I looked at the boxes of clothing that were carted into what had become my bedroom. Shoes and various accoutrements seemed to cover every chair and side, while mounds of gowns, wraps, nightwear, and even fine underthings hid the bed from view.
“Do I really need all this?” I whirled to face Gloriana, and she smiled.
“Yes. This is just the start, my dear. She could rework clothing already in her workshop to arrange for an overnight delivery, and the shops had some of the other items we needed. Now, let’s see. Perhaps the violet walking gown with the white boots. You’ll need a matching cloak and gloves. I’ll send Evie along to assist you to dress and attend to your hair.” There was laughter in Gloriana’s words and a grin on her face.
“But you said—”
The grin fled, and the mirth was replaced with a serious look. “This is nothing compared to what many of the more well-to-do ladies have, Amaryllis.”
So much stuff! I gazed back at the piles and found it hard to explain why I felt so discomforted with more than I’d ever had. Then I realised. I was out of my depth. Of course, Gloriana understood. She’d grown up in the same household. So why was I struggling when clearly she didn’t? “How did you manage it?”
Gloriana touched my cheek. “How did I manage what?”
“Come to be comfortable like this? With everything you need and more on hand.”
She sighed and took my hand. “It takes lots of time, Ammy.”
I clearly had no compass. “I don’t understand,” I whispered.
“I know” was her response before she left me there in the room alone.
The woman standing before me was one I didn’t know. Hair piled on top of my head, fastened with large metal combs, the gown hugging my body, so every aspect of my form was emphasised. Previously, the gowns I’d worn had been cinched in with a sash, ensuring the fit, while the bust was hit or miss, depending on which item of clothing was allocated to me daily.
My shoes hugged my feet, but there was no sagging at the toe or heel, and they were new. Fitted for me.
Evie returned and clasped the cloak around my shoulders. “Well, Miss Amaryllis, you look very nice indeed.”
My eyes shone, emphasising the violet tinge, and when I accepted the tiny bag Evie thrust into my hands, I felt like another woman.
“I still can’t believe this is me.”
She grinned, and I returned it with a shy smile.
“We should go down now. Miss Gloriana said she’ll wait, and they’ve ordered the horseless carriage for you both.”
Horseless carriages. I knew Master and Junior had one, the invention making the most of the new steam-powered electric system, and I’d ridden in one during the fraught trip here, but apart from that, I’d never been in one.
“Why don’t they have horses?”
Evie smiled. “They do, but for these visits, Miss Gloriana prefers the horseless carriage. I think it’s so she can make a statement to the likes of her father and brother.” As if horrified, the maid slid her fingers over her mouth, eyes wide with remorse. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—”
I waved her concerns aside. I could well understand Gloriana’s thinking. She could and had made a good life for herself despite the stones her family had tossed at her. “I knew what you meant, and I take no offence. We should go down now.” I smiled at the maid. “Will you be accompanying us?”
Evie shook her head, face still a hot red blush. “No, miss.” She ducked her head as I exited the room.
At the bottom of the stairs waited Gloriana. She smiled and nodded as I descended the stairs. “Beautiful. Just as I hoped.” When I reached her, she took my hand and wound her arm around mine, so we were side by side and arm in arm. It was odd. I felt strangely pleased with her action. My experience left me wondering why I felt this way.
She tugged me through the door, and I stepped up in the carriage after her. The door closed us inside, while the coachman sat in a tiny stall at the front.
This time, I listened as we drove. It chugged and whirred, the wheels rolling down the drive and crunching on the stone. The gates clanged shut behind us, but not before I got a look at the inside of the gatehouse. Large rods and wheels turned.
“Is that where the electricity for the house is generated?” I wondered aloud.
Gloriana shook her head. “No. It merely powers the gates and the security systems.”
I blinked. “Security systems?”
“Yes. On that note, you must never venture outside at night without checking with Andrew or myself. We have automative dogs patrolling. The human handlers working with them carry tiny devices that allow them to deactivate them should the need arise, but Andrew assures me they bite just like a real dog.”
I leaned back into the squabs. Automative dogs, electric lighting, and a steam-driven electric carriage. All things I knew nothing about. “Andrew… he’s rich. How did he make so much money?”
Gloriana smiled. “He’s particularly clever with automatives. In fact, he designed our security dogs and several other automative things, including carriages. The royalties from his work paid for the house, staff, and everything else you see. He’s got several other patents pending. You should ask him about them over dinner.”
I turned and looked out the window, amazed that we were almost in Haven's township. It hadn’t changed, and that seemed the most amazing fact of all, given the way my life had since I’d been whisked away some ten weeks or so ago.
We drew close to the house where I’d lived for so many years. An imposing three-storey structure plonked down on the highest point in town. Some years ago, during one of the praise sessions Master headed, he’d told the story of them building the major portion.
“And so, after travelling here for so long, my father noted Haven. A perfect place for the settlement of our people. The green hill close to a water supply and much flat land. Here we set down our roots. Here we planted the seeds of Haven, and here we will remain until the coming Rapture.”
