20-year-old Mary Louise stood before the floor-length mirror in the bedroom she and Lucinda shared since moving in with the Cines. She turned from side to side so that she could get a better look at the dress that she wore. The dress was a dark maroon color that had a v-shaped, black, button-down collar, fitted bodice, tapered waist, full skirt and three-quarter sleeves. Black lace lined the hem of her dress and cuffs of her sleeves. Four tiny black bows lined the bodice of her dress and matched the larger one in her hair. She couldn't help wondering if Ivan would like her dress.
Ivan Boggs was the most handsome, intelligent man she had ever known. He was twenty-three years old and had dark hair, cinnamon colored eyes, aquiline nose and strong jaw. Although she had never actually seen him work, she knew that he had money because of the way he dressed and where he lived. Since his arrival in Independence he had been staying at the imperial hotel where she worked. He was always dressed in the finest, pressed suits and whenever he arrived to pick her up, he always brought flowers, candy or a number of small gifts.
She was still standing before the mirror when Lucinda walked in. "Where are you going?"
"Ivan's taking me on a picnic." Mary Louise told her.
"Oh." Lucinda said, sitting down on the bed that they shared. Something in the tone of Lucinda's voice caused her to frown.
"Lucinda why don't you like Ivan?" she asked.
"I never said I didn't like him." Lucinda told her.
"No, but I get the feeling that you don't. Why?" Mary Louise said sitting on the bed beside her sister.
"I know it's silly, but I'm scared. I don't want to lose you."
"You're never going to lose me 'Cinda, we're family. That's never going to change." Mary Louise said, hugging her sister.
Later that evening..
It was a calm, clear night. The moon cast light down upon the surface of the riverbank and the two figures standing near it. Mary Louise stood with her back turned towards Ivan, not wanting him to see how deeply his news had affected her. They had been having a lovely picnic beside the water, before Ivan had told her of the business opportunity that had arisen for him in Boston.
"I knew you'd be upset when I told you I was leaving." Ivan said softly, "That's why I waited so long to tell you."
"When are you coming back?" Mary Louise asked, her voice trembling.
"I don't know if I am. I want you to go with me. I want us to get married." Ivan told her, grasping hold of her arms and turning her to face him.
Surprise, then joy lit Mary Louise's face as she flung herself into his arms. "Is that a yes?" he teased her.
"Yes!" she exclaimed.
It was a short time later when Ivan dropped her off. He admonished her to only pack clothes and a few personal items because they would be doing most of their traveling by horse. After telling her to be ready to go in an hour's time, Ivan drove the rented carriage out of the farmyard. Mary Louise tiptoed quietly through the house and into her bedroom. A pang of regret swept over her that she wouldn't get a chance to tell the Cines goodbye. She would leave a note with Lucinda to give to them. The hardest part about leaving would be saying goodbye to Lucinda.
As soon as she had reached her room, she lit a lamp and closed the door behind her. She removed a valise from the closet and began packing it. She had finished her note for the Cines and was beginning one for Lucinda, when her sister entered the room. Lucinda's eyes filled with tears as she took in Mary Louise's guilty expression and the packed valise on the bed.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"Ivan has business in Boston. He's asked me to go with him. We're going to be married. We're leaving tonight. He'll be back to get me in a little while. Please be happy for me, Lucinda. I love him." Mary Louise pleaded, taking in Lucinda's stricken expression.
"I'm never going to see you again." Lucinda told her sadly.
Mary Louise hurried to take her sister into her arms. "That's not true! As soon as Ivan and I get settled somewhere I'll send for you! You can come and stay with us until you get married and start your own family."
"You promise?" Lucinda asked.
"I pinkie promise." Mary Louise told her, sticking out her pinkie for Lucinda to shake.
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