by Bess McBride
“Let’s see what Cook has prepared for us.”
He brought out a plate of roasted chicken, a bowl of potato salad, a packet of cheese, bread, several slices of chocolate cake, bananas, two apples, raisins and almonds. Ellie eyed the large hamper with amazement. It seemed bottomless, like some magician’s hat. The food just kept coming.
“Is there anything here that you can eat? I see that there are some things without meat, but will it be enough to satisfy your hunger?”
“I doubt if I can eat anything while I’m wearing this corset, but yes, there is plenty of food.” She ran a hand along her narrow waist.
Robert paused and stared at her waist with a frown.
“You look to be in pain, Ellie. You must do away with that silly thing. I don’t know why women wear them anyway.”
Ellie raised an amused eyebrow. “Well, in my case, I can’t get into Melinda’s clothes without them.”
“We should have a seamstress come by tomorrow. She can adjust a few things. Please do not wear that thing again. I do not like to see you so miserable. I want you to be happy here.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to wear it again. I’m fairly sure I’ve cracked a rib...or two.” She grinned, wondering about the improbability of discussing her underwear with a man she’d met only the day before...in the late Victorian/early Edwardian era.
“Ummm...Robert? Don’t you think it’s strange that we are discussing my...underwear?”
He ladled some potato salad onto her plate and flashed his dimples. A bronze tinge touched his cheeks.
“Actually, yes, I do, Ellie. Very odd! In fact, I cannot say that I have ever had a discussion with a woman about her...em...undergarments.”
Ellie saw an opening and went for it with an arched eyebrow in his direction. “Not once, Robert?”
While Robert busily searched the basket for wine and glasses, Ellie watched with glee as his hands stilled. He turned to her with a decidedly bright red face.
“I...em... Well, that is...” He scanned a mysterious spot over her shoulder in the distance.
“Oh, Robert, you should see your face.” Ellie broke out into a rib-clutching laugh, the more so because her clothes did not allow for expansion. “It’s priceless. No need to answer, Mr. Chamberlain. I would assume at your age that you are no...uh...saint.”
“Ellie,” he reprimanded, his color still high. “I hardly think this is an appropriate subject for discussion.” He tossed back the entire goblet of wine he’d just poured.
She patted his hand, loving him all the more for his charming vulnerability. “Don’t worry, Robert. I won’t bring it up again. Unless you do.”
His color receded, and he reached for a slice of bread with an unsteady hand.
“Thank you,” he murmured, busily making a sandwich as if it were the most challenging task he had faced to date.
The imp on Ellie’s shoulder goaded her.
“But you will tell me some time, won’t you?” she prodded. “Whether you’ve been a saint or not, that is?”
She gurgled with laughter when he dropped his sandwich.
“Ellie, I really must insist you stop this line of questioning. It is not seemly.”
“I know,” she said with a quirked brow and a mischievous grin as she bit into an apple. Undaunted, she continued to chuckle. “I’m from the twenty-first century, you know, Robert. Things are different now.”
“Now or then?” he muttered while he tried to pick up the pieces of his bedraggled sandwich.
“Then.”
“I see. Well, I’m sure it must be very...adventurous in your time, Ellie. We are not so bold at this time.”
“We are. Besides, I thought you said you loved that about me—that I’m so different. Remember? Just a few moments ago?”
He tossed back another glass of wine and eyed her with a raised brow. “Really, was it only a few moments ago?”
She nodded, forgetting the weight of her hat.
“Mmmm-hmmm.”
“And what about you, Ellie?”
Busily adjusting her hat, which seemed in danger of sliding off her head and taking her hair with it, Ellie lost track of the thread of the conversation.
“What about me?”
Robert rested his arms on the table and leaned forward. “Are you a...a saint?”
As his words sunk in, she stopped fidgeting and stared at him. Color flooded her face. She could honestly say she had never expected proper Robert to tease her back along the same lines. His eyes glittered, and his smile sported a rakish tilt to the corner.
