An Unexpected Love (14 page)

Only moments ago Aunt Victoria had expressed concern over entertaining the entire family for a belated Thanksgiving celebration only two days after they were scheduled to arrive home.

“Beatrice likes nothing more than to take charge of everyone. You should have asked her to act as the Thanksgiving hostess this year,” Sophie said, while wondering what her older sister would think of Wesley. No doubt, she’d find fault with him, for Beatrice seemed to take delight in dampening Sophie’s spirits.

Aunt Victoria motioned for Minnie to gather Amanda’s gowns. “Well, it’s far too late for Beatrice to take over now. No disrespect, but your sister would complain for years should I even make such a suggestion.”

That was certainly true. Even though Beatrice would agree to take on the challenge, she’d act the martyr, and the day would be ruined for all those in attendance. Better that Aunt Victoria summon help from her capable staff than seek help from Beatrice. “Perhaps your housekeeper has already begun to make the arrangements for you,” Sophie said.

“I hope so. I’m going downstairs to join Lady Illiff. Don’t forget to separate out the gowns you wish to wear on the ship from those that should go to steerage,” Victoria reminded them before leaving.

The reminder was enough to send Sophie scurrying into the bedroom to retrieve several gowns from the pile. She hoped to dazzle Wesley on their return to America.

“Surely you don’t plan to bring all of those into our room, Sophie. You’ll have no need for so many fancy dresses. The weather will be cold enough that we’ll need our heavy wraps whenever we venture onto the decks.” Amanda rummaged through the pile and withdrew Sophie’s woolen coat with the fur collar. “You should fill your traveling trunk with this warm coat and several shawls rather than another satin gown.”

Sophie folded her arms across her chest. “I’ll have Wesley’s embrace to keep me warm should I suffer a chill.”

Fanny fell across the bed and giggled. “Oh, do cease your theatrics, Sophie. You sound like one of the actresses in a poor stage production.”

Clutching one hand to her bodice, Sophie gazed toward the ceiling and assumed the role of a performing artist. “Oh, dear Fanny, if only you knew the depth of my love and the charm of the man who possesses my heart.”

Amanda jabbed Sophie’s arm. “Do stop being silly. We need to finish sorting our belongings for the maids.”

“You’ve lost all sense of humor, Amanda. Perhaps you need a man to cheer you. Then we’d see a sunnier disposition from time to time.” Sophie opened drawers and began to remove her undergarments and nightclothes. “I, for one, am quite happy that we let Uncle Jonas have his way and send us on this journey. I’ve had a simply marvelous time and have met the man of my dreams.”

“Wesley may well turn into a nightmare once the two of you become better acquainted,” Amanda remarked. “I have never seen anyone so easily swayed by men as you.”

“And I have never seen a woman so intent upon finding fault with every man she meets,” Sophie replied. “Perhaps that’s what makes us such good companions. We balance each other.”

“I suppose you may be right, although I don’t entirely agree that I find fault with all men.” Amanda handed Veda her stockings. “I fear poor Fanny has suffered the brunt of it this journey. From all appearances, Daniel is completely smitten with her.”

Fanny rested her chin in her palm. “I have done my very best to remain civil with him. Unfortunately, he considers any kindness as an encouragement to continue his amorous advances. Aunt Victoria seems quite taken with him, I must say.”

Amanda shook one of her skirts and placed it in the growing heap. “Only last evening Mother said she thought him a fine fellow. I told her you’ve given your heart to Michael, but she pretended not to hear.”

Fanny rolled to her side and rested her head on the stack of pillows. “My attempts to remind Daniel of my affection for Michael have been to no avail. The moment I mention Michael’s name, Daniel reminds me of the many dangers of traveling in the Yukon. His comments are beginning to worry me.”

“You must continue to pray for Michael. His safety remains in God’s hands, and our prayers for him are important.” Amanda turned toward Sophie, who was rummaging through the clothing in the chest of drawers. “You, too, Sophie. Have you been praying for Michael’s safety?”

Sophie glanced first at Fanny and then permitted her gaze to rest upon Amanda. “Yes, Amanda, I do pray for Michael, but I didn’t know you had taken charge of our prayers. If we don’t find you a man, you’re soon going to become as dour and rigid as my sister Beatrice.”

Amanda tossed a scarf at her offending cousin. “How dare you say such a thing! I am not at all like Beatrice. I am planning a career to help the downtrodden, while Beatrice—”

“Enjoys treading on them?” Sophie convulsed into a fit of laughter, and soon her cousins joined her. The maids continued to work as though the girls were not even present in the room with them. How did servants manage to do that, Sophie wondered while swiping at the tears on her cheeks. “You are sworn to secrecy. If you ever tell Beatrice what I said, she’ll never be kind to Wesley.”

Suddenly serious, Fanny said, “I do hope I’ll find a letter from Michael awaiting me when we arrive home. I’ve read this one so many times, I have it memorized.” She removed the tattered envelope from her reticule and pressed it with her hand.

“And I hope that I’ll have heard from the medical school to which I wrote.” Amanda folded a shirtwaist and placed it in the trunk.

“What?” Sophie shook her head in disbelief. “You actually applied to a medical school? I don’t believe you. Does Uncle Jonas know you’re serious about this idea? You’ll never gain his permission.”

“Father knows it’s my desire to attend medical school and help the underprivileged. Even though it is too late for me to attend medical school this year, I told Father that unless he gave me permission to begin next year, I wouldn’t make this trip to England. He finally relented.”

Once again Sophie rocked back against the pillows. “Of course he did. But only because he believes you’ll no longer want to attend by next year. He probably plans to have you wed before you can attend college.”

