Pearl's Will

by Sophie Dawson

  “It was good of Josey’s husband to offer to take Lillian back to the shop so we didn’t have to go downtown then come back here,” Pearl said. “Do you think she’ll be okay living there by herself?”

  “She’ll have to be, unless she wants to move back in with Mother and Father. I can’t imagine her doing so. Besides, she might not be living there much longer.”

  Pearl gave him a questioning look.

  “I think she’s going to badger Vernon into offering for her hand as soon as she can. He doesn’t stand a chance if she sets her mind to have him propose. He might as well just ask and get it over with.”

  “She’s not that bad. She’s sweet and funny and…” Pearl screwed her mouth to the side trying to think of the right words.

  “Determined, stubborn?” he offered.

  “Single-minded.”

  Will laughed. “She is that.”

  They’d reached the door and Will unlocked it and swung it open. He bent and scooped Pearl up in his arms.

  “Eek!” she squeaked.

  “Just following tradition. Carrying you across the threshold.” Will set her on her feet but didn’t release her. Instead, he held her close and lowered his mouth capturing hers. This kiss included all his desire and the passion he wanted to show her that night. When he broke the kiss, Will looked at her, searching her face for any sign of unease. “Pearl, I know you are still in mourning for Patrick. If you want me to, I’ll wait, but know this; I want you to be my wife in all ways. I want to show you how I can worship your body as our vows said. The decision is yours. If you are uneasy about…”

  Pearl stopped his words with her fingers. “Shush. I made vows today to be your wife. I loved Patrick. We had a good, passionate marriage. I’ve missed that. He’s gone. I miss him, but you are my husband now. I want you as my husband as you want me as your wife.”

  Will kissed her then, putting all his longing into it. Pearl returned his desire as she kissed him back.

