Wishes on the Wind (42 page)

    A single tear slipped down Aunt Letty's cheek, and the strained silence that followed was suddenly broken by Grace's gulping sob.

    "Everything's gone wrong in this house! Everyone's unhappy and no one cares about anyone else anymore!"

    Suddenly jumping to her feet, Grace made it as far as the door before Letty caught her and folded her into her arms. Grace sobbed onto her mother's shoulder, and, turning back to the head of the table, David saw his uncle get up with a discouraged sigh, his expression penitent as he walked toward the two women.

    "I'm sorry, Letty. Grace, don't cry. Everything will be all right." And when Grace's sobbing continued, Martin instructed softly, "Take her upstairs, Letty."

    The two women left the room and Martin turned back to David. "It appears no one else is hungry either, David. Ring for Mabel and tell her to clear the table. We're finished here for the evening."

    The door closed behind Uncle Martin, and David reached for the small silver bell which had always been Aunt Letty's province at the dinner table. He paused, guilt again plaguing him as he touched the carved handle.

    The emotional scene he had just witnessed had shaken him from the lethargic stupor into which he had slipped since Meg had turned her back on him. The pain of the moment was with him still, cutting into his vitals, drawing blood and draining him dry. But it suddenly occurred to him that Meg's cruel dismissal had been necessary, since she had been able to convince him that it was over between them no other way. However, his own cruelty to the family that had taken him in when he was orphaned, and still loved him, was motivated by his own self-centered behavior.

    David briefly closed his eyes against the realization that Meg knew him better than he knew himself. He was selfish, thoughtless everything Meg had accused him of being without saying the words. Perhaps that was the reason Meg had been unwilling to take a chance with him. Perhaps she felt his love was as shallow as she saw him to be. Perhaps…

    The ache within him deepening, David took a deep breath designed to clear his mind and put an end to the misery of his futile thoughts. Whatever the reason, it was too late for Meg and him. He had given her all he had to give but it was not enough, and while he could not halt his agonizing thoughts, it was time to act like the man he claimed to be. He had been neither generous nor fair with the family that loved him, and the time had come to rectify the situation.

    Standing up, David shook the silver bell and relayed Uncle Martin's message to Mabel as she appeared in the doorway. He then turned toward the hall.

    "I owe you an apology, Uncle Martin."

    Martin Lang surveyed his nephew's sober expression where he stood just inside the doorway of his study. He had been surprised to find David at his door only moments after leaving him in the dining room under such tense circumstances. His nephew had alienated himself completely from the family during the past week, and Martin was both angry and surprised that the boy should allow his anger over their bitter disagreement concerning his future to influence his treatment of his aunt and cousin.

    His frown darkening, Martin remembered his nephew's frigid departure from the house the morning after their confrontation in the study. David did not return to the house until dinnertime, and then went directly to his room. David's daily routine had not changed in the week following, and he had no idea where his nephew spent the day, except that he appeared dutifully at the dinner table each night, uncommunicative and eating little.

    David did not look well. It was obvious that he had lost considerable weight, and dark circles beneath his eyes revealed he had lost considerable sleep as well. Unable to make himself believe that David would agonize over their altercation to the extent that it affected him physically, Martin felt his anger surge anew. There was only one person who could affect David that deeply, and whatever David's mission in coming to see him now, he was determined not to allow Meghan O'Connor back in their lives again.

    The direction of Martin's thoughts were reflected in the tight lines of his face as he turned away from his nephew unexpectedly and walked to the window. He stood there, staring outside into the twilight for a few silent moments before turning back to David just as unexpectedly.

    "You say you owe me an apology, David? Yes, you do, and you owe your aunt and cousin an apology as well."

    "I'm aware of that, sir."

    Martin's eyes narrowed. "Since we are agreed there, I suggest you state whatever else is on your mind. Your conduct of the past week has left me short on patience."

    David winced visibly at his response, and Martin experienced momentary regret for his harshness. But his nephew's behavior had been abominable, and he had no intention of allowing him to escape unscathed. His gaze fixed on David's face, Martin glimpsed a carefully concealed torment as David started to speak.

    "I realize my conduct has been unforgivable this past week, and my only defense is that I didn't truly realize the extent to which it affected the family. I suppose the truth is that I was so involved in my own feelings that I neglected to consider the feelings of others. It's a shortcoming that I've been accused of many times, but I've only just now realized the truth in that criticism." Torment flashed again in David's eyes. "I want to say that I'm sorry for the trouble I've caused you, Uncle Martin. I also want to tell you that I've decided to take advantage of the opportunity you offered me."

    Taken by surprise at David's unexpected statement, Martin paused again, carefully examining his nephew's expression. The anguish lurking in David's eyes had deepened.

    "You mean by that, that you've decided attending school in England is a wise move?"

    "Yes, sir."

    "You're certain?"

    "Yes, sir."

    Martin paused, deciding in the favor of caution. "in that case you must be prepared to leave within a week's time."

    "I know that, sir."

    Martin released a silent sigh of relief. He had no idea what had happened between that little Irish witch and David, and he didn't care now that everything appeared to be off between them. Martin suppressed a smile. David had obviously made the decision to consign his relationship with the girl to the past, and no matter the depth of the boy's present misery, time would take care of the rest. A year from now David will have forgotten the tawdry little miss even existed.

    "All right, then. I'll inform your aunt of your decision. She'll be relieved, to be sure." When David still hesitated, Martin raised his wiry brows questioningly. "Is there anything else?"

        Temporarily at a loss for the pain momentarily visible in David's expression, Martin waited uncomfortably through David's uncharacteristic hesitation.

