Butterfly Palace (6 page)
Belle turned her head from one side to the other and stared at herself in the mirror. “No blush today, no powder. And maybe another dress instead. This one is too flashy. It screams, ‘Look at me.’ ” She rose and went to the wardrobe again. “This one.” She selected a dark brown one.
Lily helped her change, then nodded. “A good choice, but you are still very lovely.” The darker color made Belle appear pale and fragile. A flower who needed tending. Any man worthy of the name would want to be the one to care for her.
Belle turned toward the still-open French doors. “I’m hungry now, Lily. Would you fix me some hot food? This is quite cold. And tea as well.”
“Of course, Miss Belle.” Lily retrieved the cold breakfast.
A tap sounded on the door, and Mrs. Marshall poked her head in. “Oh good, you’re up.” She stepped into the room and closed the door behind her. “Lily did your hair, I see. She’s quite good, isn’t she?”
Belle shrugged. “It’s all right.”
“I think it’s time we hired you a lady’s maid. In fact, I believe Lily will do quite well for you.”
Belle’s head came up and her eyes flashed. “I have no wish for a maid. I can call Lily when I need her.”
Mrs. Marshall pressed her lips together. “I’m afraid your uncle insists. It’s time you were married. Lily understands fashion, and she’s quite a good seamstress. She will be an ally when you go to your married home too.”
“She’s much too pretty.” Belle bit her lip as though she was sorry she’d let the words slip out.
Mrs. Marshall laughed. “She’s no competition for you.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“I’m not sure you have a choice. You’ll have to discuss it with your uncle if you decide against my best advice.” Mrs. Marshall opened the door.
Lily swallowed hard. Was this to be her life? Running after a spoiled young woman who didn’t know her own mind from one moment to the next?
T
he stain on the green dress could no longer be seen. Lily hung it in the closet. Her gaze swept the room. She’d only been here a day, but she still gaped at the opulence. She allowed herself a chance to really take in the bedroom.
The curtains at the French doors were silk. The rich color on the wall was of the highest quality. The bedclothes were the softest satin. And the closet! Lily had never seen so many dresses and shoes.
Emily peeked her white-capped head in. “Mrs. O’Reilly sent me to train you.” She stepped into the room. “I’ll help you make the bed. The sheets were just changed yesterday.”
Emily had taken the news of Lily’s possible promotion with only a flicker of her lids, but Lily knew the other woman had wanted this position. “That would be lovely. Emily, I really don’t want this job, you know. I’m hoping Belle says no.”
Emily shrugged. “So you say.”
“It’s true. I—I need a friend here, and we are to share a room. It will be quite uncomfortable if you’re angry with me.”
“I’m not angry. Just perplexed over how you managed this so quickly.”
“I did only what I was asked to do. Truly. Things just happened after that.”
Emily lifted her head and studied Lily’s face. “I think I’ll be stuck in the kitchen forever.” Her eyes brightened. “Could you teach me what you know? About hair and fashion, I mean?”
“Of course! I brought my
Godey’s
books, and we can look at them at night.”
Emily smiled and looked around the room. “Has Miss Belle given you instructions on how she likes things done yet? You’ll need to know whether or not she takes you on as her maid.”
Lily shook her head. “She went on a drive with Mr. Vesters.”
“She likes her sheets washed every three days. The morning room floor is to be swept every morning with fresh linen laid before she gets up.” She pointed. “Miss Belle calls the veranda her morning room though it’s outside. Confusing, I know.”
“I didn’t get that done this morning. I wasn’t sure what was to be done.”
Emily shrugged. “You only had three hours of sleep.”
“None, really. I never fell asleep last night. It was too loud and strange.”
Emily’s merry hazel eyes sparkled. “It’s a lively city for sure. Anyway, she likes every gown cleaned after wearing. Just under the arms and any spots. She won’t wear it any longer once she’s worn it three times.”
“Just three times?” Lily couldn’t imagine such waste.
