The Land Uncharted (The Uncharted Series Book 1) Read online

  Levi walked out of the loud kitchen and sat beside her on the staircase. Her brother handed her a napkin. She took it and offered him an olive. He popped the olive into his mouth and followed it with a forkful of potatoes from his plate. Then his expression changed as his gaze settled on Mandy who stood near the front door playing slow and soft music on her heirloom violin. Her eyes were closed as the notes flowed from the instrument. A blanket of auburn curls covered her back and danced along her trim waistline.

  Lydia glanced at her brother as he watched Mandy. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she?”

  “Yes, and she knows it.” He looked down at his food.

  Lydia let it go. She took the bread roll from her plate and picked off one bite at a time as she listened to Mandy’s music. One tune ended, and another began. “This is the song she composed for the dance last year. I like it.”

  “It would sound even better if she played it on one of the new wood violins.”

  Lydia nudged his knee. “That might be true, but don’t let Aunt Isabella hear you say it. She has strong opinions about the new wood instruments.”

  Levi nodded then continued eating, watching Mandy all the while.

  When they finished their dinner, Lydia relaxed into Levi’s thick shoulder. Though ten months her junior, he had been bigger than she was since they were toddlers. People who didn’t know their family usually assumed he was older.

  “Come with me tomorrow and see the land I selected.” His voice held a secretive tone. She shifted and looked at him. His light brown eyes matched hers. His hair was the same light brown as hers, but his included lighter strands from days spent working in the sun. “I’m done with the land survey, and I started drawing plans to build.”

  “Does Father know?”

  “He knows, but he doesn’t understand.” He tapped one foot rapidly on the stair riser. “I’m a grown man. If I want to build my own house, that should be my business.”

  “People just don’t understand why you need to build a new house. They expect you to inherit this house one day, so it seems odd for the overseer’s son to break from tradition—especially since you don’t have a family of your own yet.”

  He groaned. “Father says the same things. But I don’t live my life worrying about what other people might think. You are like Father—you both take comfort in the founders’ traditions. I thought you understood me.”

  “I do. And I’m sure you’ll build yourself a fine house someday, but try to find a way to do it that doesn’t cause strife.”

  “It’s not the fact that I want to build my own house that offends Father. It’s that I want to build my own life.”

  “I understand both sides. Father followed Grandfather’s footsteps gladly. He’s always had the same expectations for you. But you’re right—you should be able to decide how to spend your life and where to live.”

  Levi raked his fingers through his hair. “Then why does he condemn me for not being exactly like him?”

  “He doesn’t question your character—only your choice of profession.”

  “They have told me all my life I should be a preacher just as my father is and his father was before him. But I’ve never felt called to that profession. If I were, I would gladly obey. But I’m not. Just thinking of it fills me with anxiety.” He shook his head. “No. Give me a hammer instead. I’d rather build all day long.”

  There was nothing she could do to make her brother feel better or her father understand, but it wouldn’t stop her from trying. “You’re an excellent carpenter, and the village needs your work. Be proud that you have the strength for building. Many men don’t.”

  “Father has the strength for anything.”

  “But he prefers preaching. Try to remember, he is peace loving above all. This friction between you two won’t last forever. I truly believe that.”

  Mandy finished her song, and Lydia and Levi clapped. The sound caused a brief silence in the kitchen, followed by a short applause. Mandy gently placed the violin in its case like an infant in a bassinet. She used both hands to corral her curls into a loose bun at her nape then lifted her violin to play again.

  * * *

  A visit from Levi interrupted Lydia’s morning office routine. She didn’t have a patient in the cottage, so it seemed like a good time to go look at the land where her brother hoped to build. Levi sat beside her desk as she straightened her papers and prepared to leave with him. Startled by a shrill voice yelling outside, she hurried to the door. Levi beat her to it and yanked it open.

  She stood on her tiptoes and craned her neck, trying to see what the commotion was. Auburn curls bounced as a flustered Mandy stomped toward the cottage.

