by Lynn Wolfe
There were several chairs and settees in the middle of the room. Not far from the fireplace was a beautiful mahogany desk where Mrs. Powell was seated. Mary noted the furniture pieces were all very expensive, the likes she’d never seen before. She couldn’t begin to imagine what the rest of the home must be like.
Mrs. Powell was sitting in her chair that had a high back which Mary thought made her look like a queen. She was wearing a lovely purple dress that appeared a little too large for her, in Mary’s opinion. A smug look was on her face. Her hair was pure white and fixed in a bun atop her head. Mary noted she held her nose in the air looking disgusted at what she saw before her.
This reaction by Mrs. Powell unsettled her. Mary was hoping her composure remained intact and she didn’t show the displeasure she felt inside. She wasn’t happy having to deal with the high and mighty Mrs. Powell.
Mary knew Mrs. Powell had sized her up and dismissed her as one would a gnat on a sleeve, before a word had exchanged between them. This angered her immensely and she decided she wasn’t about to put up with this arrogant woman no matter how wealthy she was.
“Well, Miss Ball, you seem a trifle young to have your own dress shop, especially one that would hold the type of dresses I’m looking to acquire. I doubt you’re capability of being a fine seamstress at your age.
“Why are you unattached, might I ask? And how did you manage to own a dress shop so young? I should think you’d have a husband to attend to and children in your life. Did you leave London during some scandal you placed yourself in the middle of? Maybe you were a well paid mistress and no longer needed for your services.”
Mary couldn’t help but notice how amused widow Powell seemed with her cruel remarks regarding Mary’s respectability. Mary was not amused. In fact, that last statement was uncalled for from any decent person. Mary was furious at the gull of this woman. Who did she think she was to speak to her in such a manner?
She replied quite coldly, “Mrs. Powell, I can see there’s no need for this conversation to continue. I’m obviously wasting my time and I certainly would be wasting yours, if I stayed any longer. I’ll see myself out.” Mary turned on her heels and headed for the door feeling quite flush and biting her lip to contain her anger.
“Please wait, Miss Ball. Please. I’m sorry, if my sharp tongue offended you. I truly had not meant to sound so mean and uncaring.”
Mary turned with a look to Mrs. Powell that said she didn’t believe one word she’d just spoken. Yet, it surprised Mary when she thought she may have caught a glimpse of regret on Nettie Powell’s face, but Mary found she could only glare at the arrogant woman.
“Really, Miss Ball, I’m sorry. I have forgotten my manners, to be sure. After seeing the look on your face, I could tell I upset you. I’m used to being made light of by any and most all who come here. I never stopped to consider you might be kind of heart.
“You see, I thought I needed to strike first. Most women who come here find a way to put me down with their carefully chosen barbs. It hadn’t occurred to me I might actually meet someone who could be nice. Surely you’ll give an old lady a second chance?
“Most people are afraid of me. They fear my power and my money. Yet, I noticed you show no fear. Are you always so strong and brave? You appear to be a person who doesn’t care that I have the means to make life difficult for you. Most folks think I’d do something nasty to them if they didn’t cow down to my demands. So, they seldom go against my wishes. But you, you don’t seem to care, one way or another.”
Mary took a deep breath and studied Mrs. Powell. She couldn’t possibly know how frightened she was inside knowing this woman could ruin her before her shop ever opened.
Looking closely at the old women’s eyes, Mary sensed some sadness. Maybe Mrs. Powell was hiding her loneliness in her anger, where Mary was hiding hers in her work. She decided to give Mrs. Powell one more chance.
“Maybe we could start over,” Mary suggested, praying she wasn’t making a mistake. “I understand you may wish for me to make a dress or two. I’m willing to show you a couple of sketches. Whether you decide to purchase one or both of the dresses, is up to you. I’ll survive either way. I’m not someone who has to have more than I need to live. I can manage without your money, Mrs. Powell. I’m sure to have a few clients in Washington, no matter what you might have to say about me.
