Mrs Boots: A heartwarming, page-turner inspired by the true story of Florence Boot, the woman behind Boots (Mrs Boots, Book 1)

by Deborah Carr

  ‘Yes, that would be most welcome.’ It was hot outside and Florence realised that now she was in the cool of the reception, her throat was parched. She was feeling the effects of too little sleep and too much excitement.

  ‘We’ll find you somewhere to sit and then I can go and check in and arrange for some tea and biscuits to be brought to us. Or, would you rather sandwiches? You must be hungry by now?’

  She was starving, she realised. In fact, she felt hungrier than she remembered for such a long time. ‘Sandwiches, please. We might sit in the shade in the garden, do you think?’ she suggested.

  Jesse smiled at her, taking her left hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. ‘A good idea, as always.’

  He spoke to the porter and moments later a waiter came up to them and showed them out to the garden. He led them to a table shaded by the building and held a chair out for Florence to take a seat.

  Jesse remained standing as he gave their order. ‘I shall be a few minutes, while I sort out my accommodation. Then I’ll be back, and we can catch up with everything that needs to happen this month.’ He took her hand once more. ‘Our wedding, Florence. Not long to wait now.’

  Florence beamed at him. Excitement welled up inside her and she had to use all her resolve to remain calm and not let it show. She sat quietly, as she knew a lady should, pretending to enjoy the peace of the garden, while all the time she was bubbling with joy at the thought of her upcoming wedding. Only a few tables had people sitting at them and they were all far enough away so that she could only hear their voices very slightly. It allowed her to think of the preparations she still had to do.

  If her father agreed to their marriage, which she hoped he would, then she needed to arrange for her wedding dress to be made. She hadn’t even begun to collect her trousseau, not wishing to tempt fate by presuming to do so prior to her father giving his blessing.

  If they were to be married in weeks rather than months, then she would not intend collecting too many items, merely the essentials. The rest could follow once she was ensconced in Jesse’s home. Their home. The thought gave her a warm feeling.

  She thought of what she should wear on her wedding night. A negligee? What would happen between them? She was eager to discover what happened between a husband and wife when they were finally alone in their marriage bed. The thought excited her, although she couldn’t help feeling nervous. Whatever happened, she trusted Jesse to show her all she needed to know.

  Realising she was flushing slightly, she turned her thoughts to her clothing. She would need several chemises, a couple more elaborate than the others that she would use for everyday use. Drawers for every day of the week with trimming to match the chemises and several night dresses. Corsets, she would need new corset covers for her corsets, as well as maybe two more. What about hose, she mused; she needed a couple of fine thread and several of heavy cotton, as well as new skirts, wraps, collars and cuffs, both in linen and lace. She also needed new handkerchiefs, gloves and footwear suitable for the colder weather in the more northerly areas of England.

  She groaned. Why hadn’t she begun collating these items already. Even if she had not wished to presume that her father would accept Jesse as her husband, she could have still bought half these items without needing to use them simply as a married woman.

  Jesse sat opposite her, a look of concern on his sweet face. ‘You are all right?’

  ‘Yes,’ she answered, unsure why he should ask.

  ‘It’s just that I thought I heard you groan when I returned to the table. I wasn’t sure if you were unwell.’

  She shook her head. ‘I’m perfectly well, especially now you are here.’ He took her hands in his, waiting for her to elaborate. ‘It’s simply that I haven’t begun organising my trousseau, or indeed a wedding dress.’

  ‘You are superstitious?’ he asked, amused.

  ‘A little.’

  ‘As am I.’ He raised her left hand and kissed the back of it. ‘We’ll have no more waiting now, though, my love. I will arrange to see your father and speak with him, and you must set about arranging for whatever clothes you’ll need to bring with you to our home.’

  ‘Our home,’ she repeated. The words had a magical quality.

  Chapter 33

  That night Florence went with Jesse to meet her parents.

  ‘You’re looking well, Mr Boot.’ her father said, while her mother sat quietly, glancing at Florence a couple of times.

