Katie: Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Book 1 Read online

  Katie

  Clover Springs Mail Order Brides Book 1

  Rachel Wesson

  Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Chapter 36

  Chapter 37

  Chapter 38

  Chapter 39

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  Acknowledgments

  Also by Rachel Wesson

  Copyright 2016© Rachel Wesson

  www.facebook.com/authorrachelwesson

  License Notes

  This e-book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This is a fictional work and although based on real life events, all characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter 1

  Boston 1880

  A bell clanged loudly before the hold doors were opened. Katie closed her eyes tightly as the blinding sunlight lit up the dark interior of the ship’s hold. She tensed, as the heavy footsteps got louder, wrapping her arm protectively around Ellen’s shoulders. The younger girl snuggled closer to her.

  “We have arrived in American waters and will dock in Boston later today.” The ship’s captain looked around him, holding a handkerchief to his nose. “Before you will be allowed to disembark and start your new lives in America, every passenger must pass a medical inspection. The doctor and his team will visit shortly. Clean up this pigsty you have called home for the last five weeks.”

  The crowd surged forward, unhappy with the captain’s comments. Despite people muttering, nobody confronted the captain directly, but perhaps sensing the angry mood, he left quickly.

  “He must think we wanted to live in this filth,” Mary Ryan tutted angrily as she surveyed the scene around her. “How many times have we asked—no, begged—for hot water for washing and cleaning?”

  Katie shook her head. She didn’t want to dwell on the horrible journey. There was no point in wasting energy on things that couldn’t be changed. “Come on, Mary, get a hold of yourself. You heard the captain. If we don’t pass that inspection, what will they do with us?”

  “It will be the workhouse.”

  Katie looked at the old woman who had spoken. The workhouse. That word put the fear of God into all of the passengers. Everyone knew some poor unfortunate soul who had ended up in one of those places back home. Katie pulled her shoulders back and put her chin up She hadn’t come all this way to end up in a workhouse. They had come to America to seek their fortune, and nothing was going to stop them from succeeding. Doctor or not, they were getting off this stinking ship.

  “We won’t be going to the workhouse, will we, Katie?” Ellen’s pinched white face looked up at Katie, her eyes filled with terror. “Daddy said Uncle Joe would be waiting for us to take us to his nice house.”

  “Of course he will, Ellen, me darling. When did Daddy ever lie?”

  “You are so lucky. The two of you will be set up for life.” Mary looked away, but not before Katie saw the jealousy in her face. “Catherine and I haven’t got any family. It’s just the two of us, but we will be fine. They say the roads are paved with gold in America.”

  Katie couldn’t stop herself from giving Mary a hug. The Ryan girls had helped make the horrible journey a bit more pleasant. Both were hard working, respectable girls whose family had taken advantage of the assistance package offered by Irish landlords to those who wanted to emigrate to America.

  Well, wanted was putting it a bit strongly. When there was nothing left but cold, hunger and certain death in the country of your birth, wouldn’t anyone with a brain take the chance to go to America? Katie didn’t believe the streets were paved with gold, but there was a chance of a new life. As Mam used to say, if you worked hard and stayed honest and respectable, the good Lord would provide success.

  Katie closed her eyes. She couldn’t reconcile the good Lord with the filth and tragedy they’d had to endure in the last few weeks. If prayers were enough, everyone who had boarded the ship would arrive fit and healthy in the land of their dreams. Instead, Mary and Catherine had to watch as their daddy, Mam and little sister had been buried at sea, only three of the many victims of the horrible trip.

  Four sailors climbing down the ladder brought Katie back to the present. They ordered the passengers to bundle up the old blankets and rags they had slept on. Despite some protests from the older women, the sailors grabbed these bundles and took them up to the deck to dump into the ocean. They returned to scrape together all the moldy hay and other dirt that had accumulated over the last five weeks and this, too, was bundled together for disposal over the side. Numerous buckets of scalding hot water and some carbolic soap were then lowered into the hold with instructions for the women and children to scrub themselves clean.

  Despite the too-hot water, Katie wished she could insert her whole body into the bucket. She longed to be fully clean. Instead, she settled for a quick wash, including her hair. Once she was finished, she helped Ellen wash before assisting some of the other passengers with the younger children. Once everyone had washed up, the dirty water was used to scrub the floors and wooden bunks.

  All too soon, the doctor and his team arrived. As Katie, Ellen, Mary and Catherine waited their turn, they watched in horror as the team sent one family after another to the line for the hospital.

  “Pinch your cheeks, girls, and stand straighter. If he asks if you have had a fever or a cough, say no,” Katie whispered as the line in front of them moved forward. “And for goodness sake, don’t you dare start coughing, Ellen, me darling.”

  Ellen’s lips moved. Katie guessed her younger sister was praying. She kept her fingers crossed as their turn arrived.

  “Name and age?” the doctor asked as he gave Katie the once-over.

