The Perfect Wife Read online

  The next morning after Mark went to work, Natalie put on one of the dresses she’d brought with her from Kentucky. There was no point in wearing something fancy if she was going out to Tony’s farm. As she brushed her hair, a wave of nostalgia washed over her. Yes, she’d written to her family and they’d written back, but right now, she wished she could go back to Kentucky and be surrounded by people who accepted her as she was.

  With a sigh, she shook her head. No, she didn’t want that. Yes, she wanted to be accepted, but she didn’t want that at the expense of losing what she had with Mark. She glanced at the Bible that was resting on top of the neatly folded shawl on her dresser. She went over to it and opened it until she came to the book of Ruth. There was the lilac, pressed down and preserved in a cloth she had put it in to protect it. She kept these things on her dresser so that she’d think of Mark every time she looked at them. Even now, her mind went back to their wedding day when he promised to share his life with her.

  “For better or worse,” she whispered.

  Velma had tried to warn her that she wasn’t prepared for this kind of life, and as much as Natalie didn’t want to admit it, Velma had been right.

  With a sigh, Natalie shut the Bible then put the brush on the vanity. She slipped her old bonnet on. She forgot how comfortable her old clothes were compared to her new ones.

  After she was ready, she found the coachman and told him she needed to go to Tony’s farm. She ignored the startled glances the servants cast her way and left the house. She also ignored the couple of people who stopped walking and stared at her in surprise. She was sure Fran or Katherine would find out about this and give her a private lecture on why she shouldn’t be caught in public wearing “farm clothes”, but right now, she didn’t care.

  She slipped into the carriage, purposely not looking out the windows so she wouldn’t have to see anyone who might be watching the carriage. It wasn’t until she was outside of town that she checked out the scenery. On the train ride to Omaha, she remembered thinking how few trees there were compared to Kentucky. Out here, the landscape seemed barren. Now there were fields full of crops ready to be harvested, so it no longer seemed to desolate.

  She steadied her shaky breath so she wouldn’t give into the urge to cry. Back in Kentucky, she’d join the other women in preparing for the fall festivities. There was so much to do this time of year that she’d barely had time to do anything else. She didn’t have time to sit and worry over silly things like whether she held a teacup right. And if a hat happened to blow off her head or she stepped on her dance partner’s foot by accident, no one would have cared. Things were so laid back in Kentucky.

  She swallowed the lump in her throat and closed her eyes. She missed the feeling of belonging in the community. She didn’t realize that marrying Mark would make her feel so isolated from others. She had no close friends here. Why did she assume she could leave Kentucky and have the same warm community feeling out here? It’s probably because I grew up surrounded by people who loved me. I took it all for granted because I didn’t know any better.

  The carriage came to a stop, and she looked out the window. Tony and Velma’s familiar sod house waited for her. The coachman opened the door, and she accepted his help as she stepped out of the carriage. Not too far from the sod house, Velma was hanging up a freshly washed bed sheet on the clothesline.

  Velma put the last pin to secure the sheet to the line then walked over to her. “Natalie, what are you doing here?”

  “I wanted to talk to you.” She glanced over at the coachman as he shut the carriage door. “Do you have time, or are you busy?” She gestured to the laundry.

  “I have a blanket to hang up, and then I’ll be ready. Go on into the house and make yourself comfortable.”

  “Do you want any help?”

  “No. This is the last thing I have to hang up. Go on in.”

  With a nod, Natalie went to the house. She opened the screen door and entered the small structure made of dried mud bricks. Lime plaster helped to keep it together, protecting it from things like rain and bugs. She hadn’t grown up in such a house, but she’d heard of them. It was a shame that Mark wasn’t the one who’d chosen this kind of life. If only he had, then everything would be perfect. And Velma would probably like that, too, since she could dress up in the fancy clothes, go to dinner parties, and have luncheons with affluent women.

  Velma probably didn’t care much for the simple dress she was wearing today or the fact that she had to wear a bonnet to keep the sun from burning her face. Maybe Velma missed her past as much as Natalie missed hers.

