Banished Love (32 page)

After an appallingly long silence in the church as everyone watched Lucas and me attempt to right ourselves, Da rushed past Savannah and Jonas to heave me off the floor. Lucas rose quickly when he found himself no longer tangled in my skirts. I saw his chest shaking and hoped it was with mirth. I squared my shoulders, gripped Lucas’s arm again, ignored his grimace and marched down the aisle with him.

After an interminable receiving line, where I received numerous tongue-in-cheek compliments on my innovative flight from the altar, I moved to a quiet corner. As I stood in my now wrinkled dress sipping sweet punch, I watched Savannah move around the room with Jonas.

“They make a charming couple, don’t they?”

I stiffened at Cameron’s voice in my ear. “Leave. Leave me alone.”

“When have I ever done what was expected of me?” he asked in a joking tone. “I want to speak with you, and I know you will not make another scene after today’s spectacle.”

I stiffened further as he caressed my elbow. I gave silent thanks for the long formal gloves I wore. “And when have I ever done what was expected of me?” I said in a challenging voice, moving to turn toward him.

His grip on my elbow turned painful, and I stilled my movement. “Listen well, Clarissa. This is the life you should have. That we should have. And we will have it. Someday soon you will forget about that unfortunate attachment to the worthless laborer. You will realize we are to be together. But heed me on this, we will marry.”

I shivered at his words and stiffened my shoulders to turn toward him. However, as suddenly as he had appeared, he was gone. My arm was freed, pain flooding my elbow. I massaged it and turned to look for him. I saw him skirting a crowd of high-society people before slipping out a side door.

As I no longer wanted to be alone with my thoughts in a corner, I walked toward Aunt Betsy, forcing Cameron and his words from my mind.

“I had thought there would be more than a few drinks and cake,” Aunt Betsy murmured with a forced smile toward an acquaintance across the room.

“As you know, Aunt Betsy,” I whispered back, “there were too many guests for a formal meal.”

“This is why I suggested a small wedding at home.”

“Which would never have been grand enough for Jonas,” I said.

“Betsy,” Grandmama Thompson interrupted, “good to see you here.” She turned to me. “Well, girl, there’s no need to demonstrate to decent society you have no wish to wed.”

“I beg your pardon?” I asked.

“Seeing as you either flee from the altar or cause your fiancé to flee from you. No man of consequence would want you now,” Grandmama said with a sniff of agreement from Grandpapa.

“Maybe she desires more than a man perceived to be more than he is,” Aunt Betsy said with a chill to her tone.

“Betsy, don’t start,” Grandmama warned.

“I, for one, enjoyed the entertainment,” Aunt Betsy said with a smile.

“I must hope the wedding reporter had departed by that point,” Grandmama said.

“Not very likely, ol’ Grandmama,” Colin said with an insolent grin as he joined us with a glance around the subdued room. “Only thing of interest to happen all day.”

“This is how good society acts, young man,” she hissed.

“Then I must give thanks to be so rarely in its presence.” He gripped my hand, tugging me away from them. “Insufferable witch.”

“Colin!”

“Well, she is, even if she is our grandmother. Come, I think Uncle Martin is to give a speech.” We maneuvered our way to a good vantage point.

“Col, Cameron was here,” I whispered.

“I know. I saw you speaking with him, but before I could approach you, he vanished. Are you all right?”

“I’m fine. Although I don’t know why he thinks I’d ever want to marry him.”

“Don’t go anywhere alone, Rissa. I worry about him.”

“I won’t go anywhere but Russells alone. I promise, Col.” Colin nodded, accepting my compromise.

Colin turned his attention to the newlyweds. “Savannah seems out of sorts,” Colin said, watching her stiffly cut cake with Jonas.

“I think she is trying to act properly.”

“She’s stuck with him now,” Colin said with a shake of his head. “Though I think the grandparents are happier about it than she is.” He nodded his head in their direction.

Grandpapa Thompson seemed especially delighted that Jonas was now a member of our family. He clapped Jonas on the back a few times, showing more pride in him than he ever had in any of his grandsons.

