburn Manor

“Oh, my,” Lydia said the moment she walked into Marianne’s room the next morning. The sun was shining through the large windows, giving the older woman a very clear view of the ball’s damage. Tinged with yellow and dark purple, the black eye was darker than ever.

“Does it hurt?” Lydia asked once they’d hugged.

“Only if I press on it.”

“No headache?”

“A slight headache last night, but it’s gone this morning.”

“Walt sent these to you,” Lydia said, setting down a small basket of flowers.

“Is he feeling terrible?”

“Not too bad, but he did pray for you for a long time last night.”

“He is so sweet.”

“Yes, he is, but when I left him he was already contentedly playing with his cousin James.”

Marianne searched her friend’s face and then scooted forward on her seat.

“So Godwin’s children did go to Jennings?”

“Yes,” Lydia answered, her voice breathless with excitement. “I can hardly take it in, Mari. He showed up without a word of warning and with three children.”

“How are the children doing?”

“I think they’re all right,” Lydia said in thoughtful pleasure, her eyes going to the window before she turned back to Marianne with a smile. “You’re going to fall in love with them. They’re so sweet, and they look like family.”

“Tell me about them.”

“Well, ironically they all share a birthday in July, so the ages I give you will change soon, but presently Thomas is twelve, James is ten, and Penny is six.”

“And your children are having the time of their lives,” Marianne guessed.

“They are. The only thing that compares is when your nieces and nephews visit.”

Marianne smiled. “And your brother, Liddy? How is he doing with all of this?”

Lydia’s face grew thoughtful again. “I can’t always tell. He wants to take care of the children, but he doesn’t know how. He’s so analytical in his thinking that I suspect he sees them as small projects. He doesn’t relate well to them as people, and of course in light of their recent loss, they need that more than ever.”

“How did their father die?”

“A riding accident, Jennings told us last night, but even that subject emphasizes my point. He didn’t ask the children what happened until yesterday, and only then because that was one of the first questions Palmer asked of him.”

“So what do you think brought him to you?”

“Palmer and I talked about it last night for a long time. We think Jennings has been somewhat humbled by this whole ordeal. He genuinely needs help raising these children and came to us almost without thinking.”

“How do you know that?”

Lydia laughed. “Because he said he’d forgotten how much gibberish he was going to have to hear about God.”

Marianne laughed so hard her eye hurt.

“Don’t tell me any more, Liddy,” the younger woman gasped. “My eye can’t take it. Did he really say that?”

“Yes,” Lydia said dryly. “He wanted to know if Pastor Hurst was still preaching that man sins.”

Marianne shook her head, still highly amused.

“But, Mari, I almost forgot to tell you, Palmer and I think the children have had some Bible training. They were very comfortable with prayer, and when Palmer read out of the big Bible just before bedtime, they listened with tremendous ease.”

“How about Jennings?”

“His face was very intent, but he made no comment.”

Marianne sat back with a sigh. “Did you ever dream, Liddy, that your life could take such a turn in just one day?”

“No. I’ve prayed for Jennings for years, but I never imagined this.”

“Isn’t it lovely that God understands what frail and weak creatures we are?” Marianne asked, thinking about Jennings and her own life. “Yet He still provided a way of repentance for us.”

“It is lovely, Mari, and I need to thank Him for it more and more.”

The good friends, as close as sisters after all these years, talked for the next hour and would have gone on, but Lydia wanted to check on the troops at home. They had gone from two adults and four children to three adults and seven children all in the course of one day. Life at Tipton might be something of a madhouse in the weeks to come, Lydia reflected, but she was determined to enjoy every moment.

Tipton

“Uncle Jennings,” Walt said as he and James approached; the families had been combined for nearly a week. “Do you know where Frank and Thomas have gone?”

“I think they said something about the stables. Have you tried there?”

“Yes, but we didn’t find them.”

“Do they want to be found?” Palmer asked as he entered the room, having heard enough of the conversation.

Walt smiled at his father, who smiled right back.

“Why wouldn’t they wish to be found?” James asked in real confusion.

“Well, James,” Palmer began, “they’re a few years older and may wish for some time for their own pursuits. Does that make sense?”

“Yes.”

“Is there something we can do for you?” Jennings offered, not realizing he was already making strides in dealing with the children.

“We want to play croquet and need four to make it interesting.”

“You could try the girls,” Palmer suggested. Walt’s look became comical.

“Why don’t you keep looking for Frank and Thomas?” Jennings recommended, honestly not wanting to go outside just then.

“What if we still can’t find them?” Walt asked.

“Choose another game,” his father said with just enough emphasis to close the matter.

