Shadows of Magnolia by Jerri Hines

Author:Jerri Hines [Hines, Jerri]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Goodreads: 24487100
Published: 2015-01-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

Rosa dressed Jo for the evening. Her maid had an amazing ability in styling her hair in an upswept coiffure. Her dark tresses were artfully interlaced into a swirled grandeur. It was a luxury that Jo admitted she enjoyed.

Gillie had been the best companion. She had shared everything with her Gillie. Alone together, the two would talk for hours on end. Rosa was not like that. Efficient in her duties, her new maid did not invite an intimacy that Jo shared with Gillie. It had surprised Jo that Rosa had retrieved her from a compromising position…grateful, though, Rosa had.

Her heart ached, but if she had stayed in Cullen's arms, she would have been ruined. A weak moment that would have destroyed her life. Cullen was much too dangerous to be around alone. She would never let it happen again.

Andrew had been true to his word and called upon his mother yesterday morning. Cordial if somewhat distant, he had presented himself the epitome of a doting fiancé, even inviting the small party to the theater this evening.

Jo had taken great care in her appearance this night and labored over which gown to wear, pondering whether to be demure or bold. She chose her midnight-blue velvet with a low-cut neckline. Bold it would be.

She took one more glance at herself in the mirror. Satisfied, she donned an exquisite fur trim cloak that matched her dress and exited her room. Mrs. Montgomery and the girls had already headed to the lobby to meet Andrew.

At least, Jenna and Amy were excited about the performance. The two seemed to have been making the most of their adventure north.

She hurried down the hall, but Jo slowed on her entrance into the well-lit hall. She spotted Andrew standing by Cullen’s parents.

“Oh, Jo! There you are!”

Jo smiled at Mother Montgomery, who gestured for Jo to come to her side. Since Andrew had made his appearance, the tense lines around her eyes had vanished. A worry alleviated, Mother Montgomery had relaxed and began to enjoy herself.

“I was telling Monica how we are looking forward to this evening. Jenna swears that Edwin Forrest is doing a reading.”

“If you haven’t seen one of his performances, you will be impressed, Miss Wright.” Monica Smythe looked at Jo with a stiff smile. “We were disappointed you were not able to come to our dinner the other night. I was afraid we would not see you until the ceremony.”

“I did not want to impose,” Jo said in her soft Southerner drawl. “I, too, am disappointed we have not spent as much time together as we might wish. I had hoped Andrew’s extended family would have been able to accompany him down at Christmas, but then Andrew himself was unable to attend.”

Jo turned toward Andrew. Her lips curved graciously at her fiancé, but his eyes bored into hers. There was a whiteness about his tense lips that told he had not appreciated her comment. She wondered whether she had gone too far in needling him about his absence.

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