Book 2 of the series is at the editors, but I wanted to remind people about book 1 if they haven't read it.
Finding Her Way
by Leah Banicki
Copyright © 2011, 2012,
2013 Leah Banicki
Corinne
~ like a lavender blossom.
A
simple pretty flower to the eye but inside it
hides
strength and healing.
Part One:
*
* * * *
Chapter One
Feb
22 1848 – Boston, Massachusetts
Today she married a stranger. Corinne Temple had
accepted and wholeheartedly agreed to marry a man she did not know as an
arranged marriage, of sorts. So far Corinne did not like him much.
Her new husband, Andrew Temple, was a good
friend of her father but a stranger to her. He had recently graduated from
Harvard Veterinary Medical School. His tall blond good looks were a front,
though. After one brief visit
and a letter of introduction from her father, which was the extent of their
acquaintance, it still wasn’t
enough to clue her in to his attitude.
Corinne was clueless how to handle him. Her inner fire was snuffed out when he
stood near, she was not sure if her immature wit could stand up against his ill-tempered
condescension.
His facial expressions were still unreadable and his demeanor
a bit chilly, if Corinne allowed herself an opinion. She had always heard
glowing accounts of the Temple family from her father. But he had only
mentioned the parents in his conversations. Corinne was going off of old
conversations and her remembrance was way off, she mused. No matter what her
opinion, she had little choice. Andrew
was her ticket to Oregon so she packed her objections in her satchel and
focused on reuniting with her father. He waited for her in Oregon City.
Corinne waited in her Aunt's
fashionable 12th street
Boston home. The walls gilded
in pinks and golds, great drops of crystal cascaded from the chandeliers, the
grand staircase wrapped elegantly around the back and majestically descended
into the great hall. Halfway down the stairs there was a great view of the
parlor on one side and the ballroom on the other. Artisans from Italy and
France laid the exquisite marble floor. The fireplaces designed by a famous
stonemason, the iron grates, and tools imported from the best artists and
craftsmen from around the world. Few houses in Boston could boast of finer
rooms or impressive displays of wealth. It had been a long while since it even
fazed Corinne. This place did not look like a prison, but Corinne had lost her
freedom a few years ago when she tied her first whalebone corset around her
petite frame. The grandeur came at a price.
The servants scurried around her as she
followed the strict orders of her Auntie
Rose. Corinne's secret name for
her was the General as she threw
orders at her and the servants, as well as any military men. Corinne grew
impatient with waiting and tried to help a few hours earlier. She was
reprimanded instantly.
"Corinne, you dishonor the place I have
given you in my home, when you insist on acting like the common scullery."
Her Aunt said in her usual volume ... Loud!
Corinne stopped helping with the bag
organization and resumed her brainless position by the door, and watched her
Aunt belittle the help with a feeling of helplessness. She looked about for her
lady’s maid, Angela Fahey, for encouragement. She found disappointment; her
Aunt had put her lady’s maid
to work. Within the hour she was leaving her temporary Boston home and heading
out toward the great West with this stranger that was her husband. The Oregon
Trail would be months of grueling travel, far removed from her momentary
comfort. Corinne was eager to start.
She held her mother's book of psalms and though she did not dare
read them in front of her Aunt, she felt a comfort in knowing their words in her heart. The wisdom she gained, daily,
helped her. She said a prayer of thanks again and again, that her father had
forgiven her outburst from three years before, and was willing to make
arrangements for their reunion, it was a miracle to Corinne. She reread the
short message she received in September from her father; it was between the
pages of her psalms.
Arranged
for travel to Oregon. Andrew Temple can marry and escort you. He will contact
you.
Andrew sent his calling card the third week
of September 1847. He arrived with
a long letter from her father. It proposed a plan of his marrying Corinne and
bringing her West. His parents were there already and Andrew was going to work
with her father, John Harpole on his ranch.
There were mundane details about breeding
stock and ranch issues that did not
interest Corinne, but seeing her father’s strong bold handwriting was a comfort. She missed him and
would go to impossible lengths to see him again. She would deal with her
husband to make amends. I am sure Andrew’s attitude will improve
once he gets to know me.
