Montgomery Family 01 - Lost Pleasures Found (19 page)

One day in March, someone came to the door and asked to speak with her. It was the director at Brandon’s school, Mr. Worthington, and he looked very serious. Melody invited him in and asked if he would care for any refreshment.

Mr. Worthington shook his head and said, “No, thank you, Mrs. Foster. I came over to tell you that there has been an incident at the school. Your husband was teaching his students, and he passed out in the classroom. I have sent for the doctor, and they are bringing him here. Oh, I hear them coming now.”

Melody ran out of the house and hurried over to the cart. Brandon was just lying there, not moving at all.

The doctor said, “We need to get him up to his bed, so I can examine him thoroughly. These men will carry him up, if you will lead the way.” The men carried Brandon upstairs to their room, lay him on the bed, and left Melody alone with the doctor.

“Dr. Martin, what’s wrong with him? He looks so pale … and he’s not … moving. Please tell me … what’s wrong with him?” Melody asked with terror in her voice.

“Mrs. Foster, I believe your husband has had some kind of seizure of the brain,” he said. “I know that it is hard to believe with him being so young, but in rare cases, it has happened before. The next twenty-four hours will tell us what damage has been done. At this point, there is not much we can do for him, but wait and see if he comes out of it. I will come back tomorrow to check on him. Just keep him comfortable, and try to get some water in him.”

Melody stayed by Brandon’s side all night long, holding his hand and trying to get some water down him. She talked to him the entire time, hoping her voice would rouse him. She prayed that God would save him, because she did not want him to die. Brandon was such a good and kind person, and she did not want to lose him. Morning came, and there was still no change. He just lay there, growing paler, and his breathing shallower.

The doctor arrived and examined him again. He turned to Melody and said, “Mrs. Foster, I’m sorry, but Mr. Foster has gone into such a deep sleep, he may not come out of it. If he is going to survive, he will need to wake up soon. Just keep trying to get him to take water so he does not become dehydrated. I will come back tonight to check on him again. If anything happens, send for me at once.”

Late that afternoon, Brandon … stopped breathing. Melody was all alone with him. The tears started running down her face, and she dropped her head down on her arms, on the bed beside him, and sobbed. Millie heard her and came into the room. She tried to console Melody and told her she would send for the doctor. Melody knew there was nothing the doctor could do for Brandon. He was gone, and nothing … would bring him back.

They held Brandon’s funeral the next day. Most of the people at his funeral were his colleagues from the school. They did not know many people, so it was a small gathering. Melody felt so empty and sad. When they lowered Brandon’s body into the grave, she felt as if she were coming apart. The pain she was feeling was overwhelming. She just kept saying in her mind,
Not
Brandon,
not
Brandon
too.
How
was
she
going
to
survive
without
her
best
friend?
First,
she had
lost
Henry,
and
now
Brandon.
Oh
god,
why
…
why?
It was so hard to understand how someone only five and twenty could die. After the funeral, she went back to the house and lay down on her bed. Millie took care of the children so that Melody could rest. The grief was almost more than she could handle.
How
could
God
allow
this
to
happen?
Brandon had been such a wonderful man and he was just too young to die
.
What
would
she
do
now?
She was not even sure if she would have any money to take care of the children.

Two days later, she met with Brandon’s solicitor. He told Melody that the cottage was part of Brandon’s compensation, so she would need to move, but the school would give her two months to find somewhere else to live. Brandon had some investments, but they were not bringing in very much. There was one thousand pounds in his account, and Melody still had four hundred pounds left from her parents. She would survive some way.

She left and went home to be with her children. Mary Elizabeth kept asking for her father. Melody tried to explain to her that Brandon had died and that he had gone home to be with the angels. The poor child was just too young to understand that her father was gone and that he was not coming home again. It was heart wrenching to see her daughter so upset, especially when she was having such a dreadful time dealing with Brandon’s death herself. Thank goodness for Mrs. Worth and Millie. She did not think she could handle it without their help.

