by Lucy Evanson
~ ~ ~
The sun had dropped down behind the hills by the time the guests were ready to depart. Kate couldn’t remember the last time she’d been the focus of so much attention, and she was frankly relieved to see the evening winding down. As she stepped out onto the porch to see the guests off, she realized that she was exhausted.
The Thompsons’ carriage was already rolling up the drive to the road when Edward’s father and Thomas finally finished saying goodbye; it was as if they were already old friends.
Edward helped his father up into the carriage, then returned to the porch to say good night. “I’ll sleep well tonight, knowing that you’re my fiancée,” he whispered as he kissed her on the cheek. “Of course, I’ll sleep even better once you’re sharing my bed.”
She slapped him on the arm. “Edward, don’t say things like that,” she said. “Your father is right there.”
He grinned at her. “Don’t worry,” he said. “Dad is more than a little deaf.” He turned, went down the porch steps and climbed aboard the runabout. “I’ll see you later, my darling.”
She waved goodbye as they set off for the road and watched until the carriage had disappeared from view. Kate took one last look at the fields, admiring the early evening sky with its streaks of deep red and purple. A few fireflies had decided to come out, and as she followed one with her eyes, her gaze was drawn up to the small cabin atop the hill, nestled alongside the tree line. Through its window, she could see a lamp glowing faintly inside.
Kate turned and went into the house, pausing on her way to the kitchen to admire the wildflowers again. She leaned over and breathed in their aroma, and she couldn’t help but smile at the memory of Sam standing in the foyer, all clean and shiny, flowers in hand.
She found Becky in the kitchen, hunched over a notebook, practicing her handwriting by copying the letters that Kate had printed for her earlier. “Your writing is really coming along,” she said.
A proud smile lit up Becky’s face. “Thanks to you, Miss Taylor,” she said. “Are you ready to turn in?”
Kate was about to speak when a yawn leaped out of her mouth instead.
“I guess I have my answer,” Becky said. The two went up to Kate’s bedroom and Becky began to help her get undressed.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Kate said as Becky loosened the corset. “I can breathe again. How far along are you in the alphabet?”
“I’m working on, uh…U,” Becky said. “That’s the one that looks like a horseshoe, right?”
“That’s right. You’re making excellent progress. Once you know how to write the entire alphabet, we’ll begin working on reading.” Another yawn overcame her.
“Looks like it’s time for you to get some rest,” Becky said quietly. She took the corset and returned with a nightgown which she laid on the bed. “Do you need me for anything else?”
“No, thank you, Becky. Good night.”
“See you in the morning, Miss Taylor. Congratulations again,” Becky said quietly, closing the door behind her when she left.
Kate slipped the nightgown over her head and crawled into bed. She opened the nightstand drawer and pulled out a sheet of stationery. Well, now I really have something to write about, she thought. Laura will scarcely believe this. A smile unconsciously drifted across her lips as the pencil descended to the paper, but before she began writing, Kate paused.
She suddenly felt as if she were standing at the edge of a precipice. I will be a married woman, she thought. Edward is handsome, wealthy and successful. He’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Just one step and it’s over.
“Dear Laura,” she wrote, and then paused again. Somehow the thought of putting it into writing didn’t sit well with her. She stared at the paper for a long time, unable to add anything to those two words, then she finally returned the stationery to the drawer. After extinguishing her bedside lamp, she snuggled deep and pulled the comforter up to guard against the cool night air. It was only one more step, but it was a big one. Telling Laura could wait.