Mail Order Celeste

her laugh. Still looking from one letter to the other she could feel her thoughts marshalling into columns, pushing for action. She stood with a deep sigh, carefully folding both letters and tucking them into the journal she had carried in her valise. Cousin Amy’s dresser had seen to it she was traveling home with clean clothes, so she was actually nearly packed for her trip. The trunk in the corner had been packed with all her out-of-season gowns, leaving only a few items remaining to be stowed away. Even her books had been placed in boxes in anticipation of this letter.
It had been so silent in the house that she was startled when she heard a tap at her bedroom door.
“Who is that?” she queried.
“It is Henry, Miss Miranda.”
She hastened to the door and opened it, stepping back when she saw he had a tray with tea and some sandwiches on it for her.
“Oh, how thoughtful of you,” she cried. “I am famished and no one was here when I arrived.”
“I am so sorry I missed you at the train station,” Henry replied, setting the tray on her dressing table, “but if you sent word, there was no one here to receive it. Your father and Madame left yesterday to visit her brother, and I regret to say that Madame has dismissed all the staff.”
Miranda gasped, her hand going to her throat. Henry grimaced and continued.
“I am unaware of what her plans are but we were given no notice. Your sister's departure several days ago occasioned a great deal of uproar, I'm afraid. Fortunately Mr. Belden was very generous when he settled with each of us, and he asked me to remain alert to your return. He handed me this letter to give to you,” which Henry proceeded to do.
“Forgive me, but your sister did share her plans with me, and yours, and I am more than happy to assist you in any way possible. And may I offer my sincere congratulations on your upcoming nuptials?”
While Henry had been talking Miranda's scattered thoughts had coalesced and she now knew exactly what actions she planned to take next. Nodding decisively she reached out her hand and poured herself a cup of tea.
“Why don't you grab a cup for yourself and come back so we can talk while I eat these delicious sandwiches you've prepared for me. There seems to be enough for you to enjoy as well. We have plans to make, and need nourishment!”
Henry gave a stiff bow and left the room as quickly as propriety would allow, while Miranda sat down at her dressing table, leaving the chair for Henry upon his return. Her first step must be to go to the bank and get a letter of credit to give to the bank at Green River. She would also take a draft of enough to cover her train fare, which would be quite dear, she knew, because of the distance involved. She would also need pin money for meals and necessities along the way. She might regret the expenditure later, but planned to travel in one of the Pullman cars as far as she could, since she was having to travel alone. Sally, the maid she and Celeste had shared for so many years, had been one of the first economies their new stepmother had incorporated to cement her hand on the reins of the household.
“I see no need for a grown woman to have someone waiting on her hand and foot when she is not even contributing to the household,” Harriet had declared
Although she had originally planned to ask Sally to travel with her out west, Miranda had been unsure, at that stage in her correspondence, whether a proposal would, in fact, be forthcoming, so had not yet made her plans. Instead, Miranda had helped Sally find a new position that was very much to her satisfaction.
Miranda’s friend Penelope had been thrilled to have the chance to engage Sally, whom she’d also known and adored since childhood. Penelope and her husband had recently welcomed their first child and Penelope had complained to Miranda that her present maid wanted nothing to do with the child and was becoming quite careless. Sally had been equally delighted to have the opportunity to care for a baby again.
And traveling without Sally brought up the question of the train schedule. She would want to find the most direct route to Green River and with all the new railroads opening, schedules changed frequently. Henry had slipped back into the room and looked uncomfortable at the thought of sitting with his mistress, now that she was grown up. She and Celeste had sat in the kitchen with Henry and Mrs. Flowers many a time in their childhoods, but as they grew up more formal manners prevailed.
“Oh, Henry, do grab a sandwich and some tea—may I pour for you?” He handed her the cup and she proceeded to fill it, surprising him by remembering he took one teaspoon of sugar but neither lemon nor milk.
“Henry, please do not stand on ceremony. You have been like an uncle to me my whole life. We need to make plans and you cannot eat standing up. What are your plans now?”
He looked down at his shoes then up at her, tears in his eyes.
“Miss Miranda, I should have been retired several years ago, but only remained for you and your sister once your mother died. Mr. Belden has always been generous to me, but the devotion in this household has always been to you ladies. I have put aside enough for my retirement and plan to live with my sister and nephew in the country.”
Suddenly he was blushing furiously.
“Mrs. Flowers has agreed to marry me, and we will have our own cottage on my nephew's farm. My son has also offered to have us stay