Katie Rose Read Online Free PDF

Jennifer scowled. Jennifer could be so exasperating at times, but for all that, Penelope loved her.
    “Now don’t wrinkle your face. We must look our best! The Misses Billing will be a great asset to us. We were fortunate to get an invitation to tea. It was only due to Mary Forester’s help, and we can’t waste the opportunity.”
    Jennifer nodded. “I know, I just hate this sort of thing. I never know what to talk about with girls like these. They seem like magpies, chattering about dresses and such. But don’t worry, I’ll be nice.”
    Penelope chewed her lip in concern, knowing that the reddened result would only make her more attractive. But she
was
worried. Jennifer just didn’t seem to understand social niceties. She didn’t like pretty gowns, didn’t appreciate good lace gloves or rich perfumes. Although her sister possessed a natural beauty, she didn’t seem interested in her appearance, nor did she want to try to look more beautiful. It was something Penelope never understood.
    “Now, when we get inside, stand against the wall so they can’t see the tear in your hem,” Penelope ordered. “And don’t fidget with your gloves.”
    “This way, ladies.” The house servant returned to usher them into the parlor, and Penelope sighed with relief. The Misses Billing had invited them to tea, something that wouldn’t have happened just a few months ago. Penelope reminded herself that if her parents had lived, they would be on equal footing with the Billings of the world, but that wasn’t the case now. Now, it was only thanks to Jennifer’s talent and Mary Forester’s endorsement that they harbored any chance at all of entering polite society.
    Jane and Elizabeth Billing entered the room, both of them looking plump and well rested, without a care in the world. Jane approached first, her hands extended.
    “Penelope! I haven’t seen you since we were in grammar school, with that dreadful Mr. Whitcomb! I still feel his ruler on my poor hands. And this must be Jennifer! Come in, we’ve heard so much about you!”
    Penelope smiled and extended her hand, enviously taking in Jane’s gorgeous silver tea dress, and Elizabeth’s sunny yellow one. Jane’s gown, obviously new, was swathed with three kinds of lace that framed the bodice, then tapered off sweetly into a frothy petticoat. Elizabeth’s gown was less ornate, but just as expensive, with its taffeta trimand ruching. But both were dressed in the height of fashion, their hair cleverly arranged in upswept hairstyles. Penelope tried hard not to look down at her simple, twice-mended muslin. Her own figure, while better than Elizabeth’s, wasn’t nearly so artfully displayed, and she deeply envied Jane’s kid slippers. She tried not to think of the injustice of it all as Elizabeth patted her cheek fondly, then perched upon a high-backed horsehair love seat with her sister.
    “Do tell me everything you’ve been doing, especially the séance business. Can you really contact the dead? We were so sorry to hear about your parents’ accident. I believe Mother sent flowers, but wished we could do more. How is Eve?”
    Penelope smiled graciously and replied in just the right manner, grateful that Jennifer had followed her orders and was keeping quiet. A student of the wealthy, Penelope had garnered enough information from the tabloids to know all of the latest doings. She furnished just enough detail about the fortune-telling to arouse interest, and yet remain respectable. She saw Jennifer’s approving glance, and she went on eagerly to discuss costume, gardening, and all matter of mundane things that she knew would intensely interest the Billings.
    Penelope grew worried once more as they discussed the merits of starch for petticoats and French lace gloves. Jennifer’s foot began to tap the floorboards impatiently, but thankfully, the sisters didn’t seem to notice. She prayed that Jennifer wouldn’t say or do anything inappropriate, and struggled to think