Jewel of Gresham Green (42 page)

He raised brows hopefully at Jewel. “After lunch?”

Jewel tensed. Surely he did not propose to take Becky on an outing alone.

“Please, Mummy?”

“You’re very kind, but I’m afraid . . .”

Mr. Patterson said gently, “I’d wager you’ve never seen monkeys and tigers and elephants yourself, Mrs. Libby.”

“Only in pictures, Mr. Patterson.” She returned his smile.

“Well, I plan to spend the rest of the day browsing booksellers on Charing Cross Road,” Miss Hollis said. “I’ll return for supper.”

She gave Mr. Patterson a mock scowl. “Not that anyone has asked.”

The zoological gardens were nothing short of marvelous. With infinite patience Mr. Patterson guided Jewel and Becky to dens, cages, paddocks, aviaries, and ponds, and smiled at their delight. They gaped with awe at the lions and tigers and leopards of the Old World, jaguars and pumas of the New. They laughed at the antics of the monkeys and sea lions, and shivered at the snakes behind glass. Just as Jewel was wishing she could capture forever the joy and wonder upon Becky’s face, Mr. Patterson led them to a small paddock, where for two pence one could sit upon an elephant’s back for a photographer with his camera. When Becky lost her nerve at the last minute, Jewel joined her atop the huge beast, wrapped her arms around her, and smiled.

The outing wore Becky out. Back at Mr. Patterson’s house, he asked the cook to prepare the girl a little soup for Jewel to coax down her.

“When will we get our picture?” Becky murmured as Jewel tucked her into a marvelous four-poster bed.

“In about two weeks. Mr. Patterson said he would mail it, remember?”

“I wish we had a monkey. He could play with Tiger.”

A soft knock sounded five minutes later. Miss Hollis stuck her head around the door.

“Gabriel said she saw every animal in the zoo.”

Jewel nodded. “She’ll never forget this day.”

“My brother and Loretta will be joining us for dinner in an hour.”

“How nice. Please greet them for me.”

“Greet them yourself.” She entered and whispered, “Did not Gabriel invite you to supper?”

“You don’t have to whisper,” Jewel said with a glance to the bed. “She’s out. And Mr. Patterson was being kind. I’m content to dine in the servants’ hall.”

Miss Hollis folded her arms and leaned back against a chest of drawers. She stared at her, seeming to be considering something weighty.

“What is wrong?” Jewel asked.

“I’ve known Gabriel for over half my life. He has stayed often with my family over the years. He’s a genuinely decent man.”

“I believe that,” Jewel said. It confirmed what she already felt, and squelched completely the earlier suspicion that he had any ulterior motive for the day’s outing.

“While you’ve been bathing and tucking Becky in, Gabriel has been filling my ear with how marvelous the day was. This is from a man who seldom leaves his house.”

Was she angry? Jewel thought back to the meaningful looks exchanged at the station. To the murmured conversation in the coach. To the
Not that anyone has asked
comment.

Oh dear
. She had prayed for the miracle. And had gotten in the way of it.

“I’m so sorry. But Becky was so excited about the zoo that I didn’t consider that you should be the one to spend the day with him.”

“Me?” Miss Hollis shook her head. “The day worked out exactly as it was supposed to. I didn’t need companions for the train. Gabriel wanted you to come.”

“He did? But why?”

“Because he enjoys your company, Jewel.”

Jewel’s mind revisited the outing. He had not only seemed to revel in Becky’s happiness but her own, as well.

“He was hurt before, and it took him a long time to recover. If you don’t feel he’s the sort of man you could ever love, I’m asking you to bow out gently, before his feelings grow. I could find an excuse for your not joining us for dinner. And I’ll find a reason for us to return to Gresham as soon as my meeting is concluded.”

Jewel put a hand to her heart. The pathway from her ears to comprehension was blocked by the old insidious feelings of unworthiness. “That’s just not possible. I thought he loved you . . . and that you might . . .”

