The Ruby in the Storm

Chapter 44: What Strangers May Tell

Chapter 44: What Strangers May Tell

The silence that followed was louder than any storm. John wanted to look down at his mother to ascertain her reaction, but he felt frozen and rooted to the spot. The woman standing before him looked withered, with her gray-blonde hair in disarray, and her blue eyes wide and hollow. He was sure that at some point in time she had been a great beauty.

She is Lucy's mother...

"Abigail..." Mary Boatwright cleared her throat, "this... this is..." She turned to Malia. "May I?"

His mother hesitated, as though fearful of the woman's reaction, but she nodded tightly. Still, she took John's arm and gripped it tightly, like a vice. He sensed her aura, and he knew that she was ready to pull him from this house and spirit him away to safety once again. John leaned into his mother's strength, hoping that it would help inspire his own. He had to remember that he had a mother, wife, daughter, and two sisters to be strong for now. Moreover, if he could survive having to leave his father and Samuel Worthington's attempts to tear his family apart, he could and would survive anything.

"This is John Brandon Quincy," Mary said. "He is Malia's son. They only just arrived from... Charlestown, correct?"

"Yes," John said, answering for his mother this time.

Abigail frowned. "So... You are John."

"I am." He said, keeping his voice steady. "Just not... The John you know."

She still looked confused. "I... I don't understand."

"John and Malia only just arrived," Mary said. "I am sure they are both very tired from their journey." She turned to them. "I will have Vera set up some rooms for you and your son, and have food prepared this instant."

"Oh..." Malia shook her head. "You do not have to go through the trouble, Mrs. Boatwright, we will stay at an inn."

"Nonsense." Mary insisted. "And call me 'Mary', Malia. We are family, after all." Then, a sadness crossed over her eyes.

John knew that his mother was still not sure, but to be polite she nodded. "Very well. Thank you Mrs. Boa—Mary." Then, she let go of his arm and stepped forward. "Is Mr. Boatwright around? I would love to see him again as well."

A sadness crossed over Mary's eyes and John knew her answer instantly. "Oh, Malia..." She took her hands, and it was clear she was trying to fight back tears. "Mr. Boatwright passed earlier this year... I meant to write..."

His mother stiffened. "Oh, Mary, I... I..." She gulped. "I am so, so sorry..."

Mary forced out a smile. "We will exchange condolences when you've had time to rest. Just know that he never stopped thinking about you, and that he would have loved to meet you," she turned to John. "He was a good friend of your father's. Many were."

In what seemed like a whirlwind, John and Malia were shown to their rooms. During that time, he tried to get one more look at Lucy's mother, but another maid was already leading her away. Still, they made eye contact and John felt his breath catch. Yes, that was Lucy's mother, but her face was tired, her eyes were lost, and her lips were dry and parted.

She looked haunted.

XXX

Charlotte had spent most of the day trying to sort through the information she had been given. Knowing now that James's actions against Lucy was something he had done before to another woman, and likely more, meant that she could help Lucy build a case.

When she'd left Belmoran, Charlotte had sailed first to Ireland to stay a time with her aunt. She had been nursing wounds of the heart and wanted to be away from her mother and father for a time. Then, her mother had been convinced that she and Ross would marry, and she did not want to face her disappointment in the true outcome. Ruth Beauchamp had not taken to her then, and that had been enough for Charlotte to realize that she would have to change herself to with Ross. He would not ask her to, of course, that was not his way, as he had loved her then as she was, but there would be no happiness between her and Ruth if she remained the same, and she could not spent her life knowing that she was disappointing yet another mother figure in her life.