In His Eyes(83)
Mrs. Martin clucked her tongue. “My, what an intriguing mess.”
“Oh, hush, Mama.” Opal beamed at Ella while she rocked Lee. “Isn’t it romantic? He comes home, surprised to find a beautiful woman in his house, they fall in love, and this poor orphan child has a family to call his own.” She sighed wistfully and Ella’s stomach clenched.
“Nonsense.” Mrs. Martin gave an unladylike snort. “Now who has been reading too many novels? You sound like you are spouting the tale from one of those silly romances you like.”
Opal’s lip poked out. “Say what you will. I still think it’s beautiful.”
Mrs. Martin rolled her eyes. “They probably agreed to wed so that Mr. Remington could have someone tend Belmont while he is away and care for him in wifely ways when he’s home, and so that she will have the only security afforded to a woman of her situation.”
Ella’s heart constricted. Mrs. Martin had managed to pluck exactly the right chord. The part about wifely duties struck her. She hadn’t even considered such a thing! Though Westley had said in name only….
“That is simply terrible, Mama,” Opal stated, seeming a bit miffed.
Mrs. Martin cocked her head and looked at Ella expectantly.
Ella grimaced. “I’m afraid your mother is a bit closer to the truth.”
Opal groaned.
“Major Remington and I will wed so that I will have a home and so he will have someone to pass his lands on to should something happen to him in the western territories.”
“The western territories?” Opal fanned herself with her free hand. “Oh, the horror of it.”
Lee began to fuss, likely because the lady held him too tightly. Ella reached for him and Opal handed him over, still looking a bit dazed.
Mrs. Martin plucked her teacup from where she’d left it on the tray and poured herself a fresh cup. “I say that you are very lucky. Why, I dare say that the odds this turned out so well for you were mighty slim indeed.”
Ella nodded, unable to deny the truth of the statement.
Opal’s lips turned down. “Well, there is still a wedding to consider.” She brightened. “Do you have a gown?”
Mrs. Martin scoffed. “What a silly question, child.”
Opal’s cheeks flamed and Ella offered her a smile. “Major Remington was kind enough to have a new dress fashioned for me. It won’t be a wedding gown, of course, because that would hardly be practical, but Sibby said they ordered a functional dress that would compliment me. Major Remington is to pick it up from a seamstress today.”
Opal smiled, but her eyes seemed sad. Ella tried not to dwell on that and turned back to the dowager. “I am terribly sorry for deceiving you. It was not my intention to become an imposter, it just sort of…happened.”
To her surprise, Mrs. Martin grinned. “Think nothing of it, dear. It was right clever of you outwitting those Yanks. And I am glad you have been able to find a means of security for you and the child. Opal and I will be happy to provide witness so that you may legalize your vows.”
It all seemed rather impersonal, these wedding guests agreeing to perform a function at a wedding service that was more the signing of a business agreement. Throughout the remainder of the visit, Ella had to force herself to keep up polite conversation, and when Opal swept her into a tight hug on her way out the door some time later, tears stung her eyes.
“Don’t you worry. I’ll come by and you and I will have a lovely time to pass some of the days after he leaves.”
Ella squeezed her new friend and stepped back. “That would be exceedingly kind of you.” She would delight in a bit of diversion from the emotions that would be certain to plague her.
Basil loaded up two sacks each of flour and sugar, plus a few jars of preserves and a loaf of Sibby’s bread into the ladies’ carriage. Then the women took their leave and Ella closed the door behind them, somehow feeling much emptier than when the day began.
Ella stared at herself in the mirror, wondering just exactly where this woman had come from. Gone was the ragged looking waif that scrubbed the dishes in the Buckhorn Inn, and in her place stood what appeared to be a refined lady.
She turned, letting the hems of the wide skirt twist around her slippered feet. Westley had managed to order a fine gown, and Sibby’s measurements meant that it fit her every curve perfectly.
She eyed her reflection, admiring the dress’s green hoop skirt with ruffled black trim and the fitted jacket with silk edging and delicate stitching. The blouse underneath clasped at the base of her throat, and as Ella reached up to feel the edges of her lapel, she smiled. She appeared modest yet stylish, elegant yet practical. It would seem the man did well in choosing attire fitting for the mistress of Belmont.
Even the garment’s colors complemented her complexion, and the deep green accentuated the fiery tints of her hair. Yes, it would seem her future husband had thought of everything. Ella turned away from the mirror, taking her place in her dressing chair just as Sibby opened the door from the nursery.
“Oh, good. You is ready for me to get to that hair.” Sibby hobbled into the room, looking like a flustered hen by flapping her walking stick around like a broken wing.
Ella nearly giggled at the show Sibby made of it. It seemed they now had two people in this house that begrudgingly moved about on a cane. The thought snatched the gathering grin from her lips. What a terrible thing to think! Neither of them wanted to depend on a cane, and for her to find amusement in it was just cruel.