Authors note: I need to apologize for the delay in posting, but work and travel kept me busy.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Priscilla became aware that Noah was stirring slightly, his body rustling under the bed cover, as she held his hand. She was also feeling Rosemary's scrutiny on her, even as she was trying to figure out what to do next.
"The necklace you have is lovely. You seem very knowledgeable about medicine, Rosemary." Priscilla decided to break the awkward silence, realizing that she couldn't run fleeing out of the house. She was also curious about the woman, and not just because of her relationship with Jarrod. The doctor's leather bag was worn, but professional, and well stocked.
"My father was a doctor in Richmond, where I'm from. After the war we came west together." Rosemary busied herself sorting through the bag.
Priscilla now saw a set of initials on the clasp. "CPT…" she said and shot rosemary a curious look.
"It was my father's bag," The woman brushed a gentle finger across the initials. "We didn't want to leave Richmond, but my mother was dead by then and my father's practice was in ruins." Her eyes brightened as she recalled her father's dedication. "He treated the Union army prisoners held at the camp outside of town.
Priscilla removed her hand from Noah's, as she tucked his under the blanket. She had never expected to hear what Rosemary was saying, and it took her aback. The woman had been the daughter of a very respectable man. Rosemary had probably, at Priscilla's age, never thought she would be where she was now. Suddenly Priscilla was humbled; as she thought about how blessed her life had been…and still was.
"Did you have any family members who served?" Rosemary inquired, and Priscilla saw how careful she was about not asking which side her family might have been on. Virginia had been a state that because of its geography had had more brothers fighting each other, than anywhere else.
"My grandfather was as a chaplain in the Union Army, but he administrated to both sides during the conflict." Priscilla was happy to share her story, sensing that Rosemary needed to hear it. "He wasn't even an American, still holding his British citizenship."
"How noble of him!" Rosemary almost retorted, and Priscilla wasn't sure if the other woman really thought that or not.
"Ah, the English are all about doing one's duty!" Priscilla's voice held a note of pride, as she thought about the man who had raised her. "Grandpa Henry felt war was a waste, as men of faith do." Priscilla added, being pretty sure that Rosemary's father had felt the same way. "I can only imagine how a man of medicine, sworn to uphold the healing oath, would struggle with the same issue." She sensed that Rosemary was dealing with unresolved pain at what her father's decision had cost her.
"Yes, well that is true, but no one else in Richmond saw it that way; I ended up leaving the only life I knew." Rosemary went back to sorting the medicine bag, apparently feeling uncomfortable with the direction the conversation was taking. "When the war was over, there was nothing left for my father, so he wanted to leave. I didn't want him to go alone."
She stopped there, but Priscilla, sensed there was more Rosemary wanted to share. "How did your mother die?"
"My mother was from Charleston – the most beautiful city in America. When war was declared she was down visiting her family. I was supposed to have gone along, but I'd come down with measles and couldn't travel. Mama wanted to be there because her sister was in the family way." Rosemary went on to explain that fighting in Virginia blocked off travel, and then a river fever epidemic had hit the city, taking many lives.
"So you were separated from your mother, and then you didn't want to leave your father alone. Rosemary, that was very good of you." Priscilla felt the need to reassure the woman, feeling so bad for the heartache she had experienced. It came to her that that was probably part of why Rosemary had been able to relate Jarrod, because of their unhealed pain.
"Do you have any family left? Have you thought about going back?" Priscilla queried, sensing a longing in Rosemary, for what she'd known long ago. She wished there was some way she could help Rosemary return to Charleston but didn't know what it would be. Of course Rosemary returning to Charleston would hurt Jarrod. Now though, as Priscilla saw the whole picture, it was clear that Jarrod was going to end up hurting no matter what.
She did understand though, how two people, in such pain, could come together. Priscilla decided she wouldn't judge Jarrod for his relationship, knowing he had seen the same side of Rosemary that she was seeing. That still wouldn't excuse him for the other ways he'd used her, with Maisy and Noah. However he saw his actions and Priscilla was sure he had justified them neatly in his mind; it had set everyone on a collision course.
"Actually I have just recently started corresponding with my aunt in Charleston. I have kept abreast with the newspapers from both Charleston and Richmond. My grandfather died recently, leaving my aunt and a much younger uncle." Rosemary added that she'd never really spent time with him, since he'd been off at the Citadel Military Academy.
