Mail Order Beau

by Maya Stirling

  "Exactly what I have said. He wishes you to be his wife."

  Martha frowned and shook her head. "But I haven't even met with him."

  Mr. Brook sighed. "I understood that it was usual for young ladies and eligible men to find each other through the Matrimonial Society, to which I believe you now belong."

  "Of course it is usual. It is what the society does."

  "And are not the young couples who come together invariably strangers to one another? I have heard of young ladies getting off the train one day and becoming brides the next."

  "That does happen, I grant you. However, I don't even know your employers name. I couldn't possibly marry someone who is a local, without meeting him in person."

  Mr. Brook's brows furrowed. "I think my employer is rather more than just another local, Ma'am."

  Martha grunted in exasperation. "You know what I mean by that. I don't doubt his credentials, especially with the glowing testimonial given by yourself. However, I was under the distinct impression that this was about finding a wife for my sister, Rachel. It seems I have been deceived."

  "At no point in all of this did I suggest that my employer wished to marry your very beautiful and charming sister."

  Mr. Brook took a moment to compose himself. The very mention of Rachel appeared to have triggered an emotional reaction, which he tried very hard to contain.

  Martha suddenly felt the room spin, and she leaned back against the couch.

  "Ma'am, are you well?" Mr Brook reached over, but Martha gestured for him to stop. Her heart was beating rapidly, and she suddenly couldn't feel her feet.

  "I'm fine Mr Brook," she reassured him.

  Martha's mind was filled with questions. She didn't know what to make of any of this. It was simply unbelievable. For a moment she had a flash of anger as the thought came that she had been duped. However, after the initial rush of blood to the head she could see that the letter from Mr. Brook had not actually mentioned anyone by name.

  Martha took a deep breath, trying to control her rapidly beating heart.

  At that moment Hettie came back into the room, carrying the tea and cakes on a tray. Upon seeing Martha she immediately placed the tray on the side table and sat next to Martha. Mr. Brook stood up, and took a place next to the fireplace, trying to compose himself.

  "Martha! Are you well my dear?"

  "I'm fine Hettie. But...The ranch owner wants me to be his wife?"

  Hettie smiled. "Isn't it wonderful dear."

  Martha was incredulous. "Hettie! You knew? Why didn't you tell me?"

  "These matters sometimes have to work themselves out for the best, in spite of what we think we really want." Hettie poured a cup of tea, and handed it to Martha.

  "Have you met him?" Martha asked, the cup shaking in her hand.

  Hettie began to stroke Martha's hand. "I have indeed met the rancher in question. A very fine young gentleman, if I may say."

  Martha lay back on the sofa and groaned.

  "Why didn't you tell me, Hettie?"

  "If I had told you my dear I'm not sure you would have come today for this meeting. You have been so concerned for Rachel, it seems that you have forgotten yourself in all of this. We need to find two husbands - not just one. If we've found one for you, that means we only need find one for Rachel. Let me decide what's best, my dear. Ask Cassie, and she'll tell you. That's what I'm good at."

  Martha rolled her eyes. "But why doesn't the rancher want to marry Rachel? She's more beautiful than me."

  "Don't talk yourself down Martha - you know that's not true. In any case the rancher made it very clear from the start that it you he was interested in."

  "How can that be possible? He doesn't even know me - he hasn't even met me - he probably doesn't know what I look like."

  Mr Brook shifted from side to side, and seemed to be on the verge of saying something, but he was cut off by Hettie.

  "That hasn't stopped us before. Has it my dear? Now take your tea and we can discuss what we are going to do next."

  "Next? What do you mean?"

  "You can hardly think that we have gone to all this trouble and not considered what needs to be done next. Isn't that right Mr Brook?"

  He looked at Hettie and merely nodded, rather too quickly it seemed to Martha. Mr. Brook looked like he had lost the power of speech.

  "We think it would be a good idea for you to visit the ranch, and meet with our prospective choice of husband for you," said Hettie.

