| Silicon By Terri Talley Venters |
the McAlister family.
your beautiful red gown,” Madeline said.
Valentine’s Day finally arrived, and Priscilla arrived
at the McAlisters’ enormous beach home located on
the inlet leading into St. Augustine. Her full-length red
satin gown would normally appear inappropriate on
an unmarried woman, but her mother acquiesced and
allowed Priscilla to borrow it for this special evening.
“Madeline and I were just discussing how the tragedy
of so many lost souls on the Titanic increased my
business last year,” Matthew said.
Priscilla walked up the steps to the party and felt
breathless at the sight of everyone wearing their
finery—the women in beautiful gowns and jewels and
the men in coats with tails and top hats. She entered
the beautiful home and fantasized about her future with
Jeb. She pictured herself wearing the latest fashions
from Paris, adorned with diamonds, emeralds, and
sapphires, depending on which gown she chose. But
the best part about her fantasy life was the title of Mrs.
Jeb McAlister.
She entered the enormous ballroom and immediately
searched for Jeb. She took the glass of champagne
handed to her by a servant but ignored the scrumptious
buffet meticulously laid out in the formal dining room
of the mansion. She knew eating like a field hand
repulsed most gentlemen, along with her waistline. She
saw many of her friends which delighted her, but she
saw no sign of any of the McAlisters.
“Priscilla, darling, how wonderful to see you. Have
you met Matthew Oxford of Boston?” Madeline asked,
kissing her cheeks to greet her friend since childhood.
“Of course, I remember Mr. Oxford. How do you do?”
Priscilla asked. She raised her gloved hand and
allowed him to kiss the silken fabric protecting