Chapter 4:

Steam billowed from the engine as it pulled into the siding, smothering the platform with clouds of acrid fumes. The chatter of moving crowds grew ever louder and as the hazy outline of the station slid in and out of view, the jostling herds of passengers disembarking buffeted the stationary individuals with flagrant disregard. A young woman however, stood detached from those fighting against the crush of bodies, waiting silently by the carriage which she had so recently vacated. Her erect posture and exquisitely tailored gown exuded the poise and grace of an elegant lady of high birth yet the set of her jaw and cool expression of her bright eyes spoke of a fiery independence accentuated by great intelligence; she sought but one face and her keen glance repeatedly swept through the station in growing impatience.

Fighting his way through the bustling throng, he finally emerged beside the train and gazing frantically around, saw no sign of her. Mortified that he might have missed her in the bewildering mass now moving towards the entrance, he glanced back in dismay yet at that moment, a clear voice called his name. For an instant, he could hardly believe his eyes; there she stood beside the door that hung half open, a small smile curling her lips. Her hair that had once hung in loose waves down her back was elegantly styled and pinned up to reveal the slender column of her throat. The simple, cotton dress had been replaced by a coat of smoothest velvet, the deep crimson highlighting the black, leather bag clutched firmly in her gloved hand.

"Michaela?" he breathed, suddenly uncertain that the striking young woman before him could ever have been the same person. Yet as she drew close enough to meet his wavering gaze, he saw the laughter dancing in her eyes. Hastily discarding the bag beside her cases, she picked up her skirt and all propriety forgotten, hurtled towards him, a slim shot of colour that flung itself into his arms and cried joyfully against his ears. Wrapping his arms instinctively around her warmth, he nestled into the crook of her neck, breathing deep the floral fragrance of her skin before murmuring against her shoulder, "I missed you."

It was as though she had never left.


Though Michaela dubbed it a ridiculous extravagance and said she'd much prefer a small dinner at home, Sully was determined to celebrate her final return to Boston in style. A high profile social was organised, invitations were sent out and the house dusted and polished till it shone from every angle. Yet by the morning of the event, Mrs James was in a state of great panic, frenetically re-dusting and re-polishing every object in sight. The amused glances of the two party planners following her around the house did little to improve her mood and with an uncharacteristic boldness and little ceremony, she sent them both out of the house with strict orders to purchase a new dress for Michaela. Sully was inclined to back out of the little adventure however a brief reminder from Michaela that he still owed her a petticoat from the last time he had bought her a dress changed his mind and laughing good naturedly, he contentedly accepted the arm she proffered to him. Well remembering his previous, somewhat overwhelming experience in a dress makers shop however, it was with a great deal of trepidation that Sully crossed the threshold into a world that billowed with silks and lace. Yet he needn't have been concerned; Michaela had a mind of her own when it came to patterns and designs and blithely ignoring comments regarding the latest fashion or most expensive fabric, she rapidly selected the garment she wanted and ordered it to be wrapped up. At this point, Sully had casually strolled over in at attempt to sneak a glance at the colour she had chosen but she had been too quick for him and laughing at his rather pathetic attempt at subtlety, she merely picked up the dress box and thanking the assistant, shepherded him sternly from the shop.


Whilst her endless studies and great love of all literature had rendered Michaela the intellectual equivalent and one might even argue on occasion superior, of the elegant ladies and gentleman scattered in small groups throughout the hallway and living room, there was one subject upon which she was woefully ignorant. In her naïve, ever humble manner, she yet perceived herself as the rough and ready girl upon whom Fortune had chosen to smile so kindly. Yet the beautiful and engaging young woman who turned the heads of many as she made her way down the stairs, could hardly be identified as the same dusty character in the threadbare garments. Her dress was the colour of the midnight sky, the deep hue burnishing her skin with the pearly sheen of finest alabaster. Despite his playful demands that she wear her hair straight down like she used to, she had laboured on with the curling iron and carefully pinned up the sides so that a waterfall of lustrous curls now cascaded down her back. Simple ornaments, a silver chain and small earrings, completed her attire and as she smiled at him, the colour rose to lace her features with a radiance that bathed all around her in the glow of her natural delight.

