Chapter 11 #2
She didn’t know I had previously overheard her and Alec talking about the issues they were having with their hotel in Newport, so I let her explain the problem to me.
When she was done, she said, “The costs have been greater than anticipated, and with the other hotel we’re building on Coney Island, and our living expenses—”
“It is more than your living expenses,” Alec interrupted her.
She gave him a look that suggested they’d been in disagreement about something.
“It’s your extravagant spending on things that aren’t necessary. Like gold cigarette cases and diamond necklaces for party favors at the ball.”
“What do you expect of me?” she asked him. “I must keep up appearances, so no one notices our financial desperation.”
“Spending fifty thousand dollars on one party, ten thousand dollars on a wardrobe for Clara, and untold other expenses on this upcoming trip to Europe is not ‘keeping up appearances.’ It’s foolishness while we’re trying to expand our business.”
“You know why we’re going to Europe, it’s to secure—”
“I’m quite familiar with why you’re going to Europe.”
I had never seen Alec so severe with Aunt Maude, but it was clear he was desperate and worried.
Aunt Maude had taught me to sit with my back perfectly straight, but I started to slouch now, feeling that this was somehow my fault. The ball, the clothing, and the trip were all expenses incurred because of me.
“We need to secure the best match possible for Clara,” Aunt Maude said, “and as soon as we’re successful, we’ll have all the clientele we need at our hotels. All of them. I promise it will work, Alec. I just need more time.”
“And how will you cajole a duke or prince to marry Clara when you have nothing in the way of a suitable dowry for her? Most noblemen are making American matches because they need the money.”
“There’s the stock in our company.”
“A company that sits on the brink of bankruptcy.”
“They don’t need to know that. And by the time it will matter, our company value will increase once again.”
Alec pressed his lips together until the muscles in his jaw jumped. “I’m concerned that we won’t have the time you need.”
Neither spoke as they stared at one another. I wasn’t sure why I needed to be here for this conversation. I couldn’t tell them what to do, not only because I didn’t know, but because it wasn’t my place. Even if Aunt Maude had adopted me.
“So you see?” Aunt Maude said, turning to me. “Everything relies on the best possible match you can make in England.”
My pulse pounded at the weight of her words.
“Don’t put this on Clara,” Alec said, taking a step forward. “She is not the one who has made poor financial decisions. This is not her burden to bear. The whole plan was preposterous to begin with.”
“Are you suggesting I give up?” Aunt Maude asked.
My gaze met Alec’s and the look of longing he’d had last night in the library returned.
The knot in my stomach tightened as my own feelings stirred deep within my heart.
I wanted nothing more than to tell him I loved him and that I didn’t want to go to England and marry a duke.
Was that what he was trying to get Aunt Maude to agree to?
Aunt Maude slowly rose from her chair, regaining the control she always demonstrated with Alec and me. “I see what this is about.”
We both looked at her.
“Mrs. Walker told me that a scullery maid came upon the two of you in the library earlier this morning, but I didn’t want to believe that you would go behind my back.”
Alec’s shoulders stiffened. “We’ve done no such thing.”
I wanted to sink into the earth and not have to meet her angry and disappointed look. We hadn’t done anything wrong, but I still felt guilty, because I had wanted to do something.
“I thought both of you understood the dire circumstances we’re in and why it’s necessary that my plan succeeds.” She focused her gaze on me. “You, of all people, should understand this mission, Clara. I pulled you out of deplorable conditions and have given you everything your heart could desire.”
My heart desired Alec.
“And you”—she said as she turned to Alec—“Edmund paid for your education at the best university in the country, and he left his entire life’s work in your hands. And this is how you’ll repay him? Having a clandestine meeting with Clara in the library?”
“It wasn’t anything inappropriate or untoward. You asked me to teach her how to flirt.”
Embarrassment warmed my cheeks. Was that all that had happened in the library this morning? Another lesson in flirtation?
The tension in Aunt Maude’s face eased. “As long as that is all that happened.”
“You have nothing to worry about where I’m concerned.
” He walked toward the door, which was behind me, and paused.
“You are correct about one thing, Aunt Maude. Uncle Edmund entrusted his life’s work to me.
Stop spending so frivolously, or there will be nothing left of your husband’s legacy to rub in my face. ”
With that final strike, Alec left the room.
I sat motionless in the chair, afraid to even blink for fear she would turn on me next.
Instead, she bit her bottom lip and looked to the side as she motioned for me to leave the room. “Get something to eat and then prepare for your morning callers.”
Without waiting, I stood and was about to exit the room when Higgins appeared with a silver salver in hand.
“What is it, Higgins?” Aunt Maude asked.
He entered the room and presented the tray, which had a gold-embossed invitation on its surface. “This just arrived from Mrs. Vanderbilt’s footman.”
Aunt Maude’s cares seemed to slip away as she took the invitation and opened it.
Her eyes lit up. “It’s an invitation for Alec, Clara, and I to attend Mrs. Vanderbilt’s fancy dress ball in March.
” She rose from her chair as she read the invitation.
When she lowered it, she said, “Clara, Mrs. Vanderbilt would like you to participate in one of the quadrilles. You’ll begin to practice with the other young people at Mrs. Vanderbilt’s home immediately. ”
Sweat started to gather on my brow. “What kind of quadrille?”
“I’ve heard there will be five themed and choreographed quadrilles to open the ball. Only four couples per quadrille, so that means there are only forty young people invited to participate—and you’re one of them. It’s a great honor!”
I was certain it was a great honor, but I had no experience with anything like it. What if I made a fool of myself with all of New York society watching?
“Higgins,” Aunt Maude said. “Send for Madame Donovan immediately and tell her we’ve been invited to the most exclusive party in New York.
I’m willing to pay whatever she asks to come here.
” After Higgins left, Aunt Maude turned to me.
“There is no time to lose. We must have two fancy dress ball gowns designed for us. We won’t know what theme you will dance in, so we’ll have to wait until after your first practice this afternoon to find out.
” She tapped the invitation against her hand in thought.
“Madam Donovan caters to Mrs. Astor’s Four Hundred.
She has never wanted to work with me before, but once she hears we’ve been invited to Mrs. Vanderbilt’s costume party, and you’ll be one of the quadrille dancers, she will be eager to accommodate us.
” She lifted her eyebrows. “Especially because I will pay her whatever she asks.”
“But Alec said—”
“It is not your place to question how I spend my money.” Aunt Maude’s anger was swift, and she tightened her jaw.
“It’s my money. Alec is only being cautious.
We will be fine.” Her mood shifted drastically and she smiled.
“My plan is working brilliantly. You’ll make a splash here in New York and then we’ll go to Europe, where you will be a sensation.
We’ll have every eligible aristocrat in England pounding down our door to propose to you. ”
The thought terrified me.