The Lady Who Lived Again (13 page)

Amelia led Maddie to a secluded spot behind a tall display of spooled ribbons.

“Matthew Webster. Faithful parishioner to Pastor Hogle. He drifted into town a few years ago, penniless and heartbroken after being jilted by his girlfriend in Albany. Pastor took him under his wing. He resides in a room behind the church now.”

The pastor’s treatment of Maddie made it difficult to conceive of his capacity to extend such charity to anyone.

“I see,” she said. But she did not.

“Since then Matthew has formed quite a fondness for Dolly.”

Maddie blinked.

“Dolly? But she’s only, what, fifteen years old?”

“Sixteen,” Amelia said. “Matthew is a good seven years older, but I’m told Pastor Hogle approves. Dolly’s appearance matters not a whit to Matthew, and because of this, I’m trying hard to warm up to him. However, his behavior is…somewhat unsettling.”

“Unsettling?”

“He escorts Dolly everywhere. Barely lets her out of his sight. Honestly, I don’t know how she can tolerate it.”

Maddie agreed this sounded a bit odd.

“The pastor is grooming him to be a man of the church.” Amelia sighed.

Maddie glanced back at the man perched like a stone gargoyle outside the door. For some reason, this news bothered her most. She shook off thoughts of Matthew as she and Amelia approached the Hogle sisters. Gertrude frowned at Maddie before whispering something in her younger sister’s ear.

Mrs. March bubbled with smiles and small talk, catering to Amelia and her bridesmaids as though she were fitting gowns for the Queen of England. With the exception of Maddie, of course, she bent over backward to accommodate the wedding party. Maddie was used to brusque treatment from the dressmaker, so she paid little heed to the woman’s obvious slights.

Dodging Gertrude’s palpable contempt proved more difficult. Lester’s eldest sister was not pleased to be in Maddie’s company and was not afraid to telegraph her displeasure at every opportunity. In contrast, Lester’s younger sister, Dolly, didn’t even offer a glance in Maddie’s direction. The child was so focused on hiding the large birthmark on her cheek that she nearly disappeared into the wallpaper.

Maddie hadn’t seen Dolly in ages, but the wine-colored stain on the girl’s face hadn’t faded with time. Dolly had grown in years and in self-consciousness. She kept her head low, her hair like a curtain, hanging over her cheek.

Thankfully, Amelia’s friend, Caroline Weiss, provided real solace in what might have been an awkward afternoon. Her pleasing demeanor and good humor made her easy to like. Caroline resided in Albany and seemed unaware of the gossip surrounding Maddie’s past. Maddie hoped to befriend the girl while she could. Pathetic, yes. But it was worth a try.

It had been a long time since Maddie had been in the company of other young women, and despite Gertrude’s sour attitude, she found herself enjoying the familiar chatter. Meanwhile, Mrs. March fitted them all with great efficiency. Each white dress would arrive the morning of the wedding, complete with the white slippers and gloves Amelia had selected. Instead of a garland of flowers, each bridesmaid would wear an elaborate white hat with a short veil and silk orange blossoms attached to the crown.

“You will be certain to remove the price tags from the hats before delivering them, won’t you, Mrs. March?” Maddie asked, unable to resist.

The woman’s mortified expression quickly turned defiant. “Of course,” she snapped.

Maddie gave the lady a syrupy smile before turning back to the mirror. After admiring her own reflection for a few moments, Maddie looked around at the progress the other girls were making. Dolly stood on a riser, while Mrs. March inserted pins at her hem. The dress fit like a glove to the young girl’s svelte figure.

“Lovely,” Maddie uttered.

“Oh, yes,” Caroline agreed.

Amelia nodded. “What do you think, Dolly?”

The girl glanced up in surprise.

“She knows nothing of fashion, Amelia.” Gertrude tugged the fabric at Dolly’s hips. “All those johnnycakes you eat are taking their toll.” Gertrude frowned, stepping back. “Your figure is all you have going for you, Dolly. You’d better take care to keep it.”

Dolly lowered her eyes.

“Her figure is perfection,” Maddie snapped.

Gertrude glared at her. Grumbling under her breath, she turned to admire a nearby display of bonnets, but it was Dolly’s small smile that affected Maddie more.

