A Daughter's Inheritance by Tracie Peterson

Author:Tracie Peterson [Peterson, Tracie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Historical, Romance
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2008-01-01T05:00:00+00:00

16

Saturday, July 31, 1897

Fanny buttoned Sophie’s dress and then bade her cousin turn around. “I do fear your father won’t be pleased with the gown you’ve chosen.”

“My father won’t even notice. He seldom is aware of me, even when I’m in the same room.” The topaz necklace that circled Sophie’s neck sparkled in the soft light. “Beatrice will swoon when she sees I’ve pirated our mother’s necklace and brought it along.” Sadness shone in her eyes as she touched a finger to the jewels. “I always thought Mother looked beautiful when she wore this necklace.”

“And so do you,” Fanny said. “She would be pleased that you’ve chosen to wear her necklace.”

Sophie brightened. “In any case, I doubt Father will attend this evening. He dislikes parties and dancing. He’d much rather be in Rochester working alongside Paul than out here on the island with his family.” She shrugged. “But then, I’d rather be in Rochester, too.”

Fanny arranged a lace insert in the décolletage of her emerald green gown. “I thought you were excited about the ball.”

“I am, but the ball lasts for only one night.” With a giggle, Sophie leaned forward and attempted to remove the insert from Fanny’s dress. “You’re old enough to wear your gown without an insert.”

Fanny swooped to one side and warded off Sophie’s maneuver. “Perhaps, but I prefer to use it. And remember, you’re the one who says we should be free to make our own choices. I didn’t attempt to force you to add an insert to your dress, did I?”

“You’re correct. I’ll permit you to make your own choice, but I truly believe it’s Aunt Victoria’s decision rather than your own,” Sophie replied. “And speaking of Aunt Victoria, where has she secreted Amanda? I haven’t seen her since we came upstairs to prepare for the party.”

“I imagine she’s in her rooms. I think she wants to surprise us with her dress. Aunt Victoria had it designed especially for the ball. Show me your mask,” Fanny requested.

Sophie held a half-mask of shimmering gold to her eyes. In an effort to further camouflage the wearer’s identity, filmy lace and feathers had been attached to the edges of the mask. Yet anyone who’d ever met Sophie would identify her behind the mask. With or without a mask, her beauty shone like the sparkling gems in her necklace.

While Sophie had expressed excitement when Uncle Jonas returned with several of the young men who had visited the previous weekend, Fanny cared little. None of them had captivated her interest, though she was surprised when Sophie pointed out the fact that Frank Colgan wasn’t among the returning men.

“I thought him rather good looking,” Sophie remarked as they exited the bedroom.

“Perhaps, but not very bright. If his arms would have provided him with the necessary strength, he’d likely still be in the water hanging on to the canoe.” Fanny looped arms with her cousin, and the two of them descended the stairs.

The young men had departed for the Oosterman mansion fifteen minutes earlier.

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