“But this is a party.”
“We don’t have parties at night, not with all that food and drink. People have to get up early the next morning to go to work.”
“We get up in the morning and go to work in England, too.”
“I don’t see how, not if you eat like that every night,” Mrs. Stebbens said, sparing Delilah the onus of making all the objections.
Nathan looked thunderous, as if he were ready to bite off somebody’s head. Delilah felt guilty. He didn’t need her and Mrs. Stebbens coming down on him, not when everybody he came into contact with seemed to be aligned against him.
“I’m sorry,” Delilah said. “We shouldn’t have said anything. It’s just that we’re not used to doing things your way.” Nathan’s expression was still formidable, but Delilah thought she detected a change in his eyes. “I don’t suppose it would do us any harm to try your way. You seem to get along in spite of it.”
Now there was a definite twinkle in Nathan’s eyes.
“You think we’d get along even better if we ate and drank less?”
“Well, of course I do. Anybody who …” She caught herself. “How could I know, not until I’ve tried your way … or you’ve tried ours?”
“Well, I know,” Mrs. Stebbens stated defiantly, “and I say you’re lucky you don’t have gout and have to keep to your bed. Anybody who eats like you must be full of the flux near ’bout all the time.”
Nathan’s gravity nearly deserted him.
“Then I suppose the only solution is to let you choose a meal for me. Let the see, I believe my aunt has already ordered tonight’s supper. I will be away Wednesday. How about Friday? Would you be so kind as to choose my dinner for Friday?”
He was clearly looking at Delilah.
“Of course she would,” Mrs. Stebbens answered when Delilah blushed with embarrassment.
“If you’re sure,” Delilah said.
“Of course I am. How else will I find out whether I’m full of the flux?”
Delilah’s lips twitched. She couldn’t resist looking at him. She adored his smile.
“I’m sure you don’t have the flux. You look too healthy.” Why had she brought up his looks? Now she couldn’t stop staring at his body, and she was becoming embarrassed.
“I’m glad to learn you’re concerned for my well-being. There was a time when I thought it might be the other way ’round.”
The desire to laugh left Delilah. “I never felt that way,” she said. “I didn’t like you at first, and I still don’t like what you’re doing, but I never wanted any harm to come to you. Even if I did, I don’t any longer. How could I when you’ve been so kind?”
Nathan looked a little surprised. “Kind?”
“I’d have been a lot less comfortable here but for your intervention. I meant to thank you at a suitable time.”
Now Nathan looked embarrassed. “Your continued interest in my health is more then enough thanks. If you look as nice in that dress as I expect, I’ll be suitably rewarded.”
He departed, leaving Delilah speechless.
“Don’t know when I’ve seen a man like him bowled over by a gal who didn’t even like him,” Mrs. Stebbens observed. “You’d think he’d have them climbing all over him.”
“He’s not bowled over by me,” Delilah protested. “He’s just kind.”
“And my aunt Jessie loves children,” Mrs. Stebbens said about Springfield’s infamous child-hater. “That man stiffens up like he’s got starch in his drawers every time he’s around you. What’s wrong with him? He afraid he’ll do something you’ll dislike?”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Delilah said.
“I’m talking about a man who defends you against his own kin and gives you a fortune in cloth to do with as you like.”
“You think he really does like the?” Delilah asked, realizing that she was almost breathless with hope.
“I think he’s nutty on you. He’s just afraid you’re going to treat him like everybody else has since he got here.”
“They’ll not do it for long,” Delilah said. “I’ll see to that.”
Chapter Nine
Delilah hummed while she polished the silverware. She had a light soprano voice, a little too thin for true beauty. Being particularly happy, and since Nathan had left before breakfast and Serena and Priscilla were still in bed, she occasionally broke into song.
“Make sure you get into all the crevasses,” Lester said. “I don’t want any of those women saying we can’t set a proper table. Times may be rough, but I’ll not put up with dirty silver.”
