Johanna_Bride of Michigan

by Clara Kincaid

  That time, when there was yet another knock on the door, Sara said, “It’s me, Miss.”

  Johanna answered the door and picked up her corset. Shimmying into it, she turned her back to Sara who then laced and tightened it. When she didn’t tighten it to the point where she would faint, Johanna had to ask, “Have you worked as a lady’s maid before?”

  “Oh, no, but my mother taught us girls how to be one if such a position becomes available. I never knew I’d be of much use other than serving or cleaning.”

  “I’ll ask Paul if you can assist me on a regular basis. I don’t need all that much help besides with my hair or fastening my corset, but I’d like to have someone to talk to, other than my husband.”

  Sara’s eyes watered. “Do you mean it? I’d love to do that.” She frowned. “If Mr. Worthington allows it.”

  “I’ll make sure he does.” Johanna winked. Her heart soared at how excited Sara was about helping her. Was it too much to hope that she’d find a true confidant in Sara?

  Sara’s last task was to help Johanna don a beige linen dress with tiny rose buttons, even if they were only for decoration and not needed for keeping the dress closed. She wasn’t sure how cool or warm it was outside, but would rather not be weighed down with a heavier dress. It was bad enough that ladies were required to wear so many articles of clothing under their dresses.

  “Thank you so much, Sara. Paul is taking me to a seamstress today I think, but I wouldn’t mind horribly if he bought me some bolts of fabric. I rather like making my own dresses.”

  “Oh, no. I’m sure Mr. Worthington wouldn’t allow you to do that. You probably have more important things to busy yourself with.”

  “Such as?”

  “Many ladies meet for luncheons. Perhaps in time, you’ll meet some of the other lumber barons’ wives.”

  Johanna wasn’t so sure, but she agreed anyway. “I do hope so. It will be rather lonely otherwise.”

  She pinched her cheeks before she left her room and descended the stairs. She was much too pale, but it was something she was used to. A stark change from her dark hair, which made her skin appear even whiter.

  Paul met her when she reached the bottom of the stairs. “You look lovely, dear.”

  “Thank you.”

  She took her husband’s hand, and they walked into the dining room where the sideboard was laid out with pancakes, bacon, and scrambled eggs. They filled their plates and sat down. A maid came into the room and poured Johanna a cup of tea, asking her if she cared for any orange juice, darting off when she said yes.

  Johanna layered her pancakes with syrup. “I was wondering, Paul.”

  “About?”

  “Would it be possible for Sara to be my lady’s maid? I’d rather have her assist me. It’s so hard to tighten my own corset.”

  Paul gazed at her. “I could always help you with that,” he teased. When Johanna stared wide-eyed at him, he quickly added, “I was only kidding, dear. I had hoped you’d like Sara. She’s a lovely girl and in need of another position here. Mother isn’t fond of her.”

  “Oh, and why ever not?”

  “Mother can be difficult with the staff, but now that you’re my wife, I think you need to take charge of them.”

  “But I have no idea how to do that.”

  “You’ll learn. Plus, it’s your place as lady of the house. Take your time and get to know them. I consider them to be both reliable and friendly. I wouldn’t have hired them otherwise.”

  Johanna wanted to ask him how his mother felt about that, but she didn’t want him to think she planned to not get along with Cecilia. She obviously was important to Paul or she wouldn’t be living with him.

  “So, where are we going again?”

  “The seamstress. Natasha is very skilled and can create even the most current styles.”

  “You could just buy me bolts of fabric. If I had a sewing machine, I could make my own dresses.”

  Paul chewed his pancakes and swallowed hard. “Is that what you did in the factory you worked at?”

  “No, fabric was woven with machines. It was my job to clear the machine if it jammed.” It was also how her leg had been injured, when the machine came apart, but she wasn’t ready to tell Paul that just yet. She thought he’d reject her for certain if he knew.

