Tangled Betrayals (15 page)

“
Every once in awhile I have the ladies here for cards or tea. But they make snide statements that hurt me about my clothing or my ability to get around. They smirk at each other as if I didn’t get their rude remarks. I know I’m a cripple.”

M
ary felt a pull to Nettie Powell. She smiled and meant it. “Mrs. Powell, if you’d give me a few minutes, I think I can accommodate you with dresses that will make others take notice.”

“Please, call me Nettie. May I call you Mary?”

“Of course,” Mary replied sincerely.

In no time Mary was done
with her sketches and Nettie looked them over. “Mary, these are lovely! Are these the latest fashions in England?”

“
Very similar, I’ve enjoyed creating some variations to my dresses and outfits that are the latest fashions in France and England but adding a couple of touches so they would fit in with the American styles. I think the women in Washington will like them.”

“I agree!” Nettie replied beaming.

“What colors do you like? I notice you have lovely olive skin, Nettie. I think you could wear almost any color you choose.”

“I
’ll let you decide, Mary. I’m very excited. Will you measure me today before you leave?”

“Of course, and I
’ll return in two weeks if you choose one or both of my designs. Does that seem fair? Nettie, you haven’t asked me for a price.”

“
The amount is of no consequence, Mary. I’ll gladly pay whatever you charge.”

“I
think you will find my prices reasonable. I try to be fair.”

“I
can see that, Mary. I think you, Agnes and I are going to become good friends. This may seem strange to you, but after my husband, Jackson, passed, Agnes became more than a servant to me, she became my dear friend. There’s only the two of us in this house, so we drop all formalities and act like sisters instead of servant and employer. Only when I entertain does Agnes put on a formal act and that is only because she insists on doing so. She’s been the most loyal friend!”

“
Gosh, Nettie, I find that very refreshing. England is full of rules and titles. I was hoping America would be less formal. You and Agnes are my first friends here, maybe my only ones!” Mary added laughing. “Although, I do get along quite well with my seamstress, Bitty, and consider her a friend.”

“I think you
’ll make many friends, Mary. Thank you for giving me a second chance. I can’t believe I almost lost the opportunity of getting to know you. Agnes has prepared a lunch. I want you to get to know me,” Nettie told Mary, with her eyes misting.

Chapter Thirty-
Three

Two weeks passed
quickly and Mary had brought with her the two dresses Nettie had chosen. Agnes helped Nettie change, added some jewelry and holding her fluffy white hair with beautiful gold and diamond hair combs. Nettie even allowed Agnes to put on a little make-up to add some color to her cheeks and lips.

“You look lovely,” Mary told her
amazed at the transformation seen before her. Nettie was now smiling broadly and obviously feeling renewed.

“Bah, but I feel good. I think I
’ll have to have a card party or tea to show off my new clothes. Jackson would have loved these choices, Mary.”

Mary had chosen
a dark red color for the dress which buttoned in the back and had a high stand-up collar. She picked a sky-blue color for the skirt of the second outfit, along with a white blouse that had lace around the neck. She added a matching sky-blue jacket that could be worn, if needed, on a cool day. Nettie looked ten years younger. But what pleased Mary the most was Nettie’s smile. She brightened the room with new energy.

“Agnes
, help me change into my everyday clothes and then we can have lunch. Mary, once I’m changed, we can visit on the veranda. I’ll be out to join you shortly.”

Mary waited with relief that the fitting went well.
When Nettie joined her on the veranda, Mary noticed she’d left her make-up untouched.

“I
’m pleased you’re happy with the dresses, Nettie.  I try to give a lot of attention to detail. There’s something I’ve been wondering, forgive my prying, how did you become crippled? That is, if you wish to tell me.”

Nettie nodded and smiled
at Mary. “You’re the first and only person to ask me directly about my accident except the day when it happened, and the Doctor asked me about it. There are many stories that have been told about what happened that day. Thank you, Mary for being forthright.”

“
When Jackson was not out with his ship, he and I loved to spend time riding our horses. He had a big black stallion named Jake, and I had a beautiful black mare I called, Lady. Oh Mary, they were a beautiful pair. They loved being together as much as Jackson and I. I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt riding like the wind on those days past.”

Mary noticed Nettie was
tearing up. “Nettie, you don’t have to tell me anymore. I’m sorry I asked.”