She thought fast and hard. The wrong answer might turn this turn-of-the-century man from her.
“In your time? No, I wouldn’t be considered a saint. But in my time? I might as well be.”
Nonplussed, Robert sat back against his chair and toyed with his empty glass.
“What does that mean?”
Ellie grinned. “Maybe I’ll tell you someday, Mr. Chamberlain. This food is wonderful.” She bit into her food with apparent gusto and said no more. She felt Robert’s intent gaze but kept her eyes on the plate in front of her until she saw out of the corner of her eye that he picked up his own food and began to eat.
****
Robert returned to his room from the washroom and sat down to allow Charles to comb his hair and trim the ends.
“How was your outing today, sir?”
Robert looked at the older man in the mirror. He caught sight of his own reflection. For pity’s sake, his cheeks were as pink as a girl’s. He ran a quick hand along his jaw with a rueful smile and cleared his throat.
“Wonderful, Charles. I had a very pleasant time.”
“I am glad to hear it, Mr. Chamberlain. You certainly deserve to take some time from work.”
“Yes, it was really very pleasant to walk about during the middle of the day. I don’t do it enough. As you see, my face took some sun today.”
The comb in Charles’ hand stilled for a moment. Robert narrowed his eyes, grinned and dared the older man to say something.
“Yes, sir, of course.”
“Oh, Charles, you know I am teasing. Behold me blushing like a child.”
“Blushing, sir? I would not have known it was a blush.”
Robert jumped up and pulled his dark blue velvet bathrobe closely about him.
“Yes, I had a wonderful time. Pick out some clothing that suits me well, Charles. I want to look very handsome this evening.”
“Mr. Chamberlain, you always look handsome.”
Robert’s face reddened once again. “Good gravy, it seems even you can make me blush. Have I no self-control?”
“As much as you need, sir. I am certain of that.”
With a sigh, Robert shrugged out of his robe and slipped on his undergarments.
“I hope you are right, Charles. I am not as certain of that as you.”
He continued to dress in silence as he contemplated the night ahead. Would Ellie dance with him? Would he do her justice or fall all over her feet in an effort to impress her? She had looked quite stunning today in her lovely rose suit, albeit a bit uncomfortable. What would she look like tonight? What did her hair look like down around her shoulders? He longed to find out, but it seemed unlikely that would happen tonight.
****
At 6:30 p.m. Melinda and Alice were still trying to stuff Ellie into an evening dress of dark blue silk.
“Ellie, you really must wear the corset.”
“No, Melinda, please don’t make me wear that thing again. My ribs are bruised. Robert said I didn’t have to.”
Melinda froze. “Robert?” She peered into Ellie’s face. “What does he have to do with this? Do not tell me you discussed your...undergarments with him!”
Ellie colored and grinned sheepishly. “Yes?”
“Ellie, you are such a strange creature. Sometimes, it is as if you are from another world. We do not discuss those matters with men, and it is really none of their business.”
&nbs
p; “Well, then why do we wear these things? If men don’t care, why do I have to torture myself in a corset?”
Melinda grimaced and tugged some more on Ellie’s dress. “I have no earthly idea. Alice, why do we wear those silly things?”
Alice’s eyes bulged. “Oh, miss, I wouldn’t know.” She giggled. “I don’t even own one.”
“Lucky you,” Ellie whispered under her breath as she sucked in her stomach to see the dress finally snap into place around her curves. She tested it gingerly by walking across the room. The silk material rustled delightfully, and she felt like a princess going to a ball. Alice had redone her hair to leave a few curls falling to her shoulders. A sprig of glass crystals peeked out from the crown of her hair.
Melinda followed Ellie to the mirror and made some minor adjustments to the off-shoulder gown with its heart-shaped bodice. She stood next to Ellie and surveyed her own golden taffeta dress, similar in style but uniquely flattering to her particular blonde coloring.
“We look very stylish tonight, I must say.”
