Sophie, Joane, Sarah and Kathryn shuffled to the end of the group of women exiting the ship. They held back long enough to look on as the other women paired off with their suitors. Sophie reached for the chain around her neck and she rubbed the key looped onto it. It was a nervous habit she had. She did it frequently to calm her in anxious situations. The key was to the family gazebo back home. Only her and her father ever used it. They spent hours out there reading stories and playing pretend when she was little. Her father was always up for a tea party or card game and that was their special place. As she grew they would read together and talk. After he died, Sophie couldn't bear to go into it anymore. So, she locked it up tight, laced the key onto a chain and wore it close to her heart hidden under her clothing usually. She wished she had her father more than ever right now. She could feel him though, in her heart, encouraging her. If he was here he would put a hand in her shoulder, tell her to stand up tall and that everything would be okay. So, she did just that, she held her head high and tried to make her dad proud.
A woman would approach a graying gentleman standing at a podium and give her name and then the gentleman would call out the name of the man who paid for her passage. Then that man would step forward and the woman would join him. They would walk off together in the direction of the walls of the city. It was the most interesting social situation Sophie had ever witnessed. The women were so relieved to be off the ship yet anxious and scared about what their new life would look like. They were also massively nervous to meet these men who paid for their passage and agreed and to pay for their food and expenses for the foreseeable future.
The men were anxious to meet the women too. They had been looking forward to their arrival for weeks now. This was not the first ship of women to come over from England. They had watched their friends and comrades with envy welcome the last ship of women and marry them. Some marriages obviously worked out better than others but it had been so many years without women in their presence that all were considered desirable.
They were a wilder bunch then almost any of the men in England. Yes there were the poverty stricken erchens in England but even maids, butlers, and servants knew proper etiquette and the social constructions to abide by. While their clothes were plain and simple, they were tidy and well kept. The Colonies were a whole new world, literally. They were living off the land, by the sweat of their brow they made their living. It was a harsh life, and it showed all over them. Their clothes were dirty and worn. Most of their faces were not clean shaven but they looked happy. They didn't hold their expression or reserve the emotion from their faces. They were slouching and leaning casually. Sophie could see they were happy. They smiled, they nudged the person next to them emphatically while they talked to them expressively. Even though they were beastly, Sohpie thought in that small way, they were similar to her. She could never hide her feelings or her tongue. Some, were of course not as friendly looking as others. Some were down right intimidating.
Sophie searched their faces as they all stood by the dock watching on. She wondered which one was her future. There was a really burly hairy man that was so hairy she could barely see his eyes. His brown hair fell shabbily around his face and his beard hid all his facial features. She said a small prayer that he was not for her. There was another man who was rather hairless, had a great jawline, but was covered in grease and dirt. She squinted at him trying to make out if he was attractive under all that dirt, but she really couldn't tell. He was wearing a leather apron and his clothing was just as dirty. If she had one guess, he was the blacksmith.
She searched a few more of the faces. There was no one really noteworthy. They all blended together. There were a few men in more distinguishable clothing. A man in the center, who addressed the women and introduced himself as the governor, was wearing a nice coat. When looking at him more closely though, even his nice clothing was dirty. There were a few other men standing near him also in finer clothing than the rest of the group. They must be affiliated with him in some way she assumed.
Sarah's turn was next. She walked forward confidently to the man at the podium and gave her name.
"Sarah Kayne," she said with a sweet smile.
"Sarah Kayne, Sarah Kayne," the man grumbled as he searched the list in front of him. "Terrance Lisbond," he announced.
They searched the onlookers waiting for one to step forward. A very young man from the back of the group nervously stepped forward. He had to be in his early twenties, Sophie thought, probably the same age as her. His pants bagged off of him and his shirt hung loosely. A huge crooked grin grew across his face and he fiddled with the hat he held in his hand. He was so sweet looking, Sophie's heart burst with happiness upon seeing him. He was the picture of innocence. Oh, Sophie hoped he was as kind as he looked. Sarah smiled nearly as shyly when she saw him, Sophie thought she may have even seen her giggle. The boy, Terrance, walked awkwardly up to her and offered her his arm. She took it gladly.
"Hi I'm Sarah," she said quietly.
"Hello Sarah, good to meet you." His smile grew even wider. "I'm Terrance." Sophie placed a hand to her heart as she watched the two of them walk away.
"That is the cutest thing I've ever seen," Joane said.
"Oh my goodness, I couldn't agree more," Sophie said. "You're next," Sophie said encouragingly.
"Right, here goes." She said under her breath.
Joane stepped in front of the man. "Joane Hoffman," she said.
He searched the records in front drawing his finger down the log.
"Lenard Tribion," he announced.
Joane looked on expectantly. Sophie watched her fiddle with the ruffles on her skirts.
The big hairy man stepped forward. He didn't smile or say anything, he just waited for Joane to join him. Sophie's heart sank.
"Oh Jo," she said under her breath. She and Kathryn grasped hands tightly. Joane looked at them quickly. Sophie gave her a reassuring nod and smile. She smiled back, but the smile didn't reach her eyes. She walked up to the man. He didn't say anything just turned around and started walking. Joane looked at them again. Sophie mouthed the words, "It's okay, go." Joane fell in step behind him and they disappeared through the gates of the city.
Kathryn was next, she started shuffling forward shakily, poor girl was still ill. Sophie stepped up beside her taking her arm supporting her.
"Thank you," she whispered.
Sophie patted her hand and led her to the podium.
"Kathryn Brown," she said in her weak voice. He searched the list.
"Phillip Castro," he announced.
Sophie and Kathryn waited for someone to step forward. A very tall man, probably in his 30's stepped forward. He was beardless, but not because he was shaving, probably because his genetics prevented it. His hands and boots were very dirty but it looked like he had washed his face. Sophie thought she detected a line of concern on his forehead. She started guiding Kathryn towards him.
"She has been really ill," she explained.
He nodded looking at Sophie a little confused.
"She just needs rest and water and maybe some food. I think she will recover," she said reassuringly. He still looked worried. "I would be happy to come and care for her if you need." She offered.
"Uh, thank you," he said, clearing his throat. "We have a bit of a walk. I have land on the outside of town."
"Oh," she said disappointedly.
"I can make it," Kathryn said. She didn't sound like she could but it was sweat that she was trying. Kathryn saw Sophie's doubtful look. "Oh please Soph, I crossed the ocean for him I think I can walk a few miles."
That made him smile.
"Well," he said. "If you can cross the ocean I can get you home," he said and he scooped her up into his arms and started carrying her away. She giggled. It had been so long since she heard her friend laugh. Sophie actually wondered if she had ever heard her laugh before. It was reassuring and she smiled as she watched the two of them leave.
"Ma'am," the gentleman at the podium said, breaking her out of her happy daze. She turned around to look at him and noticed everyone was now looking at her. "Name please," he said in his monotone voice.
"Oh, name," she repeated. It was her turn.
"Yes, name." He looked irritated.
She took a deep breath.
"My name is Sophie Collins." She watched him scan the records until he got to her name.
"Oh," he said with a hint of surprise. "So you're Sophie." He pulled his glasses off to look at her better.