by Emily Woods
“Glad you could make it,” a deep voice said. Looking up, she saw Carl smiling down at her. “But the party's up here.”
She smiled a little and took the hand he held out to her. Upon contact, a little shiver raced up her spine, but she shook it off. There would be none of that.
They chatted comfortably for a few minutes before being interrupted by Wesley Crawford and his sister. The man promptly whisked her away and began to talk about making an endowment to the school for the purchase of books and whatnot. Always one to advocate for education, Amanda tried to give him her full attention, but she kept getting distracted by Carl and Georgina. The way the woman kept touching his arm and laughing irked her for some reason. She couldn’t be sincerely interested in him, could she? Not that it should matter to her, but she sensed that Carl was more nervous than happy in Georgina’s company. When the thought made her happy, she scolded herself and refocused her attention on Wesley Crawford. He was looking at her rather intimately now. When had that happened? She’d only looked away for a second. Was he actually flirting with her?
“And I'll have to drop by the school from time to time of course, to make sure my money was well spent.” His smooth smile was probably meant to impress her, but she took offense to that comment.
“I can assure you, Mister Crawford, I would not abuse the funds, should you choose to invest,” she replied coolly. “In fact, if you like, I can even give you list of the items I would purchase so that you could approve them yourself.”
“I do wish you would call me Wesley,” he said, not at all offended by her frosty tone. “And I would be delighted to see your list. Perhaps you can bring it over so that we could go through it together. Would next Friday suit?”
Now she was thrown. “Suit for what exactly?” she asked, more sharply than she should have.
“Why, dinner at my house of course,” he replied with a bit of a laugh as though it were obvious. “Then we can look over your list and you can show me how you're going to spend my money.”
The assumption that she'd want to spend time with him irked her more than anything. She wanted to tell him that she had no interest in him or his money, but that wouldn't be fair to the children. No, she could tolerate one evening with him for their sake.
“I presume your sister will be there?” She didn't want to be alone with him for a few different reasons, her reputation being one of them.
The question made him laugh. “Of course. It will all be most proper, I assure you. Along with Georgina, I have three servants who live with me. They will all present.” His amusement did not endear him to her in any way.
“Very well. What time shall I be there?”
“My dear lady, I have no intention of making you walk, unlike some other people.” He cast a superior look in Carl’s direction. “I shall arrive at the teacherage about six o'clock. I know it's a bit early for civilized people, but we must make allowances for being in the West.”
She managed to nod. The man was so pretentious that she could barely stand his company for another minute. How was she going to manage a whole evening?
“Very well. I shall see you then. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to talk to Missus Tanner about something.” She made a beeline for Marge, nearly tripping on the hemline of her own dress in her haste to get away.
“Are you okay, Miss Walker?” Carl reached out his hand to steady her. “I don't expect that dress is made for marathons.”
His joke tickled her more than it should, and she found herself laughing out loud. The sound startled him at first, but then he grinned in response.
“Oh, thank you, Carl. I needed that.”
He leaned in a bit conspiratorially, his grin still in place. “Not enjoying certain company? I know the feeling.”
Eyes wide with pretend innocence, she shook her head. “Whatever could you mean? I have no idea.” A bit of a Southern accent slipped in. She felt a little ashamed for making fun of the woman, but he chuckled and she hid a smile behind her hand, but then said, “I'm sorry. That was very petty of me.”
“Not at all, Miss Walker,” he murmured, his gaze fixed on hers. “Not at all.”
He released her arm, which she hadn't realized he was still holding, thereby allowing her to proceed to visit with the older woman who was pouring drinks. However, even as she walked away, she could feel the pressure and warmth of his hand. It had left an imprint on more than her skin.
Chapter 7
The next week passed by in a blur of activities for Carl, and before he quite realized how it all happened, he was comfortably ensconced in his new home. The furnishings were rather sparse as the Johnsons had taken many things with them, but he still felt that he was living in a dream.
“It'll take some getting used to,” Thomas murmured to his friend, who was staring around the spacious front room, made all the more so by the two lone chairs sitting by the fireplace. “But you'll be fine.”
“Uh, can't you and Val move in with us for a while? I'll give you the main bedroom. I can sleep out here.”
Even though Jacob was here with him, the house still felt too empty. He’d gotten used to sleeping in place with a number of people present. This felt lonely. It would be better to have his friend stay.
“Ah, you don't need us here,” Thomas replied, giving his friend a slap on the shoulder. “Be grateful that big bed was too much for them to carry back east. At least you have somewhere to lay your head.”
It was clear his friend would not be persuaded. “Okay, well, I guess I'll see you in the morning.”
“Night. I'll be here bright and early.”
Once Thomas left, the rooms felt even bigger. The night was getting a little chilly, so Carl and Jacob built a fire in the main room and then dragged the mattress from the bed next to it. Falling asleep to the sound of a crackling fire was more soothing than utter silence.
“I don't know if I made a good decision or not,” he murmured to his brother.
“Hmm? No, it's good. We'll build some furniture.” Jacob's voice was low and sleepy. Carl knew he was probably just five breaths away from being completely out cold.
