Captain Wyatt took her shawl and put it and his hat on the peg. “Would you ladies prefer to meet alone?”
Both said, “No.”
He hoped to be excluded from this difficult scene…but he had helped create it and Rose felt he needed to be nearby. She had chosen a new dress to wear; a beautiful emerald green reminding her of Ireland, but now that Carolina Jane was here she wondered if it was wise to go back. Especially now that her daughter would not be there…there would be so many memories.
“Mrs. Lovell?” Captain Wyatt’s voice caught her attention.
“I’m sorry…I must have…”
Ava interrupted. “Rose I’m so sorry for everything.”
Rose nodded and invited them to sit in the large formal front room. She couldn’t abide a small intimate meeting.
“I like the changes you made.”
Ava spoke so softly Rose could hardly hear. “Yes, I am so glad you helped me. It looks so much lighter and brighter in here.”
“But you don’t own the home anymore Rose.”
“No, I don’t. I’ve made my home in Ireland now.”
“I see.”
She saw Ava fold and refold her hands. “Carolina Jane is upstairs for her nap. When she wakes, we’ll go up and get her.”
Ava’s smile of relief set Rose’s heart on the right track. She found courage building up in her. Portia came with tea and set the silver tray on the sideboard and made a quick exit. “Thank you Portia.” She called after her.
Captain Wyatt stood at the window gazing out, one palm on the wall.
The room grew silent. Rose stood and excused herself and brought back some items that were CJ’s favorite toys. She handed them to Ava, who began to weep. Rose couldn’t stand it any longer. “Captain Wyatt, would you excuse us ladies, please?”
Glad for the exit, he bowed his head, snatched his hat and before Rose could have counted to three, she heard the carriage wheels rolling down the street.
“There, now we won’t have to watch our words.” Rose said and took a seat closer to Ava. “Tell me all you wish to share.”
Ava sat for a long moment reining in her emotions. Rose waited.
Then she started talking. “Oh Rose, I knew before I married him he had a roving eye for women. How could he not. He is . . . was so handsome and talented. He came from one of Charleston’s finest families. He had everything to live for, everything he could want, except for one thing. Women. He couldn’t stay away from them. His mother died when he was young and I think he missed the companionship of a woman. The only thing is he couldn’t stop with me, his wife. He had to conquer. And when we were alone he was so kind, so loving, I would not allow myself to believe the things I’d heard. I forced myself to make excuses even when I saw clues.”
Rose sat silent as Ava looked away, she knew, gathering strength.
“Then he came home one night and told me he and Ashton had fought. I questioned him but he only got angrier. I think he was embarrassed to admit they had come to fisticuffs. He was a gentleman. He told me Ashton started it and I believed him. Then when he was . . . was killed Ashton came several weeks later and told me about the child. I was so distraught all I could think of was getting her back. Ashton told me that you didn’t know my husband fathered the child.”
“I did not.”
“I know my brother was trying to protect me, but now that I know…well, she’s all I have left of him. And I did love him, Rose. I truly did.”
Rose’s eyes filled with tears. Again. She was sick to death of crying.
“I didn’t know about Matilda Jane at first. When I did learn of her, I went to the orphanage, but she wouldn’t see me. And now she’s left to go to France. I wanted to apologize to her.”
“Matilda Jane is all right, Ava. She straightened things up by giving her baby to someone who would care for her. When you see how happy CJ is you’ll understand what a gift Matilda Jane gave daughter.”
“CJ?”
“Yes, my endearment for her. Father gave me one when I was little and I always loved it.”
“Would you mind sharing yours?” Ava asked quietly.
“Rosalette. He always called me his Little Rosalette.”
Ava struggled then spoke. “I remember my father and mother in the good days. They loved us so much but my father’s temper ruined our happy times. When Ashton and I lost them we were assigned to Newgate. The people there at that time made us work too hard. Ashton especially was picked on for he was sensitive and kind. And when he lost her. . .”
The air was thick. Rose went and opened a window.
