The 15th Star (A Lisa Grace History - Mystery) Read Online Free

Bethany, “I can take off the ribbons and the flowers,” she said. Mrs. Bethany nodded.
    She took out a pair of gloves, “for winter,” she said. and then a knit scarf and shawl.
    She looked up to Mrs. Bethany to see if she had overstepped her bounds.
    “I think there might be a pretty nightgown in there. I just can’t bend with my back,” she motioned with her hand, “keep looking. I know it’s in there.”
    Grace pulled out a white silk nightgown, trimmed with lace down the front and along the hem. There were white ribbons to tie along the wrists and the neck to keep the cold out. It was one of the prettiest she had ever seen.
    “Since you will be wearing it at night, alone in your room, I don’t think you should waste your time removing the lace and ribbons,” Mrs. Bethany said.
    Grace looked up at her and whispered, “Thank you.”
    She folded the gown and put it in the middle of the scarf and the shawl so no one would see. “I’ll go upstairs now, fix a dress quick, change, and get to work for you and Mrs. Pickersgill right away,” Grace said, and so she did.
    ***
    The next few days Grace learned the basics of cutting for the different flags. She learned the names for them and all the different colors. Sunday, her day off, came and Grace decided to sleep in. A little after dawn, Mrs. Bethany came knocking on her door. “Girl, what’s wrong with you? Time to get up. The whole house is going to church.”
    “ Today is my day. I’m not goin.” Grace mumbled from her pillow.
    “ What makes you think you aren’t? You need to be thanking the Lord for your blessings in His house, on His day.”
    “ I’m free. I can do what I want. Mrs. Pickersgill said today is my day and I’m takin it. I thank the Lord everyday. I do prayin all the time. ‘sides He won’t miss me today.”
    Bethany went away muttering under her breath, muffled by the closed door.
    A few minutes later there was another knock and before Grace could say anything the door opened and Mrs. Rebecca, Mrs. Pickersgill’s mother, came in.
    Grace sat up pulling the covers up to hide the pretty nightgown in case she said something about taking it back.
    “Good morning Grace.”
    “ Morning Ma’am,” Grace said.
    “ Mrs. Bethany has said you would like to take the day off from God’s house this morning.”
    “ Yes Ma’am,” Grace said.
    “ We can not allow that. Grace, this is a Christian home and people would talk if we let our servants stay home. We must set an example and you must too.”
    “ But I’m not a servant Ma’am. I am free employed,” Grace said. “Will Mrs. Pickersgill let me go if I won’t go?”
    “ Grace, you get dressed for church now. We will discuss this again when we get back.” Mrs. Rebecca left the room and quietly shut the door.
    Grace could tell Mrs. Rebecca was not going to let her stay in bed this morning. Grace would go just this once. They would talk this afternoon and Grace would let them know, kindly of course, that she planned to spend an occasional morning off in bed. She worked hard from sunup to sundown and her free day was her free day to decide on what she would do with it.
    After church, Mrs. Rebecca asked Grace to sit with her in the kitchen. Mrs. Rebecca held the paper in her hand that Grace had put her mark to the day she arrived.
    “Mary had some social calls to return this afternoon so she asked me to sit and answer any questions you may have about your employment contract.”
    “ Thank you, Ma’am.” Grace decided she would smile politely, listen, and then inform Mrs. Rebecca that she planned to sleep in late at least one Sunday a month.
    “ Grace, an indentured servant is considered a servant. My daughter has agreed to pay you a small wage in addition to supplying you your clothing, meals, and lodging. If you like, and if you have the savings, you may buy yourself out of the contract.”
    But I ’m not indentured, I’m free!” Grace answered shocked.
    “ Grace, according to