Page 398 of Conveniently Wed
His aching need screamed, but his love screamed louder. He just couldn’t—no, wouldn’t. Not yet.
“We have a whole lifetime for that. Let’s get to know each other first.” He bent his head, daring to touch his lips to hers in a quick kiss.
Her eyes rounded.
“Good night, Kat. Sweet dreams. You can lock your doors if it will help you sleep.”
He shut the door between their rooms and waited. Silence. The click of the lock never came. He had won the trust of his young bride—a small but good start.
A walk to the creek and a very cold swim would be next.
Katie stretched languorously. Why did her straw mattress, pillows, and quilts feel so glorious? She reached over to give her sister a morning hug like they had done for years and touched only air. Her eyes shot open. Where was her sister? Where was she? What time was it?
Like the rush of the Shenandoah River in the spring, reality flooded in. She was married. In a stranger’s house, in a bed that was anything but straw, and, by the look of the light streaming through the gap in the heavy drapes, the day was well underway. She jumped from the bed and stepped to the window. The sun was high in the sky.
“My goodness, what have I done? How did I sleep this long?” She poured tepid water from the pitcher to the bowl to wash in haste. The door to the wardrobe swung wide as she grabbed a plain shirtwaist and skirt and hurried to dress. She braided her hair and coiled it into a tight knot, stabbing in the pins in a harried rush.
She took one quick glance into the full-length mirror and stopped. She was not used to seeing her reflection, having never had the luxury of a mirror at her disposal. Wide troubled eyes stared back at her. Compared to the finery she’d worn the day before, her everyday clothes looked like rags. Most likely the maids had better clothes than she did.
With a jut to her chin and a flick of her head, she turned from the mirror. The day was half wasted. The least she could do was make herself useful. She had always been a hard worker. Maybe it would appease some of the guilt from not fulfilling her duty the night before. She had talked so big, but then… Heat flooded her face at the thought of how she had trembled like a leaf in the wind at the mere touch of his hands on her skin.
She swung her bedroom door open and froze. A look to the left then to the right did not set her bearings straight. The night before, when Josiah had led her to the bedroom, she had not been paying attention.
“Good morning, Missus Richardson.” An older woman with a deep chocolate brown face and a cheery smile entered the hall from the adjoining room. “You’re up. Mistuh Josiah said you’d be needing some extra sleep, so I kept real quiet.”
She motioned to Katie. “Come, child. You must be starving. Let’s get you fed. Why, when Mistuh Josiah told me you were a pretty one, he’s not telling the half. You are just lovely. Just lovely indeed.” Her dark brown eyes sparkled with merriment. “Just too skinny is all. Yes’um as skinny as a blade of grass.” She chuckled. Her fleshy arms jiggled as her hands pointed to her generous girth. “Fatten you up to have babies nice and easy.” She laughed as Katie raised her eyebrows.
“Come.” She waved her hand and ambled down the hall. “Too soon for that baby talk, I reckon, but sure be right nice to have new life in this old house.”
Katie followed, listening to her constant chatter. A warmth grew from the pit of her stomach. This kind lady made her feel welcome in the most unassuming way, and all the sleep she had received put a brighter light on her circumstances.
The woman gasped and wheeled around. Katie had to catch herself from colliding straight into her.
“Why, I do declare. I purt’ nigh forgot to introduce myself. Just ’cause I know who you are, don’t mean you know me.” She gave a wide toothy grin. “I’m Delilah. Me and my Abe been with the Richardson family for years. His pa bought and freed us on the same day. We been working and living life as one big family ever since. Why, I helped bring that boy Josiah into this world.”
Her face radiated both pride and joy. “Welcome to the family, Katherine.” Huge fleshy arms engulfed Katie in the warmest of hugs. Delilah hung on much longer than Katie liked.
With a shake of her finger and a look of amusement, Delilah backed away. “I am going to teach you a thing or two about hugging girl, I truly am. But all in sweet Jesus’ time. All in His time.”
The fresh aroma of baked bread wafted through the air as they approached the kitchen. Katie’s stomach growled in anticipation.
“Sit,” Delilah said with a wave of her hand.
Katie slid up to the kitchen table and shifted in her seat. She was not used to being waited on. “Delilah?”
“Yes’um.” She cracked an egg in the hot pan.
“What can I do to help? I’m not one of those fancy ladies who needs to be served. I’m not much good in the kitchen yet, but I aim to learn. And give me any work outside, and I shine.”
Delilah moved about. “Mmmm.” She sliced a few thick pieces of bread.
Katie waited, clasping and unclasping her hands.
Delilah slid a plate of eggs, ham, and fresh hot bread under her nose. “You show me you know how to eat, then I’ll round up Mistuh Josiah for you. I be thinking you need to take that up with him.”
“Good morning, Delilah. Did I hear you taking my name in vain?” Josiah walked into the room and planted a kiss on her chubby cheek.
She batted him with the wooden spoon and shooed him away.
