| |
The harsh winter made way for spring, and the blooms of May decorated trees that were barren and stark. Four months along, and Ophelia could no longer wear dresses that tapered to her curves. Now, her dresses had a waist under her bosom to accommodate her growing belly. She felt the flutters of her child; it excited her so much, she ran to find Euan.
“The baby is moving!” she said excitedly and pressed his hand against her belly.
They both held their breath, and while she could feel the flutters, he still could not.
“Marie said he may be too small yet for you to feel it on the outside,” she said trying to assuage the disappointed look on his face. “But he is healthy and strong in there.”
Euan smiled and kissed her. “She, ma ghoal.”
It was their ongoing debate. He thought the baby was a girl, and she said a boy. Now that Mr. and Mrs. Stewart and their cousin Selma were there, they all had their opinion. The votes were three in favor of a boy, and she and Selma were the only ones who said a girl. The house felt more like a home; her cottage was closed up now until she made a choice on what she wanted to do with the property.
Selma and one of the young trappers were already making eyes at each other. Ophelia had no doubt she may be gifting them a home very soon. Her worries about them vanished as soon as they walked through the doors of the manor. Mrs. Stewart embraced her and then ‘tsked’ in disapproval because Ophelia had made tea and baked croissants.
“This won’t do at all, Euan. Why do you have her in the kitchen when she is with child?” Mrs. Stewart asked crossly.
“It’s not like I could stop her. She’s very obstinate,” Euan answered.
“I’ll have none of that. I’ll take over the kitchen duties. Selma, see what needs to be laundered and dusted.” Mrs. Steward looked around. “It may be everything. Euan is not known for housekeeping. Mr. Stewart, you see to the carpets and take stock of what we need from the markets.”
“Does she always call her husband Mr. Stewart?” Ophelia asked in a low voice.
Euan kept his face neutral and nodded. “Even when she kisses him and pats his head. Don’t question it—let her have her way.”
“I don’t plan on it. She’s very formidable.” Ophelia watched as the older woman walked around and mumbled to herself.
From there, the house became a well-oiled machine, down to her nightly tea and strawberry tarts sent up by Mrs. Stewart while she sat in bed. The older woman fussed any time she stepped out of the house, even when Ophelia started working on the garden.
“Mr. Stewart can do that, Ms. Ophelia!” she called through the open kitchen windows.
“I want to do it. I like planning my flowers and herbs every spring,” she called back.
Mrs. Stewart’s head went back into the kitchen, and she thought it was over. The older lady came out and plopped a wide-brimmed hat on her head. “At least wear a hat before you catch sunstroke.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Ophelia fixed the hair on her head and watched the skirts shimmy around the ample hips of her fierce new caretaker. Selma, who was hanging the wash, shook her head with a smile and said nothing. When Marie visited, Ophelia caught both she and the older woman sharing one of the clove cigarettes. Life had definitely fallen into a routine. Euan spent most of his day overseeing the building of the dock and his warehouse that was almost completed. The first ship was on its way and would arrive in less than two weeks.
His dock hands were hired. John oversaw the building and took in what he considered quality furs worth exporting. The entire town was abuzz because the first ship was coming from India, and they would see items never seen before. Ophelia wanted to walk into town and pick up her mail. She usually received mail and packages from her family in Paris around the springtime.
Ophelia wasn’t comfortable with the carriage or the horses yet, and it was good to stretch her legs. Selma walked with her in hopes of seeing her young trapper Brian while they were in town. Now, she walked and the fancy ladies nodded with pleasant smiles. She still got daggers from Bettina and a few others, but they stayed away. Marie was out of town taking care of some families who lived farther out in the wilds beyond Kamouraska, so there would be no lunch in town that day... or would they?
“Selma, how do you feel about lunch at the hotel?” Ophelia asked.
“I don’t know, Miss Ophelia. Auntie told me to have you right back home,” Selma said doubtfully. She wore her reddish-brown hair pulled back in a bun at the nape of her neck and a few wisps escaped the severe style.
“It could take us a while to get the mail and then we can stop at the market because I wanted some chocolate,” Ophelia hinted with a smile. “We won’t tell a soul... the hotel has eclairs.”
Selma’s eyes brightened. “I’ve never had one of those.”
She hooked her arms with the young woman. “Then an éclair it shall be.”
The first stop was the market, and then she went to the store for chocolates and hard candy. It was good to shop again since Mrs. Stewart did the shopping now. Mr. Stewart always brought home butter and flour because he’d managed to acquire a sweet tooth for her breads and pastries. At least his wife let her bake and putter around the kitchen that she ran with a firm hand.
Leaving the market, Selma carried the packages. Ophelia had a small bag with her few purchases. They walked slowly, enjoying the sun on their faces and walking toward them was the headmistress of the school. Mrs. Cummings was firm but fair, yet it was disappointing she chose to terminate Ophelia at the behest of Mr. Hansel.
She expected Mrs. Cummings to walk by her, just like many others who sided with the Hansel family. They thought Euan marrying her was wrong, and Bettina was unfairly tossed aside. Bettina appeared to have gotten over the loss of a man she never had. Lately, she had been seen in the company of Timothy’s older brother James, so she landed on her feet—or with them up in the air.
