From This Day Forward (15 page)

After Nathan helped both Rachel with Faith and Maddy down from the cart, he opened the wrought iron gate and escorted them to the large white door with a circular window above it. He used the knocker to announce them. A tall, thin man, dressed in black trouser and vest, white shirt and cravat, and a burgundy tailcoat, answered the door and stepped to the side to allow them inside.

“Mrs. McNeal is in the parlor, Dr. Stuart. Mrs. Bridges is here.”

Rachel leaned close to him. “Is Sarah expecting us? I didn’t know she was going to be in Charleston. I thought she was at Liberty Hall.”

“She often stays in town from Sunday to Wednesday during the spring with so many social gatherings occurring at this time of year. I was counting on her following her usual schedule.”

The trip into Charleston hadn’t taken too long. Perhaps an hour and a half. Rachel could certainly understand Sarah going back and forth. Families often did in England. “We usually stayed in the country except for a couple of trips to London in the spring and fall.”

“Being so close to town has its advantages. When you decide to sell, that would be helpful for you.”

“Sell? Why would I do that?” Although she remembered her offer to Mr. Baker to sell the farm, that had come out of her mouth without her thinking it through. She didn’t know if that was the wisest thing for her to do now. Even with the money from the sale, she would be left with a dilemma. What would she do to make a living in Charleston?

“Your circumstances might change. You might remarry or decide to leave the area.”

“I am
not
remarrying.” Hugging her daughter closer to her, Rachel shivered.

The butler opened the parlor doors and said, “Dr. Stuart is here to see you with two ladies, madam.”

Sarah rose from the gold and royal-blue sofa and covered the distance to give her brother a kiss on the cheek then to embrace Rachel. “What a delightful surprise you all are in town today.” She stepped back. “What brings you to Charleston?”

“We need some supplies, and I wanted to talk with the constable about the man we found.” Nathan waited until Rachel and Maddy took a seat on two chairs across from the sofa before he folded his long length onto the sofa next to his sister.

“Mrs. Bridges, this is a friend, Mrs. Gordon, and her maid, Maddy. The adorable little baby she is holding is Faith. Mrs. Gordon recently arrived from England and is taking up residence at Dalton Farm.” Sarah looked at Rachel. “Mrs. Bridges is my dressmaker. She has come to discuss with me some changes in my wardrobe now that I am with child again.”

The scowl on Nathan’s face drew Rachel’s attention for a moment. Did something more than his sister having a difficult time when Sean was born bother him about Sarah expecting another baby? She couldn’t shake the feeling there was more to it. She had seen the exchange of glances between brother and sister.

“Mrs. Gordon, I always love talking with ladies who have newly arrived from Europe. It takes awhile for the latest styles to make it here. Perhaps you would visit my shop today and take a look at some of my fashion plates.”

“I would love to.”

Nathan’s frown deepened.

“I shall not be able to stay long, but a short visit should be fine,” Rachel added to appease Nathan. She knew he wanted to get back to start planting the corn after he purchased the seeds today.

Mrs. Bridges clapped her white-gloved hands. “That would be perfect.” She stood and turned toward Sarah. “I will leave you and begin on the gowns we talked about.” She nodded to Rachel and to Nathan, who slowly rose, inclining his head in a bow. “It was nice meeting you.”

When the plump dressmaker swept out of the room, Sarah turned to her brother. “What’s that frown for? Have you forgotten your manners?”

“This is the very reason I stay in the country.”

“You mean hide away.” Sarah sent him a sharp look then turned her attention to Rachel. “I’m sorry my big brother can be so boorish. I hope you all will stay for dinner before you go shopping.”

“I would love to. Is it possible Maddy can stay here with Faith while we are out? I don’t want to expose Faith to the crowds.”

“I would have it no other way. Come, Maddy, I will show you to the nursery then let Cook know you are staying for dinner. John should be home by then.” Sarah headed for the door while Maddy took Faith and followed her from the parlor.

The moment Rachel was alone with Nathan she said, “When a woman is with child it is a happy time, but your sour expression puts a damper on the festive mood. What is the matter?”

Nathan prowled the room, glancing out the front window that overlooked the street. When he shifted around and peered at her, his expression revealed nothing of his inner thoughts. He was good at that, and Rachel wished she could do the same.

“Childbirth can be dangerous for a woman.” He finally broke the silence, the flexing of his hands the only indication they were talking about a serious subject.

“Life is dangerous. Look at what happened to my husband on the voyage over here.”

“There were complications with the birth of Sean.”

“That does not mean there will be complications with this next one. If women lived in fear of giving birth, there would be no people to populate this world.”

He rotated back toward the window, his posture rigid, his hand clutching the velvet draperies. “That does not mean someone I care about has to be the one to
populate
the world.”

“So you never want children?” The moment she uttered the question she clamped her hand over her mouth. Where was this boldness coming from?

“Like you, I don’t want to get married.”

“You can marry and not have children. As I asked earlier, what is the matter? Sarah is fine now.”

“How about what happened to you when Faith was coming?” He kept his back to her, his whitened knuckles clasping the drapery.

“I’m fine too. You were there to help me.”

“What if I hadn’t been?”

“The Lord was watching over me. It does no good to speculate over what could have happened. It does not matter because it didn’t occur.”

A heavy sigh sounded, and his shoulders slumped. Dropping his head, he murmured, “I could not help Eliza when her time came to deliver her child. Both died in the field.”

Rachel came to her feet and cut the distance between them. “Died in the field? Why was she there? Who is Eliza?”

