Chapter 20b
The next day, Stephen brought a list of names: parishioners who had been ill with the flu, and were recovered, but unable to get out.
Obadiah looked over the list. "Well, Stephen, I believe a few visits are in order today."
"Yes, sir. Shall I bring the buggy around, or would you like to ride Second Chances?"
Obadiah thought a moment then replied, "No, I believe I shall ride today. I plan to go to Brook Green to see my mother."
Rising from his chair, he made his way to the coat rack, and retrieved his frock coat, hat, and riding cloak. The weather was a bit unpredictable this time of year, and he wanted to be ready if bad weather arose. Stephen nodded his approval as Obadiah walked out the door and headed toward the stable to saddle Second Chances. When he arrived at Northbrook, he noticed several changes had taken place.
As he approached the front desk, Mathilda greeted him. "Oh, Reverend Slope, Esther was telling me you'd been ill, too! Do you feel better?" she questioned.
Obadiah smiled in her direction. "Yes, I do, thank you for asking. How are you feeling? Quite recovered?"
"Oh, yes, Reverend. I'm feeling much better now. Thank you for asking." She smiled as she placed a file in the drawer, then turned back toward him.
"What's going on?" he whispered. "I noticed several of the windows have bars on them now."
Mathilda nodded gravely. "Oh, yes, on the upper floors; those were just added two days ago--new rule now, especially for the more agitated patients." She stood to escort him to the garden.
"Did they find a replacement for the superintendent yet?" he inquired.
"Yes, sir, he arrived yesterday morning from London. A Mr. Hughes, Alexander Hughes."
Obadiah nodded as they stepped through the door and into the garden.
Esther was seated beside the fountain, chatting with an elderly gentleman. They were deep in conversation, and neither noticed Obadiah approach.
Standing there on the path, Obadiah heard his mother say, "Why, just this morning, I read about an accident in the newspaper, between two buggies."
The elderly man nodded. "Yes, dangerous things they are in the wrong hands. Never liked them myself, used to walk everywhere." He shook his head.
Esther nodded in agreement. "My James and I did, too. We used to walk all over Keighley. Oh, we used to have the best time!" she exclaimed, then went on. "Of course he bought a buggy when we had the money. That was after I was in the family way," she whispered. The elderly man nodded and smiled at her.
Obadiah cleared his throat then, and Esther looked up. "Oh, come sit here, Obadiah!" she invited excitedly. "This is Mr. Murcheson; he was a banker," she explained, and Obadiah shook the old man's hand.
"Pleased to meet you, sir," Obadiah replied.
"Good to meet you, son," the man answered back. Obadiah sat down next to his mother, and the three of them had a nice visit. After a while, George Murcheson excused himself, and made his way to his room.
After he left, Obadiah looked at his mother. "I need to ask you something," he began, and then hesitated, as if unsure on how to phrase the question.
"Mother, how did you know that Father was interested in you?"
Esther's eyes lit up as she looked at her only son. He was so endearing, innocent in so many ways, vulnerable, yet strong.
Shaking her head, she replied, "Well, son, he found out I liked daisies, and every day as I'd go to do my chores, I'd find a bouquet of daisies on the stoop." She smiled in fond remembrance of how James had courted her, with simple, endearing gifts, that made lasting impressions.
Nodding at the information, he filed it away, and asked the next question. "How did you let Father know you were interested in him?" He sat, waiting for her answer with a look of expectancy on his face.
"Well, let me think. If I recall correctly, I had Father invite him to tea, then dinner, then we'd all sit in the parlour. Finally, I would meet him at the fence with a special pastry I'd made for him to take with him to work." She looked at her son. "Why do you ask, son?"
Obadiah turned crimson as he met her eyes, and replied, "I want to get to know Angelique Rhys, and I don't want to mess it up. I…I love her, Mother," he confided, then looked down at his shoes.
Esther smiled. "Son, how does she feel about you?" she asked.
"I don't know. I believe she likes me, but I haven't had a chance to talk to her for any length of time."
"Well, son, just be patient. I'm sure she will let you know." Esther gave his hand a pat, and squeezed it reassuringly. Obadiah gave her a hug, rose and extended his hand to her. "Shall we have a stroll through the garden?"
Esther smiled at him. "Yes, I'd love to take a stroll." She stood and laced her arm through his, and together they walked slowly down the path.
