That Harriet was unimpressed with the accommodations of her new home quickly became apparent. Especially when she learned that Conri hadn't bothered to build himself an outhouse. Harriet tried a few foray's into town to see about working for the paper or at the girls school and was turned away. She then tried to find out if she could lease her own space at market and was turned away there as well. Tired of the repeated rejections she considered traveling to join the suffragists and learned that without a companion and chaperone she couldn't get train tickets or a space on a coach. She spent the first few months practically hiding behind the locked door of her room in a state of frustration and depression. Conri tried a few times to get Harriet to talk when she surfaced from her room. When she merely shook her head he decided to let her be so she could sort out what she wanted. Eventually Harriet confronted Conri about the lack things for her to do beyond dusting cobwebs away. She pointed out that they would both benefit if she had a way to properly cook meals. Knowing that his woodworking was bringing in a small steady income Conri did some checking on what might add to his income. He had planned on building an outhouse, having noticed Harriet's discomfort and awkwardness with his current arrangement. However since Harriet had asked for a way to cook he wanted to make that happen first. He learned from Johnson Smith that as long as he didn't advertise where he harvested the apples from no one would say anything about selling apples from the abandoned orchard that was by his home. Conri found that the apples added just enough of a bump to his income that he was able to get some used grates. Over time he was able to find or buy enough of the materials he needed. Late one night after Harriet went to bed he started on his project, it wasn't perfect, or very pretty, but it was functional. Conri stared at his tools and failed at making himself look busy as he impatiently waited for Harriet to emerge from her room and see the new fireplace. Harriet quickly added cooking to her limited duties around the house. On one of her younger sisters regular visit's they discussed how Conri, despite working hard all the time, never seemed to be caught up enough on orders to make her the candle station he had promised. Harriet had been set on confronting Conri about the space for making candles when she noticed that the recent storm was causing the rough stove to loosen and that the rocks were shifting. Some were even falling off. So instead of bringing up her desire to make candles, or her preference for not hiding in shrubs to relieve herself she brought up the need to shelter the fireplace. Conri took it all in between bites of his meal. He reminded her that it was her weekend off, and then tried to figure out what he'd done wrong working with the stones. Wood he decided was easier to work with than stone, but not good for building cooking surfaces. After watching Harriet walk down the road to her parents property he quickly cleaned his dishes up and took the back rout to the Smith farm. He was going to need help this time. It had been late the night before when Harriet got home from spending her weekend at her parents place, her tired mind hadn't taken in the change by her door. It had been so nice to get a proper bath, let alone the other comforts she had taken for granted while growing up. The following morning she grabbed her skillet and stared at the spot where the fireplace had been. With a determined set of shoulder she marched into the room to ask Conri what he'd done with the fireplace only to stop in shock. There against the wall where the rough table counter had stood was not only a freshly repaired fireplace, but a proper counter as well complete with scroll work and nice handles. Once the shock wore off she took in the rest of the changes. Conri had added a small room, where he was presumably sleeping, the stool he used was against the far wall instead of in the corner, and it had been joined by a very rough looking dining chair. Harriet also noticed a few new books in his worn collection, including one her favorites that she was forever borrowing from her mother. Harriet felt her lower lip start to tremble, it wasn't just that he had used wood meant for her long ago promised candle making station, it was what he had used it on and for. Opening the cupboard carefully she discovered that he'd also gotten a few of the cooking pots and utensils she had mentioned using at her parents house when she had helped in the kitchen there. After a quick swipe at the corner of her eyes she got down to work and fixed their morning meal. Conri could feel his frustration growing. Yes, Harriet had very politely and formally thanked him for the new cooking space. Yet she had instantly scolded him for being in his bed clothes and not properly dressed. A part of him wondered if she would always be so prim and proper about everything. Harriet watched Conri walking back after checking on the abandoned orchard and decided that maybe she should talk to him about the damage to her reputation should anyone see her with him when he was just in his bed clothes. Conri listened to Harriet ramble