Lily could only shrug. “I suppose I should have taken the time to purchase more appropriate clothing, but—”
“Oh, bother.” Mariah fluttered a hand as if details were of little consequence and gave her another quick hug. “You’re here now. Everything else can be easily fixed. Come with me, and we’ll get you in a nice warm bubble bath. And while you’re soaking, you can tell me all about it.” She barely paused for breath. “You do remember our darling Amy, don’t you?” Flicking a glance at her young sister-in-law waiting on the veranda, she swept Lily up the steps toward the grand entry. “She’s becoming quite the belle of the county, aren’t you, dear?”
“So you keep sayin’,” Amy answered in her airy drawl as she traipsed after Mariah and Lily across the parquet floor toward the graceful staircase.
“Now, with you here, Lily, we’ll certainly be the most popular home from here to Alexandria.” She slanted a frown at her. “That is, once you’ve had a few milk baths to turn your skin soft and creamy again. Mother Barclay has some simply marvelous oils and creams imported from the Orient.”
Mariah’s enthusiasm, the splendid sights…Lily could hardly take everything in.
Her sister stopped halfway up the stairs. “Whatever am I thinking? Amy, run down to the kitchen and tell them we need bathwater brought up right away.” She smiled and placed a hand on Lily’s shoulder. “I wasn’t expecting you for at least another week. Your letter said Mr. Waldon would return after the first of November, remember? But this is ever so much better. We shall have more time to get you properly outfitted before your first ball.”
“My ball?”
“Yes.” On the top landing, Mariah stopped in the upstairs lounge area and turned to face Lily. “I sent out invitations last week. I want to launch you properly into our little society. There’s no need for anyone to know about the rustic frontier life you’ve been leading, unless— Did you introduce yourself to anyone in Alexandria?”
“I never went there. At the ferry crossing, I accepted a ride from a merchant who lives somewhere above the falls.”
“Splendid. Oh, and Rose will arrive in a few days. I asked her to come early. I’m so excited! You, Rose, and I together again. The three of us haven’t been together since my wedding, and that was such a hectic time it hardly counts.” She stopped prattling, and a slow smile graced her lips as she gazed at Lily a moment, then pulled her close and gave her a longer hug.
Lily basked in the feeling of being utterly safe and loved and cared for.
When Mariah stepped back, her violet eyes glistened as she smoothed a hand along Lily’s cheek. “My baby sister is back where she belongs. God is so good.”
No amount of protesting during the next two weeks would stop Mariah and Mistress Barclay from fussing over her. Since Mariah had yet to conceive a child—a sadness she mentioned only once—Lily soon realized she was their new plaything, the new dress-up doll. Amy, who’d always been more interested in horses than fashion, whispered that she was monstrously relieved that attention had been diverted away from her for a change.
Lily had every intention of returning to Beaver Cove and to John and her adopted family, but she hadn’t managed to find the right words to placate her sister or the lady of the house. She did enjoy the pampering, the swish and rustle of costly fabrics, the scented soaps and perfumes, to say nothing of having someone swirl her hair into amazing styles. The corset, however, was another matter. She’d forgotten how binding those torturous contraptions could be, especially considering the delicious variety of food being served at every meal.
Then a most wonderful day arrived. Hearing laughter and loud talking downstairs, Lily peeked over the railing and saw that Rose had come…. Rose, the older sister who had mothered Lily since she was a tender four years of age. She and her two little ones had blown into this luxurious haven on a blustery mid-November day. Gasping with delight, Lily raced down the stairs to greet them, nearly tripping over the abundant petticoats she wasn’t used to wearing.
She ran right to Rose, who was attired in a fashionable dove-gray traveling costume. Lily wondered if Mariah had provided the lovely clothing, since Rose, too, lived in the much simpler surroundings of a small farm.
After reveling in hugs and kisses and cooing over pretty little Jenny, now four and a half, and three-year-old Ethan Nathaniel, Lily realized how sorely she missed Emma and Davy. She glanced at Rose. “Did Nate come with you?”