  Levi held the door open for Mandy, but he didn’t leave the doorway. He furrowed his brow at her. “What were you yelling about, woman?”

  Mandy brushed his shoulder as she passed him and looked at Lydia. “I could see that little rat from the road! He had his head at your window, peeping in, you know?”

  Lydia’s stomach knotted tightly. She lowered herself into the chair at her desk, wishing she could crawl under it. “No, I did not know.”

  Levi rushed outside, turned his head in both directions, and then stepped back into the cottage. “Who was at her window?”

  “Who do you think?” Mandy spat the question at him.

  “Frank Roberts?” Levi held up his fists. “I’d like to teach that degenerate a lesson.”

  “Levi!” Lydia scolded. “You will do no such thing.”

  “I should. It would serve him right!”

  Her temples started to throb. Frank Roberts often followed her around the village. The thought of anyone knowing he liked her made her knotted stomach ache. And now Mandy had seen him peeping in the window. Scandalous gossip would not help her chance of receiving her title from the village elders, not to mention what everyone might think.

  The wooden floorboards creaked as Mandy paced them. “It would put Frank right here inside Lydia’s home because she would have to stitch his battered face. Oh, he’d love that. Go ahead, Levi, give Frank exactly what he’s after—Lydia’s attention!”

  Mandy and Levi exchanged a fiery glance. At least they were angry at the same person and not at each other for a change. Levi marched to Lydia’s desk and dropped into the chair beside it. He drummed one finger on the desktop with rapid thumps.

  She had to diffuse their anger and make them forget the incident. Dr. Ashton taught her to keep a calm demeanor around patients to help them stay calm too. It was worth a try with her brother and best friend. She forced her voice to stay steady. “I have dealt with Frank for years,” she said, hoping no one suspected she had accidentally caused Frank’s fixation. “He’s harmless.”

  “Harmless?” Levi snapped his face toward her. “Lydia, the man was just looking in your window. He’s a pervert and has become bolder since you moved out here by yourself last year. You should move back into the house.”

  Heat stung Lydia’s cheeks. She shouldn’t have confided in Frank all those years ago; it must have ignited his affection and made her responsible for his advances. “Please, stop it, Levi. I feel terrible when anyone speaks of him. And I won’t move back into the house. Since Doctor Ashton can no longer care for himself—let alone others—I’m now the village’s only physician. Of course, the elders could bring in a doctor from another village. That’s why it’s important that I’m accessible to the people. I want the elders to make my position permanent.”

  Mandy halted her pacing. “Levi is right. You need protection since you live out here by yourself.” She turned to sit, but when she only saw the patient cot behind her, she remained standing. “As long as you’re unmarried you’re open to harassment from a man like that.”

  Mandy’s suggestion of marriage was ironic. It almost made Lydia laugh. “You sound like Aunt Isabella.”

  Levi snickered, so she sent him a big sister look then returned her attention to Mandy. “I have yet to encounter a danger great enough to
give up my medical practice and get married. And even if I found a man to marry, I doubt it would deter a man like Frank Roberts. I’ll put curtains over all the windows.” She stood and brushed her hands together. “Yes, more curtains. Problem solved. That should ease your minds.”

  Mandy reached for a long strand of curl and twirled it in her fingertips. “Still, I think every woman should at least consider a husband.” Her green eyes gazed at Levi.

  Lydia looked at Levi too, but he continued staring out the window. She thought he wasn’t listening. Then slowly he turned his face toward Mandy. “This from the woman who prefers to forgo the deep affections of one man in favor of the distant admiration of many men.”

  Mandy grinned and lowered her pretty chin. It was amazing how Mandy’s mood could change from aggressively angry to playfully offended without a breath in between. At least they were no longer talking about Frank Roberts.

  Her secret was safe for now.

  Levi blew out a breath and stepped to the door. “Lydia, come and get me when you’re ready to go look at that land we spoke of yesterday. I’ll be in the barn.”

