Beside Two Rivers

25





Sunrise came without rain, and like most mornings with birds singing and fog drifting across the land in sheer ribbons. But for Darcy, when she looked over at her father as he slept, the new day had become a new start. She did not think he would make it through the night. But color had returned to his face and his chest moved up and down evenly. She stood from the chair, and with one hand rubbed the back of her neck. Soundless, she stepped from the room, and went down the hall. Mrs. Burke was coming up the staircase.

“A package arrived a moment ago for you, miss. ’Tis here on the corner of my tray.”

Darcy lifted the small package wrapped in brown paper and twine and looked at the handwriting. Ethan. Recent events had not distracted her longing for him. A gift from him caused her to smile and she wondered what it could be.

“Do you think your father can manage a dish of soft eggs and a cup of savory broth?” Mrs. Burke asked.

“I hope so. Whatever you can do to build his strength will help, Mrs. Burke.”

“Well, I’ll sit with him a while. You take a pause.” Down the corridor to his room she trudged, with her tray of eggs and beef broth.

Darcy sat on a step and pulled loose the twine and paper. “A book. Wildflowers of England. He remembered. How lovely.” Her mind drifted back to that day in the field along the Potomac, where she gathered specimens for her uncle. He had gone with her, and it was there, beneath the shadows of the trees, he kissed her for the first time.

She poised the book, bound in royal blue leather, the pages edged in gold leaf, in her palm. A note attached read, “I cannot endure the hours without you. My heart is, and forever will be, yours. Ethan.”

She pressed the book and note to her breast and felt the beat of her heart. “So much to think about, Lord,” she whispered. “But oh, I am thankful he loves me.”

Patter grew louder behind her. She turned on the step. Maxwell panted at the landing, looked down at her with his glossy black eyes, and wagged his tale. When she stood, he whined and scampered away. She followed him to her grandmother’s room, where he scratched on the door.

Madeline sat in an armchair in front of the window. Sunlight bathed her face and sparkled through the scent bottles on her dressing table. A wool blanket covered her lap and legs. With a slight smile, she looked over at Darcy and motioned for her to come near. Darcy saw a change in Madeline—her gaze brighter, happier. Not the usual forlorn stare.

“Come draw up a chair and sit with me, Darcy.”

“Are you well today, Grandmother?”

“I am. Yet my body is tired—so tired.” Wincing, Madeline shifted in her seat. The blanket slipped, and Darcy adjusted it for her.

From a corner, she drew forward a chair covered in olive green fabric. “Did you not sleep well?”

“I dreamed much.” Madeline sighed. “I saw my husband.”

“Mr. Morgan?”

Madeline smiled, eyes shut. “No. My first love … William’s father. He told me he has waited for me a long time. Then I saw Mr. Morgan. He was young and looked happy. Perhaps he is content that Hayward has come home. How is my son?”

“He is doing the best we can hope for. Mrs. Burke is with him.”

“Ah, Mrs. Burke is the best of servants. I do not know what I would have done without her all these years.”

“I have appreciated her warm regard toward me,” Darcy said.

“Yes, she has told me how much she likes you. I suppose Hayward has managed to tell you as much about himself and Eliza as he is able.”

“He has, but illness causes his mind to struggle.”

“Take pity on him, Darcy. You must forgive him, and your mother as well.”

“I have tried to picture myself in their places, struggled to understand their broken hearts. But I could never reject the one I marry.”

“Even if he were to love another woman?”

“I could not hate him and leave him for good. We would go on for better or for worse.”

“I know, being a mother myself, that people who love their children will do all in their power to protect them.”

Darcy thought a moment and then nodded. “I understand.”

“Do you? You have no children yet, my dear. When you do, that is when you will know what lengths you will go to shield them from harm. But you will not always be able to do so. Your heart will break many times over, and you will cry a river of tears—as I have.”

Struck by Madeline’s confession to have felt such sorrow over her sons convicted Darcy. She moved from the chair and wrapped her arms around her grandmother’s shoulders. “Oh, I am sorry.”

“Do not be. God has comforted me through it. I have prayed for Hayward and William since the days they were born. At least William’s life has been good. An excellent wife and all those daughters … and he raised you, Darcy.”

Darcy made no comment, but leaned down to stroke Maxwell’s ears. Life promised sorrow and joy, she knew, and children would be a blessing from the Lord. She hoped she and Ethan would someday have their quiver full, but with that blessing would come trials.

“Uncle Will has been a father to me, Grandmother. You would be proud to see his home, how his girls have turned out, and the life he leads. His career is well-respected.”

“He told me so in a letter. William never gave me a moment’s grief, except when he left for America. It has been difficult not seeing him all these years.” Madeline tugged at the blanket and her eyes grew misty. “I knew Hayward was stealing away that night with Eliza. I could have tried to stop him. But I did not, knowing it would make no difference.”

“Why?”

“Because I knew he needed a wife, wanted a wife. Eliza was not afraid to follow him to America. I remained silent until my husband argued with me over Hayward’s choice. I urged him to accept it, but he followed them, enraged that Hayward would defy him. Your father stood up to him and refused to annul his new bride.”

“But he denounced her later. She believed he had died, and I have thought she must have wallowed in such deep grief that is why she fell prey to another man. Papa could have gone on loving her.”

“Yes. And you see how he loves her still.” Madeline touched Darcy’s hand. “I am content now. My prayers were answered. I have seen you and Hayward. Tell me you will not grieve if God takes me home.”

Darcy breathed out. “I will not be able to help myself. But that is long in coming. We must all go back to America together. You could be with both your sons that way, and all your grandchildren.”

“No, Darcy. It is not meant to be.”

“Why not, Grandmother?”

“I can sense my time is near. Do you know the hymn by Mr. Charles Wesley, ‘Father, I Stretch My Hands to Thee’? ”

“I know it well.”

“Then you must sing it to me.” Madeline leaned her head back and closed her eyes. “It will comfort me, Darcy. Go on.”

Pausing a moment, Darcy gathered the beginning words in her mind. Then she took her grandmother’s hand in hers and sang:

Father, I stretch my hands to thee;

No other help I know;

If thou withdraw thyself from me,

Ah! whither shall I go?

What did thine only Son endure,

Before I drew my breath!

What pain, what labor, to secure

My soul from endless death!

Surely thou canst not let me die;

O speak, and I shall live;

And here I will unwearied lie,

Till thou thy Spirit give.

Author of faith! to thee I lift

My weary, longing eyes;

O let me now receive that gift!

My soul without it dies.

It surprised her to see tears form in the corners of Madeline’s eyes. And when she opened them, she blinked them away and smiled. “You have a beautiful voice, my girl. Thank you for comforting an old woman.”

“I would do anything to give you ease, Grandmother.”

“Good. Then you do realize what you must do for your parents?”

“I am not sure. My mind is torn.”

“You must do what is right. I expect Langbourne to return soon. He despises Hayward and if he knows he is here under this roof, he will cast him out and you with him. Not only that, but Hayward must see Eliza. You must see to it that he gets away to Fairview before it is too late. Promise me you will.”

Darcy squeezed her grandmother’s hand. “I promise.”

Madeline leaned her head back against the chair. “ ’Tis well, Darcy. Now you will see how God mends the breaches.”