"Uh, yes sir, I am Sophie. Does that mean something to you?" There was a little waver in her voice as she spoke.
The man looked at the governor for an indication about how to proceed.
The governor stepped forward.
"Hello Sophie," he said kindly. "I am Governor Triant. Will you come with me please?"
"Oh yes of course," she paused. "Should I, should I get my trunk?"
"I will have my men gather it and bring it to our place."
She followed the governor as he joined his wife.
"This is my wife Freda," he said.
"Hello dear, we will take you to our home when we can speak more privately."
Sophie's eyes widen. She was so confused. Why wasn't there a man waiting for her? A wave of panic washed over her when she wondered if multiple wives was a thing in the Americas. Oh please no! Her mind screamed. She was prepared for almost anything but not that. She did not think she could stomach being a second wife even to the governor. It was very possible that her station and family fortune was known. Her mother or cousin could have made that known to assure her a higher status of marriage. She had expected that actually. She almost hoped for it. She knew it was not at all fair that she should be assured a more desirable marriage just because her family once had money. But that didn't mean she didn't enjoy the benefits. She was hoping it would save her from a marriage to a more beastly man. But now, thinking it could have landed her a marriage as a second wife. She thought she might vomit at the thought.
Her mind was reeling as they walked through the city gates and the town unfolded in front of her. The small roads between each house and building were muddy and there were grooves worn in the middle of them from wagon wheels. Most of the onlookers were walking back into the city as well. Sophie was one of the last women left on the ship so there wasn't any reason for them to stay on the doc. She looked at the faces of the people walking around her. Some of them made eye contact with her and nodded. Most of them looked at her curiously, some with sympathy and others with wonder. It was hard to read some of their expressions. Sophie saw Joane walk out of what she thought was the local tavern. She was grabbing some buckets that were on the ground. She gave her a quick wave. Joane nodded back. Her face was pale. She was obviously uncomfortable with her new circumstance. She was obviously about to be the tavern owner's new wife, Sophie concluded. That would be an interesting lifestyle. She hoped her friend could find happiness there.
Sophie watched the man she assumed was the blacksmith walk into a building in the center of town. She was right, he was the blacksmith. She watched other people walking into homes and buildings around the town. There were a few women milling around the town that were not on the ship with them, but not many. She was hopeful she could speak to the women who had been here before her.
The governor led her to the largest home in the city. He held the door open for her and she followed Frida into the sitting room on the first level of the home.
"Please sit," he motioned to a chair by the fireplace. Sophie sat uneasily in the chair and watched as the governor and his wife took a seat opposite her.
"Can I offer you anything Sophie? Tea or coffee?" Frida asked.
Sophie really wanted to know what the heck was going on but it had been ages since she had good tea.
"I would love some tea. Thank you."
Frida got up and poured her hot tea into a white cup. She offered Sophie a biscuit as well. She ate the biscuit quicker than she intended but she was really hungry.
"The tea is delicious. Thank you so much Frida."
They sat quietly for a few moments. It was really awkward. Was she supposed to say something? She sipped her tea again looking at them over her cup.
"I'm sorry," she finally said. "I ah, was there something you needed to tell me?" Sophie tried to ask as politely as possible.
"Yes," the governor said. "I'm sorry, it's a difficult thing to say."
Oh goodness, Sophie thought. This was going to be bad. She braced herself.
"Sophie, you were intended to marry my secretary, Jeremiah."
"Oh, lovely," she said with a smile. She was so relieved it wasn't the governor she almost jumped out of her seat. She pictured a dashing young man her age, in similarly fine clothing as the governor. The secretary, that means he had a station and would have wealth. He would have to have good manners and he would have been raised similarly to Sophie. He would have been in society just as Sophie was. They would have a common ground and things to talk about. She was so relieved she let out a grateful sigh. For the first time ever she was grateful to her mother, or cousin. Whoever it was that sent word to the colonies for her.
"We were aware of your circumstance and we were so happy to have a good match for my secretary. He has been looking forward to a wife since he arrived a few years ago."
"Oh wonderful," Sophie said. She was still so relieved. "So when do I get to meet him." He must be out on business or something. Being the governor's secretary was surely a very busy job.
"Well that's the thing." The governor cleared his throat. "There was an accident last week."
"An accident? What kind of accident?"
"We don't know what exactly happened." The governor was fidgeting in his seat. "But we found his body in the woods."
"Excuse me?! His body?" Sophie nearly spit out her tea.