As Luck Would Have it

Henry looked handsome in his evening attire, holding his hat in one hand as he knocked on the door. An older man answered the door. “Please, come in. The lady of house awaits.” Henry gave the butler his hat and Betsy’s and his riding cloaks.

“Howard, I can see them in.” An older woman walked over to Henry. Her back was bent with age. Henry took her hand in his and bent down to kiss her cheek.

“Betsy, this is my mother, Mrs. Richard Newcastle.”

“How do you do?” said she.

“I do fine,” said Henry’s mother. “Betsy, the name sounds familiar. You work for my boy.”

“Yes, I do. I’m going to quit before the baby shows.”

Henry grabbed his mother a split second after her knees appeared to weaken. “We should get my mother to a chair. Betsy, take her other arm.”

Betsy took the woman’s arm and helped Henry take her into the parlor. Betsy didn’t have time to admire the paintings on the walls, wondering if they were family members or just people that once owned this house as Betsy and Henry helped her on to the sofa.

“I’m Henry’s fiancée, Betsy Logan.”

Mrs. Newcastle touched Betsy’s bearded cheek. “Miss Logan, you’re a big girl.”

Henry entered the room with two women following him. One of the women was carrying a tray with tea and biscuits and set the tray on the table in front of the sofa.

The older lady laughed.

Betsy waved. “I’m Betsy Logan, Henry’s fiancée. He wrote about me.”

Henry said, “This is Annabel and Martha, two of my sisters. You women talk. I’ll join the men in the library.”

Martha remained standing and glared at Betsy.

Henry kissed Betsy’s cheek then excused himself.

“The men are going to play billiards, smoke and drink,” said Annabel. “Betsy, welcome to the family.”

“Thank you,” said Betsy. Turning her eyes demurely toward the floor, Betsy still felt the weight of Martha’s stare.

“You and my brother are expecting a baby?” Martha asked.

“Yes. I shall bear a daughter in approximately eight and a half months.” Betsy gave Martha a quick stare back, wanting to tell Martha if she don’t stop staring at her, she would charge admission like they do at the living oddities tent, but she just sat there, kept her hands folded over her knee and tried to act the lady. “Henry has agreed to give our child a name. He called on my father to ask for my hand in marriage.”

“Our brother is honorable,” said Annabel.

Martha said, “If our brother was honorable, he would have married Betsy before taking her to his bed.”

Betsy smiled, feeling her cheeks grow warm. She kept her thin lips together since a lady doesn’t show her teeth or chuckle. Betsy remembered her mother saying when you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all then go home and brew a potion to turn the lot of them to toads. Betsy would never do that to Henry’s sister, but it was easier to smile at Martha when picturing her as a toad.

Martha sat down on the chair opposite her. “I’m so sorry. I lost my manners.” The furniture was old but very well preserved.

Annabel poured her mother tea. “Betsy, would you like a cup?”

“Yes, please,” said Betsy getting comfortable on the sofa beside Henry’s mother. Betsy leaned forward to reach for the cup for Henry’s mother. “Ma’am.” Betsy placed the cup in the older woman’s reach.

“This cup is yours,” Annabel said, as she poured tea.

Betsy admired the nice bone colored china. As she drew the cup to her lips, she felt the delicate piece of china in her hands. It felt old like it had been in the family several generations. “Thank you.” Betsy placed the cup on the coffee table and placed her hands on her laps carefully to keep them from moving when she talked.

“Henry is a great uncle to all his nieces and nephews,” said Annabel.

“Where are the children now?” asked Betsy. “I would love to meet them.”

“With Kate,” said Martha. “She’s the youngest. Henry must have told you all about them.”

“Henry doesn’t talk about his family much,” said Betsy. Henry talked without end about his brilliant sisters. Betsy didn’t want his sisters to know that Henry saw them as brilliant and industrious; they wanted to be beautiful. Betsy doubt that Henry would know a beautiful woman if he saw one. It seemed odd but it was charming in its own way. “I’m sure Henry will make an excellent father.”

“Please, relax a little,” Annabel said.

“I’ll need your help for the next nine months.” Betsy smiled at Annabel, a sturdy woman with the same curly hair as Henry, thinking she was beautiful even if Henry didn’t describe as her as such.

“Would you like more tea?” Annabel asked.

“Yes, please.” Betsy leaned forward holding her cup.

Annabel refilled Betsy her teacup, then, poured herself tea. “Do you knit? Making baby’s blankets and jumpers will keep you occupied.”

“No,” said Betsy. “Perhaps, you can teach me. I shall have plenty of time to learn since I plan to quit working once I’m married although Henry claims that I’ll be back to work in less than a month.”

“You should stick to blankets then,” said Annabel. “I’ll make the child a jumper and bonnet.”

“Annabel, I would like to meet with a midwife early on.” Betsy didn\'t want to shock the midwife with her ugliness on the day of the birth.

