Salisbury
Ivy was still asleep when Leah got up the next morning. She checked the time. Already seven o’clock.
She just slipped on the travel dress from yesterday for now. She would change for church when Ivy got up.
“Come down and get some breakfast,” Leah whispered to Patsy, when she saw her awake. “I’m sure Ivy won’t be up for a while.”
The sideboard held apple cinnamon muffins, biscuits, bacon, eggs, and grits. They both filled a small plate, but Leah couldn’t convince Patsy to eat with her.
“You’re going to get us both in big trouble, Miss Leah.”
“I don’t think anyone who’d mind will be down for hours, but I’ll go into the kitchen and eat with you then.”
“You’ll do no such thing. Pardon me, miss, but you sit down right there and eat your breakfast like a proper lady.”
“Yes, Patsy. You’ve gotten terribly bossy in your newfound freedom, haven’t you?” Leah smiled at the slave.
Patsy saw the reversal of roles and smiled herself. “Yes, Miss Leah. Begging your pardon.” As she left with her plate, they both laughed.
“Now, what was that all about?” Luke asked as he came in the room.
“Just a private joke.”
“You’re up early.” He stepped to the sideboard, chose a big plate, and filled it.
“I’ve never been one to sleep too late.” She waited for him before she started eating.
“Neither have I.” He sat down across from her. “Frances might have her faults, but she does set a good table.”
“Yes, she does.”
Luke bowed his head and said grace for them.
“With it being Sunday, are you going to be able to get Patsy’s papers today?”
“I plan to set up the appointment today, but take care of it first thing in the morning. I don’t like to do business on Sunday, anyway. We probably don’t need a lawyer, but I thought it might be wise to have one, in case any questions arise later.”
“How far do we need to travel tomorrow?”
“We’ll go at least as far as Yadkinville. It’s the county seat of Yadkin County, but there’s not much there. I’m not even sure if we’ll find a decent place to stay the night. If not, we’ll camp out at the wagon. If we get an early enough start, however, we might make it to Wilkesboro. It’s larger. Are you all right with this traveling? I know it’s hard and grueling, and the worst is yet to come, as we go up the mountain.”
“Yes, I’m fine with the travel. I’m looking on it as an adventure enabling me to see new places and meet new people.”
“That’s a good attitude, but I don’t think Ivy feels the same way.”
Leah looked at Luke. She wasn’t sure how much she should confide in him. After all, he’d introduced Ivy as his fiancée, so he must have proposed to her, and Leah had known from the beginning they intended to wed. Well, they were going to be living in the same house, so he’d find out soon enough.
“Ivy’s been the most pleasant to me on this trip of any time I remember, so perhaps you’re a good influence on her. However, she prefers the comforts of home.”
“I’m surprised she agreed to come, then.”
“To be honest, I was, too.”
He looked at her for a moment. “Thank you for being open and honest with me. I hope you’ll always trust me that way.”
Leah did, but she wasn’t sure why. She’d only known him for a short time, and she didn’t know much about him, but she did trust him. Something about him reminded her of Papa, but she wasn’t sure what. They certainly didn’t look similar or have the same views on issues like slavery. Perhaps it rested more in their honest, caring nature. But Luke cared about Ivy, not her, she reminded herself.
“Well, here are the two people I wanted to eat breakfast with.” Dr. Moretz came into the room with a big smile on his face.
“Good morning, Father,” Luke said. “You seem happy this morning.”
“It’s a beautiful Lord’s Day, and I have my oldest son home for a change. What’s there not to be happy about? How are you this morning, Leah?”
“Very well, Dr. Moretz.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear. A doctor doesn’t hear those words very often, you know. I see you two are almost finished. Will you sit with me while I eat? Get you another cup of coffee or tea. You may need them to get through the sermon.”
“Father, you shouldn’t joke about church.” But Luke smiled.
“What are your plans for today, Leah?”
“I’m waiting for Ivy to get up, so I can get dressed for church. After that, I haven’t made plans.”
“Would you like to ride through the town sometime today? Sunday is always a good time for sightseeing. There are some lovely homes around.”
“I’d like that.”
“Leah’s interested in herbs and medicine,” Luke said. “I told her she and Granny would have a lot in common.”
“My, yes. Mama has treated folks who couldn’t get to a doctor for as long as I can remember. She learned it from the Cherokee when she was a teenager. She’s one of the reasons I decided to become a doctor.”