“Father called mother his little woman. I do remember that.” Ava stared, remembering.
Suddenly a voice was heard. Both women looked at each other. Rose knew it was time. “She’s awake. Shall we go up and greet her?”
Ava stood, her hanky twisted tight around her fingers. Rose hooked her arm and they went up the stairs together. Slowly they walked toward the child who was calling, Mama, Mama. Ava halted, “I don’t know if I can do this.” She started to weep. If she looks like Theodore I…don’t know if I can stand it.”
“Now that I now he’s her father, she does look like him, Ava. But you should be glad. No matter what troubles your husband had you loved him and this is his daughter.”
Rose walked slowly and entered the doorway. Ava waited.
“Mama.” Rose walked to her and picked her up, closing her mother’s heart as best she could. Her voice quivered as she soothed her and hugged her. “Someone is here to visit you.” She smiled as water filled her eyes. “Someone who wants to know you.” She motioned for Ava to come in.
Ava stepped just inside the door and stared. Tears popped into her eyes, too. They exchanged glances. “She is beautiful. So like her father.” Ava whispered. “Oh Rose….”
Rose leaned close to Ava and waited to see if CJ would warm to her. She did not. She put her face in Rose’s neck shyly. “Aw, you are not quite awake are ye lass?”
Ava took a step back and waited for a moment, then walked out of the room. Rose thought she was upset until she realized she left her alone to say her goodbyes. How could she say goodbye. Now or ever? It wouldn’t happen. This was her daughter. But it was not, she told her heart, but it did not listen. Rose knew she could not just hand the child over to a stranger.
“Ava. I cannot…I cannot just hand her over. Would you consider letting me come for a few days, just until she gets used to you. I can’t abandon her. She doesn’t know anyone else except me.”
“Would you please?”
Ava looked relieved. “Everyone will know she is my husband’s child.” She whispered and with everything that’s happened, how can I go out in public and take her along. It’s too difficult here.” She told Rose.
“I see your point. Perhaps we can talk for a few days and introduce her to the people that mean the most to you. The rest don’t really matter do they Ava?”
“You are right, Rose. We can take her to Mrs. Shevington. She’ll understand.”
“Indeed she will.” Rose agreed, happy that Ava did not see her as a threat.
“Shall we go to CJ’s new home then?” She carried the child on her hip as they made their way down the steps. “I have her things packed. There in that small trunk by the door. If I come I can show you what she likes to eat and what we have done. The way we play. The things she likes to do.”
Ava nodded, unable to take her eyes off the child’s face. She took her fingers and held them for a moment, but the little lass was wiggling to get down.
“Oh, she likes to stand and hide in my skirts. And lately she has been pulling herself up. Soon she’ll be walking, I’m sure of it…”
Ava looked at Rose, who had lost her ability to finish her sentence. “Come let’s go to my house together. Ashton will bring your trunk. He’ll be back in a few minutes.”
“Yes.” Rose rallied. “I’ll feed her and you can help. I’ll warn you, though, she makes quite
a mess even with a towel wrapped around her neck.”
“I imagine she does.”
“Do you live in the same house?”
“Yes. Although I’m afraid my husband did not leave much. It seems he gambled. I have a little money set by but I think I will have to sell and purchase a much smaller home.”
“That’s all right. CJ won’t mind, will you?” She chucked her under the chin.
“She is fed and changed. Now for some floor time. She loves it best when I spread a quilt and give her toys. She’d much rather, now that she’s older, be on her own instead of on my lap.”
The two watched her play. Then the carriage was back. Rose looked at Ava. “It’s time to go. I’m sure Captain Wyatt has work he must be doing.”
“I’ll let him in.” Ava offered.
Soon, the three of them stood together, Captain Wyatt gazing at the two women.
“Ashton, Rose has agreed to come stay with me a week or two, so Carolina Jane can become accustomed to me.”
Rose had only mentioned a few days.
“Yes, we feel it is best.”
