The Quaker and the Rebel by Mary Ellis Read Free Book Online Page A

monitor until her bedtime. Guests from Louisville were already arriving and would stay at the mansion for several days. Their neighbors in Parkersburg would float downriver on flatboats to participate in the evening festivities. Lila explained that local dinner guests would also spend the night and return home after breakfast.
    “Why are they making such a to-do over an evening meal?” asked Emily as she and Lila laid out the clothes Margaret and Anne would wear. “How can people linger five or six hours over dinner? What can they find to talk about for so long?” She shook her head. “My family always ate supper and returned to whatever they still needed to do that day.”
    “I suppose it’s something you get used to.” Lila set out dainty slippers for both girls. “And once you see the number of courses, you’ll understand why dinner takes so long. Just don’t eat much of any one food.” She held up Emily’s new yellow silk dress. “Will you wear this one? I can lace you into your corset while the girls are bathing.”
    Emily blanched. “I don’t own such an undergarment, only plain chemises.”
    Lila stared in disbelief. “Good thing you’re as skinny as a bean stalk. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” She bolted out the door before Emily could object.
    She stared at the yellow gown and three daytime dresses, all gifts from Mrs. Bennington. Her employers were pleased with their daughters’ progress. Margaret’s deportment had improved, and her French was practically fluent. Little Annie no longer stampeded through the upper halls and had stopped sliding down the bannister on her belly. Emily had originally declined the offer of new frocks, but she relentedafter viewing her meager wardrobe hanging on the clothesline. Due to frequent launderings, sunlight streamed through the faded fabric, rendering the material nearly transparent.
    Emily fingered the gown, having never owned anything like it. It was tightly fitted from the bodice down to her hips, where billows of tiered lace cascaded to the floor. Delicate white cuffs set off the pale shade of buttercup, and lace edging accented the deep neckline.
    “Hurry, Miss Harrison. Shimmy into this.” Lila flew into the bedroom and thrust a stiff apparatus at her. “Miss Margaret outgrew this one before ever wearing it. I’ll turn my back.”
    Emily studied the garment to determine top from bottom and drew it up over her hips. Despite her skinny-as-a-stalk frame, she had to hold her breath to close the hooks-and-eyes.
    “Turn around and I’ll lace you up. Then I must leave to help Miss Margaret. Shall I send in another maid?” asked Lila, already knowing the answer. All of the other maids were slaves.
    “No, thank you.” Emily was barely able to inhale as Lila tightened the stays. “I can manage. You run along when you’re done. And don’t worry about me eating too much. That would be impossible wearing this. I’m not sure I’ll be able to even sit down.”
    Once alone in the room, Emily slipped the dress over her head and struggled to reach the row of buttons in back. Then she lowered herself to the stool before her mirror and pinned her freshly washed hair into a cluster of curls atop her head. Springy tendrils slipped loose to frame her face. Her burnished cheeks glowed, inappropriately suntanned from her walks without a hat. Emily touched rouge to her lips, dabbed lemon balm on her pulse points, and sucked in a deep breath.
    On her way downstairs, she caught her reflection in the mirror. She didn’t recognize the woman who gazed back.
    “Miss Harrison, there you are. I’d like you to meet some of my guests,” boomed Dr. Bennington before she reached the landing.
    “Good evening, Dr. Bennington.” Emily bobbed her head politely. “Perhaps I should check on Anne or Margaret.”
    “Nonsense, they’ll be fine. We don’t stand on ceremony on mylittle island. Relax a bit tonight.” He took her forearm and practically dragged her out on the