The Rescue (12 page)

“Not in the least.”

“What were you saying, dear?” the unsuspecting pastor questioned his wife. He received only an odd look from her.

“Where are you going?” Margaret, the eight-year-old, was heard to ask rather loudly from the direction of the dining room.

“Where is who going?” Pastor Hurst now asked, still not understanding his wife’s demeanor.

Judith didn’t reply.

“Anne?” Margaret was now calling, and Weston suddenly found himself all ears, something the Hursts did not miss.

“Is Miss Gardiner here?” he asked.

“Actually,” Judith answered as tactfully as possible, “she was just leaving.”

“Did you need to speak with her, Mr Weston?” Pastor asked, his face giving nothing away.

“As a matter of fact I had hoped to talk with her, but if she’s busy, it can wait.”

“I’m sure she has time,” the pastor replied expansively, drawing a look of disbelief from his wife. “Come along this way,” he directed. “We’ll catch her before she goes.”

This wouldn’t have been possible if Anne had not stopped to quietly explain to Margaret that she had to get home, but as it was, she was just arriving at the front door. She had the portal partially open when the pastor called her name.

“Anne, can you wait a moment?”

“Certainly,” she managed gracefully, even when she saw that her pastor had brought his visitor along.

“Can you remain for lunch?”

“Thank you so much, Pastor, but I must get home,” Anne said with a smile that encompassed both men.

“Well, then, I’ll let Mr Weston speak with you as he wished to do.”

Anne watched as the pastor moved away with Margaret. Surprised by this action, she realized that she herself was being studied. She forced her eyes to meet those of Mr Weston.

“Frederick,” his wife said to him in whispering tones the moment he stepped into the dining room. Margaret had been asked to check on her brother. “What are you about? She didn’t want to see him!”

“I suspected as much.”

“Then why did you push the point?”

“Because here it’s private. If their first meeting were in town or even at church, it would be much more awkward than if it occurred in our foyer.”

Judith nodded with understanding, glad that there was nothing more to it, but then she glanced back into her husband’s face and reconsidered that thought.

“There’s more, isn’t there?”

The pastor looked at the woman he cherished with all of his heart, knowing he could tell her anything, but also knowing that his impressions on this subject were new and needed more time.

“Yes, there is more, but I’m still thinking on it.”

Judith nodded. Thoughts of pushing the point never even entered her mind. She knew Frederick would discuss the matter with her when he was ready.

For the moment, however, Anne was still in a tight spot. Judith went to check on Phoebe and lunch preparations, praying for Anne all the while.

“Hello, Miss Gardiner.”

“Hello, Mr Weston.”

The two bowed in acknowledgment before Weston looked up and stared at her again.

When he remained quiet, Anne found his manner very confusing but still offered, “We heard about your mother. How is she feeling?”

“She is much improved, thank you,” he answered, feeling as if he’d been thrown a lifeline. Every word he’d planned to say had flown from his head. They were slow in returning. “Your father, Miss Gardiner—how is he?”

“He’s very well, thank you.”

“Has it worked for you to be home?”

Anne’s mind cleared with understanding.

“Yes, it’s fine. I hope you have not been overly concerned, Mr Weston. Father hasn’t remembered any of the events surrounding your visit.”

But you remember every detail,
Weston couldn’t help but think.
And you’re embarrassed in my presence as though you did something wrong.
None of these thoughts could be expressed. However, the owner of Brown Manor felt almost desperate to keep this woman talking.

“Do you think that if your father saw me again, he would remember me?”

“That’s hard to say,” Anne said with a small smile. “As you might guess, he’s most unpredictable.”

Weston smiled back at her, a smile full of gleaming white teeth. Anne found herself distracted and suddenly awkward.

“I really must go,” Anne said, her hand reaching for the door again.

“Let me get the door,” the gentleman offered, even walking Anne to the front yard.

“Goodbye,” she said as she began to move on her way.

Weston didn’t answer. He was busy looking for her carriage when he realized she didn’t have one.

“You’re walking, Miss Gardiner?” he called after her, moving to cover the distance between them.

