The Misses Moffet Mend A Marriage: A Victorian San Francisco Story by Locke M. Louisa

Author:Locke, M. Louisa [Locke, M. Louisa]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2012-02-28T00:00:00+00:00

“Dear Mrs. Porter, we are so grateful you were able to accommodate our request to see you at seven. A terrible imposition, I know, so early in the morning. But one of our other clients has rather an emergency, and she needs our services at nine. We did want to get these outfits to you for their final fittings. I can assure you, you will be much more comfortable in the navy cashmere now that we have taken out the seams again.”

“Dear Miss Minnie,” said Lydia Porter, “no need to apologize. I don’t sleep at all well of late; I just can’t get comfortable. I was glad to have you come this early. At least I had something to anticipate with pleasure; I get so bored with myself. I am sure my husband…oh, listen to me complain. I am confident the cashmere is fine; you have done such a clever job adapting my dresses to my changing state. Although at this point, there is no hiding my condition so I won’t be out in public very much. I suppose it will be good to have the navy for church. Thank heavens the high bustle isn’t in fashion this year. You wouldn’t know whether I was coming or going!” The young woman’s laughter wobbled into a teary smile.

Miss Minnie patted her shoulder consolingly and said in her most cheerful tones, “Sister Millicent, come see how beautiful our Mrs. Porter looks with the pink lace you put around the collar of the dressing gown.” She gently moved the young woman so she could see herself in the mirror over the mantle. She was wearing a wrapper the Moffets had made for her of deep-rose satin, overlaid by pale-pink lace, whose front and back panels fell smoothly from a high yoke to the floor, like a feminine version of a minister’s vestments.

“My dear, you look lovely. Doesn’t she, Millicent? I do declare it is a shame that only your husband is going to see you in it. Oh my, I hope we haven’t disturbed him by coming at this early hour. My dear papa just hated when his morning routine was interrupted. Don’t you remember, Millicent? How he would huff and puff so. Has your husband left for work already?”

“Oh no, I don’t think so. I believe he must have gone down to breakfast before I…I am sure he will come to say goodbye before he leaves.”

Millie noticed the hesitation in Mrs. Porter’s voice and felt quite a sharp stab of anger at the young man. She did hope that they would be able to show him the error of his ways. Just because her long ago fiancé, Percival, had proven himself unworthy of her esteem, abandoning her when she lost her fortune, didn’t mean that Minnie was correct to say that all men were as frail.

As if summoned by his wife’s words, the door to the sitting room opened and Mr. Porter walked in. He was a tall, wide-shouldered young man, whose glossy black hair was swept back from his forehead, revealing clear gray eyes.

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