"Rosemary, I think you'd like to know him, and see Charleston again! Why haven't you?" Priscilla knew she was pushing beyond correct social boundaries, but at this point, it was all water over the bridge. With that in mind, she reached over and took Rosemary's hand, wanting her to know that she only wanted to help.
"Yes, I want to see them so badly; but." Rosemary sighed, and Priscilla saw the sadness in her eyes. "How do I explain; I mean you can see; my life is not what – what it should be." She turned away as she replied, and Priscilla understood that she was, in spite of everything, still the proper daughter of the town doctor.
"Are you not aware that women have graduated from medical schools, and are practicing doctors?" Priscilla squeezed Rosemary's hand. "All you have to say is that you ended up in a frontier town, helping the town's people, after your father passed away. Who is really going to question the details, especially if you call on your late father's memory?" She was sure that Rosemary was a good story teller, and could come up with believable tale.
"Really, women have been granted medical degrees?" Rosemary widened her eyes, and Priscilla saw that she was giving the woman hope. Grandfather Henry had always maintained that if a person had hope, they had the world at their feet. Priscilla suddenly felt very close to him, as she held Rosemary's hand. Before she could say anything else though, Maisy came back into the room, with a hot water bottle wrapped in flannel.
"Miss Converse, would you like to come to the kitchen, for some tea?" Maisy asked, after she had put the bottle under Noah's covers. "There are some matters we need to discuss." She added, and Priscilla sighed, but nodded. Releasing Rosemary's hand, she gave the woman a smile, and stood. She turned, and followed Maisy down the hall. At least, Priscilla told herself, they wouldn't be talking in the front parlor with the women in their chemises.
The kitchen was cheery, presided over by Sadie, who put a pot of tea in front of them, along with cups and a plate of cookies. She then excused herself, leaving the two dissimilar women sitting across from each other. Priscilla took in the cast iron stove, the pans, and the red checked tablecloth; struggling to appear calm.
"Noah speaks highly of you, and I have appreciated how you've kept me up to date, on his progress. Your notes have been very helpful to me, in relating to him." Maisy began, and Priscilla could see that the woman was trying to put her at ease. She poured some tea, and offering the plate of cookies. "Sadie makes these butter cookies that are delicious. She uses a Mexican vanilla and cinnamon." Not wanting to be rude, Priscilla took one and had to agree that they were very good.
"I am glad that my notes have helped. Actually, I was going to be writing you this week, to update you on him." Priscilla had wished more than once that she could sit down with Noah's grandmother and the old adage about being careful what you wish for struck her hard. "Noah is very smart, as you've picked up on. I'm sure that Jarrod made you aware that the commander of Ft. Endurance, a West Point graduate, was tutoring him?"
"There is a lot that Jarrod hasn't told you though, about Noah." Maisy retorted. "Priscilla, you were never supposed to be here, or know where Noah really lived." She added, and Priscilla had to give her points for protecting Jarrod. After all though, he was her lawyer, and her interests had to be Jarrod's interests too. Priscilla felt like she was getting an education that she'd never dreamt of before; nor was it one she really wanted.
"Be that as it may, I am here, and I do know." Priscilla replied, seeing this as a way to bring up what she'd been going to write to Maisy about. "You love Noah very much, and your care has certainly helped him come to terms with what happened at Ft. Endurance. Now that he is talking, I think we need to think about his future; that is what I planned on writing you about." She decided not to go into how unsuitable it was for a young boy to be living in a house of pleasure.
There were lots of children who lived in poverty, or even on the streets. Noah was loved, housed, and well fed, his needs being more than amply met. The moral implications on the other hand were huge, and Priscilla was sure that Maisy, in her heart, was aware of them. It made her curious about Maisy's background, and Priscilla decided to get her curiosity answered.
"What was Noah's mother like? You said you never met Noah's father?" Priscilla asked, being fascinated to know more about Noah's family, such as it was. She listened as Maisy told her the story of her marriage in Louisiana, her husband's death, and how Noah's mother was raised at the convent where Maisy's sister was the Mother Superior.
Priscilla was good at hearing what was said, and inferring what wasn't; she was sure that there was more to Maisy's life, but the woman was editing it, because of Priscilla's background. The mention of the daughter being raised at the convent should make Priscilla's suggestion be accepted more easily.
"I'm sure that are glad that your daughter found happiness, even if it was short lived. I would think that she would want what is best for Noah. " Priscilla offered, when Maisy finished her tale. "The school here in Stockton, while good, only offers so much in the way of education. I have taught Noah as much as I'm able to." That Noah was highly intelligent made Priscilla certain she could convince Maisy to see the correct path for the boy.