    "Yes, I'd like to thank you for your patience, Uncle Martin, and your generosity as well. I've come to realize that I've taken too many things in my life for granted. I appreciate your forbearance."

    Martin's throat tightened as David held out his hand, obviously uncertain if his uncle would accept it. Taking a few steps forward, Martin grasped it and shook it firmly.

    Standing at the window again after David had left the room, his face averted to disguise the emotion there, Martin Lang was struck with the thought that David's brief fling with the O'Connor girl might have done him more good than he had thought possible. Obviously, the girl revealed her true self to him in some way, and the affair ended. Just as obviously, David still suffered, but it seemed his nephew had learned an important lesson. From now on, he would never question the value of those who truly loved him,
or
the disadvantages of stooping below himself.

    That thought providing him considerable comfort, Martin suddenly realized that with all now settled and done, he would miss the boy sorely.

Chapter 17

    His traveling case in his hand, David turned for a last sweeping glance of his room, intensely aware of the finality of the moment. He sought to impress the images of the heavy mahogany furniture, the map of the coal fields on the wall, the mementos of the boy he once was, deep into memory with the sudden premonition that on leaving this room now, nothing would ever be the same again.

    The sounds of movement in the foyer below drew David from his thoughts, forcing him to close the door behind him and start down the hallway with the realization that the moment was upon him. He was leaving the valley on the late afternoon train, uncertain when, if ever, he would return.

    "David, hurry!"

    Grace's excited summons drew his gaze to her face as he reached the top of the staircase, and David was grateful that the dear girl had accepted his apology and forgiven his extended neglect of her. He had not deserved her forgiveness.

    "We've instructed Harry to put your other cases in the car, dear." Aunt Letty's eyes filled as she spoke. "The train won't arrive for another hour, but Uncle Martin and I thought you might like a leisurely ride to the station since you'll be away for such a long time."

    At the bottom of the staircase, David dropped a light kiss on his aunt's cheek. "Four years isn't so long, Aunt Letty."

    "Isn't it?" Aunt Letty brushed at a tear. "Perhaps not, to one as young as you. But to me, it will seem a lifetime. I shall miss you, dear."

    Meg's image appeared before his mind, and unwilling to admit that four years seemed a lifetime to him, too, David turned toward Uncle Martin where he stood waiting beside the door. He flashed his uncle a smile.

    "I'm ready. Shall we go?"

    Uncle Martin did not smile in return, and David knew this   parting would not be easy for either his uncle or himself. All differences between them had been settled during the past week, although they carefully avoided any discussion of Meg or the reason for David's abrupt change of mind.

    The appearance of the household staff in the doorway delayed their departure. He had gone out of his way to make his peace with everyone before leaving, but his discomfort was still acute in the presence of Cook. Berating himself for not being as forgiving as they when resentment stirred anew at the memory of Cook's harsh treatment of Meg, David forced warmth into his farewells.

    "All right. Let's go." Curving his arm around his wife's shoulders, Uncle Martin spoke to all in general. "Dear ladies, David must be on his way."

    Stepping up into the carriage a few minutes later, David turned back for a final farewell, realizing that he was indeed "on his way."

    Muff Lawler's saloon was filled with its usual crowd, but there were a few men there that Sean had never seen before. Having gotten off his shift a short time earlier, he had hastily bathed the black coal dust from his skin, changed his clothes, and met Lenny for a very important meeting in this place. Reading the question in Sean's eyes as he scanned the unfamiliar faces, Lenny lowered his head to whisper in his ear.

    "That fella over there's Alex Campbell, owner of the Columbia House at Tamaquaan important man. Rumor has it that he's body master and division chief of Molly's boys there."

    Sean nodded, his gaze intense as Lawler approached them with the tall raw-boned Campbell at his side. Lawler's, "Shake hands with me friend, Sean O'Connor," brought a brief appraisal, a twist of the fellow's lips, and a weak handshake. As Campbell walked away, Sean had the feeling his hopes for official acceptance as one of Molly's boys that afternoon were doomed.

    Still at the bar a short time later, Lenny at his side, Sean was startled when Campbell walked past him with a brief, "Good luck, O'Connor," and a fleeting smile. A broad smile swept Lenny's face and, behind the bar, Lawler smiled with the same satisfaction.

    Pretending an interest in his drink that he did not feel, Sean became aware of the subtle shifting of men within the room immediately following Campbell's departure. Mrs. Lawler assumed her husband's position behind the bar as the big man     disappeared into the kitchen. Ed Ferguson, Pete Monaghan and Tom Hurley, one by one, slipped into the kitchen as well. A few minutes later, McAndrew sauntered over with a smile and motioned to them to follow him as he walked toward the doorway to the kitchen.

    His heart pounding, Sean followed Lenny's lead through the back rooms and up the rear staircase to the second floor, aware that McAndrew remained behind on watch.

    The conviviality of the saloon below was absent from the faces of the dozen or so men in Lawler's upstairs sitting room when he arrived, and Sean's throat tightened. He had not seen some of these men enter the saloon, and he realized they had arrived unseen at this secret rendezvous with the aid of long practice.

    His gaze darting to Lawler where the fellow stood behind a small table, Sean saw he held a slip of paper in his hand which he appeared to be studying. The men around him shifted into a circle, and Sean's heart pounded as he was ordered to stand in the center. Each Molly made a devout sign of the cross, and instructed to do the same, Sean followed suit.

    Lawler broke the silence. ''The neophyte will kneel."

    On his knees, Sean watched Lawler walk to stand beside him. His expression stern, Lawler read solemnly from the paper in his hand.