Chapter Six
Sarah stretched and yawned as she opened her eyes, the bright sun causing her to quickly snap them shut. She had stopped just as the sun began to rise, and now she was unsure of the time, and the woman with bright red hair who sat across from her.
“Runaway, are you?” the woman asked, her voice not that of a common woman, although her plain white dress said otherwise.
“Yes,” Sarah replied as she pulled herself into a seated position. “How did you know?” She glanced around, fearing that others would be nearby ready to drag her back to Greystone Estate. She heaved a sigh of relief when she saw they were alone in the glen, the only other beings in view Molly, who was happily munching on a tuft of grass where Sarah had tied her when she arrived, and a young bay with a white diamond on his forehead.
“I have seen many like you before,” the woman said with a nod. “Women of society who become sick of its ways, and when it becomes too much of a burden, they run away.” She straightened her back and applied a proud smile to her face. “I was once like you, as well. So, what is your name and what has driven you to sleeping on the ground rather than in a comfortable bed?”
Sarah stood up and brushed out her dress. Maybe it was the woman’s bright smile or the way she held herself, but for some unknown reason, Sarah had taken a liking to her immediately. There was something about her that made Sarah want to share everything that had been happening in her life. “My name is Sarah Cr…Crumble,” she said. Perhaps she should keep back a bit of information, just in case.
The woman towered over Sarah, reminding her of the mythical Amazonian women about whom she had read. Her dress was so tight that it only emphasized the swell of her breasts. Sarah worried they would simply pop out and greet her as emphatically as the woman herself had.
“It is a pleasure to meet you,” the woman replied as she stuck out her hand. Sarah had never been offered to shake anyone’s hand before, but she did so, even though it felt awkward while at the same time a bit empowering. “I am Alice McMalley of Carlisle, just at the Scottish border. I’ve left home and am now on my way to start my own business in St. Maws in Cornwall and take charge of my life.” Again, she took on the same proud stance she had before, and Sarah found herself more than a bit envious of the woman’s independence and confidence.
“Oh, what a coincidence! I have left home as well to begin a new life. Although, I am on my way to Weymouth.” Sarah tilted her head at the woman. “But why have you traveled so far? Surely there were places that were much closer to which you could begin a business.”
Alice let out a long sigh and shook her head sadly. “It is a long story, and though it is a sad one, I will share it with you.”
The manner in which the woman spoke and held herself reminded Sarah of the theater, as if she were on a stage, and Sarah sat back in the grass and spread her gown about her as she waited for the performance to completely captivate her as it unfolded before her.
Alice walked over to where the horses were tethered, reached into a bag, and pulled out a scone. Then she unhooked a canteen of water. “I assumed you brought no food with you.”
Sarah felt foolish. Why had she not considered adding a bit of bread and cheese to her belongings before leaving? Her stomach grumbled at her as if to mock her further.
“Not to worry,” Alice replied as she handed Sarah the scone before reaching in and taking out another. “I made the same mistake when I left.” She sat down on the ground next to Sarah. “I have learned much since I ventured out on my own.”
“How long have you been away from home?” Sarah asked, intrigued with finding someone who also was running away from something.
Alice gave her a pointed look. “All in good time,” she replied. She nibbled at her scone and stared off into the trees in quite a dramatic way. “I am four and twenty years of age, a spinster most would say, a fact of which I am proud. The man I was to marry was older than the earth itself.” She jumped up and glared down at Sarah. “The skin on his face hangs low,” —she pulled her own cheeks down to illustrate the point and then hunched her body— “and he walks with a terrible lump on his back.”
“How terrible!” Sarah gasped.
“Indeed. He is a vile man. Rumor has it that he has over three dozen bastard sons roaming England alone. That does not include the other three dozen off in foreign lands. His hope was for me to provide him with another dozen more! Can you imagine?”
“I cannot,” Sarah breathed, one hand grabbing at her skirts and the other grasping the scone so hard it crumbled, although she did not notice. The thought of bearing a dozen children would be cruel and she would not put it past James to want the same.
Alice leaned over as if to play the part of the man from whom she was running. She narrowed her eyes and added a scowl to her face that gave her a distorted look. “His gaze was so wretched that it caused me to fall ill for some time. I was bedridden for weeks before I finally began to regain my strength. It was then that I planned my escape, if only to save my health.”
Sarah’s heart beat against her chest as she thought of the horrible circumstance that caused this poor woman to leave her home and venture out alone. At least James was not ugly, though his countenance was just as villainous.