*********
The ride back to Hammersmith was pleasant. The sun began to shine, and it warmed up the chilly morning quite nicely.
Obadiah was just approaching Shepherd's Bush Road when he saw the accident. A runaway horse and buggy had crashed into several pedestrians on the walkway in front of a dress shop. Obadiah pulled his horse to a stop and dismounted. He rushed into the crowd; he was let through, when the bystanders saw he was a minister.
As he stepped to the front of the crowd, his eyes took in the bloody sight before him. A bobby had removed his cloak and placed it over the body. It was obvious by the bobby's demeanor that the person was dead.
Obadiah had stepped up to inquire if anyone knew the family, when he was brought up short by the sight of Angelique and her mother, standing there clutching each other. Both were crying, and very upset.
Rushing over to them, he looked from one to the other. "Are either of you hurt?" he questioned, his voice shaking, concern and worry evident in his tone.
"Mrs. Rhys, Miss Rhys, are you alright?" he asked once again.
They looked up at him then, and relief flooded their faces at the sight of someone familiar.
"Oh, dear, Reverend Slope, I'm so glad you are here," Mrs. Rhys replied as she began to cry once more.
"My Aunt Beatrice, she's...she's..." Mrs. Rhys couldn't go on as she swooned, and Obadiah caught her before she fell.
"Here, have a seat." Obadiah helped her over to a small bench next to one of the shops on the street, then turned his attention to Angelique. She was standing next to the building, eyes wide and bright with unshed tears.
She looked horrified by the sight of the covered body. As Obadiah approached her, he spoke. "Miss Rhys, come now, come away, and sit here by your mother."
As she turned her head to finally focus on his face, she gasped and launched herself into his arms, hiding her face from the sight, against his neck. He led her to the bench, and sat her beside her mother, then walked to the bobby.
"I need a cab please, and let's get the undertaker," Obadiah whispered.
The bobby looked at him. "He's already been sent for, Reverend. I'll hail the cab straight away."
Obadiah nodded and turned back toward the frightened, crying women, and helped them into the cab when it arrived.
"Take them to Fifty-six hundred Foster Lane, please," He told the cabby, then he stepped to the window of the cab. "I shall be right behind the cab, Mrs. Rhys. I shall see you home, and send for the doctor." As the cab pulled away, Obadiah swung himself into the saddle, and took off at a gallop.
***********
The cab pulled up in front of the Rhys' house. Obadiah was there, and off his horse before the cab door opened. He helped the ladies out, and asked the cabby to wait a moment. Escorting Mrs. Rhys and Angelique to the porch and into the house, he called for one of the maids.
Felicia came to the hallway, and Obadiah told her to send for Dr. Rhys.
"Yes, sir, right away," she replied. "He is at the hospital." The girl turned back to the kitchen, and went to tell Hardy to fetch the doctor.
Obadiah settled the ladies on the settee, then returned to the cab. Taking several shillings, he paid the man. "Oh, but, Reverend, this is too much," the man informed him as he held out the extra money to Obadiah.
"No, you came right away. I thank you, keep it please."
The cabby nodded. "Thank you, Reverend."
Obadiah nodded and hurried back to the house. When he entered the foyer, he noticed another woman in the parlour. She was short, and rather portly. She looked to be in her seventies, and Obadiah surmised she was probably Dr. Rhys' mother.
Removing his hat and frock coat, he went into the parlour to check on Mrs. Rhys and Angelique. When he stepped through the door, Margaret Rhys nodded to him. "Reverend, I'm Maggie Rhys, Edward's mother." Obadiah nodded as Maggie Rhys continued. "What happened?"
Obadiah sat her down. "I'm afraid there has been an accident involving Mrs. Rhys' Aunt Beatrice," he whispered. Maggie Rhys looked shocked, and Obadiah knelt in front of her. "She was killed in a buggy accident. Your daughter-in-law and Miss Rhys witnessed it." Rising, he excused himself. "I shall be right back." He turned and walked to the kitchen to ask the cook to please prepare some tea.
Turning back toward the parlour, he overheard Dorthea Rhys weeping. "Oh, poor Bea... I just can't believe she is gone."
Angelique hugged her mother and exclaimed, "Mother, she stepped in front of me. It would have hit me if she hadn't."