“I look forward to meeting her. Is she by herself now?”
“I’ve got some folks looking in on her to make sure she doesn’t need anything,” Luke said, “but she’s pretty independent. I’m sure she’ll do fine. She married young and is just in her early sixties.”
“Were you her only child?” Leah asked the doctor.
“No, I have an older sister who lives in Salem, north of here. I had two younger brothers, but they were both killed, one by a bear and one in a hunting accident.”
“I’m sorry. I just lost my papa not long ago, so I know how hard losing a loved one can be.”
“Ivy told me you and she grew up on a plantation, but Luke tells me you agree with us on the slavery issue. How’s that?”
“You know, I’m not sure. It was the only issue on which Papa and I disagreed. I’m not sure why I feel as I do, but slavery has always seemed wrong to me. I grew up with slaves as part of my family, and I learned to love many of them.”
“But, that’s true for many children on plantations, and yet they don’t grow up to be against slavery,” Luke said.
Leah nodded in agreement. She didn’t really know what made her feel the way she did, unless it had been God’s leading.
“The more west you go in the state, the more people you’ll find who don’t understand or support it,” Dr. Moretz said.
“I heard some of the men in Anson County discussing the Kansas-Nebraska Act,” Luke told his father. “It looks as if more of the power might swing to the free states.”
“I read that, too. I think it’s needed, but it may cause a wider chasm between the two sides.”
“It seems to me the issue of state’s rights versus the federal government’s rights will also figure in,” Leah said. “The slave states are going to say the states should have the first say on things pertaining to that state.”
“You’re probably right,” Dr. Moretz said, “but you amaze me, Leah. How does a young lady like you know so much about politics? I’ve talked with many a man who couldn’t carry on a conversation the way you are.”
“I’m afraid you can blame Papa. He encouraged me to learn as much as I could about anything I wanted. He and I used to have discussions like this all the time.”
“Don’t apologize. I think it’s wonderful. I wish you were going to stay for an extended time. I would enjoy being a substitute father. I love such discussions myself. I don’t guess you’d consider letting your sister marry Luke here, and you stay with me, while they go on to the mountains? That way, I’d be sure to get to see the wedding, too.”
“I don’t think Frances would take too kindly to that arrangement,” Luke said.
“Also, I’ve told Ivy I’d go to the mountains with her,” Leah told the doctor. He nodded.
“I’m guessing Ivy doesn’t agree with your views on slavery,” Dr. Moretz said.
“No, she doesn’t. First of all, she’s always enjoyed the benefits of slavery. Secondly, she hates discussions about politics. She doesn’t want to think or hear about what might happen.”
“Love doesn’t care about politics, either,” Luke answered.
“It will sooner or later,” the doctor said. “Besides, are you sure you love Ivy or her beautiful face? Wait now. Just think about it, son. You know I want what’s best for you, but marriage is an important undertaking. I had a very good marriage with your mother. I missed her so much I married too hastily the second time. I’m determined to make the best of it, but I want better for you. Just make sure it’s love, and it’s what you really want.”
“I shall, sir.”
Leah felt she’d intruded on a conversation she shouldn’t have heard. “I’ll check on Ivy. She should be getting up soon, so she’ll have time to eat breakfast and get ready for church.”
“It must take her over two hours to get ready, then,” Dr. Moretz said.
“She can usually get ready in close to two hours if she hurries,” Leah said as she left.
“Was she teasing or serious?” she heard Dr. Moretz ask as she left the room.
“I have no idea,” Luke answered.
Ivy had just gotten up when Leah entered the room. Patsy stood ready to help her.
“Has Luke already eaten?” Ivy asked Leah.
“Yes, he and Dr. Moretz just finished.”
“Be a dear and go down and bring me up a plate. Oh, never mind. I hear Frances in the hall. I’ll just go down and eat with her before I dress for church.”
“Shall I help you get ready, Miss Leah?” Patsy asked after Ivy had left.
“I’d appreciate that, Patsy. You do my hair so much more efficiently than I can.”
Patsy laid out Leah’s emerald gown. “I ironed the wrinkles out of this one after supper last night, when I did Ivy’s dress. Will it do?”
“It will. Thank you, Patsy.”
Patsy smiled broadly.
Leah hurried, and, with Patsy’s help, she finished dressing before Ivy came back. Leah left the room for Ivy to get ready. Her sister didn’t seem in a good mood this morning, either.
