Embers of Love

  STRIKING A MATCH, BOOK 1

  EMBERS

  of LOVE

  TRACIE PETERSON

  To Judy Miller

  Your friendship has blessed me

  in so many ways.

  I pray God gives you strength

  to manage the days to come.

  CHAPTER 1

  PHILADELPHIA – JUNE 1885

  “I won’t let you go through with this,” Deborah Vandermark declared. She clasped her best friend’s gloved hands. “Even something this drastic will not win your mother’s respect, and it certainly won’t soften her heart with love.”

  Elizabeth Decker – known as Lizzie to her dearest friends – shook her head. “You don’t understand. If I don’t go through with this, I’ll have to return home with her.”

  “Nonsense,” Deborah replied. “You can come home with me. My brother is waiting at the train station – or will be in another half hour. There’s no reason to remain here. You’re of age, and my guess is that even your father will approve.”

  “Simply one more thing my mother would blame him for.”

  Deborah squeezed her friend’s hand. “Lizzie, your parents are divorced and your father is capable of dealing with this. They live in different towns. They needn’t ever speak to each other again – and even if they do, it won’t change how you feel about Stuart. Don’t let your concerns about everyone else be the reason you go into a loveless marriage.”

  Lizzie walked over to the window and gently removed her wedding veil, revealing carefully coiffed blond hair. With that one simple action, Deborah took hope that her friend was finally starting to see reason.

  “Oh, Deborah, how I can stop things now? Everyone is seated and waiting for a wedding. And what of Stuart? He doesn’t deserve such ill treatment.”

  “Stuart doesn’t love you any more than you love him. This is all some sort of game to him. You are simply a beautiful ornament for him to add to his life.”

  “Just as my mother has always said. Men do not marry because of love.”

  “That isn’t entirely true, and you know it,” Deborah countered. “Many men marry for love. My father, for one.”

  “But if I walk away, then Mother wins this battle.” Lizzie shook her head. “I can’t believe I’m saying these things . . . and after I fought so hard for this day.”

  “Marriage and romance isn’t a war – at least it shouldn’t be,” Deborah replied. “You speak of the fight to get to the altar, not of the hope, joy, and love that should have brought you there. You don’t want to marry Stuart Albright. You’re only doing this to upset your mother.”

  Lizzie bit her lip. “It’s not just that. I have to prove to her that I can make my own choices. She’s so steeped in her battles for women’s rights. She cares about the treatment of every woman in America – except for me.”

  Deborah joined her friend at the window. “Perhaps that’s true, but I care about you, Lizzie. And it’s not too late to stop this marriage. You can walk away – run away. You can leave now with me.”

  “I can’t. If I don’t marry Stuart, Mother will expect me to return home with her and involve myself in the suffragette fight. She’ll drag me from one rally to another. Not only that, but I’ll have to offer some sort of explanation to Stuart and his family – to my parents – to Jael and the rest of the congregation.”

  “Jael knows you’re making a mistake. She’s the only other friend we have here in Philadelphia. She’ll be back any minute and we’ll simply explain that you’ve come to your senses.”

  “How is running away from a promise coming to my senses?”

  Deborah wanted to shake Lizzie until some semblance of reason formed in her brain. Instead, she took hold of her slender shoulders. “It is when the promise was falsely made. You don’t continue with a lie just because you were the one who started it. Your mother’s love will not be won this way. Your mother doesn’t understand what she has lost. She doesn’t see your value for who you are. You don’t have to go home with her. As I’ve already said, you can come with me.”

  Lizzie looked at her oddly. “What would I do in Texas?”

  Deborah tapped the side of her cheek considering the question. “There’s plenty to do. You can stay with my family. We don’t have the luxuries that we’ve known here in Philadelphia, but there’s no reason we can’t make the best of it. You can share my room, just like we did while attending college.”

  “But how would I explain this to my family – to the guests?”

