1609366867 Read Online Free Page A

we’ll muddle through somehow. A duller man never drew breath.”
    “I’m not sure that’s true, Mother,” Jacquie said. “He’s quite amiable.”
    “Still, all that talk of steel and such will likely wear on my nerves. Perhaps I should take a headache powder to calm myself before he arrives.”
    “I’ll do my best to be polite.” Jacquie leaned down and wrapped her arms around her mother’s neck. “And in case I haven’t said it, Mama, I’m so thankful. When I think of what you’ve done for me, the lengths you’ve gone to…” She fought back tears, determined not to let her emotions get the best of her once again. Still, she could hardly imagine the efforts her mother and grandmother had gone to. How could she ever repay them?
    Her mother turned and patted her hand. “Don’t give it another thought. Just live your life, honey. Be happy enough for the both of us.”
    “I will.” A ripple of guilt washed over Jacquie, but she pushed it away. No time for that today. Mama would eventually forgive her. Hopefully Father would, too, though his forgiveness might be longer in coming.
    “Now, we must busy ourselves with your trousseau,” hermother said. “Your father has instructed me to spare no expense. He will be suspicious if we don’t order up new clothes for you for your honeymoon.”
    “New clothes?”
    “Of course. Every new bride gets a trousseau. I’ve been thinking about how pretty you look in creams and pinks. Just perfect for spring. What do you think about charmeuse silk for your going-away dress?” Mama’s eyes sparkled. “We’re not being dishonest if we call it a going-away dress, after all. You are going away.” She gave Jacquie a kiss on the cheek. “And I’ve always thought charmeuse silk to be the loveliest on the market. So shiny, and it drapes beautifully.”
    The next few minutes were spent in hushed conversation about various wardrobe pieces. Before long Mother had made a list of the silks, satins, and other fabrics she planned to purchase for Jacquie’s trip to America.
    “We will keep Mrs. O’Shea busy with our requests,” she said. “But she’s a fast worker and will deliver what we ask for, even if it means working through the night. I won’t have my daughter boarding the world’s finest luxury liner in her old dresses.”
    “What will I do with the ones I no longer require?” Jacquie asked.
    Mama shrugged. “Don’t fret about that. Perhaps we can give them to the poor.”
    A strange notion, to Jacquie’s way of thinking. “Mother, I doubt the poor will know what to do with my coming-out dresses and such. They don’t see a lot of need for panne velvet or crepe-back satin.”
    “Hmm. We can think about that another day, I suppose. For now, I want to keep my thoughts on your upcoming pretties. Oh, and we will need to order new corsets too, of course. Something befitting a bride.” She gave Jacquie a little wink. “A bride without a groom.”
    This bride might have a groom hiding in the wings, Mother, so buy the prettiest corsets available. Pick an exquisite silk damask with the most delicate embroidery and lovely satin roses. Only the best for my husband.
    Though she tried to keep her giggles at bay, she could not. Jacquie felt her cheeks warm as unladylike thoughts traveled through her mind. Determined to stay focused, she smiled at her mother. “Well, let’s get to work, shall we?”
    They spent the next hour listing a variety of wardrobe items for her trousseau, which would be sewn by Mrs. O’Shea, Mother’s favorite seamstress. Surely the woman would be delighted at the influx of work. And no one else could be trusted with such an undertaking. Hadn’t Mrs. O’Shea provided Jacquie’s sumptuous party dresses over the past many years? Didn’t she specialize in ball gowns that made the young men swoon with delight?
    Jacquie envisioned a wide range of new dresses in whites, blues, and creams. Velvet ribbons would trim out the new gowns with their