Free Another Country by Kate Hewitt

city.
    Caroline, in a decidedly imperious fashion, had
summoned her to tea at her residence that afternoon. Eleanor was in
a mood neither to complain nor decline. Although only a week in
Boston, she longed for companionship. It was invigorating to set
Ian’s house in order, but the maid who came twice weekly to do the
heavy work was virtually the only other woman she’d spoken to since
her arrival.
    She was also curious about how Caroline had fared
since she’d left their carriage. Had her uncle been pleased to see
her?
    Eleanor was taken aback when Caroline herself
answered the door, her cheeks flushed and her hair not yet
arranged. “I needn’t stand on ceremony with you, I know,” she said.
She made a face as she touched her rumpled hair. “I haven’t yet had
the time to engage a lady’s maid, and I’m hopeless at dressing
hair. I’ve begged the cook to arrange it for tonight... I’m going
to a musicale and you must come with me!”
    Eleanor smiled inwardly. “Why don’t you let me dress
your hair?”
    Caroline looked at her hopefully. “Are you
skilled?”
    “Not overly, but I’ve been putting my own hair up
since I was seventeen.”
    Over tea and cake, Caroline regaled Eleanor with her
already vibrant social life in Boston. “I had no idea there was
such pleasant society to be had! Of course, some people are
hopelessly rusticated, but I have been happily surprised.”
    “Indeed.” Eleanor’s lips twitched and she took a sip
of tea.
    “Oh, yes,” Caroline continued firmly. “My uncle is
most determined to give me a proper season, since his business
prevented him from doing so in London.”
    Eleanor glanced again at Caroline’s flushed cheeks,
her strident tone. What was the real story, she wondered.
    There could be no question that Caroline was
accustomed to a life of at least some luxury, although Eleanor knew
how creditors could hound even the wealthiest of society. Possible
creditors aside, something did not seem right with Caroline and
Eleanor wondered what it was.
    Caroline sliced the cake she’d purchased for
Eleanor’s visit, and forced another smile. Truth be told, she
wasn’t certain why she felt strangely apprehensive, for surely
Boston was all she’d hoped for and more.
    Despite having not fetched her at the docks--a small
oversight--her uncle had been the soul of benevolent generosity
since her arrival.
    He’d talked with almost manic enthusiasm about
Boston society, and how he intended for her to have a season the
rival of any in London.
    “You’ll see the society in Boston is to be as good
as any in the old country,” he boasted, “or even better. Plenty of
parties and balls to be had--we want you to be seen, of course. A
pretty girl like you... you’ll be snatched up in an instant!”
    “Thank you, Uncle,” Caroline said quietly, and
wondered why she was not more pleased. This was exactly as she
dreamed... yet something did not feel quite right. Uncle James’s
joviality was at odds with the brusque civility he’d greeted her
with on their last meeting. What had changed?
    “I’ll need new dresses,” she ventured cautiously,
and he waved an arm in sweeping acceptance. “Of course, of course.
There is a modiste here that is all the fashion. You must visit
her.”
    Hope leapt within her, and Caroline smiled. “That
would be pleasant indeed.” Feeling emboldened, she added, “I see
you have not yet engaged a lady’s maid for me.”
    James frowned and then managed a small smile. “Yes,
well, we’ll see about that. All in good time, of course.”
    Caroline nodded, deciding for once to be happy with
what she had. She wasted no time leaving James’s calling card--she
didn’t have any--at every house of quality she could find. No doubt
everyone would see through her attempts as the beggar for society
that she was, but Caroline didn’t care. She was hardly able to meet
anyone by simply walking in the park!
    Uncle James continued to beam approval at her
actions, and