I thought for sure there would be nothing here but a lowly port. New York City is more magnificent than I imagined,Mary thought as people bustled around her and a new surge of hope bloomed deep within her.
“Eduard, do you have a townhouse here in New York City?” Her voice was several octaves too high.Why am I so nervous?Mary mused, taking in her surroundings. Now that she was here, she hoped that he lived in New York City as a wealthy businessman, in a fully furnished townhouse, and full social calendar.
“No, remember the letters? I have a farm in Buffalo.” Eduard lifted one of the many suitcases. The carriage was larger up close and easily fit all of her suitcases with no issue.
“Oh yes, that’s right.” Mary watched as other travelers journeyed towards the sprawling city and wished to join them. Her heart sunk into her stomach now that she knew there was something resembling a society so close, and she would be isolated still from it.
Despite his promises of building a new, powerful legacy, it seemed Eduard had found his purpose in a simple life.
“Are you ready?” Eduard asked and Mary nodded. She decided right then and there that she would never love him the way he loved her and that she would never forgive him for ruining her life.
Their journeyfrom New York City to Buffalo Village made the voyage on the ocean look like a breeze. After traveling several days by carriage, Mary swore she would never complain again about sailing on a boat. The borrowed horse didn’t recognize Eduard’s voice. Too many times to count, the steed would come to a dead stop, demanding a break from pulling the large load.
She regretted bringing her many suitcases, but her mother had insisted she would be the one to set the fashion trends.
On the third day they came to a stop in a small town that consisted of an inn and a few small shops.
“I think we should rest in an actual bed tonight. What do you think, my dear?” Eduard finished tying up the horse to a post outside the inn. Mary gulped. The thought of lying next to him made her skin crawl. Every night so far, they had lain on separate blankets under the stars.
Reading her thoughts, Eduard continued. “We will have separate rooms, of course; we aren’t married yet.” He gave her a wink and headed inside the inn.
Mary’s stomach did a flip, both in relief and with the realization that she would soon be married to him and must fulfill her marital duties. She shuddered at the thought. She watched him ducked into the two-story wood building.
She put her hands on her lower back and turned her attention to the street, while stretching. Local residents meandered up and down the narrow street in clusters, talking amongst themselves. It was the women walking in pairs who caught her attention. They promenaded, hoping to catch the eye of an eligible suitor. A process she was all too familiar with from back home in London.
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.