Uncle Martin cleared his throat and asked for a moment’s attention. The quiet murmurs quickly abated. “If I could interrupt the festivities for a moment,” Uncle Martin stated. “I would like to congratulate Jonas on choosing my beautiful daughter, Savannah. May you both be happy in your marriage.”

At the polite clapping, I murmured to Colin, “Shouldn’t Savannah also be congratulated?”

“Would you congratulate her on her choice?” he asked with a wink. We turned back to Uncle Martin as he continued.

“I would also like to take this time to give my Savannah and her Jonas their wedding present.”

He pulled off a sheet covering the sideboard. There was a collective gasp at its beauty. It was even more exquisite than when I had seen it a few weeks before. The mirror gleamed, and the wood shone. The rosewood inlay enhanced the rich mahogany color. Encircling the mirror in a simple interwoven vine pattern with a flower blossom at each corner, the molding highlighted the mirror without overwhelming the simple beauty of the piece.

“It seems Gabriel will have more clients,” Colin said with a satisfied smile as he watched the appreciative glances from the wedding guests.

“I should hope,” I said.

CHAPTER 32

A WEEK AFTER SAVANNAH’S WEDDING, I sat in the family parlor reading a letter from Florence.

June 29, 1900

My Dear Clarissa,

I cannot thank you nearly enough for helping me to obtain this summer position. I had quite despaired of finding anything suitable for the summer, and now I will have a decent job with room and board. I count myself very fortunate to have you as a friend. You don’t know how I had nearly given up hope. I will even have a holiday at the beach!

Thank you, dearest Clarissa. I will write again soon.

Your friend,

Florence

“Are you reading a letter from your suffragette friend?” Colin asked. He lay sprawled in comfort in his favorite gentleman’s chair, his waistcoat, tie and coat removed, and his leg hooked over one chair arm. He and I enjoyed the peaceful quiet of the parlor with Mrs. Smythe and Da out for an early evening stroll.

“No, Sophie is in Newport at an extended house party and far too busy to write me. This is a letter from Florence. One of those snooty society matrons from Savannah’s wedding hired her for the summer.”

“Good work, Rissa,” Colin said, watching me over the top of his newspaper. “I have a story to tell you that might cheer you up.”

“Colin, it’s not worth the attempt. You know I am rotten company.”

Colin watched me with raised eyebrows, as though assessing whether or not to accept my dare. “I went to Austin and Stone’s today,” he said as he sat up to regale me with his tale.

“You didn’t,” I gasped, envy flooding me at the thought of seeing the curiosity shows made famous by P. T. Barnum in New York City and then expanded to other cities.

“I did. I went after work.”

I moved to sit next to him. “How could you have gone there without me?”

“I’m sorry, Rissa,” Colin said. “You must know, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity.” He shrugged away the rest of his explanation.

“What was it like?” I asked.

“Marvelous. Marvelous,” Colin intoned in a dramatic voice, and I laughed, punching him lightly in the arm.

“That’s Professor Hutchings,” Colin said as way of explaining whom he mimicked. “He’s a master showman and everything is ‘marvelous, marvelous.’” Colin wiggled his eyebrows.

I laughed again, my spirits lightened for the first time in days.

“Everything and everyone is a curiosity,” Colin continued. “I have no idea if any of it is real, but it’s a great show.” He sighed, closing his eyes as though reenvisioning what he had seen and heard. When he began to speak again, it was in that deep voice. “Behold the world’s most magnificently malleable man, the charismatic contortionist come to Boston for your pleasurable perusal. Marvelous! Marvelous!”

I pealed with laughter, my desire to have been there with him increasing as he regaled me with stories. “You’d better tell me no more, or I will die of envy!” I said, sharing a long smile with Colin.

He patted my shoulder. “At least I was able to make you laugh.”

I leaned back against the settee, imagining going to Austin and Stone’s, the “marvelous,” fantastical things I would see. I sighed at the thought, frustrated that it had been deemed unacceptable by Mrs. Smythe.

“I’m surprised at you, Rissa,” Colin said, interrupting my musings, with a disapproving expression on his face.

“Why, Colin? I have done nothing of interest for quite some time.”

“You had a good man interested in you, and you have ignored him.”

“I don’t know what you mean,” I protested as I tried to hide my flush.