  When they broke apart, breathless, Will took her hand and led her to their bedroom.

  ~~~~~

  Pearl heard the slight clink and knew it had happened again. Her wedding band had fallen off her finger while she did the dishes. They’d known the ring was too big when they got married. Will had planned to re-size it, but the day after the wedding the gems and platinum had arrived for his commission pieces, and he’d begun the work on them. Pearl wasn’t going to bother him with the small detail of her ring size.

  They’d been married about two weeks and had settled into a routine. Will left for the shop after breakfast. Pearl would do her housework and, depending on how long it took, she would go to the shop in the late morning or Will would come home for lunch. They would go back to the shop, and she would crochet and help with customers in the afternoon.

  Often they stayed to eat supper with Lillian as she was a little low being alone all evening. Often on those days Vernon would join them, leaving when they did early in the evening. It wouldn’t do for him to stay with Lillian alone in the apartment.

  With the added hours Pearl could devote to crocheting, the wedding gown was ready to be fitted. She was going to the Clarys’ as soon as her chores were done. When the fitting was complete, she’d go to the shop. Rather than explain the change in her circumstances, Pearl arranged for the fitting to be on Saturday.

  Pearl fished the ring out of the dishwater and placed it on the windowsill. She finished washing the dishes, setting them in a rack to dry. Drying her hands, she rubbed Pond’s Vanishing Cream into them and took off her apron.

  Making sure her attire and hairstyle were in order, Pearl gathered her handbag and bag holding the folded crochet gown. She hurried out of the house to the trolley stop and soon arrived at the Clarys’.

  Both Mrs. Clary and Daisy were excited with the gown. The only thing left was the border around the hem which Pearl promised to have done within two weeks.

  As she left the yard, Mr. Guy Clary fell into step beside her. Pearl picked up her pace.

  “I know all about you, Mrs. Ward, and I have a proposition for you. I know you are living with that jeweler. I’m sure he cannot support you as I can. I will set you up in a house of your own. You won’t have to slave making lace for the wealthy. You can live like one. All you’ll have to do is entertain me a few evenings a week. The rest of your time will be yours to do with as you please. All it would take is a bit of discretion on your part to keep our set up a secret. That wouldn’t be too difficult, now would it?”

  Pearl was shocked speechless. She’d known he was interested in her but had never considered that he would offer to make her his mistress. Not knowing what to say, she said nothing. She kept walking as fast as she could.

  He took her left hand and lifted it to his lips. With his eyes locked onto hers, he kissed her ring finger. “Such a pretty little hand with no ring on it. Now that you’ve crossed from grieving widow to kept woman, there won’t be a ring on this ever again. What does it matter who the man is who pays the bills? I can make your future more lavish than you could ever imagine.”

  Pearl snatched her hand away. “I’ll pardon your rudeness since the announcement hasn’t been made. I am now Mrs. William Miller. Please refrain from making such insulting comments and offers in the future.”

  Mr. Clary laughed. “You expect me to believe a jeweler would not present his wife with a wedding ring? That goes beyond comprehension. No, Mrs. Ward, I don’t believe you have married the jeweler, but do not worry. The offer stands, at least for a while. Who knows when another comely young woman will catch my eye. I’ll let you think on my generous offer and inquire for your reply another day.”

  Fortunately, the trolley was just coming to a halt at the stop and she was able to climb on, drop her coins in, and find a seat on the street side of the car. She glanced out the window and saw a smirk on Guy Clary’s face. He’d crossed the street and was staring at her. Pearl faced forward, not looking at him. The driver rang the bell and the trolley began its journey along its route.

  Instead of going to the shop, Pearl went home. There was no way she could hide her upset from Will. At least, not right away. She telephoned the shop letting them know she was not coming to the shop until later. Pearl pleaded fatigue and several other chores needing to be done.

  With shaking hands, she picked up her wedding ring and slid it on her finger.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Pearl stood next to Will on the platform of the train station. Lillian fluttered between their sisters and nieces and nephews. Mary’s husband, Clyde, and Josey’s husband, Fred, stood nearby. They’d all come to greet the elder Millers as they arrived home from their time in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

  Pearl wrung her hands until Will took hold of one, giving it a squeeze. “It’ll be okay. They both like you. They’ll be surprised, yes, but will be happy for us.”

  Pearl wasn’t so sure. Keeping Will’s parents in the dark about their marriage had never been a good idea in her mind. Will had insisted on keeping it a secret until they came home. Pearl had acquiesced to his wishes. At least they wouldn’t make a scene on the platform when they were told. Or would they? Pearl didn’t know them well enough to predict.

  A whistle sounded in the distance. The children cheered, anxious for Gramma and Grampa to return. They all gathered at the end of the platform allowing other families to get ready to board or greet returning family members. Pearl stepped slightly behind Will.

  The locomotive belching black smoke slowed as it moved past. The train stopped with the passenger cars next to the platform. Smoke obscured the view and caused them to close their eyes and cover mouths and noses until the breeze blew it away.

  “Grampa,” yelled a young voice as Mr. Miller descended the steps and turned to help Mrs. Miller down. Pearl thought he looked much stronger than he had when they left in early July. Nearly two months resting and taking the waters in Hot Springs seemed to have been a benefit.

  Will stayed back, holding Pearl’s hand
as his sisters and their families greeted his parents. The children were excited and jumping around.

  “That will be our little one in a few years. My parents dote on their grandchildren.”

  Pearl hoped that would be true.

  It wasn’t long before Will and Pearl became the focus of intense looks from the elder Miller couple. Someone must have told about the marriage. Such a secret was hard for little children to hold inside. Pearl stood a little taller and leaned slightly closer to Will. He squeezed her hand again as Matthew and Luella walked over.

  “I understand congratulations are in order,” Matthew said, his tone making it evident he wasn’t pleased to have been left out of the loop.

  “Thank you, Father. We are quite happy.” Will dropped Pearl’s hand and placed his arm around her shoulders.

  “Here is not the place or time to speak of the details. We have travelled long and both of us are weary. Mary says she has invited everyone for supper tonight. We will speak of this then. Now, Will, kiss your mother hello. I must supervise the baggage.” Matthew walked away without greeting Pearl. Her heart sank.

  Will did as instructed. “Welcome home, Mother.” He kissed her cheek. “We have missed you both. The shop isn’t the same without you coming in regularly.”

  “It seems you found someone else to keep you company.” Luella turned to Pearl. “Hello, Pearl. You are looking well.”

  “Thank you. Welcome home.” Pearl didn’t call Will’s mother by name. Mrs. Miller didn’t seem right, but she hadn’t been given leave to use her first name. Nor would she call her Mother unless there was more acceptance of Pearl’s relationship with Will and she was asked.

  Will moved to help with the luggage and Lillian came to take his place beside Pearl. “Mother, you won’t believe how beautiful the wedding gown Pearl has made is. I’m sure she’ll be getting many more commissions once it’s seen at the Clary wedding.”

  “I’m sure it is lovely. You have a real talent making lace, Pearl. I look forward to seeing it.”

  Pearl tried to determine if the words were sincere. From the flat tone she couldn't tell.

  The luggage had all been collected and placed in the new motorcars of Clyde and Fred. They and their families would take the couple home to rest before the families gathered for supper at Mary and Clyde’s home. That left Lillian, Will, and Pearl to walk back to the shop.

  “Well, that went as well as could be expected,” Lillian said as they crossed the street. “Father let it be known he’s not pleased about not being told, and Mother was at least cordial. It’s a promising start. They will get over the hurt of not being able to attend the wedding soon. At least you won’t have to tell them about the baby. I’m sure Mary or Josey will let that be known before we get there this evening. You know, I could contact Vernon and have him join us at Mary’s tonight. That would stop any harsh words.”

  “Lillian,” Will admonished. “You aren’t making this better, but I thank you for your support.”

  “I’m only trying to help.” Dejected, Lillian kicked a stone into the street.

  “And I love you for it,” Pearl said. “We knew this would come as a shock. They must feel rather betrayed by their children. Especially Will.”

  “I didn’t mean to betray them,” Will said.

  “You didn’t, Will. You did what you wanted and what you felt called to do. You are happy together and that’s more important than what Father and Mother think. You have to live your lives as you want, not how they want you to live.”

  “True,” Will said. “But it doesn’t make me feel any better about hurting their feelings.”

  Pearl squeezed his hand, offering what comfort she could.

