The Visitor_Texas 1863_1869 Read online

  Jed looked at Garnett. “Which one of you is actually married to her?”

  “Dominic is married to her.”

  “Who is Dominic?”

  “I am.”

  He nodded. “Well she did grow up with the three of us so she is used to juggling a lot of men.”

  Tom interjected. “I don’t think you do her a service by allowing her to have so many liberties.”

  Jes looked over at him. “I think that it’s wonderful that she is not only as beautiful as she is but that she’s as feisty as the rest of us.” Tom shot him a dirty look. “Present company excluded, of course.”

  “Boys, don’t let your mother hear you bickering again. As far as your sister goes, Tom I feel your opinion would be best left unsaid.”

  “Father, you are hardly one to pass judgment on me considering your own history and the mockery you make of marriage.” Richard looked at his son with a warning that this was not the time for a sermon or argument. Tom glared back at him. “What, shall we all pretend that you are a loving and supportive husband? Or maybe that you aren’t responsible for placing your daughter’s well being in the hands of some of the worst womanizers I have ever met. Maybe you want to talk about the death of your son at the hands of the misguided men…”

  “Thomas.” Richard was seething at this point. “This is my home and if you cannot be respectful I will ask you to leave.”

  Tom stood almost knocking over the table and left the room. Richard apologized and turned the conversation back to their trip across the mountains. James thought that Dominic must not have considered this father’s temper when he decided to marry Mirisa without his blessing.

  The women were served tea and Christy was talking about the wedding and how her family was now living up north since they lost everything in Virginia. “Mirisa, I can’t believe you are married and have a son. How long did you know your husband before you married him?”

  “Three weeks.”

  Christy looked at her shocked. “Don’t you think that was awfully sudden?”

  “Obviously not, since I just celebrated my sixth anniversary. I don’t understand how you came to accept a proposal from my brother.”

  Christy started giggling. “I think my father approached yours when he ran into the four of them in New York in September.”

  “Why Jed?”

  “He’s always been my favorite.”

  “I see.” Mirisa dropped honey in her tea and stirred it slowly. “And Caroline, how long did you know Tom before you agreed to marry him?”

  “Our marriage was arranged by the church with my father’s blessing. I had just turned sixteen and my father had five daughters coming of age.”

  Jacqueline giggled. “I married Charlie without knowing him at all. Tom thought we would be such a perfect match since they were brothers and Caroline and I are sisters. I miss him every day and don’t know if I should ever get married again.”

  Caroline patted her hand. “We have actually found a wonderful gentleman from our church who wishes to marry her and she is past the mourning year so we hope to have a wedding soon.”

  “I don’t know Caroline.”

  “Jacqueline, you cannot raise those children alone. Just let us handle this.”

  Becky who seemed to be very demure did not inject in the conversation. “Becky, I understand that you met Gus during the war.”

  “I did. I was working in the field hospital with your father and the boys came up to see him before their unit moved east.” Her smile was so sweet that she could understand how her brother would be smitten with her.

  “Welcome to the family.”

  “Thank you. He talks so much about you and how you sent them so many thoughtful packages during the war and kept their moral high.”

  Mirisa smiled. “It was the least I could do when they were fighting so bravely.”

  Her mother didn’t say anything but Mirisa could see her out of the corner of her eye. She knew when she snubbed her on the steps that they would never mend fences because she would refuse to accept Dominic or even Matthew.

  Christy trying to change the subject nodded to her attire. “Mirisa, I noticed you were riding a regular saddle on the horse. Is this how they dress out there?”

  “It’s a lot different when you are out west. There is no society like here but more ranches are being built around our land.” Her mother bristled at the remark but she just ignored her. She had yet to really address her daughter though trying to get a word in with Christy in the room was probably impossible.

  “Does Dominic own a lot of land?”

  “Dominic is a partner in the horse ranch in Texas, we own a Plantation along the Mississippi River that has been in his family for a long time and he just bought land in Colorado.”

  “So, do you have the company of other wives and children? Are you afraid of Indians raiding your home and killing you?”

  Mirisa laughed as they all waited for her answer. “No, I’m not afraid of Indians and I have only been shot once but it just grazed my arm. I think the worst thing was the snake bite so I am very careful to always have my gun on when I leave the house.”

  The girls all gasped and started talking to her at the same time. Becky told her that riding and guns were necessary in the mountains of Tennessee where she was raised.

  “It would be a lot better if you would come home and stop acting like your irresponsible brothers.”

  The entire room became quiet as Mirisa turned to her mother. “Mother, I have a home, I have a husband and I have a sweet and loving son that you have not even taken the time to acknowledge.”

  “They are horrible, horrible men. I know who and what they are. I demand you stop this nonsense. Look at the way you are dressed and you’re traveling with all of them across the country. You think I don’t hear about what has been going on. And as far as your son, I knew there was a reason you had to get married.”

