A Lasting Impression

and Cara Netta merely stared.
    “I am quite certain,” Mrs. Acklen said, “that it’s going to rain. And I’m sure Diddie and Cara Netta would be happy to share their carriage.” She looked at the sisters.
    “Of course we would, Mrs. Acklen,” Cara Netta chimed in, her smile expectedly sweet. “We’ll wait for you out front, Miss Laurent.”
    Claire returned to her room for her shawl. She hadn’t been excited about the errand in the first place, but now she had to abide the trip with Cara Netta.
    She slipped a few coins into her dress pocket, not having replaced her reticule she’d left behind at the shipping office. Mrs. Acklen was paying her very well, but recent expenditures had diminished her savings. First, the gray dress, then the canvases and tubes of paint she’d ordered two weeks ago. And Dr. Denard’s fees had been more than she’d imagined too. Mrs. Acklen had offered to pay the physician, but Claire had insisted. It was her own fault, and therefore her responsibility.
    Knowing the sisters were waiting, she hurried back to the grand salon. Mrs. Acklen had agreed to meet her there with the envelope, but it was Mrs. Routh descending the staircase, and wearing her usual dour expression.
    Determined not to be intimidated this time, Claire forced a smile. “How are you this morning, Mrs. Routh?”
    “I’m well, Miss Laurent. And you?”
    “Quite well. Thank you.” Claire glanced at the envelope in her hand. “Is that from Mrs. Acklen?”
    Mouth firm, the head housekeeper held it out. “You’re to deliver this to Mrs. Perry at the dress shop straightaway this morning. And you’re to await a reply.”
    Claire studied the envelope. The front bore Mrs. Perry’s name in Mrs. Acklen’s impeccable handwriting. She turned the envelope over. “It’s sealed,” she said, wondering why Mrs. Acklen had penned the letter herself instead of asking her to do it.
    “Yes, it’s sealed, Miss Laurent. Which would lead one to think that its contents are intended for Mrs. Perry’s eyes alone.”
    Realizing Mrs. Routh’s insinuation, Claire’s face heated. “I understand that, Mrs. Routh. I was simply wondering why—” Seeing the distrust in the head housekeeper’s eyes, Claire knew that no matter what she said, it would make no difference. “I’ll give Mrs. Perry the envelope. Good day, Mrs. Routh.”
    Claire hurried out to the carriage, wondering again why the woman seemed so bent on distrusting her. Mrs. Routh’s dislike was palpable, and it bothered her more than she cared to admit.
    The two-mile ride into town seemed twice as long as usual. Diddie did most of the talking and was very kind, but Claire didn’t doubt for a second that the older sister knew how the younger felt about her.
    When the carriage pulled up to the dress shop, Claire climbed out with Armstead’s assistance and was surprised when the sisters followed.
    “Mrs. Perry’s was at the top of our list of places to visit today,” Diddie explained. “After all, she has the nicest dresses in town.”
    And the most expensive, Claire wanted to add but didn’t. She smiled and allowed the women to precede her into the shop, hoping that Mrs. Acklen’s errand wouldn’t take too long. She was already looking forward to returning to Belmont. On foot. And alone. As long as the gray clouds held.
    When they entered the store, they found Mrs. Perry assisting a patron, so Claire waited off to the side as Diddie and Cara Netta browsed the dresses. Over half the dresses in the shop were darker in color—grays, like the one she had bought, and midnight blacks, and darker blues. Colors of mourning. The colors of war.
    “I’m sorry to keep you ladies waiting.” Mrs. Perry joined them and greeted Diddie and Cara Netta by name. “And Miss Laurent, a pleasure again, and so soon. Are you here for another dress? A style came in yesterday that would be lovely on you.”
    “Good morning, Mrs. Perry, and I’m afraid not.” Claire handed her the envelope. “I’m here on behalf of Mrs. Acklen. She asked me to deliver this, and I’m to wait for your reply.”
    Mrs. Perry read the note, then peered up. “You’ve not read this, I take it?”
    Claire eyed her, thinking again about Mrs. Routh’s insinuation. “No, ma’am, of course not. It was sealed.”
    Mrs. Perry tucked the note back inside the envelope, her face practically glowing. “Then, may I be the bearer of good news, Miss Laurent. I believe it would be appropriate to say