"Noah possesses a fine mind, and a keen intellect. I'm sure that Col. Kelling saw it, which is why he was tutoring Noah in the subjects that he was. Even before today." Priscilla paused, not wanting to come out and make a judgment about Noah's living situation. She knew that while it would be the moral thing to do, it wouldn't change anything; she also wanted Maisy's cooperation. Criticizing someone, even if you were right, didn't win you anything. "Even before today I was going to write you about a suggestion for Noah, once school is out in May." She was relieved to see Maisy, which is how Priscilla couldn't help but refer to the woman in her mind, was listening attentively.
"I understand that Noah will want to be close to you, since you are his family." Priscilla by now was sure that Maisy would want her grandson close too. She had a private chuckle at how many men would be surprised to know that the red-headed woman was in fact a doting grandmother. "There is a very good boarding school for boys, in San Francisco, run by the Jesuits. It is affiliated with the University of San Francisco." Since Maisy's aunt had been the Mother Superior for an Ursuline Convent, Priscilla hoped that the Jesuit Order was not unknown to her.
Maisy tilted her head, and asked Priscilla to tell her more about the school. Priscilla made it a point to stress the emphasis on education the school had, as well as point out how close it was to Stockton. The next several minutes were spent with Maisy listening to what Priscilla had to say. When she was done, Maisy announced that she would talk to Jarrod about seeing to getting Noah enrolled, for the summer term. As Priscilla rose to take her leave, she felt that everything was going to be fine – at least until what Maisy said next.
"Miss Converse, could we not say anything to Jarrod, about you being here? He would be very unhappy, and I think you would have to agree that it would be awkward for you, the next time you see him." Maisy's voice was questioning, and Priscilla once again saw how Maisy was protecting Jarrod. It gave Priscilla pause, but then she knew that the request wasn't reasonable. There was too much she wanted to talk to Nick about, in relation to this place – involving him, and well as Jarrod.
"Mrs. St. Romaine, I can't agree to that." Priscilla took a deep breath, before she went on. "However, all of us only want what is best for Noah. That is how I plan on handling it." She understood that the young boy, who had already lost so much, was the one who could lose even more. It came to her then that Jarrod had probably seen that too, and it was why he had dealt with the matter as he had.
Priscilla wished that her grandfather was still alive, so she could discuss everything she'd seen today with him. She had always thought of herself as kind and considerate, but she had never before realized just how much pain a person could feel, even as they concealed it. The knowledge gave her insight into what her grandfather must have experienced, as he counseled his parishioners. There were times when, at the end of the day, Grandpa Henry would shut himself away, just wanting solitude.
After she said good-bye to Maisy, Priscilla was relieved when Chin Lee appeared, to show her out the back door. Quietly leaving the brick house, she made her way quickly back to the park, while mediating on everything she'd seen and learned. Priscilla wished she could talk to Nick right away, but he was out at one of the line shacks, until the end of the week. On the other hand, she was glad that Jarrod was away in Sacramento, for ten days; giving her time to figure out what to say to him.
There was also the issue of what Nick was going to say, once he found out that she'd been to the brothel. Priscilla had no doubt that Nick had been to the house and others like it. She had heard plenty of talk about his behavior; the bars, fights, et al. Her concern was that Nick might have known about Jarrod and Rosemary along, just not said anything to her. It was with a heavy heart that she trudged back to the proper side of town.
She was deep in thought, and didn't know it, but Priscilla had been observed leaving the House of Flowers. Chester Osgood, the younger son of the owner of a shipping company, was approaching the house from the back way. He was n'er do well, who spent most of his time drinking, instead of working in the family business. When Priscilla had first come to town, Chester had made a big play for her, but she had turned him down hard. He was aggressive in an underhanded way, and nursed real and imagined slights, especially when he was drinking, which was most of the time.
His face, sallow and too flushed for his young age, took on an evil grin, as he observed the pretty school teacher sneaking out of the brothel. A plan began to form in his mind, on how to get revenge on Priscilla, as well as embarrass the stuck-up Nick Barkley. Chester still nursed his injured pride from when Nick had thrown him out of the saloon, telling him to come back when he could drink like a man. A nasty chuckle overtook him, as he stood there in the late afternoon fading sun, working out the details of what he was going to do.
