Johanna_Bride of Michigan

by Clara Kincaid

  “That’s correct.”

  “He’s the coachman,” Sara explained as she glided into the room.

  “Thank you. Why don’t you take the bag to the sewing room, Sara? I would like to speak to John privately.”

  Sara walked forward, commandeering the bag. “Right away.” She whirled away and Johanna suspected she hurt the girl’s feelings, but she needed to get to know all the staff. After the way her sister treated her help, Johanna was determined it would never happen here.

  “What exactly does a coachman do?”

  “I drive the buggy when Mr. Worthington goes out, when he isn’t heading to the mill. He rides his horse most of the time when he goes there.”

  “I see. Well, as Paul’s wife, I’ll be handling the household, but I’m curious about what everyone does. I’m not used to living in a household with a staff.”

  He gave her a cockeyed grin. “Yes, Miss.”

  She frowned. Being referred to as ‘Miss’, ‘ma’am’, or ‘Mrs. Worthington’ would take some getting used to. She wanted to tell them to call her Johanna, but she knew that wasn’t done. She might have been a working-class woman, but that much she knew.

  “What do you do when your services aren’t required for driving the buggy?”

  “I help out in the barn.”

  Johanna clapped her hands. “I’d love to take a look at the barn.”

  John shuffled his feet. “I’m not so sure about that. The groomsmen have problems controlling their language in front of ladies.”

  “I’m not worried about that. Go along and tell them I’m coming out there. Sara will come with me,” Johanna informed him.

  John left and Sara hurried toward her. “Is there something I can help you with?”

  “No, I mean … yes. I’d like you to give me a tour of the barn, if you could.”

  Sara wrinkled her nose. “Why do you want to go out there?”

  “Paul insisted I introduce myself to the staff and learn about what they do.”

  “I see. Well, be prepared, the barn doesn’t smell the best.”

  Sara led Johanna through the parlor and down a long hallway. At the end was a door, and they went through it. When they were outside, Johanna found it difficult to breathe at the extravagance of the barn. It looked like a replica of the house, with red brick and green roof. There was even a second floor.

  Johanna carefully descended the stairs that led from the porch and when they made it to the open barn doors, Sara led the way in. A black stallion neighed, stomping his hooves.

  “Not to worry, Mrs. Worthington,” a young boy said. “He’s secured. We’re trying to clean his stall.”

  Johanna gazed down at the boy who wasn’t more than twelve. “And who might you be?”

  “The name is Sam, and I’m the best stable boy in all of Michigan.”

  Johanna had to smile at that and laughter echoed in the barn. “Could you do me a favor and make the introductions?” She winked.

  Sam strolled past the stalls and Johanna followed him, admiring the chestnut thoroughbreds. A man chewing on a piece of straw stared at her like he’d never seen a lady in the barn before. Another man walked up and snatched the man’s hat off his head. “Show some respect,” the man ordered. “Sorry, Mrs. Worthington. Pete isn’t used to seeing a lady in the barn.”

  “I imagine, but I wanted to come out and introduce myself. I’m Mr. Worthington’s wife, Johanna. I’m interested in meeting you and finding out a little more about what you do out here.”

  The stocky man introduced himself. “Well, I’m Riley, the head groomsman. I run the stable and am responsible for both the staff and livestock. I order the feed and make sure the horses are taken care of properly, but Pete here is an excellent groomsman. He has a way with animals, even if he is a bit rusty with his manners.” Which Pete might just be, since he looked rough around the edges. However, he had kind eyes.

  “Not a problem. I figured I startled Pete by coming out here.”

  “I already introduced myself to her,” Sam announced proudly.

  “Do you all stay here?”

  “Yes, we have quarters above the barn. It’s quite cozy,” Riley assured her.

  “I see. Well, I’m trying to manage the household now, and I wanted to at least meet you all. It’s hard to greet you properly otherwise.”