Angelique's voice broke then, and Obadiah staggered at the thought of losing his Angel. Maggie Rhys was holding Dorthea's hand, comforting her as best she could, speaking in low tones. "It's over now, dear. You and Angelique are going to be fine. Edward will be here soon."
Obadiah walked back into the parlour and knelt between Angelique and her mother. "I will wait until Doctor Rhys returns, then I shall go and make arrangements if you'd like." His eyes searched Angelique's face, memorizing each contour as he waited for an answer.
"Thank you, Reverend. That would be most kind of you," Dorthea told him as she began to weep once more.
"I'd like to say a prayer for you both," he told them as he bowed his head and began to pray. "Father, I pray for your loving arms to hold this family close. Help ease their grief during this time, and show them your mercy. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen."
Angelique looked at him then, and smiled a tremulous smile as she whispered, "Thank you."
Obadiah nodded and rose, as the maid came with the tray of tea and biscuits.
When Doctor Rhys arrived, he rushed to Dorthea's side, and held her close. "Oh, my dears, are you both alright?" He searched their faces as he reached out for Angelique.
She cried as she was gathered into her father's arms, and he rocked back and forth, murmuring small loving words.
As her tears subsided, Edward Rhys looked up at Obadiah. "Thank you, sir. I appreciate your taking care of my girls." He reached out his hand, and clapped Obadiah on the shoulder.
Nodding in return, Obadiah replied, "It was nothing really."
Edward Rhys looked at his wife and only child, and shook his head. "I assure you, sir, it was, and it was most kind of you."
Obadiah cleared his throat, and then spoke. "I will make all the final arrangements, sir, for Mrs. Rhys' aunt." Dr. Rhys walked him to the front door, followed closely by his mother.
"Do you want anything special done? A special prayer or a favorite bible verse?" Obadiah asked.
Edward Rhys looked back at his wife, then shook his head. "I believe anything you choose will be quite alright with Dorthea." He shook Obadiah's hand. Nodding to him, Obadiah turned the door knob as Dr. Rhys went back to the parlour. He was about to walk out the door when a small hand caught his arm.
Maggie Rhys stood there looking at him, then she whispered, "Ease your mind about her, child. She will be fine." She gave his arm a firm pat.
Nodding in her direction, his face reddened slightly as he walked out the front door and mounted his horse. A puzzled look crossed his face as he thought, 'I wonder how she knows?' Shaking his head, he looked back toward the front door, and then galloped away.
His next stop would be the local undertaker.
*******
Several days after the funeral, Obadiah sat at his desk in the library and penned a missive to Mrs. Rhys and Angelique. He wanted to know how they were doing.
The last he'd seen they were riding in the coach back to their home from the cemetery. Taking out a new parchment, he began to write.
Dear Miss Rhys,
I wished to delay my missive several days before writing to give you the time you needed to recover from your recent ordeal.
I felt that now would be a respectable amount of time to inquire after you and your mother.
After your sad ordeal of last week, I was worried about you both, as it was such a tragic thing to have witnessed. If you or your family need my assistance in any way, please feel free to call upon me at anytime.
Sincerely,
Obadiah Slope
He read the letter through twice, then folded and addressed it before sealing it with his personal sigil, that of an 'S' with small leaves around the outside. Satisfied with the note, he rose and walked to the kitchen. "Betsy," he called out.
"Yes, sir, I'm in the pantry," she replied as she stuck her hand out, and waved in his direction.
Obadiah chuckled to himself as he walked closer. "Oh, yes, Betsy, when Bobby arrives today, please have him deliver this to Miss Rhys."
His request was no surprise to Betsy. "Yes, sir, I will, right away," she answered with a knowing smile.
"Thank you, Betsy."
*********
Thursday evening found Obadiah walking toward Foster Street. His heart raced at the thought that perhaps he would get a chance to see Angelique tonight.
He hadn't had the chance to talk with her after the funeral, and his missive of a few days earlier had not been answered.
He was apprehensive, as he thought that perhaps he might have overstepped his boundaries. But he reasoned that if he had, her father would let him know.
The side door was open as it always was on these nights, and the lamps were shining brightly as Obadiah mounted the steps and peered into the room through the windows.
Edward Rhys sat in his usual chair; he was reading, but when he heard Obadiah's footsteps, he placed the book aside and rose to meet him at the door. "Come in, come in." Dr. Rhys pushed open the door, and clapped Obadiah on the shoulder as he stepped through the door.
