1890s: Dates, dinner parties and drama.

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What a week it has been for Abigail! Things are moving more rapidly than she'd ever imagined, but also more slowly than she'd like. The week started like normal. She tended her plants (she found she actually enjoy gardening) and her chickens, sold a few eggs, cooked a few meals and dreamt of having time to read and finish a book. But most of all she taught her students. 


The thing she enjoys the most is reading for the children:


Then on Wednesday, out of the blue, she got this missive from Matthew Godeau:


She barely knew how to respond. A date? Unchaperoned? How inappropriate! Of course she said yes, but made sure the two of them had their date in a public setting. They went to Magnolia Park, where they talked and talked for hours:   


There was some flirting, especially from Matthew's side, but Abigail is trying to be a respectable woman and not be too hasty. After all, who knows what a man like Matthew is after? Is it proper romance, with marriage in mind? Or just some romp in the hay that would wreck her reputation? He already has gotten the very inappropriate habit of showing up unannounced in her home to see her. Romantic? Perhaps, but it could start a whole lot of rumours! 

On Saturday, Ophelia hosted a dinner party. She'd made sure to invite Abigail on Matthew's insistence, but had an ulterior motive. Along side Abigail she invited the lovely Mary Brennan and her brother, along with Joseph Whittaker who she had seen flirting with Abigail last Sunday. Alongside these he invited another local couple, the Duncans. After all, she needed someone to converse with as well. 

As soon as Abigail arrived, she knew she was out of place. They were all so dressed up! In clothes Abigail couldn't dream of being able to afford for herself. She even started talking to the help for a moment, while the others chatted with each other. As they sat down to the main course, Ophelia made sure Matthew was placed between Mary, who she hoped he'd grow fond of, and Abigail in the hopes that she'd pale in comparison. She placed Joseph immediately in front of Abigail, so that the two could get more acquainted with each other.


Her plan failed, as Matthew barely looked at poor Mary all through dinner.

For desert, Ophelia shifted things around, sitting closer to Abigail, repeatedly insulting her dress (or lack thereof, as Ophelia would put it). Poor Abigail felt really hurt and embarrassed. Joseph, to the rescue, it seemed as he started flirting with her, something Matthew did not take lightly! Finding his jealous streak, he was infuriated, and reacted by publicly declaring his love for Abigail right then and there. Definitely not what Ophelia had in mind!


The dinner party ended soon after, and Abigail went home feeling romanced and embarrassed at the same time. Her feelings for Matthew is growing stronger, but slowly. She does not want to rush into anything without proper conduct after all. Still during Sunday's service she daydreamed of weddings, and didn't pull back when Matthew after the service kissed her hands. Unfortunately, Ophelia showed up right then, yelled at poor Abigail and argued with her son. Abigail left. She had enough drama. 


She did actually get introduced to Paul this Sunday, but he seemed much more interested in talking to the other ladies in town. Loyd was friendly as ever, as was Joseph but he did not flirt with her today (who can blame him after Matthew's reaction the day before). So after week two, Abigail is still dreaming of marriage and romance, but it's taking such a long time. Does she dare to trust her feelings about Matthew? Could she stand his offensive mother? What about Joseph? Should she just put him out of her mind? Or should she hold back and take things slowly and see what happens in the future? So many questions going into week three...

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