  Joy surged through Deborah. Now it was just a matter of helping Lizzie reason through the details. “We’ll let your father handle it. He will understand completely.”

  “But I’ve already signed the church records.”

  “No vows have been said. The preacher has not officiated any ceremony.”

  “And what of Stuart?”

  Stuart Albright had a reputation for getting what he wanted. He had been seeking Lizzie’s hand for the past two years, and in order to spite her suffragette mother, Lizzie had finally agreed to the wedding. Deborah knew he wouldn’t take kindly to being publicly humiliated, but on the other hand, she honestly didn’t believe he loved Lizzie.

  “Perhaps your father will have an idea. Let me get him.” The church bells chimed the hour, and Deborah knew their time was up. “I’ll be right back.”

  Carefully maneuvering in her cream and pink silk gown, Deborah made her way into the hall. Just then Jael Longstreet returned, her red curls bouncing very nearly to her waist.

  “The church is full and everyone is waiting. Why is Lizzie not ready?”

  “Because she’s not going through with it,” Deborah announced.

  Jael’s eyes widened and she clapped her gloved hands together. “Oh, won’t this make for a scandal.”

  “Don’t take such joy in it, Jael. This has been very hard for Lizzie. I’m going to take her to Texas with me. You go wait with her. I’m going to find her father.”

  Near the church’s foyer she spied Mr. Decker. He was pacing rather nervously, tugging at the starched cuff of his sleeve. When he caught sight of Deborah, he halted and squared his shoulders.

  “Are we ready?” he asked, beaming a smile.

  “Not exactly.” Deborah cautiously looked past him toward the church sanctuary. “Would you please follow me?”

  “Of course. Is there a problem?”

  Deborah waited to speak until they were back in the tiny room where Lizzie was waiting with Jael. “Something was wrong, but now we are trying to make it right.” Deborah left Mr. Decker’s side and went to Lizzie. “Your daughter doesn’t want to go through with this wedding.”

  They had no way of knowing how Mr. Decker would take the news, but his broad smile was not at all what Deborah had expected.

  “I’m so glad, Lizzie. I know you don’t love him, and it gave me real concern.”

  Lizzie took several halting steps toward her father. “How did you know?”

  “It was quite evident that you were doing this only to assert yourself. I could clearly tell during our supper last night that you and Stuart shared little affection for each other. Then after he left and your mother began railing at you regarding the marriage, you never once mentioned love.”

  “Stuart has pursued me quite diligently,” Lizzie said. “He has lavished me with gifts and attention. I’m sure he must care for me, but I do not love him. That much is true.”

  “Oh, my sweet girl, that man does not love you,” her father said, taking her small hands into his. “I believe he has been using you as much as you have been using him.”

  “How, Father?”

  Decker shrugged. “He likely believes you would benefit his political and business ambitions. A beautiful wife who possesses
all the social graces always does.”

  “Then he will not willingly let me go,” Lizzie said.

  “Oh, don’t worry about him,” Jael interjected. “He’ll survive.”

  “But I feel cruel.”

  The sorrow in Lizzie’s tone only strengthened Deborah’s resolve. “Mr. Decker, my brother G. W. is waiting at the train station for me to join him as soon as the wedding has concluded. We are to journey back to Texas, as I believe I told you last night.”

  He nodded. “I remember.”

  “My thought – that is, if you approve – is to take Lizzie with me. My brother will not mind, and my mother will relish having another young lady in the household. Lizzie can stay with us as long as she likes.”

  “That would be a good solution, Lizzie,” Mr. Decker said, turning back to his daughter. “Texas will put enough distance between you and the Albrights so that I can smooth things over. Your mother will be upset that you didn’t tell her good-bye, but I suggest you two slip out of the church right now.” He reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a leather wallet. “I will give you all the money I have on me. It should be enough to see you through for quite a while. If you need more, simply write to me.”

