When she told Beatrice Butler she was leaving, the restaurant owner gave her a hug. “I’m so sorry to see you go, but I do understand. I was a bit worried, you know.” “About what?” Beatrice’s eyebrows raised in amusement. “Did you think I didn’t know...
In all her fifteen years, this was the worst day of her life. She thought again and quickly corrected herself. No, not quite the worst because the worst was five years ago when Papa died. That would make today the second worst . . . No. The second worst was the day Mama ma...
She dug in her heels and pressed her palms to the wooden sides of the bathing machine. "No, we shall not, Mama," answered Lady Flora Winton, Lady Rensley’s older daughter. As usual, Flora exercised great patience in her reply, having long since learned to curb her exaspera...
The guests had either departed or gone to bed. For the second time in a week, Clarinda stood before her father’s desk in the library. Papa was seated, wordlessly staring at her in stunned surprise. Mama stood next to him, nose pinched with outrage. Clarinda had thought the other day was bad, but ...
One look told Lucinda her cousin was bursting to talk. “I couldn’t say a word in front of Mama,” gushed Althea, her eyes bright with excitement. “She says she won’t tell Papa and I believe her, but she might let something slip.” Lucinda, who was sit...
By noon Clint had still not returned. Cordelia stayed hidden in her wagon, leaving Nathaniel, Chadwick, and their two hired men to fend for themselves for their meals. Some of the wives, including Lucy, gladly gave biscuits, beans, and pancakes to the hungry men, but all knew such generosity coul...
Making love with Douglas had opened a new world of pleasure, delight, and wild passion, all of which she had never known in all twenty-six years of what she now considered a bland, boring life. One thing was certain: after today, she would never be the same. Even so, despite her newfound euphoria...