Authors: Linda Daly
“Yes. And . . .” Joshua turned his attention back to Felicity. “May I
express my deepest sorrow to you, Mrs. Myles, for the loss of your uncle.
Edwin Robbins was a fine man.”
“Thank you, Major,” Felicity replied.
Feeling suddenly awkward, Felicity and Elise began to speak at the
same time. Both women laughed nervously and looked at their mutual
friend while Miranda smiled, taking Felicity’s hand.
“See, I told you Elise would remember you.” It was clear that Felicity
and Miranda were extremely close and suddenly, for the second time in the
few short minutes since they had met up again, Elise felt jealously toward
Felicity.
Sarah, recognizing the look in her daughter’s eyes, turned her attention
to Lucas. “Why Lucas, you look . . .
wonderful.
It does my heart good to
see you looking so fit.”
“And you, dear Sarah, are as lovely as ever. And Honeycutt, by God,
it’s good to see you again. How are you?”
“Quite well, thank you. As you requested, we’ve brought up your
carriage and the Masons received your wire. That was mighty fine of you,
Lucas.”
“It’s the least I could do. Glenbrook . . . well, Glenbrook needs life
inside those walls.”
“Life is exactly what she has too, with all those young girls running
around.”
Lucas Brown’s smile faded as he asked about the former slaves from
his plantation. “How are Chester and Betsy?”
“Chester is still doing rather poorly, the old guy. Doc says it’s his
rheumatism . . . but Bessie . . . well, what can I say? She’s as cantankerous
as ever.”
Joshua and Benjamin began conversing politely. “Good to finally meet
you, Major Carmidy. Your father has spoken of you often. I’m so pleased
to see that the perils of war have escaped you.”
“Call me Joshua, please. Yes, I’m fortunate, alright. So tell me, how is
my father . . .”
Just then, a screech of joy rang out and their attention went to the three
women standing a few yards ahead of them. “What in the blazes?” asked
Lucas.
“Well, Mr. Brown, from the sound of your daughter’s enthusiasm, I’d
say that Elise has just informed her of our engagement.”
“Engagement! Well, don’t that beat all.” Lucas grasped Joshua’s hand
and shook it once more then slapped him on the back. “I thought it mighty
peculiar that you were escorting Michael and Sarah here . . . Well, all I can
say is congratulations. You’ve got yourself a mighty fine and spirited
woman there. You take good care of her or you will have to answer to me.”
Michael coughed, as if objecting to Lucas’s last comment and Lucas
changed his last remark. “Forgive me Michael, I stand corrected. First you
will have to answer to Michael, and then to me.”
Michael patted Joshua on the back. “Son, if that hasn’t scared you off
completely, nothing ever will.”
“Nope. Been through a lot worse than that recently,” Joshua said,
smiling.
Somberly Lucas looked at him and said, “Yes. You and so many
others . . . but enough of such talk, this is an evening of celebration and
rejoicing.”
“Indeed it is, Mr. Brown.” Joshua stretched out his hands and nodded
his head, gesturing up the street as he continued speaking. “We seem to be
blocking the entrance to the theatre. Why don’t we adjourn this reuniting of
old and new friends to a local establishment down the street, shall we?”
As they walked farther down 10th street, a tall slender gentleman came
out of a carriage just ahead of them, wearing an amazingly tall top hat. He
was escorting a short, refined woman toward the entrance of Ford’s
Theatre.
Joshua immediately stood at attention and saluted the gentleman.
“At ease, Major,” the lanky, bearded man responded.
Elise, puzzled at Joshua’s peculiar behavior and stopped chattering to
Miranda, who was standing by her side in total shock.
“Oh, my,” Elise gasped, finally recognizing the man. “Why, if it ain’t
Old Abe himself. In the flesh!” Her voice traveled further than she had
intended.
Hearing her comment, Abraham Lincoln stopped and smiled, while
tipping his hat in respect, he said, “Why yes, my dear young woman, it is.
How charming it is to hear the sweet sounds of a Southern Belle’s voice
ringing through our fair city again. Begging your pardon for intruding on
your privacy, but what, might I ask, has brought you here today?”
Elise curtseyed and shyly replied to the Commander-in-Chief. “Excuse
my words, sir. I didn’t mean them to sound unkind.”
Amused, Lincoln smiled and said, “Oh, you are enchanting, my dear.
Mother here, she’s from the South, too.” Lincoln waved his hand toward
his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln, who smiled dutifully at Elise.
