Chapter Ten
The Barkley family tent was set up in the park by the river. The box lunches were lined up on tables and plenty of tables and chairs were set up plus quilts on the ground. The family milled around and ate lunch. James and Viola disappeared down by the river. The ladies gave knowing looks while his uncles said little prayers for a peaceful discussion in a few hours.
A baseball game picked up on the green and most of the Barkleys jumped in. A long ball was hit and it came straight for Melly and little Camille. Heath reached out awkwardly and grabbed the ball before it hit the ladies. He felt his shoulder pop as he threw it back to the game. He inadvertently let out a groan. Melly looked concerned. Camille ran off with her cousins.
"Your bad shoulder?"
"At my age Melly, everything hurts now and then—-mostly now."
She reached out and rubbed it. He grinned lovingly at her.
"It's the same shoulder you got shot in—when we met."
"Honey, I got lots of scars and shots. Part of living in the west, I guess. But yeah, it is. When they got the bullet out, it chipped up the bone. Never quite been the same again"
But he leaned over conspiratorially and whispered, "It got me you for certain, so I count it a blessing."
"Oh, Heath, you always look at the good side."
"Cuz you and I came out of that mine alive and spoken for—-you came back with me to the ranch, and we got hitched. The best thing that ever happened to me."
She kissed him on the cheek, and they both got quiet thinking about that few days.
"Heath—please stay with me. Please. I wouldn't bear it losing ya."
"I like that, Melly. Not losing me. With you."
She would pressure on the gunshot wound and try to squeeze down the terror in her soul. Heath would go in and out of consciousness from the loss of blood. When they weren't talking, she found herself feeling like her six-year-old self in the hull of the ship. She had tried for years to banish those fears of the dark. The stench, the mildew, the aching hunger, the pitch-black darkness—the scurrying of rat feet on the timbers and the nibbles on her skin—-that turned into bites. The fear would break her sanity, and then Heath would groan or move—-it would return her mind to helping him. He thrashed once and broke out in a cold, clammy sweat. She rubbed his eyelid until he was calm and asleep again. When she believed him asleep, she kissed her fingers and placed them on his cheek.
"Don't stop," he whispered. She drew back, startled and embarrassed at her forwardness.
"Please?" and he reached for her hand, "My momma would rub my eyelid to settle me down. No one ever did that but you—-Mell. Seems you know what I need. Along with those sweet kisses."
"Heath,"
"Yep, still waiting for another kiss."
She tentatively kissed him lightly on the lips.
"That's what I am talking about."
She laughed, and he chuckled, "Oh that hurts to laugh. Need another Melly kiss."
Heath gained some strength after Melly got the bleeding stopped. He stood up and pulled her up beside him. They both were sore from being thrown into the shaft and completely disoriented by the dark.
A large whoosh above them and a flock of bats buzzed their heads. They immediately sat back down, startled. Melly began tocry softlyy. She was shaking uncontrollably and he just held her tight.
"Honey, next time we hear them, we must follow them. They know the way outta here."
"I am scared, Heath. I don't think I can."
"Yes, you can honey. I will be right here beside you."
"I am scared of the dark. If I could just see, I would be better, I promise."
Heath found an underground stream, and he scooped up water with his hands for Melly. They were parched, and she choked.
"Slow down, babe, your mouth done gone down dry. Real slow like."
He dipped a finger in the water and outlined her lips. They sighed deeply at the intimate gesture. He leaned over and kissed her again.
"Melly, you ain't never got anything to worry about. I got ya."
—&—
After the lunch in the park, the Barkley's gathered for the mayor of Stockton's speech to the town, and immediately proceeding was a citizenship ceremony for eighteen residents of Stockton who would "renounce all allegiance and fidelity to any foreign prince, potentate, state, or sovereignty," an oath of allegiance to the United States, be of good moral character and had lived here over a year. Several of Jarrod's Welsh foremen would be taking the vows with others.
The proud new citizens stood up to recite their words with red, white, and blue cockades made by the ladies' society. Many had tears in their eyes as the brass band played the national anthem afterward, and the crowd joined in again with a My Country Tis of Thee.
Elize teared up as she sang along with the crowd. She had taken her citizenship test proudly in 1890 by choice. Marriage to Jarrod had already provided her, but she wanted to become an American with the ceremony. The family supported her completely and honored her with a party. Only Jarrod knew how much it meant to her and why.
He had tried for four days in a row to get emigration papers for Elize. One French bureaucrat after another put up roadblocks. Armand came daily to help him with his French and French law to no avail. On the fourth day, he offered a bribe which was taken but no results. He was left with no recourse.
"Sorry Monsieur Barkley. No emigration for the girl-child. She is French and there is no path for her to leave. She has no employable skills. The ballet has her under contract and she must be returned. She is indentured for her training, room, and board."
Armand held him back once from hitting the condescending adjunct. He went back to the American Embassy.
The ambassador told him, "Jarrod, you have upset some very powerful men. They refuse to give me any paperwork to allow her to go. I am sorry, but your mistress must stay here. She is beautiful but a man of the world like yourself will have an easy time finding an English or American one. Don't recommend the Irish. Too fiery."
"She is not my mistress. She is someone I want to help."
They all looked at him with a smirk as if he was lying.
Every day he would return to Elize in the carriage and act like all was going to plan. He took her shopping, fitted for elegant, modest dresses in stylish fabrics. He ordered shoes, boots, hats, and gloves from a French cordwainer and haberdashery. He bought her a simple pearl cross and a French-English dictionary along with a tapestry travel bag and trunk for the journey.
