Welcome to chapter 11
I want to thank everyone for the kind words and follows.
Fun story, I had this all edited and then instead of hitting copy in my editing program, I hit paste…and I could un paste. So I had to edit it all over again, but I think I got everything I wanted out of this chapter.
They came from different worlds, sometimes it was easy to forget that. He somehow he fits in beautifully in the vibrant life of the Maritimes. He always did, it could fit in anywhere he just had that ability it seems. It didn't seem fair at times when she thought of it. How she faltered easily, she was too in tune about what others thought about her. She relied on what others thought about her a little too much at times. She knew this trip was going to test her, she knew this trip wouldn't be easy as the last time.
She knew as long as she was with him, he would guide her through the evening. Protect her and calm her when she needed it. Just like how she did the same for him when it was needed.
Still, the idea of being outside of one's element was terrifying. She spoke of it to Mavis on numerous occasions as they sat at the small table studying. Usually, while Kenneth was out working or bringing back dinner for the three of them.
She was excited yet so very anxious about actually stepping into Toronto Society for more than a night. She had packed her best gowns, along with what would be a lengthy shopping trip with Persis. She was ready for Toronto society. For seven weeks she would be in the city. Until they travel back for Nan and Jerry's wedding that was in mid-July. She was surprised they waited so long. Jerry wanted to find them a house in Charlottetown and Nan had her contract to fulfil with her school.
She found the Fords day to day life more than she imagined. Persis flitted around the town. Shopping and helping out with various charities with her mother. While the evenings were spent often with her fiancé. Going to parties that were hidden beneath the streets of Toronto.
Rilla for the first time in her life didn't know what to do with herself. She hadn't been this idle since before the war. Even their honeymoon seemed more scheduled than their month here. Ken still was writing pieces through correspondence. Yet Rilla had thrown her books down refusing to spend her vacation studying. Instead, she found herself picking up old hobbies as she visited different stores. Buying silk threads and ribbons and needles for embroidery at the milliners. New stockings to embroider around the ankles at Eaton's. She was always talented in a way her sisters never were in the art of needlepoint and delicate sewing. She remembered she was the first to be able to turn the heel on socks before they did.
Other mornings, when the Ford left for various errands or calls. Rilla and Ken lounged around in the wide bed in his room. Him whispering things that made her blush. His morning stubble scratching her milky freckled skin. Soft moans escaped as he explored her body with great need. It was during those moments when she felt completely at ease while living in a city she was not used to.
At first, she was hesitant. Even embarrassed to allow themselves such liberties as they visited his parents. They were married though, Ken reminded her. They knew that when they offered to house them for the duration of their trip. Soon the mornings where they had the house to themselves as the time she cherished most. Being alone with him without worrying about what others thought. It made her miss their little apartment back in Kingsport where she could sleep nude if she wanted to.
Their evenings were spent going to various shows around the city. While Massey Hall was often a destination for various concerts. She was in awe of ladies dressed in their finery as they sipped bubbling water. Of all the theatres this was her favourite. It was nothing like she ever saw before, it was so large and ornate. While more than once the local photographer took her and Ken's photograph. Dressed in their finery. Only to see it days later, with the headline of the gossip column of who was Kenneth Fords Bride?
It was the underground clubs that Persis had shown them that terrified her. Jazz was all the rage and Toronto was not immune. Illegal alcohol was poured freely as the girls danced in ways that Rilla had never seen. Surely this couldn't be good for Ken? She watched him from the spot as she came back from the ladies room. Cigarette in hand, he chatted to other men.
They had argued beforehand in the car. One drink to hold he argued. One drink to hold throughout the night. It would appear to strange for him not to have a drink in hand. Rilla wasn't ecstatic but seeing the underground club. She had to admit he was right, anyone who wasn't drinking stood out like a sore thumb. She just afraid he would give in.
One drink couldn't hurt him? He had been sober for over a year and still the idea of him drinking terrified her. She had been making her way back to her husband when she stopped hearing Ken's name on a woman's lips.
"I see that Kenneth Ford is back in town," A woman who had dark hair inquired to another.
"Bringing his bride with him as well." The second confirmed who was a light brunette.
"Not that anyone has laid eyes on her or anything yet," A blonde responded. "Keeping her out of the all the fashionable places?"
"I heard she's from the Island?" The pretty brunette piped up who was wearing a rather daringly short dress.
"He married a country girl, how quaint. She must be dreadfully dull." The raven hair beauty added on. "A regular country bumpkin!" She let out a high pitched laugh as her red dress sparkled from all the sequins and beads.