  “I have a pump pedal sewing machine in the sewing room.”

  “You have a sewing room?”

  “Yes. Nobody uses it, but Mother insisted it would be a welcomed addition to the house. She’s wanted me to get married and have a family for years.”

  “How do you feel about that, having children?”

  “I love children. Plus, I see no sense in building up my mill if I have no children to leave it to, if the lumbering is able to continue in Michigan.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Lumberjacks have been cutting down white pines for over ten years now. Nobody knows how long the trees will last. I only hope it’s not soon. I’d hate to see a place like Saginaw become a deserted ghost town.”

  This worried Johanna considerably. “What would you do then?”

  Paul smiled. “We’ll leave when you’re finished.” He excused himself and left the dining room.

  Why didn’t he answer my question? Is he afraid of thinking about what he’d do? How long would the white pines last?

  Johanna finished her orange juice and walked out of the dining room to find out where Paul had gone. Sara was waiting outside and she knew Paul must have told her she could be Johanna’s lady’s maid from the smile that spread across her face.

  “So, he told you?” Johanna asked with a frown. She had wanted to be the person to tell Sara.

  “Yes, and I promise I’ll be the best maid you’ve ever had.”

  “Since I’ve never had one before, I’m sure you’ll be great. Where did Paul go?”

  “He’s in the parlor.”

  Johanna walked into the parlor and Paul was looking over a few papers. “I’m ready.”

  Paul looked up and nodded. “Good. I need to get over to the mill after I take you shopping.”

  “Good, I’d love to see the mill.”

  “Not today, I’m afraid. I have business to attend to there, and it would only bore you.”

  Johanna sighed. “I see, but what will I do to occupy my time?”

  “Get to know the staff, like I said earlier. I’m sorry if this disappoints you.”

  “It does,” Johanna admitted. “But I would love to see how it works. I’m very excited to actually.”

  Paul took ahold of Johanna’s shoulders, and she didn’t flinch away that time as he promised her, “Tomorrow, for sure.”

  Johanna was lost in Paul’s eyes and her pulse raced until Paul dropped his arms to his sides. He put a hand against the small of her back and led her outside where a buggy waited. This one was smaller, and there wasn’t anyone lingering nearby to handle the horse.

  At her curious look, Paul explained, “I thought it would be a lovely day for a buggy ride.”

  Paul helped Johanna up and took his place next to her. With a snap of the reins, off the horses trotted, making way onto the cobblestone road. The wind felt wonderful and they passed Victorian homes that were all quite different. Since they weren’t on foot this time, the buggy took them to the other side of town. They passed a few taverns with men wearing denim pants and plaid shirts, stumbling into the street.

  “Isn’t it a little early for men to be at taverns?”

  “It is for many men, but if a lumberjack is in town, he just came back from a camp.”

  “Do they work all year?”

  “They do now. In earlier years, they only worked in the winter when horse-drawn sleighs were used to transport the logs to the frozen rivers. In the spring, the logs then made the trip to the mills where they were cut into boards.”

  “How are logs moved now?”

  “Tracks have been built and trains haul the logs into town.”

  Johanna was impressed.
“This is really interesting. It makes you think differently about where the wood comes from for buildings to be constructed.”

  “Lumbering has built this country and made this town what it is today.”

  “It certainly is much bigger than I thought it would be. I expected to move to the middle of the wilderness.” She laughed.

  “Then again, I led you to believe I was a lumberjack, not that I’ve never done that. You’ll find out I’m very hands-on, even though I’m a lumber baron. It’s not a name I’m comfortable about, I assure you.”

  “But you have servants working for you.”

  “I have a big house and I didn’t have a wife at the time, but I consider them my staff, not servants. They are offered room and board and paid quite well. I value them just as much as I do the men who work at the mill.”

  “How did you get your start?”

  “I was a lumberjack myself in the beginning. I just didn’t spend my money on alcohol and women.” He smiled. “Sorry.”

