Irritation, Pt. 2

"It's amazing what money can do," Faith said with a knowing smile. "I don't think I'll have to put up with that strange Southern accent for much longer."

Neither Maribeth nor Lulu had any reply to that comment. Most of the students at Miss Porter's were from well-to-do families, but most had had it drummed into them that polite young ladies did not discuss family wealth nor did they use it as a weapon to get their own way. Faith had made no secret of her father's immense mining holdings, their enormous new home in Reno and the bulging bank accounts he commanded. Faith's school uniforms were the same as the rest of the girls, but after hours, she dressed in fine silks and satins. Even the lace-trimmed undergarments Faith was rinsing out had been imported from France.

Lulu rolled her eyes at Faith's threats. They might not be all that fond of Regina, but at least the Kentucky girl didn't flaunt her family money. Maribeth wrinkled her nose at Lulu, not willing to say anything that might irritate Faith. After all, when you were ticked away in a girl's school, friends with money were worth their weight in gold.

"So," Lulu said, not-so-subtlely changing the topic. "Are you going home for the Christmas holidays, Faith?"

"Of course," she replied impatiently. "It's not that far to Reno. Mother said I was to invite some friends home with me, too. If I feel like it."

Faith tossed her glossy hair and smiled to herself as she pulled her ivory lace camisole from the suds and pulled the plug on the sink. She straightened up and looked at Maribeth and Lulu. "How about you two? Will you be going home too?"