Maude's Trials (Widows of Virginia #1)(4)

“Why do these things keep happening to me?” Maude wept into her hands. “Oh, Lord why do you test me so?”

This was not what she prayed for, this was not her salvation. Alone in the room, she held her head in her hands as the tears kept flowing. She felt forsaken and lost.

“An arranged marriage…” Maude lay on the bed and closed her eyes. “From the letters I thought Raymond to be an honest man. Why would he lie? Why would he drag me all the way here? Why? And, oh dear Lord, I nearly brought my kids into all this.”

And with that she burst into tears anew. It was all too much to take.

A knock on the door forced her eyes open again.

“Excuse me ma’am, will you be joining the master for breakfast?” Fidelis asked.

“No, I’m not hungry, thank you.” Her make-up was all smeared, her eyes wet and her dress crumpled. She would not appear before Raymond looking like that.

After a long pause Fidelis spoke again through the door.

“Do you need anything ma’am? I’m at your service.” Did Fidelis notice something odd in her voice?

“Yes.” Maude whispered. “I need to go back home.”





Chapter 4


Maude must have cried herself to sleep waiting for Fidelis to come back with the train schedule as a knock on her door startled her awake.

“Who is it?” her voice was faint. Her eyes still sore and tired.

“It’s Rachael.”

Rachael? Maude pulled herself from the bed. A quick glance out the window confirmed her fears. The day flew by and it was afternoon already. She rushed to the mirror to make herself presentable when she noticed a note left for her on the dressing table. When did this get here? She picked up the piece of paper and mouthed the words.



I forgot to mention this earlier, but it goes without saying… Not a word should get to Raymond about what we had discussed. He is already at the verge of losing his ranch because of you. I am sure you do not wish to cause any more trouble for him. But if you are foolish enough to breathe a word of this to anyone - you will regret it, be sure of that.

Claire Ashton



Maude stared at the note for some time. How did it get here? Claire didn’t leave anything behind and I didn’t hear anyone come in.

“Maude?” Another, more urgent knock on the door followed. “Is everything alright?”

She glanced at the note not knowing what to do with it. In a moment of panic she just stuffed it under the pillow and dashed to open the door, fixing up her hair mid-step.

“Please, come in.” She put on a brave smile.

“Is everything okay?” Rachael looked her up and down. “You look sad.”

“No, no, I’m not sad. Everything is alright, it’s just…” She didn’t know what to say. Not prone to coming up with stories on the spot, let alone lies, she struggled to find a plausible excuse.

“Have you been sleeping all day?”

That was evident, Maude couldn’t deny it. She stepped back into the room and sat on her bed eager for her questioning to be.

“I came to check on you. When you didn’t show up for breakfast we assumed it was the late night trip.” She paused and looked around the room as if searching for something. “But when we heard no word all day… My brother started to worry.”

“There is nothing to be worried about. It’s just that… you are right it was the travel.” She avoided looking directly at Rachael. “I was actually getting ready just before you came.”

Raymond’s sister raised a brow briefly, but a moment later her bright smile was back and she grabbed Maude’s hand in hers.

“Don’t worry Maude, I understand travel can take its toll.” Rachael’s sweet words soothed her. “Please, treat this like your home. Soon the ranch will be yours too and we’ll all be one happy family, living the rich life. My brother will provide for us both.”

She squeezed Maude’s hand.

“Thank you,” Maude said swallowing the tears threatening to pour out of her eyes again. Not a word to anyone, she remembered Claire’s threat.

“I have to go now. I will see you later, hopefully you’ll feel well enough for dinner.”

“Thank you for coming, Rachael.”

That was embarrassing. Maude made her bed and sorted out her disheveled clothes. For a moment she still hoped it was all a crazy dream, but it was all too real to be a dream. She hated having to lie to everyone. Please hurry Fidelis. I don’t want to lie no more.

Maude paced across the room, not wanting to miss the servant’s return. The few items she had unpacked before were all back in her bag.

“Oh, Lord, you know I did this for the sake of my children. Please do not forsake me dear Lord. I put all my trust in you. Help me my God. Help me get through this.” She kept repeating a short prayer.

Since Claire forbade her to tell anyone she assumed Raymond knew nothing about the arranged marriage. Why else would he seek a mail order bride? That much was clear. Though she still couldn’t understand why he sought a bride in such manner in the first place – given his handsome looks and prosperous ranch… But maybe that was it, the ranch wasn’t as prosperous as it would have seemed.

She turned her thoughts to her children and stepped out onto the balcony to take a breath of fresh, country air. To take a last look, at what she had briefly hoped she’d share with her future husband. Maude shook her head. That was not the right way to think. She had to get the fields, the flower gardens, the big house and their tall, tanned owner out of her head.