After the Rain by Elizabeth Johns

Author:Elizabeth Johns [Johns, Elizabeth]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Elizabeth Johns

Chapter 14

The ladies are going into the village this morning,” Maili informed Christelle as she walked in from the adjoining room. The two of them were sharing a sitting room, and Christelle had been indulging in reading a book—something she rarely ever had chance to do. Reluctantly, she tore her eyes away from the page.

What was she expected to say? Have a pleasant outing?

“Well, are you not coming with us?” Maili looked confused.

“Oh. I did not know I was supposed to.”

Maili's mouth twisted a little to the side. “Perhaps I should have asked you rather than told you. I assumed you would know you were invited.”

“I was never invited on such excursions while at school. I did not understand what you meant.”

“I never went to school,” Maili confessed as she twirled a curl which hung over her shoulder. “I suppose there were lessons at the orphanage and we had a governess at the castle.”

“A castle?”

“Yes.” Maili laughed. “This is just as grand, though I don't believe it has a dungeon.”

“I am afraid to know where the other sister lives,” Christelle muttered.

“Oh, they have an ordinary house, but they do sometimes live on their boat.”

Christelle knew her eyes must be wide with curiosity. What an extraordinary family she had come into. “What shall we do in the village?” Christelle asked.

“Buy ribbons and gloves, visit with the villagers, that sort of thing. Mama says it is our duty to support the tenants and such. The men are going shooting, which sounds more fun to me.”

“Do you like to hunt?” Christelle had never thought of ladies hunting.

“Certainly!” Maili exclaimed. “John taught me. He is married to my sister, Catriona. You will have to visit Scotland to meet them. He was injured in the war and does not travel often.”

Christelle stood and placed her book on the stand. “I will need a bonnet and pelisse, I think.”

“Some boots would be useful also,” Maili replied following her into her room. “What are these?” she asked, noticing some of Christelle's sketches on the desk.

“A hobby now, I suppose,” she said wistfully as she tied the ribbons on her bonnet.

“These are glorious!” Maili glanced back and forth between Christelle and one of the sketches. “Why, this is the one you are wearing!”

Christelle smiled. “It is. Madame helped me to make it before I left.”

“I forgot you were working for Madame Monique. I hope to have new gowns soon. I've always wanted to dance at real balls and drive in the park. Oh, and go to the theatre!” She leaned against the dressing table and threw her hand to her forehead in dramatic illustration. “Oh Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou, Romeo? I have always enjoyed theatricals. I wonder if we might put a play on before we leave?”

“Should we not be meeting the others?” Christelle asked, hoping to divert Maili from this line of thought. She could think of no horror greater than performing on the stage with thousands of eyes upon her.

“Oh, yes! I had already forgotten!”

Christelle

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