The Rescue (7 page)

Collingbourne

The Colonel had not been at home when Anne arrived Saturday morning. The kitchen had been very clean, and she could see that he’d done some marketing, but even though she’d left the manse almost as soon as she’d risen, Anne found her father gone from Levens Crossing. She’d debated her next move until she came to the fork in the road. One stretch led into town and one led back to the manse. She was now in Collingbourne, her father’s whereabouts filling her head.

“Mrs Musgrove,” she said, stopping that woman on the street. “Have you seen my father?”

“Well, Anne,” the woman said quietly, her brows arched. “We’d heard news of your nuptials. Where is your husband?”

Mrs Musgrove made a show of looking around, causing Anne’s heart to sink with dread. That Mrs Musgrove was not one of the kinder individuals in town was something to be taken into account, but this first meeting did not bode well.

“Have you seen my father?” Anne asked again, accustomed to dodging questions.

“No, but we’ve been wondering about your whereabouts.”

“Thank you for your concern,” Anne said, having to force the words out. “I won’t keep you any longer.”

Mrs Musgrove, looking smugger than ever, turned to watch Anne move on her way.

Anne walked slowly. Clearly she was going to have to be careful with whom she spoke, and that only made her task more difficult.

With a prayer for wisdom she carried on, careful about catching the eyes of some and working not to imagine condemnation when there was none.

“Miss Gardiner,” a whispered voice stopped her when she was halfway down the center block.

Anne looked about and found Tommy Benwick motioning to her. She went to him where he had a door partially open at the side of his father’s shop. Anne slipped inside.

“My father wants to see you.”

“Oh, Tommy, can it wait? I’m looking for my father.”

“I think it’s about your father.”

Anne followed Tommy without another word and found herself in Benwick’s storeroom. She had been in this room a few times over the years and always found it a bit aweinspiring. Benwick’s store was as neat and tidy as anyone could imagine. But the storeroom was another story. Anne had known Benwick to disappear to this room and return to the front just minutes later with a requested item, but how he knew where to look was anyone’s guess.

Bolts of fabric were stacked in confused and chaotic disorder, and crates of unknown objects were strewn about. The room was lit by two small windows, with shelves lining every available portion of the walls. Items hung from even the rafters. Anne was still taking it all in, her attention catching from time to time on a certain object, until Benwick himself entered the room.

“Miss Anne,” he said, immediately at his most solicitous. “How are you?”

“I’m well, Mr Benwick. Tommy said you have news.”

“Indeed, I do. Your father had a bit of a mishap on Wednesday. It’s only a sprained ankle, but very painful and swollen. He’s most put out about it, but Dr Smith has kept him at his office since it occurred.”

Anne’s relief was great.

“I’ll go there directly, Mr Benwick. Thank you very much.”

“You are welcome,” he said kindly, but Anne caught a hint of hesitancy in his eyes.

“Maybe it would be best if I exited the way I came.”

Benwick’s chin jutted suddenly.

“Never, Miss Anne! You are as welcome in my shop as my own family.”

“Thank you,” Anne replied, giving him a grateful look, “but if I go out the side door,” she still felt he needed a rescue, “I’ll nearly be at Dr Smith’s door.”

“As you wish, Miss Anne, but I hope to see you soon.”

“And you shall.”

Anne went on her way, Benwick holding the door and smiling at her in genuine warmth as she exited. Anne’s heart was cheered that at least Benwick did not believe the worst of her reputation. She set her mind to seeing her father, checking on his health, and ascertaining whether he remembered the events of the past week.

“Palmer,” Anne said patiently from her place in the church pew, “you don’t know what you’re asking.”

“I do, Anne,” he said with a smile. “Liddy is most eager to see you, and I hate to disappoint her.”

“I fear that her disappointment will be the lesser of your problems if I show my face at Tipton.”

“You can’t honestly think that we believe poorly of you, Anne.”

“No, I do not, but I was in town yesterday, and more than one person has made it clear that life in Collingbourne has changed for me.” Even as Anne said this, she remembered Mrs Smith’s words. She was not an unkind woman, but she was outspoken and had told Anne in plain terms that if she wasn’t willing to say where she’d been all week then, indeed, her virtue was in question. Anne had remained mute. Mr Weston was new to the area, and much as Anne hated having aspersions cast upon her, she needed to give Mr Weston a chance to establish himself.