  After the door closed, she grinned at Mandy. “Sometimes you torment him on purpose.”

  “Whatever do you mean?” Mandy smiled wickedly as she moved to the chair left vacant by Levi. She crossed her legs high above the knee.

  “Any time you suggest marriage as the solution to a woman’s problem, I detect insincerity.”

  “All right, so I felt like aggravating Levi a bit. He can handle it. Would you rather I had pointed out that it isn’t your singleness that causes your trouble—it’s your fear?”

  “Fear?” A short laugh bubbled up. “I’m not afraid of Frank Roberts.”

  “Maybe not. But you’re afraid of what people think of you because of him.” Mandy nodded once as if confirming her statement. “See, it’s fear. You are afraid others will think if someone as wretched as Frank loves you, you must be wretched too.”

  Lydia cringed at the truth in her friend’s assessment. “That would make me rather snobbish, wouldn’t it?”

  Mandy traced her finger along the desktop’s wood grain, and her face became solemn. “After your mother died, you went to great lengths to prove to everyone that you were all right. You still strive to present yourself as perfect as possible.”

  “I’d hardly consider that a fault. Father says it’s important for someone in my position to have a good reputation.”

  “Your position as the overseer’s daughter?”

  “Well, yes, the village has certain expectations of me in that regard, but I meant as a physician. People won’t feel they can come to me for help if they think I need help, which I don’t. Besides, I’m still awaiting the elder council’s decision. I want nothing to jeopardize getting that title. If they knew a man like Frank Roberts follows me around, they might question my aptitude… my morality. I studied and trained for years for this work. I intend to see it through.”

  “And so you will. I’m sure of that.” Mandy’s fingers left the desk and found a curl to play with. She glanced at the door then back at Lydia. “I have to teach the music class for the primary students today. Come with me to the school. It will do you good to get out of here for a while.”

  She rose from her desk. “Thanks, but Levi is waiting for me.”

  Mandy winked. “Ah yes, his land.”

  The rhythmic thumps of a horse’s gallop vibrated the floorboards. Lydia dashed to the door and opened it just as Mark Cotter halted his stallion in front of the cottage. “Come quickly, Lydia! Doris has gone into labor!”

  “I’m on my way.” She grabbed her medical bag and smiled at Mandy. “Duty calls.”

  Chapter Two

  A stiff wind blowing in from the sea gripped the hair that framed Lydia’s face. She tucked it behind her ear as she sat near her mother’s grave. Though Hannah Colburn died when Lydia was only thirteen, she could easily conjure memories of her mother’s laugh and touch and scent.

  One speckled stone marked the spot, its cold surface interrupted by letters etched in two rows. Thick grass grew wild on the bluffs, but here it was kept carefully trimmed. A faint smile tugged at one edge of Lydia’s mouth as she considered her father’s attention to the gravesite. His faithfulness in marriage extended to the grave.

  Looking out over the endless sea, she relaxed for the first time in twenty hours. The warm light of the sun’s gentle rays soaked through her long skirt. She stretched her legs straight out along the ground, relieving the weight of her boots, and leaned her back against the cool stone. Though she had a soft feather bed in her cottage, she needed to settle her mind before she could sleep.

  She wrapped her folded arms beneath her woolen shawl and let her heavy eyelids fall closed. The excitement of helping a mother bring new life into the world had energized her through the night, but that energy was gone now. In a village of two hundred fifty-six people, delivering a baby was a rare delight. The fascination was purely professional, as she had never felt the desire to have a family of her own. At a young age she knew Doctor Ashton planned to train only one more physician in the Land. That opportunity drove her to focus on her studies and secure the apprenticeship while most of the other girls put their efforts into attracting male attention.

  The only man to express romantic interest in Lydia was Frank Roberts, and she didn’t find his attention flattering—mortifying and guilt-inducing, but not flattering. Somehow Frank managed to put his face in front of hers nearly every day, no matter how far out of his way it put him. Long ago her father had made it clear to Frank the attention was unwelcome, but he still followed her around.