“And to answer your previous question as to why I left England, I left on my own terms. What those terms were is not now or at any time your business.” Mary prayed she hadn’t made an error in making those statements too bluntly.
Mary saw Mrs. Powell smile slightly and nod her head in agreement. Mary knew she’d surprised her with her spunk. But Mary wasn’t about to take orders from anyone. America was going to see a new Mary Ball.
Nettie Powell had been shocked at the boldness of this young woman. The only other person who’d stood up to her before today was Agnes. Nettie found she truly felt bad when she saw the response given by Miss Ball regarding her rude comments and suggestions she’d made so carelessly.
For the first time in years, Nettie met some she admired. She realized she’d almost forgotten the feeling of remorse. What had happened to her?
But Nettie knew what had happened. Once she’d lost her husband, and then the use of her legs, she’d not only become bitter, she’d become determined to hurt anyone she feared would treat her unkindly.
“Mary, I think I could come to like you very much. And given a little time, you might come to like me, as well. I’ll prove I can behave much better from now on. Many years have passed since I’ve had the chance to make a friend with someone I find may be kind and honest.
“If you could sketch some dresses for me, I’d be very pleased. I know how this is going to sound, especially after how I just performed, but I’m looking for something that will make those mean women who act as my friend, feel envious. I haven’t found an outfit or dress in years that I feel good about wearing.
“Every once in awhile I have the ladies here for cards or tea. But they make snide statements that hurt me about my clothing or my ability to get around. They smirk at each other as if I didn’t get their rude remarks. I know I’m a cripple.”
Mary felt a pull to Nettie Powell. She smiled and meant it. “Mrs. Powell, if you’d give me a few minutes, I think I can accommodate you with dresses that will make others take notice.”
“Please, call me Nettie. May I call you Mary?”
“Of course,” Mary replied sincerely.
In no time Mary was done with her sketches and Nettie looked them over. “Mary, these are lovely! Are these the latest fashions in England?”
“Very similar, I’ve enjoyed creating some variations to my dresses and outfits that are the latest fashions in France and England but adding a couple of touches so they would fit in with the American styles. I think the women in Washington will like them.”
“I agree!” Nettie replied beaming.
“What colors do you like? I notice you have lovely olive skin, Nettie. I think you could wear almost any color you choose.”
“I’ll let you decide, Mary. I’m very excited. Will you measure me today before you leave?”
“Of course, and I’ll return in two weeks if you choose one or both of my designs. Does that seem fair? Nettie, you haven’t asked me for a price.”
“The amount is of no consequence, Mary. I’ll gladly pay whatever you charge.”
“I think you will find my prices reasonable. I try to be fair.”
“I can see that, Mary. I think you, Agnes and I are going to become good friends. This may seem strange to you, but after my husband, Jackson, passed, Agnes became more than a servant to me, she became my dear friend. There’s only the two of us in this house, so we drop all formalities and act like sisters instead of servant and employer. Only when I entertain does Agnes put on a formal act and that is only because she insists on doing so. She’s been the most loyal friend!”
“Gosh, Netti
e, I find that very refreshing. England is full of rules and titles. I was hoping America would be less formal. You and Agnes are my first friends here, maybe my only ones!” Mary added laughing. “Although, I do get along quite well with my seamstress, Bitty, and consider her a friend.”
“I think you’ll make many friends, Mary. Thank you for giving me a second chance. I can’t believe I almost lost the opportunity of getting to know you. Agnes has prepared a lunch. I want you to get to know me,” Nettie told Mary, with her eyes misting.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Two weeks passed quickly and Mary had brought with her the two dresses Nettie had chosen. Agnes helped Nettie change, added some jewelry and holding her fluffy white hair with beautiful gold and diamond hair combs. Nettie even allowed Agnes to put on a little make-up to add some color to her cheeks and lips.
“You look lovely,” Mary told her amazed at the transformation seen before her. Nettie was now smiling broadly and obviously feeling renewed.
