Page 436 of Conveniently Wed
Where she had expected Josiah’s approval and admiration, his eyes flashed with anger. The muscles in his jaw clenched, and his Adam’s apple jumped. He grabbed her arm and ushered her none too gently into the nearby library and slammed the door behind him.
“Katherine, what do you mean by parading around, exposing yourself to the world?” His voice seemed barely restrained. “You have to change. Immediately, before everyone arrives. I can’t have the whole countryside seeing you half clothed.” His face grew beet red, and his fists clenched at his side.
Tears welled, brimming on the edge of her lashes. “But…Ruby and Clarisse assured me all the ladies are wearing their dresses this way.”
“I don’t care what the other women are wearing. They don’t fill them like you do.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want the dress this low. I even argued with Clarisse about it.” Her cheeks splashed wet as tears broke free of her lashes.
“What was she thinking? You’ll have a different dressmaker next time, even if I have to travel as far as Harrisonburg.”
“You can’t blame her.”
“You both should know better, but especially you with your past.”
Katie couldn’t hold back the sob. “I didn’t want this.” She waved over her dress. “But I didn’t want to offend her, and she believed she was giving you what you wanted—the latest in fashion.”
The clock on the mantle chimed, and he let out a deep breath. “There’s not much time. Delilah will know what to do. Wait here, I’ll go get her.”
Katie could barely hold herself still as she waited for him to return. She should have known better. Her instincts had told her this bodice was too low. Why hadn’t she put her foot down? Shewould go change now, except it would take too long to press the wrinkles out of the others and get through all the adjustments to the underclothing. Even now, she could hear the sound of a carriage outside.
Josiah stepped back into the room, followed by Delilah. The woman took one glance at the bodice of Katie’s dress and nodded. “I know just how to fix that up pretty like in a hurry.” She bustled out and returned with a needle, thread, and a piece of creamy white lace.
“Leave us, Josiah. Go. Greet your guests.” She shooed him out, then turned to Katie. “You’re going to have to trust old Delilah now, cause I’m going to stitch this on and try not to stitch you.” She stifled a grin, and her eyes twinkled. “That man of yours is too jealous to be sharing so much of your beauty around.” Her shoulders took on a shake.
“No stitching and laughing at the same time.” Katie tried to make the remark sound lighthearted, but her voice quivered. “I didn’t feel comfortable anyway. Hopefully Clarisse isn’t offended when she sees the alterations.”
“I dare say I did more sewing in my days than Clarisse and ten others put together.”
Delilah’s skillful fingers finished the job and, when Katie looked in the mirror, a smile split free. “Much better.”
“Yes’um, even leaving a little to the imagination is still going to turn more heads than that boy knows what to do with.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped an arm around Delilah, but the woman shooed her away.
“Now, get on out there.”
Katie scurried out to stand beside Josiah as more guests entered. Her eyes scanned the room for anything amiss. The ballroom was bustling with women dressed in their finery, and men strutting in tall hats and Sunday best. The group ofmusicians Josiah had hired from Harrisonburg were playing beautiful background music. Dance music would come later.
Jeanette had organized the decorating and, from the glowing tree with sparkling decorations to the boughs draped over the fireplace mantle accented with candles, all held a festive welcome. A long table of food sent tantalizing aromas wafting in Katie’s direction. She was hungry after having spent every waking hour that day seeing to the final touches.
Josiah hugged her close. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “We’ll talk later.” He dropped a kiss on the top of her head. “Come. Let’s present the opening toast.”
He held his glass high until the roar of the crowd quieted. “We are survivors.” His voice rang with authority across the room.
“Here, here!” said a man in the back she couldn’t see.
Josiah smiled. “And I know, had it not been for the sheer luck of a Yankee officer liking this very room in which we congregate, I too, would be rebuilding like so many of you.”
A voice boomed from the left side of the room. “Ha. The rich Mr. Richardson who sides with the black-loving Yanks. We know why this house stands—you traitor.”
A gasp rippled through the crowd. Katherine stood on her tiptoes trying to see who had voiced that remark. All she could see was a nod from Josiah. Then a group of his men surrounded and escorted a couple men out.
She looked up at Josiah. “Who?—”
“Smile,” he said through tight lips. “We’ll talk later.”
He held up his hand to the murmuring crowd. “This is a night for celebration. Yes?”
