Embers of Love (22 page)

“I need this marriage,” he answered, clearly more quickly than he’d intended. His discomfort was obvious.

Lizzie pounced on his error in judgment. “Why?”

“It’s enough that you know I do,” he replied.

“No, it’s not.” She folded her arms. “It’s not nearly enough. I need the truth, Stuart.”

He made a sound that reminded Lizzie of an animal in pain. “You are the most infuriating woman.”

“Be that as it may, I require the truth.”

He studied her for several minutes. His shoulders seemed to slump a bit. “Very well. My father has required I marry in order to receive money left to me by my grandfather. There, are you happy?”

“I did not expect to be happy with your answer, Stuart. I knew you were using me; I just couldn’t imagine what you stood to gain. Now I understand. But why . . . me?”

“Your beauty, your education, your social skills – they all fit perfectly into what my father mandates my wife should be. To gain my fortune, he must approve. And he’s chosen you, Elizabeth.”

“But what of my mother? What is her part in this? Have you promised her some vast fortune?”

“No. She’s been promised something entirely different.”

“And that would be . . . ?” She let her voice trail off and waited while he shifted his weight and looked away.

“She will get political help.”

It was just as G. W. had told her. “You mean her cause will get political support, don’t you?”

“Yes. Now that you have the truth, just as you required, it’s time to put this nonsense behind us and return to Philadelphia.”

“I have no intention of returning to Philadelphia. I plan to obtain an annulment.”

“No!” He stepped forward. “You have no grounds.”

“I believe we both have grounds. We were false with each other – that alone seems worthy of a judge’s willingness to end this fraudulent relationship.”

“I won’t stand for it. My father won’t, either. Remember, you’re dealing with men of power.”

Lizzie shook her head. “I’m not afraid of you or your father. And, for once in my life, I’m not afraid of my mother, either. I have people here who love me. I will not be forced to do as you say, simply because it’s your desire.”

Stuart stepped forward and roughly grabbed her shoulders. Giving her a slight shake, he scowled. “You’ll do exactly as I say. I have your signature, and that is enough. I will lie or cheat to see that this marriage remains intact. Do you understand?”

Lizzie felt the old sensation of helplessness return. What if Stuart had the power necessary to keep her in the marriage?

“In time, you’ll come to see that I’m right – that this is the best way for both of us. You’ll see that the life I’m offering you is all that a woman could want. I will deny you nothing.”

“Only love,” she whispered.

“What?” He looked as if she’d hit him in the face.

“You say you’ll deny me nothing, but you are denying me the thing that matters most. You’re denying me love.”

“I can give you love, Elizabeth. I promise you that.” He crushed her lips with his own. Lizzie fought against his hold but knew she was no match for his strength. She tried to cry out, but his mouth against hers muffled the sound.

Just as quickly as he had begun, Stuart pulled away. It was then that she saw G. W. had taken hold of the man. In one fluid motion, he twisted Stuart around and punched him square in the nose. Stuart lost his balance and fell backward with a loud thump.

Lizzie wanted to cheer. Instead, she came to G. W.’s side as Stuart picked himself up off the porch floor. She took hold of G. W.’s arm just in case he had thoughts of continuing the fight.

“I think it’s time for you and Mother to leave,” she said in a soft, but firm, tone. She looked to G. W. “Would you mind getting the door?”

He quickly complied, leading her into the house. Lizzie noted the stunned expression of her mother and addressed her immediately.

“Mother, Stuart has explained your arrangements with him regarding our marriage. I realize your cause is more important to you than I am, but I refuse to be used in this manner.”

Her mother stared back at her with openmouthed surprise. For a moment, she was struck speechless, but then her wits returned. Getting to her feet, she pointed a finger at Lizzie.

“You are an ungrateful wretch of a child. No doubt this is the influence of your new friends, but I will not tolerate the selfishness. You will do as you’re told. I will not see my cause suffer because of your unwillingness to aid us.”

“Aid you?” Lizzie exchanged a glance with G. W. “You mean sacrifice my life and happiness for you. This is far more than simply ‘aiding.’ You require my entire being – my all.”

“And what if I do? It’s no more or less than I’ve given.”

“But you forget, Mother – this is your cause, not mine.”