As Leah went down the stairs, Luke started up. He backed up and waited, since her hoops took up so much room.
“You look especially lovely this morning, Leah,” he said, as he watched her descend the last steps. “I agreed with father last night. The dress you wore to supper suited you very well, but this one’s even better. It makes your green eyes sparkle.”
“Thank you.” She looked at him perplexed. She knew he was sincere, but why was he showing her this kind of attention or voicing such thoughts? Ivy would be so jealous if she heard. He shouldn’t be noticing how nice Leah looked, when he was engaged to her sister, and he certainly shouldn’t say it.
She went to the parlor to wait for the others. Dr. Moretz sat there reading a newspaper. He had already dressed for church, too. “Any good news?” she asked.
“Not that I’ve seen so far.” He looked at her. “Is something wrong, Leah? You look as if something’s bothering you.”
This kindly man reminded her more and more of Papa. Maybe it was mainly because the doctor also preferred her over her sister. Not many people did. “Oh, it’s nothing.” She laughed, hoping to ease the situation.
“Did Luke say something to offend you? I heard you two at the stairs, but I couldn’t hear what you said.”
“He just complimented my dress.”
“And you think it was improper for him to give you such attention, when he is planning to marry your sister, right?”
She nodded. She was finding Dr. Moretz to be both perceptive and wise.
“Don’t be too hard on Luke, Leah. What social graces he has, he’s taught himself when he went to college. If he could have grown up here in Salisbury, things would have been different, but it would have been too hard for him in this household after I remarried. You’ll find the culture in the rural mountain areas to be different.”
“I understand,” she said, and she did. She saw another problem, however. “Ivy is better versed in etiquette and the proper way to do things than anyone I know. She holds great stock in such things.”
“I hope I can be honest and confide with you, Leah, and I think I can. I’m worried about Luke marrying Ivy. They don’t seem at all suited for each other to me. I’m afraid, even if Luke comes to realize it, he’ll still marry Ivy, because he’s promised it. I’m hoping she’ll realize Luke’s not the one for her, and she breaks it off. I think they’ve both seen the other as the person they want them to be and not who they actually are. That’s why I said what I did to Luke last evening.”
“I get the same feeling sometimes, but I know Ivy and Luke will need to be the ones to discover it. It won’t work for someone else to try to meddle.”
“You’re a lot like my mother, Leah. You often say what you think and can be honest to a fault.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean you were meddling last night.”
“It’s fine, dear. I’m like that, too, and I like people who’re honest.”
Frances came in with the children, and their conversation changed. “Is there going to be enough room in the carriage?” she asked her husband.
“I feared there wouldn’t be with those awful hoops you ladies wear, so we’ll take two carriages. One of you ladies should go in the second carriage, so they’ll be enough room.”
Luke came in next. He looked dashing, but, unlike him, Leah made no comment. Luke’s good looks didn’t seem to affect him. Ivy knew she was extraordinarily pretty, and she used her beauty to get what she wanted. If Luke knew how good looking he was, it didn’t show.
Ivy came in last, and she made quite an entrance. She was breath taking in a pale-blue gown, with her hair arranged in ringlets at the back of her head.
“The wait was worth every minute,” Luke told her. “You’re stunning.” Ivy beamed.
“Well, shall we begin loading the carriages?” Dr. Moretz said.
The ride to church didn’t take long, and the large redbrick building in a Federal style looked impressive. Ivy kept gawking as Luke helped her from the carriage.
Dr. Moretz seemed to be well known, and many people came up to talk with him. Luke stayed with his father, while Frances led the women and children inside.
Toward the end of his sermon, Reverend Thompson used Matthew 7:13-14 to say many of those seated in the churches around the world would be flabbergasted one day to learn they’d not made it into heaven. “It’s not so much what you do, although that’s important,” he told them. “The real criterion is that you’ve accepted Christ into your life and allowed Him to change you. You’ve got to change your heart and give total control to God, and most of us refuse to give up control. We want to shape our own future. Well let me tell you, dear folks, God does a much better job of shaping our futures than we do.”
“Do you recall when Jesus tried to show the Pharisees their attitudes were warped? They thought they were pious people in God’s good graces. They certainly knew the Scriptures, practiced all the rituals, and upheld the laws of Moses, but their attitudes were wrong. They were self-righteous and did nothing from a loving heart. How is your heart this morning? Do you love others as much as yourself? Do you have a servant’s heart?”
