Cora
Cora checked the letter once more before folding it neatly and sealing it into an envelope. On the back page of the Gazette was a list of agencies and she noted one in North Reading which was close by. They also had a regular stage service from Lawrence, she could be there and back in one day. With luck her letter would be on its way by tomorrow evening.
Excited anticipation caused the hairs on her arms to stand on end.
“Please Lord, let him be interested.”
She stripped off her day clothes and stood in her drawers. A jug of water rested in a basin by the bed. She filled the bowl, washed her face and neck and slipped on a white cotton nightgown.
Cora flipped off the light. The room was plunged into darkness and she crawled into bed. A sliver of moonlight found its way through a small opening in the curtains revealing a tiny piece of the night sky. She stared at it for a moment before turning onto her side.
“Goodnight, John,” she murmured before sinking into a deep sleep.
Chapter Two
Cora awoke to the sun warming her face thanks to a gap where her curtains didn’t quite join. The sun poked its head over the horizon. A new day was beginning. Anticipation of her journey to North Reading caused butterflies to celebrate in her belly. She stretched her arms above her head before throwing the bedcovers back, swinging her legs over the side of the bed and standing up.
“North Reading, here I come,” she whispered.
After taking care of her morning routine and dressing in her favorite, although slightly threadbare, blue frock, she made her way downstairs to the kitchen.
Bacon and sausages sizzled, eggs were ready nearby and a fresh batch of biscuits warmed in the oven when her brother wandered in. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes, dragged his fingers through his hair, pulled out a chair and sat down. Cora poured coffee from the pot she had just made and set the mug of steaming hot liquid on the table in front of him.
“Have you given any thought about waiting in for my parcel?” he asked as he sipped at his coffee.
Cora bent down over the stove to remove the tray of hot biscuits. With her back to the door she didn’t see or hear her father come in. He startled her when he snapped, “what’s this about a parcel? The tray jiggled in her hands but fortunately the biscuits didn’t land on the floor. Her father noted her clumsiness.
“Careful there, girl. I don’t have time this morning for you to make a fresh batch if you ruin those,” he growled.
Cora ignored him but gnashed her teeth together when he dragged his chair across the floor. She certainly wouldn’t miss hearing that sound at every mealtime when she finally escaped.
“Peter, what’s this about a parcel?” Pierre asked again.
Cora set the plates of food on the table and seated herself as her brother answered. “I am expecting papers to arrive for the political rally we’re attending in a few weeks. They have lists of attendees, the weeks’ agenda and other information. I want them as soon as possible. They are due to arrive today.”
“I don’t understand the issue,” her father said. “Why do you need Cora to be here when they arrive?”
“They have to be signed for. I have a great deal to do today and I have arranged to meet Mary this afternoon for tea. Tomorrow I’ll be out of town and the following day the Post Office is closed. If Cora is not here to sign for them, it will be another three days before I can collect them. I would like to investigate the attendees before the rally and I need time to do so. I asked Cora to be here but she has refused.”
Cora waited for the inevitable response from her father. She found she no longer had an appetite for breakfast and pushed back her chair to clear her dishes away. Her father barked at her, “sit down and explain to me why you refuse to help your brother further his political career. I can see no reason why you cannot be here to sign for the papers.”
Cora defiantly remained standing as she answered, “I have a job to find or have you also forgotten? If Peter is willing to pay me a days’ wage to wait here for his parcel, I will gladly comply.”
Pierre glared at his daughter. She noted his knuckles turning white as he fisted his hands. “You may leave the house to look for a position after the papers arrive and not before,” he snarled.
“They may not arrive until late this afternoon and I’m not wasting an entire day waiting for them. Peter will have to make other arrangements.” Cora cleared dishes from the table and stomped to the sink. As far as she was concerned the matter was closed. She jumped and was forced to juggle a plate to prevent it smashing to the floor when her father came up behind her. His breath fanned her neck as he hissed in her ear. “You will remain here or I promise you, you will wish you had never been born. As I do every day of my life.” Shivers of fear spread over her, it wasn’t so much what he had said, but the cold, emotionless way in which he said it. The threat rang in her ears as the men left the room.
Cora continued washing dishes and re-thinking her decision to become a Mail Order Bride. What if John turns out to be like father or Peter? No, his advertisement sounded nice and he was truthful enough to include the information about his scar. But what if he beats you? No, the Agency wouldn’t have listed him if he was like that and he did offer references. Back and forth the arguments in her head raged until she felt close to exhaustion.
She hung the drying towel on a hook by the sink, straightened a few things she had noticed were out of place and swept the floor. After making herself a mug of tea, she padded to the living room and sank into a chair. She placed the mug on a table beside her and picked up her book. After reading a few words her mind, once more, began taunting her. This is all a ploy to stop you getting work. Your father will force you to marry Ernest when you run out of money. He doesn’t care about you, it’s his political career that’s important and he’s prepared to sell you to the devil if it gets him what he wants.