  “I understand what you meant, and I’d never judge anyone who did choose to do that. Women don’t have many options as working-class women.”

  “I daresay many have found husbands here. I even prefer to hire married men.”

  “Why is that?”

  “Married men are much more reliable. They have wives and children to support. I have cabins built for them to live near the mill. You’ll see when I take you there.”

  Johanna could hardly wait until then. She already had a better understanding about Paul and lumbering.

  The buggy came to a stop and a young man raced over. “I’ll take your buggy over to the livery stable.”

  Paul hurried to jump off and helped Johanna down. They walked through a door with only the signage that read, ‘seamstress.’ A lively and red-faced older woman rushed over to them. “Hello there, Mr. Worthington.”

  “How many times have I told you to call me Paul, Mabel?”

  “I just can’t do that. Natasha would have my head if I did.” Johanna laughed. “Who do we have here?” she asked, indicating Johanna.

  “This is my wife, Johanna.”

  “Wife?” Mabel strutted over to a door and opened it, shouting, “Natasha, get out here. Mr. Worthington is here with his new wife.”

  “New?” Johanna asked.

  “I didn’t mean like he had one before, just that we saw him in here with his mother last week and he wasn’t married then. Mr. Worthington’s mother told us he expected his wife to arrive soon.”

  “Oh.”

  The door flew open and a vivacious woman with a scoop-neck red dress appeared, showing more cleavage than Johanna thought would be acceptable, even back in Lawrence.

  “Is this the wife, Paul?”

  “Yes. Johanna, this is Natasha, the best seamstress in Michigan.”

  Natasha took hold of Johanna’s arm, pulling her into the back. Johanna looked over at Paul for help, but he merely laughed. “Let me get you out of this dress so I can get your measurements.” Before Johanna could say anything, her dress was tugged off and carefully placed over a chair. The measuring tape was then placed around first Johanna’s hips, waist and then bosom, the numbers jotted down.

  “So, do you know what you’d like?”

  “I’m not really sure,” Johanna said.

  “I’ll have to get you dressed then and we’ll consult Paul, but I expected his wife would ask for many dresses.”

  “I’m not exactly used to going to a seamstress.”

  “Oh? And where are you from?”

  “Lawrence, Massachusetts.”

  “How do women get dresses made there?”

  ‘They have seamstresses. I just make my own most of the time.”

  Natasha helped Johanna put her dress back on and asked, “Did you make this one?”

  “Yes. Well, I did the best I could. I only wanted Paul to buy me fabric, but he insisted you make me some dresses.”

  “I’ll have to thank him for that. You did a great job with this dress,” she commented.

  “Thank you.”

  They walked back into the other room and Johanna felt like she was walking on air. She had never been treated so kindly in her life.

  “There she is,” Mabel announced. “Mr. Worthington here thought you might have escaped out the back.” She put up a hand against one cheek, whispering as if Paul couldn’t hear her. “He thinks you wouldn’t want a seamstress making your clothes since you’re already skilled at making dresses.”

  “I’m not sure about skilled.”

  “If you weren’t the wife of a lumber baron, I would offer you employment.” Natasha chuckled.

  Johanna laughed nervously. “You all are very good liars. I made my dresses because I—”

  “She enjoys making her own dresses,” Paul cut in.

  Johanna’s brow shot up. “I do? Well, of course I do, but I’d love to find out what Natasha could come up with.”

  “Your wife seems to be confused about how many dresses she’d need made,” Natasha stated.

  “I think she could use two of cotton, silk, linen, and muslin each.”

  “Silk?” Johanna blurted out. “Will I really need any silk dresses?”

  “Yes. I’m occasionally invited to dinner at the homes of other lumber barons, and we have a playhouse that was just built.”

  “Okay. Whatever you think.”

  “You’ll have to decide what colors you might like.”

