A Quiet Promise

Book Series: Barrington Family Saga  

Publishing Date: 2007

Author: Anita Stansfield

Publisher: Covenant Communications, Inc.

Category: LDS Contemporary Romance
Point of View: Third Person Limited- Eleanore and James

Chapter Count: 14

Page Count: 278

For Benjamin K. Ball and Isaac Morley, neighbors in Nauvoo in 1840, and great-great-grandfathers to dear friends and partners in struggle in the twenty-first century.

Prologue

    James is making his way to the river that borders their property. The gang's all here: Lizzie and Fredrick, young Ralph, all the children, and Mrs. Leichty whose first name, we learn, is Amanda. She will be referred to as such for the rest of the book. Brother Yeats is the missionary James and Eleanore met while on vacation. James reflects how, after praying for two years to find the religion that shared her beliefs in the book she found, what could James do but invite this man back to their Iowa City home where Eleanore eagerly listened to all of the discussions. Now she is being baptized. James has never seen his sweet wife looking so happy. Everyone else is happy for her too.

    That night in bed, Eleanor thanks James for allowing her to be baptized. Other non-member husbands might object, even outright deny such a step to take in one's life, but James has been nothing but supportive and accepting. He's just relieved Eleanore doesn't want to move...yet.

    Brother Yeats leaves to return to his wife and children in Illinois. James cannot deny the new radiance about his wife and tries to convince himself that surely nothing but good could come from her joining this new religion.

Chapter 1   What They do in Missouri

Iowa City - 1840

     What James learns while in town to pick up some spring supplies from the general store and stopping by the local tavern for a quick drink, is that folks around here, but especially in Missouri, don't take too kindly to Mormons and their dangerous ideas and lifestyle. James rubs his cleanshaven face (he grew a beard over the winter for the first time in his marriage to Eleanore) as he listens to the conversation. Apparently, it is not only legal to persecute Mormons down south in that particular state but KILLING them is also legal. And THAT, folks, is what they do in Missouri. Good riddance, they agree.

     James is running out the door before anyone has a chance to talk to him. His wife is a Mormon! Her life may be in danger. He hurries home as fast as the horse can pull the wagon. Immediately upon finding Eleanore he demands she will, from this day forth, keep her new membership in this unpopular church a secret. No one can know. They can't tell anyone. There will be no compromise on this matter. Eleanore gasps, unable to beleive such discrimination in the land of the free and home of the brave could be possible. She admits Brother Yeats did mention the saints having some trouble in other communities but...

     James and Eleanore kiss and decide it would be best to get the day's work done and not worry about it any more. James has a garden to plant and the children have been waiting anxiously all morning to get started.

    David knocks and enters the bedroom where his parents had been having this private discussion. He took care of his father's horse. James thanks him, teasing him about being older than his eight years, more like eighteen. David solemnly reminds his parents Eleanore is the one who is eighteen. Iris enters the room too, ready to "pwant the garden." James takes them outside. He also talks to Amanda, then takes Fredrick and Lizzie aside to warn them about saying the "M-word," out loud, to ANYBODY. They solemnly agree to keep their mistress' new religion a secret.

    With the garden finally planted, James and Eleanore take an evening stroll so they can talk more about Mormons, especially the Jensens  who lived in this house before them. 

     Wonder why they left?

Chapter 2       The Letter

     James suggests Eleanore write to Sally Jensen. Might be nice to let the family know how much they are enjoying the new house and thank them for all the nice things they left behind now being put to good use

    Back at the house, they discover the forwarding address in the office for these former owners is none other than Nauvoo, Illinois. Eleanore gasps. Brother Yeats told her that's where all the saints are now gathering. She sits at the desk and proceeds to write a lengthy letter about how they are improving the property and how they came to settle in this area saying nothing about her own recent baptism or knowledge of Mormons. It is late when she finishes as James urges her to come to bed where she cries in his arms, for no real reason except it's been one year since he proposed marriage to her and look where they are now!

    Weeks pass. The old Lord of the Manner loves being a gentleman farmer taking great delight in horticulture and animal husbandry. He loves doing chores in the barn, sowing the fields and working in the yard. The family also attends different Christian churches each Sunday before settling on the one their neighbors, the Plummers, attend.