The thought terrified her. There was no doubt Ernest Monroe would treat her badly. Cora sprang up from her chair spilling her book from her lap. She bent to retrieve it and placed it back onto the table. “Being a Mail Order Bride couldn’t possibly be worse than marrying that horrible little man.”
She raced up the stairs to her room and changed into one of her prettiest, and best, day frocks. She chose her pale green one which was trimmed with white lace and emerald green ribbon. She adored the matching green bonnet. After securing her hair in a neat chignon, she positioned her bonnet and secured the ribbons in a bow under her chin. Gathering her reticule, she slipped the letter she had written to John inside before donning her white lacy gloves. She hurried from the house. With any luck she would be in time to catch the next stage to North Reading. Her future awaited and hopefully it was a much brighter one than what she faced here. It couldn’t be much worse.
***
Cora attempted to rub the wrinkles from her skirt as she stood across the road from the Agency trembling with apprehension. “Stop it Cora Ancelet. Stop acting like a fool. You want to get away don’t you? You don’t want to be forced into a marriage with such a horrid man, do you?” With renewed resolve, she straightened her back, lifted her chin and crossed the road.
A bell on the door tinkled as she pushed it open and entered the business.
“May I help you?” a young woman asked.
Cora watched the woman’s face as she inspected her. Thank heavens she had worn one of her prettiest dresses. “I would like to speak to someone who can help me with an advertisement which was in the Grooms’ Gazette. I would like to forward a reply to a gentleman I think may be suitable for me.” Cora replied with more confidence than she felt. The woman was intimidating although Cora didn’t think she meant to be.
“Of course. I can help you, come through to my office. I’m Lillibeth Barrow.”
Cora followed the woman into an office and sat in the chair she indicated. “My name is Cora Ancelet.”
Lillibeth took a seat behind a desk and placed a pencil and writing paper in fro
nt of her. She relaxed back and Cora knew she was being covertly evaluated.
“Now, which advertisement are you wishing to respond to?”
“A gentleman by the name of John Franklin from South Dakota has placed a notice and I have written a letter of response.” Cora pulled the envelope from her reticule and handed it over as she spoke.
Lillibeth accepted it and opened a copy of the Gazette. She scanned the pages for the advertisement.
“It’s on the next to last page,” Cora said.
Lillibeth flipped to the back and folded the last page over. “Here it is. Hmmm, this gentleman placed his notice via the Chicago Tribune. It doesn’t appear that he has retained the services of a matchmaking agency. The Gazette often picks up advertisements from newspapers and adds them to their paper.” Lillibeth frowned.
“Does this mean the gentleman is unavailable?” Cora felt disappointment wash over her.
“No, not at all. It means it’s a private advertisement and the man has not been investigated and vouched for by an agency. We cannot guarantee his age, his standing or character. It could be a risk for you to correspond with him.”
Cora sat silent for a few moments. “He said references are available. What if I send my letter and request copies of the references. Explain I cannot make myself available until I have them checked? Surely they would be truthful and attest to his character?”
“Possibly but, references can be fraudulent. Maybe you would prefer to correspond with someone else? You’re very young and I would hate for any harm to befall you.”
“I understand, Miss Barrow but, my situation is rather desperate. I don’t have the funds to stay where I am now I have no employment. My father is simply unbearable and will force me into marriage with a man much older than I am if I don’t get away.”
“Are you one of the girls who lost their job in the factory fire in Lawrence? I read about it in the paper and I have had some other enquiries too.”
“Yes, I am. One of the girls who had been in charge there recommended being a Mail Order Bride and gave us copies of the Gazette. After a great deal of thought and, as it doesn’t appear I have any other options, I have come to the conclusion I would rather like being a rancher’s wife.”
The two women discussed Cora’s home situation and the threats. It was agreed, this was the way for her to escape and have a happier life.
Cora changed her letter to request John’s references and watched as Lillibeth sealed it into a fresh envelope.
“I’ll place it in this evenings post. Hopefully you’ll receive an answer quickly and we can get you away from your horrid situation. I’ll contact you as soon as I receive a response.”
Cora thanked Lillibeth as the two women rose. Lillibeth escorted Cora from the building and wished her luck.
A stage was being prepared to leave for Lawrence and Cora hurriedly crossed the street and boarded. She would be home in time to make supper. Her father would be none the wiser.
***
“Sorry folks, the wheels broken and will have to be replaced. I’ll send a rider back for a spare but it’s gonna be a few hours I’m afraid.” The driver spoke to a young man who had been accompanying him up top. The two then unhitched one of the horses, the young man sprang onto its back and set out at a gallop toward town.
Cora and the two other passengers stood staring at the broken wheel. It was certainly beyond repair as the driver had stated. She was going to be late. Father will be furious! She strolled to a large boulder and plopped herself down to wait.
More than four hours later she let herself into her house. Supper had passed and she knew her father would be livid.