“Yes, it’s not far,” Anne explained, turning slightly but continuing toward the road.

“My coach and man are right at the church. I’ll just go along and find him. He can give you a ride.”

“There’s no need, Mr Weston, thank you anyway,” Anne said over her shoulder, still in motion.

“I insist, Miss Gardiner. Please wait here.”

“
No!
”

She had stopped, faced him, and spoke more firmly than she intended. His shocked face caused her own cheeks to flame with color. With a calming breath she went on more quietly.

“Your kindness is not unnoticed, Mr Weston, but you’ve been in the area some weeks now and your coach will be more recognizable. Thank you, but I really must decline. Goodbye, Mr Weston.”

Weston said a quiet goodbye as he watched her hurry along the road. Everything within him rebelled at the idea that she would not accept his offer, but he felt helpless to act. He also knew that he was missing something.

He returned to the house, determined to question Pastor Hurst about what had just occurred, only to find the family waiting for him. And not just Pastor and his wife. Around them were four children, all very polite and kind as they were introduced, but clearly they were going to put a damper on Weston’s plans for table conversation.

Brown Manor

Weston walked through the front door of his own home a few hours after lunch. Everything was in its usual state of neatness, and on this day the cleanliness led his mind to Anne. He called her Miss Gardiner when he spoke to her or referred to her, but in his mind she was Anne. And why did she stay in his thoughts? Years before he knew of her existence, she lived as she did with no help or thought from him, but now that he knew of her, he couldn’t get her from his mind.

And still something was missing.

He’d had a great time around the Hursts’ dining table. The food and fellowship had been very fine, but never had he been alone with only the adults.

Weston shook his head to try to clear his thoughts. He decided that a ride was in order, and he called for his horse to be readied in 30 minutes time. Thinking he needed to get out and take in some air, he never realized that the man who could answer all his questions lived directly under his roof.

Tipton

“Your surprise plan worked,” Palmer said to his wife as he brought Anne to the bedroom on Monday morning and left the women to visit in privacy.

Anne went to hug her friend, who, still taking it very slowly with a week-old baby, was very glad to see her.

“Will you ever forgive me?”

“I don’t know,” Anne pretended to consider it as she took a seat next to Lydia’s bed, shaking her head slightly over her friend’s sneak attack.

The Palmer coach had suddenly arrived at Levens Crossing, the coachman bearing a note asking Anne to come. Anne was taken so unawares that she climbed into the carriage without hesitation. When she arrived at Tipton, it was to find everyone in delightful spirits; they had all been in on the plan and praying that she would come. Anne had taken time with all the children before Palmer had offered to take her to see Lydia.

“Where is your little Oliver?” Anne now asked, looking about for a basket or cradle.

“He’s with Fanny, our mother’s help, and should be back any moment,” Lydia answered.

Anne smiled at her friend.

“You look wonderful.”

“I feel very good. He was so long overdue that I had some moments of discouragement.”

“But he’s here now.”

“Yes, and I’m dying for you to see him. But before he comes, Anne, how are you?”

“I’m well, thank you. The basket of breads was lovely, Lydia. I can’t tell you how much I appreciated it.”

“It was our pleasure. You’ve been on my mind so much, and I can’t help but wonder if you have someone you’re going to for counsel. Have Judith and Pastor been available?”

“Yes. I do go to them, and they’ve been very helpful. Thank you for checking on me.”

“Well, now that we’ve broken the ice, you must keep coming to Tipton. Often.”

Anne’s look became decidedly strained at this idea. Lydia would have to have been blind to miss it.

“Anne,” Lydia said sincerely, reaching out to take her hand. “I care not what others say. I know you are a woman of honor and a friend. Please come as often as you can.”

Anne nodded, not able to ignore this plea. She was in the habit of putting others before herself and realized that Lydia was now trying to do that for her. Even with a certain measure of fear that her friends would suffer, she could not refuse such a gesture.

“Thank you, Lydia,” Anne said simply, gaining a warm smile from her friend.

And only just in time. Moments later there was a knock at the door before Fanny entered with the very new Oliver Palmer.