“I’ll bet I’d do a better job than you on the glasses,” Delilah challenged. Lester still did the crystal himself. Delilah saw his shoulders slump every time he looked at the triple row of wine glasses. It was evident that his resolution not to allow her to touch anything breakable was weakening.
“You keep a civil tongue in your head, missy, or I’ll be forced to tell Mrs. Noyes you’re getting above yourself.”
Delilah knew he wouldn’t accept her challenge because he wouldn’t spend half the time on the glasses she would spend on the silver. She smiled and let Lester depart with his dignity. She didn’t care. She was too happy this morning to care about anything Serena or Lester could do.
Nathan cared about her, and that was all that mattered. He had sent her out of the room when the men had ogled her. He wanted her to look nice just for him.
And Delilah was determined she would. She and Mrs. Stebbens had stayed up until after midnight cutting and fitting the figured muslin. She had looked longingly at the crimson silk, but Mrs. Stebbens had advised her to wait.
“You’d best begin slow, or Mrs. Noyes will kick up such a fuss we’ll never get the rest of diem dresses made.”
Delilah knew the kindly woman was right. Still she spent the night dreaming about how she would look in a rose silk gown. But if she didn’t get her work finished soon, she wouldn’t have time to sew the dress before Nathan’s party.
So she polished harder. The dress had to be ready. Lucy Porter would be one of the guests, and Delilah was determined that for once she would not be outshone by that jealous, sharp-tongued female.
But the harder she worked, the louder she sang. She was giving the last touches to a serving spoon when Serena Noyes jerked open the pantry door.
“Is that you caterwauling?” Serena demanded, peevish annoyance writ large across her face.
“I was singing a popular ditty if that’s what you were referring to,” Delilah replied, arching her eyebrows. Caterwauling indeed!
“You sound like a cat with a scalded tail” Serena said. “I’m surprised you don’t know such noise is unacceptable in a house like this.”
Delilah felt too full of herself to take that without a response. “I do know you’re unable to appreciate it.”
Her sarcasm went right by Serena.
“I have very sensitive nerves,” the older woman said. “I find all but the most beautiful singing utterly intolerable.”
“I won’t disturb you again.”
“You would do well to remember what I’ve said. Your future employers may not be so well disposed as to overlook your faults.”
“It’s kind of you to warn me,” Delilah got out through clenched teeth, “but I won’t have any future employers.”
Serena readjusted her shawl and started to leave, but she stopped at the door. “Someone named Jane came to see you. Please make it plain to this woman that anyone calling for a servant should go to the back door.”
“Where is she?”
“How should I know? I sent her around to the kitchen,” Serena said and floated out of the room.
Delilah bit her tongue to keep from uttering a sharp answer. She jumped up to put away the silverware. It was cold this morning. She hoped Mrs. Stebbens hadn’t made Jane wait outside.
When Delilah reached the kitchen, Jane was trying to refuse the cup of coffee and hot buttered bun Mrs. Stebbens was urging on her.
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“Eat it,” Delilah said. “They’ll only throw it out if you don’t.”
“I’ve already eaten two thick slices of bread,” Jane protested.
“It’s a long walk. You’ll need something to keep you warm.”
When Jane continued to stare at her, Delilah realized she had noticed her dress, Priscilla’s dress.
“I didn’t walk,” Jane said. “Reuben had to deliver some lumber to Jonas Selleck.” She bit into the bun, her eyes still on Delilah’s dress. “I’ll have to walk back, though. He’s doing some work for Gad Clark.”
“And the boys?” Delilah asked anxiously.
“They’re with my sister, Polly.”
“And how’re you doing?”
“Okay, but we miss you. I didn’t realize how much work you did. I confess I’m more tired than I’ve ever been.”
Delilah felt guilty. It must be difficult taking care of Reuben and the boys and doing all the work alone.
“Polly comes over nearly every day. She’s still too young to be left unsupervised, but at least she can take care of the boys.”
“And Reuben?”
Jane was silent while she took a swallow of coffee and a bite of her bun. “He figures he has to keep the oxen busy every minute you’re here or he’s letting you down. That’s why he’s working for Clark. We’ll have the money for the taxes this year.”
