A Surrendered Heart (12 page)

Jonas hoped the files Vincent had given to Fanny held nothing that would incriminate him.

11

Monday, June 19, 1899

As the train came to a hissing, jerking stop at the Rochester train station, the three cousins stood and then edged down the aisle. Sophie grasped Amanda’s arm when they stepped onto the platform. “Do you think Dr. Carstead will be surprised to see you?”

“I imagine he will. And what of Paul? Did you tell him that we were coming to Rochester to shop for Fanny’s wedding gown?”

The fashionable feathers on Sophie’s hat waved back and forth as she shook her head. “No. He would have insisted I bring Elizabeth with me. Had the baby accompanied us, we would get little shopping completed.”

“I wouldn’t have minded in the least. She’s a good baby, and I’m sure Paul would have been willing to look after her while we shopped,” Fanny said.

Sophie stopped in the middle of the depot and planted her hands on her hips. “Whose side are you on, Fanny? I came along to help you, and you are taking Paul’s side against me.”

Fanny sighed. “I’m not taking sides, but I imagine Paul misses the baby and will be sad that you didn’t bring her.”

“From his lack of attention, I doubt he misses either of us overmuch. He hasn’t yet come to Broadmoor Island for a visit.” Sophie tipped her head to the side as if to challenge anyone who might defy her. “Here’s a cab. Come along.”

“But ever since you wrote to him, he’s been writing with regularity. And you said he was needed to help with several of the churches in town, didn’t you?” Fanny truly couldn’t understand Sophie’s recent behavior. The only things that now evoked any excitement in her cousin were the mention of shopping or the latest invitation to a dinner dance at one of the island hotels. She was acting like a silly debutante seeking a husband instead of a married woman with a delightful infant daughter.

Sophie shrugged. “If his work is of greater import than his family, so be it. He’s become much like my father, tending to the needs of others instead of his own family. I’m capable of being occupied without him.” She clasped Fanny’s arm. “I do need to stop by the house and retrieve a piece of jewelry that I forgot to pack.”

“Your mother’s necklace?” Fanny asked.

“Yes. The amber stones match my gold satin gown. And now that Aunt Victoria has had it altered for me—”

“You’ll suffer Beatrice’s wrath if you wear the necklace in her presence,” Amanda said.

“I don’t care if she becomes angry. Father gave the necklace to me, and Beatrice can complain all she likes. Jewelry shouldn’t be stored away; it should be worn. Don’t you agree?”

Amanda peeked around Fanny’s flower-bedecked hat. “Why don’t the two of you go to Sophie’s house while I stop by the Home for the Friendless? Blake is always there on Monday, and I’d like to speak to him. Then we can begin our shopping in earnest.”

Fanny hesitated. “I suppose that would be acceptable, but we do want to reserve enough time to choose fabric and flowers.”

“We will not leave Rochester until we’ve made the perfect selections for you. Even if we must remain several days.” Amanda tapped on the window and gave the driver Sophie’s address.

Sophie shook her head. “We need to complete our shopping by Friday at the very latest. The Armbrusters are hosting a party at the Crossman House on Alexandria Bay. I do enjoy parties at the Crossman, don’t you?”

Amanda made a
tsk
ing sound and shook her head. “I should think you’d refrain from attending
all
of the parties, Sophie. It gives the wrong impression.”

“Oh, do cease your chiding, Amanda. I’ll begin to think Beatrice is at my side rather than one of my favorite cousins. Besides, your mother has given her approval to every party I’ve attended.”

“That’s because she doesn’t know that you disengage yourself from the couples she’s arranged to act as your escorts.”

Sophie giggled. “Well, you had best not tell your mother, or I’ll be slow to forgive you. I’ve done nothing improper. A few dances and a bit of conversation with a gentleman or two mean absolutely nothing.”

Fanny didn’t wish to enter into the fray between Sophie and Amanda, but Sophie’s comment was a sudden reminder of how easily she had been enchanted by Wesley Hedrick not so long ago. There was little doubt Sophie could be easily swayed by the charms of a smooth-talking man. But surely she’d never do anything to threaten her marriage to Paul.

Worry loomed in Fanny’s mind as their carriage came to a halt in front of Sophie’s house. Fanny and Sophie stepped down. “Once you’ve seen Dr. Carstead,” Fanny said to Amanda, “why don’t you return and then we’ll go shopping.” Fanny drew close to the carriage window and lowered her voice. “If Paul is at the Home, you might tell him Sophie is here.”

Sophie nudged her cousin in the side. “I can take care of arrangements for meeting my own husband, Fanny. Didn’t you say you wanted to allow ample time for shopping?”

Amanda leaned forward and pointed at the runabout sitting near the side entrance to Sophie’s house. “I think you two may stop arguing. I’ll return shortly.”

The carriage driver slapped the leather reins against the horse’s backside. Once the carriage had pulled away, Fanny turned her attention to Sophie. “I didn’t mean to anger you, but I do find your lack of concern toward Paul disturbing. You
do
love him, don’t you?”

Sophie frowned, her displeasure obvious. “Of course I love him, but he’s the one who banished me to the island. I wanted to remain in Rochester, and he wouldn’t even consider my wishes. I could have been a great deal of help to him. That’s what I wanted to do—assist him with his work. It is Paul who decided on this separation.” She strutted toward the front door as though she’d sufficiently defended her behavior.

Fanny quickened her pace and came alongside her cousin. “He didn’t want you or Elizabeth to contract cholera. And I believe he hasn’t come to visit because he didn’t want to take the chance he might carry the disease to any of us. Neither your father nor Uncle Jonas has set foot on the island, either.”

