Maid to Match Read Online Free PDF Page B

her apron strings. “That may be so, Gussie, but it isn’t as if we’re in Newport. Here, all of Asheville would know of Mrs. Vanderbilt’s purchases before she ever even left the store. So if Tillie wants to tell us, I’m sure it would be all right. We are family, after all.”
    Gussie snorted, but the room fell silent. Tillie could feel their ears growing as they waited for her reply. Even little Ennis looked at her, his mouth now full of bread.
    She took a sip of milk, stalling. The townsfolk would discuss Mrs. Vanderbilt’s every move in great detail for weeks to come, but that was them. Not the staff. Not her personal maid. If she were to blur the lines, how would she know where they started and where they stopped? Before she could formulate a response, Allan came to her rescue.
    “I don’t think the good people of Asheville were talking about Mrs. Vanderbilt so much as they were Tillie,” he said.
    Mama’s smile was smug. “Really? What were they saying?”
    He jabbed some peas with his fork. “Earl Danver made sure everybody knew it took him twice as long to get to town as usual, because after every bump Tillie had to cast her bread upon the waters.”
    Mama popped Allan’s knuckles with her spoon. Popped them. Tillie hadn’t seen her do that since he was twelve.
    “You hush up, Allan Reese. I don’t want to hear another word about that or that infernal Earl Danver.”
    Allan’s brows shot up to his hairline as he massaged his offended hand. “I’m afraid the secret’s out, Ma. It’s quite the joke belowstairs, and Till’s endured no small amount of ribbing because of it.”
    “What’ve they said, Allan?” Ricky’s toothy grin stretched from one large ear to the other. “Does she have a nickname?”
    “Ricky!” Mama waved her spoon, but the ten-year-old was well out of reach.
    “Does she?”
    Straightening his spine, Allan looked down his nose. “I’m afraid, young sir, that your sister relies on the total discretion of those who serve beside her.”
    The little ones giggled. They loved it when he put on his footman airs.
    Thank you , she mouthed.
    Mama signaled for the plates and flatware to be passed to her for washing. “Tillie’s still better than that Lucy Lewers. Why, Lucy has men sniffing after her all the time. You’ve seen the way she carries on at the barn gatherings during parlor games and twistifications. It’s downright scandalous. You won’t catch our Tillie doing that.”
    “Nothing wrong with twistifications.”
    All eyes swung toward Pa. He weighed about one hundred thirty pounds and, like Ricky, had a toothy grin. He didn’t talk much, but everybody in the county knew him on account of his being the best dancer these parts had ever seen.
    Mama gave him a stern look. “Dancing gives the boys ideas, Herbert.”
    “Aw, we’re just letting off a little steam.” Allan pulled his napkin from his collar. “Nobody thinks anything about it.”
    “Just the same.” She turned to Tillie. “The last thing you need now is some loafer showing some interest. You probably shouldn’t go to the barn gatherings at all until your position as lady’s maid is secure.”
    Tillie frowned. “Not go? But I haven’t missed a single one since I was hired on.”
    “I’ll watch out for her.” Allan pushed back his chair. “You ready to sit on the porch, Pa?”
    Pa finished off his milk, then stood. Looking down the row of children, he zeroed in on Tillie. “Some ginger cookies would help you on those carriage rides.”
    “Ginger cookies?” she asked.
    “Ayup. And you go on to those twistifications. If King David can dance like a fool, I’m figuring a few whirls around the floor’ll be all right for you.”
    She smiled. “Thanks, Pa.”
    “I still think you need to be careful,” Mama warned.
    “I will.” Tillie rose to help with the cleanup. As soon as the table was cleared, Mama shooed the little ones out, leaving her alone with Tillie.
    “I’m so excited for you,