Thomas Worthington
Joy wrinkled her nose as she looked down at her bare feet and the mud caked on them. “He’d probably expect his wife to wear shoes, wouldn’t he?”
Elizabeth shook her head. “I don’t know what to even think of that question, Joy. Of course, you need shoes! And now my floors need swept and mopped after you left your dirt all over them.”
Joy sighed. “I’ll run home and tell Ma I’m marrying a fancy banker in Boston. She won’t know what to think!”
“You need to write him back. You can’t just show up and tell him you’re his bride. Well, I guess you could, but it would be better if a letter went first.”
Joy accepted the pencil and paper her sister offered and wrote a letter of response. She tried to sound less…well, less like Joy when she wrote it. She was certain the man wouldn’t be happy with a girl who had mud caked on her feet and legs. No, she needed to be more Elizabeth-like. But that made her smile. If Elizabeth could look like a member of the upper class, then so could she!
Dear Mr. Thomas Worthington,
After reading your letter, I can’t help but feel a connection forming.
Your words, so eloquently penned, resonate with a sincerity that warms me more than the afternoon sun. You speak of a longing for companionship, and I find echoes of my own dreams in your heartfelt sentiments.
I am a simple girl, Mr. Worthington. I find joy in the simple things in life. The rustle of leaves, the crow of the rooster at dawn, and picking ripe fruits. Yet despite my love for these simple pleasures, I am not a stranger to the complexities of life. I understand the importance of your work and the role I would be expected to play.
While I may not be versed in the etiquette of high society, I have always believed that kindness, sincerity, and a genuine interest in others are the truly important part of any social gathering. I am confident in my ability to adapt, to learn, and most importantly, to bring a touch of warmth and joy to even the most austere of settings.
Your desire for a partner who can stand by your side in both quiet solitude and crowded rooms resonates deeply with me. I believe that every moment, whether filled with laughter and conversation or steeped in silence, holds its own unique beauty. I yearn for a companion who values these moments as much as I do.
The prospect of becoming your wife, your friend, your confidante fills me with a sense of hope and anticipation. I am eager to step into this new role, to learn and grow with you, and to build a home that is a sanctuary of love, warmth, and shared dreams.
Thank you, Mr. Worthington, for considering me as a potential partner in this journey. Your letter has brought joy to my day, and I look forward to the possibility of bringing joy to your life.
Yours sincerely,
Joy Miller
Joy read over her letter once before handing it back to Elizabeth, who immediately sealed it. “This will go out with tomorrow’s post, and hopefully we’ll have an answer soon,” Elizabeth told her. “But in the meantime, I think you need to move in with me, and we’ll make you some clothes that will be better suited to being a banker’s wife. I have a sewing machine, and we’ll get things done much faster here than we would at home.”
Bernard interrupted then with cookies. “Cookies, tea, and milk,” he said as he carried them into the room.
“I have to run home and tell Ma I’m marrying a banker in Boston!” Joy said. She took one of the cookies and drank the glass of milk down with one gulp. “Thanks for the milk and cookies. You’re my favorite brother of all!”
Elizabeth and Bernard were left staring after Joy as she ran from the house. “A banker’s wife?” Bernard asked. “Our Joy?”
Elizabeth nodded. “Who needs a dose of Joy in their life more than a banker would?” she asked.
*****
Just a few days later, Thomas Worthington sat at his desk, going over the day’s agenda when a letter arrived. Frowning at his secretary, he took it and opened it with curiosity. As he read Joy’s response, a small chuckle escaped his lips. “Well, she certainly has a way with words,” he mused to himself.
He quickly penned a reply, trying to strike a balance between formality and warmth. Thomas knew he had to make an effort to connect with Joy, even through letters. After all, she was to be his wife now, and despite their unconventional start, he was determined to make it work.
As he sealed the envelope with his response, Thomas couldn’t help but wonder what kind of person this Joy truly was. He knew there was more beneath the surface. With a newfound sense of optimism, Thomas sent off the letter, requesting that Joy come to him the following weekend. That would give him ten days to prepare a small wedding ceremony.
He could already picture the beautiful woman who would step off the train and see him standing there waiting for her. Would she find him attractive? He hoped she would because he needed Joy in his life. And now that he’d received a letter from his potential bride, he knew that joy must always be spelled with a capital J. For she was the one who would bring him the joy he craved.
*****
Joy and Elizabeth were working on her third “banker’s wife” dress when Bernard came into the room with a tray of milk, cookies, and tea. “There’s a letter for you, Joy,” he said, holding out the paper with a smile.
Joy stuffed an entire cookie into her mouth before taking a swig of her milk. She took the letter and read over it quickly. “He wants me there next weekend. He’s planning a small wedding ceremony for a week from Saturday, and he’ll meet me at the train station.”
Elizabeth smiled. “I think we can have three more dresses done by then. You’ll have five to start out with. You’ll need to find a modiste there as soon as you arrive for more dresses, though.”
