“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.
Mary held an apple up close to her face. She inspected it for any sign of tiny black intruders or bruised skin. She was attempting to bake an apple pie to prove to herself, and the other wives, that she was capable of doing this.
The last thing she needed was to hear that a small thing with legs made an appearance in her dessert. Satisfied with the gleaming red skin, she carefully placed it in her basket and gathered herself to begin her journey back home.
Her growing bump, a result from their wedding night, slowed her pace as she meandered back to their farm. The breeze blew against the sweat that trickled down her face. A nearby creek beckoned her to rest and taste the cool, refreshing spring water. She set her full basket of apples in some tall grass next to the foot path and followed the sound.
