The Rescue (16 page)

As was expected, Anne was shocked speechless. Gifts were pressed into her hands, hugs were given, and all Anne could do was stare at their faces.

“You’re giving me a party?” she said at last, and the friends, some new and some old, laughed at her.

Lunch was underway just moments later. Allens, Shepherds, Palmers, Jenningses, and Hursts were sprinkled all around the table. Anne found herself between Weston and Lydia, and across from Jennings, Marianne, and Emma Palmer. For a moment Anne listened to Jennings and Weston discuss the work on the conservatory at Brown Manor, but when there was a break, Anne turned to the man on her right.

“Your man came on Monday, Mr Weston, and repaired the roof. Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome. How did it turn out?” he asked, even though he’d ridden past it very slowly in order to inspect the job.

“It’s perfect. I don’t think it will ever leak again.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but should you find yourself with more drips, do let me know.”

“Thank you.”

Weston realized that she hadn’t agreed, only thanked him, and for a moment he held her eyes with his own.

“You’ll inform me?”

Unable to look away but not wanting to commit, Anne took in his expectantly raised brows and nodded.

Weston smiled at her, and Anne felt her face heat. The dishes were being passed and she had an excuse not to look at anyone while she served herself from the platter, but she couldn’t help but wonder if this might not prove to be a very long afternoon.

Brown Manor

“I’m leaving for London in the morning,” Weston told Mansfield when he arrived home.

“Very well, sir.”

“Keep things going on the conservatory, but if something is delayed, don’t worry about it. I’ll be home within the week.”

“Yes, sir.”

Mansfield had no questions and soon left his employer in peace, something Weston welcomed. He’d had a delightful time at the manse, not just with the five families that were there, but with Anne as well—most especially Anne. She had been somewhat shy whenever she realized he was near, but there were plenty of opportunities to observe her interacting with the others and to see for himself that she was quite genuinely loving and sweet.

Not that this surprised Weston. It did, however, make him thoughtful. He felt a need to visit with his mother and decided to stay with his decision to visit her that week, but Anne lingered on his mind for the remainder of the day and even as he journeyed to London.

Levens Crossing

Anne sat alone in the kitchen, looking at the gifts she’d received, her heart melting in pleasure all over again. She couldn’t remember when she’d had such a special birthday. Each and every person had taken time to speak with her and wish her a happy day.

Anne reached for the lovely handkerchiefs Mr Weston had given her. He had been as kind as everyone else, but Anne couldn’t help but notice his gaze had been rather watchful.

Anne was not a person to daydream, but in truth she did find Mr Weston most interesting. She didn’t indulge in any type of fantasy where he was concerned, but he lingered in the back of her mind until her father came looking for something to eat.

London

“Did I ever tell you that Henrietta came to see me at Brown Manor?”

Lenore Weston, who had been arranging flowers in a vase in the drawing room, stopped and turned her head to study her only child where he sat on the sofa, legs stretched out in front of him, relaxed as a lazy cat.

“I don’t believe you did.”

Weston had nothing more to say, and Lenore deserted her flowers. Something was on her son’s mind, and she hoped to learn what it was.

“Did she stay long?”

“No, very briefly. It was most uncomfortable.”

“Do you wish she had?”

“Lingered? No.”

Silence fell again. Lenore was intent on Weston, but Weston’s mind was clearly elsewhere.

“Do you wish to find love again, Robert?”

Weston smiled as he looked at her.

“I think it might be overrated.”

Lenore felt a deep pain around her heart on this announcement but didn’t give herself away.

“I saw Anne on Sunday,” Robert volunteered.

“How is she?”

“I think well. It was her birthday.”

“Was there a party?”

“Yes. I was invited.”

“So the two of you are getting close?”

Robert laughed. “Not exactly.”

“What does that mean?”

“She’s still quite shy in my presence.”

“I can understand that. She’s probably still embarrassed.”

“Probably.”