    If there is a public school, none of the children go. Instead they are home taught by Eleanore. Ralph, David and Iris are doing their reading when James returns from a trip to town with the mail-a letter from the Jensens!  Eleanore weeps a bit as she reads Sally's blatant admission about their conversion to the Mormon church and how they'd been driven from their lovely home because of it. Yet, it all worked out. They love their new home in Nauvoo where they can be among people who share their new beliefs.

    Eleanore writes back, expressing her firm belief that God led them, not only to this home in Iowa City but this new friendship with her sister in the gospel-that's right, she's a Mormon too!

    Sally writes back sharing news of Nauvoo, answering all of Eleanore's questions about life in Zion, the history of the city and how the saints came to gather here. Eleanore gasps reading the name Brother Joseph surely Sally isn't talking about the PROPHET. How she would love to meet this man!

Chapter 3     Eleanore's Wish

      Narration says Sally continues to describe life in Nauvoo sharing the miraculous story that happened last summer. The "Day of God's Power" when everyone was healed from the deadly malaria plague. How Eleanore wishes she could've been there (um, no she doesn't) and promptly bursts into tears. James enters and Eleanore explains how everyone in Nauvoo was miraculously healed by the power of God through Joseph Smith.

    "Who?" asks James.

    Eleanore gives him the first discussion urging him to read the Bible so he too can better understand the Book of Mormon. James declares he needs a nap. Eleanor opens her favorite book (not that one) and starts reading. James teases her about her love for Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice before drifting off. When he awakens, Eleanore is back to reading the Book of Mormon and he invites her to share her feelings.

    Later that evening, Eleanore writes back to Sally. The following day, the children find a dog who quickly makes himself part of the family. David continues to occasionally wander off which concerns James and Eleanore who decide not to worry too much about it. Autumn arrives. Lizzy has her baby. Sally and Eleanore continue to exchange letters. Eleanore longs to be living in Nauvoo where Joseph Smith is. Christmas comes and goes. Eleanore couldn't be happier, except for the fact Lizzie has a new baby and she doesn't...

   One very cold night in January, James makes love to Eleanore and they discuss her feelings of infertility. She sobs in his chest, fearful they may never have any children together. James firmly declares they will just be happy with what they have. Leave the matter in God's hands, he counsels.

     

Chapter 4   The Secret

     Next day, on their way into town to run errands, Eleanore is suddenly sick. They see the doctor who declares Eleanore undeniably pregnant. True to her character, Eleanore cries in James arms. Again.

    Four months later, Eleanore has an onset of painful cramps and ends up losing the baby. To comfort her, David comes into their bedroom in the middle of the night to announce he just had a dream in which he was holding his baby brother. James and Eleanore feel hope.

    Another letter from Sally contains some sad news. Her six-year-old daughter came down with an unexpected illness and died. Eleanore sobs with empathy but Sally's words are comforting. She KNOWS her daughter is in a better place and she still has the gospel. Of course she's sad but she will not let it consume her. Encouraged, Eleanore writes back.

    Days pass. Eleanore has an idea which she proposes to James. She would like his blessing to share the gospel with their neighbor, Miriam Plummer. James is not pleased but understands if he were to forbid her from sharing their BIG SECRET, it would not help their marriage.

Chapter 5     Discussing Religion

    Eleanore talks to her tall, well rounded, blonde haired neighbor. With tears in her eyes, Miriam admits she often finds the minister's sermons confusing. She's been praying to know the truth which is all Eleanore needs. She sits her friend down and tells her the Good News. She leaves Miriam with her own Book of Mormon which Miriam promises to read and return. She won't tell a soul, she promises.

    Eleanore cries all the way home.

    She misses her Book of Mormon already.

    Luckily for Eleanore, Sally sent her a care package containing a beautiful baby quilt, candy for the children, and church materials including...another copy of The Book of Mormon. James is happy for her.

