Whirlwind by Cathy Marie Hake

Author:Cathy Marie Hake [Hake, Cathy Marie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Christian, Historical, General, Religious
ISBN: 9781441218513
Google: XwdoM5vUtc8C
Amazon: B0091T2SD8
Publisher: Bethany House
Published: 2008-08-31T16:00:00+00:00

Fifteen

Private.” Millicent wasn’t sure that strangled sound had come out of her. Heat rushed to her cheeks, and suddenly she hoped dust completely covered her face.

Daniel nodded. “Privacy isn’t something we’ve yet enjoyed.”

Oh, dear merciful heavens. She swallowed hard.

He tugged her hand, and she followed woodenly. “Please have a seat.” He led her to an oak press-backed chair he’d dusted off only moments before.

“Thank you.” She melted onto the seat, her hands knotted in her lap. I’m not a coward. I refuse to be. She lifted her chin and looked at him.

“There are a few topics we need to cover. The first is rather delicate.”

Delicate. Her lips formed the word, but no sound came out.

Daniel noticed her acknowledgment and continued on. “Sensibilities being what they are, some rules are best left intact for all involved. Other customs are not necessarily for the greater good.” His deep brown eyes regarded her steadily.

“Don’t you agree?”

“I’m not sure.” She fortified herself with a deep breath. Until she knew for certain precisely what he wanted, she didn’t have the ability to answer him. “Could you be more specific?”

Clasping his hands behind his back, he walked away from her, then turned slowly. “Isabelle and Frank were very devoted to one another.”

Sorrow slashed through her.

“Their affection for one another was unmistakable.”

Not trusting her tongue, Millicent nodded.

Daniel approached her. He took her hands in his. “Sometimes, we make sacrifices out of love. I know what I’m about to ask of you is, as I said, delicate. Nonetheless, it is the best course of action. I noticed you set aside crepe for mourning. Veils made of it are unhealthful for the eyes and the lungs. Isabelle oughtn’t wear them.”

Relief bubbled through her. He was worried about Isabelle’s health. “I’ll speak with her. I’m sure she’ll still want a veil, though. At least when she goes out to church. The list of fabrics and sewing notions we provided for you has black netting on it. That would work.”

“Fine. Fine.” He walked away yet again.

Oh no. There’s something more? Well, the other request was quite minor.

“Often, sisters are the same size. If I’m not mistaken, you and Isabelle are similar.”

“We are.”

“Though Frank was your brother-in-law, I know you’ll agree that Isabelle’s loss is the greater. That being the case, she should be the one to wear mourning clothes.”

“We both shall.”

Daniel shook his head and came back toward her again. This time, he dragged over a box and sat on it. They were knee-to-knee. Millicent subtly shifted to break the contact—though completely innocent, it was by far the most familiar and intimate contact she’d ever had with a man.

“I propose you trade clothes with her: She takes all of your black bodices and skirts. In return, she’ll let you wear her white and colored garments.”

Eyes wide with shock, Millicent stared at him. “You cannot expect me to lark about in merry attire!”

Daniel leaned forward and clasped her hands. “We can and will acknowledge her loss. But I don’t want to cling to the visual reminders of her loss.

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