Palmer tried for several more minutes, having taken a seat next to Anne near the front, but she would not be swayed. He was left with no choice but to tell her that if she did change her mind, she would always be welcome. Squeezing her hand, he returned to sit with his children.

Judith Hurst joined her soon after Palmer left, but at the moment Anne’s heart was too heavy to speak with her. It was a relief to have Pastor Hurst step into the pulpit a moment later.

“Good morning, friends. I’m going to start in an unorthodox and, for some of you, cryptic manner this morning. If you have not heard rumors from this last week, then there is no cause for worry. If you have heard the rumors that are spreading about one of our own, you need to know firsthand that there is no value or truth to these rumors. If you have not had contact with me or one of the elders, and you do have questions, I hope you will contact one of us today.

“I’m not going to preach on gossip or the evils of it. We’ve talked enough about that subject to know where God’s Word stands, but my words today are simply to warn you to be on guard. Should you hear slander toward one of us, you must speak up and put a stop to it. If you have been talking without information, you must stop. And if you are at all tempted to shun any of our own without due cause, you must repent of that immediately.

“As I said, we are here to help. Come to us with any questions and concerns, and keep this small church body in your prayers lest Satan use this to tear us apart and destroy our unity.”

Pastor Hurst paused, his gaze taking in the congregation gathered that morning. There were no visitors or firsttimers—he had already checked—but he now took a moment to establish brief eye contact with each one.

“Let us stand now,” he said when he broke the silence. “Open your hymnals, and we’ll raise our voices in praise to God.”

From where Anne was sitting, she had felt Judith squeeze her arm but only nodded in acknowledgment. She feared that if she had eye contact she would become emotional. Neither did she join the singing when the flock began the first hymn. She was too busy praying.

Please, Father, please don’t let this congregation suffer for my father’s imprudent words or my actions. I see now that I was caught off guard and should not have stayed at Brown Manor all those days. Mr Weston didn’t slow down and think about his response before leaving me so abruptly. You know that while at Brown Manor I did not act improperly with Mr Weston—in that we are innocent—but my largest concern, Father, is for the church family. Regardless of how the community views me, please help people to see that this church is fully committed to You.

Anne prayed through the entire first song, finishing up by thanking God for Pastor Hurst and the church family and working to prepare her heart for the message.

She was completely unaware of the fact that Robert Weston was running late this morning. Just before the song ended and everyone took a seat, he slipped in to sit in a rear pew.

Chapter Four

The sermon ended with prayer, and almost before Weston could open his eyes, Palmer was there to greet him.

“Welcome to Collingbourne,” Palmer said to Weston as he introduced himself.

“Thank you. Robert Weston,” Weston filled in as they shook hands.

“Are you passing through?”

“No, I’m moving into Brown Manor.”

At Palmer’s questioning look, Weston informed him who he was.

“Alice Dixon was my grandmother.”

“I’m sorry for your loss. I hadn’t seen Mrs Dixon in years, but my memories of her are very fine.”

“Thank you. I feel the same way.”

“It’s marvelous news about your joining our community, Mr Weston. I haven’t visited Brown Manor for some time. Will you have many repairs?”

“No, the former tenants valued the property as my family has, and things are in fine order. You’ll have to come and visit when I get settled.”

“I’ll do that. Oh, here’s my eldest. Frank, come and meet Mr Weston.”

Introductions were made and the threesome visited for some moments. Frank had ridden his horse near Brown Manor some weeks earlier and was able to converse articulately about the land. While they visited, the three other Palmer children joined them.

“Walt is my next eldest,” Palmer explained. “And this is Lizzy and this is Emma.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” Weston said, and he meant it. He liked children, and the ease with which these children approached their father told Weston that the relationship was a good one.

The group talked all the way out to the carriages and horses, and before Weston went on his way he repeated his invitation to visit, even going so far as to tell Palmer to visit anytime.

“Who knows how long it will take for the dust to settle, but if you don’t mind the disruption, feel free to stop in.”

“I’ll plan on that. Thank you.”

They parted company, Weston well content, but Palmer with a niggling thought in the back of his mind. Lydia was sure to be disappointed in Anne’s refusal to visit, but something told him she would find Mr Weston’s presence today as curious as he did.

Tipton

“What reason did she give?” Lydia asked as soon as she saw her husband’s face.

“She does not want our reputation to suffer with her own.”