In Good Company by Jen Turano Read Free Book Online Page A

Longfellow has a visitor. He gave his name as Mr. Everett Mulberry. May I tell him Miss Longfellow is receiving this evening?”
    “Of course she’s receiving, Mr. Kenton. Tell Mr. Mulberry she’ll be down directly.”
    “Tell him I’m not available,” Millie called.
    “Do no such thing, Mr. Kenton,” Abigail countered. “Millie is certainly available, and she’ll receive Mr. Mulberry in the drawing room in five minutes, ten at the most.”
    “Very good, ma’am.”
    Listening to Mr. Kenton’s departing footsteps, Millie frowned at Abigail, who’d turned away from the door and was beaming back at her. “I have no desire to see Mr. Mulberry, and since I am in the middle of my bath, which does, indeed, make me unavailable, you’ll need to go and make my excuses to the man.”
    “You’ve been complaining that your water is getting cold. That means you’ll have to get out of the tub soon to avoid freezing to death, making you available to speak with Mr. Mulberry.”
    “Perhaps I’ve decided to heed Lucetta’s advice and enjoy the benefits cold water is supposed to deliver to my skin.”
    Abigail shook a finger in Millie’s direction. “I’ll give you ten minutes to make yourself presentable, and do make certain to choose a suitable frock to wear.” With that, and before Millie could voice another protest, Abigail opened the door and slipped into the hallway, closing the door firmly shut behind her.
    “Your unexpected return has certainly put a lovely bounce in Abigail’s step.” Lucetta said as she rubbed her gloved hands together. “Why, she’s fairly bursting with schemes, and I, for one, could not be more delighted, especially since she’s definitely fixed her scheming ways on you.”
    Lucetta glided over to the door. “I’ll just go keep that scrumptious Everett company while you make yourself presentable.” Lucetta drifted out of the bathing chamber, the distinct sound of laughter following her.
    Seeing no point in remaining in a tub of cold water withbubbles that were rapidly disappearing, Millie climbed out, wrapped herself in a soft bundle of fine linen, and moved to her adjoining room. To her surprise, Miss Bertha Miller, an older woman Abigail had recently hired on as a maid, was already waiting for her, a situation that sent apprehension racing down Millie’s spine.
    Bertha made no secret of the fact she absolutely adored Abigail, that adoration cemented forever when Abigail had hired the woman on the spot after she’d learned Bertha had been unable to secure employment due to being almost sixty years old. That kindness meant Bertha was incredibly loyal to Abigail, and that loyalty, mixed with the pesky little fact Bertha seemed to be holding a lot of blue silk in her arms, had Millie’s apprehension turning to downright alarm.
    “I was just about to come and prod you out of the tub, but you’ve saved me that bother,” Bertha said as she marched determinedly Millie’s way. “Mrs. Hart is of the belief you might be a little confused about her request to dress in something suitable, so she sent me to assist you with . . . this.” Bertha shook out the silk and smiled. “Isn’t it lovely?”
    “Without question it is, but I think a dinner dress might be a little too much for wearing about the house, particularly since I’m not exactly planning on going out to dine this evening.”
    “Mrs. Hart went to the extreme bother of taking your measurements to Arnold Constable & Company to get you this perfect gown, which she has requested you wear tonight. Because of that, I’m sure you won’t want to repay that bother by refusing to wear her gift, or any of the other garments she purchased for you.”
    Millie’s brow scrunched together. “Other garments?”
    “She ordered you a new wardrobe.”
    “Why would she have done that?”
    “To help you on your way toward getting settled, of course. Something I and the rest of the staff are in full agreement with.” She held up the