“I spoke with Richard today. Gabe’s been very low since the soiree. Look, I know he was a bit rude at the end, Rissa, but I can’t believe you won’t accept his apology,” Colin reproached me, impatience tinting his voice.

“Apology? What apology? I haven’t heard a word from him since that night.”

“Rissa, I know that Gabe came by the house to speak with you a few days after the soiree, and you turned him away. You wouldn’t even come to the door to speak with him.”

“Who told you that?” I demanded, sitting up straight on the settee. “Mrs. Smythe,” I murmured, staring into space.

“No, Mrs. Smythe didn’t tell me, Rissa. Richard did.”

“No, Colin, Mrs. Smythe must have turned him away. I never knew he came here,” I said. “I must speak with him. Will you go with me to his workshop now? It’s not too late, and it’s acceptable if you are with me. Please, Colin?”

Colin studied me, seeing my sincerity. He smiled. “Of course, Rissa, I’m always ready for an adventure.”

We took a trolley to Gabriel’s workshop. I noted absently the continued chaos of Haymarket Square even in the early evening. I was lost in thought, worried about how he would receive me after thinking that I had turned him away. We arrived at the workshop, only to find it closed for the night.

“Oh, Colin! What am I going to do?” I cried, near tears.

“Let’s take a quick walk to their house. I know where they live, and it’s not far,” he said. grabbing my hand and leading me away from the workshop. “Thankfully it is still light.”

As we arrived at the North End, the evening gas streetlights slowly flickered on, lending a mysterious, magical air to the streets. The smell of roasting onions wafted from open windows, and men stood on street corners arguing in Italian.

When we arrived at Gabriel and Richard’s house, Colin banged on the door. I waited anxiously, worried no one was home, but let out my breath as heavy footsteps approached the door. This time, Gabriel answered the door, appearing surprised to see me, though he quickly masked his expression.

“Colin. Miss Sullivan. Good evening to you both,” he said in a cool, flat voice.

“Gabe, may we come in?” Colin asked, urgency lacing his tone.

Gabriel and Colin studied each other for a few moments, and then Gabriel stepped aside and opened the door fully to allow us entrance. He locked the door behind us before leading us to the back room, the room where I had first seen him after I had injured him.

“What brings you by?” Gabriel asked in the same flat tone.

He had entered the back room and moved to the far side of the table, placing as much space as possible between us. He stood with his back against the cabinets, his arms crossed defensively across his chest.

“Hey, Col!” Richard called out from the sofa. He had been reading but looked up as we entered. “Miss Sullivan, nice to see
you
again.” Richard smiled at me. He set aside the book.

Colin and I stood in the doorway for a few moments before I entered the room. I moved toward the table, pulled out a chair and sat down.

A tense silence filled the room. I was gripped by sudden panic, momentarily robbed of speech. Richard continued to watch the three of us in apparent fascination as the silence continued.

“The wedding seemed rather interesting, Miss Sullivan,” Richard said in a friendly tone.

I blushed, remembering the write-up in the newspaper highlighting my latest public debacle.

A rather rote wedding was made livelier by the bride’s choice for attendant. Miss Sullivan, dressed in pale green satin, perhaps overcome by emotions for her fair cousin, the bride, flew off the altar bringing her cousin, Mr. Lucas Russell, along for the ride. The fascinated guests, unaccustomed to seeing anything of actual interest at a wedding, were slow to respond to their distress, probably too enthralled with the excess of petticoats, lace, and shapely ankle and leg visible in the heap representing Miss Sullivan. Miss Sullivan and Mr. Russell, for their part, appeared unaffected by their adventure. As for Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery, they plan to honeymoon in New York City.

“Ah, what a shock to see Rissa appear airborne. And poor Lucas, brought down by bad luck,” said Colin.

Gabriel grunted in response, as though remembering his own fall at my hands. I flushed a deeper red, although I continued to meet his bleak gaze, silently daring him to speak with me.

“What do you want, Miss Sullivan?” Gabriel asked.

I took a deep breath to steady my emotions as a deep-seated anger stirred in me. My eyes must have flashed emotion at him as he looked at me. I raised my chin as I responded in a firm tone, “I wanted to inform you that I had been unaware of your visit to my house after the soiree.”