"Dawns Prelude" - читать интересную книгу автора (Peterson Tracie)

Chapter 5

A few days later, Dwight Robinson arrived at the Gray mansion to bring Lydia the tickets for her trip.

"It won't he an easy journey," he told her. "I've arranged for one of my young clerks to accompany you west to San Francisco. Complications can occur that make such trips uncomfortable, so I'm glad you won't travel alone on the train."

Lydia examined the telegram Robinson handed her. It contained brief information about her ship, the Newbern, a steamer owned by the Quartermaster Department.

"I'm told," Robinson said, "the ship is not all that large. It is used to haul supplies to Alaska and often carries a few passengers. This telegram is from a friend of mine in San Francisco, Ernest Woodruff. He assured me he could arrange your passage. He will have the ticket ready for you, but you must be in San Francisco by the twenty-fifth of April, when the ship will head out."

That gives us very little time," Lydia replied. Her sense of adventure and excitement mounted with each new announcement.

"Indeed, that is true. You will have to leave tomorrow in order to get to Omaha to catch your train."

"Tomorrow?" Lydia looked up in shock. She had been expecting at least a few weeks to set things in order.

"I know it is sooner than you had expected, but it was the best I could do. There really isn't that much in the way of transportation; the area has only belonged to the United States for a few short years, and the government is still uncertain what to do with it. Most people believe it an example of the poorest judgment that we even purchased it."

"My aunt says it's the most beautiful country in the world," Lydia countered, remembering incredible descriptions in Zerelda's letters. "I'm sure the purchase will prove to be wise in time."

"I seriously doubt it," Robinson said and then seemed to realize he'd spoken out of turn. "I only hope that you will he happy there. It seems harsh and isolated."

"But my aunt is there, and that will make me quite content."

"Very well. My man will be here to pick you up at ten tomorrow morning. Can you be ready?"

Lydia thought of the things she had yet to arrange and suddenly realized that nothing was as important as slipping away from the Gray children and leaving this awful place. "I'll he ready." She glanced at the clock. "But you must excuse me. I'll need to get my shopping done in all haste."

"Might I make a suggestion?"

Lydia nodded, wondering what Robinson could possibly say. "I'm happy for any advice."

The older man smiled. " San Francisco is a large city. You can purchase anything you might need for your journey there. I would travel as freely as possible across the country and arrange for your necessities once you are there."

Lydia considered his words. "I have already ordered several outfits."

"Perhaps my wife could settle the account when they are complete, and I could have them shipped to you in Sitka."

"I suppose that would work. I could purchase a couple of ready-made suits instead."

"1 think you'll be better off for it. Now, one of my clerks, Mr. Lytle, will arrive in the morning to accompany you. He will have a sufficient amount of money for your needs. I will also arrange for money to be available for you at a bank in San Francisco. You might wish to take additional supplies toAlaska. I believe the ship can accommodate you in this."

"I hadn't really thought about taking supplies, but I am sure you are right. I should probably purchase food and other items that will ease the burden of my arrival." Lydia considered the various things she might need. She would also enjoy taking some gifts to her aunt. It had been years since she'd seen the woman, but they had been faithful correspondents.

"Well, if that is all," Robinson said, "I will be on my way. Be assured: I will take care of all legal matters. I will send any correspondence to you in Sitka in care of your aunt, and I expect to have the review of the will resolved in a few weeks. There is little reason to believe it will be settled in any other way than in your favor."

"Thank you… for everything." Lydia lowered her head slightly. "I know that I offended you in the office the other day with my comment about God. For that I hope you will forgive me and put aside any ill feelings toward me. I had no desire to upset you."

"My dear Mrs. Gray, all is forgiven."

She looked up and smiled. "Thank you. I am afraid the past has made me quite bitter at times. But my hope… my hope is in the future now."

When Lydia returned from her shopping trip, she was stunned to find the Gray children rather formally assembled in her parlor for tea. The servants stood at the ready, and the family was already enjoying refreshments when Lydia entered the room.

"Where have you been?" Marston asked, getting to his feet.

Lydia found all faces had turned her way. "I didn't realize I needed to check my appointments with you."

