3. The Journey #2
There was one man in particular who seemed to be the main attraction, and Mary could understand why.
He was tall and muscular, not in a way that was intimidating, rather in a way that she thought it would feel safe standing near him.
He seemed to not notice the women doing their best to get his attention.
Then Mary noticed a woman standing alone under the covered porch of the general store. Her clothes were tattered and worn, A large rip went up the length of the skirt, and there were strips of linen used to tie it closed.
Mary recognized the woman’s disposition. Her eyes watched the handsome man, full of longing and desire. It was the same way Mary regarded New York City and London, the same way she used to look at Eduard.
This woman, in old, dirty clothes, longed for someone she would never have. The same way that she now longed for her former life back home. Mary glanced over at her mountain of suitcases. Inside were more clothes than she could possibly need as she headed into the life of a farmer’s wife.
An unfamiliar feeling washed over her. It was close to the feeling she had when she read to the orphans, but this was different. She felt pity for the woman, but also a determination to help her.
With newfound resolve, Mary marched over and introduced herself, hand extended.
“Hello, my name is Mary. What is yours?” As soon as she opened her mouth, the young woman’s eyes widened in surprise. “I am from London. That is why I sound this way. Now your name?”
“Emily.” The girl followed it up with a pathetic bow. Normally, Mary would turn up her nose at such behavior. However, she was not in London and knew that many people here would not understand proper etiquette.
“Nice to meet you, Emily. I couldn’t help but notice that man across the way. Is he your fellow?” Mary feigned innocence, hoping for Emily to open up.
Emily shook her head violently. “I see,” Mary continued, “but you want him to be. Is that right?” Her suspicions were confirmed when red filled Emily’s soft cheeks.
“I knew it. Well, I think I can help. I sailed from London and packed way too many dresses that I won’t be needing. Do you think you could help me out, and take a couple suitcases off my hands?”
Mary pointed over at the carriage still tied up at the inn. Emily shook her head once she understood what Mary was offering. Despite having worn the same dress from the last day on the ship, it was still in far better shape than Emily’s.
“Oh, I dunno.” Emily glanced over at the group of women, in dresses of bright colors and mixed fabrics, swooping in on the man. After another glance back at Mary and the suitcases, she nodded her head in agreement.
“Follow me.” Mary smiled and led them back towards the inn and grabbed one of the suitcases off the top and moved a small hat box out of the way to grab the second suitcase. As a last-minute decision, she grabbed the hat box and handed it to Emily.
Why not? She might need a hat as well, Mary thought, as they dragged the suitcases carefully back to the general store.
“I live in the back with my brother, Jed. He owns the general store. He spends all his coins on drinks in the saloon, so not much is leftover for me,” Emily recounted, answering a question that Mary didn’t ask.
Once inside the small room where Emily lived, Mary helped her out of the material. Upon closer inspection, she could only describe it as scrap fabric, rather than a dress. She tossed it into a pile in the corner, leaving Emily in her under garments.
“You should try washing up your face. I will pick out a dress for you,” Mary offered and Emily nodded earnestly in response.
Mary turned her attention to the larger of the two suitcases, unlatching the lock for it and an array of materials exploded onto the ground.
“Oh dear,” Mary muttered.
“Everything okay?” Emily asked from the small basin in the corner. Her eyes were closed as water droplets dripped from her face.
“I may have packed too much. Not to worry. These are all yours now. Wear them. Sell them. Doesn’t matter to me,” Mary spoke casually as she pulled the dresses up one-by-one and laid them out on the bed. “I am sure once people see you in them you will be quite the catch.”
Emily finished drying her face and approached the pile of dresses.
“You think Darryl would notice me in this one?” She held up a hunter green taffeta dress that had tulle flowers sewn into the lower hem of the dress. Mary reached out and rubbed a small flower in between her fingers. The last memory of her wearing it to a dance brought a tear to her eye.
“Absolutely. He won’t be able to take his eyes off you. Here let me help you with it,” Mary responded, blinking the tears away.
Mary stood back and marveled at how pretty Emily really was. At first, it had been hard to see past her clothing, but now it was very evident that Emily was quite the looker.
Her red hair hung down her back and sat in perfect waves. Her skin, though quite porcelain, had a dusting of freckles that looked as though she drew them on every morning. With the new dress on her brown eyes went from being the color of dirt, to a deep chocolate with a hint of a sparkle.
“You are beautiful.” Mary told the truth.
She wondered how many people she had passed on the streets of London, and turned her nose up at them, just because of the clothing they were wearing.
Maybe if she had looked harder, she might have found real friendships outside of her normal social circle.
It was too late for that now, but she made a mental note to try and be more open minded in the future.
Mary’s thoughts were interrupted when Emily’s arms swung around her and enveloped her in a hug so hard, she thought she would bruise from the contact.
“Well, I need to get back to my fiancé. We are traveling to Buffalo and are just passing through.” Mary gently placed Emily’s arms against her sides and gave her a friendly pat. “It was nice meeting you and good luck with Darren.”
“Darryl,” Emily corrected, offering a sheepish smile.
“Right.” Not knowing what else to say, Mary trekked back through the general store and back to the inn. Eduard was unloading some fresh clothes for himself as she approached.
“I guess I should change as well. These garments have had enough wear time. How much further until we are home?” Mary briefly paused on “home,” but Eduard didn’t notice, as he lifted one of her remaining suitcases off the wagon.
“We are close, I’d say another day's journey to the canal and a short ride across. We should be there in two days. The town pastor is already on standby ready to have us wed once we arrive.”
“Wonderful, dear.” She forced a smile, wishing she could go back in time.
Once they had their belongings settled in their own rooms, Mary spent some time cleaning up and changing into a fresh set of clothes.
It was a relief to splash some clean water on herself.
Of course, it wasn’t as warm as her normal baths, but it was nice to remove the layer of grime from their journey so far.
Mary dressed herself in a simple, deep burgundy puff-sleeved dress, fresh black stockings and ankle boots.
She brushed the tangles in her hair and pulled it back into a simple clean bun.
It was not her favorite hairstyle, but the wind had her hair in so many knots she considered never wearing her hair down ever again.
“At least Mother would approve of my appearance; I finally look the part of a married woman,” she whispered as she smoothed down her loose strands.
She opened her bedroom door and found Eduard leaning against the opposite wall. His hair was damp and he smelled like fresh citrus, just like he had back in London. For a moment, Mary let a rush of love fill her, as memories of their courtship flooded her mind.
“Ready for dinner?” His smile, as brilliant as ever, made her stomach do flips the way it had in the beginning.
She smiled in return, because she was indeed ready. Without a word, she nodded, and Eduard took her hand in his.
Maybe this new life with Eduard will not be so dreadful, Mary thought as they descended the stairs. Maybe, just maybe. With Eduard by my side, everything will turn out okay. Perhaps I can be happy.
She envisioned herself marrying him, becoming Mary Hoffman, and her heart swelled causing her breath to hitch.
Warmth spread through her body as she focused on the tingles in her hand where it lay in his. She smiled because even though she was thousands of miles away from London, she finally felt like she was home.