He confronted her in the entry hall. “Where the hell have you been? Peter and I had to make our own supper. You can do the dishes,” he roared.
Cora stared at him. Are you alright? Yes, I’m fine father. I was worried you’d met with an accident. He just doesn’t care. “I caught the stage to North Reading and on the way back a wheel broke. The driver had to send for another to replace it which took a few hours. I’m fine, if you care to know.” She attempted to push past him but he reached out and grabbed her arm. His large fingers pinched and dug into her soft flesh. She attempted to pull away. “Father, you’re hurting me!”
The gleam of anger radiating from his eyes frightened her.
“What were you doing in North Reading?” His voice was menacingly quiet and despite not wanting him to know how frightened she was, she shuddered. She watched as his lips twisted into a satisfied smirk.
“I was applying for a position.” Not exactly a lie. She pushed at his arm and he relaxed his grip slightly.
“That’s too far away. We would have to rise earlier for breakfast and supper would be later. No, I won’t allow it.”
“You can’t stop me,” Cora spat.
His grip tightened again and she winced. “Yes, I can.” He dragged her to the steps pushing her in front of him.
She stumbled causing her knees to crash into the bottom step. He angrily yanked her up by the arm. She felt the burn of her muscles as they tore and heard a loud pop. She screamed in pain which brought Peter running.
“Father, what are you doing?” He moved to his sister’s side. Despite his many faults, Peter did not condone violence. Cora noted his concern through her tears. He took her arm gently. “Are you okay, Cora?”
Tears burned her cheeks and the pain in her shoulder was almost unbearable. She shook her head, too upset to form words and answer.
“Let her go, father,” Peter growled.
Cora felt her eyes widen in surprise. It was the only time she had ever heard her brother angry with their father.
Pierre reluctantly released his grip. “Take her to her room and lock her in. She will be allowed out only when we are at home.” He glared at her, hate radiated from his eyes. “In two weeks’ time you will marry Ernest. I will inform him in the morning that we have accepted his proposal.”
“I will NOT marry that horrid little man. You can both go to hell!” Cora screamed.
Pierre’s slap to her face sent her reeling but before she could fall Peter’s strong arms wrapped around her.
“That is quite enough, father. I will take Cora to her room and settle her. Then, you and I will discuss your brutish behavior.”
Peter led her upstairs before their father could utter another word. He guided her to the bed and assisted her to sit. When his hand brushed her shoulder, she yelped. “Let me have a closer look. You are terribly pale and I fear he may have broken your bones.”
He noted her limited movement and assisted her to unfasten the buttons on her bodice. He carefully slipped the dress from her injured shoulder while leaving the rest of her covered. “The bones don’t look right and I can see bruises forming. I’ll fetch the doctor to treat you. Damn father and his temper. Why were you so late?”
Cora explained the broken wheel on the stage and the wait for a replacement.
“Father can hardly blame you for a broken wheel. I don’t know what’s gotten into him lately. His temper is becoming worse and worse. I heard he was rough with one of the girl’s from Mabel’s cathouse last week and left her with a badly bruised wrist. You are going to have to learn not to provoke him, Cora.”
“I can’t seem to help myself. He makes me so angry with the way he treats me. I’m not a child anymore and I won’t be dictated to.” She remembered Peter’s parcel which she had refused to stay in for. She felt guilty for her actions now with her brother being so kind. “What happened with your parcel?”
“I went by the Post Office on my way to the office and asked for them to deliver it to my workplace. I authorized for one of my colleagues to sign for it. I don’t know why I didn’t think of it before instead of insisting you stay at home. As it turned out, it didn’t arrive today. You would have wasted your day waiting.”
Cora nodded. “I need to lie down, Peter. I’m feeling quite ill.
“You are extremely pale.” He assi
sted her to become comfortable and pulled a coverlet over her. “I’ll fetch the doctor. We shouldn’t be long.” Peter leaned over and placed a kiss on her forehead.
Cora felt tears burning her eyes as he left the room. The brother who had never given her the time of day had actually kissed her! Maybe being with Mary had softened his heart.
Chapter Three
Peter found his father relaxing in the living room sipping a whiskey as if nothing had happened a few moments before. “What the hell was that all about, father?” he demanded.
“She was gallivanting around instead of being here to make supper. I’m sick and tired of her willful attitude. Tomorrow I will speak with Ernest and she will marry him. This nonsense about getting a job stops now.”
“You injured her shoulder with your brutish behavior. She is in terrible pain, the shoulder is at a strange angle and bruising is already visible. I’m going to fetch the doctor. Be warned father, I will not condone your physical cruelty and you cannot force her to marry such a horrid cad of a man.” Peter had heard the rumors about Ernest and had also overheard him boasting about his mistreatment of women. Although he had never been concerned about his father’s verbal debasement of his sister, he would not stand by and allow her to be delivered into such an evil man’s clutches. Especially knowing she would more than likely be beaten.
Cora: Bride of South Dakota (American Mail-Order Bride 40) Page 2