Page 2 of His Perfect Bride
She kept her practiced smile in place. “Do you know if Miss Rye is planning to recruit more women for another bride ship?”
The middle-aged matron glanced at her companion who was taller than most women by a hand’s span. She had thick dark brown hair that was smoothed back into a tight knot, causing her sharply pointed features to look severe. Her gown, while fashionable and a pretty rose color, did nothing to flatter her, making her look flat-chested and overly thin. The woman wasn’t youthful, but she also didn’t have any signs of age. Perhaps she was in her thirties.
“Miss Lennox is visiting from London,” the matron said with a nod to the tall woman. “She may be familiar with Miss Rye’s current plans.”
“Certainly.” Miss Lennox set her map down. “I am indeed in several organizations with Miss Rye.”
At last. Sage released an inward sigh at discovering someone who knew about Miss Rye. Surely now she would make more progress in learning when the next group of women would be leaving.
Hopefully by the time the ship set sail, her family would have the first letter from Willow with some money that would allow Dad to accompany them as a paying passenger in steerage. If not when they left, then a letter would arrive soon after their departure, and he could follow them to the new world.
Sage gave a small curtsy to Miss Lennox. “Could you please tell me when Miss Rye plans to send another bride ship?”
Miss Lennox swept her gaze over Sage, as if she were personally assessing Sage’s worthiness of joining the endeavor. “I regret that I do not have such information.”
Sage curbed her disappointment. “I see.”
“However, I can tell you Miss Rye is currently accompanying a ship of women bound for New Zealand.”
That news was even worse. Miss Rye would be unavailable for months. “Is someone taking her place in organizing other voyages?”
“The committee is weighing the cost of the ventures and has found them particularly taxing. I would not be surprised if they decide against any future trips.”
Sage’s heart sank. She’d tried to warn herself that another ship may have already sailed, or that Miss Rye would seek out candidates from a different area to give other women a chance at emigration. But she hadn’t expected that the efforts to send women to the colony would end altogether.
“I’m sorry to hear such news.” Regardless, Sage had to persist with her efforts at finding help with emigration, with or without Miss Rye’s bride ships. “Would the City Mission be willing to sponsor a few women who would like to emigrate?”
This time the matronly woman with the spectacles answered. “I’m afraid that’s outside our scope of what we’re capable of doing here at the mission.”
“I understand.” Sage wasn’t surprised by the rejection. She’d heard the same thing from the three other charities. “Do you know of any other organizations who might be sending women?”
Everyone was quiet, so much so that Sage could hear the patter of a fresh rain shower on the two front windows. The others in the room had resumed their work but were casting curious looks toward Sage, obviously still listening to the conversation.
The matronly woman’s eyes behind her spectacles remained wide and kind, but it was clear from her expression that she had no suggestions for Sage.
Miss Lennox, however, blinked several times before nodding. “Another organization in London is considering sending women to Australia. If you’d like me to pass along your name?—”
“I couldn’t go to Australia.”
“Of all the places I’ve traveled, Australia is one of the loveliest.”
“I beg your pardon, ma’am. It’s a kind suggestion. However, my sister already lives on Vancouver Island, and I would like to be near her in Victoria.”
“Vancouver Island? Victoria?” Miss Lennox cocked her head with a glimmer of interest.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Miss Lennox leaned in and whispered something to the matronly woman. The two conversed in low tones for a moment before Miss Lennox narrowed her gaze upon Sage. “Do you have any experience as a maidservant?”
For a fraction of a second Sage considered fibbing. But no, she couldn’t. She would strive as always to do what was right. “I’ve only worked in the mills, ma’am. But I am a fast learner. I would have no trouble learning the duties of a maid.”
Domestic servants were needed in the colony. At least that was what Miss Rye had told the bride-ship women leaving on theRobert Lowe. No doubt Willow had found a position as a maid in a wealthy home in Victoria, and Sage would gladly do the same.
“Your sewing skills, Miss?—?”
“Rhodes. Sage Rhodes.”
“How proficient are you at mending and altering, Miss Rhodes?”
