Chapter 8
Aunt Maude’s simple dinner party was anything but simple.
The staff had spent days transforming the mansion into a Christmas wonderland, until it looked and smelled like something out of a fairytale.
Pine garland, red velvet ribbons, and silver bells adorned the stairs, the railings around the gallery above the foyer, and on every available surface.
Dozens of Christmas trees, each bedecked with silver and gold ornaments, filled each room on the main floor, with the largest standing in the foyer at twenty feet tall.
But the most impressive was the candlelight.
Hundreds of candles twinkled from the trees, offering a soft light as I stood in the receiving line next to Aunt Maude and Alec.
Footmen and maids stood at the ready with water buckets and mops, should the candles catch something on fire.
At least two dozen guests had arrived. The women were festooned in breathtaking gowns and lavish jewelry.
One woman had a long golden chain, which she wore around her waist like a belt, with another chain dangling down the front of her skirt.
At the bottom was an emerald the size of an egg.
It looked heavy and uncomfortable, but it was meant to attract attention and it did.
“Why am I here?” I asked Alec, quietly, after Aunt Maude had turned to a guest.
He frowned at me, puzzled. “What do you mean? You’re Maude’s daughter now. She’ll expect you at all sorts of social events.”
“I thought I was needed to find a husband so Aunt Maude could enter polite society. It looks as if she’s already there.”
What more could she want?
Alec turned his back to the room, offering us a little more privacy. “These are the swells,” he explained. “They’re all new money. Some in banking, some in railroads, shipping, or real estate. None of them have ascended to Mrs. Astor’s rank among the nobs.”
“How do you know if you’ve arrived?” And why did it matter? They were all so wealthy, I couldn’t begin to comprehend why it wasn’t enough.
“A list was printed last year by Mrs. Astor’s cohort, Ward McCallister,” Alec explained.
“He claims there are only four hundred people in all of New York City who are proper enough to be in fashionable society—and most of them are old money. The swells don’t mean anything to Aunt Maude.
She will not rest until she’s on Mrs. Astor’s list—and then she’ll spend the rest of her life trying to stay on it. ”
“Do all of them want to be on the list?” I asked as I indicated the group.
Alec looked over the room and nodded. “Every last one of them. The men work hard to make the money, and the women work harder trying to show it off. Every woman in this room is trying to elevate her family’s social status to support her husband’s efforts.”
Was that the kind of life I would lead once I married? Was it different in England?
Not for the first time, I wondered what I had agreed to.
I didn’t even know how to show off wealth.
But it was the least of my worries about marrying a duke.
There were so many other duties that would be required of me—I didn’t even know how to ask about those.
All Aunt Maude was concerned about was preparing me to capture a duke—she didn’t seem to care what I would do once I had him.
A gentleman started to walk toward me from across the room, his gaze intent upon mine, and I stiffened. What if I said or did something to give up the ruse?
Alec also stiffened, but said quietly, “That’s George Vanderbilt, the youngest of the Vanderbilt family. One of the most eligible bachelors in the city. You met his sister-in-law, Mrs. William Kissam Vanderbilt, earlier today at church.”
Even before I had moved into Aunt Maude’s home, I knew the Vanderbilt name. Everyone did. They were one of the wealthiest families in America.
I fidgeted, feeling the weight of my heavy gown and the lies I was wearing.
“Don’t worry,” Alec said softly, “I’m here if you need me.”
“You mustn’t feel obligated to take care of me.”
“I don’t.”
After proper introductions were made, Mr. Vanderbilt gave me a small bow. “I hope you’ll allow me to escort you into supper—unless Alec has claimed the honor.”
I swallowed my butterflies and looked at Alec.
Aunt Maude had made it clear I must not fall in love with an American, but she wanted me to flirt and become confident with men.
Yet—the only man I wanted to sit with at supper was Alec.
I had grown comfortable with him, even if he teased me and made my cheeks blush.
“I have no such honor,” Alec said, his voice serious.
“Then may I have the honor?” Mr. Vanderbilt asked me. “I wanted to be the first to ask, since I’m certain I won’t be the last.”
I glanced around the room, filled with both married and single men.
Some were looking in my direction and Mrs. Vanderbilt’s words returned to me.
“I do believe all the eligible bachelors in the church are already wondering when they might call, and all the mamas of single young ladies are drawing up their battle plans.”
