In Name Only by Ellen Gable Read Free Book Online Page A

most dire predicament.  How would
she find suitable accommodations for the young servant?  She had told her uncle
that she wished to visit the minister’s wife later this week and was hopeful
that the kind woman would be able to offer some information as to where Selly
could stay for the duration of her confinement.
    “Carrie!” she
heard Elizabeth calling to her.
    Caroline
straightened and walked to meet her cousin halfway to the house. 
    “Carrie, I must
speak with you,” she whispered.  Her cousin was frowning.
    “What ever is the
matter?”
    “Is it true that
you plan to find some sort of home for Selly?”
    “Lizzie, the poor
girl is with child and in need of. . .”
    “Yes, I realize
that, dear sister, but servants tend to their own.  You need not worry about
such a matter.”
    “Lizzie, you are
my new sister, are you not?”
    Her cousin’s face
brightened.  “Why, yes, certainly I am.”
    “Then you need to
support me in assisting this poor girl.  I could be her right now if it weren’t
for you and Uncle.”
    Elizabeth stepped
back, and at first her mouth turned into a thin worried line, then a smile
formed. “Very well.  I shall be a humanitarian.  Whatever you need, Papa and I
shall provide.”
    Caroline leaned
in to embrace her.  “You are too kind.”
     
     
     
    Chapter 4
     
    Two days later,
Caroline descended the back staircase to the kitchen.  Although she hadn’t
taken note of the room before, she found it to be spacious with two cast iron
cooking stoves which lined the far wall and a large wooden table with a
grinding apparatus attached to it in the center of the room.  Servant bells
lined the wall above the door.  Patsie was chopping a yellow squash at the
center table and Selly was washing dishes at a long table which lined the
outside wall.  The smell of baking bread caused Caroline’s mouth to water and,
for a moment, she forgot why she had come down to the kitchen.
    “Well now, top o’
the mornin’, Miss Caroline,” said Patsie.  Selly turned around and nodded her
greeting.
    “Selly?”
    “What is it,
Miss?”
    “I intend to
speak with a woman at the church to find you a place where you can stay for the
duration of your confinement.”
    “You’ve been so
kind. Thank you.”
    “You should not
be going through this alone.”
    Just outside the
kitchen, a loud voice bellowed. “Get the damn horse or I’ll be telling Mr.
Martin to fire your black ass.”
    One of the bells
above the door began to ring.
    “I must go.  I do
not wish for him to see me,” Selly was wiping her hands on her apron and
walking toward the stairs to the main floor.
    “Him?”
    “Mr. David,” she
whispered, and pointed toward the back door.
    “Yes, well, I
want to see him.  I should like to tell him what’s on my mind.”
    “But, Miss,”
Patsie called out.  “Sure an’ ye can’t be talkin’ ta a man by yer lonesome,
tain’t proper. I’m just after tellin’ ye that.”
    “I’m not alone. 
You’ll be in the kitchen.  Besides, it’s improper for a man to not take
responsibility for his child.”
    Patsie shook her
head as Caroline rushed out the doorway.  David O’Donovan was speaking to the
black servant.  She had no idea what they were discussing, but Mr. O’Donovan
had a distinct frown on his face.  She approached him, her chin raised. The
moment that he noticed her, his expression softened and he became charming,
almost inviting.
    “Miss Martin, to
what do I owe the pleasure of your company?”  As he spoke, she could smell
alcohol on his breath.  She stepped back, kept silent and glared at him.
    “Pray tell, have
I done something to displease you?” he asked, his mouth curved in slight
amusement.
    “Displease may be
an understatement, sir.” She regarded him with the angriest scowl she could
muster.
    “Well, you
certainly have gotten my attention, young lady.  And may I just say that you
are looking lovely today, despite the frown on your beautiful