Andrew was a man of few words and unreadable
facial expressions. He agreed to see to her safety and marry her in February
before they left. He claimed to have classes to attend and was gone after the
short meeting. After five months of no
word, he sent a telegram
saying the wedding was arranged
for February 22, at nine a.m.
The General
had been outraged to have a wedding with no fuss, but Corinne stood up to her
Aunt and made her realize that this was not a 'social event' but a simple
ceremony. Corinne boldly told her it did not concern her. 'Their train would be leaving at two in
the afternoon. There was no time for wedding nonsense.' Words had been strained between her and her Auntie the entire
week.
She glanced his way a few times
during the short ceremony. His height reaching well over six foot and it made
her feel tiny. His dark blond curls were peppered with light blond highlights.
His lips pressed firmly in a tight line through the entire morning. He barely
spoke a word beyond what was necessary.
The judge came to her Aunt's home and did the service with efficiency. Corinne wore her traveling clothes
and Andrew was in a common
tweed suit. There was no kiss-the-bride moment.
Corinne was certain it was her
wild imagination, but Andrew seemed agitated with her already. She had no idea what he would be so annoyed about in such a
short acquaintance. Certainly not the joy
of a groom on his wedding day. She
nearly laughed but kept her face composed as her Aunt and Husband were
glaring at her. It was very disconcerting.
Corinne pulled herself back to the present
and began to watch the repacking of her precious medicinal plant oils. She had
several small wooden boxes holding her medicines and healing balms to take on
the journey and her lady’s maid,
Angie, clearly expressed Corinne's desire, to the footmen, that they be packed
well. They doubled-checked the packing, when suddenly a small vial of
peppermint was dropped and broke, by
a servant who would remain nameless, for his protection from my Aunt. It immediately soaked into the Oriental
rug in the grand foyer. Within minutes the smell of peppermint was strong. It made
Corinne's eyes water a little but it wasn’t too unpleasant.
Auntie Rose was instantly mortified and
declared the stench was giving her fits and a migraine, her goodbyes were brief
and she rushed her well-corseted frame up the stairs and into her wing of the
house.
If Corinne wasn't leaving today she was
confident she would have seen Auntie Rose in a shrieking rage. Auntie would
stir the staff into a flurry of activity to get her away to her country home
for a stay of a week or more. She was certain to never know but the scene played
out humorously in Corinne's imagination.
With a glance at the hall mirror Corinne made
sure she was put together. When she looked over her young face she could hear
Auntie's voice in her head. "You look like a child with a woman's
body." Auntie had a way of saying things that could keep you guessing
whether it was an insult or
not. Corinne shrugged at her own reflection. Her long brown hair was swept back
neatly and her bonnet was simple but fashionable. She would not embarrass
herself but cared little for being elaborate for traveling.
Corinne clutched her green silk satchel close
to her. "It's the latest fashion!" Auntie Rose would say in her
high-pitched voice. Corinne learned long ago to hide her expressions from her
Aunt. So many times she wanted to smirk, or roll her eyes at the ridiculous
pursuit of what others deemed fashionable. She may look the part of the fashion
plate right now but she was still a rancher's daughter at heart. She knew how
to ride horses well, tie knots, and break a horse if necessary. She wasn’t a
tomboy but had her rough and
tumble moments in life. She knew the calluses had faded away over the last three
years but the knowledge was still there. Corinne actually enjoyed dressing up
sometimes and feeling pretty was always pleasant, but she didn’t care for
fashion the way the Boston crowd did. It made her head swim keeping up with 12th
Street crowd. They were all
parties, flirting, smoking cigarettes and gossipmongers. She allowed them their
pursuits but she had her own goals.
Corinne's true passion was botany. She
learned from her mother and she loved
it still. Her three years in Boston she spent as much as possible, in the greenhouses learning and
volunteering with the experts. Her mother’s
and grandmother’s journals were
coming with her; they were her most prized possessions. Her grandmother, Trudie, studied with
the Indian women of the Smoky Mountains
and learned many secrets of healing from their women, after earning their
trust. Corinne secretly hoped to
do that in the West, finding plants and ointments to help future
generations. Maybe even publish
her journals. Corinne smiled to
herself. It was a lovely dream.
"Miss Fahey," Corinne spotted her
companion. Despite their cultural and social differences they were the dearest
of friends but kept it behind closed doors for the sake of 'house rules' and
the taboos of polite society.
