A Lady of High Regard Read Online Free PDF Page A

in her appearance, and in general lacked the social graces that spoke of true quality. Mia had thought about taking her under consideration to teach, but Martha showed no interest. She was content to have her flat, unattractive hairstyles and dowdy dresses. Even in Abigail’s silk print gown of green and tan, Martha managed to look ordinary.
    In contrast, Josephine, who was nineteen, the same age as Martha, was a dark-eyed beauty who had no trouble attracting attention. The unwanted favors of Mervin Huxford, Josephine’s father’s young associate, was not the only interest shown the young woman. She’d been pursued since coming out at sixteen. Mia had actually been surprised that Jo had put off even the slightest hint of attention from Philadelphia’s finest bachelors.
    “I will not waste my time with the wrong man,” she had told Mia. “When the right one comes into my life, I shall know it very well.”
    Mia had to admit she admired that attitude. Abigail, on the other hand, dreamed of receiving a proposal of marriage from Andrew Tobias. Mr. Tobias was a gentleman farmer who raised fine crops and very fast horses. His family name was well respected and the match would be considered an excellent one for both families. Mia liked to believe she had had something to do with the arrangement. She had introduced the two at one of her mother’s parties. And while it was true she hadn’t really considered them for one another, she chalked it up to her very matchmaking nature, believing that her heart had simply known and acted without thought.
    “Mia, I love that gown. Where did you get it?” Lydia asked.
    Mia was brought quickly from her daydreams and into the conversation. “We have a dressmaker on Chestnut Street. She’s quite skilled. I told her I wished to have something fashioned in a peach color suitable for a walking-out dress. She found this marvelous material and gold and brown trim. I’m very happy with the way it turned out.”
    “And well you should be,” Lydia replied. “Those sleeves are simply perfect. I’ve not seen bishop sleeves used in ever so long.” The others quickly agreed.
    “I simply love the fashion plates Godey’s puts out each month,” Prudence said with a sigh. “Some of those dresses are without a doubt the most incredible creations I’ve ever seen. My dressmaker has no imagination, but when I take her those plates, she can easily figure out how to put together the pattern and give me what I desire.”
    “ Godey’s has been a wonderful help to women everywhere,” Lydia agreed. “The information on etiquette alone must be tremendously helpful for young women who have no one else to teach them.”
    “Or money for finishing school,” Josephine threw out. “I wish we hadn’t had the money for finishing school.” She began to laugh and with it came the inevitable snort for which Jo was well known. She might be a beauty, but that obnoxious laugh was long remembered.
    “Oh, it couldn’t have been that bad. Not nearly as bad as the school I attended in Virginia,” Prudence said. “Goodness, but those Southern girls have more rules and duties than you can even imagine. I only changed my clothes four times yesterday and imagined my head mistress, Mrs. Beaufort, fainting in displeasure. If a Southern girl changes her clothes fewer than six times, she’s considered to have a lack of proper upbringing.”
    “And what of gloves?” Martha asked, holding up her arm. The gloves she wore made her fingers look like stuffed little sausages. “I despise gloves, but society demands we wear them everywhere.”
    “Except to eat,” Abigail countered.
    Mia felt sorry for Martha. With a smile she began to unbutton her glove. “So let us be decadent and completely ill-mannered and put our gloves aside.” She pulled first one glove off and then the other and waved them ever so defiantly. “See, the roof has not come down on us.”
    The others giggled and followed suit. Mia couldn’t