“Your dress is pretty,” said Elisa warmly.
“Why, thank you,” Poppy said, sitting down near them. “So is yours. Those little rosebuds embroidered onto the fabric are darling. Did you choose the pattern?”
Elowen began to speak, but then halted so Elisa could answer in her own time. Poppy waited as well, pleased she wouldn’t have to come up with snappy repartee just to impress her companions.
“My sister makes my clothes,” Elisa finally said.
Elowen explained further, “I sew a good part of our dresses, as the sizing is particular for Elisa. I do get pieces ready made for the bodices.” She dropped her eyes, suddenly embarrassed. “I apologize. What a quotidian subject.”
“Not at all,” Poppy said briskly. As before, she wanted to get the matter of her class out in the open as soon as possible. “As it happens, my stepfather is an importer of fabric, and I’ve been learning a lot about the seamstress trade as well. I love to hear what other women are doing to make their wardrobes.”
“My goodness, how lucky you are to be able to see all those fabrics and notions!” Elowen said, looking intrigued. “I rarely get the chance to look at anything beyond the most common items. Our budget is quite modest,” she added, looking down at her hands.
“You do splendidly with what you have,” Poppy told her. “I’ve seen women decked out in silk and lace who don’t appear half so well-turned out. But tell me, what brings you both here to Cornwall? Your accent is much more northern.”
“Indeed, we hail from York. The Towers were friends of our family from years ago, and were generous enough to let us stay here for a while.”
“That is almost exactly my situation,” Poppy said with a laugh. “Mrs. Towers does collect friends.”
“She does indeed. Actually, my sister is seeing a doctor in the area. We hope he may help her condition.”
“Forgive my surprise, but the doctor practices all the way out here? Not in London?”
“In London,” Elowen said with a bit of heat, “we are told over and over that there are places where I can send Elisa to live, where she won’t be a bother to her family.” She reached out and took her sister’s hand. “I have no intention of doing that. She is not a bother.”
Elisa nodded. “Family ought to remain together.”
“I’ve always thought so,” Poppy agreed, thinking of how she’d been Rose’s companion for so many years. The fact that the girls were cousins was a further bond in their friendship.
“Elisa has a few physical complaints,” Elowen noted. “Dr. Drake is eager to test a new treatment to help Elisa strengthen her muscles.”
“It hurts me to stand too long,” Elisa added.
“Can you not sit, or try one of those wheeled chairs?” Poppy asked.
“I want to be stronger,” Elisa said. “Elowen takes walks at home, but I can’t keep up for long.”
“Oh, I am sorry to hear that. It’s terrible to be left behind. I was my cousin’s companion for years—she was blind from a young age, and she feared the same sort of thing.”
Elowen smiled at Poppy. “But you did not let her remain behind, did you?”
“I tried not to. In fact, she is now married, so you could say she left me behind, although of course I want her to be happy.”
Mrs. Towers appeared beside them. “I am sorry to interrupt you ladies when you are all getting along so swimmingly, but Mr. Ainsworth would like a word with you, Poppy,” she said.
“Me?” Earlier, she’d gotten the distinct impression that the Ainsworths hadn’t liked her much.
Poppy allowed Mrs. Towers to lead her over to Mr. Ainsworth, who was standing by the fireplace. As they reached him, Mrs. Towers was approached by a servant, who whispered something earnestly.
“Oh, please excuse me,” she said. “A little matter with the supper preparations.”
So Poppy was left alone with the man. She said, “Good evening, sir. Mrs. Towers tells me you had a question for me.”
He offered her a cool smile that faded instantly. “Not in specific. I thought you might appreciate an escape.”
“I don’t understand,” Poppy admitted, confused.
“From the conversation you were trapped in,” Mr. Ainsworth explained. “It was gracious, I suppose, for you to speak to that odd, deformed girl. But really, she should not be here at all. I don’t know why someone would bring such an uncivilized creature out among us.”