Melody had no interest in food, and she had lost quite a bit of weight since Brandon had died. She had always wondered what it would feel like to be slender, now she knew, and she could care less. She was determined to get through this. She had survived Henry’s death, and she would make it through losing Brandon. Her children needed her, and she would be strong for them. The first thing she needed to do was find some type of employment. She knew it would be difficult, but she was determined.

A few weeks later, while in the kitchen, Mrs. Worth said, “Millie, I’m very concerned about Mrs. Foster. She hardly eats anything, and I know she’s lost quite a bit of weight. She’s going to make herself ill if she doesn’t start taking better care of herself. Does she have any family we could contact? Surely, there’s someone.”

Millie looked thoughtful for a minute and then said, “The only family Mrs. Foster has left, that I know of, is her aunt, Lady Helton, and from what I understand, she’s on an extended trip to the continent and isn’t expected back for several months. I guess we could write her and let her know about Mr. Foster’s death. We could send the letter to Lady Helton’s address in London and hope they forward it on to her.”

“Little Brandon is only nine months old and now her milk is drying up. She needs a goat so he can be fed. That is the best milk to feed a baby. I’ll talk to Mrs. Conrad and see if she’ll let us have her goat’s milk.” Mrs. Worth went to see Mrs. Conrad, and she said that she would allow them to use her goat’s milk.

“Mrs. Foster, I spoke with Mrs. Conrad, and she’s willing to lend you her goat so we can feed the milk to Brandon, since you’re no longer able to feed him yourself. Is that acceptable to you?” Mrs. Worth asked.

With a puzzled look on her face, she said, “Whatever you think is best, Mrs. Worth. I don’t understand why my milk is drying up. That didn’t happen with Mary Elizabeth.”

“I suspect it’s because you haven’t been eating enough since your husband passed away. In fact, if you don’t start eating more, you’re going to get sick. Is there anything special you would like me to fix for you? I still have some of those cherries we put away last summer, and I could make you a cherry pie. That has always been one of your favorite foods. I’ll make one for supper tonight.” she said.

Mrs. Worth made a cherry pie, and Melody did her best to eat it. When dinner was over, Melody said, “Thank you Mrs. Worth. Your cherry pie was splendid. I’m sorry I couldn’t eat more of it, but I have a headache. Do you think you could help Millie with the children? I need to go to bed. I’m sure I’ll feel better in the morning.” Mrs. Worth helped Millie get the children to bed, and then she left to go home.

The next morning, Melody was still in bed at ten o’clock, so Millie went to check on her. She was still sleeping, but she looked very flushed. Millie felt her forehead, and she was burning up with fever.

Millie rushed downstairs and cried, “Oh no, Mrs. Worth, Mrs. Foster is burning up with fever. Can you watch the children? I’m going to get Dr. Martin.”

Mrs. Worth exclaimed, “Go get him right now. Hopefully he’ll be in his office and can come over right away.”

Millie went to Dr. Martin’s office, but he was not there. His wife told her that he was out at the Miller’s place, because Mrs. Miller was very ill with a high fever. Millie went to the Miller’s and spoke with the doctor, “Dr. Martin, you need to come quick. Mrs. Foster is running a high fever, and we need you to help her.”

Dr. Martin shook his head and replied, “I will be there just as soon as I can. There are already five cases of influenza, so I am sure that is what Mrs. Foster has. Go to her and bathe her in cool water and try to get her to drink plenty of water.”

Millie went to the house and told Mrs. Worth what the doctor said. They took the children over to Mrs. Conrad’s, and she said she would keep them. That way they could get them out of the house away from Melody. Millie gave Melody a cool sponge bath and got her to drink some water, but it did not seem to help. Her temperature seemed even higher than it had been earlier. Finally, the doctor came and examined Melody.

After Dr. Martin finished his examination, he turned to Millie and said, “She definitely has influenza, and she is very ill. Here is some medicine to give her. I hope that it will help to bring her fever down. Continue to bathe her with cool water and make her drink plenty of water. I will come back in the morning to check on her.”

