“Ha! I don’t know that one can do otherwise, given Morristown is overrun with Patriots.”
“Chatham too,” Coralie told her, biting into the sweet.
“The army will soon be moving on,” Mae said, careful to keep regret from her tone. “Everything shall return to normal—the churches ceasing to be hospitals, Lowantica Valley a field instead of an encampment, and our villages soldier free.”
Aunt Verity turned away from the window. “Are you still billeting James and officers?”
Mae nodded. “Just James and Captain Sperry on occasion.”
“Much as I miss them, I’m glad your parents didn’t live to witness all this commotion. Their peace-loving souls would be torn in two.” She spooned sugar into her tea. “And what of the lieutenant you mentioned last visit, Coralie? Is he still in New York?”
“Somewhere between New York City and the Hudson River Valley, I believe.”
“How is he faring?”
“He’s confident the conflict is over or soon will be. His letters are full of his assurances that the British will triumph.”
Aunt Verity’s thinning brows nearly touched her hairline. “He’sBritish?”
“I may have forgotten to mention it,” Coralie replied, finishing her cake.
With a reproving cluck of her tongue, Aunt Verity stole another look out the glass. “As for your lieutenant’s assurances, he might change his mind were he to meet General Washington. The man oozes confidence and conviction. He gives no indication of surrendering whatsoever, I assure you.”
Coralie smiled thinly. “Well, appearances are deceptive, as is said.”
“Indeed,” their aunt replied tartly. “In that vein, a great many British officers are blinded by their arrogance. I can only hope your Lieutenant Gibbs isn’t one of them.”
Mae felt a little thrill of triumph at her sister’s set-down. Lately Coralie’s own arrogance seemed to bloom, widening the chasm between them.
Coralie frowned. “Are you in danger of becoming a Patriot, Aunt?”
“I desire peace foremost, but if I had to choose sides, I prefer the Patriot cause, yes.”
“Then that makes two of you,” Coralie said, sending Mae a sore glance. “Though my sister says she is neutral, she is not.”
“And why, my dear, are you attending a Continental ball if you are aligned with the British?” Aunt Verity turned the full force of her gaze on her youngest niece. “I sincerely hope your motive isn’t to spy. I won’t abide a spy in my house.”
Mae’s shock gave way to amusement. For a trice Coralie looked as if she’d swallowed a needle, so pained was her expression. “I—well, I simply crave a bit of merriment, and we were kindly extended an invitation.”
“I doubt an invitation would have been forthcoming were your true allegiance known,” their aunt continued, pinning Coralie with her shrewd, close-set eyes. “Let Mae have her shining moment. You shall stay here with me.”
As Mae dressed for the ball, Coralie sulked in the parlor below. Mae could feel her sister’s contrariness clear to the second floor. Undeterred, Aunt Verity helped her dress while humming a tune that sounded suspiciously like “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
Shift. Stays. Stockings and garters. Then the confection of a dress. Mae felt like a spring bouquet in such sumptuous, colorful silk. She splashed a bit of rose water on her wrists, stood back, and studied her reflection in the looking glass till a knock on the door curtailed her scrutiny. Aunt Verity returned, something in hand.
“I’ve been saving this for your wedding day, but now seems the right occasion.” She opened a velvet box and removed a three-tiered choker of pearls. “’Tis your grandmother’s necklace, given to your mother, her firstborn, on her wedding day.”
Mae marveled at the necklace and its antique clasp, which Aunt Verity fastened at the back of her neck. The pearls were cool against her skin, the perfect pairing with her gown.
“Pearls suit you, as does silk.” Aunt Verity stood back, her approval apparent. “Madame Jaquett’s creation, I suppose? And in the polonaise style? Exquisite!”
“Coralie ordered the gown for me.” Mae smoothed the looped-up skirt. “I’ve not danced since mourning Father and Mother. I hope I’m not stumbling rather than stepping.”
“Nonsense. The officers will be so pleased to partner with you, you’ll have no time to worry. Prepare for an onslaught of attention.” Her aunt’s admiring smile put Mae at ease. “Now, off with you. James is below to see you safely across the street in your pattens.”
Mae’s thoughts swung to Samantha. Had James asked her to come? Or had she declined?
Her brother stood alone by the front door, waiting.
