Amelia's Journey (3 page)

Ben's gaze had never left Amelia from the time she had walked down the aisle to the pew in front of his family. The sermon seemed to go on forever, and Ben tuned out the minister's words to concentrate on the girl before him. She had grown so tall in the years since they'd last seen one another. When she stood last night at the reception, the top of her head had been even with his eyes. Finding a girl whose height fit in with his so that he didn't tower over her delighted him no end.

He stifled a chuckle when Mary Beth and Amelia grinned at each other and Mrs. Carlyle reprimanded Amelia. Looked like Amelia was just as feisty as he'd remembered her. Apparently finishing school had not been able to subdue her spirit.

At last the sermon ended and the families made their way outside. Before Ben could invite Amelia to ride with his family to the Carlyle house, Amelia asked her parents if Mary Beth could ride with them. So much for that idea. He'd have to wait until dinner to have any conversation with Amelia.

At the table Amelia sat across from him while he sat between Mary Beth and his younger brother, Gideon. Several times during the course of the meal, his gaze locked with hers in silent communication to seek out time to be together later in the afternoon.

As the parents discussed how things had changed in Boston in the years since their last visit, Mary Beth spoke up. “I think it would be lovely if Amelia and I could ride around the city this afternoon so she can show me some of the sights. It will also give me an opportunity to become more familiar with the city since I'm going to be living here with Grandmama and Grandpapa. Of course Ben should accompany us.”

Amelia's face lit with her smile. “That's a grand idea. We'll be safe with Ben as our escort.” Her eyes sparkled as she glanced in his direction.

Bless his sister for thinking of a way he and Amelia could be together!

Mr. Carlyle nodded in their direction. “I think that will be quite suitable. It will also give you the opportunity to renew your friendship.” He signaled to the young woman who served the table. “Inform Toby that we will need the carriage brought around.”

Amelia and Mary Beth could hardly contain their excitement, and Ben anticipated the excursion with pleasure. As soon as manners permitted, he and the girls excused themselves from the table.

The girls ran up the stairs to freshen themselves, but Ben remained in the foyer. His parents and the Carlyles went into the parlor, and his younger siblings headed for the library and the games set out for them there.

Amelia and Mary Beth descended the steps, and Amelia's beauty once again robbed him of breath. He'd already seen the lively spirit of nonconformity in her last evening and eagerly awaited what more he would learn today.

Both wore large-brimmed straw hats decorated with ribbons and bows. Since they would be in an open carriage, they both carried parasols. Ben offered his arms to the girls, and each one placed a hand in the crook of his elbows. “I think I may be the luckiest man in Boston to have two such beautiful young ladies on my arms today.”

Mary Beth laughed and patted his arm. “He wouldn't be saying that if we were at home. He'd be pushing me along and telling me to hurry up and get in the buggy.”

He couldn't deny that fact. At home he spent much more time teasing her than he did paying her compliments. After he assisted Amelia into the carriage, Mary Beth climbed up and sat on the opposite seat, leaving him his choice of her or Amelia. His appreciation for his sister grew by leaps and bounds this afternoon as he settled in beside Amelia.

The carriage moved forward, and Amelia smoothed her skirt. “Father told Toby to take us through the historic section. After all, we've just recently celebrated the centennial of the birth of our nation.”

All the scenery Ben needed sat next to him, and he hoped to make the best of his time with Amelia today. As the horse clip-clopped over the cobblestone streets in the older sections of Boston, Amelia pointed out the places of interest. He remembered many of them from his last visit, but Mary Beth wanted to know more about each place.

“I loved American history in school. I wish I'd been living during the Revolutionary times.” Mary Beth pointed. “Oh, I remember Faneuil Hall.”

Amelia said, “That and the old State House are two of my favorite buildings. When I look up at that balcony on the end, I can just imagine the crowds there listening to speeches.” She turned to face Ben. “What was school like in Kansas?”

“Nothing like the Latin School here, I can assure you. We did reading, spelling, arithmetic, and history, but no Latin, and none of the classics they had here. I don't regret my schooling, but the last time I was in Boston, the sons of some of Pa's other friends talked about the courses they took, and I envied them.”

Amelia twirled her parasol and grinned. “I did too, as there's no equivalent like it for girls. I attended a private school to study the classics, but I have no desire to go on to college.”

That suited Ben just fine. If she went off to Wellesley or Smith, she might meet someone else and forget him.

Then the two girls began conversing about the coming social season and all the parties and cotillions that would be planned. Ben shook his head. Another obstacle in his hopes of winning Amelia's favor. Amelia would be meeting many eligible young men, all with college degrees and family connections. But he had chosen the path of ranching for his life. His visions for the future included a place of his own with his own herds and ranch hands, but would Amelia fit into that lifestyle? His mother had, but then she'd been so in love with Pa that she would have followed him anywhere in the world. He hoped to have that kind of love for and from a woman sometime.

Amelia touched his arm. “Ben, you've certainly been quiet for the past half hour. Are we that boring?”

Heat rose in face. Thankfully she couldn't read his thoughts. “No, I enjoy listening to the two of you having such a good time.”

Amelia folded her parasol. “Well, we're home, and I'm ready for something to drink. I hope Lettie has saved some of that delicious cake from dinner.”

The carriage stopped, and Ben hopped down to assist the ladies. When they entered the house, his parents were gathered with his brothers and sister in the foyer. His mother mentioned having luncheon with Mrs. Carlyle before the family headed back to Kansas.

Their train was to leave in five days. He must have some time alone with Amelia, but how could he manage it? He stepped over to Mr. Carlyle. “Sir, since my mother is having luncheon with Mrs. Carlyle, may I have permission to tour the city with Miss Carlyle during that time? There were a number of sights that we missed on our ride today.”

