Page 107 of The Formation of Us
At that time, Judge Franklin Stone’s name started appearing regularly, then became the only name noted in Rose’s guest book for the last five years of her life. No amounts were noted with Stone’s entries, which was odd. Was Stone Rose’s lover? Is that why she didn’t charge him? If so, then who was Steven Cuvier, and why had Rose’s lipstick kiss decorated two of the early entries for Cuvier?
Had she loved both men?
If so, why had Cuvier paid for Rose’s services when Stone got the goods for free?
Duke rubbed the heels of his hands against his gritty eyes. God only knew what Rose’s life was all about. All he could gather from her book was that Stone and Cuvier knew her well. They were both in a position to help Rose with any legal work she may have needed. Maybe that’s why Stone was getting free visits to Rose’s bed. Maybe she owed him for legal work.
Maybe not, but Stone and Cuvier were the only leads worth tracking down. Even if neither man had done any legal work for Rose, one of them might know something about her that could head Duke in the right direction. Anything that could help him dump that damned brothel would be welcome. He’d already sent a letter to three banks in Syracuse, asking if they had any information about the deed to Rose’s property, but no one had yet responded.
He would try Stone and Cuvier too.
After forming his query in his head, Duke penned a letter to Stone, then wrote a similar letter to Cuvier. When he finished writing, he folded the pages into envelopes and used his official wax seal to keep his correspondence confidential. He would post the letters before he headed to Mayville.
Chapter 33
Tansy and Aster’s double ceremony in the park was simple but touching despite the dreary mid-October day. Faith stood among family and friends who sheltered themselves beneath umbrellas, but anyone walking through the park was welcome to watch the couples take their vows.
Intermittent wind gusts tugged the red and gold leaves off the maple trees and carried them through the air like small vessels. Faith wanted to sail away like the leaves and go back to the warmer, happy days of summer when she and Duke spent their days laughing and their nights making love; but she stood in the cold wind, shivering beside her distant husband. He hadn’t left her, but would be leaving for Mayville after the ceremony. He said he’d return in a week. Maybe he wouldn’t be so angry then. Maybe he would miss her. Maybe someday he would forgive her and welcome her back into his arms. Because he hadn’t touched her since the night he learned about the brothel, and she was losing hope.
She didn’t blame him for being upset, especially on behalf of his family. Faith hadn’t considered that she would be putting his family in jeopardy when she married him. All she’d thought about was giving Cora and Adam security—and herself a respectable life with a man she cared about.
She hadn’t counted on Dahlia killing a man, or her aunts having affairs in the greenhouse. She’d begun to believe that it was kinder not to tell Duke, that her past might not matter at all unless he learned the truth. Now it was all that mattered.
“You have a leaf in your hair, Mama.”
Cora was happily perched in her daddy’s arms. Despite Duke’s anger with Faith, and his earlier harshness with Adam, he’d been loving and affectionate with the child. He’d admitted to Adam he’d been too hasty in judging, but there was a rift between the two that worried her. Adam needed Duke more than ever, and she blamed herself for the distance between them. Duke was disappointed in her, not in Adam.
They walked home together after the ceremony, but instead of joining the small gathering in their parlor, Duke packed a bag, changed his clothes, and strapped on his gun belt.
Faith followed him outside onto the porch where he shrugged on his coat. He would walk to Radford and Evelyn’s livery to rent a horse for his trip. “How long will you be gone?” she asked.
“A week or so.”
She nodded, not wanting him to leave with this chasm between them, but having no idea how to bridge it.
“Sam Wade will know how to reach me if you need anything.”
Again, she nodded. “I’m sorry, Duke. I wanted so much for us . . . ,” she whispered, too choked by her emotions to go on.
He sighed and brushed his knuckles across her cheek. “So did I.”
She caught his hand and pressed it to her face, missing him desperately. “I’ll do anything to make you happy again.”
He embraced her and gave her a hug, the first affection he’d shown her in a week. “I don’t hate you, and I’m not even sure I blame you for anything. I’m just . . . I need to sort this out.”
She lifted her face, aching for his kiss. “Will you do that while you’re gone?”
“I’ll try.”
“Try real hard. For Cora and Adam. For us.”
He lowered his head and kissed her, and the day seemed to fill with sunshine. Faith clutched his wide shoulders, returning his kiss with passion, hoping he would find forgiveness on his journey and a reason to return and reclaim the joy in their marriage.
He backed out of her embrace. “I’ve got to go.” He grabbed his bag and descended the steps. “Wire if you need anything,” he said, but he walked away without looking back.
o0o
Eight days later, Faith raked leaves into a big pile, assailed by doubts and worries. Where was he? Why hadn’t Duke wired to let her know when he’d be returning home?
