Under a Gilded Sky by Imogen Martin

Author:Imogen Martin [Martin, Imogen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Romance, Western, Historical, Gilded Age
ISBN: 9781805081739
Google: H6MZ0AEACAAJ
Publisher: Storm Publishing Limited
Published: 2023-09-15T00:00:00+00:00

THIRTY-FOUR

Ginny slapped the reins on the mare’s back to urge her onwards after a long day’s journey to Jefferson City. She drew the buggy past the stone pillars on either side of the wide drive, black iron gates standing open. The setting sun made the sandy brickwork glow and the windows glint.

The front door burst open and Madeleine rushed down the steps.

“You’re here! I was getting worried. It will be dark soon.”

Ginny pulled her horse to a halt and jumped down from the driver’s bench. The young woman hugged her and laughed.

“Maddie, I’m covering you with dust!” Ginny apologized.

“As if that mattered for one moment.”

As before, when Ginny had been here at Thanksgiving, a stableboy took control of the buggy and luggage. Ginny stepped back to pat the horse’s nose. “Can you give her extra feed tonight? She’s been working since dawn.”

Ginny hurried up the steps and savored the warmth of the entrance hall, the smell of polished wood.

“You are looking wonderful as always, Aunt,” said Ginny as Aunt Josephine stepped out of the parlor, wearing a fashionable greige silk dress and her hair perfectly coiffured.

“And you, my dear Geneviève, look as if you have been on dirt roads all day. Which is the truth.”

Even though she had been here before, Ginny was awed by the grandeur of the house. Maddie had told her the chandelier had come from Venice, shipped in a thousand little parcels and then threaded together when it reached its new home in the Midwest.

After Ginny had washed and brushed the worst of the dust from her skirt, Maddie led her to the dining room, where a feast of cold cuts awaited her. “Here, let me get you plenty to eat,” she whispered conspiratorially, piling food onto Ginny’s plate: cold pork slices, pickled black walnuts, a leg of fried chicken.

“I would much appreciate a drink,” Ginny said, collapsing into a chair at the table and stretching out her long legs.

A maid poured apple juice into a glass and Ginny relished the cool liquid. Uncle Thomas came in and greeted his niece.

“How is Marie-Louise?” asked Aunt Josephine.

Ginny struggled down a piece of cornbread loaded with butter. She nodded.

“Very well, thank you, Aunt. She’s with the Sturge family at the moment. They’ve been a fine support over the past year.”

Maddie pushed forward the pretty Sèvres porcelain plate laden with fancy cakes.

Ginny took one with lemon icing. “And Isiah Boone is looking after the farm with his wife for a few days.”

“But you pay him?” asked Uncle Thomas.

“Yes. It’s hired help. But it’s much easier now that everything is sorted with the farm.”

Ginny felt the color rise up her throat and she studied her food. Why had she brought up the farm so soon? Even though Aunt and Uncle had wanted to remain anonymous, she planned to find a quiet moment to thank them privately over the Independence Day period of celebrations.

She was relieved when Maddie jumped in. “So not a thing in the world to worry about. You can have a wonderful little holiday.

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