"You're just sour because you couldn't snag him for yourself." The blonde who was dress in blue responded.
"He was always so over the place. Before the war he was all too interested, then he went away for the summer to come back all dreary. Then it was up and down. Some days it was like he made up his mind on me, and other days he barely knew what I looked like." The raven-haired woman explained with an air of something that Rilla couldn't place.
"I heard she is dreadfully young or was young back then. They've known each other since childhood is from what I have heard," the blonde bounced on the heels of her shoes. Excited over the gossip.
"I heard that her father almost forbid the union. They only married to escape scandal," the brunette chipped in with a low voice.
Oh if only the knew the whole story! Rilla thought to herself.
"Didn't you see him in the hospital when he came home?" One woman asked the dark-haired woman.
"I saw him only for a moment before Mrs. Ford closed the door." The dark haired lady responded still miffed that she had been rejected. "Next thing I know he's engaged to some islander who probably has no fashion sense or beauty."
Rilla took a step from her spot in the shadows behind them. Trying not to allow herself to feel anything over their words. They didn't even know her! Susan once called her the beauty of the whole island!
"Either way it seems to be a good night tonight" she looked about the room.
"Indeed, and I saw the most gorgeous dress earlier. I don't know who she was but she had fantastic taste." The blonde stated with a dreamy sound to her voice
"That gold and silver one?" The brunette asked eagerly. "I know, I swore I recently saw it in the window to M'Cleary's the other day."
"Oh look, Kenneth is making his way over here!" One preened as they all patted their hair and smiled brightly.
"Ladies," Ken nodded his head. "Excuse me, I wanted to introduce you to my bride, Rilla!" He called her over, as the three women turned in disbelief. Rilla demurely went to Ken, her hair curled and combed under. A large headband covered half of her forehead and top of her auburn hair. Her eyes lined with smokey kohl, her lips reddened with a stain. The silver and gold dress swished as she walked with dainty silver slippers. They all look at her with disbelief that such a girl catch Kenneth Ford as a husband.
That such a girl was from the Island.
"Rilla this is Alice Cooktown," the petite blonde nodded her head. "Edith Summers," the Brunette smiled tightly to her. "Ethel Mclean," Ken finished as he waved towards the dark haired woman.
"Pleasure," the trio said in unison to Rilla.
"Likewise," Rilla nodded to them if this was the first taste of Toronto Society. Rilla wasn't sure if she wanted to be part of it. "How do you all know Ken?" She asked out of politeness.
"School and our brothers mostly," Ethel replied for the group. She continued to look over Rilla with barely hidden interest or was it disgust? Rilla had a few good inches on each of the women and found herself straightening her back to her full height. "We have always been in the same circles since school."
"My siblings and I always looked forward when the Fords came during the summer." Rilla countered bravely. "Kenneth would always have the most delightful stories to tell us."
"I still remember the summer Rilla was born vaguely," Ken smiled. "But mostly I remember her tagging along any chance she got to follow the older children. Then suddenly she all grown up and the breathtaking." Ken wrapped his arm around her, settling his hand on her hip protectively.
"No children yet? Or is the grandparents on duty tonight?" Edith asked with thinly veiled innocence. It was just a ploy to insinuate that they only married because of scandal.
"Not yet," Rilla gritted her teeth. "I am sure when the time is right it will happen?" That was her new response to the lack of any impending children. "We are content as we are though aren't we dearest?" Rilla looked up to Kenneth, pleading to him with her eyes to get her away from these women.
It was strange how he managed to fool everyone, she never actually saw him take a drink from the glass he held. He smoked more than she cared for, but if it was one or the other? Heavens no wonder he resorted to drinking his way through these parties back then they could be torturous after a while. The barely veiled criticism and backhanded compliments. No one could understand why Kenneth Ford had married someone who had no idea about Society. She was a pretty thing no one could deny that. Still out of all the society girls, the mergers and companies that could happen.
Yet he married this pretty islander, who apparently was in school? It was unbelievable to his classmates who had seen him in his reckless days. She heard them whisper about how prim and proper she was; with her long skirts and hair, modestly cut gowns. Rilla wanted to speak to him about it, but as they stumbled in half past three in the morning. Her mind is cloudy from her own drinks that had been pressed into her hands by his classmates.
What do you mean you don't wish for a drink? They asked shocked, was she raised in a conservative household?
Did she really drink that much? She only counted two or three drinks? If anything it made her so tired that sometimes Ken had to carry her to bed.
