“I should have stayed in London, because being a spinster would have been better than my life here with you!” She yelled and stormed out the front door.
She didn’t wait to see the results of her outburst.Godly wives must respect their husbands.The voices of the other wives rang throughout her head.All the other women might bow down to their husband’s control, but I’m not going tobe a pushover.
Mary headed straight to the newly-rebuilt barn. Petting their horses usually soothed her, but tonight she considered burning it to the ground. The barn was a modest one and she knew that they had enough money to have a bigger house and barn, but Eduard just wanted to fit in. He had no problem living a modest lifestyle knowing that great riches and wealth were around the corner.
The money she had brought with her immediately went into Eduard’s possession, and once the new barn was built, the rest of the money went into hiring a farm hand.
Night was peaceful in the country. A cricket orchestra filled her ears as she continued past the barn and toward the river. An owl somewhere in the distance hooted. Mary wished she could sprout wings of her own and escape.
She didn't pay close attention to where she was walking and managed to stomp in a hole that was just big enough to cause her to lose her footing. She landed hard on her other foot, twisting her ankle in the process.
No! Not on the belly! My baby girl. Please be okay. My little poppet, it’s just you and me,she thought as she landed on her hip.
Her hands flew down to cradle her baby bump as she stood and limped to a nearby tree log. She looked back toward the warmth emitting from her house as pain radiated from her ankle.
She was trained to control her emotions in all situations, but with the mixture of pain and anger, she let the tears flow. Mary lifted her head up to the sky, allowing the streams to reach her ears.
“Why am I being punished in this life? Am I that horrible of a person that I have been destined to live the awful life of a farmer’s wife? What is so wrong with wanting to live a comfortable lifestyle?”
Mary’s thoughts overwhelmed her mind, and she leaned forward, face in her hands, elbows on her knees. That’s when she remembered Sue and the gift. Her mind was all but made up to find someone to switch with.
“Is it possible Sue told the truth? Can I escape this wretched life and start over?” Mary rubbed her hands over her belly and relaxed as the baby moved in response to her touch. A smile played on the corners of her mouth.
After a few minutes she realized Eduard wasn’t coming after her.I’ll just sleep out here, that will show him,she thought but the crickets that once sounded peaceful had turned grating to her ears. She sighed.Somehow, even my desire to stay in the outdoors is thwarted by insects.
Resigned to return back to the safety and warmth of their home, she stood. Testing the hurt ankle proved that the damage was limited, and she would be fine to limp home.
Just as she was about to have a full-blown pity party for herself and her hurt ankle, Eduard appeared. Relief flooded herbody at the sight of him. In his arms, he held a blanket. A lantern was extended out in front of him, illuminating his path.
“Mary! Are you all right?” His wide eyes stared at the rip in her skirt.
“I’ve hurt my ankle and it seems I can’t take a full step.”
“And the baby?” His eyes darted down to her cradled stomach. Mary smiled and looked down.
“Seems to be okay.” She lifted her tear filled eyes back to him. He sat down next to her on the log and laid the blanket across their laps. They sat bundled together in silence.
“My father was on the verge of opening a new factory. He wanted me to run it.” Eduard broke the silence. His words sent a new flurry of anger to Mary’s heart.
“What’s wrong with that? I thought you wanted to have a legacy to build? Running your own factory would have allowed that.”
Eduard sighed. “It was in Siberia.”
Mary gasped. “What? Why would he send you there?” She could guess, but she allowed Eduard to explain.
“I think he was worried that if I decided to branch off on my own, I would eventually become more successful than him.”
Mary nodded. She remembered the many conversations they had about what Eduard wanted to accomplish, and she could understand how his father could get the wrong idea.
So, he’d left for America to save me from a life in Siberia. America was quite beautiful, and from my understanding, Siberia is cold and wet. He gave up so much, to protect me from a fate worse than this one. His dreams were crushed by his own father.
She finally saw Eduard for who he truly was, a man who loved her and wanted to take care of her, to protect her. He had done more for her than her own father had. Her heart swelled and then broke.
How could I be so blind, so stupid to not see what was right in front of me this whole time? We have a fresh start, to build the life we want without the toxicity of our families. Eduard and our baby are my family now.
His hand reached under the blanket and found her hand. He kept his face looking ahead, giving her the space she needed.
Forget Sue and her theoretical gift. I’m right where I belong.Mary reached up and brushed her fingers along his chin, bringing his face towards hers. Their eyes locked and even in the dark she could see his face was full of mutual love toward her.
