Love, Surprising

Chapter 3: Caroline

May 1786

Abingdon, Virginia

"Aghhh!" Bright sunlight flashed into my eyes. I sat up and rubbed my eyes. What time is it? It's so bright outside! Looking around, I noticed the open shutters of my bedroom window. Molly must have come in and opened them. Chiming filled the air. Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! "Oh no! It's already eight o' clock! I've overslept!" Hurriedly, I threw back my blankets and rushed to dress. Clothes toppled out of drawers in my flurry of activity. Suddenly, yesterday's discussion with my parents came flooding back in my wakefulness. "No. I won't marry Mr. Clark. I won't. I'll run away first." The words left my mouth, and realization struck me. "I'll...run away. I'll run away!" I exclaimed with conviction. "I will not stand around and sell my life away to that man. I must leave...but where to?" Thinking, I paced back and forth across the hardwood floor. Early sounds of town activity blew in through the window as neighbors began their days. Yipping of dogs and chirping of birds mixed in with the din outside the window. "Aunt Gertrude and Uncle William!" I exclaimed suddenly. "I'll go to Georgetown and convince Aunt and Uncle to let me stay with them. Aunt Gertrude doesn't believe in arranged marriages. If I get her assistance, she might help me convince mother and father to break my marriage agreement!"

Filled with hope from my new plan, I darted around, packing up a satchel to bring with me. In went two dresses, an extra shift, a pair of stockings, a faded nightgown, some toiletries, and the few meager coins I had. Then I finished dressing in a suitable dress for walking, my dove gray linen gown, and sturdy shoes. I quickly braided my hair and tucked it under my cap. Before leaving my room, I decided to leave a brief note for my parents so they wouldn't worry, or try to follow me.

It said;

Dearest Mother and Father,

I am going away for a time until this arranged marriage has been sorted out. Though I love and respect you, I cannot marry a man I do not know or love. It is with great sadness that I leave, but I know you will be fine without me. Do not try and follow me. I will be back in due time.

Your daughter,

Caroline Rhode

I sighed and put my pencil down, folded the note, and placed it on the bureau where it could easily be found. My bedroom suddenly felt cold and lifeless, despite the sunshine filtering in my window. It no longer felt like home. "I should go." I whispered and picked up my satchel. My feet carefully and silently led me downstairs and out the front door. No longer in the confines of my childhood home, I raced down the street, as ladylike as possible, to Maybelle's house. I could not leave without telling her farewell. A short while later, I arrived at her doorstep, panting for air. I knocked, and waited for my friend to appear. A maid opened the door.

"Hello, Miss Rhode. Are you wanting to see Miss Jones?" The maid asked me. I nodded. "Come inside." The maid ushered me in to Maybelle's family home. "One moment while I go find Miss Jones." Smiling at me, the maid scurried off. I paced back and forth, anxious for my friend to appear. A few moments later, Maybelle appeared in the wide hallway.

"Caroline! It is good to see you..." Maybelle trailed off when she noticed my downcast look. "What is the matter? What happened?" Maybelle came to me and clutched my hand in her own.

Choking back a sudden surge of emotion I threw out, "Father and Mother accepted a proposal of marriage from Mr. Clark. I don't want to marry him Maybelle. I can't. I want to marry for love, not money or position. That seems to be all my parents care about!"

"Oh love, it'll be alright." My friend consoled me. "What are you going to do?"

"I'm running away." I straightened up and revealed to her.

"What?" Maybelle gasped. "Where are you going?"

"I'm afraid I cannot tell you. I do not wish to put you into a compromising situation should my parents ask you where I have gone. All I can tell you is that I will be safe at my destination. Do not fret, Maybelle." Reassuringly, I gave her a hug. "I must be going now, before I am found out. Farewell, Maybelle. I'll see you again."

Maybelle hugged me back. "Farewell, Caroline. Safe journey. I will be praying for you."

"Thank you." I said with finality, and left Maybelle with a heavy heart. Remembering what I set out to do, I rushed down the street and out of Abingdon. My shoes kicked up little puffs of dirt as I trekked along the road. A trail of footprints were left in my wake. I'd better get off the road, I determined. Someone could easily find me this way. Glancing both ways quickly, I ducked into the foliage off the road. It was much cooler under the shade of the trees, and their drooping branches provided shelter from searching eyes. It's about a five days walk from here to Aunt and Uncle's house. Not terribly far. I thought cheerily.

A couple hours later, I was no longer cheery. My legs ached from movement they were unaccustomed to. My heels were blistering, and my throat was parched. "I'm so tired and hungry," I muttered, beginning to doubt the intelligence of my plan. Tree branches and roots blocked my path often and I had to duck or walk around to avoid running into something. "What I wouldn't give for somewhere to sit, and something to eat." I exhaled. 

A minute later, I entered a small clearing next to a babbling brook, and filled with... blueberries! My stomach growled hungrily. I dropped to my knees and popped the sweet, juicy berries into my mouth. The flavor was fresh, and slightly tart. "Ummmm." I breathed satisfactorily. "I should pick some of these berries and save them for a snack later." Once I'd had my fill, I picked a few handfuls and placed them in my satchel, on top of my clothes. Then I stood up. 

"Owww. Stupid corset." I groaned and rubbed my ribs. "I hate wearing this..." I trailed off, then laughed. "I might as well get rid of it. Mama can't say anything about it now!" Grinning, I looked both ways before slipping off my dress and removing my dreadful corset. Air rushed into my lungs. "Ahhhh. Much better." The brook caught my eye. I pranced over and tossed the corset into the rippling water. It sunk beneath the surface and was carried downstream. I laughed. "No more pain from you. I'm free!" My shift swung about me as I danced around the clearing. "Oh. My dress. I should put that back on." I picked up my discarded travel dress, pulled in back on, and grabbed my satchel.

I continued through the woods at steady pace, still ducking branches. It was now past midday, and the sun trickled down through gaps in the tree bowers. It was getting warm, even in the shade. I swiped the back of my hand across my perspiring forehead. I hope there's a town up ahead. I need to buy supplies and food for the rest of my journey. I opened up my satchel and munched the rest of the blueberries as I walked. After another hour, there was a low buzz of voices. My step quickened, and I peered out of the branches. There in the distance, I spotted a bustling, cheerful town. Finally.