Marston's eyes narrowed, then his expression changed. "You needn't take that tone with me; we were merely concerned for your safety. We have business to discuss." He waved away the servants and waited until they had departed before continuing. His tone was more congenial than Lydia could ever remember. "We would very much like to know your plans for the future. Are there areas in which we might lend assistance?"

Lydia thought of her plans to go live in Alaska but said nothing, confused by Marston's gentleness. She understood their anger and resentment, but when one of the Grays attempted kindness, it was reason enough to he on her guard.

Instead of taking a seat to join them, Lydia stood at the hack of the nearest chair. She clutched the ornate frame for strength and met each person's eyes before speaking.

"I can't think of any way in which you could assist me. However, you should know that I have no intention of keeping your mother's things," she said, looking directly at Jeannette. "The jewelry and furs are of no interest to me. Some time hack, my father set up a trust for me, and I am quite comfortable. So whatever the outcome of having the will set aside and reviewed"-she now turned her attention to Marston and Mitchell "I want you to take the contents of this house, and the house itself. I have already spoken to my lawyer, and he will make the arrangements once the will is settled."

Marston took his seat and reached for his coffee. "And what of the rest of the fortune-the businesses, stocks, and hank accounts

"My lawyer has advised that those are issues for the court to determine, and he will see to the matter."

And what do you intend to do in the meanwhile,… Mitchell asked.

Lydia chose her words carefully. "My lawyer is arranging new living quarters for me. I hope to be gone from this house very soon. I desire to take only my violin and the few personal items I brought into the marriage."

"You aren't taking your clothes?" Jeannette asked in surprise.

"No, you are welcome to them," Lydia replied, knowing full well that Jeannette's stockier frame would never fit into any of the garish fashions.

Evic looked at her for a moment and smiled. Lydia could see that the young woman clearly understood. She wanted nothing of this life to serve as a reminder of the past. No trinket. No memento of her twelve years of fear and pain.

"I'm glad to see that you are being reasonable about this. It will be much easier on everyone. We will want to divide up the goods and sell the place as soon as possible," Marston stated in a businesslike manner. As for the other, we want to discuss your plans. Mitchell and I both hold stocken Rockford and Gray's Casket Company. We have a vested interest in the future of that company and of the furniture business, as well."

"I can appreciate that, but I am honestly uncertain how the lawyer will handle the businesses. You may feel free, however, to discuss it with him at any time."

Marston put down his cup. "But can we not discuss it with you?" He surprised Lydia once again by softening his tone. " Lydia, you know we have worked hard to grow this business. Rockford and Gray makes the finest caskets in the country. We have a reputation to uphold. It's to your benefit, as well as ours."

"My father invested heavily in the business, as well. As I recall, when I married your father a great deal of money changed hands. My father was already making caskets on the side, as many furniture makers did. Your father saw his own business struggling. The arrangement benefited both sides. Unfortunately, I was forced to be in the middle of that affair."

You benefited, as well-" Mitchell began.

Lydia held up her hand. "I will not discuss this with you any further than to say you all bore witness to the misery I endured. We all know the truth. You know it for yourselves, as well. Your father was overhearing. He was harsh and uncaring. He heat you without cause, just as he did me." Lydia felt her anger increase. "I don't care what you think of me. I was a young girl when I married, and I did my best. I was terrified when I came here, but I leave feeling quite the opposite. I have endured the worst that any woman could ever suffer. I have miscarried my unborn children. I have lain awake at night, fearing the morrow. I am free of that now, and I will never allow myself to fall victim to that again."

"What a martyr," Jeannette said in a huff.

Marston turned to his sister. "Be still, Jeannette. Lydia is right. She has borne a great deal since coming to reside in this house."

Lydia felt a wave of shock wash over her at Marston's defense. He had never offered her any consolation or acceptance. He and Mitchell had treated her with cruelty and oppression over the years, and she had never expected any such support.

As if reading her mind, Marston turned back to Lydia. "I am particularly sorry for my part. I'm afraid I desired only to please my father, and because of that, I acted in a manner most unbecoming a gentleman."

Lydia frowned. She didn't know what to say and so said nothing. The others seemed taken aback by Marston's comments. They sat in silence, as if trying to figure out if this were some sort of game being played out.

"We are hoping you can understand our position," Mitchell said.

Releasing the hack of the chair, Lydia gave a brief nod. "I think I understand it very well."

