Chapter 21
TWENTY-ONE
The cow had broken the fence in the night and got into the vegetable garden.
When Lucine looked out of the window she had cried out loud at the sight of May happily chewing on the patch of carrots that Seraphina had lovingly sown by hand and was now a trampled mess of upturned carrot stalks.
Still in her nightgown, Lucine ran outside barefoot.
The air was cool still and the ground cold on the soles of her feet, but she had to stop May before she caused more damage.
‘May, you must stop this at once. Bad girl.’
She screamed at the beast as she ran towards it, the water inside of her veins as icy-cold as her bare feet on the hard earth. Seraphina was going to be so mad with her, this would be all her fault.
‘Well now, if that is not a sight to behold at this time of the morning.’
Lucine turned her head to stare at John Hadden, in fear. ‘This is all your wrong doing, John Hadden. Look what the cow has done. She has broken the fence and is eating her way through my sister’s vegetable garden. She is going to be furious with thee.’
John looked at the cow, then at Lucine and began to laugh. A loud, roaring laugh that seemed to come from deep inside of his belly.
Angrier than she had ever been in her life, Lucine bent down and picked up a half-eaten carrot, launching it through the air in his direction.
It hit him squarely on the nose, the shock and pain so unexpected that he yelled out loud.
One hand cupping his injured nose, he jumped in shock then reached for her arm.
‘You have hurt my nose.’
Lucine’s eyes widened in fear. She saw the wetness from his eyes as it ran down his cheeks and blood as red as the scarf Lenora had bought from the market that she would never wear but had fallen in love with because of how bright it made her bleak Puritan dress look.
‘I am so sorry, John. I know not what came over me.’ She flinched expecting his fist to hit her back.
‘Nay, Lucine, do not be afraid. I am not angry with you. I am in awe of the fire that burns deep inside you. You’re so beautiful and yet so fierce.
’Tis my fault, I am sorry I angered you.
But let us stop that damned animal from eating any more of your sister’s vegetables afore she throws rocks at my already damaged face. ’
Lucine felt her cheeks burn deep red with shame at the thought of hurting this kind man who dared to make her laugh.
He rubbed at his nose then swiped the trickle of blood away with his sleeve then took great strides towards the cow who had not even looked up from her carrot feast. John slapped her flank hard enough to shock her, and she let out a loud, disgruntled moo.
He took of the silken scarf wrapped around his neck and hooked it around the cow’s neck, leading her gently back in to the pasture.
‘What are we to do?’ Lucine asked him.
‘Yes, quite, what are we to do?’ Seraphina’s voice was heavy with anger, and Lucine felt a sickness inside of her stomach at the thought of her sister being furious with her.
‘We are to do nothing. I did cause this upset and I will right my wrongs. I will mend the fence and dig the garden. I am afraid my thoughtful idea was not thought of enough. Ladies, please take your good selves back inside and let me sort this mess out. ’Tis the least I can do.’
Seraphina looked at John, then Lucine and her eyes widened in fright. ‘Lucine, get inside this instant. You are dressed most improperly if anyone was to see.’
Lucine gasped, realising she was outside in only her petticoat, turned and ran back towards the cabin. Leaving Seraphina glaring at John. ‘I fear, Mr Hadden, thou art corrupting my sister.’
‘Ah, but she is a lovely sister to corrupt, is she not?’
Seraphina planted her feet apart and put her hands on her hips.
‘I jest. I am truly sorry. I do like your sister, she is a fine woman, and I do not wish to cause her or you any sorrow. She reminds me of my wife; I miss her more than I thought was possible.’
‘Then perhaps thou should go back to thy wife.’
‘Oh, but how I wish that I could. She died in childbirth three summers ago and I have been mourning her loss ever since. Lucine is the first woman who made me forget about that pain in my heart for a little while. She is very special, is she not.’
‘I am most sorry for your loss, Mr Hadden. What of your child? Did it survive the birth?’
He nodded. ‘She did, such an angry little thing with a head full of black curls and a face as red as the setting sun. My wife’s sister took her in.
She cannot carry a child to birth and was overjoyed at the prospect of raising her.
I in a moment of madness decided to leave them be, to be a family without the interference of a sad widower imposing on their lives. ’
Seraphina reached out and touched his arm. ‘’Tis very sad and very brave that you were able to walk away. You are a much better man than I thought. Have you told Lucine this?’
He shook his head. ‘I have never told any other person my story, but there is something about you, Seraphina, that makes me want to unburden my soul. You and your sisters are truly very special women. I have travelled much since that dreadful day and come across many different people and cultures, but I have never met anyone like the three of you.’
She laughed. ‘I am not sure if that is a good or bad thing, Mr Hadden.’
‘’Tis most definitely good and please, now that you know my sad story, will you not address me as John. I do not want to be a stranger to you all. I want to help and be a friend.’
Seraphina smiled at him, then did something quite unheard of and hooked her arm through his. ‘Come break fast with us, John. Those carrots were rotten, but I was far too proud to admit it. Let May do us all a favour by eating them and save me the trouble of digging them out.’
John laughed. ‘If you are quite sure. I would love to and then I will mend the fence and build May her own enclosure where she can keep herself out of mischief. For I fear May and I may be our own worst enemies when it comes to keeping ourselves out of trouble.’
They walked arm in arm towards the cabin. Lucine and Lenora who were watching both turned to each other and gasped.