But not enough to pay off the debt as well. Delilah would have to stay at Maple Hill for the full four months. Jane didn’t say that, but Delilah understood.
They talked of unimportant things until Jane got ready to leave.
“I’ll walk a little way with you,” Delilah offered.
“Do you think you ought?” Jane asked, glancing at Mrs. Stebbens.
“You go on,” Mrs. Stebbens said. There’s not much to do around here this morning.”
“Reuben’s name may be on their list,” Delilah said the moment the back door closed behind them.
“What list?” Jane demanded, anxiety creasing her brow.
The list Lucius Clarke gave. Nathan.”
“Nathan who?”
“I mean Mr. Trent.” Delilah’s cheeks flushed. “We all call him Nathan behind his back. Mrs. Stebbens says he’s too young to be a mister.”
“Why is the list important?” asked Jane, not the least interested in Nathan or what anybody called him.
They’re trying to get a list of the insurgent leaders. Reuben is one of them, isn’t he?”
“He’s practically Shays’s right-hand man. What do they mean to do with the list?”
“I don’t know, but they said if they could get these people, they could stop the rebellion in its tracks.”
“You’ve got to find out if Reuben’s on the list.”
“Nathan keeps it locked up in his desk.”
“Then distract him when he’s working on his accounts or something.”
“He’s gone most of the time, and Lester’s taken to keeping the library door locked.”
“You’ve got to think of something. I won’t have Reuben hurt just because he’s on some list.”
“He may not be on it.”
“If he’s not, he soon will be. Reuben never could keep a still tongue in his head, not when he gets mad. And he’s been mad all the time since you came to work here. You are being treated all right, aren’t you? He’ll box my ears if I don’t ask you.”
“I’m fine. In fact, I think they’re all in league to protect me from Mrs. Noyes. She’s truly detestable, but Nathan is careful she doesn’t mistreat me.”
Jane’s gaze narrowed. “I don’t think I like the sound of that.”
“Well, you should,” Delilah fired back. She had to convince Jane that nothing was wrong, or Reuben would be upset and the fat would be in the fire. “Nathan told Mrs. Noyes he promised Reuben I’d be treated like a lady, and if she didn’t do that, he’d know the reason why.”
“As long as he doesn’t start getting ideas about you.”
“He’s almost never here. If you stood by the road, you’d probably see more of him than I do. Besides, why should he be interested in me?”
“I’ve seen the way men look at you, some of them well above your station. They have lust in their hearts.”
“He can’t do much lusting with his aunt and cousin dogging his heels every step. Serena Noyes is determined he’ll marry her daughter. They don’t let him out of their sight for as much as a minute.”
“Then why are you wearing that dress?”
The dress.
“It’s one of Priscilla’s castoffs. She told me she’d give it to Lucy Porter or Hope Prentiss if I didn’t want it.”
“You mean Lucy could be wearing that dress right now if you hadn’t taken it?” Jane asked, merriment springing into her eyes.
Delilah nodded.
“Does she know?” Jane’s lips quivered.
Delilah shook her head.
“Are you going to tell her?” Jane put a hand over her mouth.
“Maybe, if she makes me angry. She’s coming to a party here Thursday night.”
Jane sputtered with laughter.
“I wish I could see it. A more mean-spirited, spiteful girl I’ve yet to meet. You realize she’ll preen herself on being a guest while you’re a servant.”
“That’s all right,” Delilah said, thinking of the dress she would wear that night.
Delilah could hardly credit the image she saw in the mirror. It was difficult to believe that young woman was herself. She wore a white sprigged muslin gown, with deep ruffles trimmed with wide pieces of deep-blue velvet ribbon. Her nearly black hair fell loose from a purely decorative lace cap. The deep cut of the neckline only escaped being scandalous by the judicious addition of a small sprig of blue flowers.
But it was the smile on her face that transformed Delilah into a beauty. The girl in the mirror was obviously a lighthearted creature used to being the most beautiful female around, not a poor farmer’s daughter playing dress-up in the house of a rich merchant.
