The Davenports: Chapters 7–13

by Krystal Marquis
This first book of the series introduces the Davenport sisters, Olivia and Helen, their maid Amy-Rose Shepherd, and friend Ruby Tremaine—all of whom are trying to figure out what their futures might be like in 1910 Chicago, after Reconstruction had enabled former slaves and their descendants to rise in status and wealth.

Here are links to our lists for the novel: Chapters 1–6, Chapters 7–13, Chapters 14–20, Chapters 21–30, Chapters 31–47
40 words 3 learners

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Full list of words from this list:

words only definitions & notes
  1. duvet
    a soft quilt usually filled with down
    Amy-Rose leaned against the doorframe as Henrietta straightened the duvet with quick flicks of her wrists.
  2. gilded
    made from or covered with gold
    She imagined large gilded mirrors at each styling station that would multiply a delicately patterned wallpaper.
  3. disposition
    your usual mood
    John glanced up quickly and smiled. His easy, playful disposition softened his features, which were so like his mother’s.
  4. rankle
    make resentful or angry
    But she couldn’t help the bitterness that welled up at having to hide her most prized possession. It rankled almost as much as the bitterness of her parents asking her to sell it.
  5. bodice
    part of a dress above the waist
    The chain of the necklace slipped further, tickling her skin. She hoped that the bodice of the dress was tight enough that the stone wouldn’t clatter to the ground beneath her feet.
  6. amiss
    in an improper or mistaken manner
    “Do you know how many people this could help?”
    Other people, Ruby thought. Never her. Not their daughter who had to smile and pretend nothing was amiss.
  7. balsam
    a scented sap used in medicines and perfumes
    Then the smell of bergamot and balsam wrapped around her, easing the tension she felt.
  8. reverie
    an abstracted state of absorption
    A familiar voice shook Olivia out of her reverie.
  9. philanthropic
    of or relating to charitable giving
    “I was not slumming it. I was bringing donations to the community center. I—”
    “My apologies, a philanthropic rich girl—”
  10. scrutinize
    look at critically or searchingly, or in minute detail
    He was deliberately staying quiet while she squirmed in the too hot, too loud room, under the scrutinizing eye of the English gentleman.
  11. dissipate
    go away, scatter, or disappear
    How quickly the boldness of her business attitude dissipated when she donned an apron and picked up a dishcloth.
  12. don
    put on clothes
    How quickly the boldness of her business attitude dissipated when she donned an apron and picked up a dishcloth.
  13. chafe
    tear or wear off the skin or make sore by abrading
    Her words faded at his outstretched hand. Her own were hidden between the folds of her skirt. She knew they were dry and chafed from the washing.
  14. heady
    extremely exciting as if by alcohol or a narcotic
    Her breath stuck in her throat, the heady smell of his cologne too intoxicating.
  15. frivolous
    not serious in content, attitude, or behavior
    But he also seemed to be unimpressed by all that Olivia had accomplished. As if all her own hard work was a waste of time. The idea of him thinking she was some frivolous girl made her grind her teeth.
  16. fleeting
    lasting for a markedly brief time
    Olivia saw the fleeting glimpse of sadness that passed over her mother’s features.
  17. delicacy
    something considered choice to eat
    “I’ve selected the dishes myself. A mixture of English delicacies and American sweets—and some French favorites for fun. I hope you’ll enjoy them.”
  18. discreet
    unobtrusively perceptive and sympathetic
    Those who recognized her offered a nod or polite smile or some discreet gesture of acknowledgment.
  19. keen
    demonstrating ability to recognize or draw fine distinctions
    She chewed her bottom lip and then instantly released it, remembering that her mother was close, analyzing their every gesture with a hawk’s keen eye.
  20. impulsive
    determined by chance or whim rather than by necessity
    They seemed to have enjoyed each other’s company at the Tremaine party, but Olivia knew Ruby to be as practical as she was impulsive.
  21. mauve
    a moderate purple
    She removed her wide-brimmed hat, the same shade of mauve as her skirt and jacket.
  22. toil
    work hard
    The finery of their small set, the luxury of spending a workday enjoying the weather instead of toiling away in a shop or mill—it was unusual.
  23. masquerade
    a party of guests wearing costumes and disguises
    “Yes, Papa would be happy to have your support. And vote. Now, the fundraiser will be a masquerade”—she waggled her eyebrows—“with many of the same people who attended our party, in addition to political leaders.”
  24. brunt
    the main part, especially of a force or shock
    As frustrating as her siblings could be, she imagined it was far easier to share her parents’ attention than bear the full brunt of their expectations.
  25. encroach
    impinge or infringe upon
    She noticed the crease forming between his brows and felt the sudden urge to smooth it down, wipe away the stress that encroached on his features.
  26. cheeky
    offensively bold
    With a cheeky grin, he said, “I have learned there’s not much you can do about how people look at you.”
  27. exult
    express great joy
    “I mean, I know my family worked hard for generations to build our name. But I am a Black man in England, where in every space I am the minority. The Other. And here, like at home, I am both exulted and cursed for my circumstances. None of which I can change or take credit for.”
  28. legacy
    anything handed down by someone or something in the past
    “There must be a kind of pride in being able to add to that legacy,” she said, knowing that’s how she felt every time she saw a Davenport carriage cross her path.
  29. bravado
    a swaggering show of courage
    Jacob Lawrence understood. Born into his wealth and name like her. Behind his bravado, charm, and well-tailored suits lay a kindred spirit.
  30. egregious
    conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible
    Her mother pitched her voice the way she did when company was present, when she was afraid Helen might commit some egregious social error without some subtle warning to reset her course.
  31. bleak
    offering little or no hope
    Her expression was as bleak as her dress.
  32. frock
    a one-piece garment for a woman; has skirt and bodice
    Mrs. Milford was a short woman in a severe black dress and sturdy boots, polished to a shine. All of which, when compared to Mrs. Davenport’s mauve frock, made her a bearer of bad news.
  33. wane
    become smaller
    Mrs. Milford’s disapproval appeared to wane temporarily.
  34. elation
    a feeling of joy and pride
    Her brief elation that her mother would be embroiled in such scandal—and would have shared it with her—was quickly replaced with a compassion she didn’t know how to express.
  35. embroil
    force into some kind of situation or course of action
    Her brief elation that her mother would be embroiled in such scandal—and would have shared it with her—was quickly replaced with a compassion she didn’t know how to express.
  36. callous
    emotionally hardened
    She regretted her callous question, shame burning her neck.
  37. subtle
    difficult to detect or grasp by the mind or analyze
    A gentle smile softened her features, but her glance at Mrs. Davenport, followed by a subtle nod, spoke of an ambush.
  38. brocade
    thick expensive material with a raised pattern
    A heavy brocade cloth fell like liquid gold over the surface of the table.
  39. myriad
    too numerous to be counted
    And she did a little better than paying attention to details! How else does one pinpoint the exact cause of an engine misfire or the myriad other things she was capable of doing?
  40. discerning
    able to make or detect effects of great subtlety
    No mechanic worth their grit could do what Helen did without a cunning or a discerning eye.
Created on Fri Aug 09 12:36:36 EDT 2024 (updated Sat Aug 10 14:06:06 EDT 2024)

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