"Sir, I trust your week has gone well?" Obadiah inquired, as he sat down at the chess board.
Edward Rhys sat opposite, then replied, "Yes, much better this week, last week was...well you know." Edward Rhys shook his head and looked sad.
Obadiah cleared his throat, and asked, "And your daughter, is she fairing well? I have been quite worried about her, and your wife."
"Yes, they are both quite alright now," he replied, looking closely at Obadiah, seeing the disbelief in his eyes.
Edward stood then, and walked to the door. "Sunny, can you please come here a moment?" he called out, then sat back down.
Moments later, Angelique walked through the door, but stopped short when she saw Obadiah seated there. She turned to her father. "Yes, Father what did you need?" she asked, glancing once again at Obadiah.
Edward Rhys watched for a moment, then answered, "Sunny, it seems the good Reverend, here, wouldn't take my word for it that you had suffered no permanent damage from last week's ordeal. I assured him you were just fine, but I'm afraid he wanted to make sure for himself." Edward rose then, and walked to the sideboard next to the wall, effectively turning his back on the two of them.
Obadiah stood and gave a slight nod. "Miss Rhys, I hope you are suffering no ill effects from last week."
Angelique looked from Obadiah to her father, then blushed. "No, I'm quite fine, I promise." She smiled at him, then blushed again as Obadiah nodded his head.
Edward turned back then. "Would you care for a sherry, young man?"
Obadiah was still looking at Angelique, and didn't reply right away. Angelique smiled again, then backed out of the room and closed the door.
Clearing his throat, Edward Rhys asked once again. "I say, young man, would you like a sherry?"
Obadiah moved to the sideboard. "Yes, yes sir, please."
**********
As October rolled around, Obadiah's chess games went from once a week to twice a week. Dr. Rhys suggested it after a particularly difficult game on Thursday evening. "I believe we should leave this game board just as it is, and continue it tomorrow evening, don't you agree?" he questioned.
Obadiah smiled, and readily agreed as he donned his hat and coat. "Yes, sir, that sounds like an excellent idea." He was surprised when the older man opened the door that led into the house proper, and escorted Obadiah into the hallway that led to the front door.
"See you tomorrow night, then, young man." As they walked up the hallway, Angelique heard them talking as they neared the door. She stood up as they reached the entrance hall, and started forward. Obadiah stood looking at her as she walked to the parlour door.
She was dressed in a light green dress that accentuated her eyes. In his mind she looked stunning.
Obadiah stood rooted to the spot, looking at her as she walked to the parlour door, his heart on his sleeve.
He wasn't an overly observant man--Dorthea had pointed that out to him a time or two. But Edward Rhys knew when he saw love shining in someone's eyes, and this young man's eyes were full of love, and all of it for his only child.
He tipped his hat to her and nodded, as Dr. Rhys opened the door for him. "Good night, sir, Miss Rhys, until tomorrow."
************
Dorthea Rhys decided that the second week in October would be a perfect time to have a party. She had talked it over with her mother-in-law, and they'd decided that a harvest party would be appropriate.
They made a list for the cook. They had decided they wanted pumpkin pies, cakes, a few apple pastries, apple cider, tea, several baskets of fruits and nuts, along with apple dumplings, and a variety of meat and cheeses.
Dorthea also had a new beverage to serve her guests. She'd bought it in France--coffee, they called it--and she was anxious to hear what her guests thought about it. With the menu planned, she and Maggie began to work on the guest list.
"Now Mother Rhys," Dorthea began, "I'm only inviting twelve guests."
Maggie looked surprised by this, and asked, "But dear, only twelve? How is a girl of Angelique's age supposed to find a suitor amongst twelve gentlemen?" The question hung in the air as Maggie continued. "And I assume you will invite a few of Angelique's girlfriends?"
"Yes, Mother Rhys, but I believe our Angelique has already set her cap for a young gentleman." She whispered, "The others don't matter anymore. In fact, that is what this little party is for, to prove my suspicions valid."
Maggie Rhys' eyes lit up then, as she leaned toward her daughter-in-law. "So are you of the same mind as I am when it comes to her choice?"
Dorthea looked at her questioningly, and the older woman informed her, "I mean, dear, that our Angelique seems quite taken with the new Reverend." Dorthea smiled at that, and Maggie whispered, "Oh yes, I saw it when he was here after the accident. Her eyes were for no one else, as were his."
