Enduring Love (14 page)

And then Hannah understood Dalton. He wanted happiness for her. His kindness warmed her heart. “Thank you for caring. I do appreciate your thoughtfulness. But I’ve given up on the life I once had, and I’ve turned my eyes to the future. Looking for treachery where there is none and hoping for personal opportunities is immoral. And I won’t do it. I shan’t do anything to jeopardize John’s happiness.”

Hannah gripped the feather duster more tightly. “If you come to me with proof of wrongdoing that shows me Margaret is unfit to be his wife, I shall do my utmost to help him. But that is not the case at present. And therefore, since she is his wife, she should be treated with the utmost respect and decency.”

“You’re right, of course.” Dalton’s tone was contrite.

Hannah offered him a smile. “I do thank you for caring, Dalton.”

With a nod, he turned and walked away, leaving Hannah to ponder whether there was any basis for the rumors.
How
deplorable that would be. Poor John, if such were true.
Although Hannah understood the proclivity of people to enjoy a tasty rumor, she knew she’d not discard the information and would be attentive to any unusual behavior.

With the dusting completed, Hannah walked toward her cottage. It was time she fixed lunch for her and Thomas. The rain had stopped, leaving the world looking as if it had been washed clean. Hannah took a deep breath, delighting in the fragrance of damp earth and fresh air.

Although she’d tried to rid her mind of Dalton’s veiled accusations, they remained with her. If the rumors were true, would that change the situation between her and John, or had they already journeyed too far from one another?

A carriage moved up the drive and stopped in front of the house. A woman Hannah had never seen before stepped out and walked to the veranda steps and up to the front door. She was dressed simply, but she carried herself with distinction.

It’s none of my concern,
Hannah thought, stepping around a puddle and continuing to the cottage, hoping Thomas would be there. When he wasn’t, she set off for the tool shop, the most likely place to find him.
I’ll have to speak to him; he’s not
making time for his studies.

When Hannah stepped into the shop, Perry stood at a workbench, his attention on a tool of some sort. Thomas wasn’t about. “Perry, have you seen Thomas?”

He looked up. “He was ’ere a bit earlier, but I haven’t seen him in some time. Most likely when the rain stopped, he went down to the river to do some fishing. Ye know how he likes that.”

“Oh yes, I do.” She moved toward the door. “If you see him, please tell him I’m waiting lunch for him.”

“I surely will.”

Hannah stepped outside and started for the river when she saw that the visitor was heading to her cottage.
What could she
want with me?
Hoping to greet the woman at the door, Hannah hurried her steps.

“Good day. May I be of help?” she asked when she’d nearly reached her caller.

The woman stopped and waited for Hannah. She was small and frail-looking.

“Good day.” She straightened her bonnet. “I’m Lucinda Davies.” She set eyes the color of a pale blue sky on Hannah, eyes the same color as Thomas’s.

The name Davies struck Hannah like a blow. Thomas didn’t have any family. She barely managed to ask, “How can I help you?”

“I’m Charles Davies’ sister, Thomas’s aunt. It’s my understanding that he lives here with you.”

“He does, indeed.” Like an evil mist, dread enveloped Hannah.

Lucinda’s expression was one of apprehension as she said, “I’ve come for him.”

“Come for him? How do you mean?”

“I’ve traveled all the way from England to bring him home with me.”

“I understood he had no living relatives.”

“I can assure you that I am alive, and so is his grandfather.”

Hannah’s legs went weak. “He has a grandfather? I don’t understand—”

“My brother was my father’s only son. When we received word of his death, my dad wanted to come, but his health has not been good. So he sent me to bring Thomas home.”

Hannah couldn’t think. How would she manage without Thomas? “He’s been living with my husband and me.”

“I was told that you and your husband are no longer . . . sharing your lives as husband and wife.”

“That’s true.” Hannah glanced down at her hands. “But Thomas sees his father . . . I mean, John often.” She knew it wasn’t exactly true but was certain that in time he and Thomas would return to their previous comfortable rapport.

“It would be unseemly for a child to remain in your care under these circumstances. We’ve a fine farm in Cambridge.” She stared at Hannah. “I’ve papers if you need proof.”

“Do you have them with you?”

“I do.”

“Yes, then. I would like to see them.” Fear and grief enveloped Hannah as she watched Lucinda take folded papers out of her reticule.