“Bah, but I feel good. I think I’ll have to have a card party or tea to show off my new clothes. Jackson would have loved these choices, Mary.”
Mary had chosen a dark red color for the dress which buttoned in the back and had a high stand-up collar. She picked a sky-blue color for the skirt of the second outfit, along with a white blouse that had lace around the neck. She added a matching sky-blue jacket that could be worn, if needed, on a cool day. Nettie looked ten years younger. But what pleased Mary the most was Nettie’s smile. She brightened the room with new energy.
“Agnes, help me change into my everyday clothes and then we can have lunch. Mary, once I’m changed, we can visit on the veranda. I’ll be out to join you shortly.”
Mary waited with relief that the fitting went well. When Nettie joined her on the veranda, Mary noticed she’d left her make-up untouched.
“I’m pleased you’re happy with the dresses, Nettie. I try to give a lot of attention to detail. There’s something I’ve been wondering, forgive my prying, how did you become crippled? That is, if you wish to tell me.”
Nettie nodded and smiled at Mary. “You’re the first and only person to ask me directly about my accident except the day when it happened, and the Doctor asked me about it. There are many stories that have been told about what happened that day. Thank you, Mary for being forthright.”
“When Jackson was not out with his ship, he and I loved to spend time riding our horses. He had a big black stallion named Jake, and I had a beautiful black mare I called, Lady. Oh Mary, they were a beautiful pair. They loved being together as much as Jackson and I. I can’t tell you how wonderful it felt riding like the wind on those days past.”
Mary noticed Nettie was tearing up. “Nettie, you don’t have to tell me anymore. I’m sorry I asked.”
“Nonsense, these are tears of joy, my dear.” Nettie replied as she used her lace hanky to dab her eyes and nose. “You see, I still miss Jackson, after all these years. You probably think that is odd coming from an old woman, but even old women have yearnings for the past.”
“Anyway, one day I went riding alone, but it wasn’t the same without Jackson. And believe me or not, my mare missed her counterpart, too. On that particular day, I went to jump a stone fence that Lady and I had jumped many times with ease. This time, the mare bulked and threw me. They found me late in the afternoon with the mare standing next to me. She never left my side, Mary. She kept nuzzling me to get up but the fall had crippled me.”
“After a couple of weeks confined to my bed, Agnes moved my bedroom downstairs so I didn’t have to have one of the men carry me up and down the stairs. She put up with my melancholy moods for a couple more weeks. I would stay in my bed, depressed, until one day Agnes told me that I was going to sit on the veranda.
“We had a terrible fight. I called her some very nasty names. She never said one word to me but placed my chair on the veranda where I was left with no way to get back into the house by myself. I was furious. I screamed and hollered but no one came. Then after an hour or so, Agnes had the mare brought out so I could see her condition.
“I cried when I saw my mare. She was so thin. Agnes informed me she had hardly eaten since the accident. My heart broke. I truly believe Lady was aware she was the cause of my condition. Lady hung her head and I asked Agnes to take me closer so I could pet her. Agnes did as I asked and then brought me some carrots.
“I handed a carrot to Lady knowing it was her favorite treat. She looked at me with those big sad eyes and then slowly took the carrot out of my hand. I cried tears of joy when I saw that small spark of life. I knew I had to go on living, and by doing so, Lady would live, too.”
“After a few weeks she was back to normal. I knew what needed to be done even though it broke my heart. Those two fine horses were used to running, Mary. So I wrote to a wonderful friend in Virginia, who loved horses as much as I and he offered me a nice sum for the pair. Of course, I couldn’t take any money. They were given to him as a gift. I gave him Lady and Jake with the promise that he’d never sell or separate them. He later wrote to tell me he used Jake for stud service and Lady had produced four beautiful fouls.
“Then a few years later, I received a letter saying Lady had died in her sleep. He said Jake was uncontrollable when they removed Lady from her stall. The next morning, when he went to check on Jake, he found him dead. My friend thought he died from a broken heart. I understood, for my heart broke when Jackson died. Yet, the good Lord hadn’t been ready or was unwilling to take me.”
