The Sunday service went by much quicker than Ida thought. She was so busy replaying the boat ride over and over in her head that she didn't take in any of Mr Allan's sermon. Even when Mrs Allan came to say 'hello' and inquire after her father and the paper, she felt so distracted that she could only give short answers. She didn't want to have polite conversations with Mrs Springfield from the Lady's Aid Society about lavender and blueberry preserves or the new knitting pattern for her granddaughter's new bonnet. She evaded Mrs Abrams's request to settle on an interview time about her prize-winning Brahman cow Irmintrude and tried to rebuff all of Rachels inquiries about why she'd taken so long to get to church and why she'd come with Adam when she finally did arrive. People were talking about them, saying that there was something between them. Mrs Park said she saw them canoodling near the jetty in a tight embrace. In an embrace! Rachel was beside herself!
'You can tell me the truth, you know, Ida?' Rachel said. 'You know I adore him but if you truly like each other I wouldn't stand in your way.'
'Don't be so utterly ridiculous, Rachel!' Ida assured her when they were dipping their toes in the creek while eating pistachio ice cream. 'There is nothing between Adam and I. He just helped me off the boat, I stumbled and he caught me before I landed flat on my face and ruined my new dress. I have absolutely no interest in him.' Ida assured her cousin.
'Good, because I still think he's the one for me! And he will see it, too, if he gives me a real chance and sees me for who I am and for what I can do. I have spoken to Mr Holland over at the nursery and he said I could help out with seedlings and planting come spring. I have also found some recipes to infuse soap and perfume with flower essences, which I would love to try out. Even Mrs Holland got excited! We could try it and sell some sample products at the autumn fair.'
'That sounds like a plan!' Ida was genuinely pleased for her cousin. Those were some exciting plans and great ideas! 'Let's get back to the picnic. The others will probably wonder where we got to!'
'I am looking forward to the dance later on. Paul said he'd dance with me and so did darling Marianne if I am in want of a partner.
'And you can always count on me, cousin!'
'That is if you're not engaged with a certain eligible bachelor!' Rachel teased.
YOU ARE READING
My fake fiance
RomanceIda Champion has come to live with her aunt and uncle and their 5 children after the death of her mother. Her father is busy running a paper in Sydney and has not enough time to devote to his daughter. Ida is an independent, modern woman in the 1880...