  Johanna glanced around. The bridles and saddles were hung and she had to wrinkle her nose at the smell of manure from the stalls. She couldn’t think of anything else to say, so she thanked the men and went back to the house. She didn’t go through the back again, instead wandering to the side of the house where yellow and orange mums were in full bloom. Breathing in deeply, she enjoyed the fragrance then continued until they passed a small wooden deck where two maids were sitting, relishing a well-earned break, no doubt.

  She frowned at their black dresses and vowed to make a change that hopefully they’d all like.

  “Sorry, Mrs. Worthington,” one of the maids said. “We were just planning to get back to work.”

  “Don’t be silly. I’m sure you needed to relax. Sara, could you make the introductions, please?”

  “The one with the dark hair is the housekeeper, Helena. And the blonde is Natalie, the kitchen maid.”

  “It’s nice to meet you. Aren’t you a little young to be a housekeeper, Helena?”

  She nodded. “I hear that more than I can count.”

  Natalie elbowed Helena in the ribs. “She loves cleaning, so if you ever need anything done, you only have to ask her.” She frowned then. “How did Sara get the promotion of lady’s maid so quickly?” Helena asked.

  “She’s been such great help to me and she’s the obvious choice.”

  “I had no idea she knew anything about being a lady’s maid.”

  “You’d be surprised. I’ll let you ladies go back to work.”

  Johanna led the way to the front door and managed the steps without tripping. They passed through the door and walked into the parlor. She eased down on the settee and patted the spot next to her for Sara to sit.

  Sara sat down stiffly. “I don’t think anyone cares for me acting as your lady’s maid.”

  “I can imagine they wouldn’t. What were you doing before in the house?”

  “I was the scullery maid. It’s considered the lowest position in the house.”

  “I know, but that’s all changed for you now, so don’t let them make you feel unworthy of your new position. Could you take me into the kitchen? I’d love to meet the cook.”

  Sara jumped up and happily led her through the house and into the kitchen. The wood stove had pans on the top, steam trickling to the ceiling. A portly woman with gray hair was rolling dough out on a table facing away from them. On the other counter, there were diced carrots, onions on a cutting board.

  Johanna cleared her throat until the woman turned. Upon gaining the woman’s attention, she stated, “I presume you must be the cook.”

  Her eyes widened as if she thought she had done something wrong. “Y-Yes, Mrs. Worthington, I am.”

  “I see. Well, what are you cooking for dinner?”

  “I’m making roast duck, red-skinned mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables, if the kitchen maid ever comes back.”

  “What is the dough for?”

  “Dumpling soup. I’m sure Mr. Worthington will want chocolate cake for dessert.”

  “Oh, yes. It was quite tasty. We had a slice yesterday.”

  “So that’s where all the dirty dishes came from.” She chuckled. “I’m Ingrid. If you have any likes and dislikes, all you have to do is tell me.”

  “I’m not fond of liver or raw cabbage.”

  “I’ll make sure you never have any then, but your husband does like his cabbage salads.”

  “It’s good to know he has some flaw. Are there any others I need to know about?”

  “I wasn’t saying that now.”

  “I know. I was merely teasing. I plan to take over the running of the househo
ld, so if you ever need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  “I see. Well, you’ll certainly have your hands full when your mother-in-law comes home, but if you’d care for any advice, don’t allow her to distract you from your duties as lady of the house.”

  Johanna thanked Ingrid and left. It certainly would be unheard of for the staff to say anything about Cecilia, but she felt at least they’d help her when the time came to put her foot down.

  “Could you take me to the sewing room now?” Johanna asked.

  Sara lifted her black skirts and walked up the stairs. On the end of the hallway away from her room, there was a door that led to another set of stairs. Johanna had to be extra careful, as they were a might steeper. When she was all the way up and in the sewing room, her breath caught in her throat. The room was in the dome of the house with three sets of windows. From this vantage point, she could see the mill and the river jammed with logs, and a more depreciated area to the left that she assumed might be where the majority of taverns were.