Sully watched contentedly as she wove her way effortlessly through the crowds, pausing now and again to address a word to a friend or acquaintance, confident that she would eventually find her way over to him. Yet a tall and stately gentleman accosted her mere feet from where he stood and though he half expected her to smile and politely excuse herself, as she had done every other offer of conversation or a dance, she paused and appeared to show a genuine interest in the young man's words.

A malignant frown contorted his features and the resultant gleam in the sharp, grey eyes at having captured the lady's attention, made the thorny prickle of jealousy all the more difficult to ignore.

"Save a dance for me?" she said in a low voice, leaning back towards him with a smile as the gentleman guided her across the hallway.

"Sure," he replied nonchalantly, eyes narrowing with dislike as he watched the gloved hand come to rest on the small of her back. Though his heart protested angrily at the display before him, his mind contested that he had no right to feel alarmed, that he had lain no claim on her affections and furthermore, he had not had the slightest indication that his feelings might be reciprocated, should he deign to reveal them at all. Ire was a much more palatable medicine than the bitter dregs of regret however and with a final glare in the direction the couple had taken, he turned and abruptly stalked off in quite the opposite way.


Making her way through the now deserted hallway, Michaela chided herself thoroughly for her behaviour; her innocent interest in the young physician had led to his unending presence all evening and though she had tried to extricate herself from his circle of comrades, her every effort had proved unsuccessful. She had half hoped that Sully might come to her assistance, perhaps provide a suitable excuse for a hasty departure, yet he had always seemed engaged, laughing and drinking champagne with a pair of handsome blonde siblings. Though she had never particularly considered the matter, she supposed she had been a fool not to think that someday he would want to marry. Naturally he would select a woman of wealth and calibre such as himself yet in spite of her rational musings, her temper rose inexplicably as she recalled the bright blush that had filled the elder sister's cheeks as Sully had handed her a drink and quickening her steps as though to rid her mind of the image, she hurried on towards the entrance where Sully was seeing off the last of the guests. To her dismay however, she was just in time to see the afore mentioned sisters bid their farewells to the attentive host who responded in kind with a low bow. Had she but seen the mocking expression in his eyes as he executed the nicety, she might have laughed away her momentary anger as silliness, yet she had not that fortune and the sight merely sought to fuel her rage. As the front door finally closed and the butler was dismissed with a cheerful goodnight, Sully made towards the stairs however a cold voice issuing from his left instantly arrested his steps.

"Finished saying goodnight to all your guests?" she queried, an icy whip behind her words.

"Yep," replied Sully with a smile, "Did you enjoy yourself tonight?"

"Well you certainly seemed to," she replied with a sardonic smile, ignoring his question and glaring at him with eyes that flashed fire in the darkness.

A smile of comprehension spread slowly across Sully's features and folding his arms before him, he stated simply, "I think you're jealous."

"Me? Jealous?" she shot back venomously, "that's ridiculous. You are quite at liberty to entertain whomever you choose without my having anything to do with it."

"Admit it," he teased, "you're jealous."

"I am not jealous!" she cried, puerile tears rising in her eyes as she turned on her heel and disappeared into the library, slamming the door behind her. A resounding crash followed by the tinkle of broken glass filled the air and wholly startled, she spun around. In her agitated state, it had completely escaped her memory that the old, oaken library door had recently been replaced in strict accordance with the latest fashion, by a thinner one of white pine with small panes of glass set along its length. The vehement force behind her attempt to exclude Sully from her sanctuary had knocked a lone, unwitting pane out of its frame and it now sparkled as a shower of irregular needles upon the floor.