Hands trembling, she read through the document. It was true. Thomas belonged to his family in Cambridge. She had no legal right to him. Hannah grabbed hold of the porch railing to steady herself and returned the papers. “How do I know these are authentic?”

Shock registered on Lucinda’s face. “I can’t believe you would doubt me. I would not have taken that horrid voyage from London all the way to this godforsaken place for a child of no significance.” She closed her eyes and took in a breath, then continued more kindly. “I know this must be distressing to you, but it’s best that Thomas be with his family. And he’ll inherit a fine farm one day. I promise to remain with him until he’s grown. He won’t be motherless. I’ve lived my life on the farm and don’t plan to marry. I’ll be happy to take the boy in hand.” She offered a stiff smile.

This unexpected heartache took hold of Hannah. “Thomas is happy here.”
Lord, there must be some way to persuade her.
“He has a fine life.”

The woman glanced at the small cottage. “You’ve nothing of your own. You’re a domestic. How can you offer him what he needs?”

Her words thrust the truth at Hannah. “I love him,” she said, her voice barely more than a whisper. “He needs love more than anything.”

“And he’ll be loved . . . in England.”

Hannah thought she heard compassion in Lucinda’s voice. “Please let him stay. He’s already lost so much.”

“I know what he’s lost. We loved his family too. This is best for him. My brother would have wanted his son to have a future.”

Hannah searched her mind for something she could say, something that would convince Lucinda to leave Thomas with her. “He has a father,” she blurted. “John is a fine father, a better man you will not find.”

Lucinda’s eyes turned hard. “Thomas’s father is dead.” She looked about. “Please, can you tell me where he is?”

“I’m not certain. I was just going to call him in to eat when you arrived.”

“You don’t know where he is? A boy unattended is one that’s getting into mischief.” She looked like a bristling hen. “I’ll have my man find him.”

Hannah recognized the inevitable. “No. It’s better if I go.” She closed the door. “He’s most likely at the river.” Stepping off the porch, she added, “Thomas loves to fish.” Sorrow churned inside Hannah and she was unable to hold back tears. “I’ll check the workroom first. That’s closer.”

With Lucinda following, Hannah walked toward the shop. She hoped Thomas wasn’t there, although she knew his absence would be of no real help. At best, all she could do was delay the inevitable. She opened the door and peeked inside. Thomas stood beside Perry, watching him work.

Hannah looked at Lucinda. “Can you give us a moment? This will not be easy for him.”

“Certainly. I’ll wait here.”

Hannah stepped inside the shop, closed the door, and walked toward Thomas, feeling as if she were living in a nightmare. How would she tell him? Did he even remember his aunt Lucinda or his grandfather?

Perry looked up. “I told him to go on home, but he insisted . . . Hannah? What is it?”

“I need to speak with Thomas.”

“Is it John?”

“No.” She placed a hand on Thomas’s shoulder and knelt in front of the boy. “It seems you’ve an aunt Lucinda, your father’s sister.”

“Aunt Lucinda?” His eyes held a question, then brightened. “Oh right, I remember me dad telling me ’bout her. Don’t recall meeting her, though.”

Hannah gently grasped Thomas’s arms. “She’s come to see you—all the way from England.”

“Is she going to live here too?”

“No.” Hannah’s throat felt as if it had closed. “She’s come to . . . to take you home with her.”

Thomas’s eyes widened. Hannah heard a gasp from Perry. The boy stepped back. “But I don’t even know her.”

“She knows you, and your grandfather’s longing to see you. They’ve a lovely farm that will belong to you one day.”

“I don’t want a farm.” He shoved his chin out. “This is me home. Didn’t ye tell her?”

“I did. But she has legal papers.”

“I won’t go.”

Hannah felt helpless. What was she to do? Settling hands on his shoulders, she said gently, “You have to go, Thomas.”

“But yer me mum and what ’bout Dad?”

“We never legally adopted you. John simply brought you home and you became part of our family.”

Tears washed into the boy’s eyes. His chin quivered and he crossed his arms over his chest.

“If I could change it, you know I would.”

He squared his jaw. “She can’t make me go.”

“It will be hard at first, but I’m sure you’ll learn to love your family. And living in the countryside in England will be delightful. It’s much cooler there than here, and green.”

