“I’ll go see if she needs my help,” Mary said, heading toward the kitchen.
She looked quite tired, and Roman worried about her health. She had taken a job with James Ashton’s household five years ago and worked her way up to housekeeper. As a widow, she had to support herself, but that wasn’t her real reason for going to work for the horrible old man. Roman could hear her explanation even now.
“He’s the reason yourfather is dead. By working in the house,perhaps Ican find proof of the way he swindled poor Andrew.If so,then we can take it to the legalauthorities and see justice done.”
But justice could never be done. Justice wouldn’t bring back his father after being cheated by the man who claimed to be his partner.
“Let’s be seated,” Mother called as she brought a large pot to the table.
Mary followed with a platter of biscuits, and nineteen-year-old Claudette brought the butter and serving ladle.
“Mother has made the best stew. It’s perfection,” Claudette announced.
Roman took a seat at the head of the table and waited forthe women to join him. “Let’s pray.” He bowed his head and offered thanks for the food and a blessing on those who had gathered to share it.
“How was your day, Mary?” Roman’s mother asked.
As much as Roman hated her working for Ashton, he always listened closely for any details that might help them see the old man condemned for the things he’d done.
“It was long and tiring. Mr. Ashton insists on having the stairs polished weekly. It’s a never-ending job, and the maids resent the additional task. I did find the opportunity to work in his office, however. He went out for meetings, and I took the task of cleaning there, hoping I might be able to search through his papers.”
“He’ll never leave anything condemning him out in the open,” Roman said, accepting a bowl of stew his mother had just portioned out.
“He has a locked room on the third floor. That’s where he keeps the old records. I have recently acquired the key, but there’s rarely an opportunity to go there. Even if I did, I’d truly have no excuse for being there if I were found out.” Mary placed a biscuit on her plate and accepted the butter from Claudette.
“Aunt Mary, you’ve been there for five years with nothing to show for it,” Roman said, grabbing a couple of the biscuits. “I would much rather you quit and get away from him. James Ashton is a vile and abominable man who cares nothing about anyone but himself. I fear if he finds out who you are, he’ll cause you great pain.”
“I fear that as well,” Mother said, handing Claudette and Mary their bowls of stew.
“I need to work to support myself. You both know that. Mr. Ashton provides me room and board, as well as a small salary. It isn’t the best arrangement, but it might merit us some answers one day. Until then, I’ll simply keep to myself and dowhat I must. The way that man swindled Andrew and others should be known.”
“It is known, but it was just legal enough that no one can do anything about it,” Mother replied. “We’ve known this for nearly ten years. Nothing is going to change now. We must accept that it was the will of God and move forward. We’re doing all right. Claudette and I have just made twenty dollars, I’m proud to say.”
“Creating a traveling wardrobe for Mrs. Cooperton was a lot of work. And that woman had more than enough money to pay you better than twenty dollars for it,” Roman countered. He sampled the stew and marveled at his mother’s skills. She had always been able to put together a hearty meal.
“It wasn’t an entire wardrobe, and twenty dollars is a large sum of money, Roman. It will allow us a few extras, as well as enable us to further your cause. Claudette and I plan to make several dozen diapers as soon as we can purchase white flannel.”
“And we will need your help making my wedding dress, Aunt Mary. Daniel and I are planning to marry as soon as his promotion comes through this fall.”
“I should have plenty of time to help with that,” Mary promised.
Roman listened as Claudette described the type of dress she wanted. He wanted her to have the wedding of her dreams but knew their resources would be limited. He would have to see if he could take on some additional patient work. More than once he’d been asked to serve as surgeon to some of the wealthier families. Perhaps he could work out something. But even though he considered this, he knew it would be almost impossible. He was already working from sunup to past sundown. His hours were consumed with those who couldn’t afford to pay. Were he not receiving money from various charities, he wouldn’t even be able to care for his mother and sister. Some provider he had turned out to be.
He sighed and breathed a silent prayer, begging God to deliver them—to avenge his father and bring justice to their family. James Ashton had been responsible for robbing them of their future. No doubt he’d done it to others as well. Why didn’t God stop him?
“Roman, you need a haircut,” his mother said.
He startled, then ran his hand back through his wavy dark hair. “I do. I’ve been putting off asking you.”
“We’ll get to it right after dinner,” she promised and then gave him a loving look. “You must keep up your appearance. You are quite handsome.”
“You’re prejudiced,” Roman teased and tore pieces of biscuit up into his stew.
“Nevertheless, it’s true, and you really should consider taking a wife.”
Roman nodded but didn’t have the heart to remind his mother that taking a wife would mean one more mouth to feed, and they were having a hard enough time keeping proper meals on the table as it was.
He lowered his head to hide the frown that came unbidden. Nothing was as he wished it could be. He knew, however, that God had called him to the tasks at hand. The poor needed a good doctor, same as the rich. Perhaps a wife wasn’t in the plan at all.