“We love each other as friends. Brother and sister. But I ask you, Jewel. Can you see beyond his wealth to the gold in his heart? And . . . can you see beyond his appearance to the beauty in his soul?”

Weak in the knees, Jewel looked about the room for a place to sit. Miss Hollis went over to the dressing table and pulled out the stool. “Sit here. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have meddled.”

“No, I’m glad you spoke.” Jewel swept her skirts aside and sat. She gathered her flying thoughts for several seconds, and looked up at her. “I would be deceptive if I said Mr. Patterson’s wealth would not be attractive. I have a daughter to provide for.”

Miss Hollis nodded. “I wouldn’t expect you to answer any other way.”

“But I understand what you mean about his soul. He radiates goodness. As to his appearance, his smile is very pleasing to the eyes. But looks aren’t everything. Take Mr. Gibbs, for example.”

“I’d like to take him and throw him in the river,” Miss Hollis said. “But you haven’t answered my question. Should I make excuses for you tonight?”

“No, please. But I haven’t anything formal to wear.”

“It’s just our cozy group. Gabriel hates dressing up anyway.” She smiled. “In any case, with me along, you couldn’t be the worst-dressed woman at the table.”

The following morning Jewel woke in the most plush bed anyone had ever slept in, between silken sheets good enough for Buckingham Palace. Sunlight streamed through lace-draped windows to lay soft patterns upon mellow cherrywood furniture.

Memories of last night’s dinner floated through her mind and made her smile. To be treated as an equal with such lovely people. And how good it was to see Doctor and Mrs. Hollis smile at each other like newlyweds.

She stretched and slipped out of bed. By the time she was dressed and groomed, Becky was awake.

“Where will Mr. Patterson take us today?”

Jewel pulled her into her arms and started unfastening her nightgown. “You mustn’t ask him that, mite.”

“Why?”

“Well, because he might feel obligated.”

But Mr. Patterson brought a notebook to the breakfast table. “I’m glad you’re awake. My list of places to show you grows longer every minute.”

“Are you obligated, Mr. Patterson?” Becky asked.

He grinned at her. “Are you, Miss Becky?”

“No, sir. I want to see everything.”

“Well, I want you to see everything.”

Miss Hollis joined them and stated she was more than happy to take a hansom to her meeting, and so after breakfast Jewel, Becky, and Mr. Patterson were off in the coach. Mr. Patterson apologized that the day had to be divided between Westminster Abbey and the Tower.

“Tomorrow, Saint Paul’s and Buckingham Palace. If you could only stay longer.”

That evening, they rested up a bit, and then, leaving Becky in the care of two young housemaids, Mr. Patterson took Miss Hollis and Jewel to the Burlington Restaurant on Regent Street to celebrate the book contract.

While he was gentle and sweet, he never said anything to validate the information Miss Hollis had given her. She was both relieved and disappointed as the train carried them back to Gresham on the twenty-eighth. And she did not fully understand the reason for either emotion. She wished Miss Hollis would bring up the subject. Perhaps she felt she had spoken out of turn, or possibly miscalculated Mr. Patterson’s feelings.

Back in the cottage, they settled into their daily routine, save one important change. Becky started school on the first of September.

“It’s the best fun ever, Mummy!” Becky declared after her first day.

The walk up Church Lane was an easy distance, and well populated with the Stokes children from the manor house. But Jewel still felt compelled to accompany Becky that first week, watching between the elms as she was drawn into play with little girls her age.

By the next Monday, she realized it was enough to walk with her to the end of the path and allow her to be a regular schoolgirl. The pain of losing her baby eased away as the days passed.

On the twentieth of September she took a stiff envelope from the letter box, with Gabriel’s return address in the corner. It was addressed to her. The photograph, of course. She took it out and smiled at the happiness on hers and Becky’s faces as they sat atop the elephant.

There was a letter, as well. She carried it up the path, then sat in a garden chair to unfold it.

Dear Mrs. Libby, I hope this finds you well. . . .

“Four pages?” Miss Hollis said, turning from her desk. “Are you sure Gabriel wrote it?”