They dined at cafes and bistros around town; they would practice with menus and newspapers their communication. He was thoroughly enjoying her company and since she trusted him now, she was full of conversation. She was bright—-despite a lack of formal education with keen observation skills. They worked on their French and English skills in a playful way; quickly she learned how he wanted his coffee and when he wanted more silence. Insightful was the word that came to mind after beautiful most often. He pondered all the possibilities for Elize—-education, languages, tutors, finishing school, dance, voice—-anything she wanted to be—-Jarrod Barkley would make it happen.
The first kink in his plan came at the American Embassy on the fourth day. A young attaché took an interest in Elize when she was called Mr. Barkley's 'ward'. Armand had used the term for lack of a better word.
The young man perked up and took her arm, "Would you like to see the gardens? If I do say so myself, they are some of the loveliest in the western city. The ambassador and your guardian need to speak, I believe."
Elize assumed Jarrod was needing his privacy, so she agreed, "Oui."
Jarrod did see the hesitation in her manner, but his annoyance with the attaché's familiarity and flirting overtook him.
"No. I need Elize to stay—-in case we have questions, or she is to sign something." gruffer than he planned.
The attaché frowned but scurried out of the room. Elize sat on the settee and smiled kindly at him. He felt relief and something more—-protection, he decided himself.
"Yes, I am just being protective of her. She has been through too much." But even his rationale could not allow himself to call himself her guardian unless it was to get her out of the country. It would be only the first of many times in the next year. It would begin in earnest the very next week.
They walked into the private office as Elize read The Language of Flowers from this morning's excursion.
"Jarrod, Armand, we need to talk. We have no more options. The girl must stay." The Ambassador spoke.
"No," said Jarrod adamantly. Armand shook his head in frustration.
The dark-haired barrister spoke, "There is another way. I will marry Elize if she agrees. I will do nothing against her will. A civil union so she can get an annulment when she chooses."
Armand burst out, "Jarrod! You are a very wealthy man. You could have any woman you want. This is a whim. She's not more than a waif. Paris is full of them."
"Elize is different. It is decided."
—&—-
Jarrod took Elize to the Tuileries after lunch. They walked through the gardens and strolled arm-in-arm. He purchased her a bouquet of flowers and they practiced their French and English game.
He took her to a bench under some willows. He checked his timepiece from the pocket in his waistcoat; he found himself nervous.
"Elize, we have exhausted all the options to get you out of France legally. And I have considered some illegal ones honestly."
She bit her lip in confusion as he was learning was her nervous habit.
"Slowly?"
And he kindly told her his plan.
"Elize, will you marry me? I will not press you for anything. I just want you to be free and this is the only way. I want what is best for you. You can annul at any time."
"Monsieur, uh Jarrod. You are very kind. What will God think of such? Marriage is holy. Have you been married?"
"Yes, twice. Both died. And it is holy, Elize. I believe that too. And I believe what I am asking of you is too."
"Jarrod, can we walk again? I shall like to think."
He smiled his charming smile and she knew her answer.
—-&—-
"Ladies and Gentlemen of Stockton. This is a historical day in our fair city of over 20,000 men and women. Today as we go to the ballot box, only our gentlemen can vote—-and you cowboys know I use the term loosely" as the crowd roared.
"Wyoming and the west have led the nation in ratifying the vote for our fine ladies, we all know that we are smarter than them high-flolooting Easterners." to cheers and laughter.
"Our oldest original settler to this Valley is still the prettiest. Old Tom picked him a fine one when he took that wagon west. I have seen Victoria Barkley in a ball gown with the President of the USA and I have seen her take down a deer in one shot; she has wrangled cattle and senators. Where do you men think Old Nick learned to shoot and play poker?"
The crowd roared.
"We men of the west like our ladies soft and sweet—-and strong. They deserve the right to vote—-like their husband tells them of course." and the clapping was loud and the hoots loud.
"So in solidarity with women like Victoria Barkley and her whole brood of fine-looking females—-all you cowboys, I think some of them don't have a ring yet. Check them out at the dance tonight at 8:00"
"Ladies, please come forward." Victoria was helped up by Maria Victoria. Jane was steadied by her daughter-in-laws, Ann and Elsa Carrington. The rest of the ladies filled in for a portrait of the Barkley women placing a symbolic vote in the suffragette box, draped in an American flag.
Victoria spoke clear and strong, "Now ladies of Stockton please place your ballots in the box so the state of California will know how the ladies of the San Joaquin valley feel!"
Her family could tell how much the strong voice took out of her but then the crowd wildly clapped. Maria Victoria held on tightly and took her to her chair. The smile never left her face as dozens of women lined up to let their voices be heard.
Elisabeth had water ready for Jane and Victoria. They were winded but so proud to have lived long enough to see this day. Melly and her other sisters-in-laws took the ladies back to the Cattleman's for a nap before their birthday dinner and cake.
"Well Janie, we did it. My heart is still in my throat and I could use a sherry— but two old sisters made their stand."
"Yes, Victoria we did. Douglas is already napping with Petey in the adjoining room. Nick and Jarrod said he did well camping. Relieved my mind."
The rest of the children and ladies settled in too. Elize and Miranda eyed as Nick and Jarrod left with Heath. Nick's three sons had left a few minutes before.
"Elize, something is going on. Did you hear that dashing husband of yours tell me to hush at the grandstand? He's got some bollocks" she said in mock anger.
"He's a brave man, I agree to take on you, Miranda. Seriously, I am a bit worried about it myself."
Melly came up behind them, "I overheard they told Petey they would be at Nate's for a while and get Duke to the party if they were late."
