During the next two days, Colin’s statement about having a plan kept Mariah wondering as she worked with his sisters on their school subjects and music lessons. She spent a good deal of time mulling over those mysterious words in her mind even as she demonstrated to the girls how to subtly draw attention while strolling about a room. She illustrated how to flirt with the eyes just enough to intrigue a man without being overly blatant, how to use the fan and parasol to spark interest, and how to accidentally allow a bit of ankle to show amid a flurry of skirts and petticoats. The two younger sisters quickly tired of that sort of playacting.
Victoria, however, was particularly eager to learn and did her best to mimic Mariah’s movements as gracefully as possible. “Is this the way?” she would ask. “Please show me once more.”
Mariah showered Tori’s efforts with profuse praise while the other girls were absorbed in laboring over their sums. “I’m sure you shall have no difficulty capturing Dennis Tucker’s affections…and we’ll be sure to invite him to join us as often as you wish.”
“Oh, I do hope he starts noticing me,” the fifteen-year-old breathed on a sigh. “After all, I’m not a child anymore.” She toyed with one of her honey-colored ringlets.
“That is true. However, your mother has set a lot of store by your marrying a prosperous merchant, you know.” Mariah softened the reminder with a smile. “She does feel she has your best interests at heart. She wants you to have a successful future.” Just as I wish for myself.
A dreamy glow filled Victoria’s azure eyes. “Mother has a whole list of wants, I’m sure. And so have I.” With a flutter of her long lashes, she snapped her parasol open and made a ladylike circuit of the room, bestowing condescending smiles and nods on her younger sisters as she passed.
Mariah couldn’t help but smile at Victoria’s determination.
A light tap sounded on the door, and Lizzie opened it and leaned her mobcapped head into the room, her smile bright against café au lait skin. “Tea is bein’ served on the veranda, missy.”
The words scarcely left the slave’s mouth before books and parasols slammed shut and the three young ladies flew out of the room to the top-stair landing, where they came to a sudden stop, hiked their chins, and paraded down the steps at a more sedate pace, with Mariah trailing after them. A smiling Victoria hopped over the final two steps in front of Heather, as if she somehow expected her charming Tuck to come calling.
As the little group emerged from the front entrance to join the rest of the family out on the veranda, Mariah reveled in the welcome breeze wafting up from the river. Today was by far the warmest since her arrival. The heat compelled her to remove all but one thin petticoat beneath her dimity gown adorned with multihued pastel flowers. Its short sleeves allowed the breeze to cool her arms.
Colin and his parents already occupied some of the wicker chairs surrounding the cloth-covered table as Amy dashed to a vacant seat beside her mother. The two older girls and Mariah bobbed into quick curtsies. If anything, Mariah decided, this family tended toward too much formality.
“Be seated, girls.” The mistress directed a cool smile at them. “The ice is melting in the limeade.”
Mariah immediately headed for the prudent seat on the sharp-eyed woman’s other side, noting the heavenly sight of moisture coursing down the glasses at each place setting in the heat of the day. Just as she was about to pull out the empty chair, Colin reached from close behind her and drew it back, then seated her. She did her best not to react to his nearness, even when his arm inadvertently brushed against hers, causing a delicious tingle.
“Do hurry up, everybody.” Amy ogled the platter of small sandwiches, tea cakes, and sugared raspberries, her blue eyes wide.
“Oh my.” Mariah turned to Mistress Barclay while Colin returned to his place across from her. “The drinks look especially delightful on such a warm afternoon.” Even more delightful, Mariah would be able to slip an unnoticed glance at Colin on occasion from this vantage point. Hopefully he would also be discreet.
Over the persistent drone of cicadas proclaiming the arrival of sultry weather, Mr. Barclay offered a brief blessing for the food. The second he finished, Amy’s hand snaked out and snatched a cucumber and watercress sandwich. The child always seemed quick and full of energy no matter the time or temperature.
Mariah’s preference lay in the frosty drink. Enjoying the feel of the cool, slippery glass as she raised it to her lips, she took a long sip, letting the refreshing ice chips brush her lips.
Beside her, the lady of the house, slightly flushed from the heat, in a gown of ecru linen, took a draught from her limeade, then blotted her lips on her napkin. Across from the mistress, Mr. Barclay and Colin fared a bit better in thin white shirts with the top buttons open. Mariah turned her attention to the older man. “Sir, may I ask how you managed to supply this glorious ice in such hot weather?”
Setting down his drink, he flashed a friendly smile. “There’s a nice little cove not far below the falls where the ice gets quite thick in the winter. We cut ice blocks there, wrap them in burlap, and cart them by wagon to our icehouse near the creek.”
“Falls? I didn’t know there was a waterfall nearby.”
Colin entered the conversation. “It’s not exactly nearby. It’s a fair ride from here, actually. And it’s not just a mere little fall but quite a spectacular series of cascades. Perhaps some day next week—after classes, of course—we could take a ride up to see them.”
The mistress stiffened, but Amy all but jumped out of her seat. “Me, too! I love the falls.”
“Of course, squirt. We wouldn’t dream of going there without you.” But her brother’s lackluster tone belied his cheerful words.
“Can we go tomorrow? Please?”
“No.” Her mother caught Amy’s chin and turned it toward her. “Tomorrow is the Sabbath. And as you know, the Reverend Mr. Hopkins and his family will be here for Sunday dinner. Hannah Grace will want to visit with you.”
