Fae's Fantasy

by Dawson, Kay P.

  Fae's Fantasy

  Kay P. Dawson

  Contents

  Thank You

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Epilogue

  Also by Kay P. Dawson

  About the Author

  Thank You

  Thank you for purchasing FAE’S FANTASY, Book 6 in the multi-author Alphabet Brides Series. I hope you enjoy the story!

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  Dedicated to all of my readers who’ve offered so much support. I couldn’t do this without you.

  Chapter 1

  “Now you can all stop acting like you’re surprised by my offer, considering how you girls all share secrets and everything else about your lives with each other.” Madam Wigg waved her hand in front of her face as she looked around the room. “I’m quite certain it’s old news around here already, and I’m making sure all of you foundling girls are given the chance to have a new life outside these walls.”

  Fae looked nervously at the other women in the room. Her roommate, Harriet, was looking down at her hands folded neatly in her lap where she sat on the edge of her bed. Glory and Imogene were still standing next to the door that lead into their room and their eyes met Fae’s as they waited to see what she would say.

  They’d all discussed what had been going on at the school during their regular late-night talks. The four of them shared two adjoining rooms at the school and had spent many hours over the years sharing secrets and talking into the wee hours of the morning.

  So they knew this moment was coming with Wiggie. She’d already spoken to Abigail a few days ago, and Beulah had told them earlier today that Madam Wigg had come to her, Emmaline, Dorthy and Catalina with an offer too.

  But even though they’d heard the rumors, they hadn’t been prepared to be faced with the truth of what Madam Wigg was saying.

  “It’s no secret that my health is declining. I’d be doing you all a disservice if I just let you stay here forever without even giving you the opportunity to see the world and to have the chance to spread the teachings of the Wigg School and Foundling Home to those who need it. I took you all in as babies, with the intent to give you the best life I could. And that’s what I’m still trying to do, whether you believe me or not.”

  Fae leaned forward in her chair, resting her arms on her legs as she looked closely at Madam Wigg across from her. “But, Wiggie, you don’t look sick. I just find it hard to believe your health is failing.”

  “Fae, I know you always like to see the sunshine and rainbows in life, but that’s not always how it works. Everyone dies. And at my age, it’s best to be prepared.”

  Fae’s eyebrows pulled together in confusion. “You’re not even that old.”

  Wiggie just shook her head and flapped her hand again. “Well, you can try telling that to these old bones.” She looked around at the other girls. “So, the offer is the same for you girls. Before I pop my clogs, I’d love nothing more than to see my teaching shared around the country. And, it would make me happy to see you all in charge of your own schools, content while leading the lives you deserve. Everyone needs the chance to explore life on their own, find someone who can love them the way my dear Percy did, and to even have children of their own someday if they choose. That’s what I’m offering you today.”

  Madam Wigg looked directly at Fae once more. “And don’t you even try to tell me that isn’t something you’ve always thought about in the back of your mind. I’ve seen the faraway looks, the moments you were lost daydreaming about some handsome gentleman who will sweep you off your feet like in those silly novels you read.”

  Fae’s cheeks burned as the other girls nodded and grinned. “You do daydream about it a lot, Fae.”

  She shot Imogene a look that sent the other woman into another laughing fit.

  “I will fund the school once you’ve got everything set up and ready. There are so many opportunities out west where the poor children aren’t being given the chance for a proper education. I’m relying on you ladies to help me share my beliefs of inclusion and that everyone deserves the chance to learn.”

  “But, out west? It’s so uncivilized.” Harriet was more soft-spoken, and it was clear from her voice that the whole thought of leaving the safety of this school—the only home they’d ever known—terrified her. Especially if it meant heading into the unknown of the “wild west” as so many around New York referred to any place beyond the city limits.

  Glory nodded quickly. “And we’d be on our own. How could we manage without having each other to lean on? Who knows what could happen to us out there.” She shuddered for extra emphasis.

  Both Glory and Harriet were on the shy side, and more timid than some of the other girls. They’d built strong bonds with all the women who taught in the school, but especially with Fae, Imogene, and each other.

  “You’ll all be fine. I’m not sending you out there all on your own. And don’t pretend you don’t know what I’m talking about. Everyone knows that Abigail has been corresponding with a man out west and now the other women I’ve spoken to have started the process too. It’s really the only way to afford sending you all out to these places before the money for the schools is sent to you.”

  Fae reached over and took Harriet’s hand in hers as she watched the color drain from her friend’s face. She knew what she was thinking, and it made Fae so sad to know that her friend didn’t believe she’d ever be worthy of any man’s love.

