Behind the Mask (48 page)

Standing carefully, she decided to move to the drawing room where she could relax and wait for her aunts to come in and see that she was up and about. Much to her dismay, a few minutes later Captain Dukerk was announced. Abbi stood to greet him and her dizziness took hold. She would have fallen if Lance had not been there to catch her.

“Thank you,” she said, suddenly afraid. Not only had she just convinced Lance that she needed a doctor, she had almost convinced herself.

“Whatever’s the matter with you?” Lance asked with obvious concern as he helped her back to the sofa. Abbi didn’t reply. She was too worried about what might happen if her secret came out, and even more worried that something might truly be wrong with her.

Abbi could have predicted the following events with accuracy. Lance summoned her aunts, who fussed over her with concern. Ramona insisted that Lance carry Abbi to her room while she sent for a doctor immediately, and nothing Abbi said could talk them out of it. “If you must get a doctor,” Abbi insisted as Lance placed her on the bed with Ramona and Salina hovering nearby, “it must be Dr. Furhelm. He’s done everything for this family as long as I can remember, and I’ll not have anyone else.”

“Very well,” Ramona said, “it will be Dr. Furhelm. Now you stay put and we’ll have him here in no time.” She and Salina hurried away, leaving Abbi alone with Lance in her bedroom. But she was feeling too sick to care.

“I do hope it’s nothing serious,” Lance said.

“I assure you it’s not.”

“Just the same, I’m glad you agreed to see the doctor.”

“I had little choice,” Abbi said, but perhaps risking her secret would be worth the reassurance that everything was all right. Besides, she didn’t have to reveal who the father was. And she was a strong woman; she could deal with the shame. It was Cameron’s baby, conceived in love and with the proper commitment as far as it was possible. Nothing was more important than this child’s well-being. She would worry about propriety after it was born; her marriage would surely be made public long before then.

“Well,” Lance said after a long silence, “I’ll wait downstairs to hear what the doctor has to say.”

Abbi just closed her eyes as he left the room, wondering what the future might bring. At least she knew Dr. Furhelm and felt confident he could be trusted. She only hoped he would trust her judgment and allow her to keep her secret. She imagined how Lance and her aunts might respond to the news. It would certainly put an end to any opportunity for her to keep the captain distracted. She only hoped that the knowledge of her pregnancy would not prompt any speculation as to who the father might be, and create suspicion that could put Cameron in danger.

The doctor arrived much sooner than Abbi expected.

“Hello, Abbi.” He smiled kindly as he set his bag on the bureau and began to wash his hands.

“Hello,” she replied, sitting up in bed.

“I hear you’ve had quite an adventure this past winter.”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it an adventure,” she said.

“Certainly not your average winter. I spoke with Georg Heinrich in town last week. He told me all about it.” He smiled again as he sat next to her on the bed and took her hand. Dr. Furhelm was a nice looking, middle-aged man. Abbi had always liked him, especially for the way he had attended Papa through many illnesses, always showing compassion and understanding.

“I suppose it wasn’t an average winter,” Abbi admitted, “but I’m home now and not much has changed here.”

“Except,” he patted her hand, “that you’re not feeling too well. Do you want to tell me about the symptoms?”

“There’s no need.” She looked away. There was no point in pretenses now. “I’m pregnant.”

“Ah,” he said, and if he’d been shocked he covered it quickly. Abbi didn’t know what to expect, but she was surprised by his reaction. “And does that make you happy?”

“Yes,” she smiled at him, “it does.”

“Then that certainly makes things easier, doesn’t it?” He stood and walked around the bed, giving Abbi a reassuring glance that made her feel better already.

“Forgive me if I step beyond my boundaries as a physician,” he continued, “but I feel it’s important, both for your emotional and physical well-being, that we discuss the father of this child for a moment. May I ask you some simple questions?” He leaned his hands against the footboard of the bed and looked at her kindly.

“Yes, of course,” she replied.

“Why don’t you just tell me about him? You need not disclose his identity, if you wish. You could start by telling me why carrying his child makes you happy.”

“Because I love him,” she said, appreciating the doctor’s frank attitude. “And he loves me, as well.”

“That’s very good.” He seemed genuinely pleased. “And is marriage a possibility for the two of you?”

“Yes,” she said with confidence, “but we need some time.” She hesitated. “He needs to work some things out first.”

“I see.” He sat next to her again. “And that’s all right, you know, because now that we can agree good things are to come from this situation, we can do our best to keep this child strong and healthy, as well as its mother.”

“You’re very understanding, Doctor.”

“A woman in your position could use some understanding, I think.” Abbi smiled at him and he continued. “Now then, is he a healthy man?” She looked puzzled and he added, “I ask for the child’s sake, if there might be hereditary problems we should watch for.”

“Yes, he’s very healthy,” Abbi replied.

“That’s good. Now let’s talk about you. I hear you’ve been having a little trouble. Would you tell me about it?”

“I feel tired,” she said, “almost constantly. And I feel nausea, especially when I’ve not eaten.”

“And do you keep your meals down?”

“Yes.”

“That’s a good sign. As long as you keep that nutrition inside of you, the nausea is nothing but a temporary inconvenience. Please go on.”

“The only other problem I’ve experienced,” she continued, “is a terrible lightheadedness. I could hardly stand this morning.”

“Let me try to explain,” he said. “Your body is giving up a great deal to create this child, therefore you need extra sleep, extra nourishment, and some good common sense. A woman’s body is very clever, and if you listen to what it tells you, it will serve you well. Eat when you’re hungry and rest when you’re feeling tired or dizzy. It’s all very natural. Otherwise you can continue on normally.”

Abbi sighed with relief. “Then everything’s all right?”

