The meeting adjourned and, as far as Lillian could tell, nothing had been agreed on except that Mrs Shaw would petition the governor about holding a fundraising ball. The attendees seemed unanimously satisfied with the morning’s proceedings as they prepared to leave.
Lillian helped Catherine pick up the empty crumb-scattered plates from the occasional tables dotted around the room. Hands full, they prepared to return to the kitchen. At the threshold Lillian paused, hearing voices coming from the foyer. Mrs Shaw had shut the front door behind the last of her guests and turned to address her daughter.
‘I thought that went very well, don’t you, dear?’
Lillian heard Olivia sniff and imagined the younger Shaw lifting her nose aloft as she uttered her reply.
‘I don’t see why you had to invit