“Quite sure,” Jewel said, holding the folded letter in her hands.

He had written about everyday things, such as the novel he was just finishing, and his decision whether to begin another or go with a long-standing whim to write a collection of short stories. He wondered what she would advise. He also asked about her days, and Becky’s new venture into schooling.

The final paragraph consisted of one sentence.

I would enjoy very much hearing back from you, if you would
care to write to me.

“Well, let’s see it,” Miss Hollis asked.

“I’m sorry, but it’s private.”

“You’re serious?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“But I showed you his letter to me.”

“Again, I’m sorry.”

“But why?” Miss Hollis raised her eyebrows. “Is it passionate?”

Jewel thought for a second. “Yes, I think it may be.”

Chapter 39

The Severn Valley Railway carried Julia and Andrew and Aleda eastward on the sixth of May, nine months after Philip and Loretta had moved back to London. Julia carried in her trunk several gifts from others, including a soft white blanket Elizabeth had knit in the rare quiet times between nursing little Noelle and tending the rest of her family. Having a busy household had taught Elizabeth to plan ahead.

Julia and Andrew’s gift was shipped ahead last month; a cradle fashioned of cherrywood by the Crofts. Loretta had written to say how beautiful it was, how she hoped it would cradle many children through the years.

Philip threw his arms around them in the waiting room at Saint George’s Hospital. “You’re here! Thank you for coming.”

“As if we would miss it,” Andrew said, pounding his back.

The soft hums of conversation floated around family and friends. Doctor and Mrs. Trask. Loretta’s sister, Irene. Gabriel.

And Philip. Pacing with hands in pockets, not able to sit, clearly with his mind in the delivery room.

“Have you chosen any names?” Aleda asked him.

He gave her a blank look. “Hmm?”

Finally, an older man entered, wearing a doctor’s coat. “She came through fine, Doctor Hollis. You have a healthy eight-pound boy.”

Julia’s eyes teared at the sight of her son, gulping down a huge sigh of relief, lifting up a silent prayer before following the doctor.

“Are you all right?” Andrew whispered.

Julia smiled through her tears. “Yes.”

An hour later, a nurse entered to announce that Mrs. Hollis was awake and that visitors were limited to two at a time. Naturally, Doctor and Mrs. Trask went first. When they returned, all smiles, Julia took her husband’s hand and followed the nurse up the long hallway.

They passed several beds in the ward. Loretta, flushed and smiling, sat up on her pillows with a swaddled bundle in her arms. Philip sat at her side, radiating pride. He stood and took his son from his wife.

“Here, Mother. Sit. Get acquainted with your grandson.”

Julia sat and took him. With fresh tears and Andrew leaning at her side, she smiled at the blue eyes staring up at her. Love welled through her.

Philip leaned to push the blanket back, revealing baby-fine strands of auburn hair.

“Was mine that color, Mother?”

She smiled up at him. “It was.”

“What will you name him?” Andrew asked.

Philip and Loretta exchanged smiles.

“We’ve already named him,” Philip replied. He nodded to his wife.

“His name is Andrew,” she said.

Chapter 40

On a mild morning on the fourteenth of May, Miss Hollis sat in the garden, penning the start to another novel, while Jewel dusted the parlor furniture. Voices drifted through the window. Jewel assumed Vernon Moore was there, and indeed, she heard the door open and close.

Gabriel held a parcel, wrapped in brown paper.

“It’s a book of Lillie Lane paper dolls for Becky. My cook says her granddaughter enjoys hers very much, but that you should cut out the dolls and clothes yourself, as she’s still so young.”

“How very kind of you.”

They stared across at each other for one second, two, and then he dropped the parcel onto the cushion of the nearest chair and advanced.

Jewel dropped the dusting cloth onto a table. His arms went around her and lips met hers with an intensity that buckled her knees.

When they finally came apart, she rested her head upon his chest as he stroked her hair.

“Will you marry me, Jewel? I’ll be a good father to Becky, and you’ll never want for anything.”