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“Everything Aunt Ruth does feels as if it’s only out of duty,” she tried to explain. “And I don’t want to be a duty to anyone.”
Rose nodded and patted Ellen’s hand. “I understand that, of course. But sometimes we must think where our own duty lies. In any case, you know you are welcome back here at any time and in any season.” Smiling, Aunt Rose gave Ellen a quick, tight hug before bidding her good night.
Outside the first stars pricked an inky sky and Ellen let out a shuddering breath. She could hardly believe she was leaving, and for another new and unknown shore. She had traveled to Kingston once for an interview, and she’d been suitably impressed by the grand limestone hospital buildings, including the newly built nurses’ living quarters, with its own parlor and a lovely view of the lake. The student nurses had looked so grown-up and elegant in their red and white uniforms, their aprons and caps crisply starched.
She wouldn’t be so far from home, Ellen had told herself as she’d stood outside the nurses’ dormitory and gazed at Lake Ontario from that unfamiliar shore. If she squinted her eyes while looking out at the lake, she could almost imagine she could see Amherst Island.
The next morning Dyle put Ellen and Peter’s valises in the back of the wagon and drove them to the ferry, along with Lucas. There was quite a crowd gathered on the waterfront to see them all off, the brisk wind off the lake strong enough to make everyone keep a hand on their hat.
The round of farewells at Stella’s dock was a blur to Ellen. She sat in the ferry, crammed between a fidgeting Peter and a sober Lucas, a hatbox—with her only proper hat, another gift from the Seaton General Store—balanced on her knees, while everyone she’d ever known called out goodbyes and advice.
“Goodbye, Ellen! Keep an eye on Peter. He’s a fine fellow, but he’s sure to bring a bit of trouble!”
“Don’t step out with those university boys!”
“Don’t forget the island!”
“Make sure to write!”
Ellen smiled and waved at everyone even as she found herself seeking out Jed amidst the crowd. She felt a sharp stab of disappointment when she realized he wasn’t there. He’d stayed at home to help with the harvest, which was sensible and yet saddened her all the same. She wouldn’t see him until Christmas at the earliest.
Finally Captain Jonah told everyone to stop all their noise, and he pushed off from the dock. Still the cries and farewells followed them until the island was little more than a speck on the flat, blue-green waters.
A chilly breeze ruffled its surface as they headed into the deeper waters, and Ellen buttoned up her new short jacket, navy blue with a velvet collar and quite the smartest thing she possessed. All three of them were quiet, touched by the farewells and contemplating their separate futures.
Captain Jonah eyed them speculatively. “Don’t forget us now, hey?” he said, and Peter smiled nervously while Lucas assured him with a jaunty smile,
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
At Millhaven they boarded a train to Kingston, and once there Lucas fetched all their valises and arranged for a hired carriage; there were still few automobiles in Kingston to take them to their various destinations.
Nerves knotted in the pit of Ellen’s stomach on the short journey from the station to the hospital on King Street, and then they seemed to threaten to fly right up her throat as Lucas took her valise out and brought it up the steps of Kingston General Hospital’s Nurses’ Home. Miss Stewart, the school matron, with the starchiest apron and expression that Ellen had ever seen bustled towards her as she stood on the pillared front portico, her valise at her feet.
“Right this way, Miss Copley,” she said crisply, after Ellen had stammered an introduction. She fixed Lucas with a beady eye. “I’m afraid male visitors are not allowed in any part of the Nurses’ Home at this time, Mr....?”
“Lyman,” Lucas said with a grin, sticking out a hand the stern Miss Stewart did not take. “Lucas Lyman. And this looks a fine place indeed.”
“Thank you, Mr. Lyman.” With that Miss Stewart turned her back on Lucas, effectively dismissing him, and Ellen gave him a sheepish smile, reluctant to say farewell so quickly. She had a mad urge to grab hold of Lucas’ sleeve and beg him to stay a few minutes more. It was strange but since Lucas had gone to high school, they’d grown apart just a little. It was more something sensed than spoken of, and sometimes Ellen wondered if he had been disappointed in her decision to stay on the island. No matter what its cause, she knew something had changed and even cooled between them, although right now the thought of leaving any familiar face made her throat ache.
“First day off,” Lucas promised her, “I’m taking you out to Kingston’s finest tearoom. All right?”
“All right.” The thought that she would see him soon made her spirits rise.
“Can I come too?” Peter called out the window of the hansom. He was boarding with a family on Division Street and Ellen knew she would be able to visit him regularly.
“No, scamp,” Lucas replied, “you get home cooking seven days a week! Ellen can see you another time.”
Peter pretended to scowl, and Ellen quickly kissed Lucas’ cheek. The scent of his aftershave and the feel of his stubble surprised her, and she knew Lucas must have been surprised too for he touched the spot where she’d kissed him, his eyes wide.
“Ellen—”
“Thank you, Lucas,” she said quickly, her cheeks heating at her own audacity. “I’ll write with the date of my first day off. It most likely isn’t for ages.”
“I can wait.”
Miss Stewart clucked impatiently, and the cab driver cleared his throat. With one last smile and wave, Lucas climbed into the cab and Ellen was alone amidst strangers.
“Now, Miss Copley,” Miss Stewart said briskly. “I shall show you to your room.”