“After you are done your tea, I can take you outside to see the gardens,” said Annabel. “Henry says you’re fond of herbs.”

“I look forward to it,” said Betsy.

Annabel opened the gate to the garden. In the afternoon light, Betsy could see that Annabel had thick curly black hair like her brother; her eyes were darker than Henry’s, more hazel than blue. She was wearing a white tailored blouse and a blue and pink striped skirt. Her abdomen went out a bit, indicating that Annabel was also expecting. Annabel took Betsy’s hand. “That is a beautiful engagement ring.” Betsy was glad that the alchemist that increased its size didn’t tarnish the gold in anyway. “You have such long fingers.”

“They get still lost in Henry’s hands.”

Annabel giggled, again. “Henry does have hands like a bear.” Annabel pointed to some plants along the walk. “Basil and, beside them, chicory.”

Betsy knelt down on one knee. “I see you also have mint.\"

After Betsy and she spoke for sometime, Annabel bent down to take a few leafs. As she went to stand, she lost her balance and fell on her bum. Annabel laughed as Betsy helped her up.

“You have a delightful laugh,” Betsy said, with her arms still supporting Annabel.

A man over by some oakelleelled, “Get your hands off my wife.”

Betsy put her hands down by her sides. “I was just helping her up.”

The man ran toward them on the path. “I can help my own wife. You must be the ugliest woman that I have ever seen.”

“Henry loves me for my brain,” Betsy said to that rude man.

“Not that I’m surprised. He wanted us all to treat James as part of the family.” The man laughed. “James thanks us by, leaving town with half of Henry’s money. He would never have to work a day in his life.”

“Henry never mentioned any money. The man broke his heart,” Betsy said. “The money wasn’t important. Besides, Henry just won a factory in a poker game.”

“Won a factory, did he? Gambling doesn’t make Henry a real man. James was his wife for over five years.”

Betsy put out her right hand and shook his hand.

“Good grip for a woman,” said Will.

“Thank you,” said Betsy. “Annabel has agreed to help me over the next nine months.”

“The baby and her have healthy auras,” Annabel said.

“Annabel, I’m sorry if my questions about James upset you,” Betsy said. “Will, if I’m not being too bold, did Henry ever lay a hand on James?”

“He laid more than his hands on him.” Will sounded disgusted.

“I mean in violence. Did he harm James?”

“They fucked.”

“I know that. I wanted to know if Henry hit James to hurt him. Did their fights turn violent? I don’t want to marry a man that has a violent temper.”

“Not to my knowledge,” Will said. “Annabel, don’t bore Betsy with the aura nonsense.”

“A lot of people see auras,” said Betsy. “It isn’t nonsense.”

“Betsy, can you see auras?” asked Will, placed an arm around Annabel’s shoulders.

“No, I can’t,” said Betsy.

“See nonsense,” said Will.

“It isn’t nonsense,” said Betsy. “Your wife was the only member of Henry’s family not to look at me like I have two heads.”

Will stared at her like she had two heads.

“I’m going to visit you everyday. After you learn to knit, maybe, I’ll teach you crochet,” Annabel said.

Betsy kissed her cheek. “I look forward to it.”

Will clunked his jaw.

Betsy looked down at Will and blinked her eyes. Will was an inch or so shorter than her. “Do you want a kiss, too?”

Will looked Betsy in the eyes and swung his right fist squarely into her nose. In too much shock to scream, Betsy put her hands over her nose. “You bastard, you broke my fucking nose.”

“Will, how could you hit a prnt wnt woman?” Annabel whined.

“That isn’t a woman. Henry had one of his boyfriends put on a dress. No woman shakes hands like that. He has a fucking beard. He didn’t even bother to shave before putting on clothes that he brought at a consignment shop.”

Annabel started to cry. “Betsy, I’ll have Martha get you a healer. Howard will get you an icck.”ck.”

“I can’t believe you hit me and here I was worried about Henry’s temper.” Betsy continued to hold her nose as the blood covered her hands and dripped onto her white cotton blouse. She bit back the pain, refusing to let Will see her cry. “I have some sideburns and a few whiskers on my chin, but I don’t have a beard.”

“Semantics. Henry is waiting inside for you.” Will looked away. “Mister, take off the used dress and use your normal voice. You aren’t fooling anybody.”

“My nose feels broken. Annabel, I need a healer. Will, you could have killed me,” Betsy said calmly. She wiped her blood soaked hands on her white blouse. The blouse was hopelessly ruined. “Annabel, may I borrow a blouse after I see the healer?”

“Yes, of course,” said Annabel. “I don’t know what got into my husband.”

While walking back to the house, Betsy waved good-bye to Annabel. Betsy met Henry in the library. Howard gave her an ice pack. “Martha is getting an healer.” The library had a stone fireplace and hardwood bookshelves. In the middle of the room sat a billiard table.

