The Reporter Wore Petticoats by Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds

Author:Abigail Elizabeth Reynolds [Reynolds, Abigail Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Horror, Historical
ISBN: 9780741457851
Publisher: Infinity Pub
Published: 2010-01-29T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIFTY ONE

At four o’clock the morning of January six, there was a knock at the door. Persistent and loud, the knock continued, until I arose to see who was clattering at this hour. I took the small revolver I kept in my writing desk with me, as I went to investigate.

As I opened the door, Lydia Ann stood in the cold night air, still dressed in her night clothes and wrapped in her cape. A carriage was waiting by the street.

“What is wrong, Lydia Ann?’ I immediately inquired, as I invited the poor girl inside.

Rebecca had heard the commotion as well, and stood in the hallway, just out of sight of the night’s intruder. She had feared that somehow she was to be caught and returned to her former Master, and was preparing to run from the house.

“It’s Miss Constance,” Lydia Ann began at once. “You must come quickly. Doctor says she may not live much longer.”

I turned to see Rebecca and told her that my dear friend was very ill, and I needed to go at once. She said she would help me dress and come with me, if it were all right to do so.

Lydia Ann waited, along with the carriage, while we prepared. Within the half hour, we were off to Isaac’s and Constance’s home. Caroline met us at the door, and shared that her mother was currently being attended to by Isaac, along with the Doctor, in the upstairs bedroom. James, Abraham, and Andrew had been sent for as well, but she did not know when they would come.

I entered the room where Constance lay near death. She spoke to me as I entered, and asked me to draw near. She then ordered everyone else from the room so we could speak in private.

“Elizabeth, my Dearest friend”, she began. “There is much to tell you and little time left.”

Constance went on to ask me to continue to look after Caroline.

“She is so much like you, and I fear that without your guidance and friendship, she may find herself in more trouble than she might be able to handle.”

I assured Constance that she and Isaac had raised a fine daughter who needed no one’s help. I, however, pledged that I would do all that I could to care for Caroline, as well as Constance’s three sons, in the days ahead.

“And one more promise, Elizabeth”, she continued.

“Care for Isaac. I know he has loved you for a very long time, even before we met. His love for you never died. I am not asking you to be his wife, but please stay close to him when I am gone from this world. He needs a woman to care for him. Promise me.”

I knew Isaac had continued to love me even after Constance had entered his life. He had, however, been a faithful and true husband to her, and we had all been great friends.

“Constance, I could never take your place in his life.” I continued, “I may have been Isaac’s friend, but you have truly been his love.

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