  “Kathleen O’Callaghan. Seventeen years of age. This is my younger sister, Ellen. She’s twelve.”

  “Is she simple? Do you have to speak for her?”

  “No, of course not.” Katie’s indignant tone rang clear. “She’s not used to strangers, that’s all.” Katie glared at Ellen, trying to make her sister understand she had to speak for herself. When that didn’t work, she stamped on her sister’s foot.

  “Ouch. What did you do that for?” Ellen’s angry voice made the doctor smile.

  “Move along, girls. Nothing ailing you that a couple of weeks in the sunshine won’t clear up. Welcome to America.”

  Katie grabbed Ellen’s arm and pushed her in front of her. She wasn’t taking any chances on Ellen coughing and causing the doctor to change his mind. To her relief, Mary and Catherine also passed the inspection.

  The four girls clasped hands as they waited on deck looking at the first sight of
America. Katie gulped deep breathes of salty sea air. It was almost enough to remove the stench of rotting hay and stale sweat that had assailed their nostrils during the long trip.

  She looked around her, curious to see what their new home would be like. They had sailed into the East Bay and all around them ships jostled for position, some landing like theirs and others heading back to sea. Katie crossed herself, thanking God she wasn’t going out on that ocean. Once she got on dry land, nothing and nobody would make her set foot on a ship ever again.

  “Where are you going to go?” Katie asked Mary. “If you want to stay with us, I can ask Uncle Joe to help you and Catherine get settled. I am sure he wouldn’t leave you alone in a new city.” Katie wasn’t sure of anything, never having met Uncle Joe, but he was daddy’s brother. Daddy wouldn’t leave two women alone to fend for themselves, never mind two girls younger than her. His brother was likely to be of the same mind. Wasn’t he?

  Uncertainty clouded Mary Ryan’s face. “Do you really think so, Katie? If it was just me, I would find a place quickly, but with Catherine to look after, too…” Her friend’s voice trailed off, unshed tears making her voice husky.

  “You must stay with us and that’s final. I promised your Mam, God rest her, that I would help you. Katie O’Callaghan never breaks her word.” The port was busy. Hooves clattered on the cobblestones, relatives shrieked to claim lost family members, and everyone seemed to be in a hurry while they waited.

  Katie looked around for somewhere to stand away from the jostling crowds but not too far that her uncle wouldn’t spot them. “Let’s wait over there. It’s a bit quieter.”

  “What are those youngsters doing? One of them is going to be killed,” Mary said, pointing at some ten-year-old boys who were weaving in and out of the new arrivals.

  “Someone on board said they were runners. Their job is to take your bags so you have to stay in a certain lodging house. The owners of the lodging houses pay them to find customers.”

  The girls watched as the young boys darted forward and back, sometimes getting in arguments with reluctant passengers. Several times, the boys were clouted for their efforts but still they persisted until the main body of passengers had departed. A couple of the runners eyed the four girls as they stood waiting, but Katie’s glare was sufficient for the boys not to disturb them. For now.

  Chapter 2

  “What does Uncle Joseph look like, Katie?” Ellen bit her lip, looking around the busy port.

  Katie took her sister’s hand. “Stop fretting, Ellen. We’ll find him. Just keep your eyes out for a man who looks like Daddy.”

  Katie hoped she sounded more confident than she felt. Despite being on dry land, her body still felt like it was moving to the roll of the ocean waves. Her stomach rose as another bout of nausea hit her. Her whole body screamed for rest and the last thing she wanted to do was stand in a busy port waiting for an uncle she didn’t know.

  Daddy had written to Uncle Joe, thanking him for the tickets and confirming their date of arrival. Maybe he didn’t get the letter. Katie almost believed that until Ellen poked her in the ribs. She followed her sister’s gaze, swallowing hard. The tall, slim gentleman was the image of Daddy. Well, what Daddy would look like if he had new clothes and enough to eat.

  Although staring was rude, Katie couldn’t speak. She kept swallowing to get rid of the lump in her throat. Then she looked at his face and all resemblance to Daddy ended. Her father’s eyes had always shone with love and happiness whenever he looked at his girls. Katie pulled Ellen closer as she instinctively shrank back from the look in the cold blue eyes staring back at her.

  The minutes passed and the silence grew uncomfortable. He is waiting for me to say something. Katie let Ellen’s hand fall and rubbed her palm on her dress before offering it to her uncle.

  “Hello, Uncle Joe, I’m Katie and this is Ellen. These two other girls are friends from home. Mary and Catherine Ryan. Their parents died on the trip over,” she stammered, as his disdainful gaze traveled from the top of her head to her feet and back to her face.

  “My name is Joseph, but you, young lady, can call me Sir. Couldn’t you have found better clothes to wear?”

  Katie felt Ellen shaking beside her. She grabbed her sister’s hand and stood straighter. Mam had always told them to stand tall and be proud of who they were and where they came from. In the voice she reserved for the nuns at school and imagining she wore the type of dress favored by rich ladies, Katie answered.

