I considered how long we would be in mourning and how long it might take the solicitor to organize all the details. I also needed to consider the war and Teddy’s ability to travel by ocean liner. From what Mama had told me, America wouldn’t enter the war for another year and a half. I had my concerns about ocean travel, but there had been no real threats to passenger vessels yet. If we were going to go before America’s entry into the fight, we would need to go in the spring. “I think it’s safe to say it might not be until May or June.”
“That will give us enough time to plan the wedding once our mourning period is over.” Edith nodded. “Do you need anything right now?”
I shook my head. “You may go share the news with Williams. I’m sure he’d like to know.”
“I will.” Edith smiled and left me alone with Teddy.
“Well,” I said to him, “it seems we have a new path to take.”
I longed to return to America, especially with the war continuing to rage for the next few years. I could be useful there, especially now that I controlled Teddy’s fortune.
It would also be good to return home to see my father, and even my mother. I could find my own home wherever I wanted to live. I could come and go whenever I pleased, and I could associate with the people I chose. I could pursue my work with the suffrage movement and campaign for women I wanted to represent me in state and federal legislatures. Perhaps one day I might run for office myself.
A new horizon spread out before me, and though I would miss Cumberland Hall, with its storm-tossed sea and breathless moors, I missed home even more.
It was time to return.
28
NEW YORK CITY
JUNE 19, 1916
My parents’ brownstone mansion on Fifth Avenue had never looked so welcoming as when we pulled up to the front door on my twenty-second birthday. Edith sat with Teddy and me in the back seat of the automobile, and Williams sat in the front with my parents’ driver, who had come to the harbor to collect us. I had loved seeing the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral again, but it was the familiar sight of William Tecumseh Sherman’s statue on the corner of Central Park that really made me feel at home.
“I’ll see that your things are returned to your old room,” Edith said.
The driver opened the door for me, and I stepped out of the automobile holding Teddy, who was now nine months old. He had my green eyes and my curly brown hair. There was very little about him that reminded me of Reggie, for which I was grateful. I had resolved to put the past behind me and look to the future, and it was easier to do without constant reminders.
“Lady Cumberland,” Mr. Pierson said as he opened the frontdoor for me, “welcome home.” His gaze lit on Teddy, and he grinned. “And look at this young chap. Why, he looks just like you.”
“He does, doesn’t he?” I smiled. “It’s good to see you, Mr. Pierson.”
“And you, my lady.”
“None of that,” I said. “Miss Libby will do.”
“I could never.” He straightened, appearing to take offense, but I knew otherwise.
I entered the receiving hall, and all the sights and smells of the house returned to me. The dark wood gleamed and the rugs looked new, but everything else was exactly the same.
“Libby?” Father came out of the library down the hall. “Is that you?”
“’Tis me.” For I truly felt like Libby again.
He grinned as he held out his arms to embrace Teddy and me in a hug. “And is this my strapping grandson?”
I presented my son to my father. Teddy was teething, so he had his hand in his mouth and drool dripping down his chin, but when he saw his grandfather, he pulled out his hand and grinned, waving his fist in excitement.
“He’s a handsome, fine young fellow,” Father said, reaching for him. “What an honor to meet him.”
Father had aged in the past two years. He was greyer about his temples and had more lines around his eyes, but he looked hearty and hale.
I had never been so happy to see him in my life.
“Oh, Libby,” he said as he put one arm around me, “I’ve missed you more than you’ll ever know. It’s so good to have you back. You’ll stay with us, won’t you? Permanently?”
I shook my head, a sad smile on my face. “Only until I can secure my own home. I think it would be best if Teddy and I had some space to call our own.”