“I truly believe many more of those slaves up there,” he pointed to the balcony, “will make it to heaven than you down here in the fancy clothes and fat pockets. They’ve been taught to be humble, and they know how to serve. They’re more like Jesus than many of you.”
There was a huge gasp from the congregation, and over half of them got up and angrily walked out. Ivy and Frances looked at Dr. Moretz and Luke to see if they would also leave. The men stayed seated.
“Did he just say the slaves are better than most of us?” Frances whispered in disbelief.
“I guess that cleared out those who are not serious about following Christ and are just sitting on the premises rather than standing on the promises,” the pastor said and continued with his sermon. Then, he asked for a commitment.
“Theocentricity is seeing God as the center of everything . . . creation, Scripture, our families, and our lives. God must be Lord of all your life or not Lord of any. We must accept Him completely, because He allows no half-ways. Will all of you who are willing to give God total control of your lives, come forward and kneel in prayer? Think about this now. You don’t want to make such a promise to God and not be serious. It’s fine to ask for His help, because we are all human, and this will be hard, but if you make this commitment, God is going to expect you to try and live up to it. If you fail, you should ask forgiveness and try again.”
About a third of those remaining got up and walked to the front. Luke, Dr. Moretz, and Leah were among them. Frances and Ivy stayed seated.
“You in the balcony may just stand at the railing,” Reverend Thompson called out and then joined those who knelt up front.
“Well, that will be the end of Reverend Thompson in this church,” Frances said, when they entered the house. “I guess he might be able to find a church up North somewhere.”
“I fear you’re right,” Dr. Moretz said, “but I respect the man more than I can put into words. What a courageous thing for him to do.”
“He is right, you know,” Luke added. “When we get to heaven, there won’t be a slave section. If you can’t tolerate all being together here, you’ll probably go in the other direction.”
“Of all the nerve! Are you saying I’m going to go down there?” Frances spit the words at Luke and pointed at the floor.
“Luke wouldn’t say something so rude,” Ivy told her. “He didn’t mean that at all, did you, Luke?”
“It’s not for me to judge who goes in which direction,” Luke replied.
“I can’t believe you also went to the front, Leah,” Ivy said.
“Then you really don’t know me at all,” Leah told her. “I wish God would take total control of my life. Decisions and choices wouldn’t be so hard then, but He requires I make the choices all through my life. I want to follow Him completely, however, and I like learning more about how to do that.”
“Bravo,” Dr. Moretz said, and gave Leah a big smile of support.
Sunday dinner looked delicious, but Frances still raged. She feigned a headache and retired after only a few bites.
If Ivy had been in a testy mood earlier, it’d only become worse. She chose to ignore the other three adults at the table.
“I think Leah and I are going to go for a ride this afternoon,” Dr. Moretz said. “It’s a beautiful day. Would you and Luke like to come, too, Ivy?”
“No, I am going to rest after dinner. After that ride yesterday, I don’t want to be in a conveyance any more than I have to.”
“What about you, Luke?” his father asked.
Leah could tell he felt torn. “I should stay here, too,” he finally said. “Perhaps Ivy and I can walk in the garden, if she gets to feeling better.”
That seemed to please Ivy. She liked for Luke to put her first.
“I hope you’ll reconsider,” Dr. Moretz said. “You’ll have plenty of time to spend with Ivy from here on out, but you and I rarely get to be together. I miss you, son. The post is so slow and not really reliable, and I like to see your handsome face.”
Luke didn’t reply. He looked at Ivy, as if he hoped she’d tell him to go, but she didn’t.
Dr. Moretz and Leah went for a ride directly after the meal. They took the open carriage and moved slowly down the lanes. Downtown, he showed her the large courthouse building, which was nearing completion.
“It’s being built by local contractors, Conrad and Williams,” Doctor Moretz told her. “It’s classic Greek Revival.” He seemed proud of the imposing structure. “Doesn’t it look like a Greek temple with its two stories and tall Doric columns?”
“Yes, I remember seeing the style in Papa’s books, and this one does look like one of the ancient temples. It should be set on a hill, though.”
Leah saw a sign that read BOGER & WILSON, WATCHMAKERS. She wondered if they might want to buy and resell some of her jewelry. She would ask Dr. Moretz later.
They passed two attorneys’ offices and several more doctors. Besides three stores selling general merchandise, Leah saw a tannery and a cobbler, and she didn’t think they drove by all the businesses.
