Johanna: Bride of Michigan (American Mail-Order Bride 26) (4 page)

“Yes, I think so. But you won’t be in Saginaw that long, will you?”

“It all depends, but I hope we can meet up somewhere before I leave. If your husband allows it.”

“Allows it?”

“You
do
know when you marry a man, you swear before God to honor and obey him, right?”

“I-I guess I haven’t given it that much thought.”

Gretchen smiled. “You remind me of one of my other brides. She had a hard time adjusting to her life as a married woman, and it took some time before they were happy. It’s better to know what’s expected of you.”

“Thank you for that, but I’m sure I’ll figure out things as I go.”

“We’re coming up to Saginaw now,” the conductor exclaimed.

Johanna stared out the window, but she wasn’t able to see much more than buildings. Where Lawrence’s buildings were made of stone and brick, most of these ones were all wood.

The train
whooshed
to a stop and Johanna rushed to be the first to come off the train. She stepped off and moved a few feet, keeping a tight hold on her suitcase. From her viewpoint, there was a river not far away. There was also a bustle of activity on the streets of men and women, even children. Some were dressed in their finery, yet others were working-class. The men who came into view were dressed in suits, not what she expected at all. She thought all the men would be wearing denim pants and plaid shirts. They’d make plenty of noise and rush in and out of the taverns, which she hadn’t seen any of so far. Smoke billowed from behind the trees and with her knowledge of factories, she expected it might be a mill of some sort, but at least the air was fresh with the thick smell of pine. She shivered slightly at the gentle breeze. It was much cooler than Johanna expected.

Gretchen came over to stand alongside her. “So, what do you think?”

“It looks great. I mean, I couldn’t exactly imagine how it would look, but it’s certainly nothing like Lawrence.”

“You have that right. Here, you can breath in deeply and take in the fragrances. I’m looking forward to a cup of coffee. It’s a staple up here.”

Johanna made a face. “I detest coffee. I’d much rather have tea.”

“I’m sure your new husband will be able to get you whatever you desire.”

Johanna thought that to be a strange comment, but just then, Gretchen elbowed her slightly in the ribs. She glanced up at the sound of horses as an open, black buggy moved forward. A man dressed in a black suit jumped down, helping an older woman down. As he approached, she was able to survey him much better. He wore a white shirt beneath a gray vest, with a red puff tie. His jacket was open and ruffled in the wind. She demurely cast her eyes back to Gretchen. He certainly couldn’t be her intended, as he was dressed too fancy. “It looks like my husband-to-be hasn’t arrived,” she said, trying her best not to stare back at the handsome man. She tried to control her shuddering, but it was impossible as men’s cologne wafted over to her.

She felt dizzy suddenly before a male voice asked, “Are you Johanna?”

Her eyes met the man from the buggy and she stared deeply into his inquisitive gray eyes. “Why, y-yes, I am. Are you Paul?”

“Paul Worthington,” the woman next to him said. “I’m Paul’s mother, Cecilia.”

“I’m pleased to meet you both.” She fidgeted as she stared at Cecilia’s gray, elegant silk dress. It was exactly what one would wear to a wedding! Surely he didn’t intend to marry her right then. It was nerve-wracking enough meeting Paul, but his mother, too?

“Well, don’t just stand there, let’s get going. I don’t want to be the talk of the town.” Cecilia took ahold of Johanna’s arm. “People can be such gossips.”

“This is Gretchen,” Johanna said. “She’s been so nice to me on the train.”

“Oh, yes, Gretchen, from a mail-order agency in Boston, if my recollection is correct. Is she one of your girls?” Cecilia asked.

“No, apparently the matchmaker who sent her didn’t even send a chaperone. I was glad to be of service. Will Paul be marrying Johanna today?”

“Of course, he will.”

“Would you like to come to the wedding?” Paul asked. “It’s the least we can do for you, looking after my fiancée on the train and all.”

“I’d be delighted, Mr. Worthington.”

They all walked back to the buggy and Paul took Johanna’s hand, sending shivers up her spine. She almost felt sad when his hand left her to help his mother up. Gretchen sat in the front and Paul sat in the back on the other side of his mother. This was very disconcerting to Johanna. Would his mother also be standing between them when they were married?

The buggy moved along the bumpy road, and it wasn’t long before they came up on a white church with a large steeple. She wished she had a real wedding gown to wear, but at least the one she wore was white.

They left the buggy, walking into the church where a man walked forward with a smile. “I’m delighted to see you both. Would you like a wedding march played on the organ, or would you prefer to just come up to the altar?”

“What would you prefer, Johanna?” Paul asked politely.

She swallowed hard. “At the altar would be fine.” What would it really matter when she had nobody there to give her away?

Walking to the front of the church, Gretchen stood beside Johanna and Cecilia beside Paul. They were asked to join hands, and Johanna shivered as she took his warm hand into hers. She stared up at the cross behind the altar, praying for God to help her get through this.