Mr. Vanderbilt stared at me, waiting for an answer.
“Thank you,” I finally managed to say. “I would like that.”
Alec helped me navigate a stilted conversation with Mr. Vanderbilt, making me wonder how I would endure an entire meal at his side.
When it was proper to move away from him, Alec took me to a small group of matronly ladies and reintroduced me, so I could remember their names.
Thankfully, they seemed intent upon hearing their own voices, so I wasn’t required to say much.
And when I was, Alec ensured that I only needed to talk about things I was comfortable discussing.
Higgins announced supper was ready, so Mr. Vanderbilt found me once again and offered me his arm. As he led me away, I had a moment of panic as I realized we were leaving Alec.
But as I looked back, he was offering his arm to one of the matrons and stayed right behind Mr. Vanderbilt and me—and when we got to the long dining room table, he took the seat beside mine, so I was nestled between him and Mr. Vanderbilt.
“In case you need help flirting,” he said, for my ears alone, as he leaned close for just a moment. “I will be right here.”
My heart fluttered at his comment, but it gave me a boost of confidence to address Mr. Vanderbilt. Two months ago, when I’d first come to the mansion, I had no experience with this sort of thing. But Alec had taught me a lot, and if I could flirt with him, surely I could flirt with Mr. Vanderbilt.
I had practiced this moment for weeks. I knew exactly which silverware to use, which conversation to laugh at, and which topics to ignore.
And when I didn’t, Alec swooped in to rescue me.
After the meal, the men stayed in the dining room for cigars and brandy while the women moved into the parlor.
Which meant I was alone without Alec’s help.
As we left the dining room, I sent a lingering look to Alec, and he gave me the slightest wink of encouragement.
A young woman walked up beside me, a gentle smile upon her face. We’d been introduced when she had arrived with her parents, but she’d been sitting on the opposite side of the table, and we hadn’t spoken.
Her pretty green eyes crinkled at the corners as she said, “I’m sure you don’t remember my name. I’m Miss Annabelle Wellington.”
“I’m Clara,” I said, relieved that she’d reminded me of her name.
“It can be overwhelming meeting so many new people,” she said with empathy. “We moved to New York three years ago and I still don’t know everyone Mama thinks I should know.”
We followed the other ladies into the hall.
“I don’t know about you,” Annabelle continued, “but I think making new friends is hard. I hope you’ll allow me to be your friend, Miss Hill.”
I finally gave her my full attention. Her offer seemed genuine as she studied me.
“I would like that,” I said with a smile.
“I heard your aunt is planning to take you to England this spring,” she continued. “We are also planning to go. It will be nice to have a friend there.”
My heart warmed with relief. “I’m terrified,” I confided in her.
“As am I. Mama insists we go, but I would rather not.” She glanced back toward the dining room, where the doors were still open, and Alec was standing near Annabelle’s father. “I already know what I want, and it doesn’t include marrying a bankrupt nobleman.”
Was she referring to Alec?
Before I could form a response to her statement, she said, “You and Alec appear to get along well. Did you know him before you moved in with your aunt? He never mentioned you before.”
This I could answer honestly. “No. I met him in October, when I first arrived.”
“October?” she frowned. “And we haven’t been introduced yet?”
I didn’t know what to say, so I glanced back at the dining room and found Alec watching us—but was he looking at me or Annabelle? Was he interested in Annabelle? I hadn’t noticed him paying attention to her since her arrival—though perhaps I had been too preoccupied with myself.
The ladies settled into the parlor in small groups. As I listened to their incessant gossip, I counted down the minutes until the men would join us. I wasn’t sure if I would get a chance to ask Alec about Annabelle, but I would try.
Aunt Maude sat with me while I worked hard to answer questions carefully. She would either stiffen beside me, or nod gently, depending on my performance. When the gentlemen finally arrived, I was exhausted and relieved to have Alec in the room again.
Annabelle was still at my side when Alec and Mr. Vanderbilt approached.
“Hello, Alec,” Annabelle said.
He offered her a tight smile and replied, “It’s good to see you again.”
“Mother and I were surprised we were invited tonight,” she said. “But we were thankful to be included.”
“Your father and my uncle were good friends.” His voice was a bit stiff. “Almost like family. Aunt Maude will never forget.”