Mariah answered for Rose. “When does he ever?”
Giving her middle sister a patient look, Rose almost said something, but instead turned to Amy. “Dearest, would you mind taking my darlings to the kitchen for something to eat? They’ve not had a bite since early this morning.”
“We’d be delighted, won’t we, dear?” Mistress Barclay swept forth in all her regal elegance and took Jenny’s hand, while Amy latched on to Ethan’s. “It’s been months since I’ve had a chance to fatten these little cherubs up. Mariah, why don’t you take Rose upstairs to freshen up? I’ll have Cook send up a tray for you all.”
“Thank you,” Rose and Lily said as one while the matron ushered the children toward the butlery entrance behind the staircase.
“I received a note from Nate the other day,” Rose commented, accompanying her sisters up the stairs. “He and Robert hope to make it home for Christmas.”
Lily gave her an understanding smile. “Waiting can be unbearably hard.”
“Yes, but Nate’s family does what they can to help Star and me with the farm. They’ve been a real blessing to us.”
“That’s how the people of Beaver Cove have been to me. Like a family.”
“That’s lovely, you two,” Mariah piped in. “But now you’re both with your real family at long last. There couldn’t possibly be anything left to harvest, Rose, so I won’t take no for an answer. You and the children will stay here with us until Nate comes home.” Reaching the second floor, she caught both her sisters by the hand. “We shall have a marvelous time, just like when we were young. Remember how we used to talk about attending the grand balls in Bath’s assembly rooms?”
Rose chuckled. “I believe that was your dream, sister-of-mine.”
“My dream, your dream, it makes little difference. Lily’s coming-out ball is next Saturday, and the whole of northern Virginia is going to meet and be enthralled by the daughters of Harwood House.”
Rose erupted with her wonderful throaty laugh. “The daughters of Harwood House! What a clever way to put it.”
“I thought you’d be pleased. It has such a resplendent ring to it.” She hiked her perfect nose, then broke into giggles. “Come along to my dressing room. I believe I have just the gown to set off your eyes for supper this evening.”
Mariah never ceased to amaze Lily. She’d always been the beauty of the family, but so much more, as well. She possessed supreme confidence in herself. During the past months Lily had begun to attain a measure of that elusive attribute. But she now realized it was a mere shadow of Mariah’s. Even take-charge Rose was simply following along and doing her bidding.
The deeper timbre of male voices drifted up from the entry below as Mariah’s husband and father-in-law returned from a few days in Baltimore. With a joyous grin, Mariah ushered Lily and Rose into her bedchamber then left to greet the men.
At last Lily was alone with Rose. She gestured toward Mariah’s blue damask chaise, and after her older sister sank onto it, Lily joined her, perching on the edge. There was so much to tell Rose about John. Lily hoped to make her understand the need to return to him.
Rose took Lily’s hands in hers. “Baby sister, that missive I received from Nate also mentioned you’d almost been taken by Indians. Thank God you’re here now and safe with us.”
Lily nodded. “Truly, Rose, I’m thrilled to be here with you and Mariah. But I wish I were still at Beaver Cove.”
Angling her head, Rose searched Lily’s eyes. “Nate also mentioned he saw John Waldon kiss you on the mouth when he found you. And thi
s was only weeks after his wife had gone to be with the Lord, was it not?”
Lily felt her cheeks flame. “He was profoundly glad to find me unharmed. As I said in prior letters, the Waldons treated me as if I were family.”
“If ‘twas merely a brotherly kiss, why are you blushing?”
Lily hadn’t said a word to Mariah about her intention to return to the cove, because she didn’t want to be harangued day and night. But she’d never kept anything from Rose…until now. “I was embarrassed. Nate thought there was much more to the kiss.”
“Nate.” A low laugh spilled from Rose. “Is it not amazing how much a man changes once he has womenfolk to protect?”
Or how closely a woman will guard a secret when she has a love to protect. Perhaps this wasn’t the time to confide in Rose, after all.
