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La Belle Christiane

2011 Copyright Lyn Cote

All rights reserved

Chapter Twenty-Three Scene 1

Two days had passed since their wedding. Christiane, Lord Eastham, Mrs. Washington, and Sarah sat at the remains of lunch. No one seemed to be in the mood to leave the table. As he conversed pleasantly with his hostess, Christiane studied her husband’s profile . Though she had wanted to, she still had not spoken to him except in “yes’s” and “no’s.” Sarah Renee, on the other hand, gave him almost no peace.

Christiane fretted silently about the future. Easthaven, the home of the Eastham’s, hung over her like the guillotine. How she loved Virginia! She had told him in Philadelphia that she never wanted to see Europe again. Did he remember? Did he care? She had no clue and she would have no choice. He was her husband now. When would he tell her to pack for England?

Breechy entered and approached Christiane. “Lady Eastham, a post rider just arrived with a letter for you.” He handed it to her and retreated.

Startled, Christiane opened it quickly.

10, March 1782

Dearest Christiane,

I write in haste. Eight days ago my Josiah

suffered a stroke. He is almost completely paralyzed

on his right side and is very, very ill. Our friends are

being good to us, but we need you, especially Jean Claude.

I must devote most of my days and nights to nursing my husband.

Please come home quickly. We need you.

With fondest regards,

Sarah Anne Richardson

Christiane looked up soberly. “Sarah Renee, I need to talk to your father and Mrs. Washington alone. Will you go to your room and play for awhile?”

“Do I have to?”

“Yes.”

“Obey your mother, Sarah,” John added.

“Yes, father,” the little girl said reluctantly.

As soon as she left the room, Christiane said, “I have received bad news.” A thickness coated her throat. She cleared it as best she could. “I will read you the letter.” Both Mrs. Washington and John listened attentively.

“Oh, dear,” the lady said. “How awful. When was the letter dated?”

“March tenth. Almost two weeks.”

“How sad. Well, I must leave you two to discuss this. I will go and keep Sarah company.”

After she left, a silence fell. Christiane could hear the muted sounds of the servants about their daily chores and the children playing outdoors.

Finally he spoke up, “I was wondering what had happened to your son since he was not here. I was afraid to ask, in case, you know….” His tone was sympathetic.

“I did not know quite how to bring him up. I did not have him here because of my situation.” She took a deep breath. “You see, his future and legitimacy were assured. I didn’t want either jeopardized by–”

“I understand.” Another pause. “What do you plan to do?”  He rested his elbow on the arm of his chair, the white linen tablecloth gleaming before him.

She trembled inside. Would she be forced to choose between her children again?  “I will have to go.” Her voice sounded odd even to herself. “They are like family. They need me.” If only she knew him well enough to know his reaction. She took another deep breath and it helped hold back her tears. “I will just have to leave Sarah Renee with you. You will have to send word when you leave for England and I will try to join you when I can.”

Her husband’s head snapped up to face her. “What kind of man do you think I am, madam? Do you think I would take Sarah and leave you?” His voice was harsh.

“Oh, dear….” Embarrassing tears slipped from her eyes. She looked down at her hands, trying to hide them. “It is just that I have responsibilities that are not yours. And I know you want to go home–”

“I think you know very little about what I want,” he said evenly.

She looked up at him then, but she paused, not knowing what she should say. She dabbed away her tears with her handkerchief. “I think you are right,” she said tentatively, “but we haven’t really talked, my lord.”

“That’s true,” he replied more calmly. “How long will it take us to get there?”

“About ten days to two weeks,” she answered, almost not believing what he had said. “More if we run into bad weather.”

“And the letter took two weeks to get here. We had better leave as soon as possible then. How soon could you be packed and ready?”

“Within hours.” The ease of his accommodation left her breathless.

“Then we will leave in the morning. I think I should purchase a wagon and some draught horses. We should take everything with us. I would say a carriage, but a wagon would draw less notice. The roads are not very safe these days. And you’re going to have to stop calling me, my lord. Lords are not the thing here right now.”

“How should I tell Sarah? I’m frightened.”

“Of what?”

“For Sarah. She was born here. Mt. Vernon is her whole world.”

“I see what you mean. But we can’t stay here for the rest of her life.” He turned a palm up. “We would have left sometime anyway.”

“I know. It just hurts me to upset her. To have to do it so suddenly.”

“We will tell her together. Come. We will do it now.” He pulled her to her feet. “Calm yourself. We don’t want to alarm her unduly.”

“You’re right, of course.” She consciously subdued herself and went with him. He did not relinquish her hand and she was grateful for his re-assurance. They found Sarah and Mrs. Washington playing dominoes at the table in the girl’s room.

“Sarah Renee, your mother and I have something to tell you.”

“Should I leave?” Mrs. Washington asked.

“No, stay please,” he replied. Christiane and he sat down on the side of Sarah’s frilled bed.

“Sarah, do you remember that I told you that you have an older brother?” Christiane asked.

“Yes?” the child answered readily.

“Well, it is time that we go to him,” Christiane said.

“Yes, now that I am home we can go get Jean Claude and be a complete family–mother, father, sister, brother. What do you think of that?” John asked.

“Hurray!” Sarah jumped up, smiling.

“When do you leave?” Mrs. Washington asked quietly.

“In the morning,” he answered.

“This is going to be a difficult parting for me,” Mrs. Washington said and stood up.

“But we’ll bring my brother back here, won’t we, Mama?”

“Not right away. The family he has been living with needs our help,” Christiane said.

“Oh.” Sarah looked crestfallen.

Mrs. Washington patted her back. “You will be happy to have your brother.” Then she turned to John. “What I would have done without your dear wife and daughter these past years, I just don’t know.” The two women embraced. Then the lady’s voice became businesslike. “Now you’ll need something to travel in. ”

“Yes, some draught horses and a wagon. ” John had risen also.

“Evan Marsh is your man. He breeds and trains all manner of horses.”

“I will see him directly.”

“I would go with you,” Christiane spoke hesitantly, “to say farewell.”

“Of course,” he answered lightly. “Come on Sarah. Let’s put your cape on and go out for our walk first.” Then they were gone.

Mrs. Washington picked up the dominoes, one-by-one, and put them in their small wooden box. “I will call for some stout boxes and we will pack your things.” She turned to Christiane. “He is taking it better than I thought he would. Many men are not so cooperative about stepchildren. George was good about it, but some aren’t.”

“I was surprised myself.” An understatement.

“My dear, you and I have both been twice-married and we should know a woman never really knows a man till she is his wife and living with him.”

“True,” Christiane said, still pensive.

“I will miss you both so much.” The two women hugged once more and left to begin the packing. Christiane focused on the work, not the leaving. Still, she couldn’t help thinking that this might be from God–not Josiah’s stroke that was due to age. But the bringing together of her children, something she had never been able to do, seemed a blessing. Could she hope God was helping now that she had learned the truth, was living the truth?

Well, what do you think about that final question?–Lyn

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