Vanity Blade by Samantha Harte

Author:Samantha Harte
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626816602
Publisher: Diversion Books
Published: 2015-03-24T04:00:00+00:00

“Do you think it’s wrong to kiss, if you’re in love?” Rowena asked, leaning on the handle of her hoe and gazing intently into Vanity’s flushed face.

The girl never ceased with her provocative questions. Vanity’s impatience flared with the heat of the summer sun on her neck. “A person might think you had a beau.”

“And if I did, would it be wrong to kiss him?”

Vanity threw down her own hoe and stomped into the shade. “Wrong? Great snakes! No, but don’t tell your mother I said that. I don’t want her after me today.”

Rowena abandoned her work, too, and joined Vanity. “His name’s Ethan. I love him! I’ve kissed him!”

Vanity forced away her jealousy. “Tell me about him.”

Rowena beamed. “He’s everything Papa hates! He hasn’t been in school in years. He works on his father’s farm, and he’s very brawny.” She gave a little squeal. “I love his hands, especially when…Papa thinks him and his people are crude, but I love him! He’s talking of going west. Him and his whole family are leaving in only a few days, and I…I don’t know how I’ll stand it!”

Suddenly Rowena’s secretive behavior of recent weeks came into focus. “You’ve been wanting to tell me this for days, haven’t you?” Vanity asked.

Rowena nodded. “I know you’re worldly, Mary. You could tell me what I need to know—about men.”

Coloring, Vanity let the statement go by without comment. “You’re thinking of going off with him, aren’t you?”

Rowena looked away. “There’s no use telling me that I shouldn’t. I already know that, but it’s what I want to do. I love him.”

“You can’t wait until he gets settled and sends for you?”

“Folks die on the trail. I’m not taking any chances.” She turned to Vanity and looked imploringly into her eyes. “I know we were meant for each other the way you and my brother are. If I don’t go, Papa and Mama will do something to make sure I never see Ethan again. If I don’t go away from here…soon…I’m lost!”

Vanity swallowed. “It is a trial to live here, that’s sure.”

“It’s not just that. It’s this whole way of life I hate. It’s not right for me. I can’t be stuck in one place like this. Ethan wants to see the world, and he wants me at his side. You’ve already seen the world, Mary. You don’t understand what it’s like to remember all I saw on the riverboat and know how much more is out there just waiting for me! And besides, I love him. I need to be with him, and if I’m not married to him, well, I’m not strong enough to live in sin. If I don’t go, he wants a token of my love. Tonight.” Rowena lowered her face and whispered, “I mean to give myself. Is there a way I can be safe?”

Jumping up and rushing back to her hoe, Vanity began attacking the recently planted garden. After a strained moment, Rowena came to Vanity and tugged at her sleeve.

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