No, it wasn’t just the dress, the hair, the cap, or even the wide smile of happiness. It was the feeling of anticipation, as though this girl thought something wonderful was about to happen to her.
“She thinks she’s a moth turned into a butterfly” Delilah said to Mrs. Stebbens.
“She sure looks like it,” agreed Mrs. Stebbens, delighted with the success of her efforts.
“Little does she know that women like Serena Noyes love to pluck the wings off butterflies.”
“He’ll protect you.”
Maybe, thought Delilah, but if she wore this dress tonight, she would be moving beyond the scope of a serving girl being protected from a cruel mistress by a compassionate young master. She would be declaring herself to be part of their world, expecting them to accept her on an equal footing.
And that was foolish. Even though Serena and Priscilla might have trouble steering clear of her in the egalitarian atmosphere of Springfield, she would never be part of their social class. They would expect Nathan to agree. After all, he was English and distantly related to an earl if Serena Noyes was to be believed. It was inconceivable he would have anything to do with a serving girl.
“He won’t be able to take his eyes off you,” Mrs. Stebbens said, as delighted for Delilah as she would have been for her own daughter. “Mrs. Noyes couldn’t hold a candle to you, not even when she was an innocent young girl.”
“Was Serena pretty?” Delilah asked. It was difficult to image Serena beautiful, impossible to envision her as young and innocent".
“She was the spit of Miss Priscilla, only prettier,” Mrs. Stebbens assured her, “but she was nothing compared to you. Now, put an apron over that dress. It’d be a shame to ruin it with gravy spots.”
“Maybe I shouldn’t wear it,” Delilah said. Now that the time had come, she wasn’t certain she wanted to take this step.
“You can’t be saving it for anything else. Mrs. Noyes ain’t never going to let you ou
t of the kitchen, not unless Mr. Nathan orders it. And how is he going to know he wants to order it unless you show him what you look like when you’re wearing something pretty? You wear that dress, keep a smile on your face no matter what anybody says, and see if you don’t end up a parlor-maid before the night’s out.”
“And backed into some dark corner for a stolen kiss with one of the male guests. No, thank you,” Delilah said with a rueful laugh. “I’ll stay in the kitchen. At least that way I’ll be able to leave here with an unsullied reputation.”
“Nobody’s asking you to sully your reputation,” Mrs. Stebbens said, rather disgusted with Delilah’s lack of vision. “I’m just asking you not to hide yourself under a bushel when a little candlelight would work wonders”
“I won’t hide,” Delilah said with a warm smile, “but I won’t expect miracles either.”
One glance at Nathan’s face, and Delilah knew Mrs. Stebbens was right. She ceased to feel the weight of the nearly sleepless nights she had spent sewing or the ache in her fingers from pulling the needle through the material countless times. Nathan’s look was intimate; it ignored everybody else. If she’d ever had any doubt about his interest in her, she had none now. The man couldn’t keep his eyes off her.
Serena was outraged. The shock and fury on her face when she fully understood the effect of Delilah’s dress on Nathan almost made Delilah laugh aloud. She knew she would suffer for this later, but she would ignore Serena for the time being.
Though aware that it didn’t speak well of her, Delilah was certain she would cherish the look on Lucy Porter’s face for years to come. Shock, chagrin, envy, and rage combined. Lucy knew Delilah worked at Maple Hill, and she had probably looked forward to flaunting her position as a guest. For a girl who had spent her entire life eaten up with jealousy of Delilah’s looks and popularity, it was too unsettling to see the one she envied in a more beautiful gown.
“Why bless my bones and knock me over,” Lucy said, “if mat isn’t little Delilah Stowbridge. I hardly recognized you the way you’ve got yourself all tarted up. Look, Mama, it’s Delilah. She must be one of Mrs. Noyes’s servants now.”
The other guests were shocked by Lucy’s outburst. Even Serena, thinking how she would have loved to flay the skin off Delilah, looked at Lucy with disapproval.
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