A Friendships Love - Settler series book 1 (Wattpad version, first draft)

A Pirate Ship

A pirate ship

“No, I don’t think you should take that one, its not very practical Ashley.” I said as I took the pale yellow, silk dress from her hands, and placed it back in her cupboard. I had been in Ashley’s chambers with her for over an hour. We were going through each item of clothing, trying to decide what would be best for her to take. I had already been through my things, and I was generally ready to go. I didn’t have as many items to choose from, so my sorting was without as much deliberating as Ash was doing now.  I had carefully arranged two trunks, full of my belongings. The picture I formed in my mind of where we were going from Pa’s poor description in his letter was that, I needed to have clothing I could move, and work in. Though nothing I owned was that of a servant’s nature, resembling naught of what I used to own as a child. I still had dresses that would fit my purpose. I also tried to squeeze, as many as I could fit into the trunk. I wasn’t sure how financial Pa was so I thought it would be nice to save him some coin, if I could bring a supply of dresses and under garments to last a while. I packed different types of shoes and my cloaks, a few bonnets and gloves. I had another trunk that I packed my books, and the personal items I couldn’t part with. I was going to use a small trunk for whilst at sea, with nothing but the bare essentials. I had yet another small trunk that belonged to mama. In that were the items that she and Pa had owned. It may be difficult for him to see the things that he and mama had shared together. But they were his, and if he isn’t planning on ever returning, then I wanted them to come.

Ashley, on the other hand, was another story. She never had to experience, what it was like, to live life modestly, so I couldn’t blame her for thinking she couldn’t be without something for a year. Going abroad for a year was the mind set of everyone. I had a feeling that Lady Townshend was planning on staying much longer, and Ashley, if she had set her sights on Nash, wasn’t planning to come back. So I could see her reasoning in some articles.  I wasn’t sure if she realized that my brother was not the Lord of any Manor, and he would probably not be able to give her silk stockings. She wasn’t shallow, just naive. But I didn’t say anything, because I honestly didn’t know how things would be for her. Although I did subtly guide her in some of her choices.

“I think your right Payton,” Ash started to bite her bottom lip. “I know!” She said as she spun toward me. “You aren’t taking all your dresses are you Payt?”

“No I’m not; I have quite a lot that just won’t fit into the trunks I’ve packed. I was going to let Louise cut them down.”

“Not to say that you have had inferior clothing Payt, but your style might be just a little better suited than mine." She said as she picked up a day dress with a lace Bodice and frowned. I did share with her some of the things that Pa had relayed to me in his letter, so I suppose she had some idea of what she was in for.

“I think I know what you’re getting at, I left the ones I wasn’t taking in my wardrobe.” Although Ashley and I could share each others clothing, because we were very much the same size. We had never before done so, as our tastes were so different.

“Well I’ll just run over and see what I can find, if that’s ok?”

“Help yourself Ashley, and I don’t take offence, I choose the style I wear.” I said to Ashley as she started to retreat from the room. I continued to fold Ashley’s under things, if we didn’t get this done today, it wasn’t going to happen. And I wasn’t planning on being rushed around at the last, because Ash couldn't make up her mind on what frocks to take.

“And how did Ashley manage to get you to do her packing for her?” I turned to see Will leaning against the door frame with a smile on his face. He looked so handsome today; especially all dressed up like he was. He wore a crisp white shirt and brown breeches, with a brown vest and over coat with nicely polished riding boots.