A Kentucky Belle in an Isekai World

5: Shoppe

The carriage ride to the village of Everest (like the mountain, yes) took a while, but less time than the Duke's house had.

I felt very disoriented trying to figure out what direction everything was. I was not good at navigation.

But at least there were street signs everywhere. I realized that it was odd that everything was in English. I guess it made sense, when you considered the source, but it did seem odd to be in a foreign land with the same language.

I supposed that could happen in real life too. I don't know why it bothered me.

Tobias enjoyed looking out the window, while Penelope tried not to get sick.

Diane kept talking about the upcoming balls and parties she was sure we'd be invited to now.

She kept looking at me appraisingly also, and then she'd say something like:

"Of course you'll want to look into the latest hair styles."

Or, "And you'll have to pick the right colors so you don't look too garish."

I honestly didn't know if she was even trying to be rude; I think she really thought either I didn't know better, or it all had to be said out loud no matter what.

I ignored her.

Finally we stopped and got out.

"Mind your step, Miss," one of the footmen said, offering a hand.

I had a real shock at the state of the streets.

I don't really want to describe it in too much detail, but there was all kinds of rubbish strewn over the gutters and some in the middle too. I hoped my skirt wouldn't touch the ground.

Fortunately, it was a more practical length, and my shoes were high enough to just keep it off.

Diane wrinkled her nose at the sight of it also, but it must have been normal, because she said nothing.

"Don't anyone have trash bins?" I said, my accent coming out because I was grossed out.

"Oh, for goodness' sake, Hope, curb yourself." Diane was mortified by it.

The footmen looked amused, which I didn't like.

"The street sweepers only come up the street twice a week," said one to me, politely.

Street sweepers? I was guessing he didn't mean the cars with the weird brushes that don't really clean up anything, just spin it around.

Then I thought of that old saying "here lived a great street sweeper" from Martin Luther King Jr., and realized what they meant.

I had to admit, that was some nice attention to detail.

I began to ponder what Karen has said about the story not being entirely in her control. I had a few author friends, just as their hobby, who'd said the same thing.

I didn't really understand how your own creative work could not be in your control. I had never once made a concoction or a craft and said, "I really don't know why it turned out that way. It just got out of my control. It won't do what I want it to do."

Things didn't just have a life of their own...did they?

This was a magic book, so who knew?

That didn't make me feel better about being stuck here.

"Mama, can I go play in the square?" Tobias asked Diane.

I knew any mother worth her salt would have said no, in my time. Too dangerous.