Master surveyed his domain, the florid colour in his cheeks betraying either his excitement or the various glasses he’d quaffed. Which one took precedence over the other, I couldn’t say. He raised his glass. “To one and all who embraces Haven and her ways, the doors of Restoration shall open to thee!”
As one, the body had answered with fervent “Amens.”
Thinking back now, I couldn't believe anyone actually accepted the words he’d professed to abide by. Maybe I’m questioning it because I never truly believed?
The carriage slowed its stately roll and came to a stop outside a small broken-down haberdashery store. The walk was tilting, and the roofing appeared not just flimsy but broken and ready to fly away on the next gust of wind.
“Here we are, Ammy, dear.” Before the driver could let himself out, Gloriana had the door open and was climbing down.
I followed her, noting the small faces pressed against the dirty glass. “This is…?”
“Yes.” She nodded. “I tried to find her a house and settle her medical bills, but she’s proud.”
It occurred to me that Letitia Hemingswood had little but her pride left if this was where she lived. Gloriana picked her way along the boards, some broken and others rotted, holes appearing so one needed to be careful where they stepped.
Before we knocked on the door, it swung wide, held by a woman in her late twenties. Her hair, sparse as it was, was striped with silver, her frame little more than a skeleton. “Mrs Coultihan, it’s a pleasure.”
Once invited within, the children gathered around as Gloriana met each by name. “Now, Francesca, I have chalk and boards for you, as well as some books. If you’ll settle your sisters and brothers by the fire, I’ll pass some time with your mother and Amaryllis.”
The oldest child, a girl of maybe thirteen or fourteen, looked at her with dull eyes but accepted the gift in silence.
“She still doesn’t speak?” Gloriana enquired of Ms. Hemingswood, who sighed.
“She does when it’s family or someone she trusts, but there are so few.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the child who’d gathered the others near. “Why isn’t she in school?”
Ms. Hemingswood stared at me. “You’re new to Haven?”
I shook my head. “No, I’ve been here since I was young. Master at Haven House—”
Gloriana placed her hand on mine. “Letitia tried to enrol Francesca, but the school was controlled by the church. They refused to accept a ‘fallen child’ within the congregation, so she homeschools them.”
I bit my lip. Though I’d lived in this town almost my entire life, I hadn’t truly seen the underbelly of it. I was just now coming to understand that for all my fear and hatred, I’d been sheltered from the very worst.
“I’m sorry, Ms. Hemingswood.”
She nodded. “I’m not worried for me but for the children. They don’t deserve to be ostracised because of their birthplace and the father.” She wiped her face, which was suddenly bathed in sweat. She slumped, hand to her chest, and the oldest child, Francesca, set the younger ones aside and hurried to her side.
“Mama?” There was a wealth of fear in her voice, the way it cracked on the last syllable almost too much for me to bear.
“I’m fine. Just a little turn.” She straightened, though her lips appeared bloodless and her face told of the strain. “Go back to the little ones, dear.”
Gloriana passed the woman the cup from the table beside her.
Letitia took a sip, wiped her face with a handkerchief she’d retrieved from her pocket, and glanced at Gloriana. “Mrs Simmonds told me of your offer. It’s most gracious, but—”
Gloriana shook her head. “No. But it will keep your children together, housed, and will assure their education. Please accept this offer.”
I couldn’t help but wonder what it was, but decided it would be best to wait until I had Gloriana’s total attention in the carriage.
“I couldn’t…” Letitia whispered.
“For the children,” Gloriana urged.
“But who will escort them?” She teared up, and my heart practically broke for the woman.
“One of our family. If not myself, then my husband or his sister, Amaryllis.” She waved in my direction.
I started upon hearing Gloriana use my name.
“The sheriff will also accompany them,” Gloriana whispered.
The woman’s shoulders slumped. “When?”
“Only when you’re ready. But there is paperwork. Guardianship agreements and so on. It must be ironclad to protect the children.”
It all sounded so cloak-and-dagger, but I realised if what I guessed was happening was correct, then she clearly feared for the safety of the children. I had a lot to ask Gloriana about on the way home.
A sheaf of papers was withdrawn from the bottom of the large basket Gloriana had carried in. She presented them to Letitia and explained what they meant. With a shaking hand, the woman signed every page. Then I acted as a witness.
“They will be safe, Letitia. I will ensure it,” Gloriana vowed as we took our leave soon after.
We climbed back into the carriage, but not before I caught sight of another standing on the corner watching us. Junior.
Once safely within, I told Gloriana, who frowned. “You’re sure?”
“Yes. Now please explain. What are you doing with the children? I assume from the paperwork that you plan to remove them and send them away when Letitia passes on?”
With lips tight, Gloriana nodded. “We discovered early on, of the women who were ostracised, the church usually swept in and removed the children. In the beginning, we had no legal instrument to fight the church. After we lost several children, we realised there must be an agreement. Since then, Andrew ensured we had a lawyer we could call upon. He drafts the guardianship papers, which we then send to the governor. Only once did Master try to overturn them. We beat him, and he now knows we mean business.”
I bit my lip. “You want me to accompany them.”
There wasn’t an answer, simply a long look, which curdled my insides.