Auntie was quite stern over any endearments between the two girls. Corinne knew
she would never do anything intentional to cause Angela Fahey to lose her good
position in the household staff.
Corinne secretly hoped the propriety barrier would lift once they left Boston. She was certain that
the road west held many different types of freedom.
"Is everything at the ready Miss
Fahey?" Corinne smiled and reached for the fair-skinned maid. They shared
the same excitement, after so many hours together hidden in her room. Months of
dreams and hopes for freedom were shared between them.
"It is Mrs. Temple." The new title
made Corinne squirm a little. "At this moment the trunks and surplus
supplies are being loaded on your travel car, your personal items and trunks
are to be packed into our coach. I
have called for it twice. I shall send a footman to see about the delay."
Angela's voice was firm with only the slightest hint of her Irish birth. She was desperate to finish her duties
well today. She knew her own life would
forever change once she left this grand home behind.
* * * * *
Angela's
own expectations and need for perfection pushed her hard this week with a
wedding this morning and all the packing for the trip needed for today, as
well. Angela was nearly at her end. Her nerves were weary to the breaking
point. The last three days the household had to be run as usual without the
head housekeeper, not forgetting the trip planning which was put under Angela's
leadership. Corinne's Aunt was a little unmerciful expecting her to handle the
packing, wedding, and daily chores. Angela should have anticipated it though.
The head housekeeper had a delightful habit of catching her death-of-something
when huge events came around. Angela was certain that the housekeeper would
rally from her illness just in time for the afternoon train departure.
Twenty-hour days put the fifteen-year-old Angela into an emotional daze. Last
night after a quick prayer and a long cry she slept like a baby for a few hours,
before she was up and going again. She had a beautiful vision of herself on the
train, taking a long nap, on a cot. Surely a blanket and the floor would work
for her at this point.
Angela
took a quick moment to secure her bonnet over her red hair and headed out the
front door when she heard the crunch of the carriage wheels as they traveled up
the stone road, close to the door. She joined Corinne in the seat of the
carriage and let the footmen do their job of loading everything. Angela and
Corinne shared a hand squeeze when the carriage finally moved forward toward
their future.
*
* * * *
The train station was crowded and the footmen
struggled to get through the crowds with her luggage. After several minutes of
jockeying around the station they found Corinne's husband and they joined him. His cowboy hat sat
on his brow and he looked ready to take on the world. Corinne tried to appear
friendly when she made eye contact but he looked away. It seemed like he changed
his mind and then he spoke.
"Hello wife." A bright smile greeted
Corinne as she led her footmen forward. Andrew was truly handsome with dark
blond curls and a cowboy hat. His green eyes had a look in them that she just didn’t
understand. He was intimidating and confident and he did not seem to be interested
in her at all. Corinne told herself to stop being fearful and just to keep thinking
about making a good impression.
She smiled but did not know what to say, her
mind empty. A thin man with short brown hair and a serious face walked up
silently and stood next to Andrew. Corinne wondered why he was there.
Andrew noticed her perusal. "This is my
man, Reggie. If you need me and can't find me tell him, he will always know
where I am." He gave Reggie's
shoulder a tap and pointed and Reggie took the satchels sitting on the ground,
and headed into the traveling car next to them. Corinne wondered if his job was
also to be mute.
Corinne's luggage was loaded and she checked
inside her handbag with a sweep of her hand. Everything was there, money,
mints, small brown bottle of lavender, a pocket watch and a small sewing kit.
She had plenty of money sewn into her clothing, hidden in her luggage, and
stuffed into book pages. Andrew insisted that she needed for nothing and should
not buy anything. Her mother taught her that a woman should always be prepared
for the worst. A girl should have the means to support herself in case there was
trouble.
Corinne thought about the long days ahead.
She longed to see her father again but almost dreaded it too. Three years was a
long separation and she had changed a lot since her days on the ranch in
Kentucky. His letter said he wanted to meet her in Oregon but would the
disappointment still linger between us? It would be months before she would
know. I should focus on getting the first part of the trip traveled
successfully. Corinne told herself.
It would take four weeks or more of train and
coach rides to reach the Missouri river. Four
weeks with a stranger. Corinne had no idea what she would discuss with
Andrew but she would work on being friendly. I should try to stop being intimidated. Foolish girl!