“And I’m not certain you’d enjoy medical training, Amanda. You’re the one who nearly fainted when I attempted to operate on an injured rabbit a few years ago,” Fanny remarked.

“That was an entirely different matter. There was no possible way to save that rabbit. It had been mauled by . . .” Amanda briefly covered her mouth. “I don’t even want to discuss the rabbit. My work will be to lend aid and help relieve human suffering.”

“What will you do if you come upon some small child who has been—”

“Stop it, Sophie! You’re not going to dissuade me with this unpleasant talk of maimed rabbits or injured children. I plan to attend medical school, and Father has said he’ll not attempt to thwart my efforts.”

“At least not in a manner by which you would become aware,” Sophie rebutted. There was little doubt her comments had angered Amanda. Though that had not been Sophie’s intent, it was time Amanda took stock of her future. She was simply deceiving herself if she thought her father would ever permit such a plan. “Besides, when the right man comes along, you’ll be just like me—delighted at the thought of marriage and a husband.”

“If and when I ever decide to wed, you can be sure I’ll know the man far longer than you’ve known Mr. Hedrick,” Amanda replied. “And what of you, Fanny? What will you do when we return to Rochester? You must find something to occupy your time until Michael returns.”

Fanny nodded. “We’ll all be busy until the holidays pass. After that, I’m uncertain. I’ll come into my inheritance in March when I turn eighteen, and if Michael hasn’t yet returned, I shall need to make some decisions. Michael and I discussed purchasing one of the Thousand Islands, but I wouldn’t make such a purchase without him. However, I might purchase a house in Rochester that we could live in for a portion of each year—like Grandfather and Grand-mère did.”

“Oh, that’s an excellent idea,” Sophie agreed. “And we could come and visit you.”

Amanda jumped to her feet. “Or perhaps the three of us could live together in Grandfather and Grand-mère’s house. That would be absolutely perfect.” She glanced at Sophie. “If you can put aside the thought of marriage for a time.”

“I like that idea very much. We could have great fun, and you should wait at least a year before you decide if you will marry Mr. Hedrick anyway,” Fanny said.

Sophie remained silent while her cousins continued to discuss their idea. Had Wesley not entered her life, she would think the idea superb. The cousins living on their own would permit her the freedom and independence she had previously longed for. But now, with Wesley in her life, neither freedom nor independence seemed important. Sophie wanted only to be in his presence. A proposal would soon be in the offing, and she didn’t intend to wait until the following fall to wed. No need to say so at the moment, for she’d surely receive another one of Amanda’s lengthy lectures.

After bidding Lord and Lady Illiff farewell earlier in the morning, Wesley and Daniel escorted the ladies on board the ship for their return home. Jonas had arranged their passage on the
Kaiser Wilhelm der Grosse,
a recently launched four-stacker that had made her maiden voyage in September. The ship was now being touted as the fastest and most elegant of all the steam liners crossing the Atlantic.

Although the rest of their party had gone to their cabins, Wesley had remained by Sophie’s side until the ship was well underway. There had been no one on the docks to bid them farewell; nonetheless, the two of them had remained on deck and joined in the festivities. While Wesley discussed the dimensions of the ship with several other passengers, Sophie surveyed the latest fashions of the female passengers—at least those traveling in first class. There were, of course, those of lesser means who were scuttled off to steerage: emigrants traveling to America, each one hoping to find prosperity in their new homeland. She wondered how many would return disillusioned and brokenhearted.

She pulled her cloak more tightly around her and grasped Wesley’s arm. “Let’s take a turn about the deck. I heard one of the women say the first-class dining room could seat over five hundred passengers at a single sitting. I do wonder how they manage to cook so much food at one time in such a small space.”

“I doubt the galley is as small as you imagine, yet I agree it would be a great feat.” He patted her hand. “Fortunately, with your family’s wealth, you won’t ever be forced to work in a kitchen of any size.”

“If my father had his way, I’d cook for the residents of his charity home back in Rochester. He’s discovered a few people who share his views but believes we should all carry a burden for the underprivileged.”

“It’s good for the wealthy to aid the cause of the poor. After all, they can hardly do it for themselves.”

Sophie nodded. “It’s true, and I do care about their plight. It’s just that sometimes I believe my father cares more about their needs than he does mine.”

“Well, perhaps you won’t need to concern yourself with that much longer.”

He didn’t elaborate, and Sophie was most vexed by the way he changed the subject.

“Your aunt mentioned a young man named Paul Medford who works with your father. If I recall, she said Mr. Medford had accompanied you on your voyage to England.”

Sophie quickly explained the circumstances of Paul’s visit. She certainly didn’t want Wesley to think she had any interest in Paul, and she had no idea what her aunt might have related to Wesley. “I believe Paul returned to New York last week, but his mother may still be in England.” Sophie couldn’t remember if that’s what her aunt had said or not, for she’d only half listened when Aunt Victoria had mentioned receiving a note from Paul’s mother. “I’m afraid the return voyage won’t be as pleasurable for my aunt. She found Mrs. Medford’s company quite enjoyable.” In truth, Sophie worried that her aunt would spend more time acting the proper chaperone—the last thing Sophie desired.

“In that case, we must invite her to join us from time to time. We don’t want her to become lonely,” Wesley said.

They stepped into one of the sitting rooms, where several elderly passengers were settled on the tufted leather sofas reading newspapers or books. “You need not worry on that account. She has both Amanda and Fanny to keep her company. And she enjoys Daniel’s company, as well. I doubt she will feel isolated in the least.” Sophie silently chastised herself. She should never have mentioned Mrs. Medford or Aunt Victoria.