  Velma came into the house and smiled at her. “Would you like some coffee?”

  “I’d love some.” It was much nicer than the tea she seemed to drink all the time these days. At the very least, it was a tangible part of her old life she could still enjoy.

  Velma set out two cups and started pouring coffee into them. “I thought you would have thrown your old things out after you got a new wardrobe.”

  Natalie glanced at her dress. “I kept them because my ma helped me make them. They have sentimental value.”

  “I can understand that. I packed my clothes in my mother’s trunk for the same reason.” She placed Natalie’s cup of coffee in front of her then sat down. “You’re safe with the coffee. Tony made it. I tried making it yesterday, and it tasted bitter. I’m not sure what I did wrong.”

  “How are you adjusting to your new life?”

  “I was about to ask you the same thing. Besides cooking, everything’s wonderful. I’ll admit, it wasn’t easy. Before I came out here, I didn’t even know people lived in dirt houses or kept food in creepy places like a cellar.”

  Natalie chuckled at the irony of it all. She was well acquainted with everything about this kind of life. From the quaint cookstove to the laundry hanging outside and the barn not far away, this was all reminiscent of the past.

  “I can’t complain,” Velma continued. “Tony loves me. I didn’t realize how wonderful love was. Growing up, it’s something I never even thought about. Everything was about gain and status. Out here, it’s about being happy with what you have. If I’d known this kind of life was possible, I never would have tried to marry Mark.”

  Velma was right. Out here, it was about being happy with what one had. It wasn’t about how much money a person had, how many books they’d read, or what they wore. She was shocked that Velma had come out and said it so matter-of-factly. This wasn’t at all the way Velma had sounded when they were fighting over marrying Mark. Natalie had no idea anyone could change in such a short period of time, but it only revealed that all the wealth Velma had enjoyed in her past hadn’t satisfied her, something Natalie could understand.

  “Farm life is simple,” Natalie said. “No one cares which fork you use when you eat. You don’t have to worry about what you say. You don’t have to change clothes two or three times a day. You don’t have servants following you all over the place. Sometimes I wonder if I made a mistake. I keep thinking back to what you said about being sensible. I let my feelings take over. I never gave serious thought about what being married to Mark would actually be like.”

  “But you love him, don’t you?”

  “Of course, I do. I know what he did on our wedding day was wrong. I’m not going to excuse him for that, even if he keeps saying that he did what was best for everyone. I—”

  “Natalie,” Velma interrupted, “it’s taken me some time, but I understand why he did it. As much as I hate to admit it, if I had been in his position, I probably would have done the same thing. I realize you and Tony are honorable in all that you do, so it’s hard for you to know why Mark believes it was the right choice. I happen to agree with him. He knew I’d be happy with Tony. He knew I only wanted to be with him because of his money. I know his methods weren’t the best, but he really did do the right thing.”

  “Well, I feel better knowing you’re happy with Tony.”

  “I am.” Velma sipped
her coffee. “I get the impression you aren’t happy.”

  As hard as it was to come out and say it, Natalie was going to have to tell her the truth. She’d predicted that things were going to be difficult for her if she married Mark, and she’d been right.

  “If it was just me and Mark out in the country like this farm,” Natalie began, “things would be a lot easier. This is what I’m used to. It’s what I know. I’m not fitting in with his friends and clients. I’m supposed to go to a social engagement with some of their wives this Saturday, and I don’t know how to act. I’ve already embarrassed Mark at one of the dinner parties. I’m afraid I’ll only make things worse on Saturday, but I can’t decline the invitation. I was wondering if you would come to it. I’m allowed to bring a friend. I won’t be so nervous if you’re with me.”

  “This Saturday will be fine.”

  “Also, I have to know what I’m doing wrong. I need someone who isn’t afraid to tell me the truth, even if it’s something I don’t want to hear, and I trust you to do that. Mark and Annabelle keep saying that I’m doing everything fine, but I know that I’m not.”

