Finding Elizabeth (7 page)

Hearing a knock at the back door, Claire ran
to answer it, knowing before she got there that it was Janet.

"Come in out of the cold, I was just getting
ready to make another pot of coffee, would you like a cup?" Claire
asked.

With a shiver Janet said, "That sounds good,
it's freezing out there. I think we have had nearly a foot of snow
fall overnight and they are calling for more today."

After starting the coffee Claire turned to
Janet, "So did you have a good time on your trip?"

"We had a wonderful time. The hotel at the
casino is amazing and they have live music every day. We spent a
lot of our time in the evenings just dancing. I even learned a new
line dance," Janet giggled at the memory. "We tried several
restaurants and of course we gambled a little too much, but it was
worth it to just get away for a couple of days." Then with a
knowing smile Janet asked, "So what have you been up to the last
couple of days?"

Carrying a tray with coffee and peanut
butter cookies, Janet followed Claire into the small room off of
the kitchen. Claire started a cozy fire before speaking, "Well I
met a wonderful man who was kind enough to take me to dinner on
Saturday evening. Then on Sunday he took me on a tour of the
property. I can tell by your grin that you are hoping Daniel and I
will be more than friends. He is a great guy, and if the
circumstances were different, I would love to explore a
relationship, but it's too soon for me. And I don't even know if
Daniel is interested in me."

Picking up her coffee, Janet took a long
sip, "I'm sorry, I should have warned you that Daniel was a young,
charming man. I can't imagine why he wouldn't be interested. I'm
sure you have figured out the two of you have a lot in common.
Claire, I don't want to offend you when I say Adam is gone, but you
are alive. Please don't torment yourself with the what ifs and
should haves. You are a young, beautiful woman and although you are
not ready yet, you will be when the time is right. I don't even
know Adam, but I know he would want you to live your life and be
happy."

Wiping away her tears Claire grasped Janet's
hands, "Thank you for the kind words. I'm just not sure how to put
this behind me. Adam has been a part of my life since junior high.
I can barely remember a time without him. I see him in everything I
do, and everywhere I go. I find myself pushing the memories away
and burying them and I know that I should face them so that I can
get past this."

With a thoughtful smile Janet said, "If you
ever need to talk, I'm a good listener. Now what is this that
Daniel told me about you looking for information on Elizabeth Van
White?"

"Yes I am. It all started when I found
Elizabeth's journal. It has been great getting to know her, through
her words, but I have been looking for her portrait. I know she sat
for one because she wrote about it, but I haven't been able to find
it anywhere in the house. Do you know which room it's in?" Claire
asked.

"Come to think of it, I don't remember
seeing a painting of Elizabeth," Janet said.

"Then when Daniel was showing me around, I
noticed that she wasn't buried in the cemetery with the rest of the
family. Neither was William, but I just discovered that he married
and moved away. He was on the 1930 census in Oklahoma, but I can't
find any mention of Elizabeth. Except for the 1870 and 1880 census,
but nothing after they moved here from Boston," Claire said.

Janet nibbled on a cookie, "Have you looked
for the painting in the attic?"

Claire grinned, "Oh, I didn't even think
about that. That's where I found the journal, but there is just so
much stuff. I barely got started on a small corner of the
attic."

Smiling Janet said, "I have never been in
the attic, and I have always been curious about what is up there. I
would be happy to help you look."

That was enough convincing for Claire. They
took the back staircase to the second floor and made their way to
the attic, double checking each of the rooms as they went. When
they reached the attic door, Claire remembered that she was going
to bring a better light. Not wanting to waste another minute, she
pulled out her cell phone and used the flashlight. Shining the cell
phone light, she began looking in wardrobes, behind boxes and
discarded furniture. Just when Claire thought the painting wasn't
there, she heard Janet yell.

"Here it is, I found it!" Janet said
enthusiastically. "Let's take it downstairs where the light is
better."

"Thank God, I was afraid it might be gone
forever," Claire said.

By the time they reached the first floor
Claire was so eager to see it. She leaned it against the wall in
the foyer while Janet turned on extra lights.

Elizabeth was stunning with her beautiful
red ringlets falling down past her shoulders and a dainty baby blue
ribbon tied in a bow on top of her head. The dress she wore was the
same blue as the ribbon in her hair. On the bodice was a long row
of tiny buttons surrounded by beautiful crewelwork and a large
bustle in the rear which only accentuated her tiny waist. She had
her mothers delicate features and her fathers sky blue eyes, but
instead of sadness or hatred Elizabeth's eyes showed of love and
hope.

Like Claire, Janet couldn't to take her eyes
off of the painting, "Wow she is beautiful."

"Yes she is, and she looks exactly how I
pictured her. But I wonder why the painting isn't hanging somewhere
down here like the rest of the family?" Claire asked.

Janet looked up for the first time, "Your
guess is as good as mine, but it's your home now and you can hang
it wherever you like."

Picking up the painting Claire carried it
into the kitchen. Looking for something to clean the dust off with
she said, "I will ask Daniel if he can help me hang it tomorrow.
I'm sure he has an anchor in that big tool box on his truck."

Janet looked puzzled, "Do you and Daniel
have plans tomorrow?"

Claire spoke as she continued to clean the
portrait, "Yes we are going to look at the building I want to use
for the antique store. He is going to check and see if a loft can
be built so I will have extra space."

"Well if anyone can do it, I know Daniel
can. I know you probably think I'm just saying that because he is
my son. But he has done work on many of the buildings in town and
there just isn't anyone else I trust. He is very good at his job,"
Janet said with pride.