Betsy racked the balls. “I’ll play you a game.”

“You shouldn’t play with a broken nose.”

“Sitting here crying isn’t going to bring the healer here faster.”

“Put the ice pack on your nose and watch.” Henry put his cigar on the rim of the ashtray.

“I’ll still win.” Betsy started to sharpen her cue.

“I will play her.” The word \'her\' bit like he didn\'t believe she was a woman. Will lit a cigarette as he entered the room.

“No, she needs to keep that ice pack on her nose,”Henry said.

“I’ll still beat you,” Betsy said.

“You aren’t a woman,” Will whispered to Betsy as he passed her blowing smoke in her face trying to glimpse if she had a bosom.

“Because I’m tougher and taller than you,” Betsy said, pretending not to notice the smoke blown in her face.

“I have never seen a woman that acts like you.” Will took another drag on his cigarette. “However, you’re too masculine to be one of Henry’s boyfriends.”

“If I’m too masculine to be his boyfr, th, then I have to be his girlfriend.”

“That is the stupidest piece of logic that I ever heard.” Will put down his cigarette and picked up a cue.

“It proves she’s a woman.” Henry puffed on his cigar.

Betsy sat down. “I’ll watch until the healer comes. I play the winner.”

“Will, I warn you she’s good.”

“Who taught you to play?” Will smoked the last of cigarette.

“My father.” Betsy looked Will in the eye not letting him see that she was hurt. Betsy watched as the men played. She thought about helping Henry along with her telekinesis, but it would take from the joy of beating Will without magic. The healer arrived as Will was making the final shot. Her nose felt normal in a few seconds. “Henry, pay the lady. Thank you some much for healing my nose. Will, be prepared to lose.”

“No more talk.” Will sharpened his cue and then racked the balls. “Ladies, first.”

Betsy broke the rack and sunk her first ball and proceeded to run the table. “Eight ball in the corner pocket.” As the ball went into the pocket where she had pointed, she said, “You should have never given me the first shot.”

“That is no woman. No woman moved the way she does. Henry, you think you can fool your sisters. You aren’t fooling me. How much did you pay him to wear a skirt? He doesn’t even know how to walk in one.” Will took his drink and left.

“How did you get along with my sisters?” Henry picked up his cue.

“Annabel is going to teach me how to knit. Martha looked at me like the freak show came to town.”

“What did you say to Will?”

“Nothing,” said Betsy. \"I have never been mistaken for a man before.”

“Will didn’t see it that way.” Henry broke the rack without sinking a single ball. “How do I know you aren’t using telekinesis?”

“You don’t. Someone with Will’s skill would know in a second. The angles wouldn’t look right. When you throw a ball, you know how the parabola should look when it comes down, even if you don’t know what a parabola is. You would know if an object was being pulled by magic.”

“Have you ever used telekinesis when you play?”

“No, at least one person watching would know I was cheating and I would never be trusted again. My father taught me the differences when I knee-high to grasshopper.”

“What did you Annabel talk about?”

“Lots of stuff. Annabel said that James wrote your mother last Christmas.”

“Mom didn’t show me the letter but she assured me that he was well.”

“Don’t compare me to James.”

\"You’re a far better billiards player than James. Besides you’re interested in more than my money.”

Betsy took the pool cue. She aimed the cue ball at the 2-ball. It went in the corner pocket. She then took another turn. After sinking five balls, it was Henry’s turn.

Henry shot and missed. “This is why I don’t play you for money.”

“I don’t think I can sit in a house for five months,” said Betsy. “I can’t go to the office large with your child. Do the people in the office know about James? Are they laughing at me?”

“No. I’m old bachelor as far as they are concerned.”

“Like Richard, your religious friend, didn’t you say that he wanted to be a priest before he met Nancy?”

“Only for a few months, then he wanted to get his doctor in philosophy.”

Betsy sank the rest of her balls. “Eight ball in the side pocket.” She used the pool cue to point then made the shot to win the game. “I plan to keep working until my clothes grow tight.”

Annabel told Betsy and Henry that it was time for dinner. Mrs. Newcastle had a cook and several servants. Betsy had neverate at such a fancy table. Annabel whispered, “Betsy, don’t mention James; we want this to be a pleasant meal.”

“I won’t,” Betsy whispered back. “The subject is closed.”

“Let’s talk about your upcoming wedding.”

The next time when Henry visited her at her apartment Betsy had to asked why Will mistook her for a man. “You’re a very masculine woman,” Henry explained.

“So that doesn’t make me a man in a dress.” Betsy started to cook. “If I look so damn masculine, why was Will the first person to think I was a man?”

“Because man that would stoop to wearing a dress to work at a mill would be more feminine than the ladies there. Will would be the only one to think that I would stoop so low to have my boyfriend wear a dress.” Henry handed her a change of workmen’s clothes. \"To wear for Will.\"