  ~~~~~

  They were sitting in Clyde Bethel’s private office in his home. Matthew sat behind the desk with Luella sitting in a chair he’d placed beside him. The other two chairs held Pearl and Will. The door was closed giving them privacy.

  “Was there some reason you failed to inform your mother and me about your marriage, even after the fact? Are you ashamed of your actions?”

  “No, of course not. We are very happy. At least, I am.” Will glanced at Pearl. She seemed to be trying to fade into invisibility. Her hands were in her lap clenched so tight the knuckles were white. He was regretting not writing his parents once the wedding was over. Not only were his parents angry with him, Pearl was suffering from his choice.

  The excuses that flew through his mind were just that. Excuses. It wouldn’t have taken very long to write a letter expressing his joy that she had accepted his proposal. Explaining why he didn’t honor her year of mourning was going to open another can of worms. It would embarrass Pearl even more.

  Will cleared his throat. The things he needed to say might explain the haste. Giving an explanation as to why he hadn’t written would sound rather hollow, but at the time, he’d thought they were valid.

  “I know our marriage seems ill-timed. Pearl was only four months into her mourning. She was working at Townsend and Wyatt and her lace was selling well. She and Lillian were getting along famously living together. I had noted some, um, issues concerning her health, however.

  “I pressed Lillian on the subject and, you know how she is, she can’t keep her mouth closed on a secret.” He glanced at Pearl. She was looking at her lap, but her cheeks were red. “I pressed enough and found out that Pearl was in a delicate condition. A legacy from her husband.”