The next day the doctor came in the morning, but Melody was no better. She was delirious and calling for her husband; it was as if she did not realize he had died. They could not get her to keep down any water. The doctor left some additional medicine that should settle Melody’s stomach, and he also told them there were three more cases of influenza in town.

Mrs. Conrad brought the children back, because her husband had come down with influenza. The children would not be any better off with her than they would in their own home; besides, they kept crying to come home.

Brussels, Belgium

January 1818

H
ENRY HAD BEEN at the monastery for two and a half years, and he still did not have his memory back. He continued to have dreams about the beautiful woman named Melody. He now believed that this woman was definitely his wife. She was so beautiful with her long honey blonde hair and incredible sherry-colored eyes. The dreams were becoming very erotic, and he would wake up hard as steel. There was a huge sense of loss when he woke up after having dreamt of her.
Oh, god, if she were his wife, she must think he died. Would she have found someone else? Had he left children behind? “Please, Lord let my memory come back!”
He knew she was the key to getting his memory back. He was also experiencing even more flashbacks of the battle. Father Francis had told him that they had found him on the battlefield at Waterloo, so that must be what he was seeing in these flashbacks. Father Francis still told him that these were all good signs and that Henry’s memory would come back to him soon. That was the most optimistic thing that Henry had heard so far.

One day, in late January, he was helping Father Francis repair a crumbling wall around the monastery. Henry climbed up to the top of the wall and leaned over for Father Francis to hand him up some bricks when he slipped and fell off. Henry hit his head hard on the side of the wall as he fell, and was knocked out. They carried him to his room, and he remained unconscious for several hours. Father Francis kept checking on him, but he still remained unconscious. Finally, during the night, he woke up.

He looked around and asked, “Where … where am I? Where is my wife? What is wrong with my head? Oh god, it hurts like hell!”

“My son, you fell off the wall yesterday and hit your head. What do you remember? Do you remember who you are?” Father Francis asked.

Henry struggled to sit up as he looked over at Father Francis and said, “Of course, I know who I am. My name is Henry Montgomery, and I’m a captain in his majesty’s royal army. Now where is my wife, Melody? Who are you?”

Father Francis serenely replied, “I am Father Francis, Captain. You have been living here at this monastery for two and a half years, ever since the Battle of Waterloo. You did not remember anything at first, but then you did remember your first name, eventually. We knew you were English, but when we found you, your clothes were gone, so there was no way to identify who you were. You have been having dreams about a woman. Eventually, you remembered that her name was Melody, and you felt that she was probably your wife. You have had quite a few flashbacks of the battle. Evidently, when you hit your head yesterday, your memory has been restored. Do you remember me?”

Henry fell back against the pillow and groaned. The pain in his head was excruciating. Then he realized what Father Francis had told him and sat up as he said, “Oh my god, do you mean it’s been that long since the battle? How could this happen?”

Father Francis calmly said, “Sometimes, when someone receives a blow to the head, the trauma can cause one to lose their memory. That is what happened to you, and when you hit your head yesterday, it restored your memory. But now it sounds as if you have no recollection of the past two and a half years. This time your recent memories should come back to you shortly. Where do you live? And can we contact your family?”

Cold chills ran down his spine. Melody must think he was dead! He had to get back to her immediately. “I need to leave at once. Do I have any money to get back home? I’ll gladly reimburse you if you’ll lend me the funds to get back to England. My father is the Duke of Sanderford, so paying you back shan’t be a problem. I want to leave tomorrow.”

Father Francis looked at him and said, “My son, we will surely lend you the money so you can get back to England, but I think it would be wise to wait a few days and see if your memory, of the time that you have spent here with us, comes back to you. Besides, you need to recover from hitting your head. I am sure you must have a terrible headache, at the very least.”