“We usually get her castoffs.” Emily’s smile widened. “Though where she expects us to wear something so grand, I have no idea. I’ve gotten three so far, and I’ve taken off trim and made them a little plainer so I can wear them to church.”
“You’re allowed to go to church?”
“We take turns. I get to go once a month. I’ll let Mrs. O’Reilly
know you’d like to go too.” Emily moved to the bed and pulled off the sheets. “Miss Belle likes the bed made from scratch so the sheets are taut and without wrinkles.”
Lily went to the far side of the bed and began to help Emily make it. Emily showed her how to make the corner tight. Lily had never seen it done so precisely. Suddenly, she wanted to get back on the train and ride it straight to Larson.
Emily stared at her. “You’re looking a little blue. You’ll get the hang of this soon enough, love. I’ve only been here a year, and I know everything about this house.” She lowered her voice. “Including the gossip.”
Lily smiled back. “Everyone seems quite proper. I’m surprised there is anything to talk about.”
“You’d be surprised. Take Mrs. O’Reilly. Lovely woman. Fair and hardworking. But she likes a bit of wine on the evenings she goes out with her male friend.”
“Does he work here too?”
Emily shook her head as she flipped the quilt onto the bed. “He manages the stable for the Karrs. Mrs. O’Reilly only gets to see him once a week, but she comes in blushing like a girl. I don’t think he plans to marry her though. I’ve seen his kind. He pinched my backside once when she wasn’t looking. Now I make sure I’m working in another room when he comes. She’s too good for him.”
“You didn’t tell her?”
“Lord no, love. She’s fair, but I’m not going to be the target of her jealousy. I just keep my head down and do my job.”
Lily was beginning to like Emily quite a lot. Down to earth, kind, and unassuming. She didn’t hide her feelings either. “Thank you for taking me under your wing, Emily. I’d be very lost without you.”
“I try to do my part,” she said cheerfully. “Let’s see, what else? Oh yes, Mrs. Marshall. She took quite a shine to you.”
“I don’t quite know how it happened.”
“She’s a sweet lady. No airs, that one. She won’t even have a maid do for her, and she cleans their bedroom herself. If she needs to be buttoned up, she has Mr. Marshall do the buttoning. But he’s more likely to do the unbuttoning, if you know what I mean.” Emily winked. “Those two hold hands like newlyweds. Well, they are newlyweds. They’ve only been married a year. She was the ambassador’s widow.”
“Only a year? I assumed they’d been married many years.”
Emily shook her head. “The first Mrs. Marshall died in childbirth. It’s been Mr. Marshall’s greatest sorrow not to have children. He has me buy things regularly for the orphanage and run them by. They’ve doted on Belle ever since they took her in when her father, the dead Mrs. Marshall’s brother, died. Which is probably why she’s the way she is.”
“Demanding?” Lily had seen enough of her new mistress to know serving her would be challenging.
“Poor chit deserves some attention though. Her mother doted on her brothers and barely noticed Belle’s presence. Her dad did too, and he was overbearing to boot. At least so I hear. He lavished nice things on Belle, but she was no more noticed than the dog on the rug.”
“And Mr. Marshall? It seems he could look right through you with his gray eyes.”
“I’d marry the man myself if he were single.” Emily smiled. “He’s running for senator in the national election, and everyone loves him. He’s got some great ideas, and he cares about the working class. Our wages are more than fair, and he often steps into the kitchen to see if we need anything.”
“I didn’t realize he was a politician. Belle seemed angry with him last night. She said he wants her to marry Mr. Vesters.”
Emily rolled her eyes. “She adores her uncle. She was just angry
with him last night. He wants her settled with some money. Her father was well-to-do, but he lost his money in a bad investment just before he died. Mr. Marshall would support her forever, but he wants her to be comfortable and in charge of her own home.”
“How do you know all these things?” Lily was in awe of the information her roommate seemed to possess.
Emily tapped her ear. “I keep my ears open and my wits about me. You’d do well to do the same.”