Lenore let the silence linger this time, determined that Weston would be the first to speak. When he did, Lenore was glad she was sitting down. Without a sound she listened to his words, not disagreeing, but finding she needed some moments to adjust.

“Come back with me,” Weston finally invited. “You’re overdue for your visit to Brown Manor as it is.”

“You’re certainly right about that,” Lenore agreed, suddenly wanting to visit very much.

“So you’ll come?”

“Yes.”

Weston looked pleased.

“Have you spoken to Pastor Hurst about your plans?”

“Not yet. I’ll do that soon.”

Lenore nodded and then smiled at him.

“What’s that smile for?”

“I just realized how much I like you, Robert Weston, and that makes me smile.”

Weston laughed at her discovery and leaned over to kiss her cheek.

“Let’s hope I’m as well liked in Collingbourne, shall we?”

“We shall!” Lenore agreed, and the two of them talked of nothing special but covered many topics for the rest of the afternoon.

Tipton

Lydia smiled down at her youngest child. Three-week-old Oliver didn’t notice. His brow was lowered with some inner concentration his mother found adorable. She lifted him close to her face for a kiss, thinking he was the loveliest miracle she’d ever seen.

A knock at the door brought her attention around as Judith put her head in long enough to make an announcement.

“Miss Gardiner is here.”

“I’ll be right there, Judith.”

Knowing that Anne would wish to see the baby, Lydia took Oliver with her and met Anne in the salon.

“How are you?” Anne said, reaching for the baby and snuggling him close.

“I’m doing well. A bit sore suddenly, but nothing abnormal.”

“And how is this little man? He’s so rosy and pink.”

Lydia laughed. “Palmer accused me of secretly wanting a girl, and now we’ve been blessed with a child who’s pretty enough to be one.”

“Did you want a girl?” Anne asked astutely.

“Part of me did, for Lizzy’s sake, but she’s so delighted with Oliver that I can see it didn’t matter.”

Anne rocked the baby for a moment while Lydia studied her.

“Did you enjoy your birthday?”

“Very much. I’m still getting over the surprise of it all.”

“Were you terribly embarrassed over Mr Weston’s appearance?”

“At first,” Anne admitted. “I felt somewhat conscious of him the entire time, but he’s so gracious and kind that it wasn’t all bad.”

“Maybe it’s the fact that he’s gracious and kind that draws you to him.”

Anne nodded. “He’s quite the gentleman.”

Lydia was tempted to question her more but held off. Much as she wished to know Anne’s true feelings concerning Mr Weston, Lydia knew it was not her place to ask.

“How is the Colonel?” the older woman asked instead, changing the subject.

“Much the same.”

“How do you keep from growing discouraged, Anne?”

“Some days I don’t, but on days when I’m thinking well of the situation, I keep reminding myself that God is in control and that He loves my father and me very much.

“Please don’t misunderstand me, Lydia. Life is not easy, but we never go without. I don’t have a parent I can confide in, but I have many people who are available for me. Mine is an easy situation to pity, but pity is not necessary. I think that it’s easy to look at someone else’s situation—a more painful situation—and somehow comfort ourselves in that. But should we be looking any further than eternity?”

“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Lydia had to admit.

“My father isn’t well, but I have eternal life,” Anne explained. “I have to walk most places even when I’m tired or hot, but I have eternal life. We don’t live in a beautiful home any longer, and we’ve lost our estate, but I have eternal life. If I view my situation by just looking at my own life, I do better than if I start comparing it to someone else’s in order to find comfort or something to be thankful for.”

Lydia thanked her for the reminder. She had asked about her father, thinking it might do Anne some good to talk about him, and it turned out she had been the one to hear something she needed. Often busy with five children, Lydia was at times tempted to feel sorry for herself. Not many days ago she had done just as Anne cautioned against, reminding herself that things could be worse. It was far better to find joy and peace in all that God had already given her.

The women had a nice, long visit, and that was fine with Lydia, but as soon as Anne left, she knew she had some confessing and soul-searching to do. She found some solitude and took care of it as fast as she could.