The Dressmaker by Posie Graeme-Evans

Author:Posie Graeme-Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Atria Books
Published: 2010-10-12T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 28

* * *

23rd of November, evening, AD 1845

17 Carnarvon Avenue

Hackney

London

My dearest Oriana,

I hope this letter finds you well. After some months in this house, all continues happily here. The business is finding more custom and I enjoy the designing of ladies’ clothing a great deal. All that my mother and Madame Angelique taught me seems, now, to bear fruit, for I see so clearly in my mind what I desire to make. It is a real pleasure to conjure the finished garment from bolts of material and cards of lace and buttons.

Ellen paused. It was engrossing work, for she had an instinct for making simple designs appear other than what they were. But though she truthfully enjoyed creating a garment from an idea, Ellen knew that the third sentence of her letter was a lie. Customers for the business were scarce and becoming fewer each day. She sighed and continued.

I think I have told you that I am responsible for the housekeeping and the cooking, for as yet I do not feel we can afford a maid (though Raoul disagrees). My husband works diligently with our local merchant community to interest their wives in our increasing success.

Increasing success? Ellen’s vision blurred. She seized the sheet of letter paper and screwed it up. “How is it I write twice each week to my cousin and my aunt but still hear nothing in return?”

When Raoul did not reply, Ellen looked over her shoulder. He was reading the morning’s edition of the Hackney Gazette. “Do you think Oriana and Aunt Daisy have cut me off?” She so hoped Raoul would say that her fears were groundless.

But he frowned. “For your sake, and ours, I pray that they have not.”

“But Jane, I am sure, is loyal? It is to her I send the letters.” It had been more than a year since they left Shene. Perhaps Jane no longer worked for Daisy. Ellen turned back to the writing desk.

Though I have often said that you and my aunt are welcome in our house here at Hackney, I hope you understand the seriousness with which I extend the invitation.

Our second bedroom is small and it would be necessary for you to share a bed with your mother. But we are able to live here only because of the generosity of dearest Aunt Daisy. We do not forget our debt of gratitude to her. This roof is your roof. You need not stay at Shene, cousin.

Ellen stole a glance at Raoul. He was silent. If he felt her eyes upon him, he gave no sign. Though the evening was cold, she had persuaded her husband that the coal they had should be kept for when it was truly freezing at night.

Poor Raoul. She longed to comfort him but did not know how. Perhaps it was a sense of failure that made him so distant. But it was her duty, and her joy, to support her husband and keep his spirits up.

“Would you like tea, Raoul? It will only take a moment.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.