Suddenly overwhelmed with shame at her petulant behaviour and guilt ridden that she had recklessly destroyed a very expensive piece, she resolutely bit back the beads of moisture that threatened to run unchecked down her cheeks. As the creak of the new wood betrayed the opening of the door behind her, she hastily turned away, lest he observe the raw emotions reflected in her now downcast eyes.

"I'm sorry," he offered softly, "I didn't mean to upset you. I was only teasing."

"Truth is," he continued when she seemingly remained unmoved by his words, "I was jealous too."

"What?" broke in Michaela, turning back towards him, her own agonies fading in the wake of sheer incredulity.

"Yep," replied Sully with a sheepish smile, "you and that doctor, dancing and talking together. It almost made me crazy to see you like that."

"I'd much rather have danced with you," murmured Michaela, stepping closer to him, "but you never asked."

"I know," he whispered, raising a hand to gently caress the side of her face, "and I'm sorry."

"I should be the one apologising," she interposed contritely, "the door…"

"Don't worry about Michaela," he replied with a low chuckle, "you were just reminding me how much I love you."

He barely registered the bliss that contorted her lineaments at his words before his lips descended upon hers and he revelled in the sweet softness. He had waited for this moment for so long and he tried desperately to prolong it, holding on to her as tightly as he could yet he sensed the change within her and with a gentle push on his chest, she broke the tender embrace.

"Sully," she breathed, stepping away from him, "I've waited so long to hear you say that."

"What's the matter?" he queried, instantly registering the sadness that tinged her tone.

"There's something I have to tell you," she began in a low voice, moving to stand by the window. When the deathly silence that had fallen in the room remained unbroken, she continued slowly, "I applied for a position as a town physician and I received a telegram today to say that I've been hired. I'm expected at the end of the week."

"But's that great," interjected Sully, his features relaxing into a smile as he hurried forward to embrace her anew, "I thought…"

Yet as she continued to resist his attempts, his voice trailed off and with great concern he asked, "Michaela, what aren't you saying?"

"The position Sully," she said, taking a deep breath to steady herself for his reaction, "it's in Colorado Springs."

The words echoed around the small room, brutally shattering the hope that had risen in his chest mere moments ago. Shock rendered him disbelieving and in bewilderment he exclaimed, "But you can't leave, you've only just come back to Boston. This is your home and I…"

"Sully," she interposed gently, reaching forward to take his hand and stemming the flow of words, "that night, when you father was suddenly taken ill and I sat with him until you arrived, he said something to me."

"My father?" queried Sully, the consternation clearly reflected in his features.

"Yes your father," she repeated softly, "He knew exactly who I was and where I had come from, yet he maintained that that didn't make me any less worthy of his affection.

"But I don't feel worthy," she continued with a sigh. "You've done so much for me Sully, given me so much that I can't even begin to thank you for it. But I can't stay here, I don't belong here. To live forever amidst these people, all this finery and know that I hadn't earned any of it….I couldn't do it. It's not who I am."

"But I love you," he repeated in earnest, his mind unable to comprehend what she was saying though his heart beat faster with her every word that passed her lips, as though in anticipation of imminent loss it had determined to live as much as possible in the remaining moments.

"And I love you, but I'm still a street girl," she replied sadly, a lone tear escaping the confines of her lashes and trickling down her cheek, "a poor, forgotten soul who longed to help the people around her. You gave me the tools to make a difference Sully, but I can't do it here, I'd never be accepted. I have to take this chance, to make a life for myself, so that perhaps one day, I will be truly worthy of your love."

"Please, try to understand," she whispered, rising up to place a tender kiss on his cheek before stepping back and leaving him alone with his thoughts.

Yet he was as one frozen; his heart had long since stilled its beats and the very breathe seemed stolen from his lungs. Held immobile in a fierce grasp which robbed the words from his lips even as he made to call out to her, he blankly watched the most treasured portion of his heart walk away from him. And in a mere moment, she had turned and vanished from his sight, just as she had done all those years ago in a sweltering, waste strewn alleyway by the river.