Ella: A Novel by Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee

Author:Jessilyn Stewart Peaslee [Peaslee, Jessilyn Stewart]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Teen & Young Adult, Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptations, Contemporary Romance, Women's Fiction, Forever Love, Christian Stories, Faith Based, Inspirational Reads, Love Inspired, Bachelor, Single Woman, Hearts Desire, Clean & Wholesome, Life-Changes, Second Chance Reunion, Honesty & Trust, Home & Family, Lifetime Love, Romantic Schemes, Love-Family & Forever, Action & Adventure, Small Town & Rural Area, Beautiful & Feisty
Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc.
Published: 2015-11-10T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

WHEN I RETURNED TO FEED VICTORIA HER MIDDAY MEAL, I came to an abrupt stop outside the door. Mabel and Cecelia were in Victoria’s room, which was astonishing, but what they were saying was even more so.

“The dress maker won’t let us take out any more credit,” Mabel was whining. “We begged and begged and he refused! If only we had bought ball gowns when we were in town instead of afternoon dresses, then we wouldn’t be in this mess!”

“It was your idea!” Cecelia shouted.

Victoria sighed angrily. “Well, then, you must find the gown and slippers. I can’t do everything around here!” she said hoarsely. “Tear the house apart!”

I knew they were searching for my things, but to hear the level of desperation in their voices and the way they spoke about things that were not theirs—and would never be theirs—filled me with anger that made me bold. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I entered the room and casually walked to the side of Victoria’s bed.

“Would you like your broth now?” I asked as if there was nothing strange about their conversation.

Mabel and Cecelia exchanged guilty looks and quickly left the room. I fed Victoria her broth as she glared at me.

***

ON THURSDAY MORNING, I WAS ASLEEP ON THE CHAIR NEXT to Victoria’s bed, my head resting on my folded arms on the mattress. I never would have felt comfortable being so close to her, letting my weary head share her bed. But it had become necessary for me to remain close to her should she need anything through the night—a cool cloth, water, a basin, a blanket.

I felt her looking at me and I raised my eyes to meet her emotionless face, which was lit dimly by what little light streamed in from her open door.

“Eggs” was all she said.

I was only in my nightgown, but I ran out to the henhouse and gathered two eggs and quickly threw Mary some kernels while I was out there. I was grateful that Mary had made up for Martha’s absence, at least for that day. I fried up the eggs and brought them to Victoria, who ate one of them and pushed the plate away.

Before she fell back to sleep, she again asked me where the gown and slippers were, I refused to answer, and she whipped my hands as she had all week. I left the room to get dressed and woke Mabel and Cecelia to look after their mother while I was away. They started to whine in their already whiny voices, but they didn’t refuse.

I dressed quickly, started a fire in the kitchen fireplace, and noticed the dust accumulating on the floors and the sewing that needed to be done. I wondered if I’d ever get back on top of things. I fixed a quick breakfast for Mabel and Cecelia and milked Lucy and washed and hung the laundry. I stripped the bed linens and washed and hung them out with the rest of the laundry.

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