Read Dacey: Bride of North Carolina (Amercan Mail-Order Bride 12) for Free Online

I’ve ever seen,” she said in awe. She reached out to touch the fabric then drew back her hand at the last moment.
    “You may touch it, miss. Mrs. Douglas said the gown is yours to keep.” The maid adjusted the gown on the hanger then turned to stand with her eyes on her feet.
    Dacey smiled at the young woman who appeared close to her age. “I’m Dacey Butler. Nice to meet you.”
    “It’s a pleasure to meet you, miss,” the maid said, dropping into a curtsey.
    Impulsively, Dacey took her hand and gave it a friendly squeeze. “What’s your name?”
    “Cornelia, miss.” The maid kept her eyes averted, but the freckles dotting her nose and the smile lingering on her mouth hinted at a happy countenance.
    “Skip the miss, part, Cornelia. I have a feeling we’ll be good friends and I’m about as plain and simple as they come. No need to be formal around me.”
    “Yes, miss.”
    Dacey frowned and the girl smiled sheepishly. “I mean, Dacey. I’m not supposed to be on friendly terms with our employers or their guests, or at least that’s what Caroline says.”
    “Who’s Caroline?” Dacey asked, working the water out of her hair with the towel she’d wrapped around it.
    “She’s Mrs. Douglas’ maid.” Cornelia maneuvered Dacey in front of a dressing table and picked up a comb, carefully working out the tangles in her damp hair.
    “You have such wonderful hair.”
    Dacey grinned at her in the mirror then made a silly face. “Most often it looks like a dust devil whipped it into a snarled mess, but I did make an effort to tame it this morning.”
    A quiet giggle escaped Cornelia as she finished combing Dacey’s long, auburn hair and shook it out to dry. “While your hair dries, perhaps you’d like to begin dressing.”
    Dacey looked from Cornelia to the dress hanging on the door. “Begin dressing?”
    “Yes, miss. It will require a bit of time.” Cornelia motioned to a corset, hip pad, stockings, garters, and pile of petticoats on the bed.
    “Oh,” Dacey said, picking up the corset and fingering the pale pink damask fabric. “I reckon we better get started. I’m not accustomed to wearing all this falderol.”
    Cornelia bit back a grin and nodded her head. “I reckon,” she said, perfectly mimicking Dacey’s rural drawl.
    The two girls laughed and talked as Cornelia helped Dacey dress and style her hair.
    When she finished, she positioned Dacey in front of a floor-length mirror in the corner of the room.
    “My stars!” Dacey gaped at her reflection. Cinched so tightly she could barely breathe, the corset  made her waist appear impossibly small in the gown. As she turned in front of the mirror, she marveled at the black and white striped silk fabric falling in perfect pleats from waist to floor at the back of her gown.
    Cornelia had somehow managed to corral her hair in a fashionable style on top of her head with curls caressing her neck.
    “You look so lovely, miss,” Cornelia said, tucking a pink rose into Dacey’s hair.
    “Well, I’ve got you to thank for that, Cornelia. You must be part magic to take an old cowhand like me and somehow manage to make me look like a lady.”
    Cornelia blushed, pleased by the words of praise. “You’re a beautiful woman, Dacey.”
    “I sure feel like one in this getup.” Dacey stepped away from the mirror and grinned at the maid. “Instead of admiring myself, I suppose I better find my way to the dining room.”
    “I’ll show you, miss.”
    Dacey followed Cornelia down the stairs and through a doorway to a hallway she hadn’t noticed earlier. They turned left and then right down another hall. Cornelia stopped outside the double doors of a large room and motioned for her to enter. “Enjoy your meal,” she whispered.
    “I plan to. Thank you, Cornelia.”
    “You’re welcome.” Before Dacey could say another word, the girl silently glided away, leaving her alone to enter the dining room.
    After taking a fortifying breath, or as much of one as