“Nonsense, these a
re tears of joy, my dear.” Nettie replied as she used her lace hanky to dab her eyes and nose. “You see, I still miss Jackson, after all these years. You probably think that is odd coming from an old woman, but even old women have yearnings for the past.”

“
Anyway, one day I went riding alone, but it wasn’t the same without Jackson. And believe me or not, my mare missed her counterpart, too. On that particular day, I went to jump a stone fence that Lady and I had jumped many times with ease. This time, the mare bulked and threw me. They found me late in the afternoon with the mare standing next to me. She never left my side, Mary. She kept nuzzling me to get up but the fall had crippled me.”

“
After a couple of weeks confined to my bed, Agnes moved my bedroom downstairs so I didn’t have to have one of the men carry me up and down the stairs. She put up with my melancholy moods for a couple more weeks. I would stay in my bed, depressed, until one day Agnes told me that I was going to sit on the veranda.

“
We had a terrible fight. I called her some very nasty names. She never said one word to me but placed my chair on the veranda where I was left with no way to get back into the house by myself. I was furious. I screamed and hollered but no one came. Then after an hour or so, Agnes had the mare brought out so I could see her condition.

“
I cried when I saw my mare. She was so thin. Agnes informed me she had hardly eaten since the accident. My heart broke. I truly believe Lady was aware she was the cause of my condition. Lady hung her head and I asked Agnes to take me closer so I could pet her. Agnes did as I asked and then brought me some carrots.

“
I handed a carrot to Lady knowing it was her favorite treat. She looked at me with those big sad eyes and then slowly took the carrot out of my hand. I cried tears of joy when I saw that small spark of life. I knew I had to go on living, and by doing so, Lady would live, too.”

“After a few weeks
she was back to normal. I knew what needed to be done even though it broke my heart. Those two fine horses were used to running, Mary. So I wrote to a wonderful friend in Virginia, who loved horses as much as I and he offered me a nice sum for the pair. Of course, I couldn’t take any money. They were given to him as a gift. I gave him Lady and Jake with the promise that he’d never sell or separate them. He later wrote to tell me he used Jake for stud service and Lady had produced four beautiful fouls.

“
Then a few years later, I received a letter saying Lady had died in her sleep. He said Jake was uncontrollable when they removed Lady from her stall. The next morning, when he went to check on Jake, he found him dead. My friend thought he died from a broken heart. I understood, for my heart broke when Jackson died. Yet, the good Lord hadn’t been ready or was unwilling to take me.”

Mary noticed
Nettie had been gazing over the pasture land as she shared her story. She knew Nettie had pictured herself once again racing through the green and luscious, grassy fields with Jackson, as they had done so many years ago.

Nettie
turned her head to say something else and noticed Mary was quietly crying. “Tell me child, what troubles you? I’ve accepted a long time ago what happened to me. Talking to you has only brought back wonderful memories.”

“
That’s a beautiful love story, about Jake and Lady.”

“
Aye, much like Jackson and mine. Jackson had built this huge home with the hope we’d be blessed with many children. He planned everything, even to where the house was to be set so we could watch the sunrise, sunset, and our children playing in the yard.

“
Then, his ship was lost at sea during a hurricane. The only reason I know what happened to Jackson, is another ship had come upon the wreckage shortly after the storm subsided, and saw the name of his ship on some on the cargo floating on the sea.

“
All on board were lost. As much as I suffered during that time, I know in my heart Jackson’s wish would have been to go down with his men and his ship. He was a good man, Mary, and very handsome. He was also quite the charmer. I knew no one could ever take his place in my life. So I’ve remained here with my memories and good friend, Agnes. Fortunately, Jackson left me well off so I’ve had the luxury of never having to worry about shelter or money.

“Mary, I
’m not telling you this to make you start sobbing again. Tragedy happens. There’s no rhyme or reason for the timing of bad things. Most of the time we can’t help what life brings. But how we handle the situation we’re left with is what counts. Until you came into my life, I almost forgot how important it is to show kindness. Oh Mary, don’t mind me, I tend to speak my mind and you may not agree with this old woman.”

When Nettie and Mary glanced over to the table they realized lunch
was in place and Agnes was wiping her eyes.

“
Why don’t we talk while we eat? I’m familiar with both of those stories Nettie just told. They still make me cry. Jackson was one of a kind, he was. I still miss him, too.”