“Oh, I forgot.” The child slumped back in her chair, then popped forward again. “Then how about—”
“No, not Monday, either,” Colin interjected. “I have to go into Alexandria to meet with Quince Sherwood about the horse race Saturday after next. Soon as I find out how many others will be competing, I must have the announcements printed up and pay a couple of lads to distribute them throughout the area. Once word gets around, folks from all over will show up with their picnic baskets and set up games for the children. And of course the tinkers will be there as well, hawking their so-called miracle remedies. Heaven forbid there should ever happen to be an affair where they fail to make the most of it.”
Victoria set her partially eaten sandwich on her plate. “Oh, Mother. I simply must have a new summer frock made, and a matching parasol.” She shot a merry glance at Mariah, obviously hoping to test her new attention-getting techniques on Tuck.
“You already have a selection of very nice gowns, dear,” her mother reminded her.
“But not in the latest fashion.” She looked at the mistress with a pleading expression. “I want a gown similar to Miss Harwood’s. The dimity is ever so pretty. I’d be the envy of every girl in attendance. Please?” She scrunched up her face for added measure.
Mistress Barclay perused Mariah’s frock as she nibbled a piece of tea cake in thought, her expression gradually losing its resolve. “Monday is not possible. I’ve invited the neighbor ladies for a light lunch that day, as you well know.”
“But Mama, any later and there won’t be time to have my dress properly made.”
Appreciating Victoria’s use of the more familial Mama in the same sentence with the word properly, Mariah realized the girl was no amateur at begging.
Her mother sighed, obviously growing weary of the topic. “Colin said he has quite a lot of business to take care of in Alexandria. Unless your father is able to go with you, you won’t have a chaperone. Eldon?” She swept a questioning look at her husband.
“I’m afraid not.” Mr. Barclay gave a slow shake of his head. “Cora, my love, Patterson and Clark will be here while their wives are lunching with you. We’ll be occupied in my study.”
She arched a brow. “Oh yes…you men and your private card games.”
“Then Miss Harwood could come with me,” Victoria quickly inserted. “In fact, I’d truly like her to come. She could assist me in selecting the perfect fabric and prettiest trims like the fashionable ladies in England are wearing.”
Aha. So this must be the plan Colin had hinted at. Mariah reached for a slice of cake. This was getting interesting.
“What about me, Mother?” Heather jumped into the fray. “If Tori gets a new frock, I should have one, too.”
Mercy me, a fly in the ointment.
An unexpected smile moved across Mistress Barclay’s lips. “You’re quite right. And Amy shall go as well. You shall all have new party frocks for the event.” She plucked a raspberry from her plate and placed it in her mouth as she switched her attention to Mariah. “In fact, I would like you, Mariah, to have Mistress Henderson make you at least two new dresses. Plain ones. There’s no need for you to walk about looking like a fashion plate while you’re tutoring the girls.” She paused, narrowing her dark brown eyes in added contemplation as she tapped her index finger against her bottom lip. “I think black would be too austere. Perhaps gray would be more suitable. Yes, gray will do admirably well. And have her send two mobcaps along. Those lovely curls need protection from the summer sun.”
The cake turned to sawdust in Mariah’s mouth. The message was clear.
Amy, however, folded her arms and pouted. “I don’t wanna waste a whole day bein’ fitted for no new day gown. I have enough dresses.”
“Being fitted for any new day gown,” Mariah heard herself blurt out, the tutor in her rising to the occasion despite the growing ache in her heart.
The child leveled a glare at her. “And being corrected all the way to town and back again, no doubt.” She shook her head.
At that, a round of laughter erupted, lightening the moment. But Mariah couldn’t help noticing Colin’s deflated expression at having his plan go awry. Her heart went out to him…even though the sad turn of events was probably for the best. There was still time. Four years of time. Nothing had to work out just yet. She averted her gaze to the tall oaks lining the drive and watched the lush branches swaying on the summer wind, trying to envision herself looking bland as a turtledove.
Mistress Barclay’s voice brought her back to the moment as she caught her daughter’s hand in hers. “Amy, dear, how about this? Colin will take all of you girls with him when he leaves for Alexandria early Monday morning. By the time you’ve all been fitted for new gowns, your brother should have concluded his business affairs. Then you can return home for a quick lunch, after which you can all ride up to visit the falls and spend the rest of the afternoon there. Make a whole day of it. Wouldn’t that be jolly fun?”
Amy’s bottom lip made an appearance, and her forehead crinkled with a frown. “But why can’t I just wait at home for the rest of them to get back from town? Why do I have to go there at all?”
“Because that is the only way I will permit you to go to the falls. That is my decision.”
The child mulled the concept over in her mind then, accepting her fate, stood from her chair and flung her arms around her mother’s neck. “Oh well. At least I’ll have a whole day with no lessons.”
Mariah saw disturbed glances pass between Colin and Victoria, and she took another sip from her tall glass. Another of Colin’s plans to get her alone may have been squashed. More’s the pity. But it played right into Mariah’s own scheme—keeping her desirable self always dangling before him but just out of reach…even if she would look a bit on the plain side most of the time. That little Amy surely did come in handy.
With any luck at all, years from now, when she and Colin were wed with children of their own, Mariah would be sure to thank both his ever-watchful mother and the snitch for the excellent maneuvers that would help two people in love get together. Properly.
No matter how many obstacles were thrown in the path.