Strictly Taboo(100)

“Well, if it was because of him, I can't say I'd blame you. Those deep dark eyes and that divine stubble across his chin. Not to mention that delightful cowboy hat he wears. I think he fancies himself something of a cowboy!”

“Winnie!” Grace said in disbelief.

“What?”

“You'd better not let Tom hear you talk like that about another man!” Winnie waved her hand.

“Pshaw, Tom wouldn't notice if I invited Mr. Roosevelt to sleep between us in bed!” Winnie rolled her eyes and shook her head with exasperation.

“Things are still bad?” Grace asked, turning to her sister. Winnie fell back, lying on the homemade quilt and staring at the ceiling.

“You know, sissie, they tell you that marriage is going to be wonderful…wedded bliss, they say…I think that's a pile of horse shit.” Grace couldn't help but laugh at her sisters cursing.

“Things will get better, I'm sure of it.” Grace said, getting up and sitting on the bed beside her sister.

“I bet that's what mama would have said too…but I wonder how long does it take for things to get better, Gracie? It's been seven months now that he's hardly slept at home and don't even ask how long it's been since he's touched me!” Grace felt the warmth returning to her cheeks at Winnie’s reference to sex.

“Well…have you tried talking to him about it?” Grace asked, looking down at her sister.

“I would - if I could just get him to stay in one place for more than a minute!” Winnie said looking crestfallen.

“I tell you what, why don't you come to the barn dance with me? I know it's not the greatest event in town, but it's better than going home alone. Plus, you could maybe help me to secure the attention of Mr. Roosevelt…” Winnie’s face lit up with a smile.

“I knew it! I knew you were interested in him! I can tell by the way you look when you talk about him.” Winnie said sitting upright, re-energized by the prospect of playing matchmaker.

“Well now you know…but don't tell daddy, okay? I don't want to disappoint him if things don't work out.” Grace said. Winnie nodded, taking her sisters hand in hers.

“Of course I won't! But I will come to the dance. It sounds like the perfect opportunity to get you a leg up over all of those other floozies!” Winnie said. Grace smiled, she loved the fierceness with which Winnie loved her.

“Perfect! But we’d better start getting you ready, the doors open at seven and I don't want to get there too late.”



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Chapter 2



The barn wasn't far from the Purdue family home and despite Grace’s protestations at walking to the dance, Winnie had dragged her along anyway. The only other option would have been hitching up the horses themselves or asking their father for a lift – neither of which seemed appealing. Still, Grace insisted upon complaining for the full ten minutes that it took them to get there. As soon as she caught sight of the barn, however, Grace fell silent. She clutched her sister’s hand tightly.

“Winnie…what if I'm making a terrible mistake?” She asked, staring in to her sister’s emerald eyes. Winnie shook her head.

“Now, that's just your nerves talking. Mr. Roosevelt is a wealthy eligible gentleman and you are a beautiful eligible woman, there is no reason why this would be a mistake.” Winnie slipped her hand from her sister’s and brought both hands to Grace’s waist where she tugged and pulled material in to place. “There, now, let's go inside, shall we?” She asked giving Grace a reassuring smile. Grace hesitated and then nodded.

As the sister’s walked through the large double doors of the red painted barn, they both scanned the room for Everett D. Roosevelt. It was only when Grace’s eyes lit upon a rather large group of women in the corner of the room that she knew that they had found him. As the sister’s walked closer, the sound of tittering laughter only got louder. Grace looked at her sister who was cringing just as much as she was at the noise.

“…and so I said to this fellow with one arm: ‘Young man, you can't possibly expect me to pay you a full wage when you show up to the job only half prepared to work!’” The tittering became uproarious laughter as the crowd of young women indulged his story.

“Gracie?” Winnie looked to her sister who had stopped mid-step.

“That wasn't funny at all…” Grace said, her brow furrowed. “I think…I'm having second thoughts.” She spun on her heel and tugged her sister after her as she made her way to the fruit punch bowl instead.