“We head to church tomorrow morning, Jennings,” Palmer mentioned when the boys had gone on their way. “Will you and the children be joining us?”

Jennings looked across at his brother-in-law. His hospitality and help had been beyond value, but Jennings wasn’t sure he could sit through a sermon from a man who he believed to be totally in error.

“Have I put you on the spot?”

“No, I’m just thinking through some things.”

“And coming up with what?”

“Questions.”

“Try asking me.”

Jennings stared at the other man, knowing he could be honest, before saying, “How do I sit and listen to a man I think is foolish?”

“Why do you think he’s foolish?”

“His ideas, Palmer! They’re outrageous.”

“Tell me something, Jennings. Do you honestly think they’re his ideas?”

“Yes. He’s taken some of the verses in the Bible and completely twisted them around.”

“So you’ve studied the verses for yourself?” Palmer asked.

Jennings’ eyes narrowed dangerously at that point, and Palmer put his hand up.

“Before you grow cross, Jennings, hear me out.”

The other man nodded, so Palmer tried again.

“You’re nearly an expert with maps and charts. Why? Because you’ve studied and been taught on the subject. Pastor Hurst’s area of expertise is God’s Word. For years he has spent long hours studying Scripture and interacting with other men in the congregation, such as myself, who have studied to make sure his interpretation and application are biblical.”

Jennings’ face had relaxed during this explanation, and he now admitted that Palmer had a point.

“We’ll probably go with you,” Jennings said after a moment’s quiet.

“I’m glad.”

“I sense the children would wish it.”

“I think you must be right.”

Jennings nodded, glad it was settled, but still asked himself what he was in for.

Subtly observing the other man’s face, Palmer had all he could do not to smile. He found himself praying for his brother-in-law, hoping he would soon see how much God loved him, knowing that God was well accustomed to dealing with skeptics and doubters.

Lydia stood very still, listening intently. Something was wrong. The girls had been playing, but it had grown very quiet. From the distance, Lydia thought she heard a small cry. She didn’t think it was one of her girls, which left only one choice: Penny. She hurried in the direction of the small salon and was nearly at the door when her own Emma came rushing out.

“Oh, Mama! We can’t find Mr Pat, and Penny is terribly upset!”

“All right, I’m coming.”

“Do you need me, mum?” Judith asked; she had also come at the sound of Emma’s distressed tone.

“We’ve a small crisis, Judith. Penny—” Lydia began as soon as she was in the room. “It’s all right, dear. Don’t cry,” she said as she took her in her arms. “We’ll find Mr Pat.”

But it wasn’t that simple. Penny wasn’t sobbing or even crying loudly. Indeed she was nearly frozen with her distress, the occasional tear falling from her eyes.

“Do you know where you last had him?”

“I don’t know. I need Mr Pat.”

“We’ll find him,” Lydia said optimistically, even as she prayed that Thomas or James would make an appearance. She had seen very early in the visit that Penny was attached to her brothers and believed they could help in any situation. Instead, she got the next best thing. Her own brother appeared, Palmer at his side, and went directly to Penny.

“What is it, Penny?” Jennings asked, taking a seat to be on her level. “Are you hurt?”

“No, I need Mr Pat.”

“Where is he?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well, let’s think a moment. Did you have him at breakfast?”

Penny nodded, looking miserable.

“Could he still be in the dining room?”

“No.” Emma shared this news. “He was here just a little while ago.”

“And you’ve played right here the whole time?” Lydia asked.

“We went to the garden to get some flowers,” Lizzy told her mother, “but we came right back.”

“Which means he could be many places,” Jennings said quietly.

Before Penny could look too stricken, Palmer gave an order. “All right, girls, spread out and start looking.”

“Come on, Penny,” Lizzy, the youngest of the group, said as she took her hand. “We’ll help you find him.”

Companionable as ever, the girls began their search. It did not escape Jennings’ notice that Palmer and Lydia did not join in. He had been ready to help but then stood in indecision.

“Is it not a good idea to help them?” he asked as soon as the little girls headed back toward the garden and out of earshot.

Palmer answered, “It’s not being uncaring, Jennings, but if they can work this out for themselves, that would be best.”

Jennings looked skeptical, and Lydia questioned him. “You don’t agree, Jennings?”

“I don’t know. Mr Pat is not just any toy. He belonged to her mother.”

Jennings found the Palmers smiling at him.

“You find it amusing?” he asked, a slight edge to his voice.

“Not in the least. We’ve just never seen you so concerned about anyone.”

Jennings turned to see Penny outside.

“I do see your point, Palmer, but Penny has had enough losses,” he said quietly before calmly moving to join the search.