To Capture Her Heart Page 22

  Heather Flower listened, her amusement tinged with sadness. Her aunt told the story as if she’d never told it before and recounted how she was shy about approaching Mary at first, but Mary had been just as anxious to meet her as she was, and all awkwardness had dissipated quickly.

  When they both discovered they had cooking and gardening skills they could teach other, the friendship was cemented forever. She laughed as she told them Mary loved to say who knew that milk from an English cow and Indian corn would taste so good together. And Winnie was as pleased to receive honey from the English bees as Mary was to receive syrup from the native maple trees.

  Benjamin listened politely, thanked Winnie for her stories, and said good night. He kissed Heather Flower’s hand and she walked her aunt to their wigwam. She helped her ready for bed, combing her aunt’s long gray hair. “I enjoyed your stories too, Aunt Winnie.”

  Her aunt patted her hand. “I’m glad you did. Mary has been my friend for so many years.”

  “I know. It’s comforting too, to know how well our people can dwell together. I think at times Benjamin worries about this, and it was good for him to listen to your stories.” She braided her aunt’s hair. “Would you like to comb mine, Aunt Winnie?”

  “Yes, my niece. I love to comb your hair.”

  She turned and sat so her aunt would not have to get up, and enjoyed the rhythm of the strokes on her hair. “Would you like to come and live with Benjamin and me after we’re married?”

  Winnie hesitated for just a moment, then continued to comb. “Why, no, child. I could not leave my hut. Winheytem lived here with me. I feel his closeness. You and Benjamin are so young and have so much ahead of you. You don’t need me in the way.”

  “You would never be in the way, Aunt Winnie. I can’t bear the thought of you alone. Have you ever thought of living with Abigail and James? You could help her with Misha.”

  “No, I love seeing Misha and Abigail. But I want to stay here. Don’t worry for me, Heather Flower. I am where I’m happiest.” The wolf dogs settled at her feet. “I’ve got my pups. They remind me of Smoke and your uncle.”

  She let her aunt finish her hair in silence, then she wrapped her arms about her in a hug. “I love you, Aunt Winnie. I had such a good day with you today.” She took the comb and helped Winnie to her pallet.

  As she put the ivory comb on her shelf, she thought of Dirk handing it to her the first time. It was more than just providing her with a necessity. She’d thought it had been a gift from his heart, but she’d been wrong about that. If only it didn’t make her feel so very sad. She crawled onto her pallet and pulled the bearskin blanket over her.

  How could she have been so wrong about him? And why did she keep thinking about him?

  After Aunt Winnie’s breathing evened out, she got up and wrapped the blanket around her shoulders. She crept out of the hut and hurried out through the palisade gate, down the path to the river. She wasn’t sure why it was such a comfort. Perhaps it was because this was where he always came to find her. Was it terrible to come here? Did it mean she hoped he would be here waiting? She listened to the ever-flowing water and the bullfrog’s occasional croak.

  She shivered under her blanket and looked up just in time to catch a shower of stars blazing across the night sky. It was an astral display that her people believed was a sign of travel mercies. But who was traveling? Dirk? She prayed to God that he would have the travel mercies promised in the shower of stars, if he be the traveler. She would never know, though, because traveling or not, he’d left her.

  Sweet Benjamin was ever at her side, always there to pick her up when she fell—or when the world crashed in on her. She shook her head. She needed to go home, go to bed. She had people who loved her, and for that she could be thankful. She got up and padded toward the fort. She hesitated to listen one more time to the rushing water, then hurried to the gate and the wigwam.

  As she curled beneath her blanket, gray light seeped in through the smoke vent and surprised her as the sun began to edge toward morning. She hadn’t realized she’d been out most of the night. Her eyes seemed to close only for a moment, when suddenly she was conscious of meat sizzling in a pan, and Aunt Winnie preparing a very English breakfast of ham and chunks of bread and cheese sent home by Mary. The pups perched expectantly near the fire, intent on catching a scrap here and there.

  She smiled to herself as she tried to close her eyes tighter and savor sleep and the smells all at once. Aunt Winnie would be all right. She loved her little home. Her little dogs. Her friends. And she would always be close by.