Maggie Rhys grinned then, and shook her head. "Ah, to be young, and in love again."
Dorthea looked at her. "So you can see it, too?"
"Yes, dear, I can see it, too. Her eyes tell all, and our young Reverend Slope, his eyes are only for her."
Dorthea smiled. "Well then, we must see how deeply they feel about each other."
Maggie nodded. "Indeed."
Felicia, the upstairs maid, Angelique, and Dorthea decorated the downstairs parlour. As they finished, Dorthea stepped into the hallway and commented, "It's lovely, just lovely."
They had asked the groomsman to gather several baskets of colorful leaves to place around the house and along the table to give it color.
Then, weaving a small number of green vines throughout, with a few pumpkins, vases, and bowls of colorful mums around the area made it look festive. Overall they had outdone themselves. The corn shocks that flanked each side of the front door, with bright orange pumpkins in front, set the theme of a harvest party, and as Edward Rhys came home from his rounds at the hospital, he commented on the decorations.
"My goodness, Sunny, did you and mother do all this?" he asked as his only daughter met him at the front door.
"Yes, Papa, and you'd best go right upstairs and get dressed. Our guests will be here soon."
"I see, well it certainly looks festive," he replied. "Where is your mother?" He hung his hat on the hall tree.
"She is getting ready," Angelique replied as she walked toward the dining room to check the table.
"Well, I will go get ready then."
**********
The party had been going on for almost forty-five minutes when Obadiah finally arrived.
Edward Rhys answered the door and he smiled as Obadiah crossed the threshold. "Well, here you are, glad you could make it." He took his coat and hat, and hung them on the hall tree.
"I apologize, sir. I had parish business to attend to."
"Ah, I suppose Thomas Rogers passed away then," Edward commented, and Obadiah nodded his head.
"Yes, he did. I was attending to the arrangements, and talking with the family."
"Quite right. Well, you are here now, and that is what matters." Obadiah smiled, and Edward escorted him into the parlour.
Angelique stood beside the refreshment table, talking with Charlotte Mitchell, and as Obadiah walked in, she looked over at him. The smile that lit up her face did not go unnoticed by her mother.
Dorthea approached him. "Reverend Slope, how good to see you again."
"I trust you are fairing well this afternoon, Mrs. Rhys," Obadiah greeted, as he stood tall with his hands clasped behind his back, all his attention focused on Dorthea Rhys.
"Oh, yes, I am quite well, thank you for asking." Obadiah made a small bow, and Dorthea directed him over to her mother-in-law.
"I hope you remember my mother-in-law, Margaret Rhys." She introduced the two once more, as Obadiah nodded in the older woman's direction. "Good to see you again, Mrs. Rhys."
Maggie Rhys motioned for him to have a seat beside her. "Here, young man, sit here a moment." She gestured to the chair beside hers.
Maggie asked him about his family, and Obadiah told her about his mother. He felt that she would understand somehow, and so he confided in her.
They talked until dinner, at which time, Obadiah stood and offered his arm to her, escorting her into the dining room.
Looking around the table, Obadiah noticed there were place cards sitting on each plate, indicating where each guest would sit. As he walked around the table looking for his name, he hoped in his heart to be seated near Angelique, but his hopes were dashed when he saw her take a seat at the opposite end of the table from where he was to sit.
He was seated near the doctor, two seats away from the man, and between two young ladies.
They looked to be Angelique's age, and their names were Lucy Dalton, and Kathleen O'Fallon.
Kathleen chatted amiably with the doctor, while Lucy not only chatted, but flirted with Obadiah.
Angelique glanced around the table several times. Each time her eyes strayed to the pair at the other end. She watched as Lucy chatted away, touching Obadiah's arm from time to time, and leaning in close to whisper and flirt with him.
Several times he would laugh at something the young woman would say, and shake his head. As she watched, Angelique became jealous. Her movements betrayed her agitation to her mother, who watched the entire byplay from her seat at the end of the table. Nodding to Maggie, she saw the older woman smile and nod back.
Dorthea knew that her daughter was seething with jealousy, but she also saw what Angelique couldn't see. And that was how the young man at the other end of the table only had eyes for her daughter. Angelique didn't notice, but Obadiah Slope was watching her daughter, just as readily as she was watching him.
'Yes,' Dorthea thought, 'a match truly made in heaven.'