Dr. Moretz proved to be an excellent guide. Not only did he know the families and businesses of Salisbury, but he showed wit and humor. Leah couldn’t remember when she’d enjoyed a Sunday afternoon more.
“Salisbury has made its contributions to history, too,” he said as they started back. “Daniel Boone’s parents moved to the area from Pennsylvania, and he lived out in the country before he opened the way west through the Cumberland Gap. George Washington also visited town, and Andrew Jackson, our seventh president, studied law here for a time. However, Jackson is nothing to brag about, as far as I’m concerned. He forced the Cherokee from their lands and forced them to march all the way to Oklahoma.”
Leah appreciated Dr. Moretz’s concern for others, even those some people would be prejudiced against. In fact, she admired the man more all the time.
“Salisbury has some very nice homes.” She turned to face the doctor. “I like the town.”
“We used to be considered the backwoods and the western part of the state, but with expansion and development, that’s changing. Salisbury is becoming quite the cultured town. There’s even talk of starting a railroad line here, and I think it’ll happen soon.”
“I can see it’s a growing place, but I’m afraid I’m more accustomed to country living and open spaces. I think Salisbury may be getting too populated for my taste.”
“Mine, too, sometimes.” He studied the scene for a moment before he turned to her again. “By the way, Luke managed to talk to the lawyer I recommended today at church. He made an appointment for eight in the morning. It should only take a few minutes. Only Ivy will need to go with him to sign the papers. I’m sure Luke will tell Ivy about the arrangements.”
“That’s good. Patsy is very excited. I can’t imagine what it’d be like to be bought and sold and have your family members ripped from you. This takes all that away from her.”
“Not to mention being beaten or forced to become someone’s mistress.” The doctor frowned.
Leah must have looked surprised or embarrassed, as he quickly continued: “Oh, I know it’s not supposed to be discussed in polite company, but you’ve demonstrated your intelligence and your broad education. I feel I can talk to you without having to tiptoe around. After all, refraining from talking about it doesn’t make it any less true.”
“You’re right,” Leah agreed. “We need to talk about injustices, or they’ll never change. In fact, I’ve shocked people by mentioning such things myself.”
“That’s the spirit. I’d be a lot more excited about Luke’s wedding, if I were getting you for a daughter-in-law. I still feel you’ll be part of the family, though. I was serious when I said you can always come to me for anything you need. Consider me your surrogate father. I’d always happily help you in any way I could.”
“Thank you. I appreciate that, and I feel we’ve made a special connection. It’s so rare anyone even notices me when Ivy’s around.”
“You don’t seem to be as jealous of that as most women would be.”
“I’m not. I decided long ago I wanted to develop my character. There was little I could do about the physical features God gave me, but I felt my moral fiber was more important, anyway.”
“I’m amazed at those sentiments coming from one so young, and let me tell you something else. I think you’re prettier than Ivy. Oh, I know Ivy is the classic beauty, and there are those who would disagree with me, but I think your beauty is natural. I can tell part of her appearance has been cultivated. Much of what she wears or does is for effect. Her beauty is a casing to cover a petty, spoiled, selfish woman. You’re yourself, and the beauty of it is reflected in your countenance. With your rich-brown hair, luminous green eyes, and beige skin, you’re an enchantress in your own right. Where Ivy is a traditional beauty, you’re an exotic one. Sarah, Luke’s mother, was much like that, and I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman, inside or out.”
“I wish half of what you just said were true.”
“Oh, it’s true. I don’t believe in empty flattery. It’s a waste of time. I know I can speak my mind with Mama, Luke, and now you, too. Perhaps that’s why I end up saying too much with you.”
“I would never think you say too much. I love it when you talk with me as an equal.”
“Honey,” he laughed. “I’m not sure you’ll ever find your equal. You are way above most. Luke may be the closest one you’ll ever find.”
“Is there someplace I might sell some of my jewelry here, and will there be time tomorrow morning?” Leah changed the subject. The conversation was beginning to venture on dangerous grounds. She appreciated the fact Dr. Moretz would like to see her matched with Luke, but it could never be. Ivy had claims on Luke, and Leah would never try to change that. Never.
“Yes, there’s a jeweler here with whom I’ve done business, and he seems to be fair. Why? Do you want to sell some of your jewelry?”
“Yes, I have too much of it for one thing. Some of it I’ve never worn. I also think it would be wise to have a little money available. I know Luke is spending a lot on this trip, and I’d like to help out.”