Thomas stared at her with unbelieving eyes.

“I’m sorry, but you must go.”

“I won’t! I’ll run away.” He charged out of the shop, leaving the door ajar.

Hannah started to go after him when Perry grabbed her arm. “Let him be. He needs time.”

Hannah’s heart felt as if it had been impaled. “I don’t know that I can bear this. It’s too much.” Without waiting for a reply from Perry, she turned and walked out.

Lucinda stood just outside the door. “He ran that way,” she said, pointing toward the river. “I’m truly sorry. I have no choice in this matter. It will be the best thing for him.”

Hannah stopped and stared at the woman. At that moment, she hated her. Without comment, she ran after Thomas.

11

Hannah quaked inside. She could still feel Thomas’s arms clutching her. She could hear his tearful determined voice demanding that he wouldn’t go. She’d never imagined losing him. She must hurry. Perhaps John could make Thomas’s aunt see reason.

“Let me go for ye,” Perry said. “It’s better me than a woman alone on the road. Ye never know what ye might come across.”

“No.” Hannah knew Perry’s suggestion was sensible, but she couldn’t wait here while he went. She had to do something. “I’ve already told Mrs. Atherton I’m leaving. Dalton is preparing the buggy.”

“Let me go along, then.”

“It’s not necessary. I’m quite capable of looking after myself.”

“I know that, but . . .” Perry folded his arms over his chest and shook his head. “Yer a stubborn woman.”

“That I am.”

“This is just too much, Hannah. At least let Perry go with ye,” Gwen entreated.

Trying to maintain a calm exterior, Hannah said, “I’ll be fine. I should be the one to go. This is about me and my son.” She glanced at the carriage house. “I’ve got to be on my way. John needs to know what’s happened. And the sooner the better.”

Dalton drove the buggy around to Hannah’s cabin and stopped. Hannah hurried to meet him. “It’s kind of you to help.”

“I’ll be more than happy to drive you.”

“Thank you, but I’d rather go unaccompanied.” Hannah understood the good sense behind the offer, but she desperately wanted to be alone. She wished people would just let her be. Her emotions were a jumble, and she needed time by herself to sort them out and to weep. She doubted there was anything that could be done to bring Thomas home. She tried to stay focused on what was at hand, but the future stretched out before her—endless and empty without him. Tears stormed the back of her eyes.
Not now. Not yet.

She tilted her chin up and, in the most practical tone she could muster, said, “I prefer to go alone.” She’d not forgotten that Margaret now lived in John’s house. It would be difficult to face her, and she’d rather manage that emotional obstacle on her own.

Dalton climbed down, his long legs carrying him easily to the ground. He faced Hannah. “Very well, then. But I’d feel better if—”

“I know you would. And I thank you for caring.” Hannah moved past him to the buggy. “It’s best this way. None of this is your concern anyway.”

Dalton held his body stiffly and Gwen’s eyes teared. Perry put an arm about his wife. “Not our concern? We’ve been friends a long while, Hannah. I’ve known ye since the prison ship. And Gwen and Dalton nearly as long. We’re family.”

Hannah realized her insensitive blunder. “Of course you’re concerned. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean any offense. I just didn’t want to put this burden upon your shoulders. You’ve no need to carry it.”

Gwen moved to Hannah and grasped her hand. “What hurts ye hurts us. And God’s Word says we’re to help carry one another’s burdens. We want to help carry this one.”

A wave of love rolled over Hannah. “I’m grateful for your kindness, but I’ve got to go alone.”

“Why so?” Gwen asked, squeezing Hannah’s hand. “Please let us help.”

Hannah didn’t know what to say. She hurt so deeply she wasn’t able to share this burden just yet. She needed solitude. “I just can’t share any of this right now. But I’m grateful for your love and your prayers.” She looked at Perry and Dalton and then turned to the buggy. “I must be on my way.”

Dalton gave Hannah a hand up and then stepped back.

She lifted the reins. “I’ll be home as soon as I can. Please don’t worry about me.”

She glanced at Mrs. Atherton, who stood on the porch steps. Her face was lined with worry, and she held her hands clasped tightly in front of her. Hannah knew she was praying and would continue to do so until all was well. Looking at her friends, she said, “Pray for us. Pray Thomas can return to us.”