Chapter Sixteen
Maeve slept fitfully and woke to whispered voices.
Aubrey stood fully dressed by the doorway, conferring with someone.
She sat up, ran her fingers through her hair and tried to prepare herself to face this day.
She couldn’t have imagined a scenario in which she’d be participating in the Newport Season as a member of society rather than as a member of the working class.
Despite Aubrey's thoughtful assurances the night before, Maeve had few illusions about how she would be received.
People would be polite until she spoke and revealed her nationality.
Her stomach turned with dread. While things had greatly improved for Irish immigrants coming to America since the Civil War, in which many Irish enthusiastically fought on behalf of the Union, they were still seen in many circles as “less than.” This was especially true of Catholics like herself.
Though many second- and third-generation Irish Americans had begun to gain political offices and other positions of prominence, the hundreds of thousands of Irish living in poverty and working in service helped to perpetuate the stereotypes.
Maeve had little doubt of how she would be received by the Knickerbocker set she had heard so much about from her benefactor in New York, who’d had nothing but disdain for the women who lorded over society.
Aubrey closed the bedroom door and came to the bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress. “Sorry if we woke you. Kathleen is here to help you prepare for the day, but first I’ve asked to have breakfast sent up.”
“You didn’t have to do that. I can go down.”
“No need.” He kissed her forehead. “You must allow me to pamper you.”
“That doesn’t come naturally to me. I’m used to working and contributing to the household. We were expected to help out at home.”
“I understand this is a big adjustment for you, but over time, you will become accustomed to it.”
“If you say so.”
A smile lit up his lovely, kind eyes. “I say so.”
A soft knock on the door had him getting up to receive her breakfast tray, which he brought to her, resting it on her lap.
“Have you already eaten?”
He expertly poured her tea. “Some time ago.”
“I didn’t hear you get up.”
“You slept fitfully.”
“I hope I didn’t disturb you.”
“I like being disturbed by you.” When he was satisfied her tea had properly steeped, he stirred in the cream and spot of honey she preferred.
“You’re exceptionally good at preparing tea.”
“Two Seasons in London served me well.”
He stayed with her while she ate the scrambled eggs, sausage, oatmeal and kidneys.
She glanced up at him. “This is an awful lot of food for one person. Won’t you have a little?”
Aubrey shook his head. “You need sustenance to prepare you for a busy day.”
The reminder of the day ahead had her stomach turning with nerves. “I think I’ve had all I can manage.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I am, thank you.”
“I’ll take your tray down and tell Kathleen you’re ready to get dressed.”
“When will I see you?”
“At the luncheon on the Astor’s steam yacht in the harbor. Derek, Simon, Justin and I’ll meet you and the other women there.”
Though Maeve had paid very little attention to the who’s who of society, even she recognized the name Astor from the information her benefactor had shared in New York. The Astors were among the cream of New York society and presumably held the same stature in Newport.
Her breakfast wanted to come back up at the thought of having to socialize with people of that caliber. Of course, they would all know by now that Mr. Nelson had married the housekeeper and she could only imagine the things that were being said about her—and him.
She took a deep breath and released it slowly, determined to make an effort for his sake, but having no illusions about what this day might entail.
Kathleen came bustling in a short time later, a ball of energy and speaking in the accent of Maeve’s home, as she got busy choosing attire from the wardrobes that had been packed with Worth gowns, gloves, hats and other items she would need for the multiple changes of clothing that would transpire each day.
Kathleen told her a new outfit for every occasion would be required, along with matching hat and parasol, and as many as five pairs of gloves would be needed each day.
Maeve tried not to react with horror, as she didn’t want to offend the young woman, who had expertise in the attire required for the Season. She knew she ought to be grateful, but all she felt was deep, pervasive dread over the entire production.
Her maid had dark hair contained in a neat bun, dark brown eyes and a keen fashion sense that would serve Maeve well.
If she was going to be labeled an outsider, at least she would be wearing the latest fashions when she was ignored.
To her credit, Kathleen never said a word about the elephant in the room—that an Irishwoman had married a man like Aubrey.
By a quarter to nine, Maeve was decked out in a yellow day dress for the morning drive on Bellevue Avenue that would take place, as Kathleen informed her, in a phaeton, preferred for the lower sides that allowed for the best view of everyone’s outfits.
“The first time you pass a carriage, nod to any acquaintances,” Kathleen said.
“The second time you smile, and the third time, you look away. This is a very important tradition, and you must never allow your carriage to overtake a social superior, although with the duchess and her sister riding with you, everyone else is inferior.”
Maeve listened to everything Kathleen told her, committing the rules to memory and hoping she wouldn’t commit a faux pas that would be discussed for years to come. Although she’d already committed the greatest of faux pas by marrying Aubrey in the first place.
After the morning parade, the ladies would be conveyed to the Casino where they would watch the tennis matches and exchange gossip.
After that, they would be taken to Bailey’s Beach for ladies’ swimming before luncheon onboard a steamship in the harbor, followed by a stop at the polo grounds to watch the matches and an afternoon promenade on Bellevue Avenue.
The evenings would consist of five-course dinners, parties, weekly Casino dances, debutante balls, theatrical performances and midnight suppers.
Maeve was exhausted, and she hadn’t even left the house for the first day of the two-month ordeal.
When Kathleen declared her ready, she steeled her nerves and headed downstairs.
Naturally, the first person she encountered was her mother-in-law, who gave her a withering look that made her want to shrivel into a ball and hide in a corner.