  This was all going too fast for Martha. When she had come to Hettie's this afternoon she'd had no idea that the day would turn out like this. Her body felt worryingly heavy once more. She leaned back, holding on tight to the cup of tea.

  "I can't go to a ranch in the middle of nowhere all on my own," declared Martha.

  "I believe Mr. Macleod is going to visit the ranch tomorrow," said Mr Brook in a careful, quiet voice. "He's buying a milk cow from us."

  "Well, there you are then," said Hettie with a nod. "Ethan can take you."

  Martha was beginning to think that the whole town was in on the plan to marry her off to the mysterious rancher. It was getting to be too much like what they had done to make sure Cassie married Ethan. Even although it had turned out well in the end, she hoped that as few people as possible would know about this.

  "That's not exactly what I had in mind for a first meeting," sighed Martha. "Do Cassie and Ethan know about this?"

  "They do not," said Hettie firmly. "What do you take me for Martha? I have the utmost respect for you - I'd never compromise your privacy."

  She recalled that Cassie and Ethan had first met in the hotel restaurant - hardly the most romantic place to meet your future husband. At least if she went to the ranch she'd get a chance to see the man in his own setting; the place that he owned; his own domain. She had to admit it was better than getting off a train, being whisked off to the church and taken on a buckboard to the middle of nowhere.

  "If you think it's going to be proper Hettie, then I'll go." Martha tried to smile, but she couldn't quite make it happen.

  Hettie smiled. "That's my girl. You wait and see. He's a fine man. I believe you're going to be very impressed. And maybe a little surprised."

  Mr Brook shuffled awkwardly. "I best be going." He strode over to the hallway, took his hat from the coat rack, and bowed graciously toward Martha and Hettie. "Ladies. It has been a great pleasure. I look forward to seeing you tomorrow, Martha."

  "Let me see you out Mr.Brook," said Hettie.

  After he had left, Hettie came to sit next to Martha. "I know this has all been a shock dear..."

  "That is an understatement Hettie," Martha blurted out.

  "I take it you read some of the letters I gave you?"

  "I did - and I can understand the difficulty in finding someone suitable for Rachel and myself. Some of those men were..."

  "Don't say it dear. I just had to show you those letters to let you know that running our little society is more of a challenge than you'd think. It is not as easy as it looks. If you are going to be involved, and help us out, it's important for you to know some of the difficulties we have in finding suitable individuals to match up.

  Martha sighed. Hettie was right. She had misjudged the whole enterprise. She had believed it was merely a matter of placing ads and matching suitable couples. However, she saw now that there was a whole lot more to it than that.

  "I'm sorry if I appear ungrateful Hettie."

  "Not at all Martha. I understand. You are in a very difficult situation." Hettie laid a reassuring hand on Martha's arm. "You're worried about Rachel finding a suitable husband; you're concerned about Cassie having a baby in few months; you know that you all can't live under one roof, especially with a new baby around; you're anxious about your own future out here. It's all so much for such a young woman to take on by herself. I do appreciate that you want to become an important part of our community, and help us make things better.

  Martha sighed. "Hettie. I apprec
iate your kindness."

  "Nonsense dear. It's the least I can do. Now you get on home. Get some rest - you have a big day tomorrow."

  Martha felt a stab of nerves. "Yes. I do, don't I?" she agreed. She had so much to think about, and she didn't know where to start.

  Martha woke next morning to the sound of her two sisters shouting at each other. At first she thought she was dreaming. She ran her hand through her tangled hair. No. They were, indeed, shouting about something. She couldn't make out what was being said, but it didn't sound too friendly. Arguments didn't happen that often at the Macleod home.

  She got dressed quickly, and went to the kitchen.

  Rachel and Cassie were there, and Martha could see it was a standoff. Cassie was planted in front of the table, her hands jammed onto her hips. She didn't look too pleased. It had been a long time since Martha had seen Cassie look like that.