Lily’s spirits sank. Mariah was determined to find her a husband here among the wealthy Virginians. A coming-out ball, no less. Still, Lily knew she’d have to tell her sisters about her and John soon…and somehow make them understand.
Chapter 38
As always, the richly appointed dining room with its exquisite china and silverware impressed Lily as she entered with Rose and the Barclay family. She and the others were as richly attired as the furnishings, and even the food they’d be served would be worthy of the beautiful surroundings.
Everything flowed so graciously for these people, Lily mused. The women’s hands were soft and white. No blisters or calluses ever marred them, no redness from lye soap. They’d never bent to cook over a hot hearth, washed a soiled dish, or boiled and scrubbed dirt and stains from worn work clothes. They’d never spent evenings at a spinning wheel or darning stockings, spent days behind a plow or in the stable helping a mother cow give birth. So why couldn’t she embrace all Mariah wanted to offer?
Lily’s gaze gravitated to Mariah and her strikingly handsome husband as he flawlessly assisted his wife into her seat. Only a small scar at his temple gave evidence to the battle wound that had blinded him. And with Mariah’s impeccable taste, Lily surmised her sister had some dashing, refined gentleman picked out for her, as well.
From the head of the table, Mr. Barclay spoke down the lengthy expanse in his easy Virginia drawl. “Cora, my dear, Colin and I stopped by for a short visit with Victoria on our way home. She asked how your arrangements for the ball were comin’. She and Heather are both countin’ the days.”
Colin chuckled. “Tori’s simply devastated that the fabric she ordered for her gown has not come. The poor, put-upon dear had to choose some utterly dreadful brocaded silk.”
“Colin,” his mother scolded, “you shouldn’t belittle your sister. It’s most important to maintain a certain standing among our friends. I’m quite proud of Victoria and the added grace and elegance she’s brought to that household. I can say the same about Heather, also, since her marriage to Evan Greer.”
Grace and elegance. Lily suppressed a smirk. The thought of any of her cove neighbors seeking a wife to add grace and elegance to his home was laughable. Those men chose capable wives, women who could work alongside them to build a home and a life together—and fight with them to save it, should need be.
Seated next to Lily, Rose nudged her with an elbow then turned to their host. “Mr. Barclay, did you perchance hear any news of the war while you were in Baltimore?”
“No, lass. With winter upon us, things should remain quiet until next spring.”
Colin turned his vacant stare in Rose’s general direction. “There was that one tidbit about the captured French soldier who got separated from the Indians he was supposedly leading, and they all disappeared on him.” He gave a hearty laugh. “After a week of starving, the illustrious leader stumbled onto one of the forts along the Susquehanna and gave himself up.”
Lily nodded. “Fort Henry.”
“I believe so. Wasn’t that where your Mr. Waldon was posted?”
“Yes. Did the Frenchman give any other information?”
Colin shook his head. “Just that he’d been dispatched from Fort Duquesne with some thirty-odd Indians to harass the settlements along the frontier.”
“Which they do quite viciously.” Lily swept a glance around. “Once they sneak past the string of outposts on our side of the river, they separate into parties of five or six and attack lone farmsteads in sundry places, burning and murdering as they go.”
“Rather ingenious, really,” Colin admitted. “A small number can keep a much larger population on edge, wondering where they will strike next.”
Lily knew that all too well. “Quite. They’re rather successful at frightening settlers into abandoning their homes and leaving the area.”
Mr. Barclay entered the conversation. “It’s imperative that our forces take Fort Duquesne next spring and stop the supply of goods that buy the services of the Indian tribes.”
“Will the British generals finally do that?” Lily met the older man’s gaze.
A crystal bell rang at Mistress Barclay’s end as the hostess signaled for the food. “Please. No more war talk at the dinner table.”
“Quite right, my dear.” Her husband cleared his throat. “How are your plans for the ball coming?”
How easy it was for these people to dismiss the war and any other unpleasantness, Lily thought bleakly.
