Tenacious Love (Banished Saga, Book Four): Banished Saga, Book Four (16 page)

Zylphia flushed. “I’d never expect anyone to carry me. I know I’m not a dainty woman.”

“No, you’re not.”

She glared at him at his ready agreement.

“I don’t know why that would concern you. Rather than simpering in a socially acceptable emaciated manner in whatever god-awful room they’ve designated for tea or embroidery, you’re out here. Hale and healthy.”

“Except for the fact I can no longer walk,” Zylphia muttered.

Teddy chuffed out a laugh. “Except for that, yes.” He leaned on the boulder next to her, crossing his arms over his chest, and a peaceful silence ensued between them. The waves crashed against the rocks below, lending a soothing symphony, while songbirds trilled again in the adjacent bushes. A light breeze blew, ruffling his hair and tugging at her hat. The sky remained a dull silver, although no rainclouds threatened.

Zylphia sighed and pushed away from the boulder. Teddy stood, reaching out an arm to help her. She placed weight on her leg, grimacing, but then tried another step. “If I walk slowly, and if I can hold on to your arm, I think I can make it to the house.”

“Are you sure?”

“I don’t have much of a choice,” she said with a determined tilt to her head.

They walked at the pace only slightly faster than a lazy turtle. Zylphia gripped his arm to the point he had to free her fingers and move them to a different point on his arm.

“You’re in too much pain,” Teddy murmured.

“No, I’ll be fine. Tell me about your family. You don’t sound like you’re from Boston.”

“Are you always this blunt?”

Zylphia blushed. “Yes, I’m afraid so. Sophie tried to teach me how to act, but I’ve always been plainspoken.”

“And I highly doubt Mrs. Chickering is the one to turn to for sage advice on the proper ways a woman should behave.”

Zylphia stiffened next to him. “She’s an upstanding society matron who generously taught me the ways of polite society.”

“Did she consider herself a success?”

Zylphia bristled at the hint of humor in his voice. “She deemed I had learned all I was capable of learning at this stage in my life, and then we focused on matters that concerned us.”

“Why didn’t your mother instill the basic knowledge of how to act in proper society when you were younger?”

“I wouldn’t call it
proper
but
polite
.” Zylphia breathed deeply, relaxing her grip on his arm as she exhaled. “She was occupied with the orphanage. Now, before you distract me further, tell me about your family.”

“I’m from England, having arrived here when I was six.”

“But you’re an American now.”

“No, I merely live here. I still consider myself a British citizen. As does England and the passport I have.”

“You have a passport?” she asked, unable to hide the wistfulness from her voice. “I’ve always wanted to travel.”

“I’m sure you will one day.” The strengthening breeze ruffled his sable-colored hair, and she placed a hand on her hat to prevent it from blowing away.

“The farthest I’ve been is San Francisco.”

“I imagine it was quite a journey.” He helped her around a rough patch in the path, and they continued their slow progression to the house.

“I loved the train ride. I hated dusk because it meant all those hours where I wouldn’t be able to catalog the different landscapes we were crossing.”

“I’ve heard it’s all quite similar. Flat plains for miles on end.”

“That’s what you would think, but then you notice how each area is unique. And mile after mile of wheat fields is hypnotizing in its beauty.”

“What is San Francisco like?”

“Beautiful and boisterous. As though it has all this energy and vitality, and yet it’s still determining what it will be. Boston is old and established, whereas, in San Francisco, there is a sense that anything could happen. I loved waking in the middle of the night and hearing the ships’ horns sounding. Peering out my window at dawn and being surrounded by dense fog, as though enveloped in cotton candy. And then, when the fog finally lifted, to look out into the majestic bay toward Alcatraz Island and the village of Sausalito. Such beauty is unparalleled.”

“When were you last there?”

“Oh, years ago. Our home was destroyed in the earthquake in 1906, and my father decided against rebuilding. He thought having two homes, one in Boston and the other in Montana, was sufficient.”

