“Well, that is kind of him to consider taming my behavior with a variety of delicious beignets.” She lifted the fabric from the basket, revealing all the goods as the aroma filled the carriage. “I would be cross with him for this trick if these didn’t smell so incredibly delectable.”
She reached for a pastry that had a fruit compote on top and took a bite. The pasty melted in her mouth and her eyes rolled to the back of her head. When she reopened her eyes Bruce was watching her with amusement in his eyes. She smiled back and offered the basket to Bruce.
He happily took a buttered scone for himself, and they ate together in silence as the carriage continued its journey. Theresa did her best to look bored while she looked out the window and admired the sites of the city. It was a struggle. New Orleans was more beautiful than she’d imagined from how it was described to her.
I cannot believe I live here.I am about to meet my new family, my fiancé, and start my new life.As much as she tried to act like the town was old news, she couldn’t keep the smile off her face.
She was able to identify several businesses and a couple of residences of friends. There was one in particular she was keen to keep an eye out for, her best friend, Margaret.
From the diary, it was clear Theresa spent most of her time at Margaret’s house. The description mentioned it was on the main road close to her own home.
Just then, a house came into view that looked like it fit the description. Two stories with a whitewash finish and matching white columns adorned the upper and lower front porches. The windows were decorated with seafoam green shutters. The upper porch had a metal fence with an intricate design that wrapped its full length. But it was the swing in the tree out front that indicated she had found Margaret’s house.
“Oh, I’m especially excited to see Margaret again!” Theresa exclaimed as they passed Margaret’s house. It was the first time she showed any emotion, and it seemed like the right action to take. Uncertainty coursed through her.
I wish I could just be myself. But this was my choice to take on a new life. I need to play the part perfectly.Bruce looked down and fidgeted with his buttons.
“Yes of course, Miss Sanderfelt. I am sure she is excited to see you again as well.” Bruce replied, the warmth gone from his response. Theresa moved from the window and sat back in the middle of her seat and took another pastry.
While she ate, she watched Bruce carefully and wondered why he’d responded the way he did.
I wasn’t told of any disagreements between old Theresa and Margaret. Maybe something happened during the summer.She continued to eat as she contemplated all the scenarios.
Once the basket was nearly empty of treats, the carriage came to a stop. Theresa looked out her window, and her mouth dropped open. She quickly recovered.
I live here! I cannot be in awe of the house,she reminded herself.
The carriage door opened, and a gloved hand allowed her to step down from the carriage with ease. She didn’t stop to worry about her luggage, knowing that Bruce would handle that.
The sun was bright and welcoming as it filtered its way through the large trees in the front yard. The shadows reminded her of her time as Jane and when she had watched Abigail as a child playing in the shadows: the moment right before she had made her first switch. She gulped and shook the memory from her head.
I need to remain focused on my current life.
The cobblestone path led to a large white house. Its front porch wrapped around the sides and disappeared from view. Bright green ivy climbed up from the ground, reaching all the way to the roof halfway across the front of the house and along the right side.
Once at the front door, she opened it without hesitation, as though she had walked through it countless times in the past.
Immediately inside, she noticed the hallway led to the back of the house. A staircase hugged the left wall of the hallway and led to rooms she was excited to explore.
There were two doors on either side. The one on the left led into a study, with a wood desk made from a material she hadn’t seen before, and the wall behind it was lined with books, more books than she had seen in all her lifetimes. The door to the right led to a parlor, already filled with several people.
She closed the door behind her and made her way to the parlor. The sound of the door closing alerted everyone in the parlor to turn and look in her direction.
“Oh darling! You are home safe and sound. Finally! I cannot wait to hear all about how our family is doing up north, but first,let’s get you to your room to freshen up, and then we will all have tea.” Beatrice, her mother, said as she embraced her.
She then held Theresa at arm’s length to give her a good look, and then took her by the arm to lead her out of the room all in one breath. Beatrice stood a good foot taller than Theresa, and her maroon dress swished against itself as they walked.
She looked exactly as described, severe bone structure, sunken eyes, and no smile lines around her mouth. Beatrice appeared to be a no-nonsense woman who walked with a purpose.
Theresa gave a quick wave to her fiancé, Richard, and Margaret who were sitting together on the couch.
I guess love really is blind,she thought.Based on how the old Theresa gushed, I figured he was a handsome man. But to me he is average. It’s his money that makes him an attractive match.
Beatrice held Theresa’s hand as they made their way up the stairs. The landing at the top of the stairs was beautifully decorated with paintings of flowers, landscapes and portraits. They turned left and opened a door into a room that caused Theresa to catch her breath.
In the middle of the room was a Victorian-style four-poster bed that had soft tulle material draped down the sides and across the back. The purple color was that of a wildflower named Iris. The white blankets on the bed looked clean and brand new.
The deep wood furniture looked freshly polished, and she counted four vases full of overflowing fresh flowers. The sun poured into the room, bathing it in the perfect amount of natural light. It was as big as her former living room and kitchen combined.
