A Love All Her Own Read Online Free PDF Page B

eyes would go down before she met the Wellingtons.
    She was pleased when Bea kept her word and came to take her dresses to be pressed. Bea handed her the list of references and told her that she’d try to come back that afternoon to help with her hair. As it was past midmorning but she was still not very hungry, Abigail sent a lunch order of tea and the soup of the day down to the kitchen with Bea, to be sent up at noon.
    Abigail finished unpacking the bags she’d been too exhausted to deal with the night before, quite pleased that she managed to do it all herself. The thought that she really was quite spoiled came to mind, but she didn’t let it stay there long. She didn’t much like the picture it gave of herself.
    After she’d freshened up, she was pleased that her lunch arrived right on time, and she thought about the day ahead as she ate her split pea soup and enjoyed her pot of tea. She was looking forward to meeting the Wellingtons. She’d realized just how alone she was during her long night, and she would be glad to have someone to call on if needed. At least they were old friends of her parents, and she hoped that would make it easier to get to know them.
    Bea brought her gowns up just after one o’clock and was able to stay and help with preparations for attending the Wellingtons’ tea. She brushed Abigail’s hair to a bright shine and then pulled it up, twisted and turned it, and pinned it on top of her head. Bea explained each step so that Abigail could attempt to do it herself if Bea wasn’t available. The maid pulled a few curls out around Abigail’s face, and Abigail was very pleased with the results.
    “Thank you, Bea. I’ll try to do it myself tomorrow morning for church.”
    “I’m sure you’ll be able to. Just brush, pull up, and twist.”
    “I think that sounds easier than it is, but I’ll try.” After all, she was going to be here awhile. She wasn’t going to have someone at her disposal all the time. She thought of hiring a personal maid—after all, many people traveled with their personal staff. Somehow that only reinforced the fact that she was very spoiled, and for some reason, she didn’t want the Wellingtons to see her that way.
    Bea helped her into a visiting dress, a pale blue crepe de chine draped to the side and trimmed with gold embroidery. By the time Bea left, Abigail thought she looked as nice as she could.
    Marcus Wellington arrived promptly at three, and when Abigail opened the door to him, she was a little surprised at how nervous she was.
    “Good afternoon, Miss Connors. It is a lovely day out. Are you ready to go?”
    “It is, Mr. Wellington. And I am ready and looking forward to meeting your parents.” She gathered her parasol, reticule, and key. After locking the door, she dropped it in her small bag and took the arm Marcus held out to her as they went downstairs to the lobby.
    He led her out to a surrey with a fringed canopy top, helped her in, and then rounded the vehicle to take his own seat. With a flick of his wrist, they were off, down Central Avenue back toward the train depot. Abigail quite enjoyed the ride while Marcus pointed out several businesses to her. A general store owned by a Mr. E. Burgauer was said to have a varied stock, and according to Marcus, the William J. Little Grocery at the junction of Central and Reserve was one of the largest in the city.
    He also pointed out the post office and Cooper and Johnston’s Stationery and Bookstore. A photographer and a large jewelry store occupied the same block. And they passed several banks, too. There was so much to look at—and Abigail was seeing just part of the town. She looked forward to learning her way around.
    Marcus turned off Central Avenue and made several more turns before he stopped the surrey at a large home on a quiet street. He tied the reins to the hitching post at the street and helped her down. Before they got halfway to the house, the door was thrown open and a woman who