Garnet or Garnets Curse

only my head and a quarter of my night-gowned body. “Oops!” I said, and playfully ran back down the hall, feeling my long dark hair bouncing against my bare shoulders. I could hear him laughing and I expected he liked what he saw.
    When I returned, I opened the door to see Rosa and two servant girls hustling around the room. Draped across Rosa’s arm was a green velvet dress. “Please,” she said, holding the dress up to me.
    I understood that she wished to fit the dress to me. I cooperated and was delighted to find it a perfect fit. Rosa and the girls stood back to analyze their work. The girls were smiling, but Rosa had a stern look on her face. She stooped to the floor and removed a few pins from the hem. She stood up with a grunt and tilted her head. “Muy bien (very well),” she said.
    The girls looked relieved and began filling the drawers with stockings, petticoats and underthings. I was amazed. If these items had all been ready-made for me, it must have taken a small army working all through the night. Why had they done all this for a temporary resident?
    I was even more astonished to see two more completed dresses hanging in the closet. A pair of boots and a pair of velvet slippers were on the shelf. Seeing the look on my face, Rosa smiled proudly. I knew this had not been just a job for them; it was an act of kindness. I also knew from experience that devoted servants like these were earned by respect and kindness.
    When the girls had finished their work, they stopped and watched Rosa arrange my hair. Their young faces were healthy and bright. One of the girls mockingly pulled her hair up on top of her head. Rosa scolded them and they ran out of the room whispering and giggling.
    Rosa finished her work, put the extra pins in a dish and laid down the brush. She stood still as if she was waiting for something.
    “ Gracias, Rosa,” I said.
    Judging from her previous behavior I expected her to slip out of the room quietly, but she began talking with me in Spanish. “Breakfast will be served in the oak room. Senor Shelley will be pleased if you will join him.” She stood back with her eyebrows raised. The look was stern, but I saw a little humor in her action. She was testing my language skills.
    “It shall be my pleasure, Rosa,” I returned. She said nothing, turned for the closet and returned with the slippers. She dropped them to the floor and I put them on. However, when I started for the door, I walked right out of them.
    I shoved my foot back into them, pressing a little firmer, but the same thing happened again. Rosa started laughing and picked up the shoes. She went to the drawer, stuffed a pair of stockings in the toes and we both laughed.
    “I guessed the size according to my daughter ’ s size. You have small feet, Senorita Garnet. Go for breakfast and we will make adjustments later.”
    She held the door for me and I shuffled down the hall as gracefully as the shoes would allow. Rosa followed behind snickering. Being able to communicate with Rosa was a tribute to Auntie, who said it was important to speak as many languages as the brain would absorb. She was right. That morning I had learned Rosa had a sense of humor and the two giggling girls were her own.
    As we approached the table where Robert and Maria sat, Robert jumped up and pulled out a chair for me. It was all I could do to sit down without kicking the shoes across the floor.
    When the seating struggle was over, Rosa looked at me and winked. She turned to Robert and asked him to ask me if I would like coffee. Understanding it was her game, I waited for Robert to interpret before I shook my head. Rosa noted my response and disappeared down the stairs.
    “Well, Miss Garnet. You look stunning this morning,” Robert said.
    “Yes, and the dress fits so nicely,” Maria added.
    “You have a most capable staff and I am appreciative of their handiwork,” I replied. “I feel guilty in robbing you of their valuable time. I will repay you once my ordeal has been resolved.”
    “Garnet,” Maria said. “Allow the man the pleasure of enjoying his gift. From where I sit, I think Mr. Shelley is the receiver.”
    “My sentiments exactly,” laughed Robert.
    As soon as breakfast was over, Robert explained that he would be leaving shortly.
    His plans were to deliver the news of my whereabouts and circumstances to our mutual friend and attorney, Aaron Bastill. He was in hopes that Aaron would accept his dinner invitation for that