“You sound as though you miss your San Francisco home.” Teddy stilled her movement, encouraging her with a slight pressure to rest on a low rock for a moment.

“I miss the sense of possibilities. That I could be anyone or do anything. I feel stifled here.” She flushed at that admission. “I’ve never been to Montana, and I don’t know what kind of life my cousins live there.”

“I can’t imagine a well-bred, wealthy woman should ever feel stifled.”

“As you said yourself, most woman of my class seek contentment over needlepoint or a cup of weak tea. That’s not who I am.” Zylphia frowned as she rubbed at her ankle.

“No. Although from what I know of your father, he would never stifle you.” At Zylphia’s curious stare, he smiled. “My family has business with him.”

“What does your family do?”

“They are in the import-export business in England, and my father has an interest in the exchange here. When my parents moved to the United States, they planned to settle in New York City, rather than Boston. However, my mother preferred Boston and thus insisted they make it their home. They purchased a home in Cambridge, and they’ve been there since.”

“You didn’t mention what you do for work.” Zylphia rose, putting more pressure on her leg. She nodded to Teddy, and he offered his other arm.

“I am working on a series of experiments to see if any of them are successful.”

“For what?”

He smiled mysteriously but refused to elaborate. Their walk resumed again, this time at a faster rate.

“Do you know Mr. Hubbard from university?”

“No. We met by chance a few years ago when my mother insisted I attend a soiree.” He glanced down at her inquisitive face. “I attended school in England.”

“All of it?”

“Yes, from the age of eight on. I returned here only for long breaks from school.”

“I loved university,” Zylphia said on a long sigh. “I never minded the homework. Well, except for math as I never much liked it.” She sensed rather than heard him chuckle.

“I’m glad you were able to attend university, Miss McLeod. A mind such as yours should have the opportunity to never stop learning.”

He paused at the edge of the expansive lawn leading up from the walk and the cliffs to the mansion. They were momentarily hidden in a hedge, separating the neighboring property from their hosts’ land. The large gray-stoned multidormered mansion with its black mansard roof sat majestically in a rare ray of sunlight. “If you prefer, I shall leave you here to return on your own.”

Zylphia’s hand tightened on his arm for a moment before releasing it. “Thank you for your assistance, Mr. Goff.”

He smiled with a hint of self-mocking humor. “I rarely have an opportunity to aid a damsel in distress. It was my pleasure.”

Zylphia giggled before sobering.

He watched her with a fierce intensity as she transformed from the inquisitive, free-spirited woman who’d walked back with him to a demure woman of society.

She nodded to him before starting a slow, lumbering limp up the hill toward the house.

He settled into the hedge, listening as her friends called out for her, their exultant hellos transforming into coos of worry. After fifteen minutes, when the voices had faded and the lulling waves and the chirping birds were his only companions, he strolled onto the lawn. Only as he neared the house did he realize his unremitting unease had dissipated.

* * *

A
perfunctory knock
sounded at the door a moment before it swung open. Sophronia strode in, only to halt as she beheld Zylphia resting on a chaise longue, a loose beige cotton wrap covering her.

“Why aren’t you dressed for the evening?” Sophie shut the door and marched forward, her walking stick clicking on the exposed wooden aspects of the floor.

“I hurt my ankle. I couldn’t possibly stand all evening and socialize. Never mind dance.”

“Was the doctor called?” Sophie asked as she dragged over a chair to sit next to the chaise and face Zylphia.

“No. I believe it’s simply a horrible sprain.”

Sophie raised an eyebrow and pointed with her chin to the hem of Zylphia’s wrap. “Show me.”

Zylphia flicked up the long skirt of her wrap to reveal a reddened, swollen ankle.

“Good heavens. How did such a thing happen?”

“While on my ramble this morning along the cliff walk, I twisted my ankle. Thankfully I met Mr. Goff, who helped me return to the house.”

“This is more than a slight sprain.” Sophie reached forward and traced the swollen ankle, evoking a quiver of pain in Zylphia. “I’m thankful Mr. Goff was there to aid you. What did you think of him?”