Mr. Carlyle studied him with narrowed eyes and pursed lips. “Mrs. Carlyle and I will discuss your request and send word to you.”

“Thank you, sir.” That was not what he had hoped for, but at least her father hadn't said no. Of course he'd expect a chaperone, and he knew the perfect one, Aunt Clara. Being only fourteen years older than he, she would have a better understanding of his purpose. “Excuse me, I might add that I will ask my aunt Clara to join us.”

“I see. That will be satisfactory. We'll send a message to you with our answer tomorrow morning.”

Ben bowed slightly and backed away to join his brothers. He would pray tonight that the answer would be a yes.

Chapter 3

A
t breakfast on Wednesday, Isaac Carlyle stirred his coffee and glanced at his wife. “Do you think we're doing the right thing by letting Benjamin and Amelia spend the afternoon together?”

“I see no harm in it. They will only be here until Friday. It's not like they are courting. Of that I would not approve at all, even if their background is on an equal footing with ours. Kansas is too far away, and I would never want Amelia that distance from home.”

“I totally agree, but I noticed the way he looked at her Sunday both at church and at dinner. There is more than a little interest in our daughter.” Perhaps he shouldn't have agreed to this outing, but he hadn't been able to come up with a good excuse that would be plausible to his old friend. Clara Haynes would be with them, and she would see to it that nothing happened to cause alarm.

“Maybe so, but Amelia is aware of our plans for her this fall, so after he leaves she will be much too busy to think about him.” Lenora took a piece of toast and buttered it. “I still remember when Elizabeth and Matthew left Boston. Her parents were terribly upset, but his were proud of their son for adventuring out west to start his own ranch. She and I cried about being apart, but Elizabeth would have gone to the ends of the earth with Matthew.”

“I remember that, and somewhat envied Matthew for the courage to pick up stakes and start out anew.” At Lenora's frown, he hastily added, “Not that I wasn't content to be here, my dear, but Matthew did a very brave thing taking his family to the unknown.”

“Foolish, if you ask me. He had no idea what he may face on the frontier, but then Matthew was more adventurous than most. Of course, it's none of my business what others have done unless my own children become involved.”

Isaac chuckled. “And you'd hiss and fuss like a mama cat protecting her kittens if that happened. I honestly don't think we have anything to worry about. Let the two young people enjoy each other's company while the Haynes family is here.” Young people and their emotions could be quite unpredictable, but he preferred to place his trust in Amelia. Even as headstrong as she was, she'd think before doing anything foolish. Still, he'd keep a close watch on her.

With Amanda they'd never had the problems they encountered with Amelia. Her stubborn streak and strong will had led to punishment more than once, but he loved her spirit and wouldn't have it any other way.

Amelia appeared in the doorway. “Good morning, Mama, Papa. I'm sorry I'm late. I had a difficult time deciding what I should wear for our outing today.” Amelia sat across from her mother.

“You chose well, my dear. That lemony yellow is perfect on you. With the warm weather today, the shear fabric should be quite comfortable.”

“Thank you, Mama.” She turned with a smile toward Isaac. “And thank you, Papa, for allowing me to visit with Ben this afternoon. We didn't have time to see as much as I wanted to show him on Sunday.”

Papa nodded and placed his napkin on the table. “Then it's good you will have Clara Haynes with you. I'm sure she can tell you what Boston was like when they left.” He pushed back his chair. “It's time for me to leave, but I'm sure you and your mother have much to say to each other.”

Isaac leaned over and kissed his wife's forehead before leaving. The sound of their voices followed him to the door. He'd decided to ride his horse into his office this morning, and Toby had the roan saddled and ready for him. “Thank you, Toby.”

“Yes, sir. Shall we expect you home at the regular time?”

“Yes, I believe Lettie is preparing something special for us tonight, and I don't want to miss it.” He climbed up and swung his leg across the horse's back. A hint of the cooler days to come laced the breeze that greeted him as he headed for downtown Boston. In not too many weeks the trees would turn to announce the arrival of fall, and if things went as planned, Amelia would be caught up in the whirl of social activities. She would find a beau just as Amanda had and would settle down here in Boston. He harbored visions of grandchildren one day filling the Carlyle home once again with the laughter of young ones.

He'd prayed all through their younger years that his daughters would find suitable young men to marry. God had answered that prayer for Amanda with Charles Bishop, and Isaac was certain Amelia too would find a good man, despite her streak of independence and not always conforming to society's convention. Indeed, he had frowned at the fact that she'd gone barefoot at the wedding reception. That was not his idea of how a young lady should behave.

Then he chuckled as he remembered the other times Amelia had done what she wanted to do rather than what propriety expected. What was he going to do with Amelia in the days ahead? One thing for certain, home would be a very dull place without her around to enliven his days.

Amelia stood at her window and peeked through the curtains to watch her mother leave to meet her friend for their luncheon. Almost as soon as her carriage moved away, Ben arrived. She dropped the curtain and grabbed her parasol to make her way downstairs. She reached the bottom of the stairway just as Murphy the butler answered the door. Ben stepped into the foyer and spotted Amelia right away. His smile sent her heart into somersaults as she moved toward him.

“Good afternoon, Miss Carlyle; you do look lovely. Aunt Clara is waiting for us. Shall we join her?” He offered his arm, and Amelia grasped it.

“Thank you, and I truly look forward to our ride around about the city today.” She fell into step beside him as he escorted her down the front stoop to the carriage where Miss Haynes sat waiting.