Maid to Match Read Online Free PDF

her in Sloop’s orphanage.”
    Vaughan lit the edges of his cigar. “Well, I daresay she’ll do well there. That Sloop is a fine fellow.”
    “What makes you say that?”
    Blowing out the match, he tossed it in a tray. “All you have to do is look at what he’s done for those children. They were in the streets one day with barely enough clothing to cover their backs. The next, he had them beneath a warm roof with full bellies. Have you seen what he’s done with the parlor? He’s methodically renovating the whole place. He just finished his office and – ”
    “He beats the girls.”
    Vaughan stopped, the cigar halfway to his mouth.
    “I’ve suspected for a while, but when I saw Ora Lou’s face yesterday, well . . .” He gripped the arms of the chair.
    “Are you sure? She didn’t run into something?”
    “I’m sure. And it’s been going on for a while.”
    Vaughan fell back in his chair. “Is it just Ora Lou, or are there others?”
    “I don’t know, but I suspect there are others.”
    “Have you gone to Chief Pilkerton?”
    “Just came from there. They threw me out and told me not to come back.”
    Vaughan rubbed his head. “Doesn’t surprise me. Pilkerton and Sloop go way back.”
    “Well, I’m not going to put up with it. I made it clear to Sloop that Ora Lou was off-limits, but all the same, I don’t like leaving her there.”
    Staring into the distance, Vaughan shook his head. “I just can’t believe it.”
    “That’s why I’m here.”
    Vaughan looked at him. “Whatever amount you need, I can have it for you by tomorrow.”
    Mack stiffened. “I didn’t come for a handout.”
    “Your father was like family to me, son. I’d be honored if you’d let me do this.”
    “No, sir.”
    Sighing, Vaughan shook his head. “That confounded mountain pride. As quick to resent alms as you are to return a blow. I can’t even remember how many times I asked your mother to accept my help, but she absolutely refused.”
    Mack leaned forward, settled his elbows on his knees, and clasped his hands between them. “Actually, I do have a favor to ask.”
    Vaughan took a puff of his cigar. “Name it and it’s yours.”

    Tillie sat at her parents’ table soaking in the love and laughter. This was the first day off she’d had since her news had been announced, though her mother had learned of it almost as soon as Tillie had. As predicted, Mama had been over the moon.
    “Did Mrs. Vanderbilt pay for her stuff with real gold coins?” little Martha asked, her blue eyes wide. “Did you carry her gold pieces for her?”
    The Reese children had come in bunches, like radishes. Tillie and Allan were part of the first bunch – and the only ones still in North Carolina. The middle two boys had moved west.
    The second batch had started coming when Tillie was six. One baby a year for three years straight. Then another dry spell. Gussie and Ricky, the oldest of that bunch, had shouldered much of the burden for the youngers.
    When Tillie had left home at twelve to be a step-girl for a well-to-do family in Asheville, another bunch had begun arriving. Five-year-old Martha was part of it.
    “Nobody carries their money with them,” Gussie told Martha. “It’s vulgar. They have their bills sent to the steward.”
    Tillie and Allan exchanged a glance. Gussie would be twelve in the spring and thus leaving home. In anticipation, Mama had her reading The Handy Book for the Young General Servant .
    “Did she buy diamonds and dresses and a new pair of shoes?” Martha breathed, her black ringlets hovering over her food as she leaned in toward Tillie.
    “She can’t tell you.” Gussie handed a piece of bread to her youngest brother, Ennis. “Mrs. Vanderbilt relies on the total discretion of those who serve her.”
    Mama carved a piece of meat off the hare, her enormous bosom rocking with the motion. For such large proportions up top and down below, she had a relatively small waist – accentuated by the cinching of