The Visitor (25 page)
Pembroke
Tate didn’t know a week could be so long. He woke Saturday, as he had all week, his mind immediately going to Cassandra. Was she better? Would she come today? Did she miss him a fraction of the way he missed her?
Lord, I’m not resting
, he prayed. He’d been confessing this to God all week and working through his emotions.
Help me not to waste all day thinking about her in an anxious way when I know You are a God who can be trusted. You will take care of her. You will have Your way and be glorified.
It occurred to Tate, not for the first time, that Cassandra caused him far more anxiety than regaining his eyesight. It would do no good to cut her from his life and go back to his attempt to rest. She was firmly embedded in his heart, and it looked as if she was there to stay.
There was one consolation this morning: Tomorrow was Sunday. If she was feeling better, she would be in church. And then his aunt could see her and bring home a report.
Newcomb Park
“We are missing only Edward,” Lizzy told the family just after the prayer. They were gathered around the dining table for lunch after church.
They all smiled at her, agreeing as the dishes were served and the meal began. Cassandra was a little pale and on the thin side, but she had gone to church and was swiftly regaining her strength.
“Is the house being readied for you in Bath?” Cassandra asked of the Barringtons. “Or will there be work all around you after your arrival?”
“It’s supposed to be ready,” Barrington answered. “Mother wrote that she was seeing to it herself, so we’ll trust it will be prepared in time.”
“And will you be home for a while or do you have other plans?” Henry asked. Not overly fond of travel, he couldn’t imagine being away from home so long.
“I don’t think I shall move from Fairfax Hall for months,” Charlotte said. “What do you think, Barrington?”
“I quite agree with you, love. I hope you’ll all be willing to visit us, as we are most eager to stay put for a time.”
“We shall plan on that,” Lizzy volunteered, thinking a trip back to Bath might be fun.
“Who is at Dunham right now, Henry?” Cassandra wished to know, asking about the Steele home in Bath.
“The Harold Browne family of London.”
Barrington knew the family a little, so he was questioned by the others. It felt a bit odd to have someone living in the home they’d been in for so many years, but no one planned to live there for some time, and leaving it open seemed such a waste.
Cassandra enjoyed the meal immensely but was ready for a nap as soon as it ended. She smiled even as she climbed wearily into bed. Charlotte was home, and she was finally well enough to enjoy her.
Her final thoughts, however, as sleep rushed in to claim her, were of a certain man, a man whom she felt like she hadn’t seen all month.
Pembroke
“Was Cassandra at church?”
“Yes,” Harriet answered with a smile. Tate was occupying a chair in the foyer, barely allowing his aunt in the front door before he assaulted her with his questions.
“She seemed well?” Tate pressed her, not able to keep some of the tension from his voice.
“She is pale, Tate, but I don’t think her sisters would have allowed her out had she not been fit enough.”
Tate sat back, not aware of how far forward he’d moved in his chair.
“Did you say sisters?”
“Yes.”
“So Barringtons are here?”
“They are,” Harriet answered, watching Tate’s brow crease.
“Why do you look worried?”
“I’m being selfish.”
“How so?”
“If Charlotte and her husband are here, Cassandra probably won’t come for a time.”
Harriet watched Tate sit very still. She couldn’t contradict his thoughts because he was probably right. Little did she know he was praying.
Help me, Lord, to wait on You, but then also help me to find the words. Whenever she comes again, I’ve got to bolster my courage to ask her some questions. Please bring her back. Please give me a chance to see where I stand.
Thomas Morland stood on the deck of the
Jefferson James
, his eyes wishing for a view of England’s shore. The journey away had been exciting, full of adventure, and with no pressure of time. This journey—the return trip—had taken days longer than he figured, his heart and mind eager to be elsewhere.
Making himself turn away from the endless miles of sea, Morland moved toward a chair, seated himself, and reached for the small Bible in his pocket. He turned to the pages he’d been studying in Revelation.
I’ve always yearned for Your return, Lord, but for the first time I want You to delay. It seems silly to think of anything on earth comparing with heaven, but in truth, I want to see Lizzy so desperately that I hope You tarry.
Morland forced his mind from home and thoughts of Elizabeth Steele. He shifted to get more comfortable and read in chapter 7 for the next hour.
Newcomb Park
“Are you certain you are up to this?” Henry stopped Cassandra at the carriage to ask.
“Yes, Henry,” Cassandra answered him. “Thank you for checking with me.”
Henry looked hesitant, so Cassandra waited.
“What is it, Henry? Have you changed your mind about my reading to Mr Tate?”
Henry shook his head no, even as he looked into her still-pale features. What was it like at Pembroke? Was anyone close by to keep track of how she was doing? Could Tate do that with no vision right now? What if she were to become ill again?
“Henry?” Cassandra tried again.
“I just want you to be well, Cassie. That is all.”
“I shall be careful, and truly, Henry, I feel much better.”
Henry nodded, his eyes still showing concern. He knew he couldn’t worry about this, but the closer he became to his family, the harder it was.
As Cassandra went on her way, Henry made a mental note to discuss that fact with James Walker on Wednesday.
Brown Manor
“Well, now,” Weston said, smiling at his wife’s triumph. “Look at you.”
“Don’t come any closer,” she warned playfully, still standing near the bed.
“Now why is that?”
“Well, from over here, I can still convince myself that I might have grown taller.”
Weston laughed as he joined her, his arms going around her in the standing position for the first time in many months.
“This is nice.”
“I think so too.”
The two shared a kiss before someone knocked. Weston answered the door.
“Mrs Hurst is here to see Mrs Weston.”
“Thank you, Mansfield,” Weston said, just holding a smile. “Tell Mrs Hurst that Mrs Weston will be down directly.”
Weston turned to smile at his wife the minute Mansfield went on his way. Anne grinned back like a mischievous schoolgirl. After making sure Anne was steady on her feet, Weston held his hand out, and Anne claimed it as they started toward the stairs.
Pembroke
Harriet had a great hug for Cassandra the moment she set foot in the house. Cassandra gladly hugged her in return.
“How are you?” the older woman wished to know, now holding her at arm’s length so she could inspect her closely.
“Much better, thank you.”
“We’re so pleased to have you back. Tate missed you.”