When their fittings were complete, Amelia suggested tea at her parents’ summer home on the lake. Dolly’s eyes sparked in favor of the idea. She glanced to her sister, but Gertrude was quick to refuse the invitation, stomping out that tiny flame. Dolly had no choice in the matter but to follow Gertrude to the door, where Matthew waited to usher them home.

“Are you certain you won’t join us?” Amelia asked Gertrude.

“The girls must get home,” Matthew interjected before Gertrude could respond.

“Very well, then,” Amelia uttered. She turned to Maddie and Caroline, and they started on their way.

Thankfully, Amelia’s parents were out visiting friends in Albany when the girls arrived. Maddie would have to face them eventually, but dealing with Gertrude and Dolly had been enough for one day. Entering the foyer of the large house, Maddie felt as if she were stepping back in time. The memories returned in a rush. The Fair Five fluttering through the house like birds let loose, the parties and teas, all the wonderful times they’d spent here together. She released a bittersweet sigh, glancing around. Evidence of the upcoming wedding was everywhere.

Large trestle tables held piles of beautifully wrapped wedding gifts. Outside, the gardeners were busy trimming hedges and readying the lush lawn for the pre-wedding festivities. The entire atmosphere was filled with anticipation of the joyous occasion—the wedding of the season.

A pang of sadness arced through her. Maddie would never experience the thrill of being a bride. The secret she kept was too great, too substantial to keep from a husband. The weight of it would be too much to carry through marriage.

Amelia led them to the patio. “Now remember, ladies, the picnic is one week from tomorrow,” she said. “I hope the weather holds out.”

“You worry too much,” Caroline said. “The weather will be glorious for the picnic next week and for the wedding the following weekend.”

“From your lips to God’s ear,” Amelia said. “There will be a large tent for the lakeside ceremony at the hotel, just in case. It will be such fun! We’ve arranged rooms at the hotel for everyone.”

“Even the locals?” Maddie asked.

“Certainly. I want the entire bridal party at my disposal, day or night, all weekend long.” Amelia laughed. “Oh, Philip, there you are.” She waved her cousin into the room. “Come see Maddie.”

The tall man strode toward them, nodding to Caroline before stopping in front of Maddie.

“How good to see you again, Miss Sutter.” He beamed, gazing down at her with an intensity that spurred a blush to her cheeks.

“Philip is a banker in Boston now. Cousin David is here as well, though I’m not sure where.”

“He’ll be down soon,” Philip said. He turned back to Maddie. “You do remember me, don’t you, Miss Sutter?”

“Yes, of course. But you’ve changed considerably since we last met all those years ago.” She smiled.

Philip smiled too.

He had, indeed, grown considerably from the clumsy boy who had spent summers here. This man was well spoken and confident with warm brown eyes. He stood at Jace’s height, but was leaner, less muscular.

Philip had often served as an entertaining diversion in the absence of Daniel and the other local boys, who’d spent many of those long hot days hunting and fishing. Maddie had toyed with Philip’s affections back then, but it seemed he didn’t hold her girlish behavior against her.

“You’re even prettier than I remember,” he said.

Maddie would have laughed, but the sincerity in his compliment stopped her.

“I’ve thought of you often through the years.” He released her hand. “Your fiancé is a lucky man.”

“And you’re still a charmer.” She tossed her hair, enjoying the subtle flirtation. She’d never made an effort to know Philip years ago. He’d merely been a device to alleviate boredom, nothing more. Now her prickle of regret turned to shame. They’d all changed with the years, but Maddie had never felt it as much as she did these past weeks.

Philip’s brother, David, joined them for tea in the sunroom overlooking the lake. Maddie fell comfortably into the lively conversation and laughter, and the remainder of the afternoon passed as quickly as a breeze.

It dawned on her how easy life could be in the company of strangers. Her confidence grew stronger as the afternoon progressed. She’d survived the dress fitting, and tea at the Strope house had been a delight.

Perhaps she could leave Misty Lake someday after Grandfather was gone. She pushed away the sad thought of losing Grandfather, then was struck by another. If she left Misty Lake, she would lose Jace too. His friendship had come to mean so much to her. She’d told him things she’d never told anyone, and she realized suddenly that she had come to depend on him. She didn’t know what the upcoming weeks of wedding festivities held in store for her. But with Jace at her side, she felt ready to face it all.