“Okay, brother. I'm real glad you're here, though.” It was a comfort to have Jacob with him, but a big part of him longed for the rest of his family. In a strange way, Jacob’s presence brought back the feeling of homesickness.
His mind jumped back to his mother's letter, which explained that his parents didn't come west for two reasons. One was that they worried that it might cause problems with his uncle's will, but more than that, they didn't want to leave their friends and community.
“We might be poor, but we have everything we need.”
It still bothered him, but he knew he had to come to terms with it. Perhaps next year or the year after, they would send him Grant, the next brother in line. As much as he loved the easygoing brother that lay beside him, Grant made a house come alive with his jokes and laughter.
“Are you asleep?” he whispered, but when he got no response, he fell back against the mattress and closed his eyes. His head swirled with all the things he’d have to start doing from tomorrow on. “Please, God,” he prayed. “Don't let this be a mistake.”
Amanda woke up on Friday morning with a hard knot in her stomach. Today was the day she was to dine at the Crawford house. Even though she'd painstakingly revised her list of books several times, she still didn't feel ready. She believed that this was more than a dinner; it was an interview. And worse than that, it was for a job she didn't even want.
It was no secret that Wesley had been looking for a wife, but it was not going to be her. She had resolved that she would not marry, and definitely not to a man like him. Now, Carl Bowman on the other hand...but no! She couldn't let herself think like that. There would be no one at all. That was the plan.
The school day went by much faster than she would have liked, and before long, Amanda found herself in front of her closet, staring at the contents. None of her dresses was good enough to we
ar for dinner there, but she'd have to choose one. Should she purposely dress down to repel him somewhat? But then he might be disinclined to make good on his promise of the funds.
Reluctantly, she pulled out her best dress, the green one that had lost its sheen but was still respectable. After inspecting it for dirt, she put it on. Along with her long white gloves, it would hopefully be good enough for dining with the wealthiest man in the district. Well, she presumed he was the wealthiest in any case.
At exactly six o'clock, she heard the wagon pull up in front of her small house. Gathering her small reticule and donning the gloves, she went to greet him.
“Miss Walker,” Wesley exclaimed when he saw her. “Aren't you a sight? I'm speechless, my dear lady!”
He was hardly that, she thought wryly as he continued to lavish compliments on her, but she refrained from saying so. Tonight, she would be a proper lady, just like her parents had raised her to be. Their beloved faces rose up in her mind, but she quickly dismissed the image lest she become gloomy.
“Thank you, sir,” she replied cordially, accepting his help into the wagon. She discreetly sat at the very edge of the seat so as to be as far away from his as possible and avoid any inadvertent touching. Wesley didn't say a word, but settled himself nearly in the middle so that he was much closer than she would have liked.
“Tell me about yourself, Miss Walker. Where are you from?”
Deciding beforehand that she would give him the shortest account of herself as she could, Amanda answered in a polite, but perfunctory manner. “I'm from Wyoming, where I was raised by my parents who passed away last year. I came here for a fresh start. I’m twenty-two year old and have one aunt living in New York. I have no money or property, save what the superintendent gives me.”
He was slightly taken aback by her direct answer, but she didn't mind. She was completely prepared to toe the line of propriety just enough to turn him off, but not enough to cause him revulsion.
“Oh, I see. How terrible for you.” A silence ensued, but not for long. “And siblings?”
“Not anymore,” she replied, fighting to keep her voice even. “My two sisters and younger brother also succumbed to the flu. My aunt offered to take me in, but I found myself in need of distance, so I came here. I’m still completely devastated by their loss and therefore don’t get out in society much.”
The conversation was a bit intimate for such a shallow acquaintance, but it kept him off-kilter, which was her intent.
He made conciliatory noises, but again fell silent for a few moments. “And, uh, teaching? You enjoy that?”
“Oh, yes. The students are wonderful, even the naughty ones.” Too late, she realized that she'd introduced a playful note into the conversation.
“Ah, I was rather a naughty child myself, if you can believe it.” He turned to her, a twinkle in his eye. “My tutor was always at his wits' end about what to do. However, I outgrew my foolishness quickly enough to learn what I needed to know.”
He paused and she knew that he was waiting for her to ask questions about his background. Out of compulsion of her own upbringing, she forced herself to ask, “And what about you? I gather you're not from around here.”
The laughter that burst forth from his mouth was much more exuberant than was warranted. She kept a tight smile on her face while he composed himself. “I should say not. There aren't too many men here with such an accent as mine. No, my dear, I'm from Georgia, Savannah to be more precise. I moved out here when I realized that our way of life died with our defeat.” His mouth twisted a little, most likely in anger or regret, but he soon recovered. “So, much like yourself, I decided to put some distance between my past and myself and, taking what little was left of my inheritance, hopped aboard a train and came here.”
He continued for another ten minutes about how he had made good purchases in both land and cattle and even bragged about how he'd managed to get the cattle for cheap from some man who’d lost his land a few counties over.
