Page 3 of Healing Hazel

Captain Bryant cleared his throat. “The major general sends his regrets. Things are very active right now in the region, as you no doubt are aware. A missionary family was kidnapped by the Ashanti, and the Corps of Engineers is even now building roads to transport our armies for a rescue. Your father sent me to accompany you back to England.”

Hazel’s throat got tight as she listened, trying to make sense of the captain’s words. “My father isn’t here?”

A shadow of sympathy crossed the captain’s face. “No, miss. I’m sorry.”

Hazel swallowed hard. She glanced around for a place to sit but saw nothing. Her mind struggled to grasp the implications. He hadn’t come. The disappointment was so heavy that she felt weak.

Nella put an arm around her waist. “I’m sorry, dear. I know you were looking forward to Christmas with your father.”

Hazel’s thoughts simply would not make sense of what was happening. All the planning over the past months, all the traveling for the past eight days. It was all... over. A waste. And now the idea of making a new plan, of going back to... Her shoulders slumped, and she hadn’t the energy to straighten her posture. She felt like a child, helpless to manage her own situation. There would be no Christmas with her father, no warm sun on the beach.

And now what would she do? Return to England to spend Christmas with Uncle Archibald and her cousins? The thought of the parties and crowds nearly made her break down. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples.

“Miss Thornton, if you please”—Captain Bryant’s voice broke through her bout of self-pity—“the train to Madrid leaves tomorrow morning. I’ve arranged rooms for you, and I imagine you’ve not yet had supper.”

Hazel looked up at him, not knowing what to say. Of course, a thank-you was in order, but she couldn’t bring herself to speak. Not when she couldn’t trust that her words wouldn’t come in a flurry of weeping.

“That’s very thoughtful of you, Captain,” Nella said. “We’ll all feel better after we’ve washed up and had a nice supper.”

Captain Bryant nodded, looking uncomfortable, probably because he could see Hazel was hovering close to tears. “Would you like to see the city before we leave? The cathedral is magnificent.”

Hazel stood, feeling suddenly resolved. Wallowing would do no good. And she would not wish for Captain Bryant to think his commander’s daughter fell apart when things became uncomfortable. “Perhaps later, Captain. As Miss Westbrook said, we are very tired. Will you please take us to the hotel?”

“Yes, miss. If you would wait for a moment while I arrange for your luggage.”

“Very well.” She held herself straight, shoulders down. “And, Captain, I believe you said you intend to accompany us on our return journey. There is no need. We managed perfectly well getting here.”

“Your father insisted, miss. There has been recent unrest with the Carlist rebels.”

“I thought that was all in the past. Besides, we are not traveling near Catalonia.”

Sophie had raised concerns about the Carlist rebels as well, but Hazel wasn’t worried. Her father was fully aware of this type of situation, and he would never have allowed her to make the journey if it were not perfectly safe.

“Nevertheless, miss, I have my orders. I am to watch over you as I would my own sister.”

Hazel waited as the captain made arrangements for the luggage, and then he accompanied them to the hotel. Voices around her spoke in what she assumed was Spanish. Palm trees stood tall against whitewashed stone buildings with red-tiled roofs. They followed narrow winding roads filled with exotic smells, but Hazel barely noticed any of it. Once again, a decision was made for her, and she felt familiar frustration at the lack of control she had over her own life. She had come so far, but it was all for nothing.

***

Three days later, Hazel sat back in her seat in the train compartment, feeling numb with boredom. Although it was not the same train, everything felt exactly the same as it had for nearly two weeks, the countryside moving past the windows, the gentle rocking of the locomotive lulling her into a stupor. Click, clack. Click, clack. The only difference was the new member of their party.

Captain Bryant had become much more personable during their journey. He did watch over Hazel like a brother, and she felt a sisterly affection for him. The three played cards, and he spent long hours telling the ladies about his childhood in Northumberland and making them laugh with stories about his father’s sheep. It seemed the closer they drew to England, the less he acted like a stiff soldier and the more excited he became to return home.

The train had left Madrid the evening before, and the scenery had become more mountainous throughout the morning, the air cooler. Around noon, the squeak of a trolley’s wheels indicated a steward had arrived with their luncheon.

Nella put away her knitting, and Captain Bryant lifted the ladies’ travel bags onto the rack above. Knowing Nella would want a nap as soon as the meal was finished, Hazel moved to sit beside Captain Bryant and the older woman sat across from them. It was all a well-rehearsed routine at this point. The others seemed to take it for granted that Hazel would sit near the door, and she was glad. She’d been worried the small compartment would lead to a panic spell, but if the feeling of being closed in came upon her, she could easily slip out into the train’s passageway and walk until her panic settled.

The steward unfastened the tabletop from the wall and raised it in place between the compartment’s benches. He set the table quickly with practiced hands, arranging plates, glasses, and cutlery over a clean cloth. He filled their glasses, sliced warm bread, and scooped up steaming bowls of soup and plates of paella. After making sure they were comfortably settled with their meal, he closed the door, pushing his trolley down to the next compartment.

Hazel took a bite of the fish and flavored rice, wondering if this was the last meal she’d eat in Spain. The thought brought back the disappointment of her failed plans.

“In spite of all the delays,” Nella said, sliding a piece of fish onto her plate, “I estimate we’ll arrive in England before or perhaps on Christmas Eve.”

“This will be my first Christmas in England in five years,” Captain Bryant said. He took a sip of sherry. “I’ve nearly forgotten what snow looks like. And the taste of my mum’s Yorkshire pudding.”

“And how will you celebrate?” Hazel asked, glad for a distraction from her discouraging thoughts.

“Same as anyone, I imagine,” he said. “Church in the morning, roast goose for supper. Mum will insist on singing carols. Da will eat too much and fall asleep in front of the fire.”

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