“Women’s rights should be the issue of every female in this country,” Harriet countered. “How can we hope to convince the men who run this country if we cannot even rally our sisters to the cause?”

Lizzie shrugged. “I have no idea, nor am I overly concerned about it. I will not sacrifice my happiness for a political scheme.” By this time, Stuart had come to stand only a few feet away. She turned to him. “Nor will I sacrifice for the sake of your inheritance.”

“This is completely unreasonable,” her mother said. “You have no idea the harm you are causing.”

Shaking her head, Lizzie looked at them with great sadness in her heart. She was nothing more than a pawn in their game. “You have no idea the harm you’ve already caused.”

–––––––

“I’m proud of you,” Deborah declared when Lizzie finished revealing the evening’s conversation. “And I would have dearly loved to have seen G. W. put Stuart Albright in his place.”

“It wasn’t as satisfying as you might have imagined.”

Deborah could hear the sadness in her friend’s tone. “Look, it will be all right. We’ll go see the lawyer in Lufkin, and if he can’t help, then we’ll go to Houston. We’ll get your annulment and that will be the end of it.”

Lizzie shook her head. “I know I threatened Stuart I’d do so, but the truth is, I have very little money left. And without Father’s help, I have no way to get any more.”

“You leave that to us,” Deborah replied. “I’m certain everyone in this family will want to give you whatever you need.”

“I can’t take advantage of you in that way. I need to find work that will pay me.”

“Nonsense. Don’t let your pride stand in the way. Besides, I can easily train you to assist me. As we add more employees and more expenses, I’ll need the help.”

“I suppose I could try it,” Lizzie said with a shrug, “but if it doesn’t work out, then I’ll have to search for something else.”

Deborah smiled. “It will work out. You’ll see.”

C
HAPTER
19

Deborah looked at the town constable the next day and then to the sign posted on a barricade in the middle of the dirt road. The entry into Perkinsville was clearly blocked by the crudely constructed warning:
Quarantine
. She applied the wagon brake and questioned the man standing at its base.

“Ralph, what in the world has happened here?”

He tipped his hat in greeting, then announced, “It’s typhoid, Miss Deborah. I can’t let anyone in or out – Dr. Clayton’s orders.”

She looked to her mother. “I suppose we aren’t going to be able to trade at the commissary.”

“Ralph, is there much sickness?” Euphanel asked.

“The Fosters came down with it first, and most everyone who lives near them.” The younger man pushed his hat back. “Looks to be bad.”

“And your family, Ralph? Caroline, the boys?” Mother asked.

“They’re fine . . . for now. Thanks for askin’, Miz Vandermark.”

Deborah thought of Dr. Clayton. He would be overwhelmed with work. “Is there anything we can do to help? I could stay here and assist Dr. Clayton.”

“No, Miss Deborah, I cain’t let you in. Dr. Clayton said you might suggest such a thing, but I was to turn you away.”

She felt her cheeks flush. Dr. Clayton had presumed to know how she would respond. Worse still, he’d told Ralph about it. Her mother seemed to sense her embarrassment and moved the conversation on.

“What about supplies, Ralph? Does the doctor have everything he needs? We can always bring things to you and leave them here.”

“Right now everything seems to be under control. Doc says we need to see how far this has spread before we’ll really know what’s needed.”

Deborah suddenly remembered Lizzie’s mother. “What of Mrs. Decker and Mr. Albright? Did they leave on the morning train?”

“No one was allowed to board the train. They’re still here, quarantined with the rest of the folks.”

“Oh dear,” Mother said, shaking her head. “That will not bode well with them.”

“No, ma’am,” Ralph agreed. “They tried earlier to head out your way, and I had to turn them back. That Mr. Albright wasn’t at all happy.”

“I’m sure he wasn’t,” Deborah muttered.

“Well, I suppose you’d best turn the wagon around, Deborah. Ralph, you let the doctor know that we’ll check back. If he needs anything – or if you need anything – we’d be happy to help.”

“I’d appreciate it if you’d send word to my family. Tell Caroline to hold up at the house and not let anyone in or out. No sense in risking it.”

“We’ll stop by there on our way home,” Mother assured. “Take care of yourself, Ralph.”