  “And don’t worry that you’ll be going out to marry some stranger who could be dangerous, or that you’ll end up with some cantankerous old coot with no teeth of his own. I assure you, I’m going to be making sure every man you consider corresponding with is a suitable candidate. And I will personally do as much digging as I can to find out whether they are to be trusted or not.” Wiggie looked around at the girls who were all staring at her dumbfounded.

  “What? You ladies, all look like you’d never even considered the possibility of that happening. Well, no matter. Now that you do realize it could happen, you can rest assured, knowing I’ll make sure you choose the right men.”

  Wiggie struggled with her skirts as she tried to stand up. The old rocking chair that she sat in kept moving every time she did, making the soft material slip along the wooden seat. She muttered under her breath as she continued to struggle.

  Fae stood up and put her hand out for her to take.

  “Thank you, dear. Now maybe you’ll all believe me when I tell you this old body is just about plumb worn out. I can’t even get out of a chair on my own without looking like a half-dead fish flopping around on the ground.” Wiggie stood up and brushed at her skirts. “Heavens, look at how wrinkled I am. I look like I’ve been rolling around wrestling with the children outside.”

  Fae laughed and shook her head. “Wiggie, you look exactly the same as you did when you walked in the door. You’re just trying to make a fuss, so we won’t put up any more arguments and try to change your mind.”

  Wiggie’s eyes met hers, and she recognized that sparkle she’d grown to love.

  “Well, I’m leaving the idea here with you girls to discu
ss. I know you will be doing that as soon as I leave. I want you to at least consider it. I love you all like daughters, and I only want what is best for you. I hope you’ll understand that while I’ve created this nest for you to grow in, it’s time to spread your wings and share everything I’ve spent these years teaching you.” Wiggie smiled at each of them. “And I have no doubt in my mind that each and every one of you will soar once you realize just what you’re capable of doing outside the security of these walls.”

  Chapter 2

  “So, how will you decide? There are so many men to choose from. And I have to wonder why they even need to put some advertisement in a magazine. What’s wrong with them? Why can’t they find a woman where they live?”

  Vera-Mae’s voice was a hushed whisper as she sat on Fae’s bed alongside Harriet with the low light from the lantern casting their shadows on the wall behind them. Fae hadn’t been able to sleep the past two nights since her talk with Madam Wigg. Thoughts and plans had been running through her mind, filling her with excitement and worry at the same time.

  So when she’d been lying there with the silence of the night around her, she’d easily heard Vera-Mae’s shuffling footsteps and the banging as she ran into a wall. It was well-known that the young girl walked in her sleep, so they all kept their ears open for her. Fae had gone out to the hall and coaxed her into their room before she could make it to the stairs and hurt herself.

  Now, the three women sat on the bed looking through the Bride’s Bulletin magazine that Wiggie had given them. Vera was a bit younger than Fae and Harriet, so Madam Wigg hadn’t made her any offer yet, and Fae wasn’t sure the older woman even would until they were a bit older. But Vera was excited for them as she pointed at the different ads.

  “Well, from what Madam Wigg told me, I guess there aren’t a lot of women out west. At least not as many as there are men. So if the men want a bride, they sometimes have to bring one from out here.”

  “I guess that makes sense. It’s likely so uncivilized out there that it might not be any place for a woman to live. But it also sounds like it might be exciting to go.” Vera looked up at Fae and grinned. “I know someone like you will love it. You’ll get there and even if it is completely uncivilized, within just a short time you’ll have made everyone around you see only the good things that are there.”

  Fae rolled her eyes and smiled. “I don’t know about that, Vera. Even I sometimes see that everything isn’t always perfect.”

  The girls flipped the page and huddled together in the flickering light as they continued to look at the ads.

  “What does this one mean when he says he’d prefer his wife to be well endowed? Does he think she’ll be coming with some kind of inheritance or something like that?”

  Fae lifted her head and her eyes met Harriet’s. They both started to laugh quietly as they looked back at Vera who was still looking down at the magazine intently.

  “Vera, he doesn’t care about having an inheritance. He’s hoping for more of an endowment in this area.” Fae motioned with her hands in front of her chest and giggled when Vera’s eyes widened in shock.

  “You can’t be serious! Surely he’s looking for more than that in a wife!” Vera pushed the magazine toward Harriet in disgust.

  “Some of the advertisements I’ve read leave me shaking my head in disbelief, but most of the men seem to be slightly more practical in their requests.” Harriet looked down at the magazine and shrugged. “Although I’m almost certain there aren’t any who would be looking for anything specific I could offer.” The last sentence was said almost under her breath, but she couldn’t hide it completely from Fae’s ears.

  “Harriet, I wish you’d stop thinking like that. You know how much it upsets me. I’ve already told you—you have more to offer any man than most women I know. Trust me, once you find the right one, he will fall in love with the person you are. The same way we all love you.”