The Fords never spoke about their partying ways when they met with the old classmates of Ken. They were adults, though she always knew that one of them was up when they came home. She kept thinking about how her parents would cringe to see how she behaved as each glass of gin went to her head. The fact that she was drinking was another thing she wasn't sure about. Was she really that girl who did things to merely fit in? Father, always had a decanter of whiskey in his office while they were growing up. She was also sure that Jem had been drinking with his pals since his Redmond days.
"No more," she said one morning after the third saturday night party. "I really don't like this, and you need to slow down on the smoking. I know they are your friends but I just can't do this," she informed him. Tired from her hangover that clung to her body like nothing she ever felt before.
How did he ever live like this?
The weeks wore by, and much to Rilla's insistence, the parties ended. Instead, they spent the evening playing cards and games on Saturday night. If the others were out, they would retire early. Undressing each other slowly, shivering as she felt his breath on her thigh. A tender kiss as he rolled down her stockings. His dark eyes, almost black as he looked up at him from his spot at her knees.
It was a fine morning when they were finishing breakfast when Owen Ford closed his newspaper. Looking in the direction of his son, "I forgot to mention your Uncle wants you to go see him,"
Rilla watched Ken nod. "I'll go see him at the office," he said before turning his head over to his wife. "Do you wish to see the family business?" He asked. Rilla only nodded, curious of just what the Fords did. Whenever she asked Ken he just shrugged and said they were in print and publishing. Like she should know what his family did.
She excused herself, telling them she was going to get ready to go out. She powdered her face and dapped on some lip tint the Persis had given her. She arranged her curly hair into a low cascade of curls at the base of her neck. Not bothering to pin it up.
She double checked her stocking for runs in the large mirror.
Sometimes she felt like another person in Toronto.
Mostly because she looked like another woman in the mirror.
She watched with wide eyes as they drove through the streets. Toronto was something she would never get used to. All the building and the number of people bustling about. They stopped at a large building. She had to look up to see the name of the building, but all it said was Fords Publishing. She followed Ken up the stairs, his hand resting on her lower back as she climbed. Waiting for him to open the door for her as he always did.
" Mr. Ford!" An older woman who sat at the desk in the front exclaimed. "Why look at you!"
"Hello, Mrs. McMillan. My Uncle in yet?" Ken asked as he watched Rilla from the corner of his eye. Turning slightly as she looked up to the ceiling. Marvelling in the sunbeams that filtered in from the large windows.
"He arrived twenty minutes ago," she nodded her head looking towards Rilla.
"I'm sorry, this is my wife Rilla," he smiled as he gentle gasped her hand to bring her into the conversation. "Darling, this is Mrs. McMillan, she's worked for the family for many years," he explained.
"Pleasure to meeth you," Rilla stumbled over her words. Lisping in a way that she always hated. She blushed bright re, but felt Ken wrapped his arm around her waist. Squeezing her gently as encouragement to no be embarrassed.
"You are such a darling," The older woman smiled. "Mrs. Ford goes on and on about how pretty her daughter in law is, but my you are breathtaking my dear."
Back when she was young she would have preened at such a compliment. Now she quietly said thank you as she flushed bright red.
"Well, go on up you two," the older woman ushered them toward the elevator.
Rilla looked around at the various desks and people working. Then for the first time, she saw the name of the Magazine she had seen at her parent's house for a year. She looked at him with her jaw dropping.
She didn't have time to say anything before the elevator dinged and the liftman opened the door for them.
"Thank you," she murmured as she passed him.
Ken held her hand as he led her into the office. Inside was a man who was slightly larger, yet had a familiar resemblance to her father in law. Ben Ford was his name Rilla remember
"Kenneth!" The older man stood up. "I didn't expect you so soon when I sent a note over to your Father."
"We had nothing else going on today, and I assume you wished to see Rilla again?" Ken spoke as he ushered Rilla into the plush chair and stood behind her.
"Yes, last summer was such a short visit before you whisked her away to the cottage to have her all to yourself." Ben jested with a small smile. He turned to Rilla with a large grin "Yes, yes I do remember about your studies. I am looking forward to hearing more of them, young lady. It was terribly fascinating."
"And what a wonderful two weeks that was," Ken said under his breath.
"Thank you," Rilla flushed and nodded her head.
"Well, I called you here for a reason. Its nothing extremely pressing but may change your future plans possibly." Ben started.
Rilla turned and watched Ken straighten his back.