“The Kinsales have sent their acceptance,” Amy said.
Across the table, Mariah raised a meaningful eyebrow. “A reply we’ve been most anxiously waiting for, wouldn’t you say, Amy?”
The young miss turned a becoming shade of pink, a sure sign of blossoming love.
At that moment, the butler and Pansy, the maid, brought in trays of delectable-smelling food. Everyone waited as the house servants carefully dished portions of ham and glazed vegetables on each person’s china plate, then left as quietly as they’d come.
No passing of heaping bowls or platters around here, Lily thought.
“Let us give thanks.” Mr. Barclay bowed his head. “Our gracious heavenly Father, we thank You for Your generosity and the bounty You provide. We pray for Your continued protection over Rose’s husband and all those who are fighting to save our western frontiers. Please give our British generals the wisdom and fortitude to go forth next spring and end this threat to the settlers. We ask this in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus. Amen.”
As Lily raised her head, she realized the wealthy people at this table made up a fine Christian family who cared about the plight of others. She also knew for a certainty that no matter how much they wanted her to be part of them, they were not her family. She didn’t need three months to conclude her family lived 150 miles away in Beaver Cove. But how would she ever find a way to make her sisters understand she wanted to give up all this luxury and safety for a life of danger and hardship?
Be honest.
“Come and get it!” The call echoed over the incessant clatter of pounding, chopping, and sawing. John glanced down from the roof of the new MacBride cabin to see Edith Randall holding her woolen shawl close as she waved an arm over her head. The noon meal was ready.
The hardworking men were eating much better since a few of the womenfolk had returned to the valley, though most meals had to be consumed outside in the damp December weather at whichever farmstead they happened to be working. As Edith’s smaller children ran toward the long tables set up in the yard, the menfolk ambled from their tasks at a slower, but no less eager, pace.
“I could eat a horse,” Bob commented from the other side of the roof.
Pounding a peg through a shingle, John grinned at his friend. The Randall cabin had been the first one completed, since Edith feared her aging parents in Chestertown wouldn’t be able to endure her rambunctious brood for long. She and the little ones had been back for almost a month now. Millie and Cissy Dunlap came soon after, Cissy being too enamored with young Donald to stay away.
An unbidden vision of Lily, smudged nose and all, gazing up at him with those bewitching silvery eyes made John’s smil
e die as he crossed the sloping surface to the ladder. If only…
He stifled a heavy sigh. This last house would be finished by day’s end, giving Pat and Ian’s family time to return to the cove for Christmas and him and his boys time to reach Philadelphia. The Gilfords had extended an invitation to celebrate the holy days with them, and John hoped that would perk up Matt and Luke. Their hangdog expressions showed they missed Lily almost as much as he did.
Reaching the bottom rung, he saw Cal burying his hatchet in a stump where he’d been shaving shingles. John waited for his pal to catch up, then gave him a friendly slap on the back. “Almost through.”
“All of us workin’ together sure has helped things go faster.” Cal pulled off his canvas gloves. “Still, it’s hard to believe we’ve rebuilt five cabins and animal shelters in seven weeks.”
John nodded. “Thank heaven for all the October rains. Without them, a lot more would’ve burned. We were able to reuse an amazing number of logs and boards. That was a blessing.”
“Wish Nancy’d change her mind an’ bring the young’uns back here when the MacBride women come. There hasn’t been a sign of Indians anywhere below Blue Mountain since the attack on our cove.”
“That’s right. I forgot you and the MacBrides came here together.”
“Aye. We all hail from Queenstown.”
John picked a splinter from his palm as they strode along. “I doubt Richard and his family will come back even next spring. They might after the hostilities are over, though.”
“That makes three families we’ve lost.”
“I regret the loss of Richard Shaw the most. Young as he is, he worked hard to prove up his place. Maybe if their children had been a bit older…”
Daughters of Harwood House Trilogy : Three Romances Tell the Saga of Sisters Sold into Indentured Service (9781630586140) Page 93