Mary slipped from the dress shop with a barely restrained sigh. It had been a trying morning at her mother’s side. She glanced towards the shop windows and shook her head when she caught sight of her mother standing before a selection of materials--velvet and silk. Mary did not miss how her mother had chosen only the most sumptuous and expensive fabrics for herself while her daughter's dress was to be made of a sturdy and plain cotton trimmed with a simple lace.
The dress Mary would wear could double as a Sunday dress, and it was far more suited to her taste than anything her mother would choose for herself. Her mother’s decision to use their meager wealth on herself was a blessing as Mary would now be able to wear her wedding dress happily. She had only played ignorant when it came to her mother’s allocation of their resources. It had all been too convenient that Mary was to wear the simple dress while her mother chose only the most luxurious trappings for herself.
It was all just as well. Mary saw the marriage as simply a means to an end, and not a happy occasion, she reminded herself. The flutter in her heart told her otherwise, as did the attraction she felt for Alex. Mary found it difficult not to think the woman beautiful, smart and strong, the mix of it intoxicating to her in a way that left her wanting more.
She sighed, shaking her head at the whole predicament and continued on towards the newspaper office. She had been given leave to check with Miss Rosemary in regard to a reply from ‘Mister Pierce.’She bit her lip when the newspaper windows came into sight. Would she have to pretend with this Miss Rosemary?
Her mother had described the woman as being like-minded. The prospect of a woman akin to her mother made her frown, but she wiped the expression from her face as she came to the front door. She could not let her feelings be revealed, not this close to the goal she had for herself. Taking in a deep breath Mary reached out and opened the door.
“Hello?” she called out upon entering the office. She glanced around the office noting the desks in a row, the stacks of paperwork and the sight of a printing press at the far end of the room greeted her. It was exactly the same as when she had visited that morning, except that instead of bustling activity and writers furiously working, the room was empty and silent. She hesitated, wondering if she should wait in the office or if she should return.
Mary continued forward and stopped in front of the press. She hadn’t been able to get close to it earlier when it had been hard at work printing that afternoon’s edition. She moved closer to it now, never having seen one up close and leaned forward looking at the machine in earnest.
“Lovely machine, isn’t it?” A voice asked, startling her, and Mary muffled a curse as she spun around to see a blonde woman striding towards her. The woman was lovely, she wore a gorgeous blue wool dress lined with pearl buttons and a pale pink lace at the cuffs and bustle. Her hair was swept up from her face, a pearl hair comb held her hair in place though the fine accessory shared its place with a pencil tucked behind her ear.
“You must be Mary! How are you dear? My name is Rosemary.”
“Ah, I’m well, but how do you know who I am?” Mary forced herself to stand where she was and not shrink away from a woman she knew to be like her mother.
“Alex stopped by and informed me that a Titian haired beauty would be coming my way,” the woman replied with a wink. “I’m terribly sorry that I missed you this morning, dear. I heard about you from the other reporters though and they had much to say about you.”
“They did?”
“Oh yes, my dear. They said you were lovely! Now your mother on the other hand.” Rosemary’s lips pulled down in a frown. “That woman is...interesting to say the least. Spirited and all that.”
Mary laughed. “Yes, that is one way of putting it. You spoke with her earlier?”
“I did, I did. I also spoke to Alex and she informed me of your little arrangement. Not to worry, I am firmly in support of your decision. I must say that I entirely understand your decision to, ah, make your own way in the world.”
‘You do?” she asked in surprise.
“Oh, yes, your mother is...a woman with ideas that serve only herself. You need not fear me. I am on your and Alex’s side. Please do not be scared.” Miss Rosemary held out a hand to her and gave her a reassuring smile. “I know it’s frightful for you right now, but I am not the kind of woman I led your mother to believe.”
Mary relaxed and let out a nervous laugh. “Oh, I don’t mean to look scared it’s just that she said you were like her and I didn’t know what to think.”
“Come and sit for a moment? I was just making a cup of tea. I can pour you one if you like.”
“That would be lovely. I’ve been at the dress shop all morning and I could use a cup of tea to calm myself.”
“Already fitting you for a dress, is she?” Rosemary asked, leading Mary over to a side table where a steaming pot of tea sat. She poured them each a cup and gestured towards one of the chairs at the table. “Please sit. You must be exhausted; she was in quite a state of excitement this morning asking after Alex’s holdings.”
“Thank you.” Mary sank into the seat with a grateful sigh and took the cup from Rosemary. She sipped at her tea for a moment and Rosemary settled in across from her, waiting for her to speak. “Yes, she was very excited this morning. She’s even begun an order for herself.”
“Herself?” Miss Rosemary raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, she means to marry one of the newly arrived bankers. It will be a double wedding,” Mary informed her.
“Oh no.”
“Oh yes.” Mary gave her a wry smile and took another sip of her tea. “Although, I have a plan to get away from that. I cannot be married with my mother beside me, you see.”
Miss Rosemary nodded. “I understand entirely. The whole thing seems over the top.”
“Such is my mother’s way.”
“You poor dear. I am so glad you met Alex the way that you did. She is beside herself with excitement over you and your coming nuptials.”
“She is?” Mary asked in surprise. She leaned forward eagerly for more news. “How do you mean?” She had thought this was all business and strictly from the kindness of Alex’s giving heart, not an event the woman would be excited over.