“What?” I questioned.
“I cannot, Amaryllis. Not now. I must limit for some time the amount of travelling I undertake. On doctor’s orders.”
“You’re ill?” I leaned forward and took her hand.
“No. Not exactly. Only increasing.”
“Oh…” Stupid thing to say, but no other words crossed my mind.
“It’s all right, Amaryllis. We have been hoping and praying for this miracle. But it makes it harder to attend to my ladies.”
“I see. I would be happy to accompany them, but do I need the sheriff?” My fingers suddenly became quite interesting as I looked down. The tall, long-haired man had a barely contained humanity to him, and I wasn’t sure time in his company would be easy.
Gloriana laughed. “Yes.” But then the smile died away. “A lone woman travelling with children is a target. With a man, and furthermore one with a badge? You will be as safe as we can make you.”
“On the train, then.”
Now her smile returned. “Of course not. We’ll use a dirigible.”
“A what?” This was a word I’d never heard before.
“You’ll learn.” Gloriana’s eyes fairly danced with laughter. “Later.”
Later. The word my life revolved around.
Dinner was sombre. Andrew arrived home, and he closeted himself in his office until Gloriana knocked on it and disappeared within. When they both exited the room, her face was red and blotchy, his lips set in a line of pure anger.
I took my seat at the small round table and ate in silence. The food was delicious, but my stomach knotted, wondering what might have upset them both so much. Once the meal was done, dishes tidied away, Andrew stood and closed the doors to the room.
I sat stock-still.
He took his place at the table. “Junior has an agreement signed by our father. It says there is no way you can be released from their custody.” He gazed at me, long and hard. “I won’t send you back there, but anything less is illegal, according to his lawyers. I can and will fight it. Eventually I’ll win, because ownership of another being under our constitution is neither binding nor legal.”
Bile rose in my throat. Junior thought he owned me. He’ll make me marry him…
I dashed from the room, heading for the nearest bathroom, and threw up, sour spittle coating my tongue as I gripped the marble. “Noooo…” But looking at my reflection, I knew everything Andrew said was probably true.
“I don’t want to go back to him.” Even as I mumbled the words, my brain was forming ideas.
I could flee.
You have no money, no contacts, and nowhere to go, my brain unhelpfully countered.
A gentle rapping sound intruded on the fraught moment.
I wiped my face. “Coming,” I croaked, then turned and opened the door. Gloriana stood there, sorrow heavy on her face.
“Andrew and the sheriff are here. You should come back to the dining room.” She took my hand and led me like a child to the room I’d left in a hurry mere moments before.
I took my place at the table and noted the grim look on the sheriff’s face. “Miss Amaryllis, I’m so sorry to hear the news.” He glanced at Andrew, as if seeking his guidance.
Andrew nodded. “You should tell her everything, Damien.”
The man sighed, scooped up the drink that Evie had delivered, and took a sip of the wine. “I am Damien Whitmore. I’m an agent for the Presidential Rescue of Innocents Endangered by Spirituality Task Force. We are known as agents of PRIEST.”
I stared at the man, not for the first time surprised by him, his presence, or what he spoke of.
“I was sent here to investigate the Haven Church, or sect, as your brother Andrew rightly titles it. My job is to infiltrate, gather data, and ensure the safety of anyone considered ‘at-risk.’”
He inhaled, and I watched the flare of his nostrils, the way his hands clenched on the table, as if every tiny aspect of him were vitally important to my continued survival.
“Miss Amaryllis, your brother contacted me tonight when he received this missive. I’ve read it, and your safety is paramount to…” He stilled for a moment. “I can remove you from this situation while my men come in and deal with it, but that leaves Letitia Hemingswood’s children without support.”
In his eyes, I read pain. “I’m willing to go back—” My voice broke as I stood. “I will go back if it ensures everyone else’s safety.” I would. Because anything less than helping would be akin to saying this was okay. I knew what I’d be going back to, but I accepted it. As if in sympathy, my body ached like I’d been physically struck. “Just… when it’s over, get me back, okay?”
Gloriana sobbed in silence into a white handkerchief, and Damien Whitmore’s face turned thunderous. “No. That is not acceptable.”
Andrew shook his head. “I agree. This will not happen. I forbid it!”
Heat seared the skin of my face, and tears dribbled down my cheeks. “If it’s the only way—"
“No, Miss Amaryllis. We need to hold out just long enough for Letitia to send her children. I have a plan.”
“What?” I barely breathed the word as a tiny seed of hope took root. I took a deep drink from my glass, though I grimaced at the bitterness on my tongue.
“Andrew has agreed to send you to the governor. He owes your brother a debt, I believe. We get you there, and I stay with you. Rafe Sargeant, my second, will remain behind and assume duties until Letitia is ready to send the children. I’ll send a replacement back. We’ll claim we’re running off together. I have contacts and places we can stay. We just need to hold out until PRIEST brings charges against Haven.”
It was all too much. I rose, my head spinning. “I don’t…” The world greyed at the edges. “I feel…”
The ground rushed up to meet me. Before my eyes closed, I heard, “forgive me, Ammy.”