  “I don’t care what you hear. I made the choice to live the life I want to live and I am extremely happy. And my son is only three years old which hardly makes it the reason I married Dominic. If you cannot accept my husband and son, then you can pretty much write me off as your daughter.” Mirisa put her cup down. “Though honestly you wrote me off the day I was born and have spent every moment telling me I was the reason your life was bad and why you were so unhappy. I spent most of my childhood hiding from your need to punish me for things that were not my doing. I pray every night that I do not ever treat my children as you have treated me. You are a bitter selfish woman and I feel sorry for you.” Mirisa’s voice was low and controlled but her anger was apparent as she excused herself. Her mother feigned shock at Mirisa’s outburst and screamed obscenities at Mirisa as she left the room. The girls were speechless.

  Garnett looked at Dominic when they heard her mother’s voice rise but before they could react, the sound of the slamming door reverberated through the house. Dr. Eppes smiled because she definitely had his temper and he obviously has set a bad example. “I didn’t think it would be a good meeting. If you will excuse me, I think I need to talk to my daughter.”

  Dominic sat back down as Jes poured another shot. “Well, that’s two fights in less than an hour.” He turned to Dominic. “Don’t worry; father knows that she’ll be hiding in the hay loft. That’s where she always goes when someone hurts her feelings.”

  After twenty minutes, Richard came back in and poured a shot. “If I’ve ever thought you had any influence over her, I have just changed my mind and who taught her such language?” Jed laughed and bounded out the door and down to the barn. “They always could deal with her better than anyone else.”

  The butler came in and announced lunch. Everyone got up and headed to the dining room. Dr. Eppes opened the door and whistled. Mirisa and Jed walked back to the house though you could tell she just wanted to get on her horse and leave. Dominic waited for her and they went into the dining room together. Dr. Eppes sat all of them on his end of the table and as far a
way from his wife as possible. Matthew sat next to Dr. Eppes and after a few minutes started talking to him about his vegetables and his new pony. They talked through most of lunch and it drove Mrs. Eppes beyond distraction that he was not taking a hard line with the situation. She finally excused herself on the pretence of having a headache and went up to her rooms.

  After lunch, Mirisa thanked her father and said they would love it if he could join them for dinner. He asked her if she would be out for Christmas morning or if she wanted to leave Matthew so he could wake up with his cousins to open presents. She looked at the lines that were around his eyes and the thinness that hadn’t been there before the war and it broke her heart. She put her hand on his cheek as tears filled her eyes and he drew her into his arms talking to her softly.

  They dismounted in front of the hotel and Mirisa told Dominic she was going to put Matthew down for a nap and if he didn’t mind watching him she was going to go shopping for something to wear to the wedding. He asked her if she needed an escort. “No, I know everyone in this town and won’t have a problem shopping.”

  James told her he would go with her because he needed the fresh air. Dominic and Garnett sat in James’ room and played cards while Meeks read Garnett’s second book. Mirisa and James walked down to the dressmakers who had made all of Mirisa’s clothes over the years. She walked to the back of the store to the fitting area which hadn’t changed since she was a small child. She slipped off her jacket draping it across the settee as James went through the dresses hanging along the wall pulling out several that were close to her size.

  Mirisa unbuttoned her blouse and slipped off her pants so she was only in a camisole when he turned around. The matron brought her several dresses to try on and James got up several times to adjust the dresses before he decided on the red one for Christmas and several day dresses that were more modest but fashionable. He told the lady to put in all the accessories that would match and he took out his wallet handing her money as he got up.

  “Mirisa, is this your husband?” Mirisa slipped on her boots and looked up at James.

  “No, this is James who is a very close friend of my husband’s. He is my escort for the day.” James smiled knowing the women who were milling about the store eavesdropping were flabbergasted. James folded the receipt and turned from the counter as they all turned away pretending to be absorbed in their shopping. James asked the Clerk to deliver the purchases to the hotel tipping her handsomely. The dressmaker leaned into Mirisa and whispered. “Well, he is certainly a fine catch for some young lady. Will he be attending the wedding alone?”

  “He will as will Dominic’s other friends.” Mirisa nodded knowingly. “A single woman would do very well to catch their eye. They are all quite rich and eligible.”

  When they stepped out of the last shop, the sun was just beginning to go down over the trees. She had not mentioned her mother once and James decided if she needed to get it out of her system by frivolously shopping he would happily oblige her. They stopped at the front desk and asked that a pot of hot tea be sent up to the room. The Clerk handed Mirisa a note with an envelope. Her father was unable to join them for dinner but would have the overland carriage pick them up for the wedding at five-thirty. She opened the envelope to find a beautiful invitation which she handed to James to read.

  “Did you two enjoy yourself?”

  “Yes, but I am afraid that I cost James a lot of money today.” They all looked at him and he acknowledged her statement.

  “Mirisa you really need to understand that you can’t have everything you want but if you want anything I can more than afford your shopping.”