Marston got to his feet. "I believe we have imposed long enough." Mitchell and Jeannette followed him to the door, with Evie slowly sipping the last of her tea before rising.

Marston Gray had baffled Lydia completely. He had started out the conversation demanding as usual, only to apologize for twelve years of ugliness. Funny how people believed that casual words of apology could somehow erase all of the pain and suffering they had caused.

Lydia heard Evie approach and turned to face her. Evie had never been cruel to her but had often found herself forced to go along with her siblings. "I'm sorry that life here has been such a grief."

"I'm equally sorry for you, Evie. I'm sorry that you had to grow up without the love and affection of a mother… or father." She wanted to comment on knowing that Evie hadn't found these things in a husband's love, either, but thought it might be unkind.

Evie nodded and reached out to take hold of Lydia 's hand. "I hope you will go far away from here. You deserve to have a happy life. I hope and pray my brothers will leave you in peace. It isn't as if they don't have plenty of their own money. They might have to reorganize their lives a hit and make new plans for their future, but honestly, neither one will suffer all that much."

"I am glad to know that," Lydia replied. "I hope the same is true for you and Jeannette."

"Oh goodness, my husband has more money than he knows what to do with, and while Jeannette may have to learn to curb her spending, perhaps she will still wear the latest fashions."

Lydia smiled. "And that is truly all that will matter to Jeannette."

Evie grinned in return. "Well, that and her social standing. I suppose if somehow it is determined that without Father's money she is less than desirable in the upper classes of this city, she will suffer most heinously" Evie walked to the door and pulled on her gloves. She turned and looked at Lydia as if realizing this would he the last time she would see her.

For a moment Lydia met Evie's gaze, uncertain what to say. She didn't want to share any detail that might cause problems for her departure the following day "I hope you will he happy," she finally murmured.

A shadow seemed to pass over Evie's countenance and then was gone. She smiled. "I hope you will he, too, Lydia."

There was something of a farewell in her tone that made Lydia sad.

Gerald Lytle was a companionable sort of man. Standing only a little taller than Lydia, he was stout and well muscled and a good conversationalist.

"I am glad to meet you, Mrs. Gray. This trip is one I have often dreamed of taking." He paused and lowered his gaze just a hit. "I hope you don't mind my saying so."

Lydia was touched by his concern that he might somehow have breached etiquette with his comment. "Of course not. I'm quite happy for your company. I was uncertain how I would make the journey on my own."

"I've wanted to take the train west since the tracks opened last year." His animated tone actually served to excite Lydia. "Of course, there are still Indian troubles, but I do not want you to worry. I have brought my rifle, and should the need arise, I will protect you to the death."

You are most kind." Lydia smiled and motioned to her few things. "This is all I'm taking." She reached for a case. "I gave my servants the day off."

"I can carry that for you," Mr. Lytle said, rushing forward.

"No. I would trust no other to handle my violin. It has been my only comfort and consolation for many years."

"I can well understand," he said as he collected the other things. "Music soothes the soul as nothing else can."

She smiled and nodded. "Yes, that is true."

They departed the house, and Mr. Lytle handed Lydia up into the carriage. He secured her bags, then took his seat opposite her. He seemed to sense her mood and said nothing more.

Lydia couldn't help but stare at the house. She wondered at the lost years there-of the time when she had been a prisoner of Floyd Gray. With a kind man, she might have had happy memories. Even though the marriage was not of her desire, a loving man might have changed her heart for the better. She might have known great joy and passionate love. Instead, something inside her had died and would remain buried there at the Grays' estate.

Her gaze traveled upward to the widow's walk, off of which she knew Charlotte Gray had thrown herself. She had no doubt longed for an escape, just as Lydia did. Floyd had probably neglected and abused her in the same manner he had Lydia, and in Charlotte 's case, she had grown too weary to hear it.

Well, now we both have our escape, Lydia thought. We are both set free, and I shall be set upon a new path of hope. The carriage started down the drive, while Beethoven's Ninth Symphony built to a crescendo in her head. The words played out in her mind.

Oh friends, not these tones!

Let its sing more cheetfid songs,

And mnore joyful.

Joy! Joy'

And mote jot fiu l! Jot fu l! The word pierced her heart. She would he joyful and happy. Truly happy for the first time in her life.