gongzongpingdr

@@@@@She knew she was trespassing on MrsThe kitchen was supposed to be viewed only from the bridge-like gallery aboveBut it was her kitchen, wasn't it? And Cat had started spending hours there every day, why couldn't she? Scarlett nearly put on her pink frock for MrsIt was cooler than her Galway skirts and the afternoon was very warm, for Ireland Then she put it back in the wardrobeShe wouldn't pretend to be what she was notShe ordered harm brack for tea instead of the scones she usually hadCharlotte Montague was wearing a gray linen jacket and skirt with a lace jabot that Scarlett's fingers itched to touchShe'd never seen lace so thick and elaborateThe older woman took off her gray kid gloves and gray feathered hat before she sat in the plush-covered chair next to the tea table"Thank you for receiving me, MrsI doubt that you want to waste time talking about the weather; you'd prefer to know why I'm here, is that correct?" Mrs Montague had an interesting wryness in her voice and her smile "I've been dying of curiosity," said ScarlettShe liked this beginning"I have learned that you're a successful businesswoman, both here and in America What I know, I keep to myself; it's one of my most valuable assetsAnother, as you can imagine, is that I have means of learning things that others do not I'm a businesswoman, tooI would like to tell you about my business, if I may Scarlett could only nod dumblyWhat did this woman know about her? And how? To put it at its most basic level, she arranged things, said MrsShe was born the youngest daughter of a younger son of a good family, and she had married a younger son of anotherEven before he died in a hunting accident she had grown tired of being always on the edge of things, always trying to keep up appearances and lead the life expected of well-bred ladies and gentlemen, always in need of moneyAfter she was widowed she found herself in the position of poor relation, a position that was intolerab