“It appears to be so far. If you’ll allow me to examine you more thoroughly, we’ll reassure ourselves that everything is in order.”

“Of course,” Abbi replied.

The doctor’s examination was gentle and without comment. When he had finished, he sat beside her again and smiled. “You’re a perfectly healthy expectant mother, Abbi. I’m certain the father would be pleased to hear it.”

“Yes, he would,” she said sadly. “I must ask you, Doctor . . . for the time being, I would prefer that my condition be kept secret. I don’t want to cause worry or shame for my household. I’ve told no one yet. When the time is right, I’m—”

“You needn’t worry,” he interrupted and squeezed her hand. “I’ll not tell a soul. I’m just your doctor, Abbi. It’s not my job to make your choices, or to judge you for the choices you make.”

Abbi smiled. “Thank you . . . so much.”

“Now then,” he said as he stood and picked up his bag, “if you’re feeling well enough to accompany me downstairs, we’ll see if I’m able to soothe these people who are concerned for you.”

“What will you tell them?” she asked, standing carefully to take his arm.

“I can take care of it.” He smiled, and they walked together down the stairs.

“You’ll all be pleased to know,” Dr. Furhelm announced as they walked into the drawing room where Lance, Ramona, and Salina all sat solemnly, “that Abbi is in good health.”

There was a unified sigh of relief, but he didn’t give them a chance to ask questions. “The problems are caused only by a common matter that some young women experience as they, uh . . . well,” he paused, “when they are passing into maturity. It’s all very natural. She’s also been through quite an ordeal this past winter, and such things can be an adjustment emotionally as well as physically. With proper care, I can assure you that in a few months’ time the problem will take care of itself.”

Abbi smiled at him, thinking how clever he was. He had told the absolute truth and not left any suspicion in the air at all. She wondered if he sensed, as she did, that the three of them were probably naive on such matters. Knowing that all was well gave Abbi peace of mind, and now those around her were pacified as well.

“I do have some instructions,” the doctor continued, directing his attention to her aunts. “You can help Abbi see this through more easily by following a few simple steps. She needs plenty of rest, along with peace and quiet, and rather than three large meals a day, more frequent smaller ones would be preferable. That should ease the symptoms,” he said and turned to Abbi. “I’ll check back with you regularly until the situation has resolved itself.”

“Thank you, Dr. Furhelm,” she said with a smile. “For everything.”

He left the house graciously, and Abbi gave the silent trio a smug glance, announcing that she was going upstairs to take a nap, and could they please send up something for her to eat as soon as possible.

Abbi felt more content than she had since leaving Cameron. From her bedroom balcony she looked toward the mountain, pleased with the way things had worked out so far. Dr. Furhelm’s explanation would allow her to live more comfortably with her condition and avoid any aggravation from those around her. Her only concern now was that Cameron would be able to come soon, before the increasing size of the child caused further problems. But satisfied with the present situation, she concentrated on positive thoughts of the future, certain that Cameron would be coming any day.

Chapter Fourteen

WHISPERS OF TREASON

C
ameron felt a growing anticipation as the days passed. He kept busy making preparations to close up the lodge and preparing himself to face what waited for him in the valley. The busier he remained, the less he ached for Abbi, although the loneliness he felt in her absence seemed at moments more than he could bear. She’d been there at every turn for months, and now he was left alone with only his memories. But time was passing, and soon he would be able to return to Horstberg and be with her again. He knew from the brief messages he exchanged regularly with Georg that his efforts to prepare the way were going well. The whereabouts and circumstances of a witness to Cameron’s innocence had been uncovered and carefully examined. And Georg was quietly spreading the word that Cameron was alive and in need of support in setting right the problems that had put him in this position. There was little more that could be done in the valley without Cameron himself being there to help things along.

Cameron went out to the stable early one morning to care for the animals and found a message waiting for him. He untied it from around the pigeon’s tiny leg and wondered if this would be the word he’d been waiting for, that it might now be safe for him to return to the valley. He unfolded the little piece of paper and his stomach tightened before he fully digested what it said.
The lieutenant was discovered investigating our witness. He went before a firing squad this morning. Treason was the official verdict. Suspicion is high. Must lay low. We need time
.

“Dear God, no,” he muttered and fell to his knees. “No!” he moaned and doubled over. The lieutenant Georg referred to was a man Cameron had known and respected. They had worked together. He had a wife and children. And now he had given his life on Cameron’s behalf. As for the remainder of the message, Cameron could easily read between the lines. All their plans needed to remain completely dormant until the impact of the lieutenant’s death dissipated somewhat. If Cameron returned to the valley now, he would be putting more lives in danger. He was stuck on the mountain until Georg felt confident that their plans could be carried out as safely as possible.

Emotionally debilitated and wholly defeated, Cameron returned to the lodge feeling as if he’d been struck in the heart by a poisoned dagger. A deep, festering ache hovered in his chest, reaching out to every nerve in his body. His limbs felt heavy, his head swam with loneliness and uncertainty. To make matters worse, the empty lodge reeked of Abbi’s absence. He still could hardly come through the door without expecting her to be there. How could he bear many more weeks of this? He wandered aimlessly, touching things she had touched, imagining her presence here, much as he’d done when she’d first left. Almost against his will he found himself kneeling next to the trunk at the foot of the bed. He lifted the lid. The clothes and personal items she had used lay there neatly, emitting an aroma that brought her back to him vividly. He picked up the hairbrush, noting the strands of red hair left among its bristles. He set it back down and opened the nearly empty bottle of bath salts, inhaling the fragrance of her, freshly bathed. He could almost feel her damp hair. He wondered what she was doing now. Did she ache for him as he did for her? He’d promised her it would only be a matter of weeks. And now he had no idea when he might see her again.