Amanda threw her a dark look. “You want me to spoil my chances by mentioning a sick mother? He’ll see me as a burden.” Realization dawned on her then and her eyes widened. “You told him about mother?”
Elsa nodded. “That’s part of the reason why I wrote to him. I sort of made it a condition of my acceptance of going to Montana. Mama has to see a doctor first.”
To Elsa’s surprise, Amanda dropped her pen and broke into laughter. She laughed so hard that tears fell from her eyes.
“You really are an innocent to the ways of the world sister. Which man would take on the burden of a sick mother?”
When Amanda put it like that, Elsa felt foolish at the letter she had written. Clearly men preferred a woman who covered up things rather than one who was forthright about her situation. Since Christopher was that kind of man, they did not belong together. Elsa preferred honesty, however bad the situation was.
Amanda left for the post office later in the morning and Elsa cleaned up the barn and let out their lone cow to graze on the remaining grass. The following morning, Elsa had the sound of hooves as a horse approached the house. She hurried to the front door wondering who on earth it could be. They rarely received visitors; it was as if the townsfolk were worried that their misfortunes were catching.
It was the postman and with a smile he handed a letter to Elsa. Her heart pounded faster when she saw that the letter was addressed to her. She went to the kitchen and with trembling fingers slit open the letter. When she unfolded, a few notes fell out, and Elsa’s jaw dropped. She read the letter with tears streaming down her eyes.
Dear Elsa,
I read your frank letter with a heavy heart and felt for you and your sister. Many years ago I was in a similar situation and that’s why I feel obliged to help. I hope that your outcome turns out better than mine did. Please put aside your agreement, the money that I have enclosed is not binding, it’s simply a gift from one country man to another.
That aside, I’m still interested in knowing more about you. Tell me about yourself, and do let me know how your mother progresses, I’m eager to know if she regains her health. I will not write much, knowing that it is of utmost urgency that you take your mother to a doctor. However when everything settles down, I’d be most eager to hear from you.
Respectfully,
Christopher.
Elsa dropped her head and cried like she would never stop. Never in her whole life had she ever experienced kindness from a stranger- Nothing of this magnitude. Did such people really exist? Her mind was everywhere and she needed time to compose her thoughts and think about where to begin. She looked at the notes and the gingerly picked them. Three whole dollars.
Suddenly, Elsa jumped up and went to their room.
“I’m off to get a buggy; we’re taking mama to the doctors.” Elsa announced to Amanda.
“How, do you have money?” she said.
“Yes, lots. Go to the kitchen and read the letter on the table. You’ll understand everything. Then get mama ready. Give a wiping and dress her. There’s no time to waste. I’m off.” Elsa said and ran out, pausing only to open the front door.
“How do you do Elsa, how’s your mama?” Mrs. Potter shouted at her.
Elsa waved, and shouted back. “Not good, we’re taking her to the doctors.”
She never stopped running.
“All the best child.” Mrs. Potter’s voice floated to her ears.
Elsa ran all the way to town and to the railway station where the buggies for hire waited for passengers. She got one, negotiated a price, and soon, she was bouncing at the back on the way to get Amanda and their mother. She gripped the rail at the front tightly and said a silent prayer. Please let it not be too late. Now that help was so close, Elsa felt taut with nerves.
Chapter Five
Dear Christopher,
I don’t know where to start? So much has happened since I received your letter and money. I will never tire of telling you thank you no matter what happens or doesn’t between us. You would not believe the powers of medicine. Mama is up and about although she still tires easily, but the doctor said that soon, that will be a thing of the past.
Thank you so much. That sounds so inadequate. There are no words to express my gratitude to you. Nobody has ever shown me such kindness. Mama passes her gratitude too and she wishes she could express it in person. Yesterday she even cooked us a meal, the first time in so many months. Her skin has gotten its color back, and she’s able to converse as she used to.
I’m overwhelmed by joy. You told me in your last letter to tell you a little about myself. Well, first of all, I can hardly describe myself as pretty. I’m a bit on the heavy side as I had the misfortune of inheriting my father’s big bones. I have brown hair that never listens to my instructions on how I want it to stay.
Looks aside, I believe that I have a kind heart and a good disposition. I believe that people who disagree should seat down and talk out their problems. There’s nothing that cannot be resolved when two people are willing to compromise. My parents had a good solid marriage, founded on love and kindness and that is what I wish for myself.
I wouldn’t describe myself as talkative, but as you can see, I do have a tendency to go on when I do open my mouth. So I’ll stop there and await your reply.
With gratitude,
Elsa
Reading Elsa’s letter confirmed Christopher’s instincts. This was the woman he wanted to marry. Unlike Mathew, his attraction for the fairer sex did not come from physical attributes, though he did like a woman with some curves on her. Rather, he looked at character first. He knew that a woman could be as beautiful as Cleopatra, yet with a weak and nasty character.
He compared Elsa’s letters to her sister’s. Amanda had never once mentioned her sister or that her mother was sick. Her expectations of the ranch were also unrealistic. That’s not how people here lived. Amanda expected to have servants at her back and call. She expected parties and going to theatres and that kind of life. She would be perfect for Mathew, Christopher thought with a chuckle.
