Chapter Three

On New Year's Day, Nancy followed Judy and Father down the wide mahogany staircase at Tuckahoe. She took in Dick's upturned face and confident smile. His eyes were fixed on his bride, but Nancy's face warmed when she saw the younger Randolph brothers both looking her way. She stood straighter and concentrated on her sister's ivory-clad back. In the months since that summer day by the riverbank, Judy had told her nothing, but what else could have caused Mr. Tucker's change of heart? There were long conversations between Judy and Father in his study and a visit made to the Tuckers in Williamsburg. On their return, she loitered in the north hallway but heard nothing. It gnawed at her that Judy was so unconfiding. Did she fear Nancy would shame her? If she thought so, she was wrong. Nancy admired passion. She admired Dick and Judy for making their wedding happen. To her mind, the end more than justified the means.

The ceremony was mercifully short. With the Great Hall swollen with relatives come to witness Judy and Dick take their vows, the air was hot and close. Nancy didn't hear a word from The Book of Common Prayer, wishing to rush the day forward to the dancing that would take place when the wedding feast was over.

"Mr. Tucker thinks it's too much," she whispered to Patsy Jefferson as they idled at the foot of the staircase, watching friends and family feast on venison, quail and oysters. "You can see it in his face, although he'd never say it. But I suppose it is nothing to what you knew in Paris."

"It wasn't all balls and social events. I was at school a great deal of the time."

"In a convent. I can barely imagine it! I think I'd be terrified!"

Patsy laughed. She was taller than Nancy, with enviable auburn hair. "It was far from exciting. You imagine too much, as usual. Paris was an education in many ways, but I'm glad to be back in Virginia."

"And being courted by Tom?"

"Hush!"

"What? He's my brother after all! You are practically my older sister. Or you could be."

"You're making me blush. I barely know him."

Nancy scooped a handful of sugared almonds from a tray. "Patsy, he visited with you again over Christmas. Anyone with eyes in their head can see he does nothing but look our way." She nodded to where Tom stood with a group of men, including Dick's brothers. All were deep in conversation, but their eyes repeatedly strayed to the two girls by the staircase.

"I could say the same to you about Theo and Jack Randolph. In a year or two, it will be your turn."

"By which time, you will already be married and giving me nieces and nephews to come and sing to."

"Nancy!"

They cut short their laughter as Tom approached.

"Miss Jefferson. I wondered if you might enjoy a little fresh air before the dancing commences. Your father spoke of our schoolroom on my recent visit. Might you like to visit it, while the light is still good?"

Patsy said nothing. Her lips parted as if to reply, but then she simply placed her hand on his arm, and they walked away. Nancy, abandoned at the staircase, chewed on her almonds, wished herself older and her hair any color other than its natural brown.

The dancing, at least, did not disappoint. In a house filled with cousins and uncles, there was no shortage of partners.

"You have a fine mastery of this art, Miss Randolph," said one of her father's friends, Mr. Morris. He danced impeccably, notwithstanding his wooden leg, a circumstance she speculated about furiously while he talked to her of an impending trip to Europe. In due course, he bowed and gave up his place to Theo Randolph, and she was happy with the exchange — at least until she discovered that Theo was a much less accomplished dancer, even with his advantage of two legs. Still, he gazed at her in open admiration, doing a great deal to make up for her displeasure at his clumsy feet.

"You will miss your sister, I imagine," he said.

"It will be strange without her. And quiet."

"But perhaps you'll visit? Stay with them at Matoax?"

"I certainly hope to! It's not far from Molly's plantation, and we have several cousins who live nearby."

"Indeed. I think Dick plans a merry life for himself and Judy. I hope to be there often." Theo's eyes glittered, and Nancy wondered if he'd been sampling the madeira. It wouldn't surprise her. Already, Cousin Archie had staggered into a side table and been sent outside for some fresh air.

"Monopolizing my new sister, Theo?" Dick appeared, smiling broadly. "Off with you. Go and see if you can make Jack do something other than lean against the doorframe as if he's holding the house up. Get a drink in him. It's my turn to dance with Nancy."

With a nod to Randy Harrison and Cousin Mary, the other couple in their set, Dick displaced his brother and took her hands.

"You look remarkably handsome, sister." Dick had no difficulty keeping his eyes on her and his steps neatly in time to the music.