“I did not plan my escape well, to be honest,” Sarah said, her cheeks stinging with embarrassment. “Tell me the components of your plan. What did you take with you? How did you know where to go? I must admit that I am much like a wandering nomad at this moment, much like Moses—unsure where to go from here.”
Alice plopped herself onto the grass and gave Sarah a sympathetic smile and a pat on her hand. “I met a woman who was planning her escape, as well. She was already wed, the poor dear, and her husband was leaving for some time to conduct business in France. Apparently, this was a common occurrence, thus her desire to leave.”
Sarah nodded sadly. What a retched life indeed.
“I left my home too many nights gone to count and have three more days of travel in front of me. I brought money and clothes, and my plan, as I mentioned before, is to start my own business. I have been told that I have a knack for sewing and I love hats, so I will open my own millinery.”
“Oh, how exciting!” Sarah exclaimed. Hats were a beautiful part of any wardrobe. “I was never any good with a needle myself.” If she were completely honest, she might have mentioned that rather than not being adept at sewing, it was a task she despised rather than lacked in ability. She let out a sigh, admiring the brave woman who had escaped a life of torment she herself knew all too well.
“Now, you must tell me your story. Why have you left your home? Was it a terrible husband? Did he beat you?”
Sarah stood up and lifted her chin. This story was one she had told many times, to any and all who would lend an ear. Yet, she was even more excited to tell it to Alice. The woman would certainly understand, having lived it herself.
“Years ago, a young man who considered himself my friend would visit our house often with his family, perhaps three or four times a year,” she said as she paced five strides before turning around and walking back. “He was a fearsome-looking boy, with this eye fixed looking up,” —she pointed to her left eye— “and the other eye fixed looking down.”
“Oh, how horrible!” Alice exclaimed as she brought her hand to her chest.
“It was,” Sarah replied sadly, “and it did not help that he only had one tooth.” Though she was not fond of telling lies, the description helped the story and therefore made it excusable. “Because of his ailments, his parents allowed him to behave in whatever manner he saw fit. It was that behavior that almost destroyed our entire estate.”
A bird flew past them and landed on a branch of a tree above her as if to listen in on her story, much to Sarah’s glee. She had told many a bird this very story; they were the most willing audience. How pleasing it was to see that even the birds far from home enjoyed a good tale. Now she had two in attendance, which made her all that more animated.
“I was in the drawing room that fateful day so many years ago when I first heard the screams of terror coming from our help. I followed his parents and mine out to the gardens, and we all stopped and looked on in utter horror…” She glanced down and saw Alice staring her, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. If her story was impressing a woman such as Alice, then Sarah knew her hardships were extreme indeed.
“What had he done?” Alice asked in a fearful voice.
“I will get to that momentarily,” Sarah replied as she began to pace once again, her hands clasped tightly behind her back. “So, we went outside and the gardeners ran to us, screaming that their lives were in danger and that we should all hide.” Sarah stopped her pacing and glared down at Alice, jutting her chin forward. “The others hid, but I did not. I decided to stand up to the foul beast, even if he was armed with a pitchfork.”
Alice gasped into the hand that now covered her mouth. “Did he hurt anyone?” The fear on her face was so pronounced, if anyone would have happened upon the two women at that moment, that person would have thought the woman was being personally attacked.
Sarah nodded. “A few men lost an eye or limb, though something far worse befell us all that day. You see, my family's gardens are known for their beauty far and wide. Royalty has visited just to stroll through them, that is how great they were regarded.” Her face fell to demonstrate the sadness her family felt. “The Monster destroyed it all. Years of careful planning and cultivating of the hedges, the roses, all of it, destroyed.”
“I am so sorry! How did you manage to stop him?”
“It was simple. I ran at him,” —she ran forward, her hands outstretched before her, “grabbed him by the hair,” —her hand clasped at her own hair— “and gave it a stout pull. He cried out in pain and immediately dropped the tool. Thankfully, the servants who were not maimed came running back; though, I must admit, it took four grown men to take him down, his strength was so great.”
“You were very brave indeed!”
“Thank you,” Sarah replied as she lowered herself to the ground and swiped at her gown as if to rid herself of the dirt James had gotten on her dress that day. “I must confess, it gets much worse.”
“Worse?” Alice gasped. “How could it be worse?”
“That boy? He is now the man my parents have insisted that I marry!”
“No! After all he did, they wish you to marry him?”
