The Pursuit of Lucy Banning by Olivia Newport Page B

said. “We can move the chaise lounge over here and the dresser will be less visible but you can still see him.” Together they repositioned the lounge and adjusted a side table.
    “You’ve thought of everything,” Charlotte said. “I wish I could do something for you.”
    “You can get my brown lightweight cloak from the closet and find me a sensible hat. Obviously this can’t wait until Friday. I’m going to the orphanage this morning, but it’s not my usual day, so no one must know.”
    “Right away, miss.” Charlotte laid Henry in his new bed and stepped into the bedroom to find the closet.
    Lucy examined herself in the full-length mirror. She had chosen a day dress of copper color with black lace accents. The sleeves swelled from the bodice in an ostentatious manner that irked Lucy but pleased her mother. At least they narrowed over the forearm and cuffed at the wrist, offering some practicality. Lucy glanced at a clock on the side table. If she didn’t get out of the house soon, she risked having to explain to her mother where she was going.
    “Will this do?” Charlotte held a demure beige hat featuring black lace with two silk ribbons falling down one side.
    “Very nicely. The hat pins are on the vanity table.” Lucy sat and allowed Charlotte to pin the hat in place not because she could not do it herself but because she knew Charlotte wanted to be useful. “I’m not sure how long this will take. Mr. Emmett does not know I’m coming and may be engaged. I promise you I’ll wait as long as it takes to talk to him, and I won’t leave until he has promised to help.”
    “What shall I do while you’re gone?” Charlotte asked.
    Lucy thought quickly. “I’m going out this evening to an art exhibit with Aunt Violet and . . . a friend. I think I’ll want to wear the ivory damask gown embroidered with glass beads. It’s there on a hook at the end of the closet. I believe some of the beads may be loose. Perhaps you can inspect the gown and stitch down anything you find out of place.”
    “Yes, Miss Lucy. I’m very good with a needle. My grandmother taught me.”
    Lucy glanced into the drawer at Henry, who was quiet but alert. “Did she make Henry’s quilt?”
    “Yes, ma’am. It was my baby quilt.”
    “How lovely that your son can use it.”
    “I’ll get started on the gown right away.”
    Lucy knew no beads were loose. The gown was brand new. But the task of examining the gown would keep Charlotte in the suite with her son for a legitimate purpose, at least until Lucy returned.

 12 
     
    I wish you would go with me,” Lucy said on Thursday morning. “This parade is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. No one would think twice about my asking my ladies’ maid to accompany me.” Lucy wondered when the last time was that Charlotte had done anything fun. She suspected it was long before Henry came along.
    Charlotte shook her head vigorously. “I’m a farm girl. I wouldn’t know what to do in a crowd like that.” She pulled the brush through Lucy’s hair one last time before twisting the hair in the back to pin it up. “Henry and I will be just fine, thanks to you.”
    “Bessie and Elsie will wonder why you’re not going. Penard gave them a few hours off so they can be in the crowd.”
    “I’m afraid I feel a headache coming on,” Charlotte said. Lucy saw her maid’s sly smile in the mirror. It was the first time she’d seen Charlotte smile, and she hoped it wouldn’t be the last.
    “That’s what you told them yesterday when you were supposed to have your first afternoon off.”
    “I’ll just say it’s the same headache. After I’ve ‘rested’ a bit, if Henry is sleeping, I’ll see if I can help Mrs. Fletcher with dinner.” Charlotte pushed a pin firmly in Lucy’s hair. “What about your class this afternoon?”
    “It’s canceled, fortunately. My professor is marching in the parade as a representative of the fair’s fine arts building.”
    Charlotte put the brush