  “It’s a beautiful view,” Johanna admitted. “Breathtaking, in fact.”

  “Yes. I’m not sure what Mr. Worthington intended when he turned this into a sewing room, since most ladies don’t sew, but a seamstress worked out of the room when she came to make Madam Worthington’s dresses.”

  “Why here, though, and not in a shop in town?”

  “Probably so she could hover over her and make sure she did it right. The madam is quite particular about how things are to look or be done.”

  “I imagine so, but I do plan to use this room for sewing. A dress, in fact.”

  “But I thought your husband took you to the seamstress?”

  “Yes, but I actually like to sew, and it will give me something to do while he’s at the mill. I had planned to go with him today, but unfortunately his business dictated otherwise.”

  “I could help you,” Sara suggested.

  “Oh, no. It’s a private project I’m working on, you see, but I promise you’ll be the first to see it when it’s done.”

  “I see. Well, as you might have noticed, the sewing machine works by pedal alone. The table over there can be used to lay out the fabric.” She opened a built-in drawer. “You’ll find scissors and other sewing supplies in here, as well.”

  “Thank you, Sara. If you don’t mind, I’d rather work on this until Paul comes home.”

  “As you wish.” Sara left and Johanna stared around the clean room. It was apparent the housekeeper did her job well.

  Johanna went to work, spreading the fabric across the table before removing the pattern from the package. She carefully lined up the pattern against the fabric and quickly retrieved the scissors to cut it. She stacked the cut pieces and folded the extra material, placing it in one of the drawers for another project.

  While Johanna threaded the needle, she felt a breeze, dismissing it to her imagination since she knew she was quite alone. That was until a throat was cleared and she turned to see Paul enter the room.

  “I see you’ve busied yourself while I was gone.”

  “Yes, and I went out to the barn to meet the staff who work out there.”

  “Alone?”

  “No, Sara went with me.”

  “And how did the groomsmen handle a woman in their domain?”

  “It was all right, but I think they were quite shocked. Sam is a lovely boy. Does he live here, too?”

  “Yes, his mother died of consumption last year and his father was killed when a tree landed on him not long afterward. I brought the boy here so he wouldn’t go to an orphanage. At least he has a roof over his head, and is making money besides.”

  “But you’re working him as a stable boy.”

  “Yes, but I assure you once he’s of age, he’ll be running the town.”

  Johanna laughed. “I can imagine that after meeting him, but I still think he should be allowed to stay in the house, at least.”

  “I tried that once, but he insisted he stay out in the quarters above the barn. He wanted to earn his keep, and that’s what I’m allowing him to do. When he gets older, I’ll give him a job as either a lumberjack or working in the mill. I assure you he is treated well here.”

  When Paul looked so serious, she apologized. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you feel like you were taking advantage of the boy. I think twelve is too young to be working. I never worked with children at the factory, but many did employ children who were treated horribly. I know that’s not something you’d do.”

  “It’s understandable that you’d feel that way, but I should show you their quarters out there. It’s much better than you’d think.”

  Johanna smiled. “I’d like that, if you could.”

  “I can take you out there now, if you’d care to take a look. I don’t want this to weigh on your mind all night. I’d rather enjoy our time together later. If you’re finished for now, of course.”

  “I am now that you’re here. I’ll work on it another time.”

  Paul held the door open for her and she went down the stairs. They were soon on the bottom floor. Johanna took the way outside Sara had shown her earlier then rushed ahead, opening the door for Paul.

  “Don’t you know a man is supposed to hold the door for a woman?” Paul teased.

  “I know,” she said, clambering down the stairs.

  They walked arm in arm back to the barn and Paul announced they’d be checking out the quarters. After they went upstairs, Johanna walked down the wood floor and knocked on one of the doors, entering it when nobody answered. The window gave the room a view of the back of the house. The room had a bed covered with a patchwork quilt, plus a small dresser and closet. It was quite tidy and very nice. She wasn’t sure what she thought, but she certainly didn’t expect it to look like this.

