The Companion and Other Stories by Madeline Anians

Author:Madeline Anians
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lee Mueller

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The following week, John and I were quietly married at a little chapel nearby, on a cloudy, rainy day. I wore my silk dress, and carried a bouquet of yellow roses, a gift from John. Robin and Mrs. Childs were our witnesses, and Robin eyed me throughout the ceremony, making me very nervous; I was relieved when it was all over with and we were back at Longdon Hall. Lady Longdon had made no demands on me since our last conversation, nor had she called for John to come up to see her. However, he tried to see his mother before we left for the chapel that day. She refused to open her door to him.

When I got back to the Hall, I immediately moved my things downstairs to John’s apartment on the second floor. I remember how awkward and shy I felt hanging my few garments next to his in the large wardrobe in his bedroom. John’s bedroom was long and wide, furnished comfortably with a high canopied bed and two chests of drawers in dark walnut wood. There was an upholstered armchair next to a big round table upon which stood a handsome green-glass lamp. My eye caught the high, plump feather mattress on the bed, covered with a red-brocade coverlet. I glanced away, concentrating my attention on the heavy lace curtains hanging so luxuriously on the high windows and the green satin drapes on either side. It was strictly a masculine room, and I felt strange in it, yet I certainly belonged there now that I was John’s wife. I could have shouted for joy!

I sat down in the armchair gazing at John’s pipe and tobacco pouch laying on the table beside a collection of odd shaped wooden blocks that looked as though they might be part of a game. My John was a down-to-earth man. His surroundings proved that. Getting up, I went over and peeked in a smaller room opening off the bedroom. It had only a wide desk cluttered with papers and ledgers, and a tall bookcase in it. Apparently, John used this room for keeping his accounts; I went back and sat down. Fondly kissing me after the ceremony, John informed me he was leaving me on business for a few hours. “This is quite important, my little one,” he said. “I shall be home before dinnertime.” He gently stroked my flushed cheek with his finger, and I did not know whether to laugh or cry. “Robin and Mrs. Childs will take you back to the hall. Meanwhile, I want you to move your things downstairs to my quarters on the second floor.”

I’ll never forget the warm glow in John’s dark eyes as he said this to me. I was disappointed, though, at his leaving me so soon after our wedding. What could be more important to him than me at that moment? I sat thinking about it until the shadows closed in on me. Getting chilly, I went over and closed the

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