"He is ill again?" Ken said after a moment. He heard the rumours and he knew what would happen should it happen.
"It appears so," Ben Ford nodded. "He may get well once more, but the doctors are wary of a full recovery. Which leads me to ask you what your future attention are within this company?"
"Am I going to be like Father on the sidelines, or will I step up should you need me?" Ken responded after a moment. "It would have to be something I would have to talk to Rilla about," he added turning to her, trying to judge her reaction.
Her mind was racing, how could she have not known? How could he have never told her?
"Of course, it is a rather large decision for a family. Though I do plan on being here for at least another fifteen years" Ben tried to ease their minds. Letting them know a decision wasn't necessary anytime soon. "But do show your bride around, you know this place as much as anyone."
"Seriously? Your family owns a huge national magazine and you say nothing about it, let alone work for it? Is this some sort of family secret?" Rilla hissed at him as they walked down an empty hallway.
"It's never been a secret," Ken's brow furrowed. Did she seriously never put it together? "Your family knows of my parent's connections. Of my father's connections to the media industry, seriously Rilla I thought you knew?" Ken retorted slightly bewildered.
"I thought your father just sold a lot of books," Rilla shook her head. "My god, no wonder why girls chased you before the war, you probably have a trust fund of thousands of dollars."
"Rilla, slow down. You're running away with things that do not matter. Yes, my father has a stake in the company. Yes, that probably has filled my and Persis's Trust funds from the time we were born." Ken told her squarely.
"You have a business degree along with journalism," Rilla said after a moment.
"Because it seemed useful, I was never heir to this company. But my cousin health has always been particular. But I rather be ready to take something on, then go on blindly." Ken spoke calmly.
"I am sorry that this is a shock to you Rill, but a part of you must have known in some sort of way?" Ken asked her. Sighing when she shook her head. "I don't speak of it much, because this wasn't supposed to be my life. I am decent at writing, but I am nowhere near my father's talent for words. While my uncle is the one running the company. It was never supposed to be my destiny. It was never supposed to be a secret, trust me on that one. How you managed to not know the truth this long is rather shocking."
"Well, you never exactly told me," Rilla crossed her arms. "Even if you went around telling Jem or Walter about your life in Toronto as you did like you did about Japan. I was young! How could I remember such a thing?"
"You remember my stories about Japan?" Ken raised an eyebrow.
"Of course, it's seemed so foreign and beautiful," Rilla retorted.
"We can always go next year, it can be a graduation present?" He replied smoothly.
"Don't go changing the subject. If you take over the company-," Rilla trailed off knowing that they would have to move to Toronto. She wasn't sure if she wanted to be parted from her Island. Her family, she would only see them once or twice a year possibly. She wasn't even sure if she could be the type of a wife he would need in Toronto Society.
"We'll figure it out," Ken said softly. "It's not a decision we need to make today."
"I know," Rilla sighed. "It's just a very large surprise. Your family owns, one of the most promenade magazines of the country!"
They come from two different worlds. That was something she always knew. But those worlds seemed to be colliding much faster than she ever anticipated.
Still was it really such a bad thing? The ability to possibly use her own studies for a career. She knew at the end of the day, she would follow Ken to the ends of the earth.
That if this was a possible future for them, then they would make it work together somehow. His uncle said it himself, it could be years before he retired.
She looked at him, as the sunlight filtered through the large window. She saw it there at the moment in the corners of her mind.
He belonged here.
Well, there you have it!
I finally tackled the lovely question of where Ken's money comes from.
While researching different careers for him. I settled on the tried and true semi-canon with keeping him in writing. Though I chose to have the Fords in a publishing company after inspired by Maclean's Magazine, which is one of the oldest Canadian magazines beginning in 1905.
Rilla is really beginning to see just how different their upbringings are and finding herself the topic of much gossip by the mean girls of Ken's school days. She relies on Persis to help her fit in but then finds herself feeling not like herself.
Speakeasies and prohibition were still in full swing in Toronto in 1921. There are at least two bars, that we know of today that was used in the 1920s. One was called the cold tea room, that was Kensington Market and another called the Libertine that had its own fortune teller on Dundas West.
Rilla finding herself drinking was something I never planned on, but it happened. While Ken savours a drink, I don't think she's doing it for any particular reason, other than the fact she is only trying to fit in with the crowd. There is definitely some inner turmoil building in her as time passes and she and Ken try and figure out their future.
As always I enjoy your thoughts on these or if you have any question I will do my best to try and explain my reasoning to you!
Tina.