DERANGE MATRIMONY

Chapter Eighteen

        
         After Claire cleaned up from the wedding mishap, she arrived at her new residence and marveled that Austin had such immaculate but beautiful taste. No wonder he got away from me and my family as
soon as that mouse ran across the table. He doesn‟t like to get dirty. He had wanted to stick around and go home with her so he could give her a personal tour of the place, but he was called to business at the last minute to discuss plans to buy the building that would house the future bank. So Williams took her and her things from
the apartment to the house. She only had two worn suitcases that summed up her entire life. Her apartment had been furnished. It felt strange to know she was making such a drastic change in her
economic status. She climbed out of the buggy, acutely aware that her old clothes were sorely out of place there.

    Williams carried her suitcases to the front door for her.
“Am I supposed to pay you?” She searched for any money she might find in her purse.

“No, Mrs. Hansworth. Your husband has taken care of that already. He pays me well in advance for all of my services.”“Oh.” He really is a generous man then.

He rang the front doorbell for her. “I know you are free to enter on your own, but John and mary  wanted to be at the door to welcome you. John and Mary are expecting their first child. Austin gave them two bedrooms which are downstairs
and a decent salary for their services. John is the butler and Mary is the maid. They‟re as friendly as can be and are eager to
meet you.”

“How many bedrooms are here anyway?”

“Six.”

“What does a bachelor need with so many bedrooms?

Does he entertain?”

“He never entertains. He hates dinner parties and any other social gatherings. He makes himself go to the dance on Fridays so he can do business there and avoid the need for going to the other social functions in town. He has a big house  but there‟s no one special to share it with.”

The door opened and a couple in their late twenties smiled at her.

“We‟re so happy to meet you!” mary said.
She hugged her as much as she could with her expanding belly.

“You‟re ready to deliver at any moment, aren‟t you?” Claire laughed.

“The baby is a week late,” John confirmed.
“We‟re anxious to see the little one.”

“How exciting! I can‟t wait to see him or her either. I love babies. I got a lot of practice helping out with my younger siblings.”

    John brought in her bags.
“Maybe you can help a nervous mother then?” maryasked.

“I would be honored to do what I can to help.”“I knew I was going to love you as soon as Mr. Hansworth told me he was marrying you. I go to the library on occasion and
hear about how nice you are. Now I know those aren‟t just rumors.”

“I don‟t think everyone would agree with you. .” She thought.

    Mary changed topics. “Mr. Hansworth has prepared your bedroom for you. Will you follow us?”

Claire sighed as she recalled her irritation over the lace in her dress. It didn‟t take long for him to start dictating her life for her,
did it? They led her up the oak staircase and into a room with pink walls, lacy curtains and a flowery bedspread. The plush white carpet was the only bearable thing about the room. Her eyes narrowed when she saw the many frilly dresses decorated in sequins, bows, and flowers.

“He makes me so mad!” she hissed. “I don‟t hold any of this against you since you were following instructions, but all of
this makes me want to throw up. I want another room. This time, I‟ll select it.”