“Yes, we do, don’t we?” Ellie murmured. “Is your grandmother coming down to dinner?”
“Yes. We are having quite a few guests tonight, as a matter of fact.”
Ellie turned to stare, open-mouthed. “What? Like a dinner party? I thought this was just your family and Constance.”
“Oh, no. We have had this planned for some time. I am surprised Robert did not explain. There is to be dancing afterward.”
“Dancing?” Ellie choked. She held up a hand as if to ward off an invisible terror. “Melinda, I don’t know how to dance. I’ll just head to bed early. No wonder Robert didn’t mention this. He knew I would take off,” she muttered.
“What do you mean take off?” Melinda leaned into the mirror and smoothed back a wisp of hair.
“Leave. Depart.”
Melinda turned to Ellie with a waggling finger.
“Well, you are not taking off then. You are staying for the evening. We should have great fun. Some of my friends are coming, and there is one young man...James.” She blushed. “It will be great fun.”
Ellie eyed her skeptically. She tried to smile, but one or both sides of her lips failed to cooperate beyond a slight grimace.
“Are you ready? We should go downstairs.”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.” Ellie tried to take a deep breath but failed. The air seemed thin. “Good night, Alice. Thank you.”
“Oh, good night, miss. I’ve laid out a nightgown for this evening, and a tea gown for the morning.”
“Thank you, and thank you so much, Melinda, for loaning me your clothes.”
“You are welcome, Ellie. I am happy to see you wear them. I have grown too tall for them.”
Ellie hovered in Melinda’s shadow as they descended the stairs. She followed Melinda as the younger woman lifted her chin and sailed into the drawing room, where some guests already waited. Ellie found an inconspicuous spot by the wall while she watched Melinda, the first of the family to arrive, work the crowd by welcoming the guests, cooing over beautiful gowns and shaking men’s hands. Already quite the accomplished hostess at her young age, she appeared to be in her element.
“You look as bashful as I feel, madam.” Ellie jumped when a warm, masculine voice spoke near her ear. She turned to find an attractive sandy-haired, mustached man of medium height smiling at her. He executed a small bow.
“How do you do? My name is Stephen Sadler.”
“Ellie Standish,” she murmured.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, Miss Standish.” He nodded toward the group with a small sigh. “I do not know why I allow my sister to bring me to these gatherings. I am usually uncomfortable in large crowds.” He nodded his head in the direction of one of Melinda’s friends, a young blonde woman in a pale blue gown.
Ellie turned to him with relief. “Me, too. I’m only here because I’m staying with the family.”
Stephen regarded her with sympathetic blue eyes and a pleasant smile.
“I see. And will you be visiting for a while?”
Ellie scanned the room briefly and shook her head.
“I don’t know. I really don’t know.”
“Are you new to Seattle, Miss Standish?”
“Please call me Ellie.” She turned back to him. A handsome man who appeared to be in his early thirties, Stephen wore a dark blue suit with a pale yellow waistcoat over a well-starched white shirt.
“Yes, I am new.” Ellie paused. Had she told someone else she was new to Seattle, or that she wasn’t? She had to remember to keep the lies straight.
Unsure of what to talk about, she settled for watching Melinda work her way toward a tall, handsome young man with curly brown hair, who had eyes only for the vision in gold. He blushed when Melinda drew near, and Ellie noticed that Melinda’s cheeks took on a rosy hue, as well.
“And where are you visiting from, Ellie?”
“Chicago,” she murmured without thinking.
“Chicago! I know it well. My grandfather lives there. I visit there often. Perhaps I have met your family?”
Ellie turned back toward Stephen. “Uh...no, I don’t think so. I’m an orphan.”
“Oh, dear. I am sorry to hear that.”
Unexpected tears sprang to her eyes...either at the sincere note in his voice or the fact she’d used the word orphan to describe herself. Or maybe she was just homesick and wanted the comfort of her own bed and her own clothes. She’d never had a dream go on this long or continue in such a sequential, story-like fashion.