He nodded and went out to load both trunks.
Rose called for Thomas to help with her large one.
Once they were settled, CJ on Rose’s lap, he pulled slowly away from the curb.
“I’ve told Portia and Emmanuel not to expect me for a couple of weeks.”
No one said anything.
Once they were at Ava’s the air seemed to clear. They had a plan. Even CJ wriggled to get down. She set her eyes on something and wanted to go. Rose found a quilt and spread it on the floor and gave her toys.
Chapter 71
Two weeks passed too quickly, but Rose was satisfied that Carolina Jane would go to Ava. For the last two days she had stayed completely out of sight, taking long walks, working in Ava’s garden.
They visited Captain Lovell’s solicitor on Carolina Jane’s first birthday to give her the McGuire name, then celebrated with a tiny cake. Rose burnt the images in her mind so she could set them to paper when she got home.
It was time to go back. Rose couldn’t abide being near her daughter without seeing her, holding her, bathing her. Jealousy was going to set in if she didn’t get away. Determined, she packed her trunk and couldn’t imagine what in the world she would do from here on out. The cottage would be full of sketchings of Carolina Jane. She would have to hide them beneath her bedstead for the time being.
“Ava, I’m going to walk down to the dock and find Captain Wyatt and see when the next passage will be ready.”
Rose went out the door. Ava was busy with the child’s bath. She heard the joy in her friend’s voice. A heavy rock settled where her heart was supposed to be. But wasn’t this what they had been working for? To clear the way for Ava to parent her husband’s child. And it was Ava who had lost a husband in the cruelest of manners. Whereas Rose reminded herself she was well taken care of. At least that’s what she told herself as she walked, her arms aching to hold CJ one more time.
She passed people she’d come to know while they lived in the park after the earthquake, and had polite conversation but barely remembered. Or when she finally arrived at the dock. The Emerald Star sat rocking on the water. The winds were high today. The sun strong. The skies blue. Blue like Carolina Jane’s eyes.
Wandering around she found Captain Wyatt engaged by two women. They were talking animatedly and swirling their parasols. He looked bored. Rose smiled. The man was hard to talk to. Even though the ladies were lovely he kept looking out over the water, every now and again looking at them long enough to be polite.
Rose thought to save him and walked up and stood away where he could see her.
“Excuse me ladies. I have business to attend to.” He tipped his hat and hurried over.
He took her elbow firmly, turned her in the opposite direction and escorted her to White Point Gardens where he found an empty bench.
“You were quite engaged.” Rose smoothed her skirts and gazed at the sparkling water.
“Engaged is not the word for it. Trapped would be more like it. They were gaggling like school girls.”
Rose smiled at his deep-voiced disapproval.
“You smile. Mrs. Lovell have you ever been trapped like that?”
“I believe I have. A time or two.” She admitted.
He came straight to the point. “Are you ready to go back to Ireland?” He turned to look into her eyes.
She avoided him by looking out over the water. “I believe I am.”
“Ava says you have done a fine job of it.” He said gently.
Rose nodded, not wishing to talk about it and said so.
“Would you like to join me for dinner?”
Rose checked his eyes to see if he meant what he’d just said.
“I’d count it a favor of immense proportions, Mrs. Lovell. I have declined dinner with the two of them saying I had other plans. Would you consider being my other plans?”
That was the first time Rose found him funny.
“Well, if you put it that way…”
“Are you engaged right now?”
She could see an idea just popped into his head.
“As a matter of fact, I am not.”
“Would you like to go for a carriage ride? It is a beautiful day and Ava’s horses have not been run often now that her husband is gone.”
Rose looked away and back again. “I would consider it a favor of immense proportions if you could keep me busy for the next few hours. I have kept myself away from CJ for the last two days hoping the two of them would bond. It seems they have. For me to appear now would ruin all we have worked for.”
“Done, then.” He stood and took her hand to lift her up.
They walked along the boardwalk. I must tell you however, that I will need to say my goodbyes to Portia and her family.”
