Prologue
Home of Missus Hermonie Dutton
Taking in Sisters
Spring 1883
Twelve-year-old Adela McIntyre grasped tightly to her sister Isabella's hand and followed the butler down the long hallway leading to the main parlor. She and Isabella had been in the big house only once before two years earlier when her parents had been brought from the Dutton's vacation property to help with a huge party being thrown in honor of Mister Warren Dutton's engagement.
She and Isabella had been sequestered to the back servants' quarters and given the tedious task of folding dozens upon dozens of linen napkins into fancy crowns. As usual Isabella, at one year her senior, had wandered off, leaving Adela to do the majority of the work.
Now, just days following the horrible fire at the Dutton family's lake house, they were here again. Only this time, without their beloved parents.
"Come in, young ladies," Hermonie Dutton said softly. The family's matriarch sat as regal as a queen in her oversized chair. Waving her hand toward the comfy settee, she instructed, "Please, take a seat."
"Thank you, ma'am," Isabella acknowledged before giving Adela a nudge.
"Yes, thank you," Adela added quickly. "Although, we're not sure why we're here."
Adela suffered the pinch of her sister's fingers. No doubt she was embarrassed that Adela should dare to question Missus Dutton's intentions.
Rather than be offended, Hermonie hid a laugh behind her fingers. "All will be revealed in due time, I assure you both." Motioning for the hovering maid to pour three cups of tea, she continued. "First of all, my family and I wish to reiterate our sympathies for the recent loss of your parents. Your father and mother worked for us for nearly twenty years, since before the two of you were born. They were part of our extended family. And, as such, so are the both of you."
"You want us to work for you?" Adela asked.
"No, at least not at the moment," Hermonie confirmed. "What I'd like to offer the two of you is a chance to live here with me until you complete your education at Boston Academy for Girls. After that, you'll have options. Many options."
"Boston Academy?" Isabella repeated. "Isn't that where all the rich kids, including your granddaughter Adelaide, go?"
"Yes, it is. You'll be a good four grades ahead of her, of course, but you'll each be able to take full advantage of the school, and its social calendar."
"Why?" Adela asked. "Why are you doing this? We assumed we'd be sent off to our Aunt Pearl in Chicago."
Hermonie Dutton took a sip of her tea and then set her cup aside. "Have a scone with your tea, girls. The cook made them fresh for your visit." After Isabella took a nibble of the delicious-looking confection, Hermonie explained. "Your Aunt Pearl has not been well of late and doesn't feel she'll be able to properly care for you."
"Is that why she didn't come for the funeral?" Isabella wondered.
Hermonie Dutton gave a most ladylike nod. "Like I said before, we thought the world of your parents. I've personally set aside a trust for both of you using what would have been their severance package had they retired from our employment. When you turn nineteen, or if you marry before, you will have access to your funds. What you do in between graduation and your nineteenth birthday will be entirely up to you."
"I intend to be married by then," Isabella announced. "I'll not be a spinster."
"And you, Adela?" Missus Dutton asked, turning her gaze in Adela's direction.
"I have absolutely no idea, but I'm confident it will be something wonderful."
"That's the spirit!" Hermonie said with a chuckle. "I have no doubt you'll be successful at whatever you choose."