A Lady of High Regard Read Online Free PDF Page B

Josephine asked.
    “Exactly,” Mia said. “Each person has her own level of need and necessity that only she can determine. Still, when a mother with several small children is left without a means of support and there are no friends, family members, or churches to come to her aid, she cannot jeopardize the lives of her children by refusing to do anything about it. And it’s those women who deserve our protection and help. Mrs. Hale believes there should be better working conditions and increased pay. She also believes the hours should be shortened and fewer days worked. And along with this, she believes nurseries provided at the factory would allow mothers of small babies to work and be available to nurse their children and care for them during periods of assigned rest.”
    Abigail shook her head. “Rest at work? You’ll never see that accepted. No one takes breaks away from their duties except for the luncheon hour.”
    “But perhaps they should,” Mia argued. “You must understand that nothing gets changed without someone seeing a need for change. There are ways to make conditions more acceptable so that less die from exhaustion or disease. Why, I know for a fact that many factories nail their windows shut summer and winter. Heat has killed both male and female during the summers, and fires have killed them at other times since they had no means of escape. There must be changes!” Mia pounded her fist into the palm of her hand, then looked rather sheepish at her outburst. “I fear the removal of our gloves has caused me to grow quite wanton.”
    The ladies laughed, but Mia noticed more than one woman begin to inch her fingers back into their kid coverings, lest they cross into more dangerous territory.

CHAPTER 4

    “ I should have told her no—plain and simple. I should never have agreed to this farce.” Garrett twisted the brim of his top hat as he paced the Stanley vestibule. “Just because she’s managed to find husbands for her sisters, she feels she must pair everyone in the universe,” he muttered. He continued pacing, wishing there were a way to graciously back out of the evening.
    “You look marvelous,” Mia declared as she descended the stairs.
    “I might say the same.” Garrett took in the expensive cut of her gown. White silk with the palest pink lace trim. The bodice was also overlaid with the same pale pink lace—a fine delicate pattern that almost seemed an illusion. Mia’s long white gloves and upswept hair gave her an air of royalty.
    “Thank you,” Mia replied. She reached out to take his hand as she glided down the last few steps. “I’m so looking forward to the evening. I’m certain you’ll find Mrs. Custiss to be a charming companion.”
    “Mia, I am not at all encouraged about this evening. How do you know this woman?”
    “I met her while visiting. She’s the daughter of one of my mother’s friends. I’ve heard good things about her and she is close to your age. I shared tea with her just last week and she was quite excited at the prospect of meeting you.”
    “I see. Excited in what way? Did you encourage her to consider me a prime choice of husbands, just as you have promoted her to me for wife?”
    “Oh, don’t be a bother. You’ll probably fall madly in love before the evening is out.” Mia took up her bonnet and positioned it carefully before securing it in place. Pleased with her appearance, she then turned and took up her silk wrap and reticule. “Father and Mother have already departed for the Overtons’, so you can greet them at the party.”
    Garrett took this as his cue that they should be on their way. A life of familiarity eliminated a great many formalities between the Wilsons and Stanleys, and for this he was most grateful. He liked the casual way Mia handled herself in his presence. He thoroughly enjoyed that he was welcomed here as family just as he was at home.
    “It looked as though it might rain, so I brought the enclosed landau.” He