the more. She thought about all the terrible pain and anguish Corrie had had to endure and how foolish and inconsequential her own problems were in comparison. Corrie had watched her husband and her son die. And yet she had endured.
'You give me strength, Corrie,' she whispered.
It wasn't empty praise, for the longer she thought about the dear woman's suffering, the more her own life was put into perspective. Mary Rose knew she would do what had to be done, and regardless of the outcome, she would also endure.
'I'm very fortunate to have you for a friend, Corrie.'
Travis let out a shrill whistle. He was letting Mary Rose know that it was time for them to leave.
'Eleanor and I will go to the Cohens' house in Hammond the day after tomorrow,' she told her friend. 'They're going to Boston for a family reunion, and we'll travel with them. Mr. Cohen will make certain we get on the right ship to England, and if all my plans go smoothly, I'll be back home before the first winter snow falls.
'Travis is going to bring you supplies while I'm away. I've told you all about my brother, remember? He won't ever come closer than the middle of the clearing,' she hurried to add when her friend squeezed her hand tight. 'May I call to him now? He'll stand by the trees, so you can get a good look at him. I don't want you to be startled when he comes here, and he promised me he would always call out to you so you can watch him.'
Corrie finally relaxed her grip. Mary Rose shouted to her brother. Travis appeared on the far side of the clearing and waved to his sister. The curtain obstructed his view of Corrie, but he noticed Mary Rose was holding her hand.
'Storm's coming, Mary Rose. We ought to leave now,' he called out. 'Good day to you, Corrie,' he added before he turned around and walked away.
Mary Rose finally said her good-bye. She turned and kissed Corrie's hand, and then stood up.
'I'm going to miss you,' she whispered. 'God and Travis will take good care of you, Corrie. Have faith in both of them.'
Mary Rose clutched the book in her arms and slowly walked away. The rush of the rising wind mingled with the call of an impatient cardinal and all but muffled the sound of a woman softly weeping inside the cabin.
Chapter 17
Harrison arrived in London on a Tuesday afternoon but was forced to wait until the following evening to talk to his employer. Lord Elliott was staying at his country estate, a two-hour ride from the city, and wasn't scheduled to return to the city until Wednesday morning.
Harrison dispatched a messenger announcing his return. He asked for a private meeting, for he had a highly personal matter to discuss with him. He deliberately implied it was a legal matter he'd gotten involved in, so that Elliott wouldn't include his personal assistant, George MacPherson.
Murphy, Elliott's butler for as long as Harrison could remember, opened the front door for him. The faithful servant's eyes sparkled with delight at the sight of Harrison.
'It's so good to have you back home with us, mi'lord,' Murphy announced.
'It's good to be back,' Harrison replied. 'How have you and Lord Elliott been getting along?'
'We've missed all the scandals you get into with your criminal cases, mi'lord. We haven't had a good fight since the day you left. Lord Elliott continues to worry me, I'll admit. He's working too hard, and you know how stubborn and unreasonable he can be. He won't slow down, no matter how much I nag him. I fear he'll continue to run until his heart stops beating. You're bound to cheer him up, however. I must say, he's missed you sorely.'
'Is he upstairs?'
'Yes, mi'lord, in the library.'
'Is he alone?'
'He is, and impatient to see you again. Why don't you run on up?'
Harrison started up the stairs, then stopped. 'Murphy, he's going to need some brandy.'
'Is the news you bring bad, then?' the butler inquired with a frown.
Harrison smiled. 'Quite the opposite. He'll still need a drink of brandy though. Is there a bottle in the library?'
'Yes, mi'lord, but I shall bring up another one to be on the safe side. The two of you can get sotted together.'
Harrison laughed. In all his years living with Elliott, he'd never once seen him even remotely tipsy. He couldn't picture him roaring drunk. Elliott was too well bred to ever consider doing anything that would take away his control or his dignity. Getting drunk would have robbed him of both.
He hurried on up the stairs, rounded the corner, and went into the library. Elliott was standing in front of the fireplace. He spotted Harrison and immediately embraced him.
'So you are home at last,' he said in greeting. He hugged Harrison, and pounded him on his back with a great deal of affection.
'You're a sight for these old eyes,' he whispered. 'Sit down now and tell me all about your adventure in America. I want to hear every detail.'
Harrison waited until Elliott had taken his seat before he pulled up a chair and sat down. He noticed how tired Elliott looked and was saddened by his observation. The country air hadn't done the elderly man much good, for his complexion was tinged gray, and there were the ever-present dark half-circles under his eyes. Grief had taken its toll on him.
Elliott had never remarried, but the determined ladies in London society still fought for his attention. Not only was he an extremely wealthy man, he was also considered handsome. He had silver-tipped hair, patrician features, and held himself like the statesman he was. Elliott had been born and raised in an affluent family, and his breeding, education and manners were therefore impeccable. Far more important was the fact that Elliott had a good heart. Like his daughter, Harrison thought to himself. She had perhaps inherited her sense of decency from him, and that noble quality had been nurtured by her brothers.
Elliott was also strong-willed. A lesser man would have been destroyed by the horror of having his only child taken away from him, but Elliott fought his desolation in private and presented a brave front to the rest of the world. While he had retired from active participation in government, he continued to work behind the scenes to bring about change. He was as much a champion of the less fortunate as Harrison was and certainly just as dedicated to the belief that all men were entitled to equal representation and equal rights. He wholeheartedly supported Harrison when he took on unpopular causes, such as defending the common man.
' America seems to have agreed with you. Is it the new fashion not to wear a jacket, son?'
Harrison smiled. 'None of my jackets fit. I seem to have grown between my shoulders. I'll have to call in a tailor before I go out in public again.'
'You do look bigger to me,' Elliott said. 'But there's something else that's different about you.' Elliott continued to stare at Harrison another minute or two, then shook his head. 'I'm very happy to have you back where you belong.' He gave the admission in a quiet voice. 'Now, give me your promise, Harrison. There will be no more hunts. I'll have your word before we discuss your legal problems.'