They had arrived at the house and thus the need for small talk was over. Georgina came out wreathed in smiles. “How lovely to have a visitor,” she cooed. “I hope that you and I will become great friends before the evening is out.”
It was hard to know if this woman was being utterly sincere or if her hospitality came out of grooming, but in either case, Amanda found herself relaxing somewhat. She was relieved to have someone else to talk to aside from Wesley.
As she expected, the house was magnificent, replete with furnishings that must have been brought over from their former home.
“Once he had enough funds to do so, Wes had most of this brought over by train. He sent Josephine back to oversee the packing and shipping and to be a chaperone for myself. She did a mostly good job,” she finished begrudgingly. “Although, one of my favorite chaise lounges was chipped.”
A think woman appeared and bowed slightly. “Sorry again for that, ma'am,” she murmured in a nervous voice. “Can't rightly say how it happened. I wish I'd seen who done it.”
Amanda got the impression that she had made such an apology several times already.
“Yes, well, if wishes were horses than beggars would ride,” she answered airily, dismissing her with a wave of her hand.
“Pardon, ma'am. Just wanted to let you know that supper is ready whenever you are.”
Instead of being grateful, Georgina appeared annoyed. “I told Fanny that Miss Walker would be here around six-thirty, not to have dinner ready by then.”
“Yes'm. So sorry. Should I tell her to keep it warm then?”
Releasing a noise of disapproval, Georgina shook her head almost violently. “No. Then it will be ruined.” She turned to Amanda, her face a mask of sorrow. “I had wished to visit first, but I'm afraid we must eat. My apologies.”
“Oh, that's quite alright,” Amanda replied coolly, then turned to smile at the housekeeper. “I'm terribly hungry now and dinner smells wonderful. I can't wait.”
Georgina frowned a little, but then quickly slipped a smile on her face. “Well, then, that works out, doesn't it? Shall we?”
She motioned toward another room where a table was set for royalty. Amanda felt quite overwhelmed by such finery. Even though her own family had been far from poor, they'd never dined in such elegant fashion.
Over the five-course meal, Amanda did her best to do justice to the meal. She found some of dishes unfamiliar, but delicious nonetheless.
“I would love to thank your cook,” she said when the meal was over. She was quite sure that the young girl who brought the food out was not the one who had prepared, but she could be wrong.
“Oh, I'm afraid that Fanny is much too busy with...”
Wesley held up a hand to cut his sister off. “I'm sure we can arrange that. Remember, sister, the ways of the North are different from ours, and we wouldn't want to offend.” He motioned for the young girl to fetch the cook.
Amanda was a little surprised to hear him speak in this manner, but clearly he still believed there was a distinction between the northern and southern states. She decided to mention it.
“It's funny to hear this area referred to as the North,” she said lightly. “Everyone around here just calls it the West.”
A muscle in Wesley's jaw tightened and then relaxed. “Yes, well, it's still the North, Miss Walker, and no pretending otherwise.” His voice contained a trace of animosity as though he had personally been involved in the War Between the States.
“I'm sorry to pry, but weren't you just a young lad when the war ended?”
His reply was controlled, but no less bitter. “I was nine years old, Miss Walker, quite old enough to know the difference between the life we had before and the one we had after. Since you weren't even born, much less have any experience, I can't expect you to understand how hard it is.”
It was on the tip of her tongue to ask why he'd come here specifically when the kitchen door opened and a wiry woman with light brown skin emerged. Her face was anxio
us and she twisted her hands nervously.
“Yes'm? You wanted to see me?”
“Miss Walker did, Fanny.” Georgina looked at her expectantly.
“I, uh, just wanted to say how much I enjoyed the dinner. Thank you very much.”
The small woman nodded, gave her a tight smile, and began to retreat. “Thank you, ma'am. Thank you very much.”
And then she disappeared.
When Amanda turned her attention back to Wesley, he seemed to be a different person. At least, his angry expression had completely disappeared and he was once again all charm.
“Shall we retire to the living room, Miss Walker? You can show me your list of books and supplies. My sister and I are very excited to hear about your plans for the children.”
Amanda spent the remainder of the time talking about what she'd like for the classroom and why. Both brother and sister seemed content to listen and in the end, agreed that she should have the supplies.
“We'll put an order in tomorrow when we go into town. If you'd like to give me your list, I'll see that you get everything on it,” Wesley declared, holding out his hand.
Stunned, Amanda offered him the list, but found herself speechless. There were so many things on there that she'd written but never dreamed she would get, such as a globe and a wall map. She thought perhaps, if he were feeling terribly generous, he might offer to buy one, but here he was buying every single thing.
“I—I don’t know what to say!” she finally exclaimed, her eyes shining with joy. “I will make sure that all the children know who to thank!”
He held up his hand and shook his head. “I don't need them to know. That you know is enough.”
The alarm that rang in the back of her mind was clouded by her appreciation. “I am so grateful, more than I can say.”
“Then that's all that matters.” His smile was easy now, and very charming, and for a moment, Amanda forgot all that had gone on before.
Perhaps he wasn't the man he'd appeared to be before. She decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. He deserved that at least.