“Ellie? Miss Standish? Forgive me. Did I say something wrong?” Stephen bent near to peer into her eyes. He took one of her hands in a gentle grasp and shook his head. “I can be very tactless. I’m sorry.”
She dashed at her eyes and swallowed hard. “Oh, no, you didn’t say anything wrong. I don’t know what that was. Silly me.” She gave him a watery smile.
“I do apologize.” He continued to hold her hand and study her face with his soft, sky-blue eyes.
“Please don’t worry, Stephen. Whatever that temporary aberration was, it wasn’t your fault.”
“Sadler. Perhaps you should let my guest have her hand back. You have held onto it long enough.”
Chapter Ten
A tight-lipped Robert stood in front of them in a deceptively relaxed posture, his hands behind his back, but Ellie felt the tension in his body even at a distance of three feet.
Stephen looked at Robert for a moment, then to Ellie. He smiled at her and unhurriedly patted her hand before letting it go.
“Robert, how nice to see you.” Stephen gazed passively at the taut man in front of him.
“Stephen,” Robert nodded briefly. “Miss Standish, I believe it is just about time to go in to supper. Are you ready?”
Ellie looked from Robert to Stephen and back again. The situation felt surreal. They weren’t...surely they weren’t staring daggers at each other? Stephen’s soft blue eyes grew hard. Robert eyed him narrowly.
“Okay, sure, let’s eat.” Ellie decided it was time for some good old-fashioned twenty-first-century lingo.
She caught Stephen’s startled look as she moved away on Robert’s arm.
“What was that about, mister?” she muttered between clenched teeth and a tight smile.
“I would like to know the same thing, madam. Tears in your eyes and some chivalrous handholding? If something troubles you, perhaps I may be of assistance.” Robert nodded his head graciously at the guests as they started to file out of the room in Melinda’s wake. Mrs. Chamberlain walked on the arm of a tall silver-haired gentleman who bent his head to hear the older woman.
“It was nothing. But your behavior was embarrassing. For Pete’s sake, the man was just holding my hand,” she hissed.
“Yes, madam, I noticed. If I did not know better, I would think you must have known Mr. Sadler for some time.” His whisper seemed loud to Ellie’s ears.
“What is that supposed to mean?” Ellie asked. “And
lower your voice, please. People can hear you.”
“It means exactly the way it sounds. Crying on a man’s shoulder and holding hands is usually reserved for someone you have known for months...someone who is courting you, at least in this century.” He cleared his throat. They moved through the foyer and toward the back of the hall into the fabulous dining room, now glistening with sparkling china, crystal stemware and elegant silverware. Harvest gold velvet curtains were drawn against the night, and candles cast a warm, festive glow over the table.
“Don’t be such a fuddy-duddy, Robert.” She pulled her hand out of his arm, leaving him to lead the way to her seat. He waved away a staff member and pulled out her chair, bending low near her ear to whisper.
“What on earth is a fuddy-duddy, woman?”
“You are!” she flung over her shoulder. She turned away and plastered a pleasant smile on her face. Robert moved away to take his seat at the head of the table with a grim look. Melinda sat next to her grandmother, who presided at the opposite end of the table from Robert.
Over the top of a lovely white rose centerpiece, Ellie saw Constance for the first time that evening, across the table. She looked years younger in an off-the-shoulder satin gown of emerald green, which suited her complexion...and matched the color of Robert’s eyes. Constance caught Ellie’s eye and nodded with a small smile. Ellie saw her look to Robert and then back at Ellie again. She gave the dark-haired beauty a toothy grin and dropped her gaze to fiddle with her linen napkin. When she raised her eyes again, Constance was deep in conversation with the attractive silver-haired gentleman who’d escorted Mrs. Chamberlain in to dinner.
“Well, this is most fortunate, Ellie. How could I have been so lucky?”
Ellie turned toward her right to see Stephen sliding into the chair next to her. She smiled in relief. Now she wouldn’t have to try to converse with a stranger.