  Since Velma promised to do that, Natalie felt much better. Velma hadn’t once held back what she’d thought at any time while she’d known her. If there was anyone who’d give her the truth, no matter how brutal, it was Velma. And right now, that was what Natalie needed most. Relieved, she drank more of the coffee. Maybe now things wouldn’t be so hopeless.

  ***

  “I’ve never heard anyone play so beautifully,” Fran said after Velma finished playing a third musical piece that Saturday.

  Natalie forced back a sigh. Katherine, Janet, Rosalyn, Rhonda, Bethany, and Margie were gathered around the piano where Velma was sitting. Natalie stood a little further from the piano because there wasn’t enough room for her over there. The other women were crowding it.

  Velma was wearing one of the dresses she’d worn before she married Tony, and the hat she wore was just as elegant as her outfit. Her hair was even styled in a way that would have made Natalie’s maid envious. She looked every bit the part of a wealthy woman. More than that, she acted it, too.

  Natalie glanced at the door. If she slipped out of here, would they even notice?

  “Oh, you must play another song,” Katherine insisted.

  Natalie turned her attention back to the others.

  Velma closed the music book and shook her head. “I didn’t come here to be the center of attention. I came as Natalie’s guest.”

  “And we’re thrilled she brought you here,” Fran said. “It’s only fair we give you our attention.”

  “She’s right,” Janet added. “And since you play so wonderfully, why shouldn’t we enjoy your talent? I’ve been practicing my entire life, and I’m not nearly as good as you.”

  “Me neither,” Bethany agreed. “Won’t you please play one more song?”

  The others encouraged Velma to do it. Velma glanced over at Natalie, her eyebrows furrowed in a way that told Natalie she was worried about her. Well, maybe that was good. Maybe Velma could tell that Natalie didn’t belong in this group. Now maybe she could help her.

  “I’m flattered,” Velma began with a polite smile, “but I’d rather drink some tea.” She rose from the bench and walked over to Natalie. “Would you like to sit on the couch with me?”

  Natalie nodded and followed her sister-in-law to the couch. Velma sat beside her, and the others found their own seats to settle in. Velma picked up a pastry and napkin from the table and offered it to Natalie. Natalie thought about saying no, but she realized this was a good chance to learn how to properly eat it. Thanking Velma, she accepted the pastry and napkin.

  “Lately, Annabelle is nowhere to be seen,” Janet spoke up. “She usually comes to all of these social engagements.”

  Velma picked up her own napkin and pastry. She took a small bite of it. Natalie followed her example.

  “She’s probably with Kenneth,” Katherine replied with a wink. “I think it’s just a matter of time before we have a wedding.”

  “I didn’t realize someone was courting Annabelle,” Velma said with a glance at Natalie as if to ask her if she was aware of this.

  Natalie shrugged. “She met Kenneth during a dinner party with Mark and me.”

  “That’s what happens when you’re out on a farm,” Fran said. “You miss everything interesting that happens in town. It’s why I could never be out there. I’d grow bored.”

  “It’s not so bad once you get used to it,” Velma replied.

  “Did you grow up on a farm like Natalie did?” Fran asked.

  Velma swallowed another bite of her pastry. “No. I grew up in a place like Omaha. Actually, where I grew up was bigger than Omaha. When I first came here, I didn’t think there’d be anything interesting to do.” She laughed. “Imagine someone like me saying I’m happy being on a farm. If you had told me I’d be happy living on a farm when I first got here, I would have thought you’d lost your mind. But that just goes to show you how marrying the right man can make anything possible.”

  “I’m surprised you chose Tony instead of Mark,” Katherine said, seeming intrigued. “You and Natalie are as different as Tony and Mark are. I would have thought you would have been a better match for Mark and Natalie would have made a better match for Tony.”

  Natalie held her breath. Would Velma tell them she’d been tricked into marrying Tony?

  “Sometimes opposites attract,” Velma replied. “Don’t ask me to explain it, but I’m actually better suited for Tony and Natalie’s better suited for Mark.”

  “Mark does love Natalie,” Margie spoke up. “The two make a handsome couple.”

  “Yes,” Fran said, giving Natalie a slight scowl that no one else probably noticed, “I suppose they do.”

