The news that Michael Peterson had decided to marry off his only daughter sent ripples through the entire village. It wasnt just that the bride wasnt particularly prettyshe was downright plain, with a prominent nose, a slight squint, and uneven legs. No suitors had ever lined up for poor Evelyn. Even a simple trip to the village shop and back usually ended with snickers trailing behind her.
“Might as well walk straight, like Evelyn the Limper,” scolded mothers when their children playfully dragged a foot in imitation.
But Michael Peterson adored his daughter. And as a man of meansbeing the village chairmanhe promised a handsome dowry. Soon, whispers spread through the village. For such a dowry, perhaps the girl was worth a second glance. Hardworking, they said, and meek in temper.
Before long, two suitors emerged: William and Peter. William was the son of the local schoolmastera man of learning, though his family wasnt particularly wealthy. Still, the lad already had a cottage on the edge of the village, ready to move into. His parents, too, were eager to align themselves with Michael Peterson.
“William, best prepare yourself for marriage,” his father declared bluntly. “Ive set my eye on Evelyn, Michael Petersons girl. Shell make you a fine wife.”
“What? Limping and plain? Id rather have Marianne,” the reluctant groom-to-be grumbled.
“No, son, youll marry Evelyn. Their familys well-offjust the horses alone are worth a fortune. And looks arent everything,” his father countered.
The other suitor, Peter, was far from destitute but certainly not wealthy. Raised by his elderly mother alone, he had no home of his own.
“Wheres your head at, Peter?” his mother fretted when he told her to prepare his best clothes for the proposal. “Theyll laugh you out of the village! And the girls no beauty.”
“What dyou mean, no beauty? Her eyes are blue as cornflowers, and her braids like firelong and sharp. The limp doesnt matter to me. Now, get readywere going.”
Sighing, his mother obeyed. Her Peter, she supposed, had a heart big enough to see past appearances.
Michael Peterson was surprised to have two suitors. Wise with years, he knew his daughters looks werent for everyone. After speaking with both families, he settled on William.
“But Father, I prefer Peter,” Evelyn murmured, eyes downcast. “We met by the lake bridge the other daymy yoke broke, and he helped me straight away. He seemed kind, warm. William looks at me shrewdly, coldly.”
“I dont know,” Michael shook his graying head. “Peters never known comforthed squander your dowry in no time. Williams family is respectable. Youll have a better life with him.”
Evelyn had no choice but to agree. Though her heart leaned toward Peter, she couldnt defy her father.
The wedding was swiftlest the groom change his mind. Within a month, the couple moved into their cottage and set up house. Evelyn, despite her flaws, was diligenteverything thrived under her care. William, however, spent his days lounging with books. The schoolmasters son had grown up surrounded by them.
“Tell me, Evelyn, have you ever read Austen? Or perhaps Dickens?”
“Youre so dull,” he lamented. “What is there to talk about with you?”
“What about? The pigpen needs mending, and the troughs too narrowthey spill everything.”
“Always the same,” William waved her off. “Pigs and pens. Your father gave us horsestend to them yourself.”
So it went. Evelyn worked from dawn to dusk, while William read and scorned her lack of education. She once appealed to his parents, but their household was no different.
“Let him read,” her mother-in-law shrugged. “Women are strongyoull manage. Or else hell find a prettier one.”
And he did. William began sneaking off to see Marianne, whose charms were no secret. Soon, the village buzzed with gossip. Before long, William made no effort to hide it.
“At least Marianne and I can talk. You? Nothing. And you cant even give me an heir.”
That cut deepest. An heir was expectedby his family, hers, and herself. Yet no child came. Perhaps the endless labormens and womens work alikewas to blame.
More and more, Evelyn thought of Peter, wondering how life might have been had she followed her heart. A recent encounter with Peters mother stirred old feelings. The old woman confessed that after the failed proposal, Peter had left for the city, trained as a veterinarian, and remained unmarried.
“He was heartbroken, Evelyn. And IIll admit, I was against you too,” Peters mother sighed, scrubbing mats with soap and lake water. “I didnt know then what a good woman you were. I even pushed him toward Marianne. But he was wiser. Whats the use now?”
Evelyn barely kept her footing on the slippery dock.
“He wrote that hes being assigned to our district. Promised to fix up the house,” the woman prattled on, oblivious to Evelyns reaction.
*To see Peter again, just once…* Evelyn flushed at her own thoughts. How could she, a married woman, entertain such ideas?
Soon, events spiraled. Marianne was carrying Williams child. The village gossiped mercilessly, leaving Evelyn afraid to step outside. Mocking, pitying stares followed her everywhere.
“Dont take it to heart,” William shrugged. “A man needs a son. You cant give me one. Ive every right to send you back to your father.”
“But Williamweve a proper home! What will people say if Im sent away?”
“Not my concern. Pack your things and go.”
Choking back tears, Evelyn waited for nightfall to slip through back lanes to her fathers house. Michael was furious, but what could he do? By morning, he went to reclaim the horsesonly to find Marianne strutting about in Evelyns robe, surveying her new domain. He spat in disgust and left.
The village clucked, then moved on. A month later, news broke: Peter had returned. Dressed in a city-made coat and hat, with a polished cane, he seemed from another world. The villagers called it “posh nonsense” but envied him all the same.
“Im home, Mother,” he hugged her.
“For good?” she wept.
“For good. Theyre opening a veterinary clinic here. Ill build us a proper house. But first, lets fix this one.” He smiled. “Now, whats the village gossip? And set the table.”
Respected as he was, Peter hadnt forgotten manual labor. By day, villagers brought animals; by night, he repaired roofs, fences, and the apple orchard.
“You need a good wife,” his mother mused as he fitted a new door handle. “No suitable girls in the city?”
“None. Pretty and educated, but empty inside. Nothing to talk about.”
She pursed her lips. “Men! William just cast off his wife, saying the same. Now you.”
“Which William? Not the schoolmasters son? I thought his wife died.”
“NoStepans boy. You went with him to propose to Evelyn, remember?”
Peter nearly dropped his hammer. “Cast her off? Completely?”
“Completely. Moved Marianne inshes expecting. Michael took Evelyn back, poor limping thing.”
“Dont speak of her like that! If William doesnt want her, Ill marry her myself.”
“God forbid! She cant even bear children. But its your life…” She bit her tongue, regretting shed spoken at all.
***
The next day, Peternow a respected manwent to Michaels house to propose. This time, he hoped not to be refused. And Evelyn, now a “spinster,” might have a say.
They welcomed him warmly. When his purpose became clear, even stoic Michael nearly wept.
“Ah, Peter… If only Id let her choose you back then. Who knows how her life mightve been? Wife! Fetch Evelyn.”
“Dont mind that Ive no house yet,” Peter said quickly. “The clinics being built next weeka home for me too, by arrangement.”
“If Evelyn agrees, marry by Saturday. Think any mans lining up for her now?” Michael chuckled. “Ill help with costs. Evelyn, Peters asking for your hand.”
Evelyn, in the doorway, nearly fainted. Thenblushing fiercelyshe nodded again and again.
“Settled, then!” Michael rubbed his hands. “Now, lets discuss details. Wife! Bring the blackberry wine.”
**
Days later, Evelyn was settled in Peters home. The village buzzed, then forgot. Whod dare scorn the local vet when their livestock might need him? Even Evelyns limp faded from noticeespecially after Peter bought her city spectacles and a fashionable hat. Soon, she was “Mrs. Peterson” to all.
Not long after, Evelyn was with childtwins, no less! Peter tried explaining the science, but she didnt care. After years of hardship, shed found happiness at last.
