Aaron adjusted his jacket, fiddled with the two ends of material that formed his tie, and left his office with great anticipation. He timed his arrival for five exactly and rapped on the hotel room door.
"Mr. Trenholme!" Harriet glanced at the wall clock in the hotel hallway. "So punctual."
"Comes from managing deadlines with the newspaper," he smiled. "Am I too soon?"
"Not at all. Back east the practice was to be fashionably late for social engagements. Not one I particularly approved of mind you. I'll just get my handbag and shawl."
He studied the mended handbag, wondering if the Derringer he'd returned was inside, or left behind in a drawer.
"May I say you look quite delightful."
"And you appear quite the gentleman." She grinned, seeing he was stumbling over the word, appear.
"I' uh- I reserved a special table downstairs . . . less public."
"One of those alcoves with the heavy drapery?"
"Uhm, yes - if that's acceptable to you of course."
"Interesting." She led the way down the stairs then waited in the dining room entrance for him to offer his arm.
Colleen sailed over, her previous snub forgotten, and with a crimson-lipped smile, took Aaron's other arm and led the couple to a corner alcove.
"We have steak, lamb chops, pork chops, potato and onion soup, cabbage soup, bacon and eggs. Of course there are other vegetables too - and we have a shipment of oysters from back east, which are for the Governor's visit. I could spare a few for you if you like."
Aaron reddened. Her look was downright lascivious.
"I think I would like the potato and onion soup, and a small bowl of mixed fresh fruit, please."
Colleen's smile faded. "And for the gentleman?"
"Steak and eggs, please, and can you bring us some bread."
"Drinks?"
Aaron raised a hand "A bottle of that nice red wine I know you also imported - for the Governor's visit." Collen's face stiffened, and she simply nodded and left. "Are you sure that's all you want, Harriet. It doesn't seem like much of a dinner."
"It's perfectly fine. I usually have my larger meal midday."
"I shall remember that next time."
The only reaction was silence, and he hurried on, asking about the library.
"It's doing very well, thank you. I just received a few new books from back east that I hope will become popular here."
"Cook books?"
"She gave him a weary smile. "Women are capable of much more than washing and cooking, Aaron - we have brains as well."
"I didn't mean—"
"No. You just didn't think."
Colleen arrived with the wine before he could respond and they sat silently while she poured a couple of glasses. She left the bottle and said the food would be along shortly, then closed the alcove privacy drapes.
"Makes it very intimate, doesn't it?" Harriet tasted her wine.
"Look, I didn't intend any kind of insult. I'm sorry if it was taken that way."
"I know you didn't. It's just an ingrained perception men have and one that I am trying to correct with the meetings I have with the ladies in the library. We discuss the books and the behaviours of the characters, applying them to real life situations here in Tuckerville."
"Are you laying the groundwork for another Seneca Falls movement?"
"I'm impressed, Aaron. I don't think there are many men who have heard of it, let alone recognize the reasons."
"I follow the papers back east and try to present information that could be germane to the citizens here."
Harriet sipped some more wine, considering whether or not to enter into a debate. She was fully aware of his intentions, and while not inclined to dismiss them entirely, she still wrestled with her own demons regarding men. She knew she was not the strong-willed, take-no-prisoners woman others thought they saw - inside she was nursing a fragile identity.
"And women's rights aren't germane?" She, couldn't let it pass.
"I didn't mean that." He looked flustered.
"It seems you don't mean a lot of things, Aaron." She tempered the remark with a kind grin. "Seneca Falls was the first attempt women made to become organized, to establish their rights. A young mother and another woman, a Quaker abolitionist led the attempt. Your papers back east ridiculed the idea that women should have the right to vote."
"I know the arguments. As I said, I read those papers. It's different out here, Harriet." His words sounded weak, and he wanted to get off the subject and back to just enjoying the company and a meal.
The curtain parted and Colleen appeared with the food. They thanked her, complimented how it looked and smelled and saw her off, her own demeanour once again warm and sociable. Aaron was relieved, he felt he could now redirect the conversation.
"How's the soup?"
"Quite delicious . . . hearty."
"I feel a bit discourteous sitting here with this plateful while you eat soup."
"I will still enjoy the company, Aaron." Her smile was genuine and it lit up their private little room.
They ate silently for a few moments then he spoke again. "You mentioned books from back east, which I acknowledged with my foot in my mouth. What were they, if I may ask?"
"Some of the latest popular fiction. I find escapism in reading is just as important as studying - it's all education."
"And what's popular in fiction at the moment?"
"I ordered copies of, Jayne Eyre, Mansfield Park, The Scarlet Letter and Vanity Fair."
"All stories for women." He noted.
"They hold lessons for both sexes. It wouldn't hurt for some of the men here to read them."
"I don't think the men here have neither the time nor inclination for reading fiction stories, no matter the benefit. Business, weather and income top their lists"
"I noticed the latest business was trenching the roadway."
"Yes! And when finished it will be a blessing when the rains come."
"I'm sure the Governor will be impressed"
Aaron paused chewing, catching the knowing twinkle in her eye.
"I can't deny the Mayor hopes to gain favour."
"What about you, I heard it was your suggestion originally?"
"What! How did you—"
"Don't underestimate the ladies' gossip, Aaron. We may not have the right to vote but discounting us is a big mistake."
"Well you have my vote, Miss Folio . . . and have from the start."
The silence fell again as they both fiddled with their utensils. Aaron put his down and leaned on the table.
"Harriet- Harriet, I can't put how I feel in words—"
"And you run the newspaper." She laughed, delightedly and continued grinning as the drapes opened and Colleen appeared with dessert.
****
"Did you enjoy your private dinner with Mr. Trenholme?"
The tone of the question held a mild rebuke, and Harriet turned to find Amanda behind her in the hallway.
"It was quite pleasant, yes. Thank you." She unlocked her room and paused, "Was there something you wanted?"
"I just feel you've been avoiding me lately."
"Amanda, I work all week at the library, I'm pestered by these constant questions about Black Creek, I just want to be alone and get some rest . . . like now."
"Except when you have private dinners." The tone this time was waspy.
"I don't think how I choose to spend my time is really any of your concern."
"Of course not. I shouldn't expect anything else from a fair-weather friend." She turned and strode toward the stairs
"Amanda . . .?"
Harriet sighed and entered her room. She lit the lamp and adjusted the flame then stripped of her dress and flopped on the bed. There was a shout from the street followed by laughter and she wondered if laughter would ever be a part of her new life; so far there had been little opportunity.
Why did Amanda keep insisting their relationship was more than just good friends? Her experience must have been more traumatic than anyone realized, and now she was interpreting the help I gave her as something more intimate. Would she ever return to a life of normality, she thought wishfully, turning down her lamp and slipping under the covers.