Chapter 9The house looked magnificent, but Jesse knew that was all due to Emma. He had helped decorate for the party, of course, but the aid he offered came mainly in the form of hanging, hammering, lifting, dusting, and mopping. It was Emma’s keen eye that had turned the clock back on the first floor of the mansion, returning it to what must have been its glory years.
Their guests milled through the rooms, gasping with surprise and wonder at the hand-painted designs on the walls, the intricately carved doorframes, banisters, and molding, and the beautifully stained hardwood floors. The original chandeliers had been polished until they sparkled, and the rich, golden light reflected off the delicate surfaces. Some of the furniture had been restored. Other pieces had been replaced. But with