  “You’re right. It’s a nice room. Does the housekeeper come out here to clean?”

  “No, the men clean up after themselves. They are proud of the place they call home.”

  Footsteps raced up the hallway and Sam appeared. “Is everything all right?”

  “Yes. I was showing my wife that you lived in suitable quarters. She wasn’t happy when she found out you were working here. I believe she might have thought you were being abused.”

  “Gosh, no. Mr. Worthington has been so good to me. He even brings me back a bag of candy a few times a week.”

  “And it doesn’t bother you to work as a stable boy?” Johanna asked.

  “I love horses, and it’s not that bad. I’m only allowed to work four hours a day and have to go down to the schoolhouse for two hours every morning, too. I can read and write and do arithmetic.” He beamed.

  “What do you plan to do when you’re older?”

  “Mr. Worthington told me I could work in the mill if I wanted to, but I’m not sure yet. I might head up to Ironwood. They’re mining iron up there, you know.”

  “Where is Ironwood?”

  “It’s in the upper peninsula of Michigan,” Sam explained. You have to take a boat to get there or go through Wisconsin. It’s the state to the west of Michigan.”

  “Well, you certainly are a bright boy.”

  “Thank you,” Sam said. “I bet you’ll be late to dinner if you don’t get moving.”

  “Sam’s right,” Paul agreed.

  They left and were soon back at the house. Johanna washed up for dinner, glad Paul had shown her the quarters the staff at the barn used. It was good of Paul to take the boy in, even if it was as a stable boy. Sam could really be someone special one day if he wanted. She had never met a brighter lad.

  Chapter Eight

  When Johanna glided into the room, Paul’s eyes never left hers, not even when he stood and held out a chair for her. His gaze was only broken when she sat down and he returned to his seat.

  Sara brought out the dumpling soup, carefully ladling it into their bowls. Johanna was fuming, but she waited until Sara was back into the kitchen before she asked, “Why is Sara serving us
? She’s supposed to be my lady’s maid.”

  “We don’t have anyone else to do it.”

  “Why can’t the kitchen maid serve us?”

  Paul lifted his spoon. “She’s clumsy, that one. Trust me, you don’t want her serving us.”

  “I don’t want Sara treated badly by the other staff. I have a feeling the kitchen maid isn’t all that happy that Sara’s my lady’s maid.”

  “I imagine not,” Paul said, eating a spoonful. “Is there something you’re not telling me?”

  “I don’t know what you mean,” Johanna replied defensively.

  Paul’s brow shot up. “Are you certain? I’ve never seen you act this way before.”

  “Well, it’s not like you’ve known me for longer than a day,” she retorted, sounding shorter than she intended. “I’m sorry. I just would rather not have Sara serve us is all.”

  “You want me to hire more staff?”

  “No, of course not.”

  “What do you want me to do then?”

  “Nothing. I just don’t want Sara to take on more duties than she already has.”

  Sara’s eyes widened as she entered the room, having obviously overheard what Johanna said. “I’m sorry. I thought you might be finished with the soup.” She sighed. “I don’t mind serving the meals, honest.”

  Johanna immediately felt like a fool for carrying on so. How could she explain how her sister treated her staff, and even her, when she was staying with Janna? Johanna braced her hands on the table. “Thank you, Sara. I appreciate all the extra help you do around here.”

  She finally tried the soup, but it was too cool. Pushing it aside, she waited for the next course.

  “You don’t like your soup?” Paul asked with concern.

  “No, it’s not like that. It’s cold now, thanks to my blubbering.”

  “I’m sure Sara would get you another bowl, if you like.” Paul picked up a small bell and jingled it slightly. When Sara appeared, Paul asked her to please bring his wife a warm soup.

  Within a moment, Sara returned with a fresh bowl and soup. That time, Johanna ate it quickly, enjoying it immensely. Their plates were brought out next and Johanna stared at her duck as though it was poison. She poked it with her fork like she was trying to bring it back to life.