Page 76 of Love Abandoned

Chapter Thirty-Nine

My drops of tears

I’ll turn to sparks of fire.

—Shakespeare,Henry VIII

Elizabeth watched Hannahas she led the boys down the road toward the general store. They’d been such bright lights in her days Elizabeth had decided they deserved a treat. She would join them, but first she must speak with Parson Brown about the orphanage. There had been several respondents to her posting at the servant registry office, and she’d like him to participate in choosing the best candidates.

Mrs. Elder opened the door when Elizabeth arrived, looking none too happy to see her. “Lady Thornwood.” Her polite tone was in utter contrast to her expression. “We were not expecting you. I’m afraid I am on my way out.”

“That’s fine. I won’t be staying long,” Elizabeth said and waited expectantly.

Mrs. Elder sighed audibly and invited Elizabeth in. “I will let the parson know you are here.”

Elizabeth could not comprehend why Parson Brown suffered the woman’s insolence. There must be others who would have a more suitable disposition for the job.

“Lady Thornwood,” Parson Brown said as he entered the hallway. “What a pleasure it is to see you. My apologies for keeping you waiting. Come, come.”

She followed him to the front parlor, where he had evidently been at work. Papers were scattered on the table, and a pen freshly dipped in ink bled onto the corner of one of them.

“It is I who should apologize for not letting you know I’d come by,” she said, thrusting her chin toward the table.

“Nonsense and stuff,” he said affably. “You are always welcome.” He waved toward the table. “Working on a sermon. Nothing I cannot set aside. Let us sit.”

Elizabeth sat on the chair he indicated, and the parson sat across from her. “I would offer you tea, but…” He let the sentence drift and scrunched his lips ruefully.

“Mrs. Elder made it clear she was on her way out. I’ll be but a minute.”

“I must apologize once again.” He shook his head. “Mrs. Elder can be far too blunt sometimes.”

“May I ask why you keep her on?” Elizabeth knew it was far too personal a question, but she was genuinely curious.

“Loyalty, I suppose. And faith. The subjects of the sermon I’m working on. Her husband was a childhood friend. Sadly he left this world too soon. Unfortunately, he was remiss and did not provide for her. For both their sakes, I took her in. For him I keep her on.” He grinned.

“Where does faith come into it?”

“Faith? Well, does that not come into every relationship? One must have faith that people will eventually come around to be the best humans they can be. That everyone is good at heart. Even when behavior does not match my expectations, faith compels me to continue to look deeper into every individual to see the world as they see it, to nurture and nourish their better side. Faith is not the sole realm of God. Maintaining it is part of man’s work on earth. And woman’s,” he added with a smile. “I believe you have helped me find direction with my sermon. I do hope I remember it when you’ve left.” He chuckled. “Now, what can I do for you this fine day, Lady Thornwood?”

Parson Brown promised to review the applicants and deemed it would be a pleasure to help with any interviews. He assured her of his assistance in all things. Elizabeth left, grateful to have such a stalwart man anchoring their small corner of the world. His words tumbled around in her head as she strolled to the store. Loyalty and faith. Should she not show both to her husband? Was it not the duty of a wife? Was duty all there was to a marriage?

Mrs. Elder stepped from the doorway of the store, followed closely by Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. Neal. Mrs. Elder dipped her chin curtly and moved aside on the veranda. The other two women were more polite, greeting her and welcoming her back before sidling over to Mrs. Elder.

The boys were in the far corner, sitting on some barrels, sucking on sticks of candy. There were no other customers in the store, and Mr. Morton was nowhere in sight.

“I don’t know how that woman can hold her head so high,” Mrs. Elder said as the door closed behind Elizabeth. “The mighty hath fallen, yet she dares to look down her nose at me.”

Elizabeth stood rooted to the spot. Another woman muttered something, but Elizabeth could not make out the words. Mrs. Elder’s voice, on the other hand, was perfectly clear.

“I have it on good authority he keeps a woman in the city. And since he is never here, it is clear which woman he prefers, isn’t it?”

Her words cut through the glass and landed, as intended, like a knife in Elizabeth’s heart. Hurt and anger churned in her stomach, and she took several calming breaths. She could go out there and put the woman in her place, shame her publicly, but what good would it do? She would make a scene, and a fool of herself, since the woman only spoke the truth. A truth she had run from but that apparently had followed her. If Mrs. Elder knew about Richard’s activities, the whole village did.

“Can I help you, Lady Thornwood?” Mr. Morton’s jovial voice boomed through the room as he stepped to the counter.

“No, thank you,” she said quietly, wishing he could. Wishing someone could turn her world upright again. “I’m here to collect the boys.”

Elizabeth called the boys to her, and they merrily bounced over, with Hannah carrying Sebastian. She stiffened her shoulders before turning and exiting the store. She’d not let Mrs. Elder see she had caused any hurt. Elizabeth was relieved to see Simon waiting with the carriage. Without a glance in the women’s direction, they piled into the carriage.

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