New Beginnings (New Beginnings Series) (20 page)

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that. Mrs. Fielding, what an honour to meet you,” he reached out and put both hands around Sara’s.

They walked through the station then out to the waiting carriage. As they stepped through the large doors, Sara stopped in amazement as the sky lit up as if the sun had risen to a new day, “What kind of lights are these that shine so bright and make it daylight at night?”

Cedric raised his hand, directing it to each of the three lights shining brightly. “Winnipeg has come into the new age of electric lighting. Unfortunately these three are the only ones in the entire city. The rest are still gas lights, but these were put in before it was certain the boom ended this last summer.”

They walked to the coach waiting on the street. The driver held the door open and offered Sara a hand for the step up to the enclosed carriage. Sam, then Cedric, followed. As she stepped inside she said, “I can’t remember the last time I rode in a closed carriage,” and she knew Mr. Stone was also a wealthy man.

As they settled into their seats, Cedric couldn’t contain his joy at the transformation in Sam. “When you wrote to invite us to your wedding, Sam, we couldn’t believe your good fortune. Definitely much more exciting than even the best land deal.” He looked at Sara and continued, “Amelia always said he needed a good woman to thaw out that heart. It looks like she knew what she was talking about.”

“How is Amelia?” Sam asked. “Is she still helping young people?”

“She is well and anxious to see you. It is amazing really how things work out and coincidences happen at the most opportune time. But I best let Amelia tell you about it, she would be so disappointed if I told you.”

They settled back in their seats and Sara watched in disbelief as the city appeared in front of her. The last time she had been there, some seven years earlier she and William travelled through with team and wagon. Close to the very place they were driving, an Indian village was packing up to move on.

As the carriage continued on its way through the streets, Cedric started to speak to Sam about business matters. “I met up with Thomas the other day. He was on his way back down to the States, but was hoping to speak to you about a business dealing out west. I telephoned his hotel this morning and told him you were coming into the city. He is planning to stop by this evening.”

Sara’s thoughts were interrupted when she heard the word and repeated it, “Telephone? They are quite a recent invention. I read about them last year. Winnipeg has telephones already?”

Cedric answered her question. “The city doesn’t have many yet, around a hundred and eighty, but we were one of the homes fortunate to have one installed. Lots of new things these last two years.”

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Stone home and the driver opened the door for them to step down. Again Sara stood in awe as she looked at the large yard surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence as tall as a man and the beautiful three-storey house had stood on top of a small hill. Sam said, “So you got your house finished. It must be one of the grandest homes in Winnipeg.”

“Beautiful,” was all Sara could say.

“With Amelia’s new venture we needed more room and what is the use of having money if we can’t spend it?”

“And what new business has your wife become part of?” Sam asked as the door opened and a young woman came running outside, her arms outstretched as she gleefully hugged him and placed a kiss on his cheek. “Surely not a Madam in a brothel?”

As she stood back, still holding her hands on his shoulders she said, “So you have become a jokester too? What a handsome man you are without all that hair.” Turning to Sara, who stretched out her hand, Amelia again flung out her arms and embraced their guest, saying, “Sam is like a brother to us and I welcome you like we would part of our family. Come in … come in.” Her arm slid around Sara’s waist as they walked into the house. Normally someone this aggressive may have startled Sara, but today she felt like it was family welcoming them into their home. She glanced back at Sam and saw his face shone and she knew this visit would be one of pleasure.

Chapter Fifteen

Cedric took the Fieldings’ coats and gave their hand luggage to the housekeeper. They were led into a dining room, where a table was set for four, although it easily could seat twelve. Enough food to feed a party of twenty was waiting for them. Sam and Sara glanced at each other, keeping silent about having lunch on the train, feeling certain Amelia would be disappointed. It was quite obvious she was thrilled to have them visiting and wanted everything to be perfect.

“I was so excited when I heard you were getting married, Sam.” She directed the couple to their seats at the table. “I knew she really had to be a special person. When you wrote about your changes at the bank, I knew you found the right woman.” As she turned to Sara she continued, “Sam has been a good friend to us, like I said, much like a brother. But I have seen how he is not one to share himself with many people. I knew someone was out there, but as hard as I tried, no one was right. I should have realized it really wasn’t up to me and if it was meant to happen, it would, regardless of what I did.”

“Amelia,” Cedric started, “I’m sure Sam and Sara know how happy you are for them, that we are for them. Give them a chance to enjoy their dinner.”

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she answered, blushing.

“It’s all right, really. Sara and I know how fortunate we are to have found each other.”

“Sam told us you were a nurse in the Civil War in the United States, Sara,” Cedric changed the subject. “You didn’t by chance ever meet up with General Rosser, did you? He was an officer on the Confederate side. You were probably a Union nurse, so it is unlikely you did. It would be quite a coincidence if you did.”

“I was a Union nurse, but as time went by I hardly noticed their accents or the colour of the uniforms. I went where the need was the greatest at the time. As far as meeting General Rosser, I have my doubts. I don’t remember the names of the soldiers who were wounded, nor the officers who came to see them. There were so many, thousands even. It is not likely I would remember him if had we met.”

Sam knew how the talk of the war bothered Sara and directed the conversation in another direction, “So Amelia, please don’t make us wait in suspense any longer. What is this new business which has you all excited? I haven’t seen any underdressed women anywhere.” He gave a sly smile and a quick wink with his comment which made the others laugh.

“It’s nothing quite as profitable and much more respectful, Sam,” Cedric replied, grinning. To the housekeeper he added, “Best let the girls come in, Martha.”

