A More Perfect Union: A Novel (The Midwife Series Book 3) by Daynard Jodi

Author:Daynard, Jodi [Daynard, Jodi]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
ISBN: 9781477823798
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing
Published: 2017-05-23T04:00:00+00:00

32

THE FOLLOWING MORNING, AFTER PROCURING A BISCUIT, a pat of butter, and a bowl of coffee, Johnny set off to his first day as an apprentice at the offices of Luther Martin, Attorney-at-Law. But first, he strolled to the water to watch the thick mist rise off Rowley’s Wharf and the dockworkers loading and unloading heavy wooden crates. In the light of day, he noticed many Negroes. Whether these were freemen or slaves, he could not glean. That they were strong and used to hard work was obvious.

Once again, Johnny was assaulted by the harbor’s appalling odor. He turned away, up past Baltimore and Market Streets, where old wooden houses vied for space alongside smarter shops and row houses. After five minutes, he turned onto New Church Street, where he passed the courthouse once more. Just beyond this building, he found Charles Street. He turned right and soon saw number fourteen. A dull brass plaque read “L. Martin, Attorney-at-Law.”

The door was locked, and all was dark within. It was only eight in the morning; he was half an hour early. Johnny had dressed once more in his best and only suit, now stained by the wine Marcia had spilled on him. He returned to the courthouse and sat down on its steps. The air had already grown thick with rising humidity; and as the fog began to rise it left behind a mist that dampened his clothing and made his hair curl wildly about his head.

From the courthouse steps, Johnny gazed out over the city and the boats in the harbor. He saw a ferryboat arrive, pull close to the dock, and release half a dozen horses and their carriages from its deck.

The night before, Miss Burnes had made free to ask him whether he was married. He cringed now to think of his answer.

“Nay.” He had smiled. “I am but nineteen—or very near it.” The words were true enough, yet what volumes he had omitted! While he and Kate were by no means engaged, he could not deny that there was something unresolved between them. And yet, each time Johnny endeavored to puzzle out his feelings for Kate or hers for him, he found himself grasping at air.

“What a fool I am,” he muttered aloud.

It would not do. Johnny vowed to correct the false impression he had given Miss Burnes the previous night. He stood up and dusted off the seat of his pants. Then he strolled in leisurely fashion around the corner to Mr. Martin’s office.

Waiting for him was not Mr. Martin but Miss Burnes. She was dressed in a lovely lilac gown, a fetching broad-brimmed hat, and ivory kid gloves. Above her head she held a lilac parasol. She might have been the study of an enchanting painting. That she had already been painted by the greatest artists in the land, Johnny was blissfully unaware.

“It’s you,” he said.

“Obviously.” She smiled. “I fear you shall get that inspection of your lodgings sooner than you anticipated. Mr. Martin has sent me to tell you he feels a cold coming on and shan’t be in the office today.

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