Tracie Peterson - Dawns Prelude

"Kjell said I'm getting fat," Lydia commented as she went to the cupboard for the bowls.

"He what?" Zerelda sounded shocked, and Lydia couldn't help but laugh.

"He said it in a nice way. Said it was good to see me getting some flesh on my hones."

"Did you mention the baby?"

Lydia cradled the bowls and shook her head. "I wasn't sure what to say. I'm still not. I mean, I realize everyone will know soon; I can hardly expect to keep it hidden for much longer."

"Well, you are a widow-there's no shame in expecting your husband's child." Zerelda's matter-of-fact statement was followed with a softening in her tone. "If you're worried about what people will think, you needn't. You've done nothing wrong."

"I know, but I can't help but wonder how this will change my life."

Zerelda brought the stew to the table. "That remains to be seen. It will change… but it would have anyway."

Lydia heard Kjell's hoot steps on the porch just outside the door. "Please don't say anything. I'm not ready to talk about it with… him."

"Here you go, Zee. And you were right. Its really coming down now." Kjcll made his way to the fireplace with an armload of wood. You want more than this? I have a feeling the night's going to turn chilly."

This will he fine. I can get more if we need it. Now come on and cat." Zerelda returned to the table with a loaf of bread and a crock of butter.

Kjcll and Lydia took their places at the table and waited for Zerclda to do likewise before Kjell offered a blessing. Lydia was uncomfortable with the prayer. She didn't bother to bow her head, but instead looked directly at Kjell as he spoke of his gratitude for the hands that had prepared the meal and for the food itself. He talked as casually to God as he did to her or Zerelda. When he concluded the prayer with amen, Lydia looked away and cleared her throat. She quickly busied herself by cutting the bread while Zerclda ladled soup into the howls.

"So what's the news, Kjell?"

He grinned and took the bowl Zerelda offered. "Well, there's going to he a census taken in October. Seems the government wants to know exactly how many folks are still here."

Zerelda leaned over and placed a bowl in front of Lydia. "And what will they do with that count',"

"Hard to say. Usually they use a census for the purpose of voting and such, but we don't have any voting rights up here. We're not even a territory yet. I suppose they might also want to judge whether they have enough military in place to keep the law. Maybe consider various taxes to pay for our keep."

Lydia quietly ate while her aunt and Kjell further discussed the census. She thought of her move to Sitka and how she would he counted among the citizens there. Her unborn child would not yet he numbered.

She thought again of Mr. Robinson's letter. Should she reply and tell him to hold off on doing anything more until after the birth of the baby? Marston had once commented that Gray money should he for Gray heirs, and now she carried just such a child.

There was a part of her that wanted nothing related to the Grays, however. What if she allowed Robinson to simply give it all back? She could walk away from the entire matter and never give those people another thought. Maybe that was the answer. Maybe real peace could be found in such an action.

"So what do you think, Lydia?"

She startled and looked up, realizing she hadn't heard a word of the conversation between Kjell and her aunt. "About… what?"

Kjell chuckled and gave her a wink. "Zee was just suggesting we might be able to convince you to give us a little concert one of these nights. Maybe have a few other folks in to enjoy the music, as well."

Lydia tried to imagine being the focus of the evening. "I… well… I don't know that I would be comfortable. I mean… my y…" She fell silent. How music has always been for my… for my…" could she explain to them that she had sought a lifetime of solace and companionship in an object of wood and strings?

"I'm sure that, like my guitar playing, its always been a rather private thing, ja?" Kjell asked.

She met his eyes and nodded. She found understanding there along with a gentleness that she could not begin to comprehend. This man had a way about him-away of seeing through her pain and suffering. It frightened and intrigued her.

Evie Gray Gadston sat next to her sister as they awaited the arrival of Dwight Robinson. Lydia 's lawyer had called the meeting, much to Marston and Mitchell's displeasure. Evie had already heard from her bellowing brothers that things were not going in their favor, and she couldn't help but wonder what the future held.

Shifting uncomfortably in her new walking suit, Evic tried not to draw any attention to herself. It was best, she had learned over the years, to simply fade into the background if at all possible. She pretended to pick lint from her upper skirt of mousseline de lame. The patterns of gray and black against the underskirt of dark plum made the outfit look rich and sophisticated. Even Jeannette had commented on the fashion more than once -a sure sign that the style had met her approval.

"Why does he keep us waiting?" Jeannette whined. "The chill in here is unbearable. Why didn't his clerk offer us some refreshment?"

"Oh, do be quiet, Jeannette," Mitchell said, glaring her way. "I don't even know why it was necessary to have you two here. Things would have gone much better had you simply stayed home."

"I have an interest in the outcome as well as you-perhaps even more so. My husband stands to lose a great deal if this isn't resolved soon and in our favor."

Evie heard the door open and turned to see Dwight Robinson enter. She silently issued a word of thanksgiving; she was sorely tired of her family's company.

"I am sorry to have kept you waiting. I had a last-minute message from the court and thought it important to bring the information with me." He went to stand behind his desk. "If you'll be seated, I will share this information with you."

Evie could see that her brothers were less than interested in doing as instructed but nevertheless took their seats. Marston seemed particularly agitated by the comment about new information. He clenched his jaw and narrowed his eyes in anticipation of what the man would say

"As you know," Robinson began, "the courts have rejected your appeal. The will is to be processed as it stands."

"Our lawyer has already told us this," Mitchell said. "He is, however, exploring other possibilities."

"I have spoken to Mr. Sterling. In fact, he will join us shortly. However, I wanted to see you first. I believe it will be in your best interest to hear me out."

"Pray continue," Marston replied, his irritation evident.

"Mr. Sterling agrees with me that your options are basically in the hands of Mrs. Gray"

Mitchell pounded his fist against the arm of his chair. "That's outrageous! We won't stand for this."

Its robbery. Our inheritance is being stolen from us," Jeannette declared. She looked to her sister for some sort of support, but Evic remained silent.

"If you will allow me to continue," Robinson said, pulling on his glasses, °I have more to share with you."

The room fell silent and all gazes turned to the lawyer. Evie watched as he carefully unfolded a single sheet of paper. "I have a letter here from Mrs. Gray"

"Where is she, by the way?" Mitchell questioned. "Shouldn't she be in attendance?"

"Mrs. Gray is not needed here, as I am to act on her behalf. I thought we had established that before." He peered down his nose over the rim of his glasses, awaiting further comment.