Tracie Peterson - Embers of Love

STRIKING A MATCH, BOOK 1

E MBERS
of L OVE

TRACIE PETERSON

To Judy Miller

Your friendship has blessed me
in so many ways.
I pray God gives you strength
to manage the days to come.

CHAPTER 1

PHILADELPHIA JUNE 1885

I wont let you go through with this, Deborah Vandermark declared. She clasped her best friends gloved hands. Even something this drastic will not win your mothers respect, and it certainly wont soften her heart with love.

Elizabeth Decker known as Lizzie to her dearest friends shook her head. You dont understand. If I dont go through with this, Ill have to return home with her.

Nonsense, Deborah replied. You can come home with me. My brother is waiting at the train station or will be in another half hour. Theres no reason to remain here. Youre of age, and my guess is that even your father will approve.

Simply one more thing my mother would blame him for.

Deborah squeezed her friends hand. Lizzie, your parents are divorced and your father is capable of dealing with this. They live in different towns. They neednt ever speak to each other again and even if they do, it wont change how you feel about Stuart. Dont let your concerns about everyone else be the reason you go into a loveless marriage.

Lizzie walked over to the window and gently removed her wedding veil, revealing carefully coiffed blond hair. With that one simple action, Deborah took hope that her friend was finally starting to see reason.

Oh, Deborah, how I can stop things now? Everyone is seated and waiting for a wedding. And what of Stuart? He doesnt deserve such ill treatment.

Stuart doesnt love you any more than you love him. This is all some sort of game to him. You are simply a beautiful ornament for him to add to his life.

Just as my mother has always said. Men do not marry because of love.

That isnt entirely true, and you know it, Deborah countered. Many men marry for love. My father, for one.

But if I walk away, then Mother wins this battle. Lizzie shook her head. I cant believe Im saying these things... and after I fought so hard for this day.

Marriage and romance isnt a war at least it shouldnt be, Deborah replied. You speak of the fight to get to the altar, not of the hope, joy, and love that should have brought you there. You dont want to marry Stuart Albright. Youre only doing this to upset your mother.

Lizzie bit her lip. Its not just that. I have to prove to her that I can make my own choices. Shes so steeped in her battles for womens rights. She cares about the treatment of every woman in America except for me.

Deborah joined her friend at the window. Perhaps thats true, but I care about you, Lizzie. And its not too late to stop this marriage. You can walk away run away. You can leave now with me.

I cant. If I dont marry Stuart, Mother will expect me to return home with her and involve myself in the suffragette fight. Shell drag me from one rally to another. Not only that, but Ill have to offer some sort of explanation to Stuart and his family to my parents to Jael and the rest of the congregation.

Jael knows youre making a mistake. Shes the only other friend we have here in Philadelphia. Shell be back any minute and well simply explain that youve come to your senses.

How is running away from a promise coming to my senses?

Deborah wanted to shake Lizzie until some semblance of reason formed in her brain. Instead, she took hold of her slender shoulders. It is when the promise was falsely made. You dont continue with a lie just because you were the one who started it. Your mothers love will not be won this way. Your mother doesnt understand what she has lost. She doesnt see your value for who you are. You dont have to go home with her. As Ive already said, you can come with me.

Lizzie looked at her oddly. What would I do in Texas?

Deborah tapped the side of her cheek considering the question. Theres plenty to do. You can stay with my family. We dont have the luxuries that weve known here in Philadelphia, but theres no reason we cant make the best of it. You can share my room, just like we did while attending college.

But how would I explain this to my family to the guests?

Joy surged through Deborah. Now it was just a matter of helping Lizzie reason through the details. Well let your father handle it. He will understand completely.

But Ive already signed the church records.

No vows have been said. The preacher has not officiated any ceremony.

And what of Stuart?

Stuart Albright had a reputation for getting what he wanted. He had been seeking Lizzies hand for the past two years, and in order to spite her suffragette mother, Lizzie had finally agreed to the wedding. Deborah knew he wouldnt take kindly to being publicly humiliated, but on the other hand, she honestly didnt believe he loved Lizzie.

Perhaps your father will have an idea. Let me get him. The church bells chimed the hour, and Deborah knew their time was up. Ill be right back.

Carefully maneuvering in her cream and pink silk gown, Deborah made her way into the hall. Just then Jael Longstreet returned, her red curls bouncing very nearly to her waist.

The church is full and everyone is waiting. Why is Lizzie not ready?

Because shes not going through with it, Deborah announced.

Jaels eyes widened and she clapped her gloved hands together. Oh, wont this make for a scandal.

Dont take such joy in it, Jael. This has been very hard for Lizzie. Im going to take her to Texas with me. You go wait with her. Im going to find her father.

Near the churchs foyer she spied Mr. Decker. He was pacing rather nervously, tugging at the starched cuff of his sleeve. When he caught sight of Deborah, he halted and squared his shoulders.

Are we ready? he asked, beaming a smile.

Not exactly. Deborah cautiously looked past him toward the church sanctuary. Would you please follow me?

Of course. Is there a problem?

Deborah waited to speak until they were back in the tiny room where Lizzie was waiting with Jael. Something was wrong, but now we are trying to make it right. Deborah left Mr. Deckers side and went to Lizzie. Your daughter doesnt want to go through with this wedding.

They had no way of knowing how Mr. Decker would take the news, but his broad smile was not at all what Deborah had expected.

Im so glad, Lizzie. I know you dont love him, and it gave me real concern.

Lizzie took several halting steps toward her father. How did you know?

It was quite evident that you were doing this only to assert yourself. I could clearly tell during our supper last night that you and Stuart shared little affection for each other. Then after he left and your mother began railing at you regarding the marriage, you never once mentioned love.

Stuart has pursued me quite diligently, Lizzie said. He has lavished me with gifts and attention. Im sure he must care for me, but I do not love him. That much is true.

Oh, my sweet girl, that man does not love you, her father said, taking her small hands into his. I believe he has been using you as much as you have been using him.

How, Father?

Decker shrugged. He likely believes you would benefit his political and business ambitions. A beautiful wife who possesses all the social graces always does.

Then he will not willingly let me go, Lizzie said.

Oh, dont worry about him, Jael interjected. Hell survive.

But I feel cruel.

The sorrow in Lizzies tone only strengthened Deborahs resolve. Mr. Decker, my brother G. W. is waiting at the train station for me to join him as soon as the wedding has concluded. We are to journey back to Texas, as I believe I told you last night.