on, letting her say her word until she finally trailed off having run out ways to say 'don't ruin my reputation'. Knowing that she was probably going to hate him for it he pointed out that she had already caused plenty of dust ups regarding her reputation and was considered wild and not tameable before he had even invited her to stay with him. Taking an even deeper breath and holding up his hand for her to just listen he gave her a very abridged accounting of his life before he had landed in Windenberg. Conri even explained how he had ended up as a sailor without divulging that he came from an aristocratic family. He finished by explaining to her his conversation with her dad, that he was not interested in trying to tame or convert anyone, and that at anytime she wanted she was free to end the contract and return to her parents home, because he understood that a woman's reputation was her worth and he had no desire to harm hers let alone force her into being someone she wasn't. By the weeks end Conri had finished the dining table he'd meant to have ready sooner. Harriet complimented his work, and thanked him for providing a proper space to sit and have meals. Conri watched the chair shift under Harriet's slight weight and knew that he needed to use what he'd learned from making the shoddy chair and joining the joints on the table to make a better chair for Harriet, and maybe one for himself too. That was if his ever present past didn't catch up with him. Some days he wondered just how not a secret his upbringing and subsequent pirate days were. The following year Conri decided that Harriet had had plenty of time to get to know him and figure out what it was that she wanted. Hiding a rose from market carefully under his vest he knocked on Harriet's door and invited her for a walk. Conri watched Harriet's face closely as she took her time to appreciate the roses beauty and aroma before genuinely thanking him for the gift. Seeing none of the guarded expression that had marked the early months Conri felt it was time. Kneeling down on one knee, he reached into his vest pocket and pulled out a very small band, set with the stone he'd worn in his ear as a pirate's cabin boy. "Harriet will you do me the honor and privilege of becoming not just my wife but my help mate and companion." That evening, feeling like he was walking on air, Conri made his rounds first to the Lukkarila home, and then around to the Smiths farm. As a wedding gift to the young couple both Mr. Lukkarila and Mr. Smith paid for the travel expenses into the main part of town so that Conri could obtain the needed legal paperwork as well as pay the church fees for the wedding. Conri had to pay a little extra, since they were waiving the reading of the bans, not that he expected anyone to object to the marriage. Especially as Harriet hadn't exactly had any suitors clamoring for her hand. The minister wasn't thrilled that Conri wanted to do his own vows, but after an additional donation to the churches upkeep agreed to stand in the vestibule as an observer provided they listened to a short sermon afterwards. Harriet wondered if having the minister speak first would have gotten everyone to pay more attention. Yet once Conri kissed her she suddenly decided it didn't matter anymore and kissed him back with a fervor she hadn't realized she was holding in. Afterwards they listened to a short sermon on the sanctity of marriage vows by the minister and visited for awhile. While Conri got to know his new father in law and sister in law a little better Harriet talked with the Smith's. Mr. Smith went off to talk to the minister in private when the conversation turned to what he called "woman's talk" when Harriet inquired about Abigail Smith's current pregnancy. After arriving home Conri and Harriet found themselves awkwardly hanging out outside of their home making small talk. As the afternoon shifted towards evening Conri decided he'd better take charge and scooped a startled yet happy Harriet into his arms before carrying her across the thresh hold. When Conri opened the door to his room and held his hand out to Harriet, she peaked through at his narrow cot and shook her head an emphatic no before suggesting they use her room and bed. They walked around the side of the house to her door, and after she opened it Conri admitted it would be the better choice for two people to sleep the night away. He however objected to having to walk around the outside of the house to get to bed. Harriet held her tongue, knowing that that was exactly what she'd been doing for the last year or so. Harriet also held her tongue when Conri whipped out a pencil and a tape measure and started taking measurements before grabbing a hammer and saw from his work bench. It was a few hours later when the nervous and tired newly weds settled into bed for the first time as husband and wife.
1 Comment
When we last left off, it was easy to assume we would eventually get here but I wasn't entirely sure. However I think this is a good progression for them and I'm looking forward to nooboo's and the changes to the house that will come from all those measurements. Oh and a candle making station LOL!
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