The Ambassador's Daughter

Helper

As we ate breakfast the next morning, Father suggested an outing to the beach. I realized finding opportunities to sell my dresses and jewelry would be next to impossible while under his watchful eyes.

I had to play the role of the dutiful daughter. So, while on the beach, I dipped my toes in the water and frolicked and played with Mother as we tossed a ball around. Father laid back and laughed at our merriment. It was an unusual experience given the fact that Father believed that play was a waste of time in my younger years. I pretended I was happy. I even hinted that I had changed my mind.

When I grew tired from playing with Mother, I took the opportunity to play Father. I sat down next to him and planted my seeds of deception.

"Father?"

"Yes, Flora?"

"I hope you are not still sore at me. I was tired last night. I was not in my right mind."

"Yes, yes. Well, I could see how you might have been tired from all of the travel and excitement."

"Mr. Towle is quite handsome, Father."

"I thought you might think so. Did you seriously fear that I would find you an ugly husband?" he chuckled.

"I wondered--if he was rich enough."

"No, Flora. You are far too precious to me to punish you by marrying you off to a man who is not also handsome."

"Thank you, Father."

"And Mr. Towle is most impressed with you."

"Do you really think so?" I feigned excitement. "I was afraid he would think I was too young for him. I am only 21. I would have thought he would wish for a more mature wife."

"Mr. Towle has never married. He realizes he is getting older and he wishes to start a family. To do that, he needs a younger wife who still has many childbearing years ahead of her."

"So he does want children? That is good to hear. I do wish to become a mother."

I was being honest. I did wish to become a mother. I just did not want to be the mother of his evil spawn.

"So, I take it you have changed your mind about him?"

"Yes, Father. Any woman would be lucky to have him as her husband."

That had to be one of the fattest lies I had ever told.

"Good! I will see about arranging a time for you two to visit again. I will be sure to relay to him that you enjoyed his company last night."

I wrapped my arms around my father and kissed him on the cheek. "How did I ever get so lucky?"

We returned to the hotel in the early afternoon for a late lunch. Father and Mother laid down for a nap. I took it as my chance to try to sell some of my dresses and my extra set of pearls. I grabbed a bag and packed up a few of my older ones--ones that Father would probably not notice as being gone. I tried to sell them at the local store, but the owner offered way too little for them.

I wandered off to the local market. Maybe there were goods there that I could trade one of my dresses for. As I browsed the market, I came upon a table with blankets. A blanket! Where had my mind been? Surely I would need a blanket to keep me warm on my journey. There was no way I would trade one of my dresses for just a simple blanket, though. I looked around the table and found other items of use. A fishing pole, hooks, and line; a small sewing kit; a headscarf; a satgat*; a pack I could carry on my back; a water flask; a small hatchet. I tried to make a deal with the man selling the goods. I showed him one of my dresses and asked him to trade the items for the dress. I had a hard time understanding him--as if he spoke a different dialect.