His One Woman (23 page)

‘The only explanation which I can think of,' said Marietta carefully, ‘is that at a moment of great crisis for the pair of us, the bond between us was still so strong that, somehow, for a brief moment in time, we were able to reach out to one another, quite without trying.'

‘That is a possible explanation,' returned Jack, ‘but it goes quite against all the rules by which we run our lives.'

‘True,' said Marietta, ‘and it is something which we ought not to dwell on too much, except to remember what Shakespeare once said, in Hamlet: “There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosophy!”'

They were silent again, contemplating the mysteries of life: the chance by which they had met at all, and the providence which had brought them together again, and given Cobie back to his father.

It was Jack who spoke first. ‘Some day I will tell you everything I have done both at Hampton Roads and later in the Naval War in the South—but not today. Today is a day of celebration and I simply
want to sit here in peace and tranquillity, enjoying the son whom I never knew that I possessed.

‘Oh, Marietta, you do realise that it is only by the merest chance that I have found you both…'

He put his arm around her again, and hugged her and his son together, the tears not far away. Presently he handed her Cobie, who had begun to protest a little at being held so tightly.

‘You do understand, and it is only fair to tell you so immediately, that if you marry me you will have to leave Washington. I have bought a big empty mansion on Long Island which will be perfect for you and the children. Our life will not be easy at first, even when the war is over. Before then, I have my duties to Ericsson and the Navy Department. After that I shall take over the running of Butler and Rutherfurd's, something which I am busy arranging with Ezra in the intervals of reporting on the Naval War to the Cabinet. You will be marrying a busy man, I fear.'

‘I would not have it otherwise,' responded Marietta, ‘and I shall not be unhappy at the prospect of leaving Washington because it will mean leaving behind Sophie and the unhappiness which she has caused us. Remember what Ruth said in the Bible: “Whither though goest I will go.” I am used to living with a hard-working man and trying to make his life easy. What I did for my father I shall try to do for you, my darling, but never at the cost of neglecting our children—those we already have, as well as those we hope to have.'

‘Spoken like my true love,' said Jack. ‘You remind me of my mother. Even though you do not look in the least like her, you are also of the same true metal—gold all the way through.'

‘So, Cobie, darling,' Marietta said to the child on her knee, ‘we shall all go to New York with Uncle Jack, as you must learn to call him, for I fear that for your sake, rather than mine, we shall have to continue to deceive the world about your origin, so you may not call him father.'

Jack nodded a sad agreement. ‘All the same, I shall treat him and Susanna as I would treat my own for their sake and for the sake of the man who cared enough for you to give my son a name. Never forget that although Sophie robbed us of two years together she gave you Avory and Susanna, and made of me the man that my father always hoped I would be. Besides, the war cannot last for ever. The South is already beaten but does not know it.'

For a moment they were both sad at what the war was doing to the country which was now to be Jack's home as well as Marietta's. The moment passed, though, when the veranda door opened and Susanna ran towards them.

‘Mama, Aunt Percival says, is Uncle Jack staying for lunch, for if so, she will lay another place for him.'

‘He is staying for more than lunch, I hope,' said Marietta, smiling, handing Jack his son again, and bending to kiss the little girl.

‘Oh, good!' exclaimed Susanna, taking hold of
Jack's free hand. ‘He will not be taking Cobie away with him,' she added shrewdly.

‘He will take us all away with him, quite soon,' said Marietta. ‘On a train to New York and then on a steamer to our new home.'

‘I have never been on a steamer,' said Susanna in her old-fashioned way as they all walked into the house. ‘It will be quite a new life for us, will it not?'

Jack smiled lovingly at Marietta over the top of Cobie's head, and she smiled back.

‘A new life, indeed,' he said, ‘and a happy one, I hope.'