Chapter 4
The Brother Of The Bride
For the Stewart family, it was an absolute relief and happiness to find their precious girl unharmed, safe, and secure. Losing Liza in that terrible winter's night was the biggest disaster that could have happened for the town's well-known family of Stewarts. Fredrick Stewart was an accomplished pianist and a musician back in the East. His family owned an estate and a cattle ranch somewhere in Albany. He was quite wealthy and well-off. However, during his younger years, he had been a gambler and lost most of his fortune. Because of his bad luck, Mr. Stewart decided to start fresh and moved out west together with his family. Although, he soon regained his title and lands, he made a final decision to settle in the little town of Oregon. His wife Louise was a former ballet dancer who was of Scottish and Spanish ancestry. Fredrick had met his lovely spouse in the theater of Albany while performing together. Soon afterwards, they got married and had two beautiful children: Robert and Elizabeth, but everyone called the kids Bobby and Liza.
Robert was 8 years older than her baby sister. So you could probably say that the little girl was spoiled and admired by both her papa and brother. The two men had become overly protective of their pretty jewel and were determined to protect her at any coast. Knowing this, Liza had always been a capricious little girl growing up. Always asking for ponies and colorful new dresses. Of course, that had changed over the course of years and when she turned 11, she started to mature and became very selfless. Her mama was more strict when if came to proper behavior and ladylike postures. Being the daughter of a beautiful dancer, Liza inherited her mother's beauty, manners, poise, and grace, but she was also free spirited and quirky. Bobby, her older brother was like her bodyguard, always trying his best to be there for her and aid her whenever possible. They studied music together, danced together, learned equestrian skills, poetry, new languages and were very close.
The reader can definitely imagine how heartbroken, furious, enraged, and crazed with worry was Robert and his father Fredrick upon finding out that their precious girl was abducted by the group of wild and ill-mannered Pontipee brothers. They had immediately ganged up with the families of other stolen girls and tried their very best to find a way to save their young women. But alas! After the avalanche had blocked the pass, the searchers had no other choice but to wait till Spring. The months passed slowly for them. All Stewarts could do was wait and wait. This drove them crazy! Poor Liza! What a horrible disaster indeed! The more they thought about it, more saddened they had become. Reverend Elcott had gathered all of the families of the abducted six women and even though, heartbroken for the kidnapping of his own daughter, encouraged everyone not to loose faith. They all knew that Milly, their beloved Milly was now married to the oldest Pontipee and prayed that she would not let any harm come to the girls. That was their only comforting thought.
However, after Spring had finally come, and the townsfolk rode up and rescued the young women, Mr. Stewart and Robert were in complete shock to find out that Liza was determined to stay on the farm with that Pontipee fellow. They decided that it was all the seven brothers' faults and that they had indeed changed and brainwashed their sweet girls. So the vengeful families became even more resolved in punishing the Pontipees.
The two full days had passed since the arrival in town. Liza in the meantime, had no idea what became of Milly and the rest of the girls. She knew that Ephraim and his brothers were confined in prison and their fate was still unknown. She hoped that Milly wouldn't let anything happen to them, but at the same time felt that she also had to do something in order to save her love. But what? That was the question.
Unlike Ruth, Liza was more social and talkative with her family members. But simple coldness in her tone was enough to make her parents and brother understand how unhappy she was. Liza had tried to tell them the whole story and how she had come to forgive the Pontipees. But of course, it was pointless and her father was still very angry and longed for justice. Her family had blocked out her words and intentionally made up their minds not to listen to her. They were sure that Liza was still under the impression of the Pontipee brothers and in no time she'd forget about it and move on. Basically, this was the thought of all of the families of the kidnapped maidens. Only Reverend Elcott tried to stay reasonable and see things in different light, thanks to Milly's constant begging.
At the moment, the Stewarts were at the dinner table and honorable Thompsons had paid a visit to them. Mrs. Stewart had arranged the reunion between her daughter and young George Thompson, who was the former suitor of Liza. Still interested and keen on getting married, Mr. Thompson and his parents joined the Stewarts for dinner, and to inquire how Liza was doing after the misfortunes that she had endured.
"We were all so very happy to hear that nothing serious had befallen you, dearest Liza." Mrs. Thompson announced relieved. "You won't believe how worried our George was. I'm so glad he rode up to the farm and fearlessly rescued you." She continued speaking for his awkward, boring and dull son.
"Well, that's all in the past now." Remarked Mrs. Stewart, eager to change the subject.
"Indeed, indeed." Nodded the other woman in agreement. After a while, George Thompson started mumbling about his late accomplishments like most of the arrogant young men used to do in town to gain the lady's affections. Liza was lost in her own world, deeply worried and heartbroken about her sweetheart. How she wished to be in his arms right now back on the Pontipee homestead. Things had changed so much after the first Spring day. She and the girls had explored the farm just few weeks ago, and she had danced with Ephraim in the open meadows.