His mind made up, he got prepared to pen down a reply. This was the big one. The letter where he would invite her to the ranch. With a sinking heart, Christopher knew that he would have to write to Amanda as well. It would not be fair to just drop her like hot coal, without telling her. Already from her letter, he could tell that she was a woman of a volatile temperament. He imagined her green eyes dark with rage and shrugged.
The choice was his and as far as he was concerned, there was no competition. Elsa would be perfect for him.
Elsa sat at the steps of the front door and opened her letter. Two tickets and some money fell out. One was a train ticket and the other for a stage coach. She read the letter in disbelief. He had picked her. Christopher was inviting her to Montana. Elsa finished reading the letter and hugged it to her chest. She felt happier than she had in a long time.
It seemed so unreal, that somebody actually wanted to marry her. She felt a panicky feeling coming on. What if Christopher got disappointed when he saw her? Then she remembered that she had tried to describe herself fully. That and he had seen a photograph of Amanda. Yet he wanted her, Elsa! She read the letter again to be sure that she wasn’t imagining things.
“Elsa?” her mother’s voice called out.
“I’m here mama.” Elsa replied.
Her mother came out and sat down on the steps next to her.
“Mama, Christopher has invited me to Montana. He wants to marry me.” Elsa cried.
“Oh child that is so wonderful. You deserve it, you really do.” She said and ran her hand down Elsa’s cheek.
“I’m so excited.” Elsa said.
A sad shadow crossed her mother’s face.
“What is it mama, are you unwell?” Elsa said, knowing that she had become paranoid.
Every time her mother as much as yawned, she looked at her sharply, or asked if she was OK.
“I’m well Elsa, don’t fret. I’v
e never been better. I’m just happy and sad. I want to see you go off and make a new life for yourself. But we’ll miss you so much. You’ve held this family together during those trying times when I was ill. How will we get by?”
Amanda was so angry; she could feel her blood boiling. She paced the length of their room and seethed with anger. How could he? He had led her to believe that she was his choice. Elsa was plain looking, why would a man choose her over Amanda? She had not hidden her anger from Elsa and their mother and now she felt a little bad at showing them.
Now Elsa would think that she had won, when really, he wasn’t a prize worth writing home about. He was perfect for Elsa. Why hadn’t she seen him for what he was?
Slowly her anger dissipated and she dismissed Christopher. The truth was that he wasn’t the type of man who made her world light up. As far as she was concerned, he was a regular farmer who expected a farmer’s wife and that was one thing that Amanda was not. She was a lady and she needed a man who would recognize that and ensure she had all the trappings of her station. She even managed to feel sorry for Elsa.
Poor thing, she had no idea what awaited her in Montana. Her life would be no different than it was here, probably worse. She would wake up before dawn and all the chores would fall on her since there was nobody else to help out. That issue resolved, Amanda left the bedroom and went to the kitchen to join her mother and sister.
They looked at her wearily when she entered.
“Congratulations sister, I’m happy for you.” Amanda said gracefully. “Sorry about my earlier outburst, I wasn’t thinking correctly.”
Elsa smiled unsurely. Their mama glanced from one daughter to the other and grinned widely.
“The thing is, Christopher was not the right man for me. Are you sure that you want to go to Montana? Elsa, he has no housekeeper, you’ll have to do all the work. He’ll expect you to cook, clean and do all the chores around the ranch. Are you ready for that?” Amanda said.
“I don’t mind hard work. I’ve been working all my life. Besides it’ll be a partnership. He too will be hard at work in the ranch, tending to the cattle. I’ll enjoy ensuring the household runs smoothly. Plus I can’t wait to learn how to ride a horse.” Elsa said.
Amanda made a face and they all laughed. “But horses are dirty.”
“Not if you don’t fall off.”
“When is your departure date?” Amanda said.
“In two weeks.” Elsa said.
Amanda could see the bubbling excitement in her sister. For once she did not feel envious of her sister going off to start a new life. To her surprise, she felt sad about Elsa leaving. They had never been apart from the time when they were little girls. Amanda realized that she loved her sister deeply.
“Keep a lookout for a suitable man for me out there in Montana.” She said her voice shaky with unshed tears.
“I will. One who has a housekeeper.” Elsa said, with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
“I’ll take nothing less than that.” Amanda said.
“We’ll be fine, won’t we Amanda? Besides I know Elsa won’t let the end of year reach without inviting us.” Their mother said.
She had changed so much in the last month. She had gained most of her weight back and her cheeks were rosy with health. Amanda knew that they had Christopher to thank for that. She would forgive him for leading her on; only because her mother was now back to her old self.
Maybe next summer would be her turn to find her prince, who would carry her off to a castle in a faraway land. Amanda chuckled to herself. If only there were princes’ in real life. She would do anything in her power to snag one, and then she would live in luxury all her life. As it were, the prospects in New Hampshire were dismal. The men here were weak and none were more than average in looks and financially.
Amanda sighed. She would not lose hope just yet.
