Free Kitty: Bride of Hawaii (American Mail-Order Bride 50) by Janelle Daniels

work. She’d have to think of something she could do for the woman.
    Kitty stepped into her new home, pausing at the doorway in awe.
    The house was furnished, not with the quality nor style she’d seen in Castle House, but pieces that were more comfortable. More suitable to her circumstances. She loved it.
    She ran her hands over a rough wicker side table as she stepped inside before drawing back pretty yellow drapes, allowing more light into the room. Dust floated on a beam of light, slowly sinking to the surfaces below.
    The place needed a bit of a scrub, but overall, it was in pristine condition.
    She laughed finally. The sound bubbling up her throat until she wrapped her arms around her waist and twirled. She was free here. Free and safe. Two things she’d hadn’t experienced since her father died.
    Exploring the house, she was in awe at the three bedrooms, large dining room, sitting room, and kitchen.
    Heavens, what would she do with all the space?
    Bustling around the house, Kitty lost track of time, soothed by the continuous call of wildlife outside her window.
    Kalea had arrived a while ago, misty-eyed but insisting on working regardless of Kitty’s admonishment to take some time off, and she refused all help from Kitty in tidying up the house.
    For the first time in recent history, Kitty didn’t have something pressing she needed to do. She didn’t have work to go to, didn’t have to prepare a meal. Leisure time, when not crammed on a ship, was as foreign to her as the new land she found herself in.
    Kalea entered the sitting room with another woman, who trailed behind her. “Miss, Mr. Castle sent over Mrs. Dennard for your fittings.”
    Kitty rose to greet the woman, but Kalea’s words stopped her progress. “My fittings?”
    The thin woman, in a plain but stylish dress, nodded happily. “Mr. Castle has hired my services exclusively until you’ve been properly attired.”
    “He hired you to make me a few dresses?”
    “Oh no. Well, that is, yes. And so much more. I’ve been commissioned to make day dresses, ball gowns, undergarments, nightgowns, and anything else you’ll need.”
    Color stained Kitty’s cheeks. Warren had sent her a dressmaker? Granted, in the last few months, she’d had to sell most of her prettier dresses to make ends meet, only leaving the hearty, serviceable gowns for work. Until this moment, she’d labored in a factory and looked like it.
    The green dress she’d worn to meet Timothy had been the only remaining fashionable dress she’d saved. But still, the idea that Warren thought her shabby embarrassed her. Besides, what was Warren thinking? She couldn’t afford to have anything made. She couldn’t even afford a bolt of cloth if she wanted to. “I’m afraid your services won’t be needed at this time, Mrs. Dennard. I thank you for coming all this way though.”
    The woman smiled as if expecting such a reply. “Mr. Castle thought you might object. He instructed me to tell you that this was another aspect of your new job. The wardrobe would be fully furnished by him, of course, because he’s requiring it. To fulfill your duties, you’ll need proper attire.”
    She was a fool. Of course she would. She’d be mingling with high society. How she looked, anything she wore, what she said and did, all reflected on Warren. She’d agreed to do this job, and she wouldn’t back out now just because her pride was miffed that she couldn’t properly attire herself. That would come soon enough. “I guess we should get started then.”
    “Excellent.” The woman bustled into the room, unloading a seemingly endless bag of fashion books, measuring instruments, and fabric swatches.
    Hours later, Kitty reeled from all they’d settled on. Even in her time at Highwood School, she’d never had clothes such as these. If she’d chosen a practical fabric, Mrs. Dennard swiftly talked her out of it.
    Apparently, money was no object. Mrs. Dennard informed Kitty that Warren didn’t want