Page 39 of A Late-Blooming Rose
“We have several such intrepid women both here and in Morgan’s Crossing. Surprisingly, their marriages seem to be thriving. None of them live in town, so I don’t know when you’ll meet them.”
“Tell me more about Mrs. Flanigan.”
“The story goes, about ten years ago, Trudy arrived with a whole household of furniture and crates of belongings, including boxes. At the time, Seth Flanigan had a small home, so most of her possessions ended up in the barn. Now they’ve built a bigger house, although I’ve not been there. So maybe the books are no longer stored in the barn.”
Rose couldn’t wait to meet the woman and hear more of her story.
“Did Delia tell you she’s organizing a tea party tomorrow after church to introduce you and Cora to some of the ladies?”
“Oh. So soon,” Rose said, letting her reluctance show. She’d hoped to have time to mentally prepare for meeting a group of women. “I vaguely recall her mentioning something in passing.” Just the idea made her cringe. Although on good terms with the library patrons, Rose was comfortable with only a very small social circle. She nodded at a workman walking past carrying a shovel.
“We started talking about the tea party while you were upstairs getting your coat.”
“If you recall—” her voice trembled “—I’m rather reserved.”
“I haven’t forgotten anything.” He placed a hand over hers. “Perhaps the experience will be uncomfortable at times. However, I have confidence you’ll weather the tea party with complete aplomb.”
Andre always was more certain of me than I was of myself.
CHAPTER TEN
That night, after Micah had gone to bed and Joshua’s parents, who’d come for dinner, had left for the parsonage, the adults sat in the parlor, talking about their day and the plans for tomorrow.
The air was cool enough to warrant heating the room, but instead of turning on the radiators, Joshua had opted for the coziness of a wood-burning fire, which Rose thought a wise choice.
A faint smell of smoke wafted through the air. The cheerful flames flickered in the background, the pops and crackles a pleasant accompaniment to their conversation.
“Who will be coming to the tea party tomorrow?” Cora looked from Andre to Delia to Joshua. “Is there anyone my age?”
Delia cocked her head and appeared to think through a list. “I don’t know. The women your age are already married and most don’t live in town. All depends if they drive to town for Sunday service. That’s not a certainty for those who live several hours or more away.”
Cora wrinkled her nose, obviously not pleased about the dearth of companionship.
Delia touched her chin. “Elsie Bailey, the dressmaker’s helper, is younger than you—sixteen, no, she’s turned seventeen, but I’m certain she’ll be here.”
Andre leaned forward. “You’ll like Elsie, Cora. The two of you have similarjoie de vivreand lack the usual be-all-end-all focus on matrimony common to most young ladies.”
“Good.” Cora gave a decisive nod. “I can’t abide those empty-headed girls who act like clinging vines around men.” With a stubborn lift of her chin she declared, “A woman should be the mistress of her own destiny.”
Rose smiled, wondering what would happen when her niece finally fell in love.He’d need to be one determined bachelor who’s not deterred by her lack of interest in marriage.
“As for the women in town…. Sheriff Granger’s not typically involved in ladies’ activities.” Delia raised her eyebrows and chuckled. “But now that she’s a mother…we’ll see if she’ll attend in search of some female advice. Alice Cameron, the doctor’s wife—” She pursed her lips. “Well, Alice has a toddler. Guess her attendance depends on whether the doctor is called away or if he can take care of little Craig.”
Confused, Rose tilted her head. “I thought the doctor was with the wounded men?”
Joshua shook his head. “That’s Dr. Angus Cameron. He’s newly come to Sweetwater Springs to join the practice of his brother, Dr. Fergus Cameron, who is married to Alice.”
“Ah. I understand.”
“There’s Hortense Cobb, who with her husband owns the mercantile. Widowed Mrs. Murphy, who runs the boarding house.” Delia hesitated and sent a look of appeal at her husband. “Surely I won’t be gossiping if I give Rose and Cora more information about those two?”
Joshua tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. “I suppose if you’re uttering warnings with the best of intentions—for awareness and protection from hurt….”
Andre jerked a thumb in Joshua’s direction. “While our good reverend, here, ponders the religious implications of this conversation, what my daughter is delicately inferring without actually gossiping is Mrs. Cobb and Mrs. Murphy are the most annoying busybodies in this town. Judgmental and sometimes malicious. The two are cronies and likely to spread gossip—the more mean-spirited, the better.”
“From time to time, Mrs. Murphy does display a softer heart,” Delia said, one hand turning up. “But then, unfortunately, she hardens again. She probably won’t attend the tea party. Her boarding house is still overflowing with guests.”
“The other difficult person you might encounter is Edith Grayson, sister of Caleb Livingston—” Andre nodded at Rose “—whom I told you owns the hotel. He also owns the bank. Both of them are from Boston and tend to be ratherhaughty.”
