Chapter Twenty-One: Six Weeks Later
Elspeth woke up early and snuck out of the hotel bed. She had woken up during the night when the stomach pain began. She was mortified and wondered if Jarrod even knew about such.
"It definitely explained my tears of the past two days. Poor Jarrod looked so confused when I cried when I tore my apron."
"Honey, I can get you another—-or as many as you want—-don't cry." he seemed so helpless as she cried when the old apron caught on the cactus as they finished the last details for the dedication this week.
She freshened up and laced up her bodice. She flinched at the tenderness she felt.
"Well, that explains last night even with Jarrod's gentle ministrations. It's never been uncomfortable before and I am so glad the lights were dimmed." she sighed.
"At least, I know I am not with child. And I am never predictable as my sister—-how do I tell Jarrod? Does he even know such? And tonight? We have been together every night and morning since—" and she teared up in mortification.
She locked the water closet door and cried, "I don't have anyone to ask. I thought I was dying when it first came. A neighbor had to tell me and get me cloths. Now that I am married, I have new questions. Oh, mother, I miss you so much."
He stirred and reached for Elspeth. Her side of the bed was empty, and he pulled the covers back. There was a spot of blood. His eyes widened.
"Elspeth? "
"In the water closet. I will be out soon." She called out to him with a hitch in her voice.
He frowned and decided to pull the blanket up awkwardly.
She came out in a few minutes in a long nightgown and puffy eyes. He furrowed his brow and patted the bed, "Are you ill, my love?"
She bit her lip and looked as if she would cry again. She shook her head no.
"Come lay down. I missed you."
She shook her head no and sat in the armchair.
"Are you ok? Did I do something? Did I hurt you last night?"
"Oh no, Jarrod," she mumbled.
"Honey?" He looked at her with confusion.
"Time of the moon," she barely whispered.
He frowned, then his eyes showed some recognition, "Monthly?"
She shook her head downcast.
"But it doesn't come every month" she barely got out.
He didn't know what to say, so he put on his union suit and came around the side of the bed.
"I love you, honey and it's part of marriage. Would you like me to get another room for a few days?"
"Are you shamed? It's a curse, I know."
"Oh honey, no. I am your husband and proud to be. I don't want you to be sad." and he kissed her on the forehead.
"Can I stay in your room?"
He looked bewildered, "Of course, honey. It's our room, and this is to be expected."
She leaned into him, "Thank you, Jarrod."
"Oh honey, I love you. I don't know much about women's matters, but my mother will be here tonight. She wouldn't mind talking to you, I am sure."
She sniffled and leaned into his chest, "I love you too."
—&—
He went downstairs and brought them up with coffee and hot tea. They had been living at the hotel since they returned to Berkeley. The Captain had told Jarrod that he was leaving the house to the sisters in his will, and he would love it if they would move in sooner with him.
Jarrod didn't want Elionoir to live at the cabin alone and agreed to move into the home as a family. The Captain moved to the first floor, Elionoir to the second floor; he and Elspeth would take the third-floor rooms. Water closets were easily installed for the first two floors. Their rooms were delayed in getting plumbing to the third floor, and some subfloors needed replacing to handle a water closet upstairs. They stayed at the hotel, enjoying the extra time alone, knowing Elionoir was safe with the Captain.
Elspeth was dressed when he returned and her puffy eyes were the only indication of the morning's tears. He handed her tea, and they sat quietly discussing the day's plans. They both avoided the uncomfortable conversation of the early morning.
"The dedication is in three days. My family is arriving tonight. Then we take the Barkley car to San Francisco for the rose show at the arboretum."
"I am so nervous, Jarrod. The Eve was well received in New York but I only have forced a few buds here. What if it won't bloom?" She began tearing up again.
He shook his head, "Honey, it will be fine."
"You don't know that," and the tears flowed again.
He knew nothing else to do. He took the teacup from her hand and just held her.
—&—
"Now, Amelie, you are not to be unchaperoned one moment, Fräulein. Your poppa and mutter have struggled for two weeks to allow you to travel with the Barkley family. Your poppa will retrieve you in San Francisco after the mining meeting. Mr. Heath asked for your father's permission as well as Mrs. Barkley's in person. He gave his word that he would be a gentleman. I voiced my opinion, but your Uncle Augustus won. Says he has lived in America longer than we. It will be fine. Business over propriety, if you ask me. You better come back with your chastity and good reputation." their elderly housekeeper chastised her.