“That can be arranged.”
“When do you plan on sailing?”
“Day after tomorrow. There is a storm blowing in tonight and it should pass and then we can be off.”
“I will stay with Emmanuel and Portia tonight and tomorrow evening.”
He nodded and increased their pace. “We want to get in before the skies start pouring.”
They walked to Ava’s. He went inside and told his sister of their plans and pulled the carriage around. For an hour he drove slowly. The spring flowers were in full bloom and the weather was perfect. Rose wondered if the good Captain had made a mistake about the weather. Twenty minutes after that thought the skies began to darken. Soon raindrops were plopping on the warm streets, dust turning to mud.
He dashed to put the horses in the stable and park the carriage while she waited inside. It was pouring now. Then all of a sudden it stopped.
“Let’s make a dash to the restaurant. It’s not far from here but we’d better go now.”
He took her elbow and they made quick work of getting there, and just in time for it poured again. “Such fickle weather.” She shook her parasol.
“Just like a woman.” He grumped.
Well he was back to his old self, Rose noticed. He didn’t like women much.
But always the gentleman, he pulled out her chair. They were seated in a corner with tall glass windows and candles lit the space. It was quiet and rather dark since the clouds had rolled in. Rain sluiced down the windows next to their table. Rose found it comforting.
“Why is this your favorite place?” she felt a bit uncomfortable since this was the first time they had ever sat down together.
“It’s quiet. A person can think in here.”
The menu offered a large assortment of dinners. They made their choices and sat back. Because of his latest comment, she did not wish to interrupt his thoughts, so she studied the design in the restaurant and the flowers outside the window, now listing to their sides under the weight of the fast falling rain.
The food came and she watched him eat. He had the manners of a gentleman and the persona
lity of a shipman, she noted. And he was most certainly accustomed to giving orders.
In the middle of their meal, a woman walked up to the table. He was looking down and at the sound of her voice calling his name, he put his knife and fork across his plate very slowly and stood, his chair nearly falling backward at the quick movement.
Rose could see his dark eyes shutter anger or hurt. She couldn’t tell which. But his jaw was working and his stance was hard.
“Captain Wyatt.” How good to see you again. “Will you not introduce me to your guest.”
He stared at her then seemed to remember he did have a guest. Rose thought he was going to refuse for a moment, but he chose manners instead of temper. She could see his mind working.
“Mrs. Lovell.” He indicated her. And said nothing else.
Rose waited for him to introduce this woman to her.
“Darby Raleigh – Mrs. Norbert Raleigh.” She stated staring at him. “Pleased to meet you Mrs. Lovell.” She nodded like the perfect lady Rose was sure she was. The woman was dressed in one of the most exquisite gowns she had ever seen.
But tension was like a tightly pulled rope between them. The name Darby shot through her memory like an arrow. The same name as on the blue envelopes in her attic…speaking of undying love and then rejection by the suitor at the last. Darby was such an unusual name she would never forget it.
“Well, it is nice to see you. I hear you’ve done quite well for yourself.” Mrs. Raleigh gazed at him through hooded eyes.
Now he was being rude. He never answered her and sat down, saying, “If you don’t mind, we were in the middle of a conversation.” And picked up his fork summarily dismissing her.
She huffed and just to taunt him Rose noticed she stayed an extra minute and then slowly walked away, her beautiful parasol acting as a cane. She watched her pop it up and wave for a footman to bring her carriage.
Rose picked up her fork and began to eat. He on the other hand, was so angry, she was waiting for him to slide an arm across the table and send the dishes crashing to the floor. His jaw muscles worked and his eyes were black. Very slowly he laid down his fork, flexed his fingers and then picked it up again and started eating as though nothing had happened.
Indeed Captain Ashton Wyatt did not like women. She wondered that he had invited her to eat with him. But then realized she was just a friend. A very safe woman. A man didn’t worry about a woman he wasn’t in love with. And she believed he had been in love with this woman.