Peace of Mind

New York, 1852

It is a joyful Yule. After ten days of searching, I found my brother Jamie. He is with me now. Running low on funds, he had been enticed into a fighting club where he was forced to lose rounds after winning several matches. When he complained about not being paid, he was badly beaten and thrown out on a wintry street in Five Points, an area much feared.

New York is a lawless place. The police are corrupt, asking for money when I sought assistance. I hired men to look for Jamie. One stumbled upon him and brought him to my lodgings. A doctor attended him, and he is improving. I asked him to return to Scotland, but he refused.

Despite his injuries, he is determined to go west. The newspapers are full of news about gold finds in California, and there are also rumors of gold in Colorado. I fear if I do not go with him, he will go alone and his recklessness will kill him.

I offered to pay our way if he would travel west with me. Jamie, now penniless, agreed. I do not seek gold as my brother craves, but I have heard there are opportunities in the West. I have talked to many people, and I am told we should buy goods and wagons in Independence, Missouri, since the journey from New York is long and harrowing with many river crossings. I have also been told we should be in Independence by April to join a wagon train for protection against the savages. I can buy goods then and hire men to drive the wagons.

Landon closed the leather-bound journal as the door to the garden room opened and Marcus appeared, followed by the old housekeeper carrying the tray of coffee and small cakes. Marcus had called him earlier in the day and asked whether he would like to read some more excerpts of the journals. Landon had grabbed at the chance.

He had been far too occupied with thoughts of his meeting with Grace last night. He welcomed the distraction.

“I thought you might need a break,” Marcus said. “You’ve been reading for more than two hours, and it’s not that easy to read. In some parts, the ink has almost faded.”

Landon shoved back his chair. “I didn’t realize ... I’m sorry ... I’ve just traveled a long way with Fergus.”