    The very next day, Miriam comes to see her neighbor. She and her husband stayed up all night reading Eleanore's copy of the Book of Mormon. She and her husband believe but never mind that now. Eleanore grabs her copy, shoving Sally's replacement into Miriam's eager hands.

   Thus begins the Great Conversion of all these characters: Miriam and her husband begin alternating Sunday dinners with the Barringtons. Having their own little "LDS Sunday Service" after attending the other church in town, you know, so no one will suspect. Lizzie and her husband Fredrick also start asking questions, as well as Amanda and her son Ralph. David and Iris want in on this new religious fervor too. Eleanore writes to Sally who sends more Books of Mormon. Forget reading for pleasure, all David and Iris want to do now is read their copies of the Book of Mormon and start preparing for their missions. Everyone, it would seem, is ready to be baptized. 

    Except James.

    James answers the door one evening to find two older men on the threshold. Thanks to Sally and Eleanore's letters, Brother Joseph learned of their little informal congregation and sent them to formally organize the Iowa City Branch of the church. They ordain the two men to the priesthood. David wants to be baptized. Iris can't wait to turn eight next spring. Eleanore talks to James about how left out he must be feeling. James insists he doesn't feel that way at all. While he holds a deep respect for her religion, he has no desire to risk his life by joining. And by the way, he loves his wife more than ever and kisses her passionately to prove it.

Chapter 6   Excluded

   James visits both his children's bedrooms the next morning as they are getting up and preparing for the day. He tells David if he feels getting baptized into the same church his mother belongs to is the right thing to do, then that's what he should do. 
And, no, James is not going to be baptized. 
    In Iris's room James takes the hairbrush and brushes his daughter's long, blonde, "princess" hair for her while they discuss her feelings for the Mormon church. He tells her the same thing he told David-to follow her heart.

    The two Elders leave the next day and James can't deny the new peace he feels in his home now. Everyone is so dang happy. It just doesn't make sense to him...

    Eleanore sends poor Sally some of the luxurious commodities only the super rich in America like the Barringtons can afford, like scented soap and shampoo. (Do they not have any Walmarts in Nauvoo? Do a Google map search and find out!) Then, one day in spring not long after Iris' baptism, Miriam Plummer and her husband drop the bomb-they are moving to Nauvoo. (Hope they're taking their teenage children with them.)
    James is convinced they are going to their deaths. He looks at Fredrick, Lizzie and Amanda and asks, "Will ye also go away?" they reply, "Nay, James, where would we go? You Barringtons are the only family we have." (Not to mention our 401ks!) 
    Eleanore tells James she is pregnant but wants to keep it a secret, so as not to disappoint the children. Three months later, she loses it anyway. Amanda warns James when he comes into the house so he can sob outside in the hall first before entering the master bedroom so they can mourn and cry and talk about their feelings...together. That night, David comes into the room to announce to his parents he just had that same dream, again.
    Weeks later, James is troubled as Eleanore continues to be melancholy and depressed. The light has gone out of her eyes. He tries to snuggle in bed one night but she turns away, not in the mood. She never wants to get pregnant again. Deeply offended, James accuses her of forsaking her Christian beliefs-if Jesus is always with us, no matter how bad our trials, and she believes in Him and in his Atonement, then she wouldn't be denying him sex. 
And with that, James leaves the room to sleep on the sofa downstairs.

Chapter 7     City Beautiful

      At 1:40 am, James returns to the master bedroom to find his wife fell asleep on her knees at the side of the bed. They reconcile.
     Eleanore writes to Sally who writes back, humbly asking if she might take them up on their offer to send her beloved family china, forced to leave behind when they left and which Eleanore reported they aren't using since she has her own, after all. James has a better idea. Lizzie and Frederick can watch the kids and they will make the trip to Nauvoo in person to deliver the china. High time Eleanore met her pen pal anyway.
    In no time, it seems, James and Eleanore are introducing themselves to an average height, well-rounded woman with white blond hair standing on the porch of her modest red brick home in Nauvoo. Sally and Eleanore squeal and embrace. When they announce their intention to stay at the Marriott Nauvoo, Sally insists surprise guests are always welcome at their house so they can forget that idea right now. Hearing the news, the Plummer family and their children come right over for another tearful reunion. Everyone is, of course, staying for supper where everyone can't shut up exclaiming how YOUNG Eleanore is and looks and what a sugar daddy she married.
   This bothers gray-haired James so much he brings it up that night as they are both preparing for bed. Why did Eleanore marry him anyway, he asks her. She replies the answer is now irrelevant. Besides, he made it very clear in his very practical, unromantic proposal that no other wealthy gentleman like him would ever offer a penniless nobody like her such a life-changing opportunity. Lucky for both of them, she ended up falling in love with him anyway. And he with her.