  "I won't spend another morning cooped up in this house," shouted Rachel. "Not when I can go out, and suit myself anywhere I like. It's like a prison in here!"

  "Rachel! How dare you say that," said Cassie. "This is our family home and you are a guest here."

  "Guest? Why...this is as bad as being with aunt and uncle. I can't go anywhere; I have no friends. All day it's just work, work, work."

  Cassie took a step forward and Rachel backed off.

  "There is no space in this house," shouted Rachel, breathing heavily. "Why sometimes I could just scream, I feel so confined."

  Martha stepped into the kitchen. "Rachel apologise to Cassie immediately," she said firmly. "You have no right to say such things, especially after what she did for us."

  "But it's true. I can't abide being stuck here all day. It's driving me mad," Rachel sobbed, lowering her head, and plainly trying to contain tears.

  Martha looked at Cassie and frowned. Cassie nodded. Both sisters went to Rachel, and each put an arm around their sister's shoulders. Rachel looked at them, breathing heavily. Her lower lip was quivering in a very familiar way.

  Cassie spoke quietly: "I know it's hard for us all to be under one roof, especially in such a small home as this. We love you Rachel. And, because we love you, we are very happy for you to be here."

  Martha shifted some loose, blonde curls away from Rachel's reddened face. "Look. Ethan built that extension. That's been a big help. Sure, space is tight, but there is always something that can be done. That's right Cassie. Isn't it?" she said, looking at Cassie.

  Cassie nodded, but there was a slight frown on her face at the same time. Martha knew that Cassie understood one thing; that there wasn't going to be enough space for three sisters, one husband and a baby.

  "You can't fool me," said Rachel. "That extension is for the baby, not for us. I know you mean well. But you've got to admit I'm right. There isn't enough space for us all here - and you know it." Rachel looked at Cassie, and glanced down at her sister's belly. "I'm sorry I shouted at you Cassie. Truly I am."

  Rachel stormed off. There was nothing they could do to stop her.

  "She's right you know, Martha. I don't want to admit it. Things are going to be tight around here once the baby arrives."

  Martha went to prepare some coffee.

  "Sure she's right, but that doesn't mean she can shout at you like that. Especially with your condition."

  Cassie laid a hand softly on her abdomen. "There's no harm done. I've been dealing with Rachel's tantrums for more years than I care to remember. I guess she's just worried."

  "We all are, Cassie."

  "What are you doing today?" Cassie asked.

  Martha felt a twist of anxiety. "I'm going with Ethan to the Bar T ranch."

  "Really? You've taken a sudden interest in cows?"

  Martha laughed. "I asked him if I could go, and he agreed. Ethan thinks it will do me some good to learn a little about livestock." Martha gestured with her hands wide apart and laughed. "As if I look like I'd make a good ranch hand," she said.

  Cassie started to prepare the breakfast. "I guess after what's just been said, it'll do you good to get out."

  Rachel came back a while later, and they all had a quiet, but slightly uneasy, time eating their breakfast.

  Martha spent the morning doing some chores. All the while she was doing them, her mind wandered to the upcoming visit to the ranch.

  This morning's argument had made Martha realize the importance of her visit to meet the owner of the Bar T.

  There was pressure on both sisters to find a husband; of that there was no doubt. She knew it, and Rachel knew it to. The few months they had been living with Cassie and Ethan had been good, even though there were obvious tensions simmering below the surface. They had just burst out this morning in the kitchen - and there was probably more where that came from.

  The last thing Martha wanted was for there to be a bad atmosphere in the Macleod household. That wasn't right, considering that there was a newborn on the way. That baby deserved to be born into a happy and contented home. That boy or girl should start a new life surrounded only by his or her loving parents; that baby didn't need a pair of discontented sisters running around causing trouble.

  No! Martha had a sudden sense of the importance of finding a husband. It wasn't just about her anymore; it never had been. It was about making sure that her and Rachel did the right thing. They both had to make sure that Cassie and Ethan got a chance to give their new child the best possible start in life.