"Thank you, sir. I might point out that you are the only one of my brothers to make such a kind remark."

He let out a crack of laughter. "Well, Tom is too busy pursuing Patsy Jefferson, and William is such a stuffed shirt, I doubt he's ever paid a young lady a compliment."

"Whereas you are quite the expert?"

"You wound me, Miss Randolph. I've seen a little of the world, it is true. And charm is never lost on the charming. I imagine you'll break a few hearts in a year or so."

"A year or so? I am fifteen years old, you know, not twelve."

"Don't worry, Nancy." Dick lowered his voice. "No one would ever think you were twelve."

* * *

She found Tuckahoe dull without Judy and the possibility of visits from Dick and his younger brothers. Archie Randolph visited on one vague pretext after another, but his interest, flattering though it was, didn't light any fires in her. With Mother gone, her father seemed less anchored to the house. She ate meals with her younger siblings and passed the winter reading books and sewing. She did her best to oversee the kitchen and the storehouse, and although she and Cilla both knew who was truly managing things, appearances were maintained, and the house functioned without a hitch. After months of begging, Father agreed to promote Phebe out of the nursery and allowed Nancy to train her as her maid. They spent hours together in front of the looking glass, torturing her hair into different styles and working on alterations to dresses and hats. Mostly, though, she was lonely. Snow blanketed the roads. Trees were sharply bare. Cold air pulsed from every windowpane. She yearned for something to lift her spirits.

Tom married Patsy Jefferson in the parlor at Monticello in late February. Patsy wore a bronze ball gown — brought back from Paris, the finest dress Nancy ever laid eyes on — and the couple were entirely enamored with one another. She watched the way they touched: his hand on her lower back, her fingers finding his, a touch to his cheek, the firmness of his hold on her waist as they danced.

Judy and Dick didn't attend, but Theo was there, and Nancy was thirsty for news. "Have you visited them at Matoax? I long to see the house. Judy's own household. It makes me smile to think on it."

"They're certainly busy. New furniture arrives daily. Carpets, pillows, and a great deal of other fripperies I can't even name. Dick has style, I'll give him that."

"And Judy? Is she well?"

"Yes, yes." She raised her eyebrows, compelling him to say more. "In truth, I barely caught sight of her. I expect she was busy with the storehouse and what-not. Not my province. Dick and I were out hunting every morning, you know. I look forward to more of the same when I return to Virginia. Just as soon as my studies are complete."

"My father told me Mr. Tucker hopes you'll take up medicine."

"Pshaw! Lord knows I respect my stepfather, but do you think he has any notion of the degree of work a man is expected to do to become a doctor? Consider all the traipsing across the countryside a medical man does. No. He's been a valued father to us, but he's not our blood. He cannot understand, as Dick, Jack and I do, that the land is our future, not some so-called profession. He's all about learning, is Tucker. That might suit Jack — or Dick at a push — but it's not for me, and he needs to recognize it."

"You're not a reader then?"

"Not a bit! Yet old man Tucker proses on and on. ‘The boy who diligently attends his studies,' he's always saying, ‘will always be attentive and diligent in the larger theater of the world.'"

"But you attend Columbia? What do you do in New York if not work on your studies?"

His grin made her blush. "I could curl your hair with some of my stories."

Happily, Aunt Page chose that moment to draw her away, although her chatter didn't please Nancy any better.

"Judy is quite the lady of the house, child though she is. The bills they've racked up already must be quite shocking. Furniture shipped across the oceans, Dick told my husband. I hope the plantation can support it."

"They have a great deal of land, do they not?"

"Lord, yes, but is it profitable? That's why Mr. Tucker wanted them to delay. But they forced his hand in the oldest and simplest of ways."

"Judy will have a child?"

"Yes. She's to go to Molly when her time nears. Judy will need her."

Nancy said nothing. Childbirth was a mystery. Only married women knew its secrets.

"But what your older sisters and I really want to know," said Aunt Page, "is how much time your father spends with the Harvies?"

"A fair amount, but then he and Colonel Harvie are good friends."

"And how friendly is he with Miss Gabriella?"

"What would Father want with Gabriella?" Her aunt's eyebrows rose. "Oh!"

"This won't be the last wedding we meet at this year, Nancy. Mark my words."