Belle was quite weary from dealing with Stuart by teatime. She took off her hat when she entered the drawing room. “I’m perishing for some iced tea and cookies.”
The new girl, Lily, turned at her voice and smiled. “I just brought in a tray, Miss Belle.”
She was unlike any other maid. Not that Belle had noticed the servants all that much. The woman seemed to have a strong sense of herself. Most of the housemaids looked at Belle with awe. This one looked calmly back as though she were equal. The circumstances of Lily’s employment were unusual. Perhaps Belle should put her in her place and make sure she understood her role here.
“Where is the tea?”
Her maid didn’t flinch at Belle’s harsh tone. “On the chaise.” She pointed to the lounge out on the private side terrace. “I brought fruit as well. Strawberries.”
Belle’s mouth watered at the word, but she wasn’t about to let Lily know she’d pleased her. She handed her the hat. “Hang this up.”
“Of course.” Lily’s smile never faltered. “Is there anything else I can do for you? I put your book out on the chaise as well in case you wanted to read before dinner.”
“You seem to have thought of everything. I thought you’d never been in service before.” Belle stepped to the French doors and opened them.
This side of the house was in shade in the later afternoon. The scent of roses and gardenias wafted up from the garden. A tray was on the table beside the chaise. She picked up her book and reclined on the comfortable seat. The iced tea was perfect with a sprig of mint in it.
Lily had followed her outside and stood watching with just a hint of concern. Finally. Belle wanted to find fault with what she’d done, but nothing was out of order.
“How is the tea?”
“Delicious. How did you know I liked mint in it?”
“Emily told me. I want to please you, Miss Belle.”
“You mean so you’ll get around me like you got around my aunt and uncle? How did you do it?”
Lily inhaled sharply. “I don’t know what you mean. I did only what I was told. Your aunt liked the way I styled her hair and noticed I knew a bit about fashion. I assure you I didn’t set out to become your maid.”
“I might still say no. I’m going to discuss it with my uncle.” Again, the girl was entirely too calm and self-assured. Belle took another sip of her excellent tea. “I didn’t realize we were hiring a personal friend of my cousin’s. That’s never a good idea. If I’d realized that, I probably wouldn’t have hired you.”
“I’ll make quite sure you don’t regret it. Is there anything else I can get for you? A throw perhaps? The wind is picking up.”
“It’s actually quite warm. I want you to run out to the millinery though. A hat I ordered is ready for pickup.” She gave Lily the name of the store. “Ask Mrs. O’Reilly how to get there.”
“Yes, miss.”
Her father had taught her it was important to always be the one with the upper hand. She dismissed Lily, and her uncle came in as the maid left. He was a fine-looking man, even if he was her uncle. The wings of gray at his temples only made him look distinguished. His morning coat fit impeccably, and his salt-and-pepper beard was neatly trimmed.
He pulled a chair closer to her chaise. “You’re looking quite lovely today, Belle.” His expression beamed approval. “Vesters was quite smitten.”
“Was he? I didn’t notice.” She took another sip of her tea. “Listen, Uncle Everett, about the maid . . .”
His jaw hardened. “I’ll brook no argument on it. A woman of your stature should have her own maid.”
“Oh please, Uncle. In this day and age? It’s 1904, not 1865. I could have a job, you know. Maybe I’ll work as a secretary or a telephone operator.”
“Things haven’t changed much for a woman of wealth like you, Belle. And yes, yes, I know your father lost his money, but you’ll be my heir. There will be no lack of property and wealth. I want you established with a good man who will know how to manage my many holdings.”
She wanted to ask him why Vesters then, but she wasn’t ready for that conversation yet.
I
t had taken Lily forever to find the right store. Riding the streetcar was a new experience, and she got off at the wrong stop twice. She’d barely gotten there before they closed. Hatbox in hand, she went to wait for the trolley, but she got turned around again and found herself wandering down an unfamiliar street. Darkness was falling fast, and a nearby moonlight tower flickered into operation. The dim light gave a bit of assurance to her steps.