It was just past two o’clock the following Monday when Jace’s final patient of the day left the office. The remainder of the afternoon was reserved for house calls, which Jace squeezed into his schedule two days a week. As had become their ritual, Maddie set up a tray of coffee, then headed to the parlor where they would enjoy a break before Jace set off in his buggy.

These brief respites were the best part of her day. Over coffee, Jace would assign her tasks, report on the status of supplies to be ordered, and discuss his schedule. When new patients summoned him, she’d offer Jace driving directions and insight into what to expect when he arrived, anything that might aid in his house calls.

She walked down the hall, slowing her pace as she glanced into the small alcove that served as an office. In the lull of his hectic afternoon, Jace sat, hunched over his desk, scribbling notes in patient files and attending to paperwork. Muted lamplight draped his wide shoulders and tense profile as he worked.

The sight of him filled her with admiration. Jace was a fine doctor, and she felt grateful to have had this opportunity to get to know him. The small contribution she was making to his growing practice had drawn her from isolation. It felt good to be doing something constructive. Something real.

A twinge of shame coursed through her. Jace was far too busy with more pressing tasks to partake in the scheme she’d concocted. But she needed him. She could not do it alone. She proceeded to the parlor, resigned to this truth. Less than two weeks remained until the wedding rehearsal dance. She placed the tray on the table. Coffee sloshed in the rattling cups, alerting her to her trembling hands. Nerves knotted in her stomach every time she envisioned spending an entire weekend with Pastor Hogle and the others who despised her.

In for a penny, in for a pound…

Maddie set up the coffee as Jace entered the parlor. Tossing his coat over the back of a chair, he released a long breath and took a seat on the sofa.

“I’ve another stack of patient files for you to organize,” he said, reaching for the cup she offered.

She nodded. “How was Mr. Linton this morning?”

“He’s doing remarkably well. Hasn’t suffered any more headaches and is getting out more as a result.”

Maddie smiled. “I’m so glad to hear it,” she said, though she’d suspected as much.

“He mentioned you were kind enough to prepare an herbal compress for him.”

Despite Jace’s casual tone, she stiffened in dread of his censure for interfering with his patient.

“And he said that you heated it thoroughly before helping him apply it.”

“It seemed to give him some relief,” she uttered.

“While I’d prefer you refrain from treating my patients, in this instance, I think your heated compress may have helped calm his nerves. Combined with the snuff I prescribed, he’s feeling much better,” he said. “Well done, Maddie.”

Her relief gave way to guilt as she shifted nervously in her seat. She’d cured Mr. Linton behind Jace’s back, and he was applauding her for it. Although she didn’t regret her actions, she felt the weight of her deception.

“The poor man was in such pain. It was the least I could do.”

“He asked me to extend his thanks.”

“He did?” she asked, truly surprised. The gruff man had barely acknowledged her presence in his home. An interesting development.

“I trust you set things straight with Amelia the other day?”

“Yes,” she said. “I confessed that we weren’t engaged. She was disappointed but understanding.”

“Good.”

“It was so wonderful to see her,” Maddie said. “And the dress fitting went well.” She omitted the rude treatment she’d received from Gertrude and Mrs. March, which would come as no surprise, anyway. “It was fun hearing about Amelia’s plans. The wedding promises to be quite the affair.” She stared down at the cup in her hands. “They’ve hired a ten-piece orchestra to perform at the rehearsal dinner dance.”

“So why the glum face?” he teased. “I thought all women enjoyed dancing.” He grew serious again, and she saw the physician in him surface. “Is it your leg?”

“No, my leg’s fine.” She leaned back in her seat. “But I haven’t danced in three years.” She glanced up at Jace to see his reaction. “I may be rusty.”

Jace eyed her, pursing his lips. He placed his cup on the table, then stood at her side.

“Let’s see.” He held out his hand. “May I have this dance, Miss Sutter?”

She stared up at him warily. “There’s no music playing.”

“Use your imagination.” He wiggled his fingers, urging her to take his hand. “I have a reputation to uphold,” he said. “I can’t be seen dancing in public with a woman who can’t follow my lead.”

Laughing at his quip, she grasped his hand.

“Then perhaps you’ll simply have to follow mine.”