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interrupted.
    Maeve stood. “But I do not want his money.”
    “Of course you do. You and your father and brother will be able to move to a sweet little cottage by the shore and you will have nothing to do all day but brush your hair and sew samplers.”
    “I want me husband,” Maeve declared, digging her hands into her hips.
    “Who?”
    “Me husband. I’m thinkin’ I love him. Loved him at first sight of him. After I cleaned him up.”
    “Cleaned him up?”
    “He’d had an accident.”
    Pansy raised her rust-brown eyebrows, but went on with what she obviously considered a more important question. “Just how long have you been married?”
    “Five days.”
    “‘Tis only infatuation you’re feeling.”
    Although Maeve didn’t like to disagree with Pansy, she did. “Sure’n I think it’s more, but I’ll never know unless I stay married to the man for a time.”
    “Have you considered that you will most likely be ostracized by society?”
    While Maeve never cared what others thought, she cared for what they might say or do to Charles. “I am not frightened,” she bluffed.
    “Good. For you will need your courage.” Pansy slanted her a wide smile. “You have always been my friend and will remain so. We shall go about together as equals. What fun we shall have!”
    “But I am not of your class. Nor have I your education, or fancy manners. Me husband thinks me too loud. And he’s already been after me for creatin’ a scene. I’m not even sure what he means by that. Worse, I’ve lost my temper with him a time or two this morning...and it’s not even midday.” Maeve’s shoulders slouched as she lowered her head and sank to the chaise once again. “I’m an embarrassment to Charles.”
    Pansy pulled her up. “Maeve, do not think yourself an embarrassment to anyone. You are most intelligent. How long have you been borrowing books from me? Three years? Four? You have learned more than I know.”
    “I’ve had no fancy schoolin’.”
    “Where you learn makes no difference.”
    “I don’t know. There’s so much about me that needs fixin’. In case ye haven’t noticed, I’ve a hint of an Irish brogue that marks me as an immigrant. What am I goin’ to do about that?”
    “Let me teach you elocution! I can teach you to talk softly and lose your accent. All great actresses excel in these matters.”
    Maeve shook her head. “I cannot ask you.”
    “Yes, you can. Please let me help. You know how bored I am. There is nothing for me to do until my parents relent and let me pursue a stage career. I cannot possibly play the piano for twelve hours a day.”
    “Ye would do this for me?”
    “You are my friend, Maeve. And now you are Mrs. Charles Rycroft, who will travel in my social circle. Nothing could be better.”
    Maeve’s heart pounded a bit faster, a bit harder. Her eyes teared up again. “I’ll be obliged to ye for the rest of my life. I do not care to be hidden away on the sixth floor like some mad, ranting wife.”
    “Charles wouldn’t dare hide you away or divorce you if you were the Belle of Boston,” Pansy offered with a sly smile.
    “The Belle of Boston?”
    “We haven’t much time. The round of Christmas parties is about to begin.” Pansy stopped and clapped her hands, her eyes sparkling with delight. “We shall create a new you in time for the Cabots’ Snow Ball. Everyone who is anyone in Boston attends their ball.”
    “It would be a magnificent adventure,” Maeve allowed, although she felt a bit lightheaded. Dizzy with trepidation rather than pleasure. “I intend to do me best to keep my husband.”
    A heavy pounding on the front door knocker interrupted Maeve. Her head snapped round to the sound. Her heart nearly stopped.
    With a mischievous grin and a finger to her lips, Pansy snatched Maeve’s hand and pulled her from the room. Although Maeve resisted, she could not dissuade the impulsive Pansy. They reached the landing on tiptoe and hunkered down. Peering over the