  Finally, when pleasing turned to tantalizing, and she could not resist any longer, she rose and ate and told her aunt stories of growing up on the south fork of the island, of running free with Wyancombone, and learning to sew the wampum with her mother.

  When they were done, Winnie asked if she’d like to go with her to hunt eggs, and Heather Flower said she could not think of anything she’d like more.

  Aunt Winnie handed her a basket and they headed for the grasslands to the north. They hunted for mourning dove nests in trees and shrubs, finding a clutch of two eggs in each nest they discovered. They gently removed one egg and left one in place. When Heather Flower’s basket was full, they headed for the reeds to look for goose eggs.

  “Be careful with the nests. It may look safe to take the eggs, but if the hen is close, she’ll bite you.”

  Heather Flower looked around and timidly followed Winnie. “I will let you take the eggs, Aunt. My basket is full anyway.”

  But as the morning wore on, she braved the threat of ambush and gathered some of the large, warm eggs to put in Winnie’s basket. The two headed for home, arms loaded.

  “I thought we would bring some to Mary. It was so good of her to give us the ham. What do you think? We could see Benjamin too, if he is home.”

  Heather Flower’s little smile turned the corners of her mouth. “Are you not trying a bit too hard to find ways to have Benjamin and me together, Aunt?”

  Winnie smiled too, with a twinkle in her eyes. “Me?”

  “Yes, you.”

  “My child, I believe Benjamin is a good marriage for you.”

  “Yes, I know, Aunt Winnie. You do not need to worry. That is what we think too.” She would put the night behind her and move into the day. Move into the life ahead of her, and surround herself with the people who loved her.

  33

  April 30, 1654

  Heather Flower arrived early to church with Winnie and watched Barnabas tack the banns to the front door of the meetinghouse. The day was blustery and the parchment fluttered as he tacked it to the wood. It was the wedding announcement for her and Benjamin and it would remain for three Sundays. She could not read, but the feeling in her stomach as she looked at the document was peculiar and she looked away. This was a custom not of her people, but she understood she was officially engaged in the eyes of the people of Southold.

  Gauzy puffs of white clouds blew across the blue sky, sending shadows momentarily across the yard and giving her shivers despite her deerskin tunic.

  Mary, dressed for church in her black silk with a white collar and cuffs, crossed the main road with Sarah in her arms and Hannah holding onto her skirt. They joined Heather Flower and Winnie and walked inside with them. Benjamin already sat with his younger brothers and he looked up with a deep smile as they entered. She followed Winnie into her pew and they sat in quiet, waiting for the service to begin.

  At nine o’clock the bell began to clang, calling all to worship. Grissell came in with Nathaniel and waved at her with a grin as they took their seats opposite of her. She was dressed in a pretty yellow brocade, cut wide in the front to hide her growing belly, and looked elegant sitting next to her handsome husband. Heather Flower had never sent a message to tell her of her decision not to visit again and she regretted that. She did not mean to hurt her friend’s feelings. Thankfully, Grissell seemed surprised to see her, but pleasantly so.

 
With the song leader to direct them, they began their worship singing “Shout to Jehovah All the Earth” from the Whole Booke of Psalmes. They sang for the first hour and then settled in to listen to the sermon.

  Reverend Youngs stood and faced the congregation with his Bible. He opened it and set it on the pulpit. “This morning we will study prayer from Matthew 6, verse 9. In this passage, Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer and tells us to pray ‘after this manner.’”

  Heather Flower listened intently to the preacher’s admonitions. She liked that there was a book God gave to His people filled with everything they needed to know. If Benjamin would teach her, the Bible was the book she would like to learn to read.

  The preaching lasted for almost two hours, broken up from time to time with another singing from the psalm book. She shifted on the bench to wake her feet and ease her back. Others were shifting about too, and she thought Mr. Wells might be asleep, except she couldn’t really see his face. But still she heard most of the sermon and understood most of what the reverend was saying. And she was hungry for more, though perhaps in smaller doses.

