by Lisa Day
He smirked. “Sorry. The idea about food was a good one. I am starved.” He finished walking into the room and pulled out the closet chair. He sat.
Victoria pushed the platter between them and after placing two cups, filled with tea mixed with the cider, she sat across from him. What she couldn't explain was why the large kitchen now felt small and cramped.
Thomas extended his hand across the table to her. Victoria didn't resist this time and cautiously placed her hand in his. Both people bowed their heads as Thomas shared a blessing over it. Only he didn't stop at the food. He went on about how blessed he was to find a woman so special as Victoria. By the time he finished. Her heart was breaking.
“Oh plates, I forgot the plates.” She went to rise.
“No. This is fine. See.” He picked up a piece of cheese between his fingers. Instead of putting it in his own mouth his arm stretched out and held it before hers. Victoria opened her lips and accepted his offering.
It felt naughty. She giggled.
***
“Look here, Thomas you can't be serious. Brother, your not thinking. Well, maybe you are, but not with your brain.” Keith eyes on Thomas scanned the area he referred to.
The two men were arguing for the past ten minutes. Victoria stood on the bottom step when she heard the raised voices catching the end of the exchange.
“I don't care if you understand or not. I actually and as shocked as I may be to say this. I love that woman. I want us to be happy and that is only going to happen if Victoria is allowed to be happy. And the town be damned. She comes first and being forced to be the school teacher will not make her happy.”
“Thomas, be reasonable it's a package deal. Remember the town's charter.”
“I have. The school teacher has to be married and I was forced to agree. But there is nothing that says my wife has to be that teacher. So, I say no.”
“Your pigheadedness in this will make you an outcast.” Keith warned.
“I don't care. Her happiest now comes first even before my own. The council can find another man to fill the obligation. Now there's an idea. Why don't you volunteer to replace me?”
Keith cursed.
Thomas calmed down and in a more normal tone of voice said. “Maybe you'd be as lucky as I am.”
“We're running out of time to beginning searching all over again.”
Thomas held his hand up forcing Keith to stop talking.
“I understand that. The most I can do is ask Victoria if she'd be willing to set up the schoolroom, so whoever they fine can take over immediately.
Victoria stepped in the entryway. Thomas was facing the doorway. His face lit up. If Keith hadn't stepped aside Thomas would've mowed him down in his haste to touch the woman now standing there.
The smile she wore was feeble. Victoria was still overcome by the passionate way Thomas defended her to his brother.
Keith stiffened up. He bowed and scowled.
“I must run, Victoria, Thomas.”
He stopped and turned to face the couple. He was being flippant when he said, “Apparently now it's...For the good of Thomas.”
“Is that such a bad thing, brother?”
Thomas dismissed his brother's attitude and swept his fiancee into his arms. His kiss demanded a response. She obeyed a little too ardently to her way of thinking and decide she was playing the role of a woman in love.
***
The afternoon required a visit to Thomas' mother's home. She planned a small gathering of her closet friends to meet Victoria.
Thomas and Victoria arrived at three o'clock sharp. The attendant took hold of the horse's bridle to hold him steady as the couple disembarked the carriage.
Thomas turned to help Victoria from the vehicle. His hands remained around her waist once her feet touched the earth. He deferred letting go of her. He eventually turned, and together they faced the house. Victoria shivered.
“I'm sorry. I should have known better.” He exhaled the words in a plea of forgiveness.
The home's front grounds and front porch were covered with people.
“I can only guess the only people not here are the people locked up in the town's jail.” Thomas felt the woman on his arm take a deep breath.”
“Would it help if I promise not to leave your side.”
Victoria answered too quickly. “Yes...please.”
The word 'done' barely left his mouth.
“Oh look, everyone here's the happy couple now.”
Victoria nodded, smiled, and greeted everyone with a smile and a kind word or two. Thomas true to his word never left her side. In fact, he never even let go of the arm hooked in his. A few pats every now and again, helped to calm the woman he loved, when he felt her tense. If the pat on her hand didn't do the trick, Then a light brush of his lips on her cheek near her ear followed by a smile reassured her. The kiss made her blush, but the guests cheered the couple's apparent fondness for each other and excused the public display of affection. It was after all their party.
Except it didn't feel like a party to the guests of honor. Thomas had always been one to shy away from the limelight. Even if he knew every single person invited. What the gathering did accomplish was to make him relax and believe somehow he had indeed won Victoria's trust and acceptance enough for her to wed him. He didn't for one minute believe her feelings for him were equal to his own toward her.
Victoria on the other held up wonderfully. That is if you consider the genuine welcome she received for the town's people. Not to mention she performed her role of the smitten betrothed to the letter.
She no longer suffered butterflies when Thomas kissed her. There were no tingling desires for more, when he took advantage of her nearness the minute they found themselves alone, and boldly fondled her breasts.
In their place the sick dread of a guilty conscience left behind one doozy of a headache and a tummy full of twisted knots.
***
Thomas continued to insist he share the bed with Victoria and her pleading a sick headache as an excuse that went ignored. He did, however, bring her a glass of water with citrus acid added to it.