Sam and Sara both looked at each other, baffled at the comment. Martha opened the double doors which went to the back of the house and welcomed in the girls. As they watched, seven young ladies aged from about twelve to fifteen entered the room. They each put a plate and cutlery on the table, then pulled chairs to their places from against the wall and proceeded to sit down. They were silent, but their faces seemed to glow with the knowledge of a surprise Sara realized they were all party to. After the oldest said the blessing which the adults took part in by bowing their heads, they started to pass the dishes of food, as if nothing was out of the ordinary.

Finally, Sam asked the question, “Well, you have certainly got our interest, are you going to continue to keep us in suspense? What is this business you are so secretive about?”

Amelia couldn’t contain herself any longer and simply said, “A girls’ school,” to which the entire student body started to laugh, as they were all relieved to give up their secret. “Marie,” their hostess looked at the oldest of the girls, “please tell Mr. and Mrs. Fielding about our school and why we are so excited to have pulled this little surprise.”

Marie carefully set her cutlery on the edge of her plate, took her cloth napkin and dabbed the corners of her mouth before she started to speak, looking directly at Sara. “Mr. and Mrs. Fielding, this is the Stone School for Girls. Most of us have come from homes where we couldn’t stay any longer and Mr. and Mrs. Stone have been kind to welcome us here. Mrs. Stone has been our teacher and hopefully we can go on to a finishing school. We are all excited that possibly we may have another schoolmate to join us, your friend Miss Catherine.”

Sam grinned and Sara sat back in complete surprise. “Sam, in your letter did you write about Catherine’s problem?” she looked questioningly at her husband.

Amelia spoke before he answered, “He did Sara, and we have all discussed it and feel for Catherine’s safety it would be wise for her to join us here. We could share a little white tale that she is a married cousin visiting from the country, because it would be best to not bring any intolerance her way. Poor girl, a slight indiscretion and she has her whole life to worry about. And if we can be of any help to aid you in adopting a baby, nothing would make us happier.”

Sara glanced at Sam, wondering how much he had disclosed in his letter, but he smiled back to her. He was quite pleased how everything was working out and she couldn’t help but return the sentiment.

Cedric stood up from his place at the table, saying, “Let’s take a tour of the school area while the girls are finishing their meal and washing the dishes.” He went to Amelia’s chair and pulled it out for her.

As Sam did the same for Sara, she whispered to him, “You knew about this, didn’t you?” Again some of the girls started to giggle, because their plan had worked so well.

Sam shook his head, “It really doesn’t surprise me though. Remember, I told you Amelia was a teacher when I boarded with them and was often bringing students home when they needed help. In fact, I should have imagined such a thing would happen.” He took her hand and the two couples walked through the double doors into the back of the house.

The school consisted of one teaching area that they walked into from the dining room. Instead of the regular school desks the students sat at tables with comfortable chairs. Off this area was a room where the girls could relax in several easy chairs or settees and there was plenty of light to read or do a needlecraft of some sort. They went up a flight of stairs to the dormitory, which consisted of four rooms each containing the furnishings for three girls. At present only seven girls used the room, leaving room for five more. They were admiring the fine drawings done by Marie when Martha entered the room and announced to Mr. Stone that General Rosser had arrived downstairs. The men dismissed themselves as Amelia and Sara continued to look at the handiwork, saying they would join them later.

Thomas greeted Sam with an exuberant handshake and he congratulated his friend on his marriage. “What a change has come over you, Sam,” he said with his southern accent. “I must meet your wife before I leave tonight. I will be going down to the States tomorrow as it seems there really is nothing left for me up here.”

“I’ve heard the railroad saw fit you should resign your post. I would have thought a bit of land profit would be common among most of the employees of the C.P.R.,” Sam concluded.

“Van Horne seems to be quite the advocate of total honesty and was in complete disapproval of any land dealings brought on by employees. Men have lost their positions for far less than I. It seems the railroad has changed route several times just for the fact some people knew where the tracks were to be laid.”

Cedric spoke up. “Van Horne and Rosser never seemed to be able to see eye to eye. I happened to be in the Manitoba Club when they encountered each other and we all thought for a moment Winnipeg was going to have its first official gun fight. Fortunately friends from both sides changed their minds.”

“As it turned out,” Thomas spoke, “I received twenty-six hundred dollars for malicious prosecution when I sued the C.P.R. Far short of the hundred thousand I asked for but Harry Armstrong, one of my staff, stood up for me and said Stickney gave permission for speculation. I’m afraid if Van Horne thinks he’s going to clean up the dishonesty of the railway employees no one will be left to run the company or lay the tracks.”

“So, what do you think you will be doing now?” Sam asked.

“I think it may be time to return to Virginia. The money I made here with the land deals should do me well. Just as I see it has done for both of you men. The profit comes from understanding when to step back.” Both Sam and Cedric agreed as Rosser continued, “And that brings me to why I wanted to see you both before I left the country. It seems I have been privy to more land information in the west if you gentlemen are interested?”

Amelia and Sara entered the room, both obviously very happy with the prospect of Catherine coming to the school.

The men all rose from their chairs as the ladies joined them and Thomas stepped forward and bowed, taking Amelia’s hand and raising it to his lips, saying, “Amelia, you are looking well tonight.”

“Why thank you, Thomas, it is nice seeing you again.”

Sam stood beside Sara, saying, “Thomas, may I introduce you to my wife.”

As the General took her hand, he looked into her eyes and stopped, the expression on his face suddenly dropped, which brought about a silence in the room. His surprised look changed into a smile and after he offered the same bow and kiss to Sara, he straightened and said, “Miss Winston, I am so honoured to see you again.”

Sara’s look of surprise also changed to a smile when she realized who this gentleman was. “Thank you, but it is Mrs. Fielding now, Captain.”