Plan B

"Yes, he was killed."

"He's dead!" Sophie could not hide the shock from her face. She had only known about this secretary's existence, Jeremiah she remembered his name, for a few moments but her heart broke just then.

"I'm so sorry dear," Frida's tender voice broke her out of her momentary shock.

"He's truly dead?" Sophie asked stupidly.

They both nodded their heads.

"Oh that is simply terrible." Sophie breathed. Frida rested a tender hand on hers. She took it surprisingly gratefully. "How is it possible to be heartbroken over a man I never met? Am I utterly ridiculous?"

"Oh you poor dear," Frida cooed. "You are not ridiculous at all. It would have been a fabulous match. We are all heartbroken. He was a wonderful man. The governor is simply lost without him"

"Your praise for him makes me all the more sad," Sophie admitted. Although, there was a growing happiness developing in her. If he was dead, then there was no man she had to marry. Perhaps she would be allowed to choose a man herself, or better yet, not marry at all. She tried to squelch her excitement. It was better to not get hopeful for something that might not be.

"It truly is such a tragedy," the governor added.

The governor and his wife, had to be in their forties, Sophie assumed. He was about medium build, nothing remarkable. He had dark brown hair flaked with strands of grey throughout it. His wife was altogether, completely plain in every sense of the word. Her hair was pulled back in a tight bun. She also had silver speckled throughout it. The word, "bible thumper" came to mind when she looked at Frida. Maybe it was the massive bible that was spread out on the table in the middle of the room that gave her that impression.

"So, what is to happen to me?" Sophie asked with big eyes. She hated to sound selfish, but the question was looming.

"Well, Jeremiah paid for your passage specifically. Because word of your arrival came with the last ship he knew a lot about you before you were even aboard."

Word of her arrival came that long ago? Sophie had to prevent herself from reacting to that news. How long had her cousin and mother known they were going to send her? Daddy only died four months ago.

"I'm sorry to interrupt sir," Sophie interjected. "But when did the last ship arrive?"

"Oh, hard to say for sure. Two or three months ago."

Sophie couldn't control her face from reacting. Her eyes widened and she had to set her tea down. how was that possible? They would have sent word of her arrivals before dad was even dead. She wanted to spit, she was so angry. How long had they been planning this?

"Are you alright dear?" Frida asked.

"Oh yeah," Sophie said, composing herself. "Just fine thank you. I think I am just still very tired from the journey," she waved it off as if it were nothing.

"As I was saying," the governor continued. "We even had a small portrait of you." Sophie stiffened. Her emanate voyage was so planned out they had a portrait? She remembered a portrait her mother had commissioned to be done over six months ago. Her mother never explained why she wanted it. She remembered thinking it was so peculiar that she wanted such a small portrait. This realization made her feel even more ill but she didn't react this time.

"Jeremiah was quite frankly over the moon with anticipation. He drove us all mad." The governor let out a short laugh remembering it. "The whole town was excited about your arrival, it couldn't be helped, his joy was contagious."

Sophie felt her heart break just a little more.

"He sounds like he would have been a remarkable husband," she said softly.

"Oh he would have," Frida agreed.

"Since your passage was paid for directly from his personal funds, no one else has any other claim to you," the governor explained. "So there is no other man entitled to your hand."

Well that was a relief, Sophie thought.

"But it is not wise for a woman to be unmarried here," Frida warned. "It isn't safe and you have no way to provide for yourself.

Oh, that minor detail. Sophie inwardly rolled her eyes realizing how silly she was not to consider that already.

"You are of course free to stay with us. I feel like you are part of Jeremiah even though you never met him, and I owe it to him to take care of you."

"That is so kind of you," Sophie said sincerely.

"Yes, you can stay with us until you marry." Frida amended emphasizing the last part. "And you should not delay darling. It should be your highest priority."

"Right," so, she was welcome to stay but she should get the heck out right away. It was very kind of them, but Sophie was sure she wouldn't want to stay here that long anyway. She absently wondered if Sarah and her cute husband would take her in.

"But, I have an idea." Frida was smiling now. "I think I have just the man for you. He is our pasture's prodigy, his understudy so to speak. He is of good lines, he has a promising career ahead of him. I really think it would be a smart match." Frida looked giddy. Odd, Sophie thought.

"Oh well, that's something." Sophie said nervously. She was not exactly keen on being matched again. She was already weirdly sad about losing Jeremiah although she never knew she had him.

"It is, of course, your choice though," the governor added. His tone made Sophie suspect that there was something wrong with Frida's choice.

"Yes, but I think it would be simply foolish to pass Willard up!" Frida proclaimed. She slapped her legs and stood up.

"And he is right outside waiting for you. He is very anxious to make your acquaintance."

"He's here?" Sophie didn't hide the astonishment from her voice. She looked at the governor for some kind of assistance. He just shrugged his shoulders.

Frida scurried across the room toward the front door. Sophie felt another pit of sickness in her stomach. Why was everyone but her controlling her life? How was it that she was so completely out of control of what was happening. Clearly Frida had arranged this ahead of time. How else would she know the man was just outside

Sophie stood slowly and braced herself as the front door swung open.