Chapter 8     The Prophecy

     Next day, the Jensens take their friends on a tour of the city in their buggy. They shop, James treats them all to lunch before driving up to the temple mount to admire the construction work. Sally sees Brother Joseph and calls him over to meet the Barringtons.
     This next scene is the only reason to read this book.
     Sally explains how Eleanore found a Book of Mormon on the road back in England, read it and came as quickly as she could to be with the saints. Intrigue fills the prophet's eyes as he shakes her hand. Eleanore notes he's just as tall as her husband as he greets James calling him "Brother Barrington," who is quick to correct Joseph, he is not a member of their church. "And why is that, Brother Barrington?" James explains further, while he does believe God led them to Iowa City until He makes known His will, that's where they'll be staying. Brother Joseph respects that. He turns to Eleanore, takes her hand again and, filled with the spirit of prophecy, promises Eleanore she will bear and raise many fine children who will help build up Zion. Eleanore is still trying to catch her breath as Joseph takes his leave, as causally as if giving prophecies like this to complete strangers were a common occurrence.
    Later that evening, at the Plummers (who will be hosting dinner later) the women ask Eleanore how she managed to catch such a handsome, astute, even formidable so-much-older-than-her husband. Eleanore is quick to defend their relationship, yes, her English Lord did marry WAY down but that was the whole reason they moved to America-to be free of such ridiculous social class distinctions (because in America-young, penniless, female servants marry their wealthy male employers all the time) and beside, he needed a mother for his children. The two women sigh over such a romantic story. 
   The next day is Sunday. Eleanore nearly swoons, sitting in her first Mormon worship service. If only they could move here to Zion. Surely her husband would feel the spirit and join the church too.
   Ever the philanthropist, James takes Mark Jensen aside, handing him a check for a significant amount of money for the temple fund. He insists Mark take it. Don't worry, he can afford it.
   The next day on the riverboat home, James angrily informs Eleanore they will NEVER move to Nauvoo where everyone lives in fear of their lives. Eleanore urges him to pray about such a decision. James reluctantly agrees. As the days pass, even Eleanore can't deny the spirit gently denying her request. Moving to Nauvoo is not the Lord's will for them at this time. Eleanore cries before working up the courage to discuss it with her husband. The tension has dissipated since their talk on the riverboat. Both agree they are more in love with each other than ever.

Chapter 9     Social Distinction

    One day, Eleanore returns from one of her Ladies' Social Circle Club meetings with an exciting invitation for her and James. They are to attend a ball, being hosted by the President who also just happens to be one of the richest women in town. They must have tailored clothes and find a babysitter. While they certainly don't believe in associating with those in "the great and spacious building" it is nice of the higher social circles in town to be so accepting of them.
   Making a point to avoid the champagne, the two sip their punch and admit to having a good time at the party while driving home later that night. Like Rhett Butler after he married Scarlett, James smiles at his wife's naivete. He found the entire evening boring. Such snobbery can be found in both England and America, he explains. But if it makes his young wife happy attending such social events, he'll continue to indulge her.
   Trouble arises, though, at the very next dinner party they attend where the subject of both slavery AND the Mormon religion comes up. Like The King of Siam, James declares slavery to be a very bad thing while both clam up and try to act like everyone else as Mormons are raked up one side and down the other for their outrageous beliefs. They were driven out and good riddance to them. Eleanore is afraid she's going to be sick, while James bites his tongue to keep from telling these hypocrites how wrong they are about his wife's religion.
   On the drive home, James simply puts an arm around his wife and never says "I told you so." Using slavery as her excuse, Eleanore wastes no time sending a polite note to Mrs. King. Eleanore is removing her from her Facebook page.