“Yes, I do recall hearing that, sir. In answer to your question, I’m here
with my fiancé,” Elise said, tugging proudly on Joshua’s arm and flashing a
warm look in his direction. “And my Mama and stepfather. What with the
great General Lee surrendering and the war all but over, we’re traveling to
New York.”
“New York, you say?”
“Yes, sir.”
Lincoln eyed Joshua more closely, apparently recognizing him. “Major,
didn’t I see you in Richmond earlier this month?”
“Yes, sir,” Joshua replied respectfully, still standing at attention.
Lincoln shook his head in distress. “It saddens me to see such a fine
city like Richmond destroyed.” He tugged at his whiskered chin.
Mrs. Lincoln gently tapped her husband’s arm as she held onto it
tightly. Acknowledging her polite reminder that they were on a time
schedule, the President nodded politely to the group gathered before him.
“If you’ll excuse us. Mother gets rather upset if we miss curtain call.”
Waiting for no reply, the Lincolns began walking toward the theatre to
see
Our American Cousin
.
After they disappeared into the theatre, Elise turned and looked at the
rest of her family and friends and exclaimed, “Why, I don’t know why
people make him out to be such a mean sort. He seems rather likeable.”
Miranda shook her head and started to laugh, then said “Oh my
goodness, not only did you insult the President of the United States of
America, but you then proceed to have a conversation with him. And if that
wasn’t enough, you act as if it’s common place! You are unbelievable . . .
Only you could say such a thing about the man you once proclaimed to be
the enemy.”
“Yes, well, I thought Joshua was the enemy once too and surely I
found out differently. Perhaps I can see my way to accepting Mr. Lincoln
as well.”
“Well that’s an improvement from ‘Old Abe.’ Elise, what am I going to
do with you?” Joshua groaned, shook his head and tenderly squeezed her
hand as she placed it in the crook of his arm. Everyone laughed at her
shocked indignation as they made their way to the boardinghouse eatery
Michael had picked out.
After the eight of them had been seated and their orders taken, Elise,
being the boldest of the group, looked at Benjamin and Felicity. “Since
we’re old friends, Felicity, I trust you won’t mind me asking how you and
your husband came to meet? Was it here in America or while you were in
England?”
Felicity looked at Benjamin as if hoping he would explain.
“Well, as luck would have it, I had the great honor of meeting Felicity
in England,” he dutifully replied.
“England? And then you two came here? How interesting.” Elise
prattled on, nearly bursting with enthusiasm.
Benjamin lovingly patted his wife’s hand and spoke for her. “Right.
Well, it’s a rather long tale, but the long and the short of it is, Felicity and I,
after meeting originally in England, were reunited and wed in New York.
At your mother and father’s home in fact, Mr. Honeycutt.”
Nearly choking on his biscuit in surprise, Michael asked, “My parent’s
home, you say? My, but that is a coincidence. How did that come about?”
Felicity spoke up this time. “My dear aunt, Gwendolyn Phelps and
your parents were dear friends many years ago. When Aunt Gwen and I
arrived here in America, we stayed with them.”
Intrigued, Elise couldn’t help but ask more questions. “Forgive me
Felicity, I hope you don’t find me intrusive, but did I hear you say
were
good friends?”
“My aunt died shortly after Benjamin and I were wed.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry . . .”
“Please, don’t be sad. My aunt was an incredible woman and brought
Benjamin and me together. So you see, as we share our lives, Aunt Gwen
will always be alive in our hearts.”
Touched by her words, they looked at each of their own loved ones.
Before anyone had a chance to speak, three waiters brought their dinners.
After the meals were set before them, Sarah looked at Michael and
said, “Well, this is rather wonderful, not having to be the one to prepare the
evening meal for hungry travelers.”
Sarah’s words sounded upbeat, but from the look in her eyes, Elise
knew her mother had suddenly become homesick for Doves Landing.
Clearing his throat, Lucas said, “Reverend Myles, please do us the
honors and lead us in prayer.”
Once grace had been said, the eight of them chitchatted while enjoying
their evening meal.
“So, Benjamin, how is it that you and Felicity came to be here, in
Washington?” Joshua asked.
“Well, following the riots of ’63 and the Negro orphans that were
nearly killed at the Asylum, and with so many Irish immigrants arriving
daily in the city, there was a desperate need for spiritual leadership, as you
can well imagine. The majority of the clergy were working in the field and
at hospitals for the wounded. As luck would have it, at a recent dinner party
at your parent’s home, Mr. Honeycutt, Lucas here suggested I come with
him to Washington and present my concerns to Congress.”