  Putting it bluntly: It was time for Rachel and Martha to get out of the Macleod home, and stand on their own two feet. Their sister and her husband had already done more than enough for them.

  The first thing that Martha had to do was make the most of the opportunity which had been given to her. Only after she had done that would she be able to apply her full strength and attention to dealing with her young, and ever so challenging sister. She loved Rachel; that much was true. However, Rachel needed a firm hand at times, and Martha could only do that once she herself was settled.

  It all seemed so clear when she thought about it like that. She wondered why she hadn't seen it all as clearly before. Sometime it took a shock in life to clear the mind. Seeing her younger sister behave like that had been such a shock.

  By late morning Martha was in a full blown state of nerves. Just thinking about going to the ranch was enough to set her mind in a whirl.

  She thought about getting herself dressed up special, and putting some makeup on. What little cosmetics she had she usually kept for special occasions - this was certainly one of those. Ethan came to her, and asked her if she was going to get ready to go to the Bar T.

  She asked him for a little time to get prepared. Ethan rolled his eyes in a mischievous manner, but she knew he was only kidding.

  She washed away the grime from the morning's chores, and generally freshened herself up. She considered the few dresses which she had, but couldn't make up her mind.

  When she was in the tiny bedroom it seemed faintly ridiculous to try and make herself look pretty for a complete stranger who hadn't even divulged his name to her. In any case, she realized she wanted him to accept her for who she was.

  She wanted him, whoever he was, to see her for the first time, as she truly was. If he was going to accept her as a wife, it would be best that he accept the real Martha, and not some artificial version of Martha.

  There was a soft knock at the door.

  "You ready Martha?" Ethan asked.

  "Be there in a minute," she replied. She looked at herself in the mirror.

  She put on a plain dress, and decided against any makeup.

  The owner of the Bar T would get a surprise when he saw her. He'd no doubt be expecting her to arrive dressed in her Sunday best and made up to the nines.

  No! It would be good to start things off with him the way she meant to continue.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  The journey from the Macleod home to the Bar T ranch took them across a flat, grassy plain, north of Sweetheart Falls. It was a sunny day, and the
hills in the distance were green and wooded. There was a fresh breeze which kept Martha cool. Ethan was a careful driver, and he steered the buckboard along the well worn trail, heading north.

  Ethan and Martha talked about the upcoming visit to the Bar T. Martha tried to listen as Ethan described the life of a rancher. It sounded like a tough existence, governed by hard labor and dangerous work. Truth be told, Martha didn't know much about ranching. She'd never given it a thought in all the time she'd been in Sweetheart Falls; she'd had no call to. Now that she was on her way to meet a ranch owner who might become her husband, she thought about the whole new life she might be taking on.

  Back East, Martha had always thought she'd end up marrying some distinguished young man of society. There had been beaus - one of them in particular had been very dear to her heart. That had been three years ago; he'd courted her with all the good manners and decorum you'd expect from the son of a well to do financier. Although she had been young, Martha had been mature enough to recognize a serious courtship when it happened.

  Her own family had approved of the relationship, or so she believed at the time. However, the same had not been the case with her young beau's family. Eventually pressure had been brought to bear upon him. One day he failed to call. And that seemed to be that. But the time they'd spent together had been like a dream, from which Martha had never wanted to wake up.

  Logan.

  Just thinking about his name was enough to reawaken the emotions she had felt all those years before.

  She pushed the thought of him quickly out of her mind. It was too painful to remember the parting; the awful sensation of his absence.

  It was time to move on. She had a future to consider, not as a society wife, but as a rancher's wife.

  How strange that sounded! It was about as far from her childhood dreams as it could be. Those dreams had been dictated by the world she had grown up in; a world of social convention, rules of etiquette, manners and conduct. It was a world that seemed to be a complete contrast to the world out in Wyoming. However Martha had learned that this place had rules of it's own; your word was your bond in a place like this; you faced reality with honesty and hard work; everyone was in this together so community was everything.