“And none of them have become infected with cholera. There was no reason to send Elizabeth and me to the island.”

“I disagree, but now I realize that you’re behaving badly to teach Paul a lesson.” Fanny tugged on her cousin’s arm. “I’m correct, aren’t I?”

“That was my intent at first, but now I’m simply enjoying the parties. And I’m
not
behaving badly.”

“By whose standards?” Fanny followed her cousin up the porch steps.

Sophie glanced over her shoulder as she turned the doorknob. “Do stop these tiresome questions. You’re beginning to sound like Amanda.” She stepped across the threshold. “Paul! Are you here?”

From the kitchen the sound of a chair scraping across the floor preceded Paul’s appearance. He stepped into the hallway, his eyes wide with surprise. “Sophie! I can’t believe you’re here. Why didn’t you tell me you were coming? And where’s Elizabeth?”

“She’s at Broadmoor Island, of course. If you’re disappointed she isn’t with me, I suppose you can blame yourself for sending us away—or you can blame Fanny, if you prefer. We’ve come to shop for her wedding gown, and it would have been difficult to bring Elizabeth along when we have so much to accomplish. And I thought you would be busy with your many charitable duties.”

Fanny didn’t miss the sarcasm in Sophie’s curt response or the pain that shone in Paul’s eyes. She longed to remove herself from this awkward situation.

Amanda’s stomach tightened into a knot when she caught sight of the Home for the Friendless. She clasped a hand to her midsection, hoping to ease her anxiety. Would Blake be pleased to see her? She hoped he would regard her unexpected visit a welcome surprise.

The carriage driver assisted her down. “Please wait for me. I shouldn’t be more than fifteen minutes.”

He nodded his agreement, and Amanda inhaled a deep breath as she approached the front gate. It seemed an eternity since she’d departed. How she had missed caring for the ill. Perhaps Blake would reconsider and permit her to stay. Before entering the gate, she pinched her cheeks. If she hoped to convince him that she should remain and work, she’d need to look like the picture of health. She hoped a rosy complexion would help. After a quick adjustment to her hat, she entered the front door and tiptoed down the hallway to the medical office.

She instantly smiled at the sight. Blake sat at his desk hunched over a medical book. He didn’t even know she was around. “Could you spare a few minutes for someone who isn’t ill?”

Blake snapped to attention. Instead of the bright smile she’d expected, he pinned her with an icy look that immediately wilted her resolve.

“Amanda! What are you doing here? I gave you explicit medical orders. You of all people should be willing to follow orders. Surely you realize you’re risking your recovery.”

She folded her arms across her waist. “May I say that it’s a genuine pleasure to see you, too, Dr. Carstead.”

He pushed away from the desk. “No need to mock me. I doubt you thought I’d be pleased to see you here.”

“Frankly, that’s exactly what I thought,” she said, before dropping to one of the chairs opposite his desk. “I do believe you are the man who made declarations of love while I lay dying.” She touched her index finger to her lips. “Or was that some other doctor who ventured in and sat vigil by my bedside?” She settled in her chair and smiled. How she had missed bantering with Blake. He always had an excellent riposte for her.

“No other doctors were in the infirmary during your illness, but I fear you were suffering from delusions if you believe I declared my love for you, Miss Broadmoor.”

“You’re not fooling me in the least. I know what I heard. You’re simply unwilling to declare the truth to me because you fear rejection.”

“Rejection? Whatever are you talking about? Perhaps I should take your temperature. I fear you are once again suffering from hallucinations.”

Amanda chuckled. “You fear my only interest in you is your medical knowledge and that if you declare your love, I will surely reject you.” She held up her hand to ward off his reply. “I haven’t time to sit and argue the depth of your affection for me, Doctor. I’ve come to Rochester to assist my cousin in her choice of a wedding gown.”

“Michael has returned?” Blake asked as he rounded the desk.

“No, but she received a letter. He’ll be back soon, and he’s instructed her to begin preparations for a summer wedding at Broadmoor Island.
Some
men are anxious to declare their love and marry,” she teased while he walked alongside her to the front door.

“And some
women
are far too anxious to hear a man declare his love and then move along to another. I believe some refer to it as the excitement of the conquest.”

“I believe you’re the one suffering from hallucinations, Dr. Carstead. It’s men who enjoy the conquest and then move along to another woman.” Amanda chuckled as she slipped her hands into her lace gloves.

Blake joined in her laughter, but as the front door opened, his smile was replaced by a look of utter disbelief. “Julia,” he whispered.

A striking dark-haired woman clothed in the latest fashion brushed by Amanda and pulled Blake into an embrace. “I’ve come to say yes, my darling.”

“Yes to
what
?” Blake attempted a backward step, but the woman held him close.

“Yes, I will marry you, dear boy.”

Marry?
Amanda turned on her heel and rushed from the room.

Jonas waved his brother into the library. “I thought you would be here hours ago. It’s nearly one o’clock.”

“There was work at the Home that needed my attention, and then I decided to partake of my noonday meal. You weren’t expecting me for lunch, were you?”

“No. I was expecting you
before
the noonday meal. My note said I had an urgent matter to discuss with you. I thought you would realize that
urgent
meant you should arrive as early as possible.”

Quincy nodded. “I understand the meaning of the word, Jonas. And I came as quickly as possible. Your sense of urgency doesn’t always align with my own.”

“Oh, do sit down. We don’t have time to quibble over such nonsense.” His voice held a sharp tone, and Jonas silently reminded himself he didn’t want to alienate Quincy. “I apologize for my impatience, but I find myself involved in a tumultuous situation.”