  Florence assumed her mother was trying to gauge her reaction, but refused to give her any reason to think that she wasn’t assured of her father complying with his intentions from the previous year.

  ‘Thank you. It is good to be back on your beautiful island once again,’ he said. ‘I am pleased to find you all well and gather from Miss Boot that the shop is going from strength to strength.’

  Florence wondered if maybe she should not have been so open with him about the state of affairs in her letters. He was such a brilliant businessman, though, that she had assumed her father could benefit from Jesse’s business knowledge as she had done with his suggestions when wanting to help Lily.

  The four of them made small talk for about an hour. She noticed Jesse clasp his hands together. He seemed slightly nervous.

  A few moments later when there was a lull in the conversation, he said, ‘Mr Rowe, I wonder if I could trouble you for a private moment of your time?’

  Her father glanced at her and then at her mother, before replying to Jesse. ‘Yes, of course. My dear, do you think you and Florence could leave us for a few minutes?’

  Her mother stood and Florence waited for her to leave the room before following her. She reached the door, but before closing it locked eyes with Jesse, willing him to be successful this time. Then she closed the door, leaving the two men closest to her to talk.

  ‘Come out to the kitchen, Florence,’ her mother said. ‘I wish to speak to you.’

  Her heart pounded noisily in her chest. She had to get through this if she wanted her marriage to Jesse to go ahead. She walked into the kitchen. ‘Yes, Mother?’

  Her mother smoothed down the sleeves of her dress despite them not needing the attention. ‘Your father and I spoke last evening. Knowing that Mr Boot was arriving today, we felt that it was only a matter of time that he came to speak with us.’ She stared out of the window briefly as if trying to gather her thoughts. ‘Your father will agree to your marriage to Mr Boot.’

  Florence hadn’t been expecting her to say anything of the sort. ‘He will?’ she asked wanting to be certain.

  ‘Yes. However, I shan’t attend your wedding.’

  The words pained Florence as if her mother had stabbed her in the chest. ‘But I don’t understand …?’

  ‘Nor will we agree for you to be married at chapel.’

  Florence gasped. ‘Why not? I have done all that you asked and this is how you repay an obedient daughter?’ How could they stop her from being able to hold her wedding in the place that she had worshipped her entire life. ‘How could you be so cruel? I thought you said Father was happy for us to marry.’

  Her mother turned her back on her and stared at the sink. ‘He will not go back on his word and refuse Mr Boot’s request for your hand. However, I am unable to attend a wedding where I don’t believe it is the best thing for your future.’ She faced her once more and took her by the arms. ‘Please don’t misunderstand me. I like Mr Boot. I can see that he is a good man with the best of intentions and that you love each other.’

  ‘Surely that’s enough,’ Florence cried, her throat constricted by unshed tears. ‘Why would you tarnish our day by not allowing us to marry in chapel or attending the wedding? It’s too cruel.’

  ‘Florence. You believe the right thing to do for your future is to marry Mr Boot. Your father and I disagree. I might like him as a person, but you can’t ignore that he is older than you and walks with a stick. I admit that he seems able enough today, but we both know he has days where his health is poor. I don�
��t want a daughter of mine to end up being a nursemaid to her husband. Life is difficult enough. Marriage is difficult enough without an extra problem such as that.’

  ‘And Father … will he be attending my wedding?’ Florence asked, angrily wiping away a stray tear with the back of her right hand.

  ‘He isn’t sure. We have agreed that we must both do as we see fit. I shall not change my mind about going though, so please don’t hold out false hope that I might.’

  The door opened and both women looked round to see Florence’s father smiling. How could he seem so happy to have given his permission, she thought, when he doesn’t even support me marrying Jesse. She hoped that one day their chosen behaviour towards this most important occasion in her life would fade in her memory, but for now it smarted.

  ‘Come and join us, Margaret, Florence.’

  Florence followed her mother into the room. ‘So you have agreed for me to marry Mr Boot?’ she asked just to be certain.

  ‘I have,’ he assured her.

  She didn’t ask about the wedding day, not wishing to spoil the moment for Jesse by letting him know that her parents might not be attending.