“Father, I’ll stay for a few days, but then I must leave even if I don’t remember what has happened since the battle. I feel very tired, so I think I’ll rest for a while. Thank you for all that you have done for me.” Henry leaned back against his pillow, and then he closed his eyes and fell asleep.

Henry did regain his memory of the past two and a half years. He stayed at the monastery for three days, to get his strength back and for his head to stop hurting. Father Francis lent him enough money to get back to England. It took Henry almost a week to make it to the coast of France and find passage over the English Channel. The channel waters were rough, but nothing would hold Henry back from getting to Melody. When he arrived in England, he went to Sanderford House, but found out that the family was at Sanderford Park. Henry found some of his old clothes and took a bath. He gave himself a shave and cut off the long hair. Mansfield could tidy him up once he got back to Sanderford Park.

The next morning, Henry took one of the horses his father always kept in London and headed home. He made good time and was home by two o’clock. The first person he saw when he arrived was Freddie.

Freddie stood there with a look of utter amazement on his face and exclaimed, “Milord, how’s this possible? Yer supposed t’ have died at Waterloo!”

Henry looked at Freddie and said, “Well, that isn’t true. As you can see, I’m very much alive. Take my horse and give him plenty of oats. He has been ridden hard this morning.”

As he approached the front door, it opened, and Helen came out. She looked at Henry and fainted. Henry rushed to catch her before she fell to the steps.

Simpson came out and stared in shock. Then he found his voice and said, “My lord, we were told that you were dead. It is wonderful to know that this was not true. Everyone will be so shocked. Let me help you with Lady Helen.”

Simpson opened the door so that Henry could carry Helen in. He took her into the morning room and laid her on the couch. Helen started to come around, and she just stared at Henry. She did not say anything at first, but then she called out, with astonishment in her voice, “Henry! Henry! You … You … are alive!”

Henry smiled at her and said, “Hello, sweetheart, I’m alive. I lost my memory when I was injured at the Battle of Waterloo. I had a head wound, and my leg was severely injured. Some monks found me and nursed me back to health. However, I couldn’t remember who I was. In the beginning, I remembered nothing. Then about two years ago, I remembered my given name. Over the past two years or so, I’ve had bits and pieces of my memory come back to me. Then two weeks ago, I fell off a wall, hit my head again, and when I woke up, all my memory had been restored to me. Where’s Melody?”

Helen burst into tears, and she hugged him tightly to her as she said, “Henry, everyone is going to be so shocked. You need to let me go tell them about you first. Nelson is dying. He has some kind of wasting disease, and he could die at any time. Father has been so distressed. First, you died, and then Nelson became so ill. I’m afraid that the shock of seeing you alive could be too much for him. Henry, Melody left after your funeral. She went to live with her parents. We corresponded for a while, and then she quit answering our letters. We haven’t heard anything from her in a long time. We felt sure that the memories were too painful for her, and that’s why she quit writing.”

Henry looked in astonishment at Helen. He could not believe what she was telling him. “What, you just let her leave!”

Helen looked beseechingly at Henry and said, “Henry, she insisted that she wanted to go to her parents. We tried to talk her out of it, but to no avail. Nelson took her to her parents, but she couldn’t bear to look at him, because you look so much alike. It was just too painful for her, so he left her with her parents. I don’t know why she quit writing or answering our letters, but we felt she must have had a good reason.”

In frustration, Henry ran his fingers through his hair as he said, “Well, at least I know where she is. I’ll go get her, once we get everything sorted out with Nelson. Is he really that ill? Is there no hope that he’ll recover?”

Helen shook her head as she replied, “Father has had a great many doctors examine him, and they all say the same thing that he’ll die soon. Let me go to everyone and tell them you’re alive.”

Henry stayed in the morning room while Helen went to the family. It was hard to wait, but he trusted Helen’s judgment.
God
…
why
did
Melody
quit
writing?
He knew that she had loved his sisters, so something was not right about this, and he would get to bottom of this immediately.

