Mail Order Bride: Westward Winds by - (book club books TXT) 📕

The following morning, Tessa sat at the dining room table with her mother and younger sisters. She read the daily paper, just as she always did. Her father had already gone to his office for the day. He was an early riser and it was only on Sundays that he had breakfast with the family. However, he was always present for dinner unless something urgent took place.

“Tessa, tell us about the party,” asked her fifteen-year-old sister, Claire. Her light brown eyes were filled with excitement and her pretty smile eager.

Tessa’s eyes never left the paper as she answered Claire. “Tedious. Simply tedious.”

“Tessa!” her mother objected. “Do you know how much money we spend to throw these parties?”

“Mama, I have repeatedly asked you to stop throwing them because I’m not going to change my mind about them or suddenly start believing I’ll find my true love at one. I won’t,” Tessa said, putting down the paper and looking her mother in the eye. “I love you and Papa for all you’ve tried to do and your concern, but I’m fine as I am. Truly. You should be concentrating on Maddie’s coming out party.”

Maureen sighed and fixed her poached egg. “I don’t understand what it is you’re looking for.”

Maddie said, “Mama, if she doesn’t want the parties, I think she’s right. Throw them for me and for Claire when she comes of age.”

Maddie was a carbon copy of their mother. Her blonde waves cascaded over her shoulders and her lovely blue eyes had an entrancing quality, as many of the boys her age had found. Unbeknownst to their parents, Maddie was quite the little flirt.

Tessa knew but wasn’t about to tell on her sibling. She found it amusing as long as flirting was all that happened. She had been present during Maddie’s sweet-sixteen party and had kept close tabs on her sister without anyone realizing what she was doing. Now, at eighteen, Maddie was developing a very womanly figure and would bear close watching. Her coming out party was only two months away.

Her mother responded with, “I will take this up with your father.” Her tone was resigned and frustrated. “I think you are right and I think you are old enough to know your own mind, even if it is against what we want for you and what you should want for yourself.”

Tessa’s temper flared. “I fail to see that it’s right for anyone to say what I should and shouldn’t want for my life! Just because I don’t want what society says I should want, why does that make me wrong? These people don’t know me; they don’t know what I think, or what I feel. They don’t care and, quite frankly, I don’t care what they think of me, either.”

Claire interjected, “But, Tessa, Mama and Papa have to associate with these people. Think of Papa’s business. It’s crucial that we don’t embarrass them because it’s Papa’s business that keeps us living in the style we do.”

Though young, Claire was highly intelligent and most likely a genius. She had a strong interest in their father’s shipping business and his other ventures, and understood much of the operations, even at her age. Their father often took her to his office on Saturdays and unlike many men of that time, he was very proud that his youngest daughter was interested in the family business and had an aptitude for it.

Tessa sat back in her chair and considered what Claire had said. Sometimes, Tessa felt as if Claire had more sense than anyone she knew outside of her parents. She saw the wisdom in her little sister’s remark. “I think you’re right, Claire. I need to consider their feelings, too. It’s only respectful to do so.” She turned to her mother. “Mama, I apologize for my quick words. If you insist upon throwing parties for me, I’ll do my duty, but no more. I should be grateful for you and Papa taking care of me so well and I certainly do not wish to cause you any shame.”

Maureen smiled. “Although I thank you for that, I truly don’t think these parties are doing any good. I think continuing them is futile. However, we will require you to go to a certain number of parties to which you are invited. Especially Roxanne and Johanna’s parties. Oh, and you must continue to attend the dinner parties for your father’s business associates. Is that acceptable to you?”

“Yes!” Tessa’s smile was luminous. “I think those are very reasonable terms. Do you think Papa will agree?”

Maureen smiled sweetly. “Oh, I think I’ll be able to convince him.”

“Excellent!” Tessa said and went back to her paper.