woman. Beatrice’s assessment was correct: If Ewan hadn’t married Laura Woodfield, he would be drawing paltry wages working at the brickyard, and Aunt Margaret would be controlling their lives. The fact that Laura and Ewan had fallen in love and Laura’s mother had approved of the marriage had changed all of their lives for the better, especially since Uncle Hugh’s illness and death.
“How would you like to attend the party tomorrow evening, Beatrice?” One evening of diversion wouldn’t change the young woman’s station in life, but it would permit her some time to mingle with adults and perhaps enjoy a few dances.
“And what would you think I’d be wearing to your fine party, Miss Rose? My mended skirt and shirtwaist?”
The sarcastic emphasis Beatrice had placed on Miss when she addressed her didn’t escape Rose’s attention, but she forced a smile and pressed on. Though she hoped it wasn’t true, Rose knew she might have had some of those same jealous feelings if she were in Beatrice’s position.
“When Tessa takes her nap, come down to my room. We’re almost the same size. I’m sure there are several gowns in my wardrobe that would fit you perfectly. You could choose the one you like best, but there’s one of yellow silk that would be lovely with your red hair and blue eyes.” Rose held her breath, uncertain how her offer would be received.
The tight lines around Beatrice’s lips relaxed, and her eyes softened. “You think the missus would agree? And if she did approve and if your dress fit me, who would look after Tessa while I was at the party?” She shook her head. “Nay. I’m not destined to ever enjoy fancy parties and such.”
“Of course you are. I’m certain one of the twins would be willing to come to the nursery and sit with Tessa. Ainslee has already said she’s not interested in attending the dance. So long as there’s someone here in case Tessa wakes up, I’m certain Laura won’t object.” Rose’s excitement mounted as her idea took shape. Though it was a celebration in her honor, Rose had never been keen on parties. Seeing Beatrice attend would give her pleasure and make the evening more bearable.
Beatrice gave her a slight nod. “So long as you make sure the missus doesn’t think I put you up to this. I can’t be losing my position here.”
The wariness in her tone wasn’t new to Rose. Most of her fellow countrymen possessed a suspicious nature, especially when someone offered something unexpected. Like most immigrants, they’d been let down and betrayed often enough that they were slow to trust. Sadly, many were guilty of the same bad conduct themselves—sometimes directed toward outsiders, but sometimes aimed at their own relatives and neighbors. Rose had seen the behavior enough to understand Beatrice’s fear.
“You can be present when I speak to Laura, if you like.” As soon as she’d made the offer, Rose wanted to pull back the words.
While she wanted to ease Beatrice’s doubts, she now realized that having Beatrice present would place Laura in a difficult position. She silently chastised herself for extending an invitation to Beatrice without first speaking to Laura. Rose’s intentions had been good, but she’d been too impulsive. She could only hope Laura wouldn’t object.
“Nay. You go and ask her and bring me word. I don’t want to be looking her in the eye if she says she doesn’t want the likes of me at her fine party.”
Rose stooped down and gave Tessa a quick kiss on the cheek before she hurried from the room. Guilt knotted in her stomach as she hastened downstairs to the second floor. She should have taken time to defend Laura, should have told Beatrice that Laura would never look down upon her. Instead, she’d hurried down the stairs fearful Beatrice might change her mind and ask to come along while she spoke to Laura.
As Rose approached her bedroom door, Mrs. Woodfield came upstairs. “Did you see Tessa? Hasn’t she
“How would you like to attend the party tomorrow evening, Beatrice?” One evening of diversion wouldn’t change the young woman’s station in life, but it would permit her some time to mingle with adults and perhaps enjoy a few dances.
“And what would you think I’d be wearing to your fine party, Miss Rose? My mended skirt and shirtwaist?”
The sarcastic emphasis Beatrice had placed on Miss when she addressed her didn’t escape Rose’s attention, but she forced a smile and pressed on. Though she hoped it wasn’t true, Rose knew she might have had some of those same jealous feelings if she were in Beatrice’s position.
“When Tessa takes her nap, come down to my room. We’re almost the same size. I’m sure there are several gowns in my wardrobe that would fit you perfectly. You could choose the one you like best, but there’s one of yellow silk that would be lovely with your red hair and blue eyes.” Rose held her breath, uncertain how her offer would be received.
The tight lines around Beatrice’s lips relaxed, and her eyes softened. “You think the missus would agree? And if she did approve and if your dress fit me, who would look after Tessa while I was at the party?” She shook her head. “Nay. I’m not destined to ever enjoy fancy parties and such.”
“Of course you are. I’m certain one of the twins would be willing to come to the nursery and sit with Tessa. Ainslee has already said she’s not interested in attending the dance. So long as there’s someone here in case Tessa wakes up, I’m certain Laura won’t object.” Rose’s excitement mounted as her idea took shape. Though it was a celebration in her honor, Rose had never been keen on parties. Seeing Beatrice attend would give her pleasure and make the evening more bearable.
Beatrice gave her a slight nod. “So long as you make sure the missus doesn’t think I put you up to this. I can’t be losing my position here.”
The wariness in her tone wasn’t new to Rose. Most of her fellow countrymen possessed a suspicious nature, especially when someone offered something unexpected. Like most immigrants, they’d been let down and betrayed often enough that they were slow to trust. Sadly, many were guilty of the same bad conduct themselves—sometimes directed toward outsiders, but sometimes aimed at their own relatives and neighbors. Rose had seen the behavior enough to understand Beatrice’s fear.
“You can be present when I speak to Laura, if you like.” As soon as she’d made the offer, Rose wanted to pull back the words.
While she wanted to ease Beatrice’s doubts, she now realized that having Beatrice present would place Laura in a difficult position. She silently chastised herself for extending an invitation to Beatrice without first speaking to Laura. Rose’s intentions had been good, but she’d been too impulsive. She could only hope Laura wouldn’t object.
“Nay. You go and ask her and bring me word. I don’t want to be looking her in the eye if she says she doesn’t want the likes of me at her fine party.”
Rose stooped down and gave Tessa a quick kiss on the cheek before she hurried from the room. Guilt knotted in her stomach as she hastened downstairs to the second floor. She should have taken time to defend Laura, should have told Beatrice that Laura would never look down upon her. Instead, she’d hurried down the stairs fearful Beatrice might change her mind and ask to come along while she spoke to Laura.
As Rose approached her bedroom door, Mrs. Woodfield came upstairs. “Did you see Tessa? Hasn’t she
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