“Of course you do, Agnes. Jackson always
said if he hadn’t found me, he would have been after you!” Nettie said laughing as she watched Agnes blush and cover her face in embarrassment. “He always admired Agnes for how hard she worked. It’d been Jackson’s suggestion that we allow her to live in the cottage after we moved into this house. She had been living in town and Jackson always made sure one of the men picked her up and then took her home until the cottage became available, so nothing happened to his favorite cook!”

“
And I couldn’t believe I’d a place to call home, Mary. The cottage was perfect for me. I planted a large garden, and in the evening, after my work was done, Nettie and Jackson would invite me to sit on their veranda. I came from a very poor family who didn’t have a dime to their name, and now feel I’m rich beyond my dreams.”

Nettie reached over and
patted Agnes’s hand, “Then, after the accident, I had Agnes move in with me for I needed to have her close by.

“The other
employees Jackson had hired didn’t like the fact they’d be working for a woman and eventually all had sought work elsewhere. That was when I hired Taylor and Lizzie Hawkins. They now reside in the cottage with their two children, Taylor Jr.; we call him Tad, and his sister Cynthia.

“Taylor has been a Godsend
. He’s particular about everything being in place and how things appear. Even my Jackson didn’t keep things up as well as Taylor. Plus Lizzie helps out often, with whatever needs to be done, which gives Agnes more time to spend with me. Lizzie also handles the laundry. I’ve watched their children come into this world. They’re the closest things to grandchildren I’ll ever have. They’re delightful, they truly are.”

Mary couldn’t help but feel a tug at her heart. When Thomas and Anna have children, she hoped
to be a part of their life. Mary realized that she should try to contact Thomas. She wondered if she was already an aunt. Mary knew it was time to let go of her anger.

Chapter T
hirty-Four

London 1832

When
Mary escaped England, her father had just been ready to spring his trap. He’d finally sobered up. He found revenge was the one thing that kept him on his course---destroying those who would dare betray him.

All the plans he
’d made to destroy Mary, Thomas and Parker were ruined when Mary slipped away. He had found she’d made arrangements to sail to America by secretly paying her fare and giving enough money to the captain of the ship she boarded, for her to leave undetected or so she thought. If one of his drinking pals hadn’t witnessed her sneaking on the ship, Henry wouldn’t have known where she’d gone.

Unfortunately, his drunken friend didn’t think
the news was important enough to inform him before the ship set sail. Mary had timed it to perfection, for the ship had sailed within an hour of her boarding. All Henry knew for certain was the intended destination, the port of Baltimore, in America.

Henry was certain Minnie had played a part in Mary’s escape
, but when he confronted her; she denied any knowledge of Mary’s trickery and cried so much that Henry thought Mary had tricked her, too. That wench, he thought, Mary had fooled them both!

If only Jane had lived
none of this would have happened, but she didn’t. She’d left him with two children that instead of respecting him for all he’d done to raise them, they had the nerve to up and leave him in England, alone. Now, there wasn’t anyone to tend to his needs as he got older. Then there was Parker. Henry knew neither Thomas nor Mary would have ever left England if Parker had stayed out of their business. Parker would pay for his arrogance and interference, and Thomas and Mary would pay for leaving him.

Jane had been much easier to handle
. He remembered the day he first saw her, he was awed and mesmerized by her beauty, for she was like a goddess. He quickly found out her name, Mrs. Edward Pierce, and was told her husband had left her alone in England, while he sailed for America, to find them a better life.

If he hadn’t
passed out the mail from America, he wouldn’t have noticed or opened the letter from Edward Pierce. He wouldn’t have had the opportunity to trick Jane into marrying him. All the plans Henry carefully made were ruined when Jane got ill and died, and that left Thomas and Mary in his care.

After all the years he spent taking care of them, they
now left him to grow old alone. They owed him! He realized he would have to sail to America to seek his revenge. He would find a new way to settle his score with Mary, Thomas, and Parker. They were going to pay dearly for their betrayals! No one defied Henry Ball. No one!

*****

When
Henry arrived in Baltimore, he was surprised it didn’t seem all that different than London. The docks were full of ships from many different countries and cargo was being unloaded and loaded daily. Even the smell was about the same.

He
quickly managed to make a few acquaintances that might come in handy. He’d no trouble finding work on the docks and stayed far away from any of the ships owned by the Parker Shipping Company. The last thing he needed was to run into Parker or Thomas before he was ready.

Henry changed his
last name to Adler, Jane’s maiden name. He knew no one would recognize that name. He’d now be hiding in plain sight and no one would be the wiser!