  “I can show her a few samples, if you’d like,” Natasha offered.

  Johanna walked over and glanced at a fabric book. She picked out a pink, green, and brown one. “Do you have any print fabrics?”

  “Of course. Here’s a cream-colored one with yellow roses, and a blue striped one,” she pointed out. “I think lavender would look great on you with your complexion.”

  “Whatever you think. I’m sure you know best.”

  “I’ll have to make you a few corsets, and then there are chemises, nightclothes and dressing gowns, too.” She paused. “I might have to bring in a few extra girls to help with this order.”

  “Do you have anything around that might fit her until then?” Paul asked.

  “Yes, I do.” She disappeared into the back and Johanna followed her, expecting she’d want her to try them on.

  Natasha helped her put on a blue, high neck muslin dress with lace that was sewn over the top. “This is lovely,” Johanna exclaimed.

  “It looks that way on you.” Off that dress came and next up was a cream one with brown cuffs and collar, a brown sash crisscrossing in the back.

  “I love both of these.”

  “You can wear that one out, if you’d like.”

  “Actually, I think I’d prefer to put the one back on that I came with, if you don’t mind.”

  “Whatever you’d like, Mrs. Worthington.”

  “Please, call me, Johanna. It still sounds so strange to be called Mrs. Worthington.”

  Natasha smiled. “I understand.”

  Johanna smiled widely when she walked back into the front of the store. She stared over at Paul and his eyes never left hers. “I hope you’ll be satisfied with the dresses Natasha makes for you.”

  “I’m sure I will. And thank you.”

  “I promise I’ll get started on your order right away,” Natasha said.

  “I knew I could count on you,” Paul responded. He held the door open for Johanna and they left.

  Chapter Seven

  Instead of going back to the carriage, they crossed the street and entered a store that was filled with bolts of fabric and sewing supplies. “What are we doing here?”

  “I thought you could pick up a few things. You seem set on making a few dresses of your own.”

  “Thank you. I would.”

  Johanna nodded at a saleswoman who walked over. “Do you have any muslin fabric?”

  She was led across the room and Johanna chose a robin egg-blue cotton fabric and a plaid one. Johanna picked up matching thread, pa
ttern, ribbon, and pearl buttons. She waited for Paul to pay for the items when she spotted a spool of lace and added it to the pile.

  Paul handed the lady the necessary funds to pay for it, and the items were piled into a cloth bag to carry out. Johanna was quite happy with her selections, and she planned to get started right away when the arrived home. It would give herself something to do while Paul was at the mill.

  On the buggy ride home, Paul said, “I actually thought you were kidding about making your own dresses.”

  “Kidding? I’ll tell you one thing, Paul. I’m very good at it—well, most of the time—but I’m not making a dress for myself. I’m making it for Sara.”

  “We have uniforms for the staff to wear.”

  “I know, but I was wondering if it might be time for an update. That shade of blue would look so much better than the black dresses they wear.”

  “It would, but I’d like to see what you come up with before I decide if it warrants a change or not.”

  “I’m not trying to change how you do things, Paul, but I am lady of the house and need to take charge of the household.”

  “I agree, and I hope my mother will go along with it.”

  “How long has she lived with you?”

  “Since my father died several years back. She came to stay with me and never went back home.”

  “She didn’t wish to live in her house any longer?”

  “It seems not, but with a little help, perhaps we can convince her that she’d be happier living alone. I don’t want you to be unhappy and I’m well aware how my mother can be at times, but don’t allow her to bully you.”

  “I’ll try, but as your mother, I’ll show her the respect she’s due.”

  “I’m happy to hear you say that.”

  The buggy stopped in front of the door back at the house, and Johanna was helped down. She waved as Paul left and her bag was carried inside by John, the same man who handled the carriage the day before.

  “Where would you like me to carry this to?”

  “I was told there was a sewing room, but don’t take it quite yet. Is your name John?” Johanna asked.