  To Natalie’s surprise, Velma glanced over at her with raised eyebrows. So Velma noticed it, too.

  “Annabelle isn’t here today because Kenneth is taking her out to lunch,” Katherine told Velma and Natalie.

  “Really?” Janet asked, interest piqued. “Where did he take her?”

  Katherine told her, and Rosalyn gasped. “That’s the most expensive restaurant in Omaha,” Rosalyn said. “He must intend to propose.”

  “Not quite yet,” Margie spoke up. When everyone turned their gazes to her, she chuckled. “I suppose I can tell you since Kenneth got her father’s permission to propose to her, but you must not tell anyone.”

  Though the rest of the group agreed, Natalie kept silent. Mark wasn’t going to like this. Sure, he was expecting it, but he wasn’t going to like this one bit when he found out that Kenneth was going to propose to his sister.

  “He’s not doing it today, though,” Margie continued. “He plans to take her on a carriage ride through the park at night where an orchestra will be waiting. He will have a picnic with her under the stars while the music plays. Afterwards, he will recite a love poem to her and ask her to marry him. My husband is paying for the orchestra and arranging for the carriage ride, and I have found one of my favorite poems to give him for the occasion. I don’t want to cause envy in the group, so I should warn you that the ring we bought for him to give her was expensive.”

  Velma’s eyebrows furrowed, and Natalie wondered what that meant.

  Katherine sighed, putting her hand on her heart. “How romantic. When my husband proposed, he came to me while I was in the parlor. There was nothing as extravagant as that.”

  “Is a picnic outdoors wise?” Velma asked. “Omaha is a windy place.”

  “I doubt their minds will be on the food or the wind,” Rosalyn replied with a laugh.

  The others laughed. Well, except for Natalie and Velma. Velma gave a shrug to Natalie then turned her attention to her pastry. Natalie wished they were alone so she could ask Velma what she was thinking. But she’d have to bide her time.

  “I’m sure Richard Larson is glad he’ll be connected with a family as distinguished as yours,” Fran told Margie.
/>   “We’re just as glad to be connected with him,” Margie said. “But as Kenneth’s aunt, I’m happy he’s found love again.”

  “Again?” Fran asked.

  Margie nodded. “My husband and I were about to move from Massachusetts when Kenneth arrived at our residence with a broken heart. It turned out the young lady he was hoping to marry ran off and left him for another man. He said he couldn’t bear to be in Chicago anymore. He sold the railroad he owned and joined us.”

  Velma frowned. “If he owned a railroad, he must have a lot of money.”

  “He does. He has it all saved away. My husband and I told him there’s no point in buying a house until he marries. Then his wife can have some input into it.” Margie winked. “A house is a woman’s domain. She should have the final say in how the rooms are organized and what goes in them.”

  “I wish my husband had taken that into consideration when he proposed to me,” Janet said with a chuckle. “I would never have picked out some of the awful furniture he did. I love him with all of my heart, but he has no sense of color coordination at all.”

  “Why don’t you just order the things you want and get rid of the old furniture?” Fran asked.

  Janet sipped her tea. “Because, as silly as it sounds, it makes me think of him, and I like thinking of him.”

  “You said your nephew owned a railroad line in Chicago?” Velma asked Margie.

  “Well, not for long. He bought it for a short time and sold it for a good profit,” Margie replied. “His parents would be proud of him if they were still alive.”

  “Is your nephew on your husband’s side or on your side?” Velma asked.

  “My husband’s. Kenneth is my husband’s brother’s son. They only had one child, but it was better than what my dear husband and I had. We tried for children but never had any. That’s why we were glad he came to Omaha with us. He doesn’t have his parents anymore, and we never had children. I think we all benefit from the arrangement.”

  The others nodded their agreement and went on to discuss their own family situations. Natalie didn’t bother paying attention to them. She was too eager to find out why Velma had asked the questions she did. From the time she’d spent with Velma before they got married, she’d learned that Velma chose her words carefully. She wouldn’t have said anything if there wasn’t a good reason for it.