Chapter 4
Mary Marston came to call that evening. She noted that Amanda and Matthew were sitting very close together on the parlor settee, holding hands whenever their hands weren't needed for some other task, and nodded.
"I am glad to see you well, Major Davis, and you too, Amanda. Do you still wish to rent my house whilst I'm in New York with my daughter, Major?"
"Yes, ma'am, I think I do. I know I'll always be welcome here, but there are good reasons for having my own establishment, and I've already arranged to hire two of the Rosemonts' former servants who are now employed by Colonel Thornton."
"That's good, because my Bridget is leaving to get married before the week is out, perhaps as soon as tomorrow. She and Gallagher haven't had time to call the banns, but the priest has agreed to marry them by special dispensation, as there is no time to be lost."
They all nodded, understanding that she was telling them that Bridget was pregnant, perhaps already several months pregnant, and needed to get married very soon.
Mrs. Marston continued, "I will be leaving on Tuesday, Major, and once I am gone, the house is yours until further notice. Even after my daughter has the baby, she will still need me to stay for some months to help her, so I may not be back for almost a year. It's good to know that the house will be occupied during that time, and of course you'll have the full use of the carriage."
"Yes, ma'am. My duties with the War Department may take me away for short periods of time, but Curtis and his wife Lucy will be there to see that the house is maintained while I am gone."
"Excellent. And now, Dotty dear, tell me why you came home so soon. Would it have anything to do with Edmonia Bubb?"
"Mary, the woman is simply impossible!" Dotty said. "Well, you've met her, you know how she is; she treats Daniel like a backward child and pouts when she doesn't get her way."
Matthew and Amanda, who had looked at each other in confusion at the mention of the name of Edmonia Bubb, now understood that Mrs. Marston was referring to Captain Daniel's married daughter. The very name almost sent Amanda into a gale of giggles, but by virtue of biting the inside of her lip, she managed to restrain herself. Matthew saw what she was doing and managed to restrain himself, but in his case, he was tempted to kiss her poor abused mouth and make it all better. He promised himself silently that as soon as they were alone, he'd do exactly that.
"Edmonia has been that way ever since her mother died, though, Dotty. I did try to warn you, if you recall."
"Yes, you did, Mary, and I wasn't paying attention. I thought, surely a man like Daniel West wouldn't allow himself to be henpecked by his own daughter. I was wrong."
"Where is Mrs. Bubb's husband, Mother?" Amanda asked.
"At sea; he's always at sea, in fact. He's not navy, he's a merchant seaman, and these long voyages can take months or even years, I know, but I think Daniel said that the last time he was home was in 1860. If you ask me, he's staying away on purpose. If I were married to a sourpuss like Edmonia Bubb, I'd stay away too," Dotty replied.
"In Caleb Bubb's case, it was definitely a case of 'marry in haste, repent at leisure'", Mary Marston said. "Twenty years ago, she was young, quite attractive, and much less, er, difficult to deal with. They met and were married within three months. Now, some people can meet and marry in three months and it works out just fine, but not in this case. Well, I hope that Daniel realizes that he needs to put his foot down and tell her to stop trying to run his life, because I think you and he are quite well suited, Dotty, but until that happens…."
"Until that happens, I will go on just as I have been doing, with the exception that I plan to do more volunteer work. Amanda is going to take me to the Sanitary Commission office tomorrow and introduce me to them."
"I think that's a wonderful idea, Dotty. It's hard work, sometimes heartbreaking work, but it's necessary, and you will do a good job."
"Thank you for saying that, Mary."
"I speak nothing but the truth. I'll be going now. Matthew, come to the house tomorrow and we'll make final arrangements for your tenancy."
"About ten tomorrow, ma'am?"
"That will be fine."
"May I see you to your carriage, Mrs. Marston?"
"I sent the carriage home, but I would be glad of an escort home, young man. You come too, Amanda."
"Yes, Mrs. Marston. Mother, we'll be back in a few minutes."
"Oh, take your time; I'm going to go upstairs and read in bed until I fall asleep; I'm still a little tired from the trip home yesterday."
"Then we'll say good night," Amanda said.
She and Matthew kissed Dotty, one on each cheek, and Dotty patted their cheeks softly. "My dear children, good night."