  “These are our Sunday dresses. I understand they may look a little worn, but it was a long, rough crossing.”

  What had he expected? It wasn’t that long ago since he had left Ireland. Didn’t he remember the conditions on board the ship? Obviously not, judging by the way he made sure not to touch either of them.

  “Pick up your bag and follow me. I have arranged for your other luggage to be taken care of.” Her uncle marched off toward a small buggy. All four girls followed in his wake, but after a couple of steps, her uncle turned around. He pointed at his nieces. “You girls get up in the buggy.”

  He turned his attention to the Ryan girls. “My niece was wrong to give you the impression I pick up waifs and strays. There is a convent at the top of that street. I am sure the good sisters will make use of two more pair of hands.”

  Katie couldn’t believe it. He was going to let the youngsters fend for themselves in a new country. Daddy would turn in his own grave before he would be that callous.

  “Please, Uncle—I mean Sir. I promised Mrs. Ryan I would help Mary look after Catherine. She hasn’t been too well, but nothing a warm bed and some hot food wouldn’t cure.” Katie stopped talking at the look her uncle gave her.

  “Lesson learned, young lady. You have no business making promises you can’t keep. Now get up on the buggy with your sister, or perhaps you would prefer to accompany your friends to the convent?”

  At the obvious threat, Katie gave Mary a look of apology and moved toward the buggy. If she had been alone, she would have told her uncle to get lost, but she had to think of Ellen.

  “Go on, Katie. We will be fine. If, the sisters are renowned for their charity, God will look after us all.” Mary Ryan waved goodbye before taking Catherine’s hand and walking in the direction of the convent. Katie stared at her friends’ departing figures until she lost sight of them.

  I swear I will find a way to help you, Mary Ryan, so help me I will.

  Chapter 3

  Ellen looked terrified, so Katie held her hand tightly for the short trip back to their uncle’s home.

  She looked around at the pretty houses lining their route. Some were bigger than others, but even the smallest was much larger than their old home. When her uncle pulled up outside one house, Katie prayed her aunt was nicer than the stranger beside them.

  When they went inside the house, they didn’t have a chance to look around as a servant waited to greet them.

  “Nellie, these are my nieces. As you can see, they both need a good wash and new clothes before they can meet the mistress. Burn the rags they are wearing.”

  Katie opened her mouth, but shut it again quickly at the look on her uncle’s face. She looked at Nellie who returned her gaze, her eyes full of sympathy and understanding.

  Nellie’s kindness was nearly Katie’s undoing. Angrily, she swiped the tears away from her eyes as she watched the older woman help Ellen wash and braid her hair. Katie longed to ask her questions, but the magic of soaking in hot water after weeks at sea took over.

  All too soon they were washed, dressed in new clothes and ready to be presented to their aunt. Katie hoped her stomach wouldn’t grumble. They were starving, but it seemed food had to wait until later.

  Nellie escorted them to meet their aunt. They walked through the richly furnished house, their bare feet sinking into deep carpet. When they got to the door of the sitting room, Nellie knocked before whispering.

  “Whatever you do, don’t answer the mistress back. She don’t like t
o be crossed.”

  Katie didn’t have a chance to answer as Nellie pushed them both into the room, closing the door behind them.

  Their uncle was standing by a chair, his wife sitting straight-backed on the sofa.

  “Kathleen and Ellen, this is your Aunt Margaret. She isn’t feeling too well and will need your help to run our household.”

  He looked at them expectantly. Katie swallowed. “Yes, Uncle. I mean Sir.”

  “Thank you, Kathleen. I will leave my wife to inform you of your duties. I have to go out.”

  “Not again, Joseph.” Margaret put her hand up as if to grasp her husband’s hand, but he brushed her aside. The look he gave his wife was enough for all three to fall silent and gaze at the floor as he stalked out of the room.

  Katie risked a glance at the lady sitting on the sofa, expecting to see tears. The eyes staring back at her were full of hatred. Katie took a step back.

  “Your uncle insisted that we do our Christian duty and provide you with a home here in Boston, but believe me I will not stand by and watch you being idle. You may be used to sitting around all day back home in Ireland, but here you will work for your keep. So far, we have spent a fortune to bring you girls here. It would have been more economical to employ local staff, Lord knows, but if it is one thing Boston is not short of, it’s work-shy immigrants.”

  Katie opened her mouth to speak but decided against it. It wouldn’t do to antagonize the woman, not when they didn’t have anywhere else to go.

  “The devil makes work for idle hands. I expect you to work hard, keep yourselves clean and chaste, and above all, do nothing to damage your uncle’s reputation. Do I make myself clear?”

  The girls nodded in response, Ellen slipping her hand into Katie’s.

  “When I ask you a question, I expect an answer. I won’t stand for any insolence or bad manners in my home. Now you, girl, ring that bell.”