  She leaned over and kissed her husband. “I do believe you are wrong and if it was just a matter of who is to pay, my father has open accounts that I can use whenever I wish. Can we go to Richmond for New Years?”

  “Only if James is paying for it.” He lit his cigar and roughly pulled her into his lap. “What’s in Richmond?”

  “We’ve all been invited to the Governor’s ball on New Year’s Eve.”

  “How did you manage that?”

  “Actually, my father left the invitation at the front desk specifically for the four of you. I believe it is a military ball for alumni of VMI.” She put the invitation on the table taking off her jacket and gloves as she walked toward the adjoining door. “Do you mind if we go out of the hotel for dinner? There’s a very old restaurant down on the river.” They all agreed. “I’m going to go take a long bath and see if I can forget about this morning.” She started to go into her room when she turned and wrapped her arms around James thanking him.

  “Need someone to hold your soap?”

  “Didn’t you see enough today?”

  “That was the problem. Silk seems to love you more than I do.”

  Dominic looked up at him and then at her and she just wrinkled her nose and went into their room. “James exactly what did you do today to see my wife undressed.”

  “We were picking out a dress for Christmas. I thought it was important that she be dressed perfectly. We’ll hold off shopping for a ball gown until we get to Richmond, which means we have to leave here right after Christmas.”

  Meeks smiled. “I guess we all had that same welcoming feeling today. Just imagine how it felt if you were married to her.”

  They decided to walk to the restaurant since it was only two blocks from the hotel and Mirisa had decided to wear a dark green plaid dress that was very proper. Dominic carried Matthew for a while before he asked if he could walk so he put him down and Matthew took Meeks hand walking in front of them.

  The restaurant had been built at the turn of the century and it hung out over the river. They served a dark lager in large pewter mugs that were probably as old as the establishment along with fresh dense meat bread. At the end of their meal, an elderly gentleman walked up to the table and nodded to each of them before he took Mirisa’s hand and kissed it. Mirisa introduced him as a former U.S. Senator from Virginia and a good friend of her fathers.

  “It’s a pleasure to meet all of you. The south owes you a world of debt.” He sat and talked to them for a while before he told Mirisa he would see her at her parents. He turned to Dominic and bowed. “Had I been but a younger man, she would have never escaped and married a Mississippian.” They watched as he walked out of the restaurant.

  “Mirisa?” Dominic poured her another glass of wine.

  “Yes, darling.” She was holding her son who was sound asleep.

  “What time are we going to your parents?”

  “The wedding is at six, followed by an eight course dinner of outrageously fattening food and then the ball.” She sipped her wine. “I thought we should get there about two minutes before six. Jed said that over a hundred people were going to attend the wedding and dinner and over three hundred would be there for the dance. It should be a lot more bearable than today because I will be able to blend in with the crowds.” James smiled because she could never blend into any crowd.

  “What are we going to do with Matthew?”

  “The nanny will be in the nursery with the children but if he’s still clingy, then I’ll just keep him with us.”

  “Do I need to hire a coach for tomorrow night since you will be dressed?”

  “No, my father is sending the Overland Coach for us and it will also take us to Richmond the day after Christmas.”

  “Your father’s a good man.”

  A LIGHT SNOW had been falling for over an hour and Mirisa stood at the window day dreaming. Dominic asked her if she needed encouragement to get dressed so they could open Christmas presents. She turned to him and he noted the sadness in her expression. She acknowledged him.

  Mirisa was slowly brushing out her hair in front of the fire and thinking about all the little changes to the town. Her father had rebuilt the part of the home that had been burnt down making it smaller but with larger guest rooms. She had wandered into her old bed chambers to find it had different furniture and none of he
r things. Her doll house and all the dolls were gone, her books were gone and when she moved the board on the window seat to reveal her hiding place all of her journals and letters were gone. She sat with her chin on her knees massaging her toes when she realized she wasn’t alone. They were all dressed impeccably and she knew there would be a lot of broken hearts tonight. They were such incredibly handsome men standing alone but when they were together they took her breath away.

  As she stood up, Meeks handed her a little box but she just looked at it. James finally took the box out of her hand and opened it. He took the small ring out and slipped it on her finger. It was made of four silver cords that intertwined and wrapped around a small gold band. She looked up at them and bit her lower lip.

  “I love all of you so much.” She turned and went into the bathroom closing the door. She leaned against it as the tears overtook her and all the fear, anger and pain of the last seven years seemed to tumble over her with such clarity as she slid down to the floor.

  “You know, I don’t think she is handling this family reunion very well at all. I didn’t even get to wish her a happy birthday.”

  “She can’t run from the consequences even if that would be her choice.”

  “Meeks, it is not like she consciously made those decisions or even had any input.”

  “James, we always are responsible when we have the option to walk away. Whether you look at her at sixteen or now, she relents to a man to guide her and it is only occasionally that she stands up and takes a position on her own. Even when she lived alone at the Plantation, I am sure that Dominic was in control of her life.”