The Scandalous Sisterhood of Prickwillow Place (ARC) by Julie Berry
Author:Julie Berry
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Macmillan Children's Publishing Group
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00
CHAPTER 15
Wednesday morning dawned clear and bright, and Smooth Kitty announced over tea and toast that they would do laundry and housecleaning that morning.
“What would Mama say to see me operating a mangle?” Disgraceful Mary Jane muttered. “This independent living scheme has definite drawbacks.”
“I’ve mangled laundry before,” Dull Martha said. “It’s fun. I used to help our washwoman do it when Mama wasn’t watching. You crank the wheel as hard as you can, and watch all the water drip out.”
Disgraceful Mary Jane groaned, then patted Martha’s head. “Since you love it so much, I nominate you to mangle. I’ll iron our skirts and bodices for the strawberry social tonight.”
Their strawberry tablecloth lay draped in state over the dining room table. They’d all taken their toast and tea at the sideboard to keep crumbs off the embroidered linen.
“It came together so well,” Stout Alice said. “I never thought we could finish it in time.”
“All the credit’s due to our dear Roberta,” said Smooth Kitty. “She did two thirds of the stitching herself. What a lovely hand you have, dear.”
Roberta blushed. “Oh, it was nothing, really. You all made such dainty strawberries and leaves. I just joined them together.”
“And sewed half of them yourself.” Pocked Louise fingered the border. “Elinor’s vines look more like Briar Rose’s forest of thorns.”
“Strawberries are too cheerful,” Dour Elinor said. “I can’t stomach them plain.”
“Thorns add interest,” Roberta said generously. “We should stitch more throughout.”
Smooth Kitty kissed Roberta’s cheek. “You’re so good and kind, Roberta, you make us all better creatures than we would otherwise be.”
The doorbell rang.
Pocked Louise groaned. “Now what? Who can want to vex us this morning?”
“Come along, Elinor,” Stout Alice said with a sigh. “Let’s get ready, in case we must spring into gear and apply my costume.”
“Maybe it’s Constable Quill,” Disgraceful Mary Jane said. “How do I look?”
“Let me answer the door,” Kitty said. “I’ll get rid of them quickly. The rest of you, put on old frocks for housework, and meet me in the kitchen.”
Kitty opened the door to see an enormously tall, broad-shouldered man in a bowler hat and a violet waistcoat standing there, with a canary silk kerchief poking from his jacket pocket, and rather startling checkered pants. His thick blond mustache was oiled to a fine point, and pale sideburns curled around his cheekbones underneath his hat.
“Good morning, mademoiselle.” The word was French, but his accent was as English as treacle tart. He took a step inside. “I’m Gideon Rigby,” another large step, “and I represent the Order of Hilarion, patron saint of basket makers. By trade, I’m in the antique furniture business.”
“Oh?” Smooth Kitty was speechless in the face of his flamboyance. He took another step, which afforded him a peep into the dining room. He looked about appreciatively.
“My fellow order members and I are taking a charitable collection on behalf of the retired basket weavers of the fens.” He cupped his huge hands together in a gesture of deep concern and ventured down the hall. “Basket
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