“You, too, Miz Vandermark, Miss Deborah.” He tipped his hat again.

Deborah released the brake and turned the horses in a tight circle.

“I do hope this will pass quickly.”

Deborah saw the worry in her mother’s expression. “Dr. Clayton is a good doctor, Mama.”

“Yes, but typhoid is quite dangerous. I’ve seen these epidemics before.”

She wished she had words to comfort her mother. Deborah knew something about typhoid. William Wood Gerhard of Philadelphia had established typhoid as a specific disease in 1837. She had attended a lecture at the university dealing with various diseases, and Gerhard had been mentioned with great pride.

Typhoid was now known to be spread through fecal-contaminated water and milk, as well as a general lack of cleanliness from person to person. Deborah remembered that the prominent markers of the disease were fever and diarrhea. There were four main stages of the illness, and each one had its miseries.

“You are worried, aren’t you?”

Deborah turned to face her mother. “I remember hearing a lecture about typhoid and the many dangers for those stricken.”

Her mother nodded. “It will be weeks before we know the full effect.”

“I was just thinking on that. At least four weeks are needed to let the disease run its course, right?”

“Yes, at least.”

“The people have been so afraid to use Dr. Clayton’s services,” Deborah said thoughtfully. “I suppose they will have to let him help them now.”

“Perhaps this is the very thing necessary to bring the people to their senses,” Mother replied. “Although it’s a hard lesson to endure, people often have to come to the end of their own self-sufficiency in order to trust someone else.”

“Just like we sometimes have to come to our lowest point in order to trust God.”

“Exactly like that. We are very stubborn children at times, and acknowledging our need of God is difficult. It makes us feel helpless – out of control. Little do folks realize that when we put God in charge, only then do we find true confidence and liberty from worry. Maybe the townsfolk will see the same thing with Dr. Clayton. They will come to trust him when they come to the end of their own abilities.”

Deborah knew her mother was right. “So long as they don’t blame him for the typhoid. I’ve seen folks do that, as well. Blame their caregivers for the very ailment they help them with. Still, Dr. Clayton has often mentioned Mrs. Foster’s lack of hand washing and keeping wounds clean. I suppose it’s possible that she’s the cause of this epidemic.”

“There’s no real way of knowing, so there’s no sense in accusing her. It won’t change the situation now.”

“Perhaps not, but if she could understand that it was her unwillingness to listen to Dr. Clayton’s advice that caused this sickness, maybe she would gain a desire to change. I don’t doubt at all that Mrs. Foster knows a good deal about healing, but with the discovery of bacteria and the cause of diseases, her methods are antiquated.”

“I’m sure you’re right, but I’d say nothing about it for now. It would serve Dr. Clayton better to simply treat the sick and prove himself capable of helping turn this situation to good.”

“He’ll have no one to help him,” Deborah murmured, not really meaning to speak the words aloud.

Mother patted her leg. “He’ll have God, Deborah. You told me he’s a man who fears the Lord and prays. God will not abandon him to face this on his own.”

“I know, but I fear that with so many folks suffering, he’ll have to work alone. He will risk his own health, and that could leave us without a doctor.”

“Then we must pray for him more than ever,” her mother suggested.

“That’s the hardest part,” Deborah said, shaking her head. “It seems so little.”

“But it’s not. You are petitioning the King of all things for help.” Mother smiled. “God knows what Dr. Clayton faces physically and spiritually.”

“But Mrs. Foster is responsible for turning the people against Dr. Clayton.”

“And God is able to change that, as well.” Euphanel grasped Deborah’s hand. “God is in control, Deborah. Let Him change hearts, for you cannot.”

–––––––

Lizzie was anxious for G. W. and the other men to return from logging. Word had been sent by Mr. Perkins that the mill was running at a very limited capacity, since more and more of the men had fallen ill. So far the Vandermark employees and family were faring well, and Arjan wanted to use the time to work ahead on cutting trees. The logs could sit and wait until they were needed – a sort of insurance against problems that might yet befall them.

Everyday activities went on much as they always had, with exception to their weekly trips into town. Lizzie thought of her mother and Stuart. Had they succumbed to typhoid? For all of her frustration with the duo, she could not wish them ill and found herself praying for their health and safety frequently throughout the day.