Free Brides of Prairie Gold by Maggie Osborne Page A

toweled her skin and hair, and hastily dressed.
    "I'm sorry I didn't come sooner," she apologized to Perrin. Extending her hands, she laughed at the fiery glow on her pale, redhead's skin. "The water was wonderful! I hated to get out."
    When Perrin Waverly smiled, she was truly beautiful. Studying her, Mem decided that Perrin was, quite simply, one of the loveliest-looking women she had ever met. On the surface, Mrs. Waverly was small and delicate, but Mem sensed strength beneath those fine bones. It required strength and courage to face down the rumors Mem suspected Perrin must surely know were circulating among the women.
    Mem had no idea whether the gossip was true; she didn't know if Perrin Waverly actually was a fallen woman. But she had considered the matter and had concluded that she personally didn't care.
    In Mem's opinion, all women were but one catastrophic disaster away from sinking into shame. If Bootie and Robert had not offered Mem a home, she didn't know what might have become of her. Maybe she too but that didn't bear thinking about. In fact, it impressed her as rather hilarious that she, a virgin spinster, could even think about taking a lover on a paying basis. It was a good thing that Bootie couldn't read her mind.
    Nevertheless, it wouldn't do to rush to judgment as regards the choices Mrs. Waverly had made.
    "Are you and Hilda planning to visit the Addison farm this afternoon?" Mem asked.
    Perrin touched the dusty bun coiled at the nape of her neck and gazed toward the sounds of splashing and shouts of laughter. Eagerness sparkled in her large dark eyes. "I'm going, but Hilda hasn't decided yet."
    "If you like" Mem paused, then finished her thought before she could change her mind "I'll wait while you do your laundry and bathe. We could walk up to the farmhouse together." A decision which was certain to scandalize Bootie.
    Perrin's head jerked up, and a leap of gratitude moistened her eyes. "I'd like that," she said in a low voice, "Very much. I promise I won't be long."
    "Don't hurry on my account. I need to finish some baking before we go, and I promised myself I'd reorganize our wagon."
    Perrin touched Mem's sleeve, then started down the path to the stream, pausing once to look at Mem over her shoulder.
    After peering around to make sure none of the teamsters were lurking about, Mem sat on a large stone and fluffed a sheet of wet hair across her shoulders to dry.
    In her mind she continued to see Perrin's large eyes and moist gratitude. A sigh lifted Mem's bosom. It was time someone besides Hilda Clum offered Perrin Waverly a little support. "There but for the grace of God"
     
    There was precious little to see at the farmhouse, Augusta decided. She had walked this distance for nothing. The Addison boy's cider looked weak and it cost three pennies a cup. Still, she was thirsty after the trek so she poked about her purse with a stricken expression and pretended to Bootie that she had forgotten to bring any money. Permitting Bootie to buy her a cup of weak cider meant she had to put up with Bootie for the rest of the afternoon, and that would be a trial, but she deserved a cup of cider.
    The cider was as watery as she had predicted, but cool. After refreshing themselves, she and Bootie paid a duty call on Mrs. Addison at the house. The rooms were large and airy, but the furnishings proved as dismal as Mrs. Addison's outdated gown.
    "No sense of fashion at all," Augusta commented as they stepped off the porch and opened their parasols.
    "None," Bootie echoed.
    They strolled about the yard before stopping at a safe distance from the well housing, where three Indians sat on the bare ground, two men and a woman, expressionlessly extending their palms in silent appeal for coins. It was disgusting. Some of the brides gathered around them, and as Augusta watched, Lucy Hastings actually gave one of the creatures a nickel.
    "She is a preacher's daughter, but still"
    Bootie was about to agree, but before she could