Rachel held her head high and met her father’s gaze. “I see. Must I leave your lives immediately or may I stay long enough to find somewhere else to live?”
Papa nodded. “You have a week, Rachel. And please don’t swan about in public and remind everyone you’ve returned.”
“Swan about? If I stay inside the house, how am I to find somewhere to go?”
“I’m sure you’ll think of a way.” Her father turned and went toward his study.
She looked at her mother. “Do I still even have a place to sleep?”
Evangeline, the sister with whom she’d shared a room before her arrest, crossed her arms. “I’m not sharing my room with you after what you’ve done.”
Appearing nervous, Mama glanced from Evangeline to Rachel. “I’ve fixed you a place in my sewing room. Your clothes and things are already there.”
Scooping up her valise, she turned and fled to the sewing room.
Patrick followed and caught up with her before she closed the door. “I’ve been scouring my brain since I learned of our parents’ plan. I may have a solution.” He handed her a folded newspaper page with one advertisement circled. “What do you think?”
Rachel read the item:
“Young women of good character desiring to go west for the purpose of marriage may apply for an interview between ten and four o’clock in the afternoon from April 5th to 10th at the Grand Hotel, Richmond, care of Mrs. Lydia Harrison.”
“Good character? She won’t believe I qualify now.” She reread the advertisement as she mulled over the implications. “Regardless, I’ll go see this Mrs. Lydia Harrison at ten tomorrow.”
She hugged Patrick. “I knew I could count on you, dear brother.” She tore the advertisement out of the newsprint and tucked the piece of paper into her purse.
All her plans for the future had changed. Instead of welcome from her family, she was ostracized by all but her brother. She wouldn’t stay a second longer than necessary to find a new place to live. She prayed this Mrs. Harrison would be the answer to her needs.
Ophelia (Bride Brigade Book 4) Page 15