“I can tell you right now, Luke’s not going to accept any of your money. He would see it as an insult. Mama and he actually have more available cash than most of the mountain families.”
“Then, I think it would be wise to travel with a little money of my own in case of an emergency. I’d also like to have some money of my own for Christmas presents or whatever later on.”
“I’ll tell you what. Let me see the pieces you’d like to sell. I’ll pick out what I think would make good gifts for Frances, and I can sell the others to the jeweler.”
“Thank you, but you’d better not give me more than they’re actually worth. I wouldn’t take kindly to that.”
“You’ve got a deal.”
They were pulling up to the house. “Thank you so much, sir. I’ve had a delightful time.”
“So have I, Leah. I hope you’ll allow me to write to you from time to time. I write to Luke, but he’s not always prompt in answering. I’m guessing you’ll do better.”
“I would like that very much.”
Ivy and Luke were at one end of the garden, and Frances and the children were at the other end. Frances sat where she could see the couple but couldn’t hear what they were saying.
“I see Frances is taking her job as chaperone seriously.” The doctor laughed. “Shall we join them?”
Leah wasn’t sure whether Dr. Moretz meant to join the couple or Frances and the children, so she followed him. He walked toward Luke and Ivy.
“You two look better,” the doctor observed.
“I feel better,” Ivy said. “I managed to take a nap before we came out.”
Supper turned out to be a simple affair of sliced beef, ham, cheese, bread, and fruit. “We give our help Sunday afternoons off,” Dr. Moretz explained.
“How much help do you have?” Ivy asked.
“We have the housekeeper, the maid, and a man, who serves as driver, stable hand, and gardener,” Frances said.
“I thought the gardener was part time,” Luke said.
“He used to be, but that one found a better paying, full-time job, and we hired Jim to take care of it all.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t been called out to doctor someone this weekend,” Luke told him.
“Frankly, I am, too. Weekends like this are very rare. I think there may have been some divine intervention to give me time to spend with my wonderful guests.” He looked directly at Leah.
“Didn’t you promise we’d go for a walk?” Ivy asked Luke.
“We can do that if you’d like, but remember, you need to be up and ready by seven thirty in the morning.”
“Let’s walk some, and I’ll be more ready to sleep when we get back.”
Leah went upstairs and chose the dress she would wear tomorrow. Patsy said she would iron the simple, everyday dress the first thing in the morning.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get to launder your travel dress,” Patsy said. “Miss Ivy has a couple, but I see you only brought the one.”
“It doesn’t matter. I think this one may be more comfortable, anyway.”
When Leah came back downstairs, Luke and Ivy were returning. They’d not walked long.
“Where are Maggie and Teddy?” Leah asked. She hadn’t seen them since supper.
“I’ve taught them to stay in their rooms, unless they’re invited to stay down,” Frances said. “They’re not in the way, then.”
“You seem to like children, Leah,” Dr. Moretz said.
“I do. I like children and animals, and they seem to like me,” she smiled.
“I’ve always heard animals and children sense what a person is really like,” the doctor said.
“I don’t think so,” Frances said. “Dogs and cats seem to take an instant dislike to me.”
“And, I don’t like animals or little children, either,” Ivy added. “They’re dirty and messy.”
Dr. Moretz looked at Leah with an expression, which said, “See, that’s exactly what I meant.” Leah had a hard time suppressing her laughter, which threatened to bubble up. She felt Luke’s gaze, and, when she looked at him, his eyes crinkled and told her he’d understood the joke, too. She looked away, if he smiled, she knew she wouldn’t be able to keep from laughing.
“Well, I’m going to turn in,” Ivy said. “I don’t want to keep Luke waiting in the morning.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Frances said. “I need to see the children to bed, too.”
“I’ll be up shortly,” Leah told Ivy.
“Did you have a good ride today?” Luke asked, when the others had left.
“I did,” Leah answered. “Your father is an excellent guide.”
“I had a good time, too,” Dr. Moretz added. “I had a most delightful companion, who is able to carry on the most interesting conversations.”
“I’m sorry I missed it then,” Luke said, and he sounded as if he really meant it.
“I am, too, son. I certainly am.”
“Good night,” Leah said as she got up to go upstairs.
“Sleep well, Leah,” Dr. Moretz said in a soft voice.
“See you in the morning,” Luke added.