The sway of her hips leaving the room begged him to follow, but he didn’t. He would never allow himself to fall in love, only to lose her to poverty or disease. His heart would be forever shattered. The only thing that mattered in the world was money. And he would stop at nothing to restore his fortune.
ChapterNine
Cora satby the fire in her room, hearing Ed’s words over and over in her head. He couldn’t have children. Could she marry a man who couldn’t give her a family, not to be able to fill the large home with the sound of little feet running through the halls, to live in this space with no company beyond each other? She’d traveled all this way to rebuild what she’d lost, only to lose it again.
Worse, she’d been brought here on a lie. There was never a husband waiting for her in San Francisco. She’d traveled all this way for no man and no marriage. She hated Ed for what he’d done. The embarrassment of it all.
She rubbed the tightness from her chest. The way he’d rejected her hurt worse than his confession.
What would tomorrow bring? She had no real proposal, and she had nowhere to go and no money. Ed was right. She could end up worse than in this house. It didn’t mean she wanted to be here a minute longer, though. She certainly didn’t want to face Ed’s temperament and his rejection.
She’d been raised to believe God had a path for her. Perhaps his will wasn’t for her to marry. But what purpose could a woman have if not to be a wife and mother? It’s what she’d been raised to be since childhood. But if it wasn’t God’s will, it would never be.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
She collected her emotions and pushed away her depressing thoughts. “Enter.”
Grace opened the door, and two servants placed the fabrics from the factory, a package of what she assumed were the adornments, and a sewing kit on her bed. “Mr. Neal wanted to make sure you received these promptly since you haven’t much time. I’m not much of a seamstress, but I’m happy to help.”
“No thank you, but I do have a question you might be able to assist me with.”
“Yes, Miss McKinnie.” Grace lit up at the possibility of helping. The girl was truly a servant at heart, not just by trade.
“I need to know what’s appropriate to serve for a lavish party. Is Cook available?”
“She’s busy preparing dinner.” Grace looked to her shoes then up again and bounced up on her toes. “I have an idea.” Grace clapped her hands together. “There’s a book I’ll fetch for you. It’s in Cook’s room. Be right back.”
Cora lifted the fine fabric and remembered the exquisite gowns Mary showed her from the catalog she’d brought and the New York Times article on proper fashion. Mary had read the same article aloud so many times, Cora had memorized the words. She mumbled them to herself. “One thing only is indispensable, and that is a train. Provided the train is long and the skirt narrow, the rest of the dress may be left to providence. Only ignorant women or vulgar now wear crinoline so that it can be detected. Sashes have become the most important accessory of the toilette. No dress is complete without them.”
Now more than anything, she appreciated Mary’s instruction on proper fashion. If she were to pull off Ed commissioning a gown from the best, then she needed to make a dress like none other she’d ever made before.
She studied the fabric, remembering what she could about how the full-train skirt was flat at the front and sides but gathered in the back. The only thing she struggled with was the neckline. She touched the edges of her dress under her chin. Could she be daring enough to create a dress with a low neckline and off-the-shoulder sleeves? It would definitely gain the attention of the men.
Grace returned and held out a red book with gold writing that saidThe Habits of Good Society: A Handbook for Ladies and Gentlemen.
Cora took it and flipped through, overwhelmed with so many rules and responsibilities of entertaining. She had so much to learn about modern hosting, and it had been so long ago since she’d helped prepare the house for the last ball her mother had thrown. The book, heavy in her hands, weighed as heavy on her mind. “Thank you for this. I’ll read through it tonight.”
“Dinner will be served in fifteen minutes.” Grace backed towards the door.
Cora struggled with the thought of seeing Ed at the moment. Her disappointment still hung heavy on her heart, and she needed time to think. “Please send my apologies. I’m not up for dinner at the moment.
“I don’t know that Mr. Neal will be happy. He’s already waiting downstairs. I’ve never seen him early for dinner before. I usually have to nudge him from his office.” Grace fidgeted with the cuff of her sleeve. “I shouldn’t say, but I think Mr. Neal is sorry for whatever he’s done wrong. He looks different than I’ve ever seen him. He’s always been sad, but he looks…I don’t know, broken?”
The wind whistled outside, and the sun faded, giving way for night. “Mr. Neal is many things. Broken would not be a word I’d use to describe him. I’m sure he’d prefer a quiet meal this evening. It’ll be fine. Tell him I have a headache.” Cora didn’t want to obey any more of Ed’s commands and decided she’d start following her own conscience. He didn’t deserve her respect when he’d lied to her and barked orders at her all the time.
“I’ll tell him.” Grace mumbled something under her breath as she left, but Cora had no desire to continue the conversation, so she went to work choosing which fabric to use for the dress. She recalled Mary telling her red was the color of confidence and sophistication.
Loud footsteps in the hall followed by two pounds on her door warned of Ed’s displeasure at her message.
Cora steadied her nerves then called out, “Yes, come in.”
Ed swung the door open. “Dinner’s getting cold.”
The aroma of hearty meats and sweet pastries wafted up from downstairs, tapping at her resolve. “Yes, well, I need to work if I’m going to be a woman deserving of your arm at the party. I still need to plan the menu and decorations, deliver invitations, and make my dress. Besides, I’m sure you prefer to eat alone. I’d only be a distraction.”
“I didn’t mean…”
“It’s exactly what you meant. You’ve told me the truth. Let’s not return to lying now.” Cora draped the blue fabric around her to see how it fell.