Chapter 10    Going Back

    James receives news from England. Apparently, the new Lord of the Manor who bought his estate is an overly demanding despot, refusing to comply with the contract of sale regarding how the staff salaries and surplus garnished from estate farms would be handled. Eleanore agrees, James must return to England at once to straighten this out with his solicitor and find another buyer. One they can trust.
    Upon arrival in Merry old England, they check themselves into an inn, driving out to the Manor house next day for a surprise visit. The kitchen staff are delighted to see Eleanore while James meets with the new, wicked, owner upstairs. After accepting their exclamations over how much she's grown into a real married lady, Eleanore excuses herself to take a long walk. She finds the church she was married in and spends a couple of pages reminiscing over her wedding day.
   James finds her here and they talk. Somehow, James was able to legally fire the new owner and take back his estate. It's all settled. His trusted solicitors will be running the place leaving them free to return to Iowa tomorrow. He figures they have at least ten or twenty years to find a new buyer before the money runs out. Plenty of time. Both agree getting married and immigrating to America was the right thing to do.
Oh, and Eleanore made sure to leave a few copies of the Book of Mormon for her old fellow servant-friends.

Chapter 11     The Storm

    Back from their trip, months pass and everything settles into the old familiar pattern again. The family continues to hold their own private Sunday services following their "keeping up appearances" attendance at the local Christian church so no one suspects their hypocrisy. One day a beautiful new piano is delivered to the house. An early Christmas present for the entire family from James. The hymnal Sally sent back in Chapter 5 can now be put to proper use.
    All the children are growing up. Ralph is almost seventeen. David turns twelve. Both boys are the best of friends. Iris is will soon turn ten. Spring arrives and the year is 1844. Sally writes of a new revelation Brother Joseph is now teaching openly the doctrine of celestial marriage and eternal families. When the temple is completed, all who desire will be allowed to participate in this new ordinance. Eleanore weeps when she thinks how much she desires for such blessings, if only her husband shared her beliefs. Which is why when James finds her crying, she refuses to talk about it, snaps at him and leaves the room.
   Summer arrives along with another letter from Sally. Even before she opens it, Eleanore can feel a dark sense of foreboding. James witnesses her shock and horror learning the prophet is DEAD.
   More letters from Sally and Miriam help Eleanore in her grieving process as the saints continue to carry on without their beloved leader. Turns out James is quite proficient in music. He can sing and play the piano a little thus enriching their little Sabbath services. Eleanore listens with misty eyes as he and the children together pick out the song, "The Spirit of God." Later, when Eleanore discovers she is pregnant and becomes very ill, confined to her bed, she has an inspired idea.
   It's a little awkward asking James to sit in while Fredrick gives her a very long priesthood blessing in which she is promised many miraculous things: her child would be delivered safely and her body would be strong enough to bear it, as well as many more, that because of her faith the household would be blessed when a coming storm of grief and heartache descends, yet if they continued to have faith in Jesus Christ, her joy would abound. Unable to bear his own emotions, James exits as soon as he hears the "amen," to ride a horse at breakneck speed while praying fervently for his wife and unborn child.
    When he returns, James is astonished to find his wife working in the kitchen as if she had never been ill. Meanwhile, the boys are outside playing fetch with the dog. David wants to take the dog for a walk. His parents reluctantly give him permission to go alone and it's de ja vu all over again from the last book when a big, cold storm blows in and James comes stumbling in carrying a half dead David in his arms. Eleanore wraps him in blankets and holds him close, not worried at all.
   