  Lizzie took the money he handed her. “But, Father, what if – ”

  He put his finger to her lips. “There is no time for further questioning. Leave now, and I will explain to the congregation that you have taken ill and we are postponing the ceremony. Once I’ve had an opportunity to speak to Mr. Albright and your mother privately, I will explain that the wedding is permanently canceled.”

  Deborah reached out for her friend’s hand. “Come on. We can slip out the back door.”

  “But what of my clothes? I can hardly remain in my wedding satin.”

  Deborah considered the situation. “We are the same size and we shared our clothes all the time while attending university. There’s no need for much finery where we’re headed, so I’m sure to have suitable attire for us both.”

  “Besides, your steamers are packed for the wedding trip. I can simply have them forwarded to you when the time is right,” her father added.

  Deborah smiled. “There, it’s resolved.”

  Lizzie’s father leaned forward and kissed her soundly on the cheek. “Go. Go quickly. Miss Longstreet and I will stall for as long as we can.” He looked to Deborah. “Where can I write to Lizzie?”

  “Address letters to her in care of Deborah Vandermark in Perkinsville, Texas. There will be no problem in receiving correspondence there. It’s a tiny town. Once she arrives, everyone will know her.”

  –––––––

  G. W. Vandermark was uncertain what to think when his sister and a satin-clad bride approached him at the train station. Nearly everyone in the depot stared at the two as they approached.

  An older woman behind him commented to her friend, “How ridiculous. What bride wears her gown for such a trip? Why, it will be covered with soot in no time.” She came alongside G. W. and looked at him. “Do you know them?” she asked as the girls walked toward him.

  “I reckon I do,” he replied. “At least I know the dark-haired one.” He stepped forward, ignoring the old woman’s grunt of disapproval.

  Deborah put down a small carpetbag before throwing herself into G. W.’s arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”

  “Looks like you grew up while you were away. I can see I’m gonna have to beat the boys off to keep them from hangin’ all over you.”

  “Oh, nonsense. You’re the one to worry over. Just look at you, all duded up.” She pulled back with a grin. “Come meet my dear friend.”

  G. W. glanced to where the young bride waited and tipped his hat. “Lookin’ for a wedding?” he asked in a lazy drawl. He’d never seen anything like her; she was the prettiest gal he’d ever laid sight on. Her blue-eyed gaze locked onto his face and G. W. could not look away. She was like one of those fancy store-bought dolls with gold curls and smooth white skin.

  “Lizzie, this is my brother G. W. Vandermark. G. W., this is Miss Elizabeth Decker.”

  G. W. tipped his hat again. “Howdy.”

  “We have a problem. Lizzie – Miss Decker – needs to travel west with us. She cannot go through with the wedding.”

  “Is that a fact?” His mind raced with thoughts of all the complications that had just been created. It was typical of his little sister to stir up a nest of hornets.

  “I suggested she come to Texas with us. Her father is even now explaining the situation to her mother and Mr. Albright.”

  G. W. checked his watch. He had a hundred questions but knew they would have to board the train now or wait for the next one. Unable to figure out what he should do, he pulled at his tie. He hated dressing up, but for the trip east to retrieve his sister, he had promised his mother he’d wear the new store-bought clothes. Unfortunately, the black wool sack suit was layered with a stiff long-sleeved shirt, and the June heat was nearly unbearable. Not to mention the collar was about to strangle him. G. W. was tempted to remove the offending pieces, but noted the gentlemen around him were wearing theirs. It was a good thing he’d decided against wearing the waistcoat.

  “I don’t guess I understand, but I suppose you ought to give me your bag,” he said, trying to figure out what they should do. “Oh, wait. Miss Decker’s gonna need a ticket.”

  The young woman reached into her reticule and pulled out a wad of cash. G. W. smiled, took several bills, and handed the rest back to her.

  “This’ll be enough,” he said and made his way to the ticket agent. What in the world had Deborah gotten herself into this time? Showing up at a train station with a woman in her bridal gown was unusual, even for his sister. There were bound to be further consequences, but trouble seemed to follow his sister. Well, maybe not trouble so much as . . . disruption. As he made his way back, he could see that the folks around were still gawking and pointing at the young bride-to-be.

