Rain

Precious Cargo

Louise let out a long, loud shriek. "A wolf in sheep's clothing! Liliane, I cannot believe you! A clandestine rendezvous with a man you've met twice? You are ludicrous!"  

"Keep your voice down!" I whispered forcefully. We were in her bedroom, and I knew that her parents were in the room two doors down. "It is not as if I jumped into his bed," I mumbled, blushing. "Besides, we had a chaperon."

"His sister did little to prevent his closeness, I imagine!"

"Louise!" I implored.

"Fine, fine," Louise chuckled. "I will say we spent the afternoon together, but only if I am under inquiry. If Mr. Ramsey Junior should claim otherwise I will not be the one to contradict him."

"Thank you." I was so grateful. Louise had always been such a good friend. Breathing a sigh of relief, I took her hand in mine. "I cannot see how else I am to truly guess his character unless I see him often!"

"Everyone does it, Liliane."

"Does what?"

"Oh, meeting in secret," she shrugged with nonchalance. "The adults think we only see each other at balls and such, but there's always a way. 'Proper' society does not leave room for much kissing, I daresay."

My jaw dropped. It was my turn to cry out. "Louise! You cannot tell me that—"

"That what? I've met Captain Kelly in the moonlight more than once."

"But your parents would be angry if they knew. Would they not call off the engagement?"

"What they do not know will not hurt them, Liliane." Her indifference to my shock was amazing. Louise rose from her seat, strolling away from me, across the room. She leaned on her bedpost, gazing dreamily at the fireplace with her back to me. "A woman must scout out the terrain of attraction before exploring matrimony."

"What kind of 'scouting' do you speak of?" I whispered in naive horror.

Louise laughed, tossing her head back at me. "Your imagination does me no credit! I am a respectable gentlewoman."

"Did he kiss you? Did he try to touch you?" Questions rolled out of my mouth. My eyes widened. "Did you..." my voice lowered until it was barely audible. "Did you sleep in his bed?"

She turned white, spinning fully to face me. "Do not dare make that insinuation! My relations with the Captain are entirely pure! He would not do me that dishonor." Something passed over her face. A whimsical, fanciful mist danced in her eyes. "But his lips are so sweet. His hands; so gentle. I could spend days in his arms."

Envy turned in my heart. I wanted that. I wanted to be treasured in that way. Unswervingly, unconditionally and unassumingly loved above all else. It felt like there was nothing else that kindled such a desire in my mind. Nothing powered my wants or needs like the chance of true, blessed love. "You will soon, Louise. He will come for you, like he promised."

Louise returned to sit beside me. "I do hope so. This waiting—nothing is worse than waiting for love." She sighed gloomily. "But! In the meantime, I shall busy myself with your scandals!"

"They are hardly scandals, Louise. I just enjoy thinking of him."

"I have no doubt he thinks of you more!" she teased, eyebrows waggling with utmost amusement. "I can picture him in his parlor now; smoking a cigar with his manly comrades." Louise puffed out her chest and stood with her feet apart, pretending to blow out a large cloud of smoke. She boomed in a loud, manly voice: "Ah! That Liliane! Quite a snappy damsel, I would say! Of course I would like to take her to bed!" She swigged an imaginary mug of beer for added flare.