Wind Over Marshdale Read Online Free Page B

just bet …
    â€œI’ll be starting the lessons again next week, so there will be some coming and going. But it never has caused any trouble before, with any of the others. Well, except for that one young man. Speaking of which, I noticed a young man carrying your valise earlier.”
    â€œUm, yes. Mr. Friest.”
    â€œOh, yes. I knew I recognized him. I did mention the ‘no male visitors’ rule, didn’t I?”
    â€œYes. Yes you did,” Rachel replied.
    â€œI had some problems with another young woman once, years ago. But then she was from the city and was finding it hard to adjust to our country way of life. I’m sure you won’t have that problem.”
    â€œI certainly hope not.”
    â€œBut then you’re from the big city, too, aren’t you? Toronto, was it?”
    â€œYes, that’s right.”
    â€œOh, no matter. I’m sure you’ll adjust ever so nicely. I just have a feeling about you, and I’m rarely wrong about these things. I remember the first time I was in Toronto. I was just a new bride, then, on my way west to my new home. I imagine it has changed quite a bit since then.”
    â€œYes, I imagine.”
    â€œIt was quite an adjustment for me when I first came to the prairies. So much space! So little culture! My, my!” She clucked her tongue. “I started the first lending library in Marshdale. Did I tell you that? I would get a new shipment of books from Regina every six weeks and keep them right on a little shelf in my living room so that others could get something to read other than the Farmer’s Almanac. Those were the days. She sighed nostalgically. “People stuck together then. Not like now. Just like a family. Do you have family back in Toronto?”
    â€œYes, my two sisters and my parents all live there.”
    â€œOh, that’s lovely!” exclaimed Mrs. Beatry. “You’ll miss them, I’m sure.”
    Rachel had her doubts, but smiled her agreement.
    â€œOh how I missed my own dear mother when I went and followed my husband around the world! I was quite independent, though, for that day and age. Not like you young girls these days. It seems young people these days just hop about from one town to the next, one relationship to the next. Did I mention that there are no male visitors without a chaperone?”
    â€œYes, I believe you did.”
    â€œGood. One can’t be too cautious these days. Just wait until all the unattached young men start coming around vying for your attention!”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œWell, surely you must realize that in a town such as Marshdale, there aren’t a lot of available young women to be found. Whenever a pretty new face comes to town there’s always quite a rush to see who can win the young lady’s affections. It’s why I’ve had to lay out such strict guidelines for my tenants.”
    â€œOh. Well, I’m really not interested in that sort of thing right now,” Rachel said.
    â€œOh my, you’re not—queer, are you?” Mrs. Beatry asked, alarm in her voice.
    Rachel almost choked on her tea. It took several seconds of coughing before she was able to reply in the negative. “No, no, I’m not.”
    â€œWell, that’s a relief!” Mrs. Beatry declared. “You did have a woman with you when you moved in. What was her name again?”
    â€œSherri. That was my friend Sherri,” Rachel supplied. “And not to worry. She’s happily married.”
    â€œNot that I’m prejudiced, but it does seem unnatural, don't you agree? And it wouldn’t go well for you in a town like Marshdale. Just look at those two women for instance. That artsy one and the Frenchie. Of course, nobody is supposed to know, but it's difficult to keep secrets here.”
    Rachel didn’t doubt it for a minute. Not with people like Mrs. Beatry to keep the presses rolling.
    â€œBut dear me! I almost