Glancing down at her watch, Janet said, "Oh
no, look at the time. Steve will be home soon and I need to start
dinner," and with a quick hug she was gone.

After eating dinner, Claire grabbed the
journal and headed upstairs to her room. She had been worrying for
days about finances and wondered if she would be able to afford the
remodel of the home and shop. Or if she could even support a home
like this at all. The utilities and taxes were probably
astronomical on a home of this size. She had money tucked away from
Adam's life insurance. And there was a sizeable amount from the
insurance of the drunk driver who hit them, but that was supposed
to be her safety net.

After getting under the covers on the bed,
she picked up the envelope James had given her when they met. She
looked over the forms that would make the home hers. She decided
she would find an impartial attorney to look at them. Turning to
the pages of information on the investment properties, she was
astounded as she scanned the pages. She found 138 properties as
well as the estate. Most of the properties were the old buildings
on main street that housed businesses on the main level and loft
apartments on the upper floors. There were a few other buildings in
the newer part of town, just beyond main street and several single
family homes. She quickly looked through the banking information.
Are you kidding me? I have never seen that many zero's.

Claire was still not completely at ease, but
with the financial worries slipping to the back of her mind, she
put away the documents. Picking up the journal she opened it to
where she had placed the ribbon marker.

March 9, 1886

Dear Diary,

We have finally made it to Arkansas. The
trip was daunting, and I was beginning to think we would never
reach our new home.

We traveled by train from Boston to
Springfield and then traveled nearly a full day by coach to reach
Eureka Springs.

I have of course been on a train before, but
never for such a great amount of time. Even from the privacy of my
sleeping car I could smell the horrendous odor of the many bodies
of the people who traveled beside me. Like myself many had endured
motion sickness for much of the trip.

Annie pulled me aside on the second day of
the trip and confessed her fears, that I could be with child. I do
not know why I did not think about the possibility, but it is true.
After thinking about what she said I realized that I had not had my
menstruation since before my time with Thomas in the carriage
house.

I am conflicted, although I want to have
many children with my dear sweet Thomas, I worry that if it is true
father will harm me. Or worse, harm my child. But in a way I am
hopeful he might even allow us to marry. We have just moved to a
new town where nobody knows us. Perhaps he would allow us to wed in
secret. Until Thomas arrives, I could say that my husband is
settling our affairs in Boston.

I need to find a way to speak with mother in
private. Perhaps she will know what to do and could get me to a
doctor to confirm my condition. Although I am not being held
prisoner here, I am afforded very little privacy so I will have to
wait until father is out of the house.

Father's sour moods have continued, despite my hope that a new town
and a new start would bring a welcome change.

I hear someone coming. I need to hide my
journal, for fear if father knew, he would read my most private
thoughts.

Elizabeth

March 10, 1886

Dear Diary,

I have still heard nothing of Thomas. I had
hoped that one of the servants would have news of him. I know from
his letter that he still loves, me and at the moment that is
enough. I carry the letter with me everywhere and hold it dear to
my heart along with the memories of our time together in the
carriage house. I know I should not think of such things, but I can
not help but to remember the caring and love that he showed me.
When he looked into my eyes it was as if we were the only two
people in the world.

Despite all of fathers faults, he has built
a glorious new home. It is a large beautiful home set amidst the
Ozark mountains. My room is every girls dream, and mother had it
painted my favorite shade of pink. I think this must be how a
princess feels, sleeping in such a beautiful room.

I had hoped mother and father would allow me
take the blue room just beyond the balcony. However, they insisted
that my room be on the main hall with their rooms and those of my
brothers.

For the time being my sickness has subsided,
which seems to have erased the worry from Annie's face. I am
saddened at the thought that I might not be with child. But I know
that it is for the best. There will be plenty of time for Thomas
and I to have children, and I would prefer that we wed first, so he
can be by my side throughout my confinement.

I must go now. William wants me to explore
the attic with him. He is such a little thing. I know he is
frightened to go alone, but would never dare admit it to me.

Elizabeth

March 11, 1886

Dear Diary,

I wanted to write of my experience with
William in the attic so I would never forget the fun that we
had.

Because of the cold weather, we decided we
would have a picnic in the attic. It was so much fun, dancing
around the large open space, we fell in a heap on the floor from
exhaustion. William laughed as if it was the funniest thing he had
ever seen. I do love William so. I should think if it was not for
him I could surely die of boredom.

On the far end of the attic, William found a
hidden passage. He has claimed it as his very own hiding place,
exclaiming... No girls allowed! He is such a little gooney bird,
but I do adore him so.

I did not want to disillusion him and tell
him that it was just the attic space of the turret room. I let him
believe he had found a secret room and that it was his, and his
alone. He now believes he has magical powers. I believe children
should be allowed to be children, believing in fairy tales and
happily ever after. Sometimes I wish I was still a child, and could
believe in fairy tales, but I now know life is far from a fairy
tale.

Mother is heading to town to go to the
mercantile. She has asked me to accompany her. I am thrilled to be
able to see what our new town looks like, and to have the chance to
speak with mother alone for the first time in weeks.

Elizabeth

March 12, 1886

Dear Diary,

My trip into town with mother was quite
eventful. Eureka Springs is a rather small place compared to
Boston, but the buildings are nice and everything looks brand new.
We shopped in the mercantile and she even let me pick out some
dress goods.