  “So you asked her to marry you?” Luella asked, disapproval thick in the words.

  “No, I knew she would not have agreed. I waited until she was let go from her job.” As soon as the words left his mouth, Will realized how they sounded. Both his wife’s and mother’s gasps told him they heard the implication in them also. “No, it wasn’t like that. I wasn’t trying to force Pearl to marry me. Actually, it took me several days to work out a solution to her dilemma after I figured it out.” That didn’t sound right either. He glanced at his father and then away, not liking the disapproval on the face of the man he respected above all others.

  Will took a deep breath and started again. “Mother, you knew I was attracted to Pearl. We spoke of it before you left for Hot Springs. Even then, I was wanting to court Pearl but knew it was too soon. My thought was to continue as her friend until after her mourning was over. I’d ask if I could court her at that time. Not only was that proper, but it would give Pearl the opportunity to become attracted to me as I am to her. My respect for her would not have allowed me to reveal my feelings before that time.

  “Then, I found out about her condition. I knew she would lose her job and be back in the same situation she was when we met.” When his mother began to interrupt, Will put up his hand to stop her. “No, Mother, my feelings are not one of rescuing a damsel in distress. When I realized my feelings toward Pearl, she was working and supporting herself. However, I didn’t want her or the baby to suffer and be put in danger because she was unable to support herself.”

  Will glanced at Pearl again. He wished she would look up at him. He needed to see her eyes to know if she was feeling like he’d manipulated her.

  “When I suggested to Pearl that we marry, she refused.” He smiled a little at the memory. “It took quite a bit of persuading to get her to agree. She didn’t want to burden me with her problems. Tie me to her for a lifetime. I finally was able to convince her that she and her child were not a burden but a blessing who would add immeasurably to my life. She has, and I look forward to the coming addition who will bless us even more.”

  “What if the baby is a boy, Will?” His father brought the elephant in the room into view. From the corner of his eye, he saw Pearl look up at him. Another thing he should have told her about earlier. This time he’d kept his wife in the dark.

  “Pearl doesn’t know about that aspect. I’ve decided that this child will be mine and will be raised as mine in all ways. If it is a boy, and he wants it, the shop will go to him as my first born son just as it has always been.”


  Pearl gasped. “Oh, Will. You should have told me.”

  He turned to her in his chair and took her hands. “That’s why I didn’t. You would not have married me if you knew the tradition. If the baby is a boy, and he wants to be a jeweler, then he will get the shop. If he doesn’t, we’ll work out an inheritance for him and pass the shop to the next son, if he wants it. It is a tradition, not a law.”

  Both his parents gasped.

  Will turned to face them. “I know to you that is heresy. For generations, the shop has passed to the first son. Grandfather told me about it many times as I was growing up. He also told me how his father gave him, the second son, enough money, an inheritance, to get out of Bavaria so he wouldn’t have to fight in the war. I’m doing the same. Planning to give each of our children an inheritance. It’s one reason why I’m hoping for more commission work.”

  Will sighed. Now the next, and he hoped final, issue needing to be addressed. Why he didn’t write and tell his parents of the marriage. He faced his parents sitting across the desk from him.

  “I realize now, that my reasons for not writing were flimsy at best. Cowardly at worst. I knew you would be upset with our marriage, even though it has made me extremely happy. I rationalized that with this large commission I didn’t have time to write an adequate letter explaining everything.

  “This commission may bring other commission work. It may establish me as a master jewelry craftsman, allowing me to focus more on creating rather than repairing.”

  “You think you are too good to repair watches?” Matthew asked stiffly.

  “No, of course not. Repairing watches gives me, us, a fine living. It has for years. It is a noble trade and one I enjoy.” Will grinned. “Remember the watch the three-year-old boy got a hold of. While you were gone, his father picked up the watch that was now working. He was overjoyed that he could not tell it had ever been damaged. You taught me how to do such fine repair work.