  At last it was the end of the first service of the day. Most of the congregation would stay and share a dinner on the church grounds and then reconvene at two o’clock for the second service. Winnie usually went home because she had so far to travel, but Heather Flower had asked her if they could stay, since it was the first Sunday with the banns posted.

  Mary brought some samp like Winnie had taught her to make, and some cheese, bread, and two of her famous pippin pies. Lizzie brought a pot of beans and brown bread. Patience unpacked some cold meats and early berries, and they all assured Winnie there was plenty of food for them to stay and join them. Heather Flower thanked them, but then noticed Grissell and Nathaniel preparing to leave and she excused herself to say goodbye.

  “Grissell, I am so sorry I did not tell you I changed my mind about returning to your home. I know you thought I might come back and stay awhile. It is hard to explain.”

  Her friend began to tell her no explanations were needed, but Patience interrupted. “Good morrow, Grissell. I was wondering if you and Nathaniel might join us for dinner here at church. I see you here at morning services, but we never have the chance to visit. I know it is a bit of a journey to travel over from the island each week, but I hope you might stay today.” Her look was warm.

  Grissell looked from Patience to Heather Flower. “I’m not sure . . .” Her voice trailed as she glanced at the post on the door.

  Heather Flower waved her hand. “Much has happened since we last visited, my friend. I would love to have you stay so we could visit.”

  Patience giggled. “Yes, please do.”

  Grissell turned to her husband. “Nathaniel? May we stay?”

  His look was one of adoration. “Yes, dear, if that is what you want. How do you feel?”

  She ran her hand over her loose-fitting dress. “I’m fine. It might be nice to rest before going home.”

  “Very well, then. We’ll stay. There’s a thing or two I’d like to discuss with the reverend about his sermon this morning anyway, so if you ladies would excuse me, I might seek him out.” He bowed and they watched him walk to the front of the vestibule.

  Patience smiled and sighed. “Grissell, your husband is very dashing. Where did you meet him?”

  “My brother-in-law introduced us while we were still in England.”

  “Your brother-in-law is from Rhode Island, nuk?” Heather Flower tried to recall the story Grissell had told her.

  “Yes, in fact, after our marriage we sailed to Barbados and then up the coast to Rhode Island to gather my belongings from my sister’s house. We were shipwrecked and lost everything.” She shook her head. “We had such a difficult start on Shelter Island, but it is very comfortable now.”

  “Oh my. I had no idea you had been through a shipwreck. How awful. ’Tis my worst fear.” Patience took her arm. “Come sit with us. You should get off of your feet.” She took Heather Flower’s hand and pulled both toward her spot on the ground, which was spread with a large quilt and Mary, Lizzie, and Winnie sat close by.

  They settled and Patience brought out food and napkins. “Heather Flower, you know Grissell, then?”

  Both women nodded and Heather Flower answered. “Since they moved onto Shelter Island two years ago. My mother and I made a trip to welcome them.” She looked at Grissell. “When I left you last time, I knew I could not come back. I needed to face my problems alone. Then I heard that Johnny had been taken prisoner and Benjamin and Joseph would be going to west Long Island. I could not stay at Montauk, but came to my aunt’s.”

  “I had no idea, Heather Flower. But I certainly understand. You know me, I just get lonely.”

  Patience put a plate filled with slices of ham and some red strawberries in front of Grissell and started dishing up some for Heather Flower. But she looked sideways at Grissell as she worked. “I thought you had frequent guests. From Rhode Island or Massachusetts?”

  Grissell looked up quickly from her plate and glanced at Heather Flower. “Well, yes, we do. But mostly I like gossiping with women closer to my age like you and Heather Flower.” All three giggled.

  “I’m a bit older than you two, but I like being included.” Patience smiled. “And I like gossip.” They laughed again. But she became serious. She leaned over to Grissell and put her hand on hers. Her voice was low. “Your visitors would be safe with me. Truly. And I know Heather Flower feels the same way.”

