Chapter Three

Chapter 3





After I had unpacked and rested awhile I started to dress for the evening in the lions den. It felt weird having my maidservant helping me dress after four years of doing it myself. I did not know what to wear, for Charity Cook always looked grand. Her hair always perfect and her dresses always the right color to enhance her skin color, her hair color or the color of her eyes. What dress did I have that did that to me? That green velvet dress? It just intensified my eye color.
I do not know how long I stood in front of my cherry wood armoire looking at my dresses. I disliked everything in it. Nothing stood out compared to Charity’s fine closet. I walked over to my door and rang for Brigit my maidservant. She was here in no time.
“Yes Miss Elizabeth?”
“Brigit, I have nothing to wear!”
“Ma’am I’m sure you have something in your armoire.”
“Nothing pretty enough for going to the Cooks’ house. Charity might as well insult me on my clothing now.”
“Miss, I know my opinion means nothing but I fancy your navy blue evening gown with the train. It looks great with your black hair and green eyes. You’ll be the bell of the ball even though it ain’t a ball.” Brigit giggled slightly.
“Thanks Brigit I think I shall wear that tonight.”
“And Miss?”
“Hmm?”
“You should not mind what Miss Charity wears. It does not matter either way she ain’t a pretty woman on the inside. You Miss are pretty inside and out.”
“Oh, thanks Brigit that’s exactly what I needed to hear.”
“You’re welcome Miss now let’s get you dressed up.” Brigit helped me into my navy blue evening gown and curled and arranged my hair at the crown, with long ringlets falling down the nape of my neck. The front hair she pulled straight back, and parted it in the center and then curled those as well. As much as I hate being in the same room with Charity, right now I felt there was nothing she could do to hurt me. I felt pretty and that was all that mattered. “Thank you Brigit…for everything.”
“You’re welcome Miss.” Brigit left me to ponder over my looks. Brigit was right; the navy blue dress really did look great with my dark hair. I twirled around in it like I did when I was a little girl.
I knew I was expected downstairs soon so I took one last look at my reflection in the wall mirror and hastily walked down the stairs. When I reached the bottom step I saw Anna was waiting and Jose -err-Josephine. I have to remember she’s Josephine. Arthur Josephine’s husband and Pa and Ma were also ready. George the butler was standing in the corner. “Where’s Grandpa and Gamma?” I asked when I stepped off the stairs.
“Grandma is feeling under the weather right now so she and Grandpa will be staying home this evening.” Ma replied.
“What’s wrong with her? Maybe Dot has something that could help.”
“Dot?” Josephine gave a little unladylike snort. “Please Lizzy; you don’t seriously think any of her things will help Grandma do you.” Josephine sneered.
“Josephine, Dot’s tinctures and poultice’s help a number of people with illnesses. I’m sure she has something that’ll help Gamma.” I retorted. Josephine just huffed and rolled her eyes.
“Girls, be nice to each other. Lizzy, we do not have time to run over to Dot’s store right now. If Grandma is still feeling ill tomorrow, you may go over there and ask if she has something.” Ma stated to me then looked at Josephine and said. “Dot is one of our dearest friends and her herbs have helped with a number of things. She is wise in the herbs so she knows what she’s doing.” Josephine stood there stunned. I guess little snooty finally got reprimanded. It’s about time. “Now, if we are all ready let’s get into our carriages and head out to the Cooks’.” We all piled into our carriages and headed out. I felt unsettled. I wish I was the one feeling ill. That way I could miss seeing Charity Cook.



