Chapter Eighteen
The Montgomery’s arrived on New Year’s Eve. Anna avoided her guests as much as possible. She repeatedly went upstairs to wipe away her tears and regain her composure. Descending the steps, she saw Stephen enter the kitchen. He took her hand.
“My darling,” he said. “Are you feeling all right? I’ve hardly seen you tonight.”
The piano started playing in the parlor, a hymn titled “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.” The notes pulled a melancholy chord at her heartstrings.
“I’m fine, Stephen,” she replied, forcing a smile. She slid her hand from his grasp and scurried down the hall toward the parlor.
He followed closely behind her.
Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery looked up as they entered.
“My dear,” said Mrs. Montgomery, rising to her feet. “Have some punch. It will help calm your nerves.” She poured a glass.
Anna graciously accepted it. She glanced around the room. Sarah and Grace sat beside each other on the sofa while Abigail and Claudia sat perched upon the piano bench. A comforting glow flickered in the fireplace.
Mary approached her. “Anna, I’m very sorry your cousin has returned to New York,” she remorsefully remarked. The expression on her face was surprisingly sincere.
Anna glanced over at Stephen, who smirked.
“It’s as I told you, Mary,” he said. “The boy was called away for some family obligation. Isn’t that correct, Anna?”
She understood he thought he was protecting her reputation by keeping her secret safe, but she loathed him for it, just the same.
“Yes, that’s correct,” she responded.
Seeing her discomfort, Maggie pulled her aside and whispered in her ear.
Anna turned back toward Stephen. “My sister and I would like a word with you in the kitchen.”
She and Maggie hurried down the hall, and he obligingly followed. Once they were in the kitchen, the sisters turned to face him.
Maggie said bluntly, “We’re entitled to know where you sent David.”
He snorted. “Why? You don’t really believe he’s your cousin, do you?”
Throwing a glance at her older sister, Maggie replied esoterically, “He’s our relative. Now, are you going to tell us or not?”
“No, I most certainly am not.”
“Stephen,” Anna drew closer to him, gazing into his eyes. “Please tell us. If I mean anything to you at all, you will tell us where David is.”
He scowled. “All right, my dear, but under one condition.”
“And what would that be?”
“That you bestow me a kiss under the mistletoe.”
She hesitated, repulsed by the notion. “But it isn’t midnight yet.”
He smiled at her. “We’ll ring in the New Year a few hours early.”
Exchanging glances with her sister, Anna expelled a sigh. “All right. I’ll agree to it, but you must tell me first.”
The two young pianists down the hall accepted their applause. They began to play “The Holly and the Ivy.”
Stephen rubbed his beard. “He’s in New York, just as I told my sister and parents.”
Anna frowned.
“I’m not at liberty to elaborate further. I’d be disobeying orders. But why would I tell you, anyway? Knowing you, Anna, you’d go running off trying to find him. I can’t have that.” He sighed in frustration. “Don’t be concerned for his welfare. The camp is well equipped, and the prisoners, from what I’ve been told, are abundantly fed and clothed.”
Her eyelids fluttered. “That’s a relief,” she said softly.
Stephen moved in closer. “And now for that kiss.”
“No! Not until you tell me exactly where he is. That was our agreement.”
He huffed in frustration. Scowling, he whispered in her ear, “Fine. He’s in Elmira.”
Taking her by the hand, he led her toward the front of the house. She threw a panicked glance back at Maggie, who stood frozen in the kitchen, helpless to save her.
Stopping beneath a cluster of green foliage hung above the front door, he turned to face her. His arms wrapped around her waist like a coiling python, preparing to strangle its prey. He pulled her close and wetly kissed her for all to see.
Unable to think of anything else, she wished for the embarrassing moment to end. When it finally did, she pulled away disgustedly, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, and quickly walked into the parlor to distance herself.
With a satisfied smile on his face, Stephen followed her.
She sat down in a green velvet chair next to her aunt, who reached over to console her by patting her hand. Staring at the floor, Anna placed the back of her free hand against her mouth. With every fiber of her being, she longed for the horrible evening to end. Everyone around her seemed to be laughing and talking happily, oblivious to what was happening.
Don’t they realize there’s a war going on? Don’t they realize my husband is miles away, suffering, and possibly perishing in a prison camp?
She felt her bitterness, anger, and remorse well up inside her. Biting the back of her hand, she took deep breaths to keep from sobbing.
Maggie entered the parlor and knelt down to comfort her. “Anna,” she said softly so their guests couldn’t overhear. “Please don’t be upset. I know how much you miss him.”
Removing her hand from her mouth, she nodded.
Maggie looked down and noticed the red teeth marks.
“He’s in Elmira, New York,” Anna whispered.
“That’s what he told you?”
She nodded.
“Well, that’s good news, then. I didn’t expect him to tell you.” Giving her sister a reassuring smile, Maggie walked over to converse with Mary.
The little girls began playing “When Johnny Comes Marching Home.”
Anna sat silently for a few moments, but inevitably lost her composure. “Oh! Why did you have to play that song?” she wailed.
The girls stopped playing and turned to look at her, as did Grace and Sarah.
“Pardon me.” Anna arose and stepped out into the hallway, leaving the Montgomery’s in abandoned bewilderment.
“Uh oh,” Claudia uttered.
“She’ll be fine,” Stephen said. “I believe I know what’s bothering her. It will all pass in due time.” He raised his glass. “I’d like to propose a toast. May this New Year bring an end to the war and prosperity to us all.”
“Here! Here!” his father exclaimed.
“I’ll return shortly,” Sarah said. She went into the hallway to find her niece still standing there. “Let’s go upstairs honey,” she said, gently taking Anna by the arm as the piano began to play.
The two women climbed the upstairs. They arrived at the landing.
Anna lost all control. She burst into tears. Entering her bedroom, she threw herself onto the bed.
“Aunt Sarah,” she said, clutching a pillow. “How could this have happened?”
“I don’t know, dear,” she softly replied.
“I’ll never wash this pillowcase again,” Anna sobbed, “because it smells like him.” She buried her face in the pillow.
Sarah had no response, but could only provide comfort. However, it did no good.
Anna was inconsolable.