The pastor began the ceremony, and it was both quick and subtle. She was to honor, cherish and obey this man, who she had only met ten minutes before. When it was her turn, she said “I do” somberly. Back in Lawrence, she had a life of her own when she worked at the factory before it burned to the ground. But she just knew her life would never be her own again.

A ring was slipped on her finger and they were pronounced man and wife. Johanna stared deeply into her new husband’s eyes, not sure what to do. Would he kiss her or— She didn’t have to wonder for long as Paul bent his head and gently brushed his lips against hers, sealing them as man and wife.

Johanna nervously turned, a shiver running through her as Paul held her hand. His mother smiled, her lips pressed together. It was one of those smiles you knew was forced. How happy was she really that her son had married a mail-order bride?

Gretchen came forward and kissed Johanna’s cheek. “Congratulations, dear.”

“That’s good and all, but we should go back to the house now where we’ll be able to speak more privately,” Cecilia abruptly said.

“Can Gretchen come, too?”

“Certainly,” Paul said.

“Perhaps it would be better if I took my leave, Johanna. I’ve assured myself that you’re properly married. It’s time for you to adjust yourself to your new life,” Gretchen interjected.

“Can you come see me before you leave town?”

“I’d like to, but I have a very tight schedule, I’m afraid.”

Johanna sighed. She wasn’t sure why Gretchen was suddenly changing her mind about seeing her again, but she suspected it might have something to do with Cecilia.

Paul led Johanna outside into a glorious day that held a promise of a much cooler night, as the wind had more of a chill to it. They walked back to the buggy and once they were settled inside, off the horses trotted. Johanna sat upright, gazing at the buildings they passed that were more on the rough side. Soon, though, the landscape changed drastically and brick homes came into view. Home after home after home, all of them mansions.

The carriage stopped in front of a huge, mostly red brick Queen Anne mansion with octagonal towers, many elaborate chimneys, and domes.
Cecilia must really be well off.
Under an archway, the buggy finally came to a stop, and Paul lifted Johanna to the ground. She smiled up at him shyly and moved out of the way so he could assist his mother. The buggy then moved on, presumably to the stable. Paul took Johanna’s arm and they walked up the three steps to the blue door with a sinister-looking doorknob, a lion’s head made of brass. The door was opened and Johanna’s breath caught in her throat. The beautiful woodwork practically glowed with the light that came through the door. Paul dropped her arm and she wandered across the wood floor, staring in awe at the high ceiling sporting a multicolored stained glass window. She had never in her life seen anything like it before.

It took a moment before Johanna realized Paul and Cecilia were studying her. “This is a beautiful home, Cecilia.”

“It’s not my house, dear. It’s Paul’s.”

Her chest ached like someone was squeezing it in their fist. “B-But I thought you were a lumberjack, Paul?”

“What did you expect, dear?” Cecilia said.

“Perhaps it might be better if we discuss this later,” Paul said. “After you’re shown to your room.”

Johanna gulped but nodded. “But I think I left my suitcase in the buggy.”

“John will bring it in, after he takes the buggy to the barn.”

“Don’t you think it would be better for us to talk in the parlor?” Cecilia asked with raised brow.

Paul’s mouth whitened slightly, his jaw tight. “No, Mother, I do not, but we’ll meet you there after I show Johanna her room.”

Paul led Johanna up the staircase, which was as elaborate as the foyer. The woodwork in the house was amazing and must have taken years to perfect. At the top of the stairs, Johanna could see all the way up to the third floor with a globe at the top. The sunlight coming through lightened the hallway considerably.

“This way,” Paul instructed. Johanna strolled up the hallway and when she reached the last door on the right, Paul said, “This is your room. I hope you like it.”

The rosewood double-carved bed was exquisite. Johanna wanted to pull back the quilted coverlet and snuggle under the sheets. Her breath came hard and fast and she sat on a chair, pressing a hand to her chest. She couldn’t believe this was happening to her.

Paul sat opposite her, smiling slightly. “I had hoped you’d like your room. I thought it would be better to speak with you privately before my mother scares you back to Massachusetts.”

“I wouldn’t let her do that, we’re married now.”

Paul’s eyes twinkled as he said, “Yes, we are, but to her credit, she means well. It was her idea for me to acquire a mail-order bride. It’s hard to meet women here, or one who wouldn’t know who I am. I wanted to marry a woman who believed I was only a lumberjack, not a lumber baron.”

“Oh, is that what you are?”

“Yes, but we can talk about that later. What I wanted to say was this room is yours and yours alone. After I leave this room, I will never pass the threshold again. I want us to get to know each other better before we think about going into our marriage bed, if we do at all.”

Johanna gulped. “I see.”

“It’s important to me that we grow to love one another, and that can’t happen immediately since I don’t believe in love at first sight. All I ask is for you to respect me as your husband, and I will do the same. My mother does also live here, but on another floor. Please, give it time and I’m sure you’ll win her over.”

