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Chapter 15
Serenity wondered if listening to Kristenwas the wisest thing to do. For nearly an hour Kristen and her maid had pinched, pulled, and plucked until they had finally approved Serenity’s appearance. She felt more like the Christmas goose than a woman.
Still, she was pleased with the results. They had actually managed to give her a becoming hairstyle that curled around her face and shoulders, showing off her hair. The light blue dress was every bit as kind to her eye color as Kristen had predicted.
“Just wait until Morgan gets a look at you,” Kristen had whispered in her ear before they had descended the steps.
Even so, her heart had been in her throat the entire way down the winding staircase.
Pausing in the doorway of the drawing room, she saw Jake first. He was talking to Robert. Morgan had his back to her.
Somewhat disappointed, she followed Kristen to where her mother waited for them on the stuffed sofa. “My, Miss James, aren’t you the fetching one,” said Martha. “Why, Robert,” she called to her husband. “I do believe we’ll have to keep Miss James as far away from the townsmen as possible.”
Serenity blushed at her kind words.
Morgan turned in her direction with his usual composure. But once his eyes focused on her, they grew larger, then seductive as a slow, appreciative smile curved his lips. Chills shot through her. Never in her life had she received such a wonderful compliment.
“Well then,” Martha declared. “I believe we are all ready to sup.”
And by the look in his eyes, Serenity already knew what Morgan wanted to feast on. A thought that thrilled her even more.
Maybe Kristen was right.
Maybe, just maybe, she would listen to her new-found friend. Because if Kristen knew anything at all about men, then she knew one hundred times what Serenity knew.
Dinner was lovely. The dining room was as grand as the rest of the house. Two crystal and gold chandeliers hung over the long mahogany table on each side of an enormous fan that was set in motion by a chain pulled by a crisply dressed servant.
Martha had broken out her best china, silver, and crystal goblets. Never in her life had Serenity beheld such splendor. And the meal—gracious, not even the Christmas bounty could compare with the meal before her.
Stuffed goose, roasted pork, candied fruits, and meat pastries were served with great flair.
She listened quietly as the men told their sea stories. Morgan sat at the opposite end of the table from her, to Robert’s right, while Jake sat to his left with Barney by his side. Two seats were vacant, and then she, Martha, and Kristen sat at the opposite end.
“I know the seating is a little unorthodox,” Martha said as she placed a serving spoon full of gravy on her plate. “But I thought the men might enjoy more time together to reminisce.”
Embarrassed that her thoughts were so plain, Serenity fiddled with the napkin in her lap. “You needn’t explain to me.”
“Try the goose, Serenity,” Kristen offered as the servant brought the platter to her side. “It’s Carmen’s best dish. You’ve never tasted goose until you’ve had hers.”
“Thank you,” she said with a smile, taking a few slices. “I’m sure it’s wonderful.”
There were several seconds of silence before Martha spoke again. “Morgan tells me you’re a writer?”
Serenity lifted her head with pride. “Yes, ma’am.”
“What a noble profession. I’ve never met a writer before. It must be difficult for you though, being a woman.”
“It’s certainly not easy.” She cast a glance down to where Morgan sat and noted that he was staring at her. Swallowing, she quickly looked back at Kristen, who gave her a knowing smile.
“I always wanted the courage it would take to make the world stand on its ear,” Martha continued. “To make men appreciate me for something more than my looks.”
“Oh, Mama, Papa loves you for more than your looks.”
“Now he does, but it took thirty years of marriage and an aging body before he saw me as something more.”
“Oh, Mama.”
“So tell me, Serenity, have you ever read Mary Wollstonecraft?”
