Free All the Blue of Heaven by Virginia Carmichael Page A

her nasal tone almost insolent.
                Your Mr. Bradford? Allie opened her mouth to speak but he interjected
quickly, “Yes, I fetched them from the train station yesterday.”
               
“I see.” Louise sent significant glances toward the two well-dressed young
women on either side of her. “These are my friends, Millicent Holliday and
Isabelle Landry.” Millicent looked rather timid and her eyes repeatedly sought
Louise for approval, while Isabelle seemed to wear a permanent frown. She
seemed to catalogue everything about Allie’s appearance, from her strange hair
to her old fashioned dress to her heavy gloves.
               
“Alberta, where are you?” Mama’s voice carried to her from a few feet away.
               
“It was nice to meet you, Miss Holliday and Miss Landry.” Allie nodded again
and turned to Sarah.
               
“Come to see me, we have so much to talk about. You’re married.  Do you
have...” her voice trailed off, realizing that most of her old friends could
have children by now.
               
“Oh, yes!” Sarah laughed, a soft curl slipping loose from her bun as she
gripped Allie again. A familiar lilac perfume wafted around them. “He’s just
wonderful, and we have two little boys. Quite a handful, but I’m so happy.” She
nodded at Janey. “This is Matthew’s little girl? Mrs. Gibson showed me a
picture once.”
               
“Yes, and she would love some playmates,” Allie grinned.
               
“This week, I’ll send you a note,” she said. Sarah gazed once more at Allie’s
face. “I just cannot believe you’re finally home,” she whispered.
               
“Alberta, honestly,” Mama stood behind her, clutching several fabric samples.
She surveyed the group of young women, Janey and Thomas. The young women
immediately bent their heads and murmured greetings.
               
Mrs. Leeds nodded regally, then said. “Good morning, Thomas. Are you coming to
Sunday dinner? Mrs. Gibson is making your favorite, roast chicken with poached
quail eggs.”
               
He has a favorite dinner? Allie tried to remember if Thomas liking roast
chicken but all she could recall was how he kept a spare apple in his jacket
pocket for the horses.
               
“Thank you, Mrs. Leeds. I must attend a city aldermen’s meeting but I would be
happy to come directly after,” he said, a strange tone in his voice.
               
Satisfied, she turned to Allie. “We will never get anything ordered unless you
come back for your measurements.”
               
“Yes, Mother.” Allie allowed herself to be led away to the fitting rooms, Janey
trailing behind her. A last glance behind her showed Thomas’s dark head bent
near Louise, her face lifted up to him. Allie swallowed back a wave of
jealousy. He’s not yours anymore , she scolded herself, try to
remember that .
               
As Mrs. Morton tutted and fussed over Allie’s thin frame, Allie’s thoughts
buffeted around her mind. Of course the gossips would be in full swing, but she
never could have guessed at the sheer ludicrousness of their accusations. The
circus? Actresses?
               
When she thought of the ‘lovers in the studio’, her cheeks flamed. There was
one young man, another painter, who had come to call on her several times. He
was so very handsome, and had a deep, easy laugh. But he liked to wage bets on
the card games down at the docks. It was not the way Allie expected a man to
act, especially a husband and father.
               
Mrs. Morton nattered away at Mrs. Leeds, discussing the possibilities for the
upcoming season. Allie struggled to suppress a sigh. Suitors, dances. It was
ridiculous to think she could pick up where she left off. She had never liked
the mid-winter balls, preferring to stay home and work on