Sarah nodded sadly. “They do. My mother wants me to bear his children. I fear they will be born with his maladies…and his appalling attitude.”
“Then you must come with me,” Alice said firmly, brooking no argument. Not that Sarah had one. “You will work with me at my millinery and hide away forever. It will be great fun!”
Although the idea was entertaining, Sarah knew where she needed to go. “I thank you for your invitation, but I must respectfully decline. The man I was supposed to marry has been on a great journey for the King himself and is due back at any time. I must do something drastic to hide myself, and though your millinery would certainly be a place he might not consider, where I am going will be even less of a consideration on his part.”
“Very well. However, if you are ever in the need of a new hat, please visit every shop until you have found mine. Perhaps you will no longer need to be in hiding and can then come to work for me. Unless you have somehow become renowned on your own.”
Sarah laughed. “We will see about me becoming renowned. However, it would be a pleasure to visit your shop.” She had known this woman all of an hour, and yet she felt a bond that would lead them together again at some point.
“You know,” Alice said as she eyed the dress Sarah wore, “you will be easy to spot in that dress.” She reached into her bag and pulled out a simple white dress bereft of any decoration whatsoever. “I believe we are the same size and this should fit you perfectly. Perhaps even better than it would fit me.”
“The dress of a commoner?” Sarah asked skeptically. She had never owned anything so plain in her life, and she found the fabric to be scratchy compared to the current garment she wore. “What is this fabric?”
“Yes, a commoner’s dress,” Alice replied. “That is burlap, and believe it or not, it is of what flour sacks are made. However, it is a sturdy material, which is a necessity if you will be doing any type of work. Trust me, I felt as you do when I left home and my friend offered me the clothes I now have. However, no one has questioned me or given me a second look. I blend in well with the locals, and so will you, making it more difficult to be found. Had you not considered that a reward certainly be posted for your safe return?”
In all reality, the thought had never crossed her mind. How lucky it had been that she had encountered this exceptional woman.
“Change quickly, and then I must be off. I have so much to do to set myself up as a famous milliner, and the sooner I get to St. Maws the better.”
Sarah eyed the dress apprehensively. Would the fabric be too coarse for her delicate skin? What if she broke out in a rash and had to be bedridden? She did not even have a bed yet. However, Alice was right; if Sarah was to live amongst the commoners, she would need to look like them. The idea began to grow on her, and she gave a firm nod. No one would know she came from richer stock while wearing this.
She quickly changed into the dress and looked down in shock. The bodice was tight, pushing her bosom so it was displayed to the whole world to the point that her breasts could tumble out at any moment. “I am unsure of this,” she said skeptically. “Is this what the women wear?” She had seen many a ball gown that women wore to flaunt themselves, but somehow it had seemed more appropriate in that setting. To think that common women worked dressed this way left her dumbfounded. What if they toppled out while they were on their hands and knees scrubbing the floor. Not that she would be doing that type of work, of course. She did not have to do anything quite that menial, just menial enough to be believed.
“They do,” Alice assured her. “You appear the simple common woman if I ever saw one.”
The words brought a smile to Sarah’s face. If this adventurous and worldly woman felt that Sarah could blend in, then indeed she would.
Alice untied her horse and grabbed the reins. “I must be on my way if I am to keep to my schedule.” She gave Sarah a quick hug. “Remember, look me up when you need a new hat.”
For some reason, Sarah was overcome with emotion and tears rolled down her cheeks. She wished they could travel together, and for a quick second, Sarah considered going with her. However, her plans had been set. Her hero could not disembark from a boat to rescue her and whisk her way to a life of love and adventure if she was not near the water.
“Now, there is no need for tears,” Alice said as she pulled Sarah in for a hug once again. “Adventure and excitement lies ahead for us both.” She broke the embrace and mounted her horse.
“Goodbye, Alice!” Sarah said. “I look forward to bringing my new husband with me when I visit.”
“Yes, please do,” Alice replied. “You should have no problem finding me. I will be in the finest millinery in all of Cornwall. Until the day we meet again, goodbye, my friend.”
A moment later, Alice was off and soon she disappeared behind the trees, off to her destiny. Sarah silently wished her well and then walked over to pet Molly’s nose. Then she tied her bag back onto the saddle and hoisted herself up, ready to see what the day would bring her.
“Well, Molly, it is time for me to meet my destiny,” she whispered and then prodded Molly forward. Yet as the rolling green hills and farm houses flowed past, a nagging thought plagued at her.
Was she going to her destiny or running from it?