She found everyone in the dining room. As she entered, they all looked at her. Her father demanded to know where she had been. “Everyone, something has happened. It’s wonderful news. It will be a shock … to all of you. I know that it has shocked me. Father … , sit down, this is important. Henry … is alive! It was all a mistake. He was hurt in that last battle, and when he woke up, he had lost his memory. He didn’t even remember his name. As time went by, he started to remember bits and pieces, but nothing that told him who he truly was. Two weeks ago, he hit his head again, and his memory came back. He’s downstairs in the morning room, waiting for me to tell him to come up here.”

“Oh my god! How can this be? This is incredible. Are you sure that it is Henry?” her father asked.

With excitement in her voice, Helen said, “Come follow me, and I’ll take you to him.”

Everyone went down to the morning room and could not believe their eyes. It was indeed Henry come back from the dead. Kathryn was crying, and even his mother had tears in her eyes. His father bowed his head and then looked up and said, “Henry, I am so glad that you are alive. Did Helen tell you about Nelson? He is upstairs in his room, and he is too weak to leave his bed. I will go up to him and tell him you have returned to us. He will be so relieved. His wife is with him. You met her. He married Mrs. Harrison over two years ago, and they have a little girl. Come with me.”

They went upstairs to Nelson’s rooms. His father seemed changed. He looked very tired, and Henry could tell he had been under quite a bit of distress. The lines on his face were much deeper, and he looked twenty years older. The duke went into Nelson’s room, and Henry waited outside to give his father a chance to tell Nelson he was alive. His father opened the door and motioned for him to come in. Henry was shocked when he saw Nelson. There was no doubt about it; Nelson was dying.

Nelson tried to sit up as he said, “Henry! Thank God, you’re alive! Come here so I can see you better.”

Henry walked over to the bed and said, “Hello, old friend, it’s so good to see you again. I’m so sorry you’re not feeling well. I understand congratulations are in order. I wish I could have been there when you got married. I told you that you would like her, did I not? Well, I don’t want to tire you, so I’ll come back and see you later this evening, all right?”

Nelson smiled, and he looked relieved; then he closed his eyes. Henry and his father left the room. He did not know what to say to his father. It was obvious he was in a great deal of pain over Nelson.

As they walked away from Nelson’s room, his father said, “Henry, please come with me to my study so we can talk. We have a great deal that we need to discuss.”

Henry was shocked. He could not remember a time when his father had ever said please. He followed his father to his study. It was always a room he had hated as a child. Probably because he was only there when he was being raked over the coals about something he had done wrong.

His father sighed and said, “Sit down, Henry. I am so thankful that you are alive. I thought all was lost, what with you dead and Nelson dying with no heir in sight. It would have been the end of our line when I died. Now I can rest easy, knowing that you will continue it on. I have much to make up for with you, Henry. I have not treated you well, and it was because you reminded me of myself when I was young. I thought I needed to be hard on you so you would grow up to be a strong man. I was wrong. Instead, I alienated you. I want you to know that I was proud of you and of what you were able to accomplish in the army. When I found out you had been killed, I realized that I had never told you that. I am so sorry … I hope you can forgive me. I am not a well man, so I need you to take over running the ducal holdings. Things have been very difficult since Nelson became so ill. Can I count on you, Son?”

With poignancy in his voice, Henry replied, “All I have ever wanted from you was to know that you were proud of me. I never could understand why you were so hard on me. Now maybe we can start afresh. I’m more than willing to do whatever you need. I do need to ask you one thing. Why did you let Melody leave and then not keep track of her?”

“You do not understand how hard your death hit all of us. Your wife was devastated when we received the news of your death. Nelson tried to get her to stay, but she refused. She insisted that she be taken home to her parents,” he said, as he sighed deeply and looked so distressed that Henry wanted to take his pain away, but he knew he could not. “I admit that I did not treat her well, because she was not my choice as a wife for you. Helen continued to write her for over a year even after your wife stopped writing back. We finally felt she had her reasons for breaking off communication, and we knew she was safe with her parents.”