Chapter 12     Measuring

    The doctor finally arrives, declares the boy just needs some time to rest (take two aspirin and call me in the morning) and leaves.
    While keeping vigil at David's sickbed, James and Eleanore spend many pages in a long heart-to-heart talk. James shares his depressing childhood, growing up with parents who basically ignored him because his older brother and younger sister, who could do no wrong according to his grieving mother, both died at young ages. James grew up being constantly compared to the brother who died at only age two. He decided, when he grew up and got married, he would NEVER act like that. Except he married a woman who deceived him. Now God is going to take his only son because he failed as a man and especially as a husband and father. Eleanore insists he's wrong. Yet, as six days pass and David's health continues to decline, Eleanore is terrified by the despair she sees in her husband's eyes. James sobs and screams holding his dying son. Eleanore knows they have to let him go. His measured life is over. James can't understand. Fredrick gave the boy a priesthood blessing and while there was no mention of any miraculous recovery, God should have healed their son. Eleanore and James hold each other while they cry.

Chapter 13     The Human Heart

     James and Eleanore do nothing but cry 24/7 now. A nice funeral service is held but James is troubled by the minister's words over his son's grave (they buried David on a small hill near the woods on their property) and his despair that God has forsaken him and his family. So overcome by grief is James, Eleanore has to gently remind him; Iris needs her father too. But James is too depressed. One night, the spirit awakens Eleanore with the prompt to find her husband. Now. She stops James outside in the yard, just in time, as he was about to pull the trigger. 
On the dog.
Fredrick comes out and calmly takes over, guiding James away, instructing Eleanore to return to the house and try and get some sleep. James apologizes next morning. Eleanore freely forgives him. Then proceeds to preach a sermon about how James can never expect to find any peace until he does what she learned to do: give your heart to God. James stumbles to a chair. Later he goes by himself to pray and sob and pour his heart out to God. He returns, declaring to Eleanore he feels better already. 
   Eleanore shows James his son's journals (before marrying their father, Eleanore the Governess was adamant these children would know the joy of journaling) James reads them and is comforted. One month later, Eleanore finally makes herself write to their dear friends in Nauvoo, telling them about the most horrible night of their lives. Apparently, James has been reading the Book of Mormon for, not a few nights later, he shows her a most profound section of scripture (one of my favorites) about the state of the soul between death and when we are all resurrected as found in Alma 40:11. He had NO IDEA Mormons had this kind of knowledge. Just imagine if it were true. David is surely in a better place. Eleanore just smiles.
    And with James' grief under control, we can now turn to Iris who starts spending several days in bed, insisting she doesn't feel well because, as it turns out, she was hiding a gangreous foot after walking barefoot in the woods, breaking a strict rule, stepped on a sharp twig and thought she could hide it from her parents. Eleanore turns back the blankets and examines her daughter's foot. To her horror, it is already too late, infection has set in. The doctor is sent for.

Chapter 14    David's Dream

    The prognosis doesn't look good. Iris thrashes around the bed, delirious with pain and fever. Fredrick might as well be a bishop with all the priesthood blessings he's been called upon to give already for this family as James finds him in the barn and has to BEG him to come give his daughter a blessing. Now. Fredrick raises an eyebrow. James wasn't too pleased at the last blessing he gave, but he'll do it all the same. In the middle of the blessing, Fredrick suddenly pauses, before the heavens open and the most amazing blessings and promises come pouring out of his mouth for little Iris: not only will she be healed and fully recover from this injury, but grow up to raise children in Zion, in a place where there would be no persecution or suffering. 
Hours after the blessing has been given, James, Eleanore and Fredrick can hardly believe their eyes as the doctor, equally amazed, enters the room to check on his patient. After ascertaining her fever has indeed gone way down, he throws back the bedcovers to discover her foot has been miraculously healed. She's going to be just fine. Iris wakes up and asks for pancakes. Everyone chuckles, then cries. Iris cries too when she learns what just happened.
   That very night, James tells Eleanore in bed he's ready to be baptized. Might as well, after all the incredible miracles they've experienced. Both fall asleep but very early the next morning, Eleanore's water breaks and she gives birth to a boy. Remembering David's (on two separate occasions) dream, seeing how much he looks like his father, they decide to name him James, but agree they will call him Jamie.
   Poor boy.

   In the Spring of 1845, James is baptized. As soon as he steps out of the water, he declares he wants to go to the Nauvoo temple to be sealed and maybe they should move to Nauvoo...but only if it is God's will for them. If not, well, Eleanore couldn't ask for anything more.

THE END