Redeeming-Love-By-Francine-Rivers

R E D E E M I N G L O V E
state of Tessie’s worn undergarments. “It needs another tuck here, Mama,”
Miriam said, pulling in an inch at the skirtwaist.
“Yes, and a little more fullness in the back, I think,” Elizabeth said, fluffing
the material at the back of the skirt.
Angel was disturbed that they would go to so much work on her behalf.
The less they did, the less she would owe. “I’m going to be working in the
garden in these clothes.”
“You needn’t look like a drudge doing it,” Miriam said.
“I don’t want this to be a bother to you.” The dress was lovely as it was. It
didn’t need to be a perfect fit.
“A bother?” Elizabeth said. “Nonsense. I haven’t had so much fun in
months! You can take the dress off now. Be careful of pins.”
As Angel removed the dress and reached quickly for Tessie’s worn clothing,
she saw Elizabeth’s pitying glance at the shabby camisole and threadbare
pantalets. If she had her things from the Palace, these ladies would be
impressed. They had probably never seen satin and lace undergarments
from France, or silk wraps from China. Duke had dressed her only in the
finest. Even Duchess, cheap as she had been, wouldn’t have thought to dress
her so crudely. But no, she had to appear to them in underwear made from
used flour sacks.
She wanted to explain that the things weren’t hers, that they belonged
to Michael’s sister, but that would only raise questions she was loathe to
answer. And worse, it might reflect badly on Michael. She didn’t want them
thinking ill of him. She didn’t know why it mattered so much, but it did.
She dressed quickly, stammered out a thank-you, and escaped to the garden.
Where was Michael? She wished he were close by. She felt safer when he
was. She felt less alone and out of her element when he was in sight. He and
John had been in the field digging stumps this morning, but they were
nowhere in sight now. The horses weren’t in the corral. Perhaps Michael had
taken John hunting.
Young Leah was gathering miner’s lettuce from around the oaks, and
Andrew and Jacob were fishing. Angel bent to her weeding and tried not to
think about anything.
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