Destiny's Embrace Read Online Free

did have the decency to give Mariah a small percentage of the sale price, which she immediately socked away in her account at the bank, but she was also certain she wasn’t being paid anywhere close to what the sketches were actually being sold for. On more than a few occasions she’d secretly gone over to Mrs. Crandall’s shop and seen the readymade gowns based on her sketches displayed on dress forms in the window. The asking prices were jaw-dropping.
    It took two hours to finish the three sketches: one of a traveling ensemble with a scalloped hem on the formfitting bodice, the second, a flowing velvet coat fit for the opera or some other fancy affair, and the last, a peignoir that could be included in a bridal trousseau, something she doubted she’d ever have. Done, she massaged her weary eyes and went to stand by the tiny triangle-shaped pane that functioned as her window. Dusk was descending on another day. Somewhere in the city of Philadelphia were women her age, dressing for a night out at the theater with their friends, or putting children to bed, or spending a quiet evening at home with their husbands. Although she knew it wasn’t charitable, she often wondered what her life would be like had she been born in another time or place. According to the reverend, everyone was where the Good Lord intended for them to be. To question one’s existence was to border on being blasphemous. Yet and still, she’d always felt as if her destiny lay elsewhere. Ever since she was small she often wondered about people in other places and if somewhere in the wide world there was a girl like her standing in a window in London or Cathay or another exotic place peering out just as she was. Turning away from the window, she prepared herself for sleep. Undoubtedly tomorrow would mirror today, but she had to face it none the same.
    The next morning, while Bernice was away peddling Mariah’s sketches, Tillman paid a visit to the shop. She was sewing the final stitches into the hem of the gown his mother was scheduled to pick up later in the week. At his entrance she set it aside. She supposed she should be pleased to see the only man who’d ever paid her court, but because they both knew his mother would never approve his suit for her hand, her feelings were mixed. “Morning, Tillman.”
    He was a handsome man who very much resembled his father, a bellman at one of the big hotels downtown. Tillman was a graduate of Howard College and was presently employed as the accountant for the city’s year-old Black newspaper, the Tribune . Because its editor, Mr. Christopher Perry, couldn’t afford to pay him very much, he supplemented his income as a waiter at the same establishment where his father worked. “Morning, Mariah. How are you?”
    “I’m well, and you?”
    “On my way to the paper, thought I’d come by and sneak a kiss to sweeten my day.”
    She gave him a leveling look even as she smiled. “No kisses for you until you stand up to your mama.”
    “Aw, ’Riah, come on. You know I can’t afford to do that. At least not until I make enough to be able to survive on my own.”
    He crossed the distance between them. Taking her by the hands he gently urged her to her feet. “You know you enjoy kissing me just as much.”
    She was about to respond when her mother came through the door. The glare in her eyes froze them both.
    Tillman stammered, “Um, morning, Mrs. Cooper. I—I just stopped in to ask about my mother’s gown.”
    “Is that why you two are holding hands?”
    He released hers as if they were suddenly red hot. Mariah’s lips tightened.
    “Your mother’s gown will be delivered on Thursday. Now, I’m sure you have pressing duties, elsewhere. Am I correct?”
    He gave her a quick nod and moved to the door. “Good day, ma’am.” He had no parting words for Mariah.
    In the silence that rose on the heels of his hasty exit, Mariah braced herself for what would follow.
    “Why are you encouraging him to go against