“A slave I grew up with. She was the housekeeper’s child. We were close. Friends. I could tell her anything. Then one day my grandfather decided we were growing too close and sent Eliza to work in the cotton fields and live in the slave quarters. Nothing I said would change the old man’s mind. Eliza married another slave, and I was happy for her. I begged Grandfather to let her come back to the house at least as long as she was with child, but he refused the request. Eliza went into labor early while she was working in the field farthest from her cabin. Patrick summoned me, but there was little I could do to save Eliza or her child. That was the final incident that caused the complete rift between Grandfather and me. I left Pinecrest later that day for good.”

“I’m sorry about Eliza. Surely your grandfather understood you were upset.”

“Don’t you understand? I’m the reason Eliza went to the fields in the first place. He didn’t like my friendship with Eliza. He didn’t understand that Eliza and I were only friends, not lovers. She was like a little sister to me. I didn’t recognize my grandfather after my father died. He changed. Before, he would have listened to reason. I never felt so helpless. So not in control.”

She tugged him around and his face was contorted in pain. “Do you think we can control our lives?”

“No…yes. I will control my life because I will not accept the alternative.”

“Then you are in for a disappointment. Any sense of control you think you might have is fleeting.” She snapped her fingers. “Gone in an instant. Relying only on yourself will not work. Rely on the Lord. He is our strength.”

“Is that why you think you can live on the farm and be successful? A woman alone in a new country?”

“Yes. I cannot do it without Him. That does not mean it will be easy. Anything worthwhile does not come easily.”

He pivoted away, resuming his survey out the window. “That might work for you, but not me.”

His pain became hers, as though a hand squeezed her heart. He had done so much for her, and yet he would not accept her help. She searched for the right words to soothe his anguish, but the sound of the door opening and Sarah returning snatched the opportunity from Rachel.

“I tell you, Rachel, you have such an adorable little daughter. I hope my next child is a girl. Why don’t you all stay overnight or even a few days here with me?”

Afraid her voice wouldn’t work right, Rachel cleared her throat. “Perhaps another time. There is so much to do at the farm, with spring planting and getting the place livable.”

“I was afraid you would say that. But know the invitation is always open for you and Faith.” Sarah stared at her brother, who remained with his back to them. “Did I interrupt something? Should I have another talk with the cook?”

Nathan turned and moved away from the window, an unreadable expression on his face. “No. It was nothing important.”

His words burdened her heart. Nothing important? His welfare was important to her even if it wasn’t to him. Just going through the motions of living wasn’t living.

“I will meet you at the mercantile as soon as I talk with the constable.” Nathan pointed to the building not far from the dress shop.

When Rachel entered Mrs. Bridges’ establishment, Nathan drove the cart away. The moment he was gone, the tension melted away from Rachel. During dinner, he had said little to her or Sarah and had continued the moody silence on the ride to the shop.

Two ladies came from the back, said their farewells to Mrs. Bridges, and left.

The older woman smiled and headed straight for Rachel. “I’m so glad you are here, Mrs. Gordon.” She swept her hand across her plump front. “Please have a look around. I have some new hats and gloves that came from abroad recently.”

Rachel strolled around the large room with displays of Mrs. Bridges’ merchandise. “Very nice. Your shop reminds me of the one I used to frequent in Devonshire. The proprietor always had the latest fashions from London.”

“What are some of the trends you saw?”

“Rich colors. Outer garments that are transparent are not as popular. Gowns that fit to the bust then fall loosely are being worn. Paisley patterns for shawls are popular. A few women are wearing drawers.”

“I like the dress you have on. I was admiring it at Mrs. McNeal’s house. Did you buy it at that shop in Devonshire?”

Rachel fingered her dark green silk morning gown beneath her pelisse. This was one of the garments she had made herself because she couldn’t afford to go to a dressmaker after she had married Tom. “I made this.”

“The workmanship is beautiful. I love the lace and trim around the bottom. I didn’t realize you sewed your own clothes.”

“Only recently.”

“Come, let us share a cup of tea.” Mrs. Bridges gestured toward a sofa with a table nearby.

“I cannot stay long. I still need to shop for supplies.”

“I have water heating in back. It will not take me long. I have a proposition I would like to make to you.”

As Rachel eased onto the sofa, putting her reticule on her lap, the older woman scurried toward the back of the store. Rachel scanned the quaint shop and sighed. When she had lived at home in Devonshire, she had taken for granted that having beautiful gowns would always be part of her life. Not anymore. What she brought from England would have to do.

Mrs. Bridges came back into the front room, carrying a tray with a teapot and two china cups and saucers. After she poured the tea and passed Rachel hers, the older woman said, “Would you be interested in working for me?”

Rachel took a sip of her tea to give her time to come up with an answer. “What do you have in mind? As Sarah mentioned, I live at Dalton Farm, not here in Charleston.”

“I heard a rumor about the demise of your husband on the voyage over here.”

“You did?”

“Charleston is a big town, but whenever a lady of breeding arrives, the word spreads quickly. I understand your circumstances are less than ideal. I haven’t been to Dalton Farm, but I have heard it is not a desirable place for a widow.”

The thought she was the object of gossip coiled Rachel’s stomach. She gripped the cup and drank some more tea. “But it is
my
place.” She straightened her back, lifting her chin slightly.

“I understand, Mrs. Gordon. Ever since my husband passed away, I have been on my own and like it that way. It has not always been easy, so I know what you are going through. I only want to offer to help you.”

“Why?”

“Because I was in the same place you are, so to speak, ten years ago when I came to America. My husband succumbed to consumption not long after our arrival.” She offered Rachel a smile. “My business is thriving. I am in need of a good seamstress. While I was at Mrs. McNeal’s house, I asked her about you. I heard that she as well as Dr. Stuart has befriended you. She mentioned you know how to sew and are making some clothes for your daughter.”