  She could often feel his black eyes trail her whenever she was out-of-doors. She thought of how Mandy had caught Frank looking through her window two days ago and shuddered. She gave the surrounding space a quick scan: cut grass for fifty feet then the well-worn path into the gray leaf tree forest. Not a soul in sight. She surrendered to the warmth of the morning sun and closed her eyes again.

  * * *

  Something hit Lydia’s foot, waking her. She opened her eyes to see Bethany’s ankle-length leather boot, which was covered in a floral design she’d scratched into the surface herself, nudging her. She lifted her head from the tombstone and shielded her eyes from the sun. “How long have you been kicking me, little sister?”

  “I only kicked twice.” Bethany held two dripping buckets of wet sand, one in each hand. Her smile dimpled her cheeks, and her cropped brown waves moved over her shoulders. “Must you still call me little sister now that I’m a full inch taller than you?” Bethany swung the buckets as she spoke. Wet sand sloshed to the ground.

  “No matter your height, remember I’m a physician responsible for the health of a village. Besides, both of my elder sisters still refer to me that way. So yes, I’ll call you little no matter how tall you grow.”

  Lydia took one of the heavy buckets from her sister and carried it for her as they walked together through the cut grass. Bethany turned her head back toward their mother’s tombstone then looked at Lydia. “Is everything all right? Did it go well last night?” Her blue eyes calmed for an instant as they settled on her. “It must have been so exciting delivering a baby! Well, exciting for you but dreadful for Mrs. Cotter.”

  She made a face and then continued rambling. “When Luke came by the pottery yard this morning, he told Mrs. Vestal that Phoebe and Walter said they could hear Mrs. Cotter screaming through the night. They said she wailed so loudly at first they thought it was one of the animals.” She giggled. “And Phoebe said that—”

  “Doris Cotter has a healthy baby boy,” Lydia interrupted. “She’s tired but quite content this morning. That’s all that should concern you and your friends.” News and opinions could quickly spread through the village. She couldn’t have her fifteen-year-old sister overheard talking about her patients.

  Bethany chattered incessantly about her friends and her work while they walked along the path through the gray le
af forest. Lydia corrected her twice when the chatter turned to gossip. But she gave up correcting—and listening—when it seemed that was the only speech young Bethany could utter.

  As they neared the clearing at the edge of Good Springs, Lydia handed the bucket of wet sand back to Bethany. “Has Mrs. Vestal mentioned anything more about the apprenticeship?”

  Bethany gripped the bucket’s handle and beamed. “Just today, in fact, she said if I continue my efforts at the pottery yard—while I finish my schooling—she’ll have no choice but to award me the apprenticeship. I showed her my sketches for designs with the new pigments I found, and she said once I master throwing clay, my work would be traded throughout the Land. Exciting, isn’t it?”

  The sound of Bethany’s voice bubbling with enthusiasm over a profession brought Lydia joy. “I’m proud of you.” She kissed Bethany’s cheek. “Well, off you go then. Tell Mrs. Vestal hello for me.”

  “I will.” Bethany smiled over her shoulder and hurried in the direction of the pottery yard to spend her Saturday morning working with clay and dyes and glazes to her heart’s content.

  Lydia walked along the cobblestone street that ran through the center of the village of Good Springs. A white chapel stood proudly along the west side of the street. Its steeple rose high into the clear morning sky. Her father preached there every Sunday, as had his father before him, and his father before him. The building appeared diminutive from the front when she walked past, but its long sides revealed its depth.

  On the opposite side of the street, the library’s stone facade cast a shadow across her path. Though a humble building, the library was her favorite place in the village, as it contained the few precious books the founders brought with them when they sailed from America and the journals written over the seven generations since then. The allure of the knowledge inside the library made her consider revising her morning plans, but concern for her ailing mentor compelled her on through the village.