  Ever since Madam Wigg had spoken to them, Harriet had been fretting and worrying about what she should do. Fae knew Harriet had talked to Wiggie on her own afterward, but she was still struggling with her decision. Harriet was afraid to correspond with a man and get her hopes up if he wasn’t able to accept her flaws.

  Harriet had always had a limp, but none of the girls in the school even noticed it anymore. It wasn’t anything that affected how she lived or what she could do, but in Harriet’s eyes, she believed she was “damaged.” No matter how much Fae tried to make her see the truth, Harriet was sure that others judged her based on what they saw when she walked.

  “You have to say that, Fae, because you’re my friend.” Harriet smiled to let her know she was just teasing her, but Fae could tell the smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. She decided to wait until Vera-Mae had gone back to her own room before talking to Harriet about it more.

  One thing she did know was that she wasn’t going to let her friend ever believe she wasn’t worthy of finding a man to love her.

  “Oh, Fae, look at this one! He owns a mercantile out in the Dakota Territory. At least that would be fairly civilized. You’d be living in town and you would likely be able to order any sewing materials you wanted to make dresses and clothes for the people out there! You’ve always wanted to be able to do something like that.”

  Fae looked at the ad Harriet was pointing to. Everyone knew how much she loved to sew. She’d often designed new dresses for the girls at the school to rival any that they’d be able to buy from the most expensive dressmakers in the country.

  “Respected gentleman owner of town mercantile seeking woman to help with running the store while building a home together. Can’t promise you riches but hope that love can grow between us. Looking for an honest woman who is strong enough to face life in a small town on the frontier.”

  She read the advertisement out loud to the other girls. This one seemed different from some of what they’d been reading. He didn’t mention anything about age, and he wasn’t asking for anything specific as far as physical traits in the woman. Most had requests for hair color, age, height, among many other characteristics.

  So why was this one jumping out at her?

  “Caleb Bailey. Promise, Dakota Territory.”

  She’d never heard of any town called Promise before. Mind you, she really didn’t know much about the land out west. She did know the Dakotas were a bit more primitive than some more settled areas, but there was something about it that made her heart skip a beat.

  Promise.

  Maybe just the name of the town was what was causing her so much excitement. How could a town called Promise be bad?

  “You know you’re exactly the kind of woman he’s looking for. If anyone is strong enough to live out there, without any false promises of riches, it’s you, Fae.”

  Vera nodded in agreement with Harriet.

  “Riches don’t mean anything to me. All I want is someone who will love me. A man who is honest and who will sweep me off my feet. This is the first ad I’ve seen that the man has even mentioned anything about the word love. Everyone else is just looking for a companion, someone to help raise their children, or keep their house for them.” She looked back down at the name. Caleb.

  Was this the man she would marry? Would she end up falling in love with him?

  Grinning at her friends sitting on the bed beside her, she had to stop herself from cheering with excitement. “I’m going to write a letter to him right now. What will I say?”

  Harriet and Vera smiled at each other, then moved to let her get off the bed. Opening the drawer in the small table between their beds, she pulled out some paper.

  “I’d say just tell him the truth about who you are. If he’s the right one for you, he’ll know it.”

  Fae’s hand shook as she started to write. For some reason, she knew the words she was about to write were going to change her life.

  But instead of being scared, her heart pounded with something else she just couldn’t explain.

  Until she look
ed down and saw the name of the town again.

  Promise.

  Chapter 3

  “Thank you, Wiggie, for everything. For taking me in as a baby and giving me a home. And for always letting me be who I am. You’ve given me so much. Now you’re giving me an opportunity to start a school out west, while being able to find someone to love me and to build my own family with.”

  Wiggie’s eyes were wet, but she quickly reached up and wiped all evidence away. “Well, say what you want, but you girls have given me much more than I could have ever given to you. Now you get on that train and go find your happiness.”

  Fae smiled at Wiggie as she reached out to embrace her. “Maybe I’ll find myself a prince, just like Xenia did.”

  Wiggie huffed as they pulled back, still holding their arms around each other. “Fae Wigg, I’m quite certain Xenia hasn’t run off to marry a prince, no matter how much you might believe it.”

  Fae just shrugged. “There’s no reason to believe otherwise. Some of the girls have suspicions of something bad happening to her, but I like to believe it was something wonderful and one day soon she’ll be coming back to tell us all about it.”

  No one knew what had happened to Xenia. She was just gone one day without a word, but since Fae knew how strong Xenia was and always looking for adventure, she believed she was all right. And of course, that she’d found a prince to sweep her away to his castle.

  She leaned in closer to Madam Wigg once more, whispering in her ear. “And, I also don’t believe for a moment you’re dying. Not for a very long time. But your secret is safe with me.”