"Ride in open buggies only and do not make eye contact with any young man—-including the blonde Barkley. You must always be chaperoned, do you hear me?"
"Yes, mam," Amelie answered, barely containing her excitement. She didn't hear from Heath for two weeks after the wedding, so she worried she had shamed herself in the rain, as her parents pointed out. But then Heath came to their home and asked her father for permission to take her on a ride. He declined but allowed Heath to sit in the parlor with one of her younger sisters in the room.
Heath was very patient with their old-world customs and had come by twice a week since then to visit her. A pillow's distance must separate them at all times on the settee.
She longed for the freedom of Americans and her friend Audra Barkley. "Berkeley and San Francisco would be freedom," so she complied with every lecture and admonition her parents, housekeeper and uncle mustered.
The Barkley rig arrived with Audra and Nick; her father lectured her one more time. He narrowed his eyes at Nick, "I am trusting your family with my oldest daughter. Don't disappoint me, Mr. Barkley."
"Yes, sir, Mr. Aigner," he replied with resignation. Audra elbowed him. He got out of the rig and loaded her small trunk next to Audra's large one.
They headed towards town and the railroad station.
—&—
Heath settled his mother into the private car and paced until he saw the rig come towards the station. He grinned widely, and Audra waved back at him.
Nick laughed, "Look at that Audra; he's happy to see his big brother."
"What a smile for us, brother," she teased.
Heath lifted Amelie out of the rig. She demurely smiled and blushed.
"Welcome, Miss Aigner."
"Thank you, Mr. Barkley" with a little smile.
"I wasn't set that you would be able to come until I saw ya around the bend."
"I worried myself." still holding his hand.
Nick rolled his eyes, "Heath, she can get into the car with Audra all by herself. Just gimme some help with these trunks, little brother."
"See ya inside."
Audra took her arm, and they went to settle in the car with Victoria. They loaded up and headed for Berkeley.
Heath and Amelie visited most of the way. Victoria and Nick, and Audra shared knowing looks until Nick pulled his hat down to nap; Audra dozed off too, and Victoria became engrossed in her book.
Heath reached over and held her hand, "I have been wanting to do that since the wedding."
"And I have wanted you to since that day too," she whispered.
He grinned his lopsided grin and winked at her. She took a deep breath and smiled back.
—-&—
"My dear, if you want to be accepted in the best circles, you must do more than have the right address and dressmaker. You must become a patron of various charities. A donation gets you in the door. Invitations will come, my lovely."
The elderly benefactress she met at the Palace had taken her under her wing. Penny had singled her out as a wealthy, lonely woman out of her home after a gale.
"Consuelo, you have been a godsend. Treating an old lady as family. My nieces only humor me to stay in my will. You really listen to my advice and wisdom. What a blessing you are. A young widow in the throes of life willing to sit with an old lady. Your late husband was lucky to have you."
"Oh, Mrs. Price, I am lucky to have met you. I haven't had a mother since I was a child, and now I have met the wisest lady in San Francisco to take me under her wing."
And she patted the lady in fur on her jeweled hand—as she rolled her eyes behind her back.
"Let's talk about my— our social calendar. I would like to attend the charity horse races next week and the rose show at the arboretum. Would you like to join me, my dear?"
"Of course, Mrs. Price, if I can be of help to you."
"Oh, my dear Connie. You are just the sweetest."
"It is I that is blessed. I being a widow and all—" as she eyed her pearls on the dressing table.
—&—-
Eugene met Elionoir after school in the library. There was a local poetry reading in the foyer. Gene knew her love of all the arts and hated she missed out so much by her last name.
He slipped the student a coin who was checking names at the door, "Only college students allowed Barkley."
The dollar piece was handed over, and a name, Mary Brown, was written by the student.
They sat over to the side and back of the room. He slipped his hand into her gloved one. She was beaming, and her eyes lit up as the young poet began reading. She would squeeze his hand in delight with each refrain. He only had eyes for her.
"Jarrod, I don't know if I can wait much longer to ask for her hand. I hardly sleep at night, and she plagues my dreams. I wish my future were more settled. I may be here or Paris or Baltimore. I just don't know, but I know I want her there with me."
Jarrod smiled at his little brother; they were alike in the same way that Nick and Heath were. They saw life—and felt their feelings strongly. Everyone thought Nick to be the impetuous one. Jarrod and Gene knew they had the same vein. When they decided on something, it made them single-minded. The Buchanan sisters—