  ‘We will now leave you for a few minutes, so that Mr Boot can ask you formally for your hand.’

  Florence watched her parents leave the room and turned to Jesse to say something. Before she had a chance to speak, he got down on one knee and taking her left hand in his said, ‘My darling girl. Will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?’

  ‘Yes,’ she said without a second’s hesitation. ‘Oh, yes.’

  He rose with a little difficulty and, putting his hand in his right pocket, took out a small green leather ring box. Smiling at her briefly, he then focused on the clasp and pressed it. The lid sprung up, revealing a deep red ruby surrounded by smaller diamonds.

  Florence’s mouth fell open at the exquisite ring being presented to her.

  He lifted the ring from its place in the box, and, taking her left hand, slipped the ring on her finger. They both stared at it silently. These shiny gems represented their love, enforced separation and hopefully the life that they had to look forward to together.

  ‘It fits perfectly.’

  ‘Do you like it?’

  ‘I love it,’ she whispered honestly.

  He pulled her into his arms. His mouth found hers and he kissed her, their passion heightened by their time apart. Eventually he moved away from her.

  ‘We have a lot to do in a short time. First, though, I believe we need to have the Banns read.’

  Her heart dipped. ‘I’m told that we can’t be married at chapel,’ she said, explaining part of what her mother had informed her.

  His mouth fell open for a second before he closed it again. ‘We can’t?’

  She shook her head. ‘No. I’m not sure why, but I am tired of arguments. To be honest with you, I would have loved to be married in the same place I’ve always worshipped, but as long as we’re married in the eyes of God I don’t much care where it is. If I argue with my parents about being married in chapel then it could delay our wedding and I think we’ve lived with enough delays so far, don’t you?’

  ‘I do.’ The delight in his face after placing the ring on her finger seemed to dissipate. ‘If we are not able to marry at chapel, then where?’

  She thought of the beautiful Town Church minutes down the road from where they both stayed. ‘The Town Church. It’s the seat of the Dean of Jersey, so he will be the one marrying us, if he agrees. It’s closer to the Pomme d’Or and we’ve walked past it several times. Do you remember it?’

  He thought briefly. ‘I think so.’

  ‘Then if you’re happy, I suggest we go there and speak to the vicar,’ she said, determined not to let anything get in the way of their plans this time.

  He hugged her tightly, kissing her once more. ‘We will do as you suggest. First thing tomorrow.’

  She beamed at him, happiness once again lifting her heart.

  ‘Then, you need to speak to your dressmaker about your bridal gown and trousseau,’ Jesse said. ‘I can barely wait to see you in your wedding finery.’

  ‘I long to wear it,’ she said, picturing herself walking down the aisle to become his wife.

  ‘You will need to find someone who can make your dress soon. We only have a few weeks.’

  ‘Yes,’ she said, deciding to speak to Amy about accompanying her for the first fitting. She had expected her mother would change her mind and offer to be with her for such a special appointment, but was only too aware now that this was nothing more than a dream.

  ‘I thought I would arrange for us to have a betrothal supper to announce our engagement. What do you think?’

  Florence agreed. ‘I think it a wonderful idea.’

  ‘You can invite your friends and of course the rest of your family. I thought we could hold it on the twenty-ninth of July.’

  ‘My birthday?’ she exclaimed.

  ‘Exactly.’

  She kissed him again. He thought of everything. Maybe this was why he was such an impressive businessman. ‘You are so clever, my darling Jesse.’

  ‘I do my best.’ He winked at her and kissed her again. ‘You’ve made me so very happy, Florence. I never expected I would ever meet someone as perfect for me as you are.’

  ‘I feel the same about you,’ she said, gripping his hands in hers and staring into his beautiful eyes. ‘I always assumed that my perfect future would be as a spinster, running my own business. I never imagined I would want to marry anyone.’

  He threw his head back and laughed. ‘I’m relieved you’ve changed your mind.’

  ‘Thank you for thinking of my birthday and linking it to our betrothal supper. It’s going to be my most perfect birthday celebration ever, announcing to everyone that we are to be married. I can’t wait.’

