“Would you like a ride to your home?” Lady Price asked. “I do have something to discuss with you.”
Curious about what the woman had to say and also to see the interior of her plush carriage, Esther readily agreed. “I would love it. Thank you.”
The interior was breathtaking. Upholstered in plush rose and gold-toned brocade with gold pulls and fringed toppers over the windows, it begged for long rides where one could settle back and relax.
“Extraordinary,” Esther whispered in awe. “Beautiful.” She touched the fabric over the windows. “What wonderful taste you have Lady Price.”
“Please call me Eugenia. I don’t much care for titles, although the women in there seem to love using it.”
The woman had only recently emerged after a long mourning period after the untimely death of her handsome husband. Heartbroken over losing the love of her life, Lady Price had ensconced herself in her large home, rarely allowing visitors and never accepting social invitations.
When she’d emerged just a few months earlier, it seemed she’d recovered well, although sadness remained in her gaze. The woman touched Esther’s arm.
“What are your plans now that you’re alone? I hear your deceased husband’s family is taking the vast percentage of the money. Is that true?”
Many had asked the same questions. But it was obvious Lady Price asked out of concern and not for use in fodder for gossip.
“Yes. I have been offered a monthly stipend. The youngest son plans to move into the house. As you might imagine, I can’t possibly stay being that he is not a married man. The entire situation has made me ill. How can everyone be so cruel?”
Lady Price nodded in understanding. “I am so sorry. I can’t imagine what you’re going through. And yet you come to this gathering to see about helping others.”
Feeling embarrassed at her outburst, Esther let out a breath. “I thought they could use a seamstress. I planned to help in that way. Yet their plans don’t seem solid in the least.”
With a bitter laugh, Lady Price looked to the roof of the carriage and back to her. “They don’t have any kind of plan in place. It’s all for show and a reason to leave their houses for an afternoon. Personally, I won’t return.”
Emboldened by Lady Price’s announcement, Esther decided she could disclose a secret. “Currently, my choices are limited. I can return to live with my parents or join my cousin, Aurora, in Montana. What do you think I should do? She told me of your business venture, of the Matrimonial Gazette.” Her cheeks burned, but she continued on.
“I can, of course, go there and open a seamstress shop, but it can be quite dangerous to go alone as a single woman. I hear the men are quite untamed.”
Lady Price seemed to sparkle with excitement. “What a grand idea. I do believe you should go there with the ready protection of a husband. It will have to be someone of forward thought, so that you can be independent. That way, if you want to work and earn money, he will not be threatened by it.”
It was hard to fathom such a man existed, much less in the west. But Esther did not comment on it.
After a couple taps on the carriage’s front panel, the driver’s face appeared through an opening. “Yes, Madam?”
“Take us to my house please, Richard,” Lady Price instructed before turning to Esther. “You don’t mind do you? I want to show you several men who I think would be perfect for you who live near where Aurora is.”
The statement caught her by surprise. Was she really brave enough to do this? She’d written to Lucille, Aurora’s friend, that she would be coming to Montana. But then she’d retracted and wrote that she’d wait a month or so before traveling. Being that both her cousin and Lucille were now married, she didn’t want to show up and move in with a newly wedded couple.
A mixture of excitement and nerves made her sit straighter. “I am not sure I can afford to pay for your services. I expect it’s quite expensive.”
“I do this as a service for the men out west and to rescue women caught up in unpleasant situations, such as you. Along with a friend of mine, we ensure the bachelors are fully investigated before allowing their ad. So far, I have helped many a lady find a suitable husband with no complaints whatsoever.”
Lady Price had not stated a price. It was probably too much. However, Esther decided she’d go along with her and not get her hopes up. “I’m curious to know who you think would be a match for me.”
“I have one particular man in mind for you. His post is actually very recent. I do believe his brother recently married and it encouraged him to seek a wife himself.”
“Did his brother place an ad?”
The woman shook her head. “Not that I know of.”
They finally arrived at Lady Price’s home. Esther barely held back from climbing out of the coach instead of waiting for a footman to come to her aid. Walking up to the grand entrance in the spring sunlight, she couldn’t help but hesitate at noticing the worn material of her sleeve.
“Come along, dear.” Lady Price took Esther’s upper arm and walked alongside her. “Is something wrong?”
Esther swallowed and waited until they entered to reply. A maid appeared and took their cloaks.
“Bring tea to the sitting room please, Tilly.”
Lady Price, who was at home among beauty and extravagance, could never understand her situation. The understated elegance of the room they entered did not distract from the obvious wealth and good taste of who lived there.
“I do understand. You see, no matter how much money one has, hard times strike just as hard on everyone. I was not in your position economically, but definitely emotionally. Let me help you. This won’t cost you a thing. I ask for you to have an open mind to the possibilities of a totally different future.”
A tear spilled and Esther nodded, swiping at her cheek. “I am lost. My future seems so bleak to me at the moment. There is not much I have to lose at this point. The monthly stipend they are giving me will barely cover my needs. It’s horrible.”
“About that. I will ask my solicitor to look into the matter, with your permission, of course. As a widow, you should be the one who inherits every bit of the estate. Whether you want it or not.”
Hope began to flourish. Not just at the possibility of a new life, but also recompense for seven years at the mercy of a miserly husband.
She’d entered the marriage with bright-eyed enthusiasm. Jonathan Wilmington was not just older and sophisticated, but handsome as well. However, he hid a mental illness well until after they married. Constantly paranoid of different things, sometimes they would be locked inside the house for entire weeks. Each year, he became worse. He even decided at one point she was poisoning him. A maid was assigned to watch her every move, until finally the girl pronounced she would not take on such a burden for so little pay and left.
Esther assumed he died by his own hand, unable to handle the voices screaming in his head. She’d found him slumped over his desk amidst piles of papers in which he’d written endless rambles naming different people who worked to ruin him.
It turned out he maintained sizeable sums of money in various bank accounts. After his death and the discovery of his wealth, his two sons, who’d rarely visited, suddenly became quite involved.
Now she was at the point of destitution and found herself, once again, having to marry. At least this time, it would be her choice and on her own conditions.
About the Author
Whether a rancher, a highlander or a hunky cowboy, you will fall in love with Hildie McQueen’s heroes!
Hello, Dear Reader. Writing is my dream come true. There is nothing I love more than bringing my characters and stories to life and sharing them with you.
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Keep Calm and Read On!!
Lucille, A Lucky Bride (Brides for All Seasons Book 3) Page 14