Read Online Thursday's Child (Out of Time #5) by Monique Martin - Free Book Online

hope you'll come visit us at River Run while you're here.”
    “River Run?”
    “Our plantation,” James said. “We're just on the bluff above the river about six miles upstream.”
    Elizabeth didn't want to seem too eager, but this was exactly what they'd been hoping for — a chance to mingle with the mighty. “I've never actually seen a plantation.”
    “Then you must come visit us at River Run,” Rose said as she put her hand on Elizabeth's forearm. “There is no more beautiful place on God's earth.”
    When the servant announced that dinner was ready, the dozen guests gathered in the hall. Catherine took Elizabeth's hand and led her over to Colonel Stanton's side, whose eyes shined brightly with bourbon.
    He frowned at them both.
    “Papa, since Mrs. Archer and her son,” she added with a hint of contempt in her voice, “couldn't make it this evening, why not have the Crosses take their places as guests of honor?”
    Elizabeth felt for Catherine. Pulling out of an invitation, especially one where you were the guest of honor, was a big old kick in the social pants. On the other hand, Catherine didn't seem the least bit bothered, and having a chance to be the guests of honor at a hoity-toity dinner would all but ensure their spot at future swanky dinners. She smiled up at the Colonel hoping to find the perfect mixture of humility and flattery.
    The Colonel frowned more deeply than ever, but recognized that he'd been cleverly maneuvered and had no option but to gracefully accede. He held out his arm stiffly and led Elizabeth to the head of the table and to the seat to his right. She barely managed to remember not to pull out her own chair. She did, however, manage to step in front of the Colonel forcing an awkward do-se-do that only ended when he stepped back and glowered at her. Couple after couple joined them in the elegant dining room.
    “Hello again,” Eli said as he took his place behind the chair on Elizabeth's right.
    The ladies took their seats and the men remained standing, until Catherine and Simon came in. He held out her chair and then sat to her right, catty-corner across the long table from Elizabeth.
    Like the other rooms, this one had a warm fire-lit glow to it. A large chandelier hung above the table, the light from the candles catching the crystals that hung beneath them. Dozens of candles and a few oil lamps lined the side tables and a low fire burned in the fireplace behind her. Elizabeth thought it was lovely, but couldn't help wondering if they had fire insurance back then.
    Eli noticed her looking at the fireplace. “If it gets too warm for you, I'll have them move the screen over.” He indicated a needlepoint tapestry held in a wooden frame, almost like a mid-sized freestanding mirror. Elizabeth had read about them. Some women wore beeswax-based make-up and the heat from the fireplace would melt it away. These tapestry screens helped keep their faces in the right place.
    “Thank you,” Elizabeth said glad she'd worn only a little lip rouge.
    Eli smiled and then turned his attention to the man on his right. Elizabeth smiled at the Colonel. He smiled back, but looked more like a man with a gallstone than a guest.
    “Beautiful table,” Elizabeth said, hoping to start a pleasant, innocuous conversation mending whatever fence she'd apparently busted. “Are these plates French?”
    The Colonel grunted, mumbled a yes and then turned and joined a conversation with Mrs. Goode to his left. Elizabeth floundered for a moment. Each guest at the table was involved in a conversation with a partner or two except for her. She fiddled with her water glass
    “And that is why I can no longer have Claret,” Mrs. Goode intoned. “And I do so love it. My one vice, you understand.”
    Eli offered his condolences to Mrs. Goode for her brave fight against gout and gave Elizabeth a wink.
    As was Victorian custom it seemed, dinner was an endless affair of soup, salad, fish, mutton, and roast chicken. House