“I’m uncertain. He excels at eliciting information while offering very little about himself.”

“I’ve always thought him to be a shy man who hides in his laboratory, terrified of what might occur if he were to fully engage with the world.”

“That’s uncharitable, Sophie.”

“
Hmph
. But true. He has a lot to offer but refuses to acknowledge it.”

“Well, after my clumsiness, all I needed was his aid to return to the house. A walk that should have lasted fifteen minutes took nearly an hour.”

“How chivalrous of him to ensure you arrived home safely.” Sophie frowned again at Zylphia’s leg. “Was it difficult to be in his presence for such a long duration?”

Zylphia collapsed against the chaise cushions, a long sigh escaping. “He almost had me admitting my orphanage origins and the fact I didn’t meet father until I was sixteen.”

Sophronia grimaced. “You have nothing to be ashamed of, but I’m afraid those here will be less than charitable if they realize the extent of your humble beginnings. For many, it’s difficult enough your father is the first in his family to make his fortune.”

“Hypocritical, if you ask me. All they care about is money, and Father has plenty of it.”

Sophie smirked and then chuckled. “Which only proves the point, how you are unlike the rest. If all that concerned you was marrying the wealthiest man here, you’d have insisted Mr. Goff coerce his friend Morgan Wheeler to spend more time with you as a form of penance. Owen Hubbard might be wealthy, but Mr. Wheeler’s family has begun to rival that of the Vanderbilts and Astors when it comes to wealth.”

Zylphia rolled her eyes. “I don’t understand why all these women are fixated on these men only for their money. Don’t they want more from life?”

“Many do, but their mothers want them to marry well. For them, having financial security is important.”

“Marrying a man with a steady job means having financial security.”

Sophie’s bark of laughter echoed through the room. “Ah, you are a breath of fresh air. Now if only you could befriend some of these young women and encourage them to our way of thinking with regard to the vote.”

“I’ve tried, Sophie. Except for P.T. and Rowena, the rest think I’m a radical.”

“Well, you are, darling. And Parthena and Rowena don’t count because they were already your friends before you arrived.” Sophie glanced toward the small clock on the dresser. “I must go down soon. Let me inquire if any ice could be spared. I think it might soothe the pain and ease the swelling.”

“That would be lovely. I dread sleeping tonight.” She raised an eyebrow and shook her head, cutting off Sophie’s words. “And, no, I do not want a sleeping tonic or some nasty potion that will leave me in a confused state.”

“As you wish, my dear. Let me also ensure that dinner is delivered to you. I imagine you are quite famished.”

Zylphia smiled with a hint of guilt. “I had one of the maids steal a few scones for me at tea time.”

Sophie shook her head in disgust, her distinctive eyes flashing with ire. “Our hostess should have ensured you were well taken care of when she learned you were ailing. I should have been informed too, as I am technically your chaperone. I can’t believe Pamela has become so lax in her standards.”

“I believe she is attentive to those she deems worthy.” She patted Sophie’s hand. “Don’t bother yourself on my account. We always knew the upper echelons of society would never fully accept me due to my questionable origins. And my inability to learn how to follow all their rules. I’m simply thankful you were able to obtain an invitation for me so that my parents could travel to Montana for Gabriel and Clarissa.”

“I still fail to understand why you refused to go with your parents.”

“You remember what Gabe and Rissa were like in Washington, DC. I couldn’t bear to be around that much tension again. Besides, I feared I’d never have another chance to experience the splendor of a Newport summer house party.”

“And has it lived up to all your expectations?” Sophie stroked a hand over Zylphia’s raven hair, fashioned in a loose braid over one shoulder.

“Yes! Everyone is exactly as I imagined they would be. Pompous, self-righteous and entertaining in their own way.” She paused, breaking eye contact with Sophie as she raised an eyebrow at her brittle smile. “I had hoped they would be more accepting of me.”