She wasn’t sure how she felt about that. This was more than she expected, but how could she complain? When you marry someone, oftentimes that includes his family. She only hoped there wouldn’t be any more surprises; she’d had far too many already for the day.

There was a knock at the door and Paul answered it, carrying Johanna’s suitcase and setting it on her bed. “I’ll meet you in the parlor after you settle in.”

“But how will I find it?”

“Turn right when you come down the stairs and it’s the first room on the right.”

Johanna walked Paul to the door. “Thank you, Paul. I won’t be long.”

* * *

When the door closed, Paul had to brace himself with one hand against the wall. What had he done by giving Johanna her own room! He wanted to whisk her away into his bed that very minute. No, he had to control himself. Johanna had said very little of herself in the letter, but he was eager enough to marry that he didn’t give it much thought. He hadn’t managed to interest any other women in moving to Michigan. If only they knew, they’d be flocking there by the trainloads. Too many lumberjacks were seeking wives, with few of them who could afford paying a mail-order bride’s way to Saginaw. Most had spent their spring money at Hells Half Acre, where there were over two hundred taverns and brothels. Paul never went there. It wasn’t the safest place for anyone, but many of the unmarried lumberjacks took the risk of being robbed or worse.

Johanna was a fragile beauty with raven hair and crystal blue eyes. He was tongue-tied when he first laid eyes on her. He felt like a fool to just stand there beside her without saying a word, but his mother’s hawk eyes were on them, analyzing their every move. Paul couldn’t help but become aroused at merely standing next to her. He wasn’t sure what he felt for Johanna, but knew he’d protect her any way possible, and that included from his mother, if need be.

* * *

Johanna pulled her dresses out of the suitcase, hanging them in the armoire. On the other side of the room was a dresser and vanity with mirror. It didn’t take long to put away two dresses or her nightgown and chemises. She put her stockings in the top drawer, and she had nothing in the way of perfume. The only jewelry she had was a cameo necklace that she was careful to keep hidden from Janna, as her mother gave it to her before she died. She knew Janna would have taken it from her, even if she did so when Johanna slept.

She wasn’t sure how she felt about being given a room of her own. While she was uncomfortable with the way Paul looked at her, it gave her hope that he might feel something for her in time. She didn’t have anything to go back to and had to make a go of this marriage. Johanna had to admit that her new husband was quite dashing, in a rugged sort of way. She had a feeling that even more surprises lay ahead of her.
What exactly is a lumber baron?

Johanna bravely left her room and hurried down the hall, descending the stairs. Once she was on the bottom floor, she stared at a maid who giggled, darting away. She sighed and found the parlor with a wood floor, just like the rest of the house she had seen so far. There was a fireplace along one wall and a blue settee and two leather wingback chairs facing it.

“Come have a seat,” Cecilia said. “I hope you like tea.”

“I do,” Johanna replied as she sat down, sinking in the soft cushion of the settee.

“Good, the maid will be along shortly with it.”

Paul stood at the fireplace, his gaze making her nervous. “I hope you had time to put your things away.”

“I did, thank you.”

“Are the rest of your things being shipped here?” Cecilia asked.

“No. I’m afraid I brought everything I had.”

“Not to worry. I’ll get you what you need,” Paul said. “I can’t have my wife dressed in—”

“Rags,” Cecilia interjected with a notable frown.

Johanna jumped to her feet. “In all due respect, my clothing might be worn, but they’re hardly rags. This dress has never been worn before today. Not everyone is fortunate enough to live in a big house and wear fancy clothing.” She was so infuriated that she moved to the door.

“Apologize to her, Mother,” Paul said, his jaw tight.

“I don’t see why I need to. I’m just being honest.”

“You’re being rude and you know it. Of course, if you decide not to do as I ask and retire to your room for the remainder of the day, it’s up to you.”

Cecilia’s eyes widened. “I’m very sorry I jumped to conclusions. I just didn’t think Paul’s bride would show up on his door with only one suitcase.”

“What did you expect?” Johanna asked.

“I suppose I don’t know. This whole mail-order bride thing is strange to me. I was in an arranged marriage, and I wanted my son to fall in love with the woman he planned to marry.”

“I can understand that. It was strange to me, too, but I had little recourse.”

“Please, sit back down, Johanna. I’d love to hear how you decided to become a mail-order bride.”

Johanna would give Cecilia the benefit of the doubt. It was apparent she was looking out for her son. She would have thought the same thing if her child had a virtual penniless bride turn up at his door.

That time, Johanna sat in a chair. How on earth would she be able to explain how she came to be there? “I’m a working-class woman who worked at a factory in Lawrence, Massachusetts. Unfortunately, the factory burned to the ground and the owner had no plans to rebuild. It displaced all the women who worked there, so quite a number of us took a copy of the
Grooms’ Gazette
and I chose Paul to send a letter to.”