All the Blue of Heaven by Virginia Carmichael Page B

church. The other is for fancy
occasions.” Allie tried not to be impatient but she was really rather tired of
worrying about her fashion choices. It was enough that two of her own dresses
had arrived and she was currently attired in a light lavender gown that was
much fancier than she was accustomed to. There were far too many ruffles and
bows for church wear, but her mother insisted on putting fashion before comfort.
The S-shaped corset arrived from a small shop in town and was meant to
compliment the new gowns, but Allie suspected it was actually intended to
disguise her thin figure. As a teen she had never trouble looking like a woman,
but the hospital stay robbed her of those curves.
               
They made their way down the grand staircase, Janey chattering away. Allie was
thankful for the little girl’s enthusiasm, as it masked her own gloomy mood.
               
“There you are, I was about to send Maggie up to find you,” Mrs. Leeds said,
adjusting her gloves. “Mr. Johnson will be around with the carriage in a few
moments.” She eyed Allie’s dress, seeming to note the new corset underneath.
“You look very lovely, my dear.”
               
Allie’s eyebrows rose in surprise. Her mother was not one for compliments.
“Thank you,” she said simply.
               
“There are many young men attending this early service. You must be sure to
exit the church slowly. That will give them the opportunity to notice you and
to approach us outside the doors.”
               
Suppressing a sigh, Allie nodded.
               
Mrs. Gibson joined them at the door, tugging at her hat, a slight sheen of
sweat on her face. “Oh, this heat!” she exclaimed. “We have had more humid days
this month than all last summer, I declare. I will dance a jig when the weather
turns cold, even if the chill does make my knees ache.”
               
“Perhaps a thunderstorm will break the heat,” Allie said, peering out the door
at the heavy clouds on the horizon. The top of the oak tree was motionless, not
a leaf stirred in the dead air.
               
“Or even just a breeze,” Mrs. Gibson said, fanning herself energetically.
               
The carriage pulled in front of the door and the driver jumped down. He was
middle aged and carried a somber demeanor. Bowing to the ladies he hurried to
open the glass topped door, the brass trim gleaming in the sunlight. The large
inner compartment would have held six people, comfortably. The team of horses
hitched to the front were all a deep chestnut color, perfectly matched for
height.
               
“Is this new?” Allie asked her mother, ogling the fine carriage.
               
“Last year around spring I decided we needed to try one of the new carriages
out of Boston,” she replied, accepting the hand of the driver and settling
inside.
               
Allie helped Janey inside and settled herself on the leather, cushioned seat.
               
“What about a motorcar, like Mr. Bradford?” asked Janey with a hopeful tone.
               
Mrs. Leeds fanned herself.  “I will never. But it is a fine idea for
Thomas to procure those items, it will show he is able to afford them. He will
be married before this year is ended, I declare.”
               
Allie stared out the carriage window at the passing houses and said nothing.
How will it be to attend his wedding? To watch him raise his children? She felt
her stomach twist and tried to shake the unsettling thoughts from her head.
               
Their entrance into the centuries-old church was quiet, but heads turned and
Allie heard whispers echo as they passed. Her mother led them to the fourth pew
on the right hand side, where their family had been seated for generations. The
sunlight streamed through the stained glass windows, spattering the
congregation like splashes of watercolor.