Mrs. Cummings stopped and so did their steps. “Ms. Pascal, or is it Mrs. Campbell now?”
“It’s Lady Campbell, she is the Laird’s wife,” Selma said firmly.
“Mrs. Campbell will do,” Ophelia answered.
“We miss you at the school. The students miss you as well,” Mrs. Cummings said.
“It’s a shame I was terminated for no wrong on my part but at the whims of a man,” Ophelia pointed out.
Mrs. Campbell pursed her lips. “You are correct in that matter. Mr. Hansel threatened to take away his donations, him and a few others. I have to admit my guilt in giving in to their pressure. I would like to have you back in your old position.”
“Why?” she asked bluntly. “It has been months.”
“A generous donation from your husband demotes what they provide,” Mrs. Cummings answered.
Ophelia’s heart dropped. “I refuse your offer. I won’t accept an offer because of my husband’s money. And, if he has a hand in this, we shall be discussing it when he returns home.”
Mrs. Cummings held up her hand. “There’s no need for that. I can tell you right now that regardless of whether Laird Campbell gave us a penny, I was going to take a carriage to the manor house to speak with you. You are an excellent teacher, and the children respond to you. It was irresponsible of me to take that away from them, and I did you a disservice. It is well within your right to refuse, but it is my hope that you’ll say ‘yes’ and return to the school.”
Ophelia had to admit, she was shocked by Mrs. Cummings’ words, but she gave a nod. “If this is truly what you believe, then I’ll come back to the school after the baby is weaned and the position is still available.”
“It will be. I will teach your class myself until you return,” Mrs. Cummings said firmly. “The children will be quite relieved when you return.”
Ophelia smiled. “I’m sure they’ll be just fine. Enjoy the rest of the afternoon, Mrs. Cummings, and thank you for stopping to speak with me.”
Mrs. Cummings reached out and patted Ophelia’s hand. “It should have been sooner, and again, I apologize. Blessings to you, and I wish you a healthy, speedy birth.”
“Thank you.” Ophelia and Selma stepped aside so Mrs. Cummings could walk by.
“Well now, it seems this walk was meant to be after all,” Selma said.
Ophelia laughed. “We have something else to celebrate.”
Together, they walked to the hotel and ordered hot tea and two eclairs. Ophelia also had a taste for chocolate cake.
Selma bit into the éclair, and her eyes widened in surprise; she spoke around a mouth full of pasty and crème, “There’s sweet cream on the inside.”
Ophelia laughed. “That’s called pastry crème. What do you think?”
“This just might be my new favorite thing!” Selma exclaimed.
“And, you didn’t want to come out with me,” Ophelia teased.
“We should take one back for my aunt and uncle,” the young woman answered.
Ophelia took a sip of tea and raised an eyebrow. “I thought we should keep it a secret?”
“Nothing this good should be kept secret,” Selma said with a laugh.
Of course, they spent more time than they should have at the hotel, and finally, they left before Mrs. Stewart came looking for them herself. Back on the pavement, the walk toward home would take a good twenty minutes, but Ophelia didn’t mind. The day had been marvelous so far, and her smile faltered when Mrs. Hansel and her daughter Bettina rounded the corner.
“Here comes trouble,” Ophelia murmured.
“Is this the one everyone gossips about?” Selma asked.
Ophelia nodded. “The very same and for various reasons.”
“Isn’t it sweet... the new lady and the bastard she carries in her belly.” Bettina’s voice was saccharine sweet and filled with nastiness.
“How very nice to see you too, Bettina.” Ophelia wasn’t offended in the slightest by her statement.
Her reaction baffled Bettina, who had stumbled on her words. “Having fun playing ‘Lady’ with the man you stole?”
“Oh, Bettina, only you would be talking about one man while trying to net another,” Ophelia replied. “How are you, Mrs. Hansel? I hope the day finds you well.”
“Don’t you dare speak to her, Mother,” Bettina snapped.
Mrs. Hansel turned suddenly and gave Bettina a sharp slap on the lips. “You do not demand or speak to me in that manner. You are my child, not the other way around.” She turned her attention to Ophelia. “I’m well, Mrs. Campbell, please excuse my sharp-tongued daughter. Her father has given her too much free rein with very little manners or correction.”
Ophelia inclined her head. “It’s absolutely fine. I pity her, really; she’s never learned that as a woman, it is time to put away childish petulant things.”
“She will learn,” Mrs. Hansel said. “Good day to you both.”
“Good day,” Ophelia said, and Selma echoed the sentiment.
“This day just keeps improving on itself,” Ophelia murmured with a wide smile on her face.
Mrs. Hansel and Bettina were talking in low tones a few steps away. Bettina stamped her foot and Mrs. Hansel dragged her along by the arm. Marie would be devastated that she missed all the excitement from Ophelia’s foray into the town. She planned to regale her friend and Euan with details and her smile was wide as they continued her walk home with her companion and the four extra eclairs they bought. They thought it best to buy extra in case the baby needed a sweet snack later that evening, or so Ophelia told herself.