1842 || hs

Three

Word Count: 1243

I opened the door to my house and knocked the dirt off my boots before walking inside. I tried to ignore the stares I was receiving as I took my bonnet off and hung it on the rack my father must have just put up.

"I gathered as much as I could find. Quite a bit of peppermint." I rolled up my sleeves and placed my hands on my hips.

"That was awfully nice of Mr. Styles to give you a ride back here." Mother did an awful job at hiding her smile as she continued fixing up a hole in Felicité's skirt, my elder sister stood still as my mother was crouched down, her arms folded.

"Yes it was." I said slowly. "I'm sorry did I miss something?" I addressed the quietness in the house.

"I thought you were gathering food not wandering off to Harry's house without another adult there." My Father stood from his chair, putting his stick that he'd been whittling down.

"I was. I had Harry's handkerchief he lent me yesterday and decided it'd be a good time to return it. I was only there for a couple minutes." I tried to explain.

"You two seemed awfully close coming back here." He accused.

"Benjamin, leave her be. She's a big girl." My mother stood, patting his shoulder.

"Who knows what a man who's been up in the mountains all by his lonesome would do to a pretty little girl like you Adaline." He fought back with my mother.

"It's not like we're getting married." I threw my hands into the air.

"Well you're past the age most girls are gettin' married Adaline. And he knows that. Any man you associate with is a possible future husband." My Father placed his hands on either of my shoulders. "I just want the best for you. And Mr. Styles is a good man. Just, I don't know, it's odd he lives all alone up here without any family, friends even."

"I agree with Pa." Felicité nodded her head, eyeing me.

"Come on." I rolled my eyes.

"That's not very ladylike Adaline." My mother scolded.

"Felicité stay out of this. And go get your son. He's crying. It's about time you act like his damn mother." My father gestured upstairs to my sisters and I room, where the fussy baby lay. Without a word, she went upstairs.

"All your father is trying to say is, Harry needs to take ya out on a date before you head on over to his house." Mother laughed.

"That is not Eveline." My Father couldn't help but crack a smile.

I slowly stepped away, in attempt to leave the situation before another lecture came.

I made my way upstairs, making sure not to trip over my large skirt. The stairs were very steep. I opened to door to find Felicité laying on the floor, watching Jacob chew on a small toy.

"Do you think someone will ever want to marry a girl with a bastard child?" I heard emotion thick throughout her voice.

"Felicité why would you ask that?" I sat on the bed, looking at her.

"Because. We haven't even been here a full day and you already have a little boyfriend. But what about me? No ones going to want a girl with a child who lives off in the mountains." She sat up.

"He's not my boyfriend Felicité. He's a friend. And you don't know that. I'm sure there's someone you'll meet. You're still young." I assured her.