Chapter Six
Elsa stepped out of the stage coach and looked around. Her eyes stopped when they rested on a man standing a few steps away, his eyes locked on her. Her legs turned to water and her skin broke out into a sweat. She knew it was Christopher when he took three giant steps towards her. Instead of shaking her hand, he took it and brought his mouth to it.
He kissed her hand gently, kept holding it and kissed her cheek. Elsa’s mouth was dry and she felt sure that she had lost all her powers of speech.
“You are so beautiful.” He said his voice husky and deep.
Elsa smiled unsure of what to say. She couldn’t believe that the tall handsome man standing in front of her was her fiancé. He had washed out blond hair and brown skin, tanned by the outdoors and a pearly white smile. Looking at him, Elsa could tell that this was a man who labored hard. His chest was muscular and his shirt sleeves bulged from the size of his arms.
He made her want to rest her head on his chest and touch his chest. Shocked at her thoughts, Elsa felt her face grow hot and she was glad that he could not read her thoughts.
“I’ve arranged for you to freshen up in a hotel here and we can get married immediately. Elsa’s eyes grew wide.
A wedding?Already.
“Is that OK, or do you need some time to get used to the idea?” Christopher asked his eyes full of concern.
Elsa thought for a moment. She was here already; there was nothing to think about.
“No I don’t need time. I’m sure.” She said firmly.
Christopher retrieved her brown suitcase from the stage coach, held her hand and guided her out of the station. He helped her into a buggy and jumped in the driver’s seat.
“The town is not so big but you won’t luck for anything.” Christopher called out from the front.
He kept up a string of conversation, which Elsa was glad for because it kept her worries at bay. Soon they packed in front of a smart looking building.
“This is the hotel where we’ll freshen up and spend the night.” Christopher said. “I hope that you’ll like it.”
“I’m sure I will.” Elsa said with a smile and more confidence than she actually felt.
The receptionist was a young man and he politely checked them in. then he rang for a bellboy, who showed them towards the stairs. Their room was on the second floor, and once the uniformed bellboy had deposited Elsa’s case he left them alone. Christopher placed a small bag on the table.
“Welcome to Montana my beautiful bride. I know that we’ll be very happy together.” He said and took a step towards her.
He kissed her on the cheek and instinctively, Elsa threw her hands around his chest. Christopher groaned, which dared her to go even further. Tentatively, she kissed his mouth, and in response he opened his. His tongue darted out and entered her mouth. Elsa felt the most glorious sensation, as though she was riding the waves in a sea.
Christopher pulled her body against his and grinded is pelvis against her. Elsa’s eyes widened when she felt hardness between her legs. She was not innocent to the ways of men and women, even if she had never experienced it.
“You’re tempting me, and I don’t think I can control myself any more. I’ll be downstairs when you’re ready my temptress.” Christopher said.
Elsa grinned to herself when he left. Who was that daring woman? She couldn’t believe that she had behaved that way, but instead of feeling ashamed, she felt excited at what lay ahead. She washed herself in the adjoining bathroom and unpacked a sheer pink dress that she had sewn as a just in case. She stretched it out on the bed and admired it. It would be perfect for the wedding.
Chapter Seven
The wedding was simple with the preacher, a witness and the two of them. The church was small and perfect for their intimate ceremony. Looking at her new husband as they left the church hand in hand, Elsa felt suddenly shy. Would she know what to do? Sure she had seen animals, but that seemed so mechanical, nothing like the feelings she had experienced back at the hotel.
“What would you like to do now?” Christopher said once they were out in the sunshine. “If you like we
can go to the ranch today.”
Elsa knew he was giving her a chance to get used to the idea of marriage but she wasn’t fearful. There was something solid and good and kind about Christopher. She felt safe with him.
“No, let’s go back to the hotel.” Elsa said.
Her eyes met with Christopher’s and the intensity in his eyes made her insides melt. The hotel was only a short walk away. They held hands and walked silently, each engrossed in their own thoughts. Elsa’s mind was stuck on the memory of earlier on, when their lips had locked together and Christopher had pushed his tongue into her mouth.
They went up the stairs and when Christopher locked the door to their room, they stood and looked at each other. The chemistry in the room was so strong; Elsa knew she could cut it with a knife. Then Christopher took a step towards her. He touched her cheek. She stood still unable to move. He brought his mouth to hers. A shock went through Elsa and she almost gasped.
It amazed her that she could have such a strong reaction to a man she had only just met in person. Her husband, she reminded herself. Elsa touched his cheek and then held his neck with both of her hands. Christopher then did something no one had ever done to her. He gently touched her nipples through the material of her dress, and then gently cupped her breasts.
Without her knowledge, Elsa groaned. Christopher took her hand from his neck and guided it to the bulge in his trousers. Elsa snatched her hand away then slowly returned it there. Gingerly she touched his manhood. He opened the buttons of his trousers and it sprung out. Elsa was amazed at its size. She covered it with his hand and Christopher moaned.
Liking his reaction, she moved her hand up and then down. He groaned and pulled her hand away. He turned her round and proceeded to undo her dress, all the while planting kisses on her neck. Elsa arched her neck for more. He managed to undo her dress, which fell to the floor in a heap. She wasn’t sure what was expected of her so she stood still.
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