"Fredrick, I must ask," Elderly gentleman's voice, who happened to be the father of George Thompson, snapped Liza back to the present. "What has been decided for the Pontipees? Surely, they must be punished."
Liza remained quiet and calm, but inside she was shaking with fear and her heart was racing like no other.
"We aren't sure yet." Answered Mr. Stewart. He wanted to see Adam and his brothers lynched for what they did however, he wasn't planning to say that right now. Not in front of his daughter.
"They must hang for their crimes." Mrs. Thompson blurted out, as if reading Fredrick's thoughts.
"I won't allow it!" Liza exclaimed, unable to control her emotions any longer. "Not on my watch!"
"Dearest Liza, we all know how hard it is for-" Mrs. Thompson started calmly.
"You know nothing!" Liza interrupted, forgetting the ladylike manners and etiquette. "Not one damned thing!"
"Goodness gracious!" Her mother cried horrified. "Watch your language, Liza."
"It's quite alright." George interfered suddenly. "She's still traumatized." He glanced at the young girl with a small smirk. "I'm sure our wedding will make her forget all of it."
Before Liza could answer, Mrs. Thompson turned to his son. "Are you sure you want to marry this sharp tongue, my boy?"
"Not to worry Mrs. Thompson," Liza threw in quite calmly. "There won't be any wedding. You're wasting your breath..." She glared at George who looked at her with a surprised impression. "I will never marry you, Mr. Thompson." With that, she stood up as much dignity and grace she could master and turned towards her bedroom.
For a while the spectators at the table remained frozen as statues. Robert, who had remained silent through out the conversation excused himself. "You must forgive my sister. She's not always like this."
"It's alright young man." Assured Mr. Thompson gently.
"However, I'd appreciate if you wouldn't discuss marriage till our mutual agreement." Added unsatisfied Robert and threw his napkin on the table. Soon afterwards, he went upstairs towards his sister's bedroom, leaving his parents and guests even more perplexed.
He found his baby sister lying and sobbing on her bed. "Liza, my dear sister, what is the matter with you?" He walked towards her and sat himself beside her on the mattress.
"Just go away, Bobby." Liza whimpered and buried her face in her pink laced pillow.
"You know how I love you. Please, tell me what's troubling you?" He pulled his sister gently to him, a she continued crying and sobbing.
"Don't you understand?" Liza cried out and looked up to him. "I...I love him! I love him!"
Robert's eyes widened in astonishment. "That's not possible."
"It is! And I have forgiven him!" Liza kept sobbing and buried her head in his chest. "Why, are you all so ignorant and impulsive? Why won't you listen?..." She mumbled in whispers as the tears of anguish rolled down her cheeks. Robert couldn't bear to see his beloved sister in so much pain. He hated when she was upset. He shushed her and assured that everything would be alright, and after his sister calmed down a bit, Robert decided to take matter in his own hands. As much as he despised the seven brothers and thought their behavior was monstrous, preposterous and unjustifiable, the sense of guilt was still rapidly nagging him.
It was around 9 o'clock and even though, first day of June had arrived, and the darkness came later in summer. It was still getting already pretty late. But Robert couldn't help it...he started realizing and recalling few things. He remembered how taken with that Pontipee fella was his sister at the barn-raising, and how jealous the town suitors had been of the seven backwoodsmen. He himself in the beginning had nothing against Adam or his brothers, but after the terrible brawl that occurred shortly after the barn dance, he wasn't as accepting of the Pontipees. Though he was sure that the fight broke off because of the jealous town boys. Robert had no other choice, but to participate in the brawl...part of him knew that he and his fellow town men were unjust to the seven brothers. They had banished them from town and ignorantly judged them. He was however, furious over the kidnappings! He was this close from murdering all of those brutes, when he discovered them up in the mountains.
But Robert also had a sweetheart in town, he was in love with Dr. Andrew's daughter Olivia Hamilton. He was courting her and hoped to marry the pretty redhead someday. He started realizing that maybe if he had been forbidden to ever see her, he too would do the same reckless thing. I mean love makes us fools, right? He would also without a doubt carry off his sweetheart. So who was he to judge the actions of the Pontipees? He himself was no saint!
With these open-minded thoughts, Robert Stewart rode off towards the headquarters of the officers and made up his mind to meet the Pontipee who had stolen his precious sister's heart.
This chapter was fun to write! I wrote little bit of back story for Liza's family and I updated the previous chapters, adding more history to Dorcas and Ruth's family members. I really hope you enjoyed the chapter. Things are about to get interesting!
Please, review! Your feedback motivates me! Thank you to adreamama and CaramelloBear! You two are amazing supporters!