  “I have all our tickets now,” G. W. announced. “So you wanna tell me what this is about?”

  “Look, G. W., I can explain once we’re on our way,” Deborah said, pushing him and Lizzie forward. “Now, help Lizzie onto the train. This dress is cumbersome, and she may well fall on her face if you don’t assist her. I can get my own bag.”

  G. W. shrugged and picked up his case, then took Lizzie’s arm. “Miss Decker, it’s this way.” He didn’t wait for her comment, but instead headed to the platform and the waiting train.

  “Congratulations,” the conductor offered as G. W. and Lizzie approached. “My, but you two make a handsome couple.”

  G. W. looked to Lizzie, who was blushing red. He thought to offer the man an explanation, then just nodded and helped Lizzie up the steps to the passenger car.

  They showed their tickets to a waiting porter. “Bettin’ it was a mighty fine weddin’,” the porter declared, taking the bag from Deborah. He bore a smile that ran from ear to ear. His dark skin appeared even darker against his white coat.

  “It was the best I’ve been to in a long time,” Deborah told him. The man nodded and secured their bags just as the conductor called the final board.

  Once they were settled in, G. W. couldn’t help but notice that all heads had turned to watch them. Smiles were plastered on every face, and without warning, one man began to applaud. This caused the entire car to begin clapping.

  “I wish I could melt under the seat,” Lizzie said, tucking her head. “I’m so sorry.”

  “It can’t be helped,” Deborah said, patting Lizzie’s hand. “Once we make our first stop for the night, you can change clothes.”

  G. W. felt sorry for her. No doubt she was completely offended at the idea of being married to a backwoods bumpkin who could barely read, even if he was wearing a thirty-dollar suit bought in Houston. He offered her a smile, but she couldn’t see it since her gaze was fixed on the floor.

  “So why don’t you tell me what’s goin’ on and why you two showed up at the station in your weddin�
�� duds,” he said as the train pulled out.

  “It’s a truly complicated story, but we have a long trip ahead of us, so here goes,” Deborah began. “Elizabeth – you can call her Lizzie, as she hates the name Elizabeth.” She looked to her friend as if for confirmation. Lizzie nodded. “Lizzie had to escape.”

  G. W. felt a sense of confusion. “Escape? From what?”

  “Well, you see, she was only doing this . . .” Deborah gestured toward the bridal gown. “That is, she wasn’t in love.” G. W. would have laughed had she not remained fixed with a serious expression.

  Deborah stopped short and shook her head. She sat back and folded her hands. “Wait. Maybe I should start from the beginning.”

  “That’s generally best,” G. W. said.

  “Elizabeth and I attended classes together at the university in Philadelphia and shared lodging. She’s been my closest confidante for these last few years. I’m sure you remember me telling you about her when I was home for the summer two years ago.”

  “Sure I do,” G. W. replied, though he was sure she never mentioned how beautiful this woman was.

  “Well, Lizzie’s like family to me. She has a sad past – a tragic one.”

  “Oh, Deborah, do not make it sound so melodramatic.” Lizzie gave a quick glance around as if to see who else might be listening. “Our appearance is bad enough. Let us keep it simple.” She looked directly at G. W. “My parents divorced some years ago. My father has remarried and my mother is working for the cause of women’s rights and feels men are unnecessary in her life.”

  “And because of that,” Deborah went on, “Lizzie found herself at odds with her mother’s plans for her future. One thing led to another, and she began a courtship with Stuart Albright.”

  G. W. listened to his sister go on about the sorry state of Lizzie’s relationship with Mr. Albright. Apparently the man was a bore and not the least bit in love with the golden-haired beauty. But how he could keep from loving her was beyond G. W.’s ability to reason. She looked like an angel. Who wouldn’t want her for a wife?