  ‘Neither can I,’ he said, pulling her into his arms once again and kissing her.

  Chapter 34

  The following morning, Florence walked to meet Jesse. She had arranged a few days off work so that she could make the necessary arrangements for her wedding day. Her father had been happy to give her the time off, which Florence accepted graciously, despite her hurt that her parents had placed such demands on her over her wedding.

  She had contemplated speaking to him and asking him to explain his and her mother’s reasons for their decisions, but was aware that once they had made a decision, they would not go back on it.

  At least she had some time away from the shop. Her father had agreed to this no doubt, she thought, because Lily was now able to stand in for her and cover any of the work Florence would otherwise be needed to do.

  She felt breathless even before leaving the flat and knew it was down to her nervousness that the Dean of Jersey might decide not to marry them in the protestant church as both of them were practising Wesleyans.

  She stepped into the church yard of the Town Church and immediately saw Jesse waiting for her. They exchanged smiles when they saw each other and took each other’s hand.

  ‘I arranged a meeting with the Dean after leaving you yesterday evening,’ he said. ‘He seemed most sympathetic to our plight and is waiting to meet with us.’

  He pulled open the heavy wooden door and they walked into the coolness of the granite church.

  ‘Look at that incredible stained-glass window,’ Florence whispered, astonished by the intricate beauty and workmanship that it must have taken to produce such a beautiful piece.

  ‘Magnificent, indeed.’

  They heard footsteps and spotted the Dean of Jersey smiling up at the window. ‘We are very lucky to have such splendour in our church,’ he said, before walking up to them and shaking first Florence’s hand and then Jesse’s. ‘Miss Rowe and Mr Boot, I presume?’

  ‘Yes,’ Jesse said. ‘Thank you very much for agreeing to see us at such short notice.’

  ‘It is my pleasure. Please, come through to the vestry and we can make any necessary arrangements.’
/>   They followed him through the peaceful church through to a small office where he indicated they take a seat. ‘You advised me in your note, Mr Boot, that neither of you have been married before.’ He sat at his desk and pulled a large leather book towards him. ‘The Banns will need to be read, naturally.’ They murmured their agreement. ‘I have studied my diary and can advise that the earliest date on which I am free to conduct your wedding ceremony will be—’ he ran his finger down the page, turned it over a few times and eventually tapped the page and smiled at them ‘—Monday, the thirtieth of August. How does that suit you both?’

  Nine weeks away. Florence would have liked to have been married sooner, but it was summer and the time when most brides wished to be married. She also reminded herself that her bridal gown still needed to be made and other arrangements sorted. She gazed up at Jesse who was waiting for her to reply.

  ‘Well, dearest,’ he said. ‘How does that date suit you as your wedding date?’

  Florence wanted to laugh out loud her joy was so great. ‘I’d say it’s perfect.’

  Jesse gave her hand a squeeze and addressed the grinning Dean. ‘Thank you, sir. The thirtieth of August will be the perfect day for our wedding.’

  ‘Good,’ he said, picking up his fountain pen, unscrewing the lid, and, after requesting their full names, wrote them down in his diary. ‘Now, let us go through the formalities, so that we are fully prepared.’

  An hour later, Florence walked with Jesse down to the harbour. ‘I can’t believe it’s all arranged,’ she said, wishing the weeks away.

  ‘At least we now have a firm date to look forward to.’ He turned to smile at her. ‘I can see you’re impatient, as am I, but we’ve waited this long, we can wait a little longer. And we still have much to do in order that we are fully prepared.’

  They took a train to St Aubin and chatted about how perfect their future together was going to be.

  Now that the date of their wedding had been set, Florence allowed herself to picture her and Jesse with a brood of children. It was going to be wonderful and so very different to what she had ever deemed of for herself. She had never before been obsessed by bearing children, like most of her friends. Now, though, she wanted nothing more than to have children with and for Jesse. He was such a kind, caring and giving man and he deserved to have a family and she thought herself the most honoured of women to be able to give them to him.