* * * * *
Corinne stopped her inner dialogue and let the golden-haired Andrew lead
her up the stairs in the traveling car. With a great blast the train whistle
blew and the conductor yelled for the passengers to board. Andrew had her arm
and helped her up the steps. She was very aware of his hand on her arm. She glanced
his way briefly and he was looking at her distractedly. Maybe he was nervous
about spending the long ride with a stranger, also. Do men get nervous too?
She looked back at her feet but her grin was hard to hide.
The train car was comfortable, with soft
seats, a dining car and two separate rooms with beds. He arranged everything.
He obviously got what he wanted. He acted like a force to be reckoned with. She
tried not to think about the wifely expectations but was ready to face that
reality if need be. She was secretly hoping to get to know him a little better
first. She whispered a prayer for strength inside her head and stared out the
window seeing nothing for a while.
The newly married couple sat quietly for nearly an hour
watching the train leave the station and then the city rushing by. Andrew rang the bell and within a moment he ordered tea.
The tea was served a few minutes later and
Corinne desperately searched her mind for something to discuss with Andrew. The
landscape out the window was unremarkable and with their own private car, they
were not able to see the other passengers. Corinne absently wondered if reading
a book during tea was rude. Her manners finally kicked in and she did what had
to be done. She stopped avoiding her husband and thought of a question to ask.
"Andrew, I was wondering if you have any
hobbies." Corinne sipped her tea and put on her bravest smile. It sounded
silly to her once it was said but there was no taking it back. She just tilted
her head and looked him in the eye.
Andrew met her gaze and smiled. "Well, I do believe
college was my hobby I suppose." He laughed and his green eyes looked
bright for a second. "I still feel a little strange after three months to be actually finished. Six years of
my life was spent at Harvard." He paused and stopped smiling. "Well child, I suppose you can't
understand. Six years ago you were eleven."
He took a sip of tea himself and reached for a pastry.
Corinne blinked... wondering what happened.
She tried again. "Do you plan on opening a vet clinic in Oregon
City?" Corinne felt good for making a second effort toward conversation.
"I will help your father with his
breeding stock and perhaps head to California to see what the competition is up
too. I know you have your 'prodigal daughter' plans but some of us have to
work. I may or may not settle in Oregon at all."
She had to work hard at not rolling her eyes.
She felt like a stranger was scolding her and she was trying not to resent it. He wasn’t playing nice. She thought.
"I want you to be clear on my
intentions. I have married you as a favor to your Father. His influence over my
getting into Harvard was the best gift anyone ever gave me. I will gladly help
you re-unite with him in Oregon, but,” He took a breath. “I will be getting an
annulment when we arrive. I have no intentions of us being in a marriage in any
other way than in name only. I have no need for marriage now in my life. I do not mean to be
impertinent. "Halfway through the speech he stopped looking at her, opened
a newspaper, and began idly flipping through pages.
An annulment… Corinne’s mind was jumbled with
the implications. No long-term plan, no stuck in a loveless marriage. She was
trying to keep her face impassive but she wanted to cheer. She almost laughed.
Andrew was staring at her trying to gauge her
reaction. He seemed so grumpy. Perhaps he wanted a response.
“I understand, once we are across you will
file for an annulment.” Corinne stated simply, hoping her voice wouldn’t crack.
“Good girl.” Andrew said and opened his
paper.
Corinne realized just then she couldn’t be
insecure with this man or he would run over her. He was a General, too. As my mother would say...Out of the frying
pan then eaten by the dog!
* * * * *
In
the next room Angela was busily preparing the sleeping car. It had two beds and
would be her and Corinne's quarters for two weeks. Angela would find out whether Corinne preferred the top bunk
or bottom bunk. Angela put three traveling suits in the tiny wardrobe and then
hung the rest of her dresses in the next car where the luggage, trunks, and
supplies were stored. There were hanging racks and space for a washtub and all
the cleaning supplies, Angela would need these on this trip. Traveling and
keeping Corinne's clothes clean was her duty. She did not intend to let her
mistress be shamed in front of her new husband.
* * * * * *
You can find the rest of Finding Her Way on ebook and print book on Amazon.
Book 2 -
Angela's Hope is coming in Fall 2013
To find out more about my books
