Chapter 4 #2
I had heard Mrs. Hill refer to her husband as Edmund. Until now, I hadn’t wondered how he had died.
“If we do not secure the interest from the right people,” Alec continued, “I fear Garfield’s resort will put ours out of business within the next two seasons. When Uncle Edmund built the resort in Newport, there were none like it. But now that Garfield’s is finished, we have serious competition.”
“What about the renovations? Won’t that make our resort more appealing to the right crowd?”
“I fear it will only cause our demise sooner. Even if we pour a million dollars into our resort, the newness and modern amenities of Garfield’s resort will outshine ours.”
“Rest assured, Mr. Garfield does not move in the right circles, either.”
“No, but I have heard rumors at my club.”
I couldn’t help but lean closer to the door, knowing I should not eavesdrop, but unsure what else to do. I couldn’t interrupt them—could I?
“What rumors?” Mrs. Hill asked.
“Mrs. Garfield has plans to take Louise to England during the London season—and if she succeeds, and marries Louise to the right man, the Garfields will gain the support they need from New York society.”
“And that’s why you’ve agreed to my plan? So we can compete with the Garfields?”
“Precisely,” Alec said.
My heart pounded hard at the weight of the responsibility I had undertaken. What if I couldn’t succeed? What if this Garfield girl won the hand of a duke and I came home with nothing? Would Mrs. Hill cast me out?
Mrs. Hill sighed. “I am not worried. Clara far outshines Louise Garfield in every way. She’s thinner, her hair is thicker, her face is prettier, and she’s sweeter.”
My cheeks burned at her bold assessment of me, but I noticed that Alec was silent on the matter—was it because he disagreed with Mrs. Hill?
“I hope you’ll be home more often in the evenings,” Mrs. Hill said in a quieter voice.
“Please do not lecture me about my club again.”
“I don’t wish to lecture you, but Clara could benefit from your time and attention. She will need all the help she can get.”
“I’m not certain I’m the one who should give it to her.”
I could no longer eavesdrop—afraid I might hear something I shouldn’t.
Knocking on the door, I waited until Mrs. Hill called for me to enter.
“Come in, Clara.”
My hands were trembling as I entered her room.
Alec rose from where he was sitting near the fireplace—in the chair I had occupied yesterday—but I couldn’t meet his gaze. I’d worried about what he thought of Five Points—and now me.
“Good morning,” Mrs. Hill said.
“Good mornin’.”
Mrs. Hill did not rise from her chair but offered me a smile. “Today, we will start to break you of that accent. We cannot introduce you at court sounding like an Irish immigrant.”
My lips parted as Alec cast a disgruntled look at his aunt.
She didn’t seem to notice.
But I wasn’t thinking about my accent—all I could think about was the other thing she’d said. “I’ll be goin’ to court?”
“Of course. No one is anyone in England without being introduced to Queen Victoria. I’ve already sent letters to friends in London about where we’ll live and who we’ll associate with—but don’t worry about any of that.
As your mother—” she paused and smiled at me “—it is my job to take care of all the little details.”
She motioned to a chair next to Alec. The breakfast tray was on the table between them. “Have a seat and get something to eat. The dressmaker will be here at eleven.”
“That’s my cue to leave,” Alec said.
“Nonsense.” Mrs. Hill motioned to his chair. “You should stay for a while. I want to discuss a few things with you and Clara.”
Alec took his seat again, but he had finished his meal, so he simply waited for his aunt to continue.
“First,” she said as she poured me a cup of black tea, “Clara, you must call me Aunt Maude.”
I nodded. That would be easy enough.
“And, second, I’ve decided to change some plans.
Instead of hiding you away in your room, I believe the fastest way for you to acclimate to this lifestyle is if you interact with the servants—throughout the house.
We’ll eat breakfast in the breakfast room starting tomorrow, and luncheon and supper in the dining room.
We’ll use the front parlor for our morning lessons and the music room for our afternoon lessons.
I don’t want you interacting with any of them alone right now, except Gallagher, so either myself or Alec will always be with you. ”
Apprehension wound around my heart, but I nodded anyway.
“I would like you to start reading extensively, as well. You’ll want a wide range of books to draw upon for conversation and you’ll need access to the library. You do read, don’t you?”
I nodded, my cheeks growing warm. Did she intend for me to go to the free circulating library on Bond Street? I had been there once, though it wasn’t easy to get to and I rarely had time enough to read. But it had been thrilling to visit.
Alec glanced at me, and I finally met his eyes. I saw no trace of disdain for me or for what he had learned about me yesterday. But his gaze did search mine, though I wasn’t sure what he was looking for.
“During the day,” Aunt Maude continued, “I will conduct lessons in deportment, meal etiquette, parlor conversations, and the like. In the evening”—she turned to Alec—“I do wish you would help teach Clara lessons in dancing, dinner conversation, parlor games, and flirting.”
“Flirting?” he asked as he frowned at Aunt Maude.
“Yes,” she said as she lifted her teacup.
“And you don’t need to limit the lessons to a single time and place.
Flirting should come naturally to Clara, in all settings, therefore, I would like you and Clara to practice it whenever possible.
” She took a sip of her tea. “And try different tactics, approaches, and the like. One never knows when one will be in a situation with a potential suitor. Clara must be prepared for everything.”
My cheeks burned at the thought of flirting with potential suitors—but more so at the thought of flirting with Alec.
When I finally got the courage to look at him again, I found he was watching me—but I couldn’t tell what he was thinking.
“Clara should tour the house,” Aunt Maude continued. “If you have time this morning, before the dressmaker comes, would you see to it, Alec? I have letters to write, and you could begin your flirting lessons.”
My heart galloped at the thought.
“I suppose the office can get along without me for an hour or so,” he said.
“Wonderful.” Aunt Maude motioned to the food in front of me. “Finish your breakfast so Alec can take you on a tour.”
My nerves had intensified to the point I'd lost my appetite. “I’m not hungry.”
“Very well—but you must put on a few pounds before we leave for Europe. Shouldn’t she, Alec?”
He smiled at me. “I believe Miss Clara is perfect as she is.”
Warmth gathered in my cheeks, and I lowered my gaze.
“And what should you say to that, Clara?” Aunt Maude asked with all seriousness.
I was speechless.
“He just flirted with you,” she said, nodding for me to respond. “How do you flirt back?”
Of course. I felt foolish.
I forced my gaze to return to Alec’s.
If I was going to succeed and help Aunt Maude and Alec, then I would have to play the game. I had watched my cousin Fiona flirt with her husband during their courtship and knew enough to get by—though, with the stakes so much higher, it would be a different level of flirting than Fiona’s.
Especially when they were men so high above my station. Anxiety overwhelmed me—but all I had to do was think about returning to Mulberry Street and I found the courage I needed.
“You’re too kind, Mr. Paxton-Hill.”
“Well,” Aunt Maude said, a little disappointed.
“It’s not impressive, but it’s a start. And remember to curb your accent, Clara.
Emulate the sound of our voices and practice every chance you get.
Now, be off on your tour and if you run into any of the staff and are forced to interact, let Alec speak for you. ”
Alec stood and offered me his hand, a teasing gleam lighting his eyes. “Are you ready to be dazzled by my brilliant personality?”
Was he flirting again? I had no idea how to respond, so I simply smiled and allowed him to help me stand.
He took my hand and slipped it into the crook of his elbow as he led me out of Aunt Maude’s room.
Flirting might be the hardest lesson of all.