The Risk of a Kiss

Sarah stood with her back to the hustling and bustling of the people behind her. She looked out to the ocean past the ship that had brought her to this odd country and wondered how she could get back on the ship to go home without her parents catching her. She smiled; she wanted to run away home like a small girl of six or seven, not a young woman of 18. Her father and mother stood behind her facing the town admiring the small squat building and cobble streets. Her father cleared his throat and she turned around.  He waved his free hand out towards the town, “So, what do you think?”  She scanned the scene, “It is fine for a town, and I have not seen enough of the Country to make a decision on that.” He father cut his eyes to her and shook his head. No wonder he was having trouble marrying her off. She was the image of his mother in her youth. Long and lean with auburn hair, small button nose and large eyes that seemed to be hiding the truth of her feelings and thoughts, although, the color of those eyes were blue like her mother’s. He raised her to be strong and bright, the perfect combination to survive the “New World”. Not the perfect combination to secure an adequate husband. He had wished in these last months he had let his wife have more of a hand in raising her. Her mother, Mrs. Julie Douglas, was sweetness with a streak of courage that stayed hidden behind her genteel manners and soft speech. She was the picture of domestic bless, quiet and beautiful with golden hair and open honest blue eyes.  Her mother turned and reached behind them and pulled their willful daughter forward. She linked her arm into Sarah’s arm and patted her hand gently, “You will love it here.” She smiled sweetly to her daughter, “You will learn to be a lady and find a handsome husband like your father.” Sarah smiled down at her mother. She wondered what her mother really knew of England. Her grandmother was from England and taught her mother the finer points of being a lady. Her mother tried to teach them to Sarah, without much luck. A large black coach rumbled up to them and a petite lady stepped out. She radiated light and filled the dock with her presence. She stepped quickly to Sarah mother and grasped her hands, “I am so sorry I am late. Have you waited long?” She kissed her quickly on her cheeks and hugged her. She then turned and hugged and kissed Sarah and her father. “It has been too long William. Your family is beautiful, just like you described in your letters.” She spoke quickly without letting anyone get a word in. Her accent was clearer than the men on the boat. She sounded a lot like Sarah’s father, but different. Sarah father cleared his throat to stop the continued speech of his sister and simply stated, “Yes.”    Her aunt smiled at her and grabbed her hand, “You have your mother eyes. I am your aunt Annabel Kinzle, but you may call me Aunt Annie.” Sarah smiled back at her. It is hard with someone so lovely not to smile at them. They climbed into the carriage and started toward Aunt Annie house. Sarah was expecting a large house, not the brick fortress that stood before them. It had so many windows and gardens stretched from either side down to a stream on one side and orchard of the other. Her aunt smiled at her amazed face, “I hope you will like it here.” Sarah smiled backed, “It is lovely and so large.” Her aunt laughed a sweet silvery laugh and turned to speak to Sarah’s mother. This was going to be Sarah home for the next year. She was to learn to be a lady and find a ‘suitable husband’, if possible. She had the feeling that she was in for more than she expected.