  Heather Flower nodded, her dark eyes rounded. She had no idea that Patience would be a sympathizer to the Quakers. She knew how the Youngs family felt, but not so much Mary and Barnabas. Benjamin did not favor entertaining Quakers, that much she knew. But it was hard for her to understand and she could see Grissell wanted to be cautious.

  “We give comfort to those who need somewhere to stay. Ours is a private home, away from many of the troubles that plague towns. Even Southold.”

  Hannah ran by, chasing one of the little boys her age, and they watched them for a moment. Heather Flower was sure they would fall and was relieved when Lizzie called out to the little ones to walk and they both slowed down. Mary brought a basket of bread and her bowl of samp over to spoon onto their plates.

  The ladies thanked her, and they watched Mary rejoin Lizzie and Winnie. Patience turned back to Grissell. “I think the work you do is very important. ’Tis not right for any people to be persecuted. Not ever. I can remember what happened to my aunt and uncle who were not able to leave England with us. It was horrible and should not be repeated. Thank the Lord there are people like you and your husband who can give a weary Friend a hand.”

  Heather Flower was surprised when Grissell went on to share some of the atrocities that were happening in Massachusetts, but before she finished, Mary, Lizzie, and Winnie came over to sit with them and chat. As they settled on the quilt, Heather Flower looked about for Benjamin. She spotted him talking with Nathaniel, Reverend Youngs, and Barnabas and wondered when the men ate during these dinners.

  “Did you read the banns, Patience? ’Tis official now. Benjamin and Heather Flower are to be married.” Mary’s excitement sparkled in her eyes.

  “I did. I love weddings,” Patience said.

  Grissell smiled. “I love weddings too. Heather Flower, you have not yet told me that you are to marry Benjamin. I am so happy for you.”

  A small smile played on her lips. “I know. It happened suddenly.” She looked at Mary and didn’t want to go into all of the doubts she had poured out on Grissell the last time they’d talked.

  Her friend understood and turned back to Patience. “You have a Dame School, do you not?”

  Patience smoothed a corner of the quilt turned up by a breeze. “Yes, I do. Not much of an income, but I get by.” She grinned.

  “You should make hats with me,” Lizzie said. “Heather Flower is. She is going to do beadwork for me.” She smiled at Heather Flower.

  Patience’s brow wrinkl
ed. “What would I do?”

  “Why, you would help me. Cut, press, stitch. All of those things. It would go twice as fast and it would be twice as jolly. Grissell, would you like us to make you a hat?”

  “I would love a new hat. May I be your first customer?”

  “Why, of course.”

  Lizzie straightened her bonnet over her curls. “I have not thought of Mrs. Haskins for such a long time, Mary, but opening my own shop brings back so many memories.”

  “Memories I for one would rather forget, dear sister.”

  Grissell leaned in with a smile. “Oh?”

  Patience frowned. “Mary doesn’t like to talk about him.”

  Lizzie fluttered her thick lashes over her violet eyes. “Prithee, I did not mean to . . . So many wonderful times trying on hats in Mrs. Haskins’s shop—that’s what I was remembering.”

  “Of course. ’Tis me, Lizzie, not you. We loved going with Papa, riding to London, trying on the pretty hats—didn’t we? Robert ruined it.”

  Heather Flower looked closely at Mary. “Who was Robert? What did he do?”

  Color sprang to Mary’s cheeks. She shifted and smoothed her skirt over her legs.

  Patience glanced at Lizzie, then said, “She never speaks of him.”

  Lizzie slipped her arm around her sister. “May I explain it to Heather Flower and Grissell?” Mary nodded. “He was Mrs. Haskins’s son and Papa wanted her to marry him. It was the one disagreement they ever had and it tore her heart to disobey Papa.”

  Mary leaned her head on Lizzie’s shoulder. “There was a boy, Nathan. We grew up together and I loved him. We planned to be married. On our wedding day he abandoned me—left me at the altar. I was so ashamed. I never saw him again, but I heard he’d become an important lawyer. Papa was desperate to marry me off to Robert in London. It seemed the perfect remedy to him and he thought Robert was a good match for me. But I could not bear the thought. I never went back to London with Papa again.” Tears squeezed from beneath her lashes.