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As we were pulling up to the Cooks’ house a scripture came to mind, one that Dot had taught me. “But I say unto you, love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you.” I really need to live by this especially when I’m around Charity. I shall practice this starting tonight. I shall be nice to her and bless her and pray for her tonight in my nightly prayers. That was the only thing God has commanded me to do regarding Charity.
Lord, help me say the right things, and keep my thoughts to myself! I prayed as I exited the carriage and headed towards doom. Will had accompanied us to the Cooks’ for he took care of the horses. He was the one who helped me from the carriage. I thanked him and wished I could linger out here with him instead of being in there.
The whole Cook family of three was waiting outside for us. Mrs. Sophie Cook looked lovely in a deep lavender evening gown with her golden hair so much like Charity’s, arranged on top of her head in curls. She reminded me of a royal queen addressing her subjects. Next to her was Mr. Jonathan Cook. He looked powerful and majestic standing there with his hand in his vest pocket. He wore spectacles on the bridge of his too long of a nose. Next to Mr. Cook was her. Charity. Of course she looked good in a soft pink velvet skirt and a white bodice covered in Spanish lace. Her curly golden hair was arranged in ringlets with a pink hat placed on top. They looked like a royal family, much less like a common family in Whispering Hills Tennessee.
“Welcome to our home. Do not just stand there come one in.” Mrs. Cook welcomed us. “Elizabeth darling how are you?”
“I’m fine thank you Mrs. Cook.” I replied.
Mrs. Cook ushered us inside. The entry hall walls were lined up with portraits of them. Also on the walls were paintings of past Cooks. On the left and rights walls were doors leading towards other rooms. Straight across from the front door was the winding staircase leading to the second story.
Mrs. Cook led us to the sitting room, where the ladies would chat and catch up. I did not care for such things for all the girls talk about is the latest fashion. The men were taken to the study for a cigar and a glass of wine. I was not supposed to know what the men do, but it is blankly obvious for they smell like cigar smoke and wine when they join us.
The women started talking about the monotonous subject of hats. A hat is a hat if you ask me. I droned out about the time they started talking about accessories for the hats! My, who knew women could jabber on about hats for so long. They kept trying to drag me in their intercourse but I just got bored with it.
Soon they started on gossip about the town. Who’s sweet on whom? Who’s doing this who’s doing that? Couldn’t they talk about normal things? Like that Idaho and Wyoming are now states. Or they could talk about Harrison’s Federal Elections Bill, if it’s going to be one or not. Or they could talk about our modern medicine how it’s changed over the years. We know far more than a hundred years ago, and we will probably know a lot more in a hundred years from now.
I felt someone poke me and I looked up to see everyone looking at me. Was I asked a question and I did not know it? I have been told not to let my mind wander to other things, but it’s hard not to when they talk of such boring things. Who cares about the latest fashion? As long as I have clothes I am fine with what I have. I’d even wear bloomer dress, they are much more logical to wear. “Hmm?”
“Lizzy, Charity asked you a question.” Ma said.
“I’m sorry I did not hear it what was it Charity?” I asked.
“How was the finishing school in Boston?”
“Oh, well I did not care for it, not that it was bad or anything, but I much rather have stayed home.” I replied. A round of gasps around the room and a scolding stare from Ma. Great.
“Why? Did you not want to become a lady?” Charity sneered.
“I do not think women have to go to finishing school to become a lady. I think they are a lady in their own rights.” I retorted.
“Lizzy that’s enough.” Ma scolded.
“Ma, I have yet to do anything wrong. Charity asked me a question and I answered. What’s wrong with telling the truth?”
“Lizzy” Ma remarked. She sent apologizing eyes to Mrs. Cook and Charity. They nodded like they knew I was wrong. I felt my face turn red with the embarrassment. I was not wrong for saying my opinion. I now a proper lady do not do such things, but I hate being a proper lady. I know what Ma says about hating anything so I strongly dislike being a proper lady. I wish I had never gone to finishing school! Charity started on her experience at the finishing school in Paris she attended. Because everyone knows Paris ladies are better than any others. Oh, how I wish I was not in this room. A plan started forming in my mind; yes I think that may work. I slightly poked Anna on the arm to get her attention. She looked at me with wide eyes. “Come with me” I mouthed. Anna shook her head. “Please” I whispered. “No” she mouthed. Fine I’ll myself.
“Excuse me, I know your discussion is very important but may I be excused. I need some fresh air.” I interjected. I looked at Ma with pleading eyes.
“You may but not for long we are to have supper soon.” Ma relented.
“Thank you.” I replied.
I walked as fast as I could in the dress I was wearing, to outside. Free! I stepped outside and felt the cool May breeze on my face. I can breathe freely now. No more strained conversation or looks from anyone. I laughed at the picture I must’ve made inside. I saw a shadow coming towards me and I squinted to see who it was. “Will?”
“The one and only. Lizzy, what’re ya doin’ out here?”
“I absolutely had to get away from them” I pointed to the house.
“Aw, come one could not have been that bad.” He teased for he knew how it was exactly. I have told him of the conversations that the ladies have.
“Oh, it was and more.” I walked off the porch steps and walked to stand next to him. “May we take a walk around to the stable and I’ll tell ya what they were like.” I smiled at him, hoping he’d say yes.
“Sure come on. Now tell me what was it that was so bad?”
He fell in to step with me. I proceeded to tell him of the discussion then my embarrassing moment. Although it was May and coming close to spring, it was a little chilly outside and I forgot my shawl. I rubbed my upper arms trying to warm up. He seemed to notice I was a little cold for he took off his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. “You should have gotten your shawl or wrap whatever you ladies call it.” He smiled that amazing smile and I felt my heart do another little flip-flop. What was this feeling? Surely I was just hungry, or still angry at Charity. His jacket smelled like outdoors and horses. The smell I associated with him awhile ago.
Later that night when I was tucked safely in bed I thought of that feeling. What was it? I had felt it twice. Once when he helped me down from the buggy, and then when he smiled at me. Why? I always thought of him as a great friend someone who’s always there for me no matter what. Maybe these feelings were something like a deeper friendship between us. I fell asleep thinking about Will and our friendship and what to come.

God bless