11th Hour Rose Read Online Free PDF Page B

death. There hadn’t been time for grief, and many women had lost more than she. She’d simply pulled herself upright and kept moving forward, just like after her mother died.

 
    11 th Hour Rose
     
     
     
    Four
     
    “Lilly!” Her father’s voice floated up the stairs, jarring her awake. “Lilly!”
    “Yes?” she croaked, blinking rapidly against the piercing sunlight.
    “Lavinia is here to see you.”
    Groggy, Lilly lifted her head, pressing a hand to the dull ache in her temple. Howlong had she slept?She’d cried long into the wee hours of the morning, and from the look of the sunlight streaming through her window it must be near ten o’clock. A habitual early riser she rarely slept so late.
    Kicking to the edge of the bed, she glanced at Daniel’s letter resting on top of her pillow—still unopened. Later. She’d read the missive later. Today she and her cousin, Lavinia, had a dozen pies to make for the festival tomorrow.
    Lilly dressed quickly, and moved to the mirror. Lord help her, she looked a fright this morning, eyes puffy and cheeks splotched with red. She dragged a comb through her long hair and twisted it into a simple knot, stabbing a single pin through to hold it in place. She drew a long breath, feeling surprisingly serene. Perhaps she should cry more often.
    She quickly descended the stairs and found Lavinia already bustling about the kitchen.
    “I’m sorry to be getting such a late start,” Lilly said, lifting her apron off the peg beside the cast-iron oven.
    Lavinia offered a soft, sad smile. “I was late as well. I can hardly imagine doing this without Susannah.”
    Lilly blinked as more tears threatened. “Nor I. It will be the first time we’ve ever baked for the festival without her.”
    “Then we’ll have to be certain to win first prize tomorrow in her honor.”
    “Yes, we will.” Lilly nodded. “Did you bring the apples?”
    “A whole cartload. Your papa helped me unload them before he left.”
    The women set to work companionably mixing butter and flour for pie crusts and slicing apples. It had been some time since they’d had the opportunity to visit and they chatted about an array of topics from the weather to books to Susannah Jensen.
    “Lavinia, could I ask you a question about Susie?”
    “Certainly.”
    “Did she ever confide in you about personal matters?”
    Lavinia glanced over her shoulder, expression wary. “At times… yes.”
    “Was she ever unfaithful to Frank?”
    Lavinia sighed, tossing a rag onto the table top. “Playing your lawyering games today I see.”
    “Lavinia—”
    “No.” She raised a hand. “It’s all right. I know you only mean to help Susie and those other poor girls.” Lavinia dusted the flour from her hands and sank slowly into a wooden chair beside the table. Her serious blue-green eyes fused with Lilly’s. “I believe she was.”
    Lilly poked a knife into the center of the last pie… not quite finished … and slid it back into the oven to bake a few minutes longer. She sat across from her cousin at the table, organizing her thoughts. “Go on.”
    “Susie and Frank were fighting a great deal and when I went to see her a few days ago she was in a very good mood and mentioned another man, an acquaintance.”
    “Did she say anything specific or mention his name?”
    “No. She was very vague. I’m sure she knew I wouldn’t approve, especially after I told her I am with—” A hand flew to Lavinia’s mouth as her eyes widened to the size of silver dollars. “Goodness, Lilly, I forgot to tell you!”
    “Forgot to tell me what?”
    Lavinia colored prettily, a warm glow lighting her eyes. “I am with child. Jeffery and I are finally having a baby.”
    “Oh, my god,” Lilly blurted in genuine surprise. “Lavinia! That is wonderful.” She leapt to her feet, rounding the table to embrace her cousin. “I am so happy for you both.”
    “Thank you, Lilly.” Lavinia beamed, radiating true joy. “We have wanted a child