Page 8 of Colorado Bride

ChapterTwo

Wednesday, September 1, 1875

Mrs.Eugenia Slidell was in high dungeon.She’d called Emily Loring to the library and Emily knew no one was called to the library except to have their employment terminated.

“Take your things and get your fat bottom out of my house.”

The woman’s chest heaved as she pointed at the door.

“Get out of this house and don’t expect a letter from me other than to warn anyone, that you are a hussy and not fit to be around their children.”

Emily listened with hand at her throat.How could this be?She was the one who’d been maligned.

She moved toward the angry woman to try to get her to see reason.

“Mrs.Slidell, I did nothing wrong.Your husband attacked me.”

Eugenia stamped her foot and pointed again at the door.

“Don’t be ridiculous you sleazy little whore.You were trying to entice him away.”

“Never!He disgusts me.”

Emily knew immediately she’d made a serious error.The woman was obviously in love with her scumbag husband and thought every other woman was as well.

“He didn’t seem to disgust you a few minutes ago when I saw you with your hands all over him.I won’t discuss this any further.Leave the premises immediately.”

“I did not have my hands all over him.I was doing everything in my power to push him away from me.”

Emily straightened her spine.She would not be treated like this.

“Very well, I’ll leave as soon as you pay me for this month’s work.”

“After your behavior, you expect to be paid?”

“Yes, I do, or I’ll tell every governess I know about your husband, and you’ll never find another one.”

The woman blanched at the suggestion that anyone would malign her husband or herself.

“Very well.Pack your things and stop by the library before you leave.”

“I want my wages in cash.A bank draft won’t do me much good if you decide to have your bank decline to cash it.”

Mrs.Slidell nodded.

Emily left the room, with her head high and walked to the third floor bedroom.She didn’t have much to pack.A couple of dresses, both gray, as was the one she was wearing, two corsets, three pairs of bloomers, three chemises, socks, nightgown and robe.She wore the only shoes she owned.Sturdy boots that would last her a long time.

She also had a new black wool coat, her last purchase with her wages.With the money she was getting today, she’d have fifty dollars total.Not much, when her prospects for employment were now virtually non-existent.

Emily would go to her best friend, Sally Wyatt, and see if she could stay with her and her husband, Mark.She had nowhere else to go.If Sally couldn’t take her in, she’d have to try and find a cheap room somewhere which meant going to the slums of Five Points.Emily shuddered at the thought, but what other choice would she have?

Emily opened the bright blue door of 221 Baker Street.The sign painted across the picture window read Matchmaker & Co.the place where Sally worked.

Sally was on a ladder filing folders into a tall bookshelf.

“Be right with you.”

“No hurry, Sally, it’s just me.”