Adrian, Gregory, Harold, Emily, Theresa, Leslie, Erich and Martina Willhelm are also mine. If it is imperative that you read the disclaimer, its in chapter 1
To everyone who sent a review, thank you, thank you, thank you.
Chapter 7
They wondered who she was. She looked sad and scared, as if she had lost everything. Plunking the money on the counter, she asked for a room. The clerk looked surprised and decided not to ask any questions. Signing as Jane Smith, she took the key and walked up to the room, concentrating on getting to her room. When she finally reached the room, she closed the door and screamed before passing out on the bed.
"Good morning Mrs. Wilhelm" the clerk greeted the owner the next morning.
"Good morning Gregory. Have we any new clients this morning?" Martina Wilhelm, a widow of some years and the owner of the Wilhelm House For Young Ladies. After her husband's death, she converted her former mansion into a home for young women who were not as fortunate as their peers. Having eloped with her late husband, Erich, a Prussian veteran of the Franco-Prussian war and cut off from her French originated family, Martina knew the value of a place to call home and someone to talk to.
"Yes ma'am. A young lady came in last night looking rather distraught. She's in 5A".
"Call Millie, tell her to bring breakfast to 5A" Martina said.
"As you wish ma'am".
"Miss Smith?" Martina gently knocked on the door. There was no answer.
"Miss Smith, my name is Martina Wilhelm. I was wondering if you cared for some breakfast".
Inside the room, Jessie hesitated. She knew her father had friends all over the city; it was just a matter of time before he found her.
"Is my father with you?" Jessie asked cautiously.
"My dear, in my establishment, all visitors must be announced ahead of time, including parents".
Opening the door, the smell of the warm breakfast wafted through the room and Jessie's stomach began to growl.
"Thank you Millie" the maid left the tray on table and left.
"I'm not hungry" with the genuine smile of Mrs. Willhelm and the smell of the food, her mask crumbled.
"Come now, I'm sure your hungry, we all get hungry sometimes".
"My father…" Jessie started to blubber.
"Let me tell you a secret about fathers. They may be well meaning, but they want us to be little girls forever and no matter how they try, we all grow up".
Jessie still continued to cry.
"Would you believe me if I told you that my father did not want me to marry my Erich simply because he was Prussian? I fought my father until I realized I couldn't change his mind and if I wanted to be truly happy, I had to follow my heart".
Hearing the tale of the older woman, Jessie broke down and told her story.
"You won't tell anyone I'm here, will you?" Jessie asked.
"If you say your name is Jane Smith, then your name is Jane Smith.Why don't I call a maid so you look presentable? I'm sure the other young ladies are anxious to meet their new housemate".
"Ladies, this is Jane. Jane, this is Theresa, Emily and Leslie. Why don't you girls give Jane a tour of the house?" Martina suggested.
"Come" Theresa pulled Jessie out of solarium.
Allowing Theresa and the other girls, Jessie began to relax and enjoy their company.
"Mrs. Wilhelm, may we go out?" Leslie asked as they passed in the hallway.
"Yes you may, but be back for dinner and take Harold with you".
"Harold?" Jessie asked.
"Mrs. Wilhelm insists we bring a male escort. The last time we went out, Theresa was nearly snatched by a man who claimed to be her fiancé" Emily explained.
"Can I help it if I was born beautiful?" Theresa replied gleefully.
"Misses" Harold politely tipped his hat as the women stepped into the carriage.
"That's pretty" Emily admired the dark green dress in the window.
"It is" Jessie agreed.
"Come, I want to try it on" Emily dragged her inside.
While Emily tried on the dress, Jessie looked around the store. Once upon a time, she would have loved shopping, but now, it seemed frivolous.
"Can I help you, miss?" the girl behind the counter asked.
"I'm waiting for her," Jessie said.
"If you need anything just ask".
"Thank you" Jessie replied uneasily. If her father ever found her, he would probably drag her back and force her to marry Robert.
"Are you ok?" Emily asked, noticing the far away look in Jessie's eyes.
"Fine".
"We should go, we promised Mrs. Wilhelm we would be home for dinner" they turned around and walked toward the carriage.
About halfway to the carriage they heard George call out "Jessie".
"Who was that?" Emily asked.
"No one" Jessie knew exactly who it was.
"Jessie, please" George caught up to them.
"Her name is Jane. If you excuse us sir, we are expected home for dinner".
"Jessie, please, I made a mistake. It's not about the money or the fame, it's about us, spending our life together," he pleaded.
"Harold" Emily called out.
"Sir, I will ask you one time only, please walk away quietly".
"But she" George protested.
"Sir, you are not listening. If you wish for companionship, I suggest you head for the other side of town".
"I love you" he felt his heart break as the carriage rode away.
Spying a empty carriage, he called out "Taxi!".
"Follow that carriage".
End of chapter 7. What do you think? Should she take him back or give him a kick in you know whats? Anyway, a review or two would really give this aspiring writer a helping hand. In the spirit of helping a fellow writer, please hit the blue button, please?