“Drink this, my mother swears by it.”
She obediently emptied the glass as he undressed and slipped beneath the covers. He sat high on the bed and pulled Victoria up and across his lap. She started to resist him.
“No. Just allow me to soothe your headache.” He placed a hand on each side of her head and began to massage her temples.
Thomas' ministration were feather light, and they did seem to lessen the throbbing. Victoria desire to relax enough to fall asleep was hindered by bewildering and discomfort over lying to Thomas. A man who actually showed her every consideration possible under the circumstances. That is if one can forgive kidnapping.
The sandman's dust of slumber carried her away when Victoria figured out a way to sort of return a kindness to Thomas.
***
Restraint and restrain yourself became Thomas' mantra. Still in awe that Victoria agreed to help set up the schoolroom for whoever might replaced her. Together they walked across the nearest bridge and crossed over to the road and the one room schoolhouse.
All he really wanted to do was grab the woman and kiss her until she agreed to head into town to the magistrate's office and get married. Carry her back home and throw her in the middle of the master bedroom’s bed. Of course, first held strip her naked in the most titillate manner he knew how.
Thomas called to mind his new mantra as a certain part of his anatomy grew restless envisioning the pleasure he'd been denying himself the past few days.
Thomas couldn't believe how her whole altitude changed once Victoria cottoned up to the idea that Thomas cared deeply for her in sprite of their unconventional beginnings.
Every time he managed to hold her hand or brush seductively against her female pieces she no longer rebuked him. She'd smile warmly. The trust in her eyes is what allowed Thomas' to continue to honor the promise he made to her, the
last time they where in this room, no matter the ache in his loins.
Thomas' thoughts were brought back to the here and now when Victoria said, “This room definite needs a good cleaning and airing out. If you would open the windows, please. I'll look for a broom and see what other supplies are here.”
It didn't take long for the intended new schoolmarm's presence in the schoolroom itself to be noticed. Two boys looking to be in their teens showed up.
“Mr. Kincaid, may we help.” The more out spoken boy with the blondest hair Victoria ever seen asked. It seemed to be snow white more than blonde.
“Ah. How nice of you two to stop by and offer to help. Victoria, my I present Master Blackman and his friend Master Wellington. Gentleman, my fiancee, Miss. Victoria Trent.”
Since the boys were old enough to handle an axe it was decided the two would work some on the wood pile behind the school.
Around two o’clock Victoria sat at the last desk in the second row rubbing the Manning Antique Charm Furniture Polish©* into the wood. She flipped over the rag she used and continued to rub the oil into the wood. Odd how a simple smell can create past memories. Victoria thought of her childhood, of home, of her mother, and of those forever lost to her. Unconsciously, she smiled both her mother and aunt used the same polish. How silly to have memories tied to a wood cleaner she admonished herself.
She had been surprised and pleased to find the half empty bottle in the storage closet. Her hand stilled as she admired her efforts. The desktop looked also most happy to be brought back to life. The colors seemed darker, deeper, and no longer thirsty.
She heard a giggle. Then a pair of giggles. A girl child she guessed to be about seven or eight years of age peeked her head out from behind the opened doorway and disappeared again. Victoria heard another round of laughter.
“Hello there. Please, come say hello to me. I'm not mean or anything.”
The first child walked out from behind her shield. Big brown eyes watched Victoria as Mary stepped cautiously toward the woman.
“Hello, My name is Miss. Trent. What's yours?”
“Mary and my sister's named is....” The child turned to see her sister didn't follow her. Mary waved an it's all right hand signal to the other girl still using the door as a shield. A smaller version of Mary run up to her and remained behind the child still acting shy.
Mary proudly said, “This is Angie my sister.”
“It's nice to meet the both of you. What grades are you both in.”
Mary stood a tad taller answered for them both.
“Angie is start her first day when class begins. I don't go to school.”
A raised eyebrow formed and Victoria asked. “Why ever not?”
The question was out of her mouth before she thought perhaps she shouldn't have ask. What if the answer embarrassed the child? Victoria left the chair she sat in and knelt beside Mary to hopefully comfort her by not over powering her.
“You don't need to answer that if you rather not.”
Mary seemed unconcerned. “Can Angie go swing on the swings out back?”
“Of course she can.”
Mary nudge the smaller child once and she ran from the room.
“I don't want my sister to be afraid to go to school. I don't come any more not since Mrs. Powers stung my hand with her ruler. She liked to hit everyone every chance she got. Nobodies ever gonna hit me again. So I ain't coming. I don't need to any way. My mama said so. I can write my name. Even better than my Ma and Pa can.”
Victoria cringed inside but continued smiling at Mary.
“Well, I can understand why you feel that way. However, since you seem to be very smart I wonder if...”
Mary anxious about Victoria might say expressed cut in.
“Yes.”
“I wonder if you'd be able to help set the class room up. You spent time here. More than me. Could you assist me tomorrow if you have nothing better to do.”
It wasn't possible, however, it appeared the child eyes grew larger and beamed.