Mary noticed Nettie had been gazing over the pasture land as she shared her story. She knew Nettie had pictured herself once again racing through the green and luscious, grassy fields with Jackson, as they had done so many years ago.
Nettie turned her head to say something else and noticed Mary was quietly crying. “Tell me child, what troubles you? I’ve accepted a long time ago what happened to me. Talking to you has only brought back wonderful memories.”
“That’s a beautiful love story, about Jake and Lady.”
“Aye, much like Jackson and mine. Jackson had built this huge home with the hope we’d be blessed with many children. He planned everything, even to where the house was to be set so we could watch the sunrise, sunset, and our children playing in the yard.
“Then, his ship was lost at sea during a hurricane. The only reason I know what happened to Jackson, is another ship had come upon the wreckage shortly after the storm subsided, and saw the name of his ship on some on the cargo floating on the sea.
“All on board were lost. As much as I suffered during that time, I know in my heart Jackson’s wish would have been to go down with his men and his ship. He was a good man, Mary, and very handsome. He was also quite the charmer. I knew no one could ever take his place in my life. So I’ve remained here with my memories and good friend, Agnes. Fortunately, Jackson left me well off so I’ve had the luxury of never having to worry about shelter or money.
“Mary, I’m not telling you this to make you start sobbing again. Tragedy happens. There’s no rhyme or reason for the timing of bad things. Most of the time we can’t help what life brings. But how we handle the situation we’re left with is what counts. Until you came into my life, I almost forgot how important it is to show kindness. Oh Mary, don’t mind me, I tend to speak my mind and you may not agree with this old woman.”
When Nettie and Mary glanced over to the table they realized lunch was in place and Agnes was wiping her eyes.
“Why don’t we talk while we eat? I’m familiar with both of those stories Nettie just told. They still make me cry. Jackson was one of a kind, he was. I still miss him, too.”
“Of course you do, Agnes. Jackson always said if he hadn’t found me, he would have been after you!” Nettie said laughing as she watched Agnes blush and cover her face in embarrassment. “He always admired Agnes for how hard she worked. It’d been Jackson’s suggestion that we allow her to live in the cottage after we moved into this house. She had been living in t
own and Jackson always made sure one of the men picked her up and then took her home until the cottage became available, so nothing happened to his favorite cook!”
“And I couldn’t believe I’d a place to call home, Mary. The cottage was perfect for me. I planted a large garden, and in the evening, after my work was done, Nettie and Jackson would invite me to sit on their veranda. I came from a very poor family who didn’t have a dime to their name, and now feel I’m rich beyond my dreams.”
Nettie reached over and patted Agnes’s hand, “Then, after the accident, I had Agnes move in with me for I needed to have her close by.
“The other employees Jackson had hired didn’t like the fact they’d be working for a woman and eventually all had sought work elsewhere. That was when I hired Taylor and Lizzie Hawkins. They now reside in the cottage with their two children, Taylor Jr.; we call him Tad, and his sister Cynthia.
“Taylor has been a Godsend. He’s particular about everything being in place and how things appear. Even my Jackson didn’t keep things up as well as Taylor. Plus Lizzie helps out often, with whatever needs to be done, which gives Agnes more time to spend with me. Lizzie also handles the laundry. I’ve watched their children come into this world. They’re the closest things to grandchildren I’ll ever have. They’re delightful, they truly are.”
Mary couldn’t help but feel a tug at her heart. When Thomas and Anna have children, she hoped to be a part of their life. Mary realized that she should try to contact Thomas. She wondered if she was already an aunt. Mary knew it was time to let go of her anger.
Chapter Thirty-Four
London 1832
When Mary escaped England, her father had just been ready to spring his trap. He’d finally sobered up. He found revenge was the one thing that kept him on his course–destroying those who would dare betray him.