“Really?” Michael’s curiosity piqued. “Ah, so father and mother were
instrumental in you two meeting, I take it?”
Lucas cleared his throat. “Well, not exactly, Michael. As it was said
earlier, Felicity’s parents were dear friends of the family. However, Alfred
did introduce me to James Sterling, who is a partner of his and just happens
to be from England as well. Quite a small world as it turns out, since
Felicity, Benjamin and James’s wife, Lavinia, all knew one another in
England, too.”
“Really? You don’t say?” Michael looked at Benjamin and Felicity.
“Well, it would appear then that you all know my son, Thaddeus. Tell me,
how is he? It’s been so long since I’ve seen him . . . Thank heavens the war
is finally over.”
“Amen to that!” everyone cheered spontaneously and raised their water
glasses in unison.
Looking over the rim of her glass, Elise glanced suspiciously between
Felicity and Miranda. She was certain the two women had secrets they
didn’t wish to share in public. Always loving a good mystery, Elise
regarding herself as a rather good sleuth and her eyes danced as
unanswered questions filled her mind.
If Benjamin and Felicity knew one
another in England, then why were they reunited in New York?
Remembering the wary expression that had briefly appeared on Felicity’s
face when the Sterlings were mentioned, Elise wondered what Miranda and
Felicity were hiding.
“Elise dear, have you and the good Major set a date yet?” Miranda
asked.
Elise lowered her glass and with a gleam in her eye, looked at her
friend, deciding Miranda was trying to distract her by bringing up the
wedding again. She may not have seen her for years, but she knew how
Miranda’s mind worked.
Just what is Miranda trying to hide from me?
Elise thought, growing more certain with each passing moment that
Miranda was trying to divert her attention away from Felicity.
When Elise didn’t answer right away, Joshua spoke up. “Please,
everyone, my army days are over. There is no further need to address me as
‘major’. Joshua will suit me just fine from here on out. As for our wedding
date, just as soon as we can. Right, sweetheart?” he said, smiling proudly at
his betrothed.
As Joshua spoke, Elise smiled at Miranda as their eyes met. Just as
Miranda had done as a child, she immediately looked away then glanced
back at Felicity for a split second.
I knew it! You are hiding something,
Miranda
. Raising her eyebrow, Elise smiled at Felicity, pointedly.
So what
deep, dark secret are you and the Reverend hiding, Mrs. Myles?
Before Elise could respond to Joshua, Michael enthusiastically
interrupted. “Sarah, darling, with you not knowing a soul in New York,
why not let Mother help plan Elise and Joshua’s wedding? That is, if there
wouldn’t be any objections from your parents, Joshua.”
“I can’t speak for them of course, but I’m sure they wouldn’t mind.”
“Of course. It is customary for the bride’s family to make the
arrangements, isn’t it, dear?” Michael looked at Sarah for confirmation.
“Yes, that’s right,” Sarah said, smiling brightly. Too brightly, Elise
thought, noting her mother deliberately avoided answering his first
question.
“Well, then if you would like, I’m sure Mother would love to help you.
What a wonderful way for you two to become acquainted.”
Sarah smiled weakly at her husband and Elise suspected her mother
was indeed, delicately trying to conceal her misgivings about Michael’s
suggestion.
“Well, darling, that would be splendid. However, don’t you think it is a
bit presumptuous of us to assume that your mother would even want to
plan such an affair? It is rather an inconvenience, don’t you think? After
all, she doesn’t even know us.”
“Nonsense, if there’s one thing Mother does enjoy, it is planning a
grand party. Besides, it will give all of you an opportunity to meet
everyone right away.”
“How splendid,” Sarah replied, prompting Michael to hug his wife’s
shoulder. “Darling, don’t look so apprehensive. It will be fine.”
“A grand affair? That could take months to plan. I had always thought
of a more refined, smaller event.” Joshua interjected cautiously, looking to
Elise for agreement. “Isn’t that how you saw it too, Elise?”
By the look on his face, Elise knew he was alarmed by the prospect of
waiting several more months to make her his wife.
“Well, I don’t wish to appear ungrateful, Michael, but I agree with
Joshua. We have waited so long and really don’t need anything elaborate. A
simple ceremony with friends and family is all we want.”
“Nonsense, Elise. I won’t hear of such a thing.” he insisted,
vehemently. “You two deserve the best and by God, you two shall have it.
Right, Sarah? Only the best for our girl.”