***
On the walk home they discussed what they accomplished today at the school. Thomas suggested since they were dirty and tired he'd take Victoria to town for dinner. By the time Victoria finished refreshing herself he had the carriage ready and waiting.
He took her to the same, as well as the only place to eat, where they first met. They greeted a few people he knew and a few even Victoria remembered meeting.
The food hit the spot. The after dinner coffee was divine. The conversation wonderful and free. Thomas glowed more each time Victoria smiled at him. It would be a meal Thomas would happily remember forever.
That was until the minute he said, “Why, Victoria, your flirting with me. I have made promises to you about my behavior. You keep this up all promises will be null and void. I am only a man. A man who loves and desired you beyond belief.”
The chastisement she gave herself was harsh. Good grief, she was suppose to be playing a role not seducing him. She felt lower than dirt. No, lower than the scum of the earth. There seemed the dilemma for she enjoyed every moment she spend with him at dinner.
Chapter Seven
A note came during breakfast requesting Victoria come to Mother Emily's home.
“It will work out. I've been neglecting my work at the Cattleman's Association, so I'll leave you at mother's for a while and return at noon. Then we can head over to the school.”
Victoria moments after arriving at Mother Emily's home found herself upstairs in one of the bedrooms standing on a dressmaker pedestal. The dressmaker pulling the satin cream white wedding gown over her head.
“Lovely, just lovely. Victoria, you will be a stunning bride. My mother was married in this dress and I wore it to wed Thomas and Keith's father.”
Victoria really thought this was going a bit far. Especially, since the older woman knew no wedding would be taking place. However, with all the activity around her Victoria couldn't get the woman alone. Leaving her nothing but to submit to the goings on.
The bust needed to be let out. The seamstress tsk'd as if it Victoria chose the size of her bosom on purpose. The need to take in the waist line brought a pleasant smile from the same woman. After tugging on the hem a line of pins marked where the new shorter hem should be.
“Emily, if this is all it needs the dress will be ready late tomorrow.”
The two women shared in the chore of removing the garment without getting Victoria stuck by a pin in the process.
“Victoria, you and Thomas will have dinner with us tomorrow night, so we can make sure the alterations are correct?”
“Yes, I'm sure Thomas will agree. If that's what you think is needed.”
“I do.”
Both Emily and the dressmaker headed out of the room leaving Victoria to redress herself.
One of Thomas' habits Victoria came to appreciate was his promptness. By the time she managed to dress and show herself downstairs he arrived and rushed her out the door. On the floor of the carriage sat a large picnic basket.
“It's such a beautiful day I thought before we start our chores we take some time and share a small repast together.”
Victoria's heart melted. It wasn't not a beautiful day. The clouds though not threatening never let the sunshine break through. The breeze in the shade contained a nip of the forth coming chilly fall weather. Thomas saw the world through rose colored glasses at least when he looked at her.
Victoria wondered would it be so bad to wear a pair herself. She sighed.
***
Mary sat on the schoolroom's steps. Another dilemma to deal with Victoria heard herself sigh another sigh.
Before they reached her the child bounced up to greet them.
“I'm here. I'm ready to help.”
Thomas bent over and took the girl's hand and brushed a kiss on the back of it. “And so you are.” He picked her up. “Shall we ladies?”
Thomas planned on cleaning out the large pot belly stove that heated the r
oom in the winter.
“Mary, can you count?”
Mary's head bobbed. “Of yes, Ma'am. I can count to ten.”
“Wonderful.” Victoria responded knowing it wasn't wonderful at all. The girl should be getting ready to memorize the multiplication tables.
“Do you see the books over there on those selves. Could you stack them in piles of ten making sure the book are of the same kind.?”
She beamed and danced as happy children do toward the books.
***
Thomas, Victoria, and little Mary sat on the schoolroom's front step for a well earned break.
A middle aged woman with two boys strolled up to them and Victoria recognized the boys from yesterday.
The Wellington boy who yesterday seemed to have nothing to say now spoke up. This is my mother, Alice Wellington.
“How do you do?” Victoria greeted her. Please overlook my manners, but I am truly in disrepair and covered in dirt.”
“No. No, no worries there. Frankie told me he helped with the wood pile, and I thought. Well, I thought I'd do my share to help, and I brought a noon refreshment.” She took the basket from her son and held it out.
Thomas stood. “Let's go around back there are tables there. Err, Mrs. Wellington, you didn't happen to put some of that famous fried chicken you make in there, per chance.?”
“She sure did.” Frankie announced making his mother blush and the others laugh.
After lunch Mrs. Wellington declared her intent to repair the two garden strips in front of the building. On each side of the steps apparently at one time someone had planted flowers in larger flower boxes. The weeds and overgrowth hid that fact from view.
“A school should be a welcome place. Somewhere children want to come to learn.” The woman stated.
No one noticed Victoria looked at Mary and she winced at the other woman's words. Mary might want to help. However, to Mary as a place for learning this building had no welcome atmosphere.
A plan formed in Victoria mind. “Mary, could you assist me for a minute.”
Dutifully, the child came to her. “I need to see how fresh the caulk is. Would you write your name on the board for me?”