But then she remembered the things Aubrey had said to her, his sweet sincerity and desire to make their marriage successful.
His affection gave her the courage to keep her chin up and meet Eliza’s steely glare head on.
“Good morning, Mrs. Nelson.” Maeve clasped her hands behind her back so the woman wouldn’t see the way they trembled.
Eliza was about to say something when she apparently thought better of it, turned, and walked away.
“That was rather chilly,” a voice behind Maeve said.
She turned to find Madeleine. “Oh hello. I mean good morning.” The other woman’s delicate beauty was on full display this morning with her light blue day dress perfectly complementing her dark blue eyes.
“Good morning to you, too.”
“I’m sorry you had to see that.” Maeve glanced in the direction Eliza had headed. “She is unhappy with her son’s choice of a wife.”
“Simon told me last night that Aubrey is positively smitten over you, and since we adore him, we adore you. Try not to worry. You’re not without friends here.”
“Thank you,” Maeve said, genuinely moved by Madeleine’s kind words, not to mention hearing that her husband was smitten over her. “I rather adore him, too.”
Mr. Plumber gestured for them to head for the front door.
As she walked by, her arm still linked with Madeleine’s, the butler offered a wink and smile that further bolstered Maeve’s confidence. To know he was pulling for her helped to settle her nerves somewhat.
Catherine was already in one phaeton while Aubrey’s sisters occupied another.
Wiggie and Kaiser were there to help them into the vehicles.
“You look mighty fine, Mrs. Nelson,” Wiggie said.
“Mighty fine indeed,” Kaiser said.
“Thank you both,” she said, taking a seat across from Catherine and Madeleine.
When they were ready, the driver—a man Maeve didn’t recognize—took the reins and directed the matched pair of horses down the driveway toward the avenue.
“I did a lot of research about Newport prior to our visit,” Catherine said.
“She reads everything,” her sister added in a teasing tone.
Catherine raised a brow in her sister’s direction. “How else would we know what to expect?”
“How else indeed.” Madeleine gestured for Catherine to continue. “Educate us.”
“It’s all about the women in Newport. The men are mostly absent during the week and take the Fall River boat up from New York on weekends and often leave before dessert is served on Sundays to return to the city for another workweek.
In addition, since there is nothing else of import occurring during the summer in Newport, society is all there is.
No business is conducted or stock market or any of the other distractions that are part of life in New York.
Here it’s all about socializing and the women are in charge.
Three in particular—Mrs. Astor, Mrs. Mills and Mrs. Goelet.
They decide who is in and who is out, and from what I read it can take five years for someone to work their way into proper Newport society, and even after putting in all that time, there is still no guarantee of success. ”
“Why would anyone care to bother?” Madeleine asked, her lips pursed with distaste.
“You know why,” her sister said. “It’s all about prestige.”
“Eh.” Madeleine waved her hand disdainfully. “Who cares?”
“These people care greatly,” Catherine declared as women in every carriage they encountered waved to them, hoping to gain the duchess’s attention.
“How do they know it’s you?” Maeve asked, fascinated.
Catherine returned every wave she received. “I presume they know everyone else, so they have identified me through the process of elimination.”
Maeve chuckled softly. “I’ll never understand how all of this works.”
“Don’t worry, dear.” Madeleine patted Maeve’s knee. “We don’t understand either.”
The three of them shared a laugh that further settled Maeve’s uneasiness. To have two such wonderful allies and friends as they headed into “battle” was truly a blessing to behold.
“May I speak to you about a matter of somewhat grave concern?” Maeve asked the question hesitantly, but Aubrey had assured her she could trust these women, and she was about to take his word for that.
“Of course. Madeleine and I hope the three of us will be the best of friends.”
“You have no idea how much I appreciate that.”
“We have a small idea,” Catherine said. “Two years ago, we were living in a tiny village with our mother and father, who was the village blacksmith. Today, I’m married to a duke and Madeleine is married to his cousin.
We understand what it’s like to be thrust into something for which you’re woefully unprepared. ”
“I suppose you do understand.”
“What is troubling you?” Madeleine asked, her kind eyes portraying nothing but sincere concern.
“Mrs. Nelson.”
Catherine’s delicate brows furrowed with confusion. “Aubrey’s mother? She seems like a nice enough lady.”
“How can I say this tactfully?”
“Is she putting on a show for Aubrey’s illustrious guests?” Madeleine asked.
“Yes.” Maeve liked Madeleine more with every minute she spent in her presence. “You must never let on that I told you this, but the previous Newport staff disliked her so intensely, they left the windows open for the entire winter. They put food in her room to ensure total destruction.”
“Good lord,” Catherine whispered.
Maeve spoke in a low tone. “By all accounts, the woman is a monster.”
“She’d have to be for her staff to react that way,” Madeleine said.
“Needless to say, she was apoplectic when she heard that Aubrey had married the Irish housekeeper. But since then, she’s been . . . quiet. Which has me worried—”
“About what she is planning,” Catherine said, nodding. “I would be concerned, too.”
“This is not something I can discuss with Aubrey. While he is well aware of his mother’s shortcomings, she is still his mother.”
“That is true,” Madeleine said. “It’s indeed a predicament.”
Their support gave Maeve the courage to air out her greatest fear. “Not for one second do I think she is going to peacefully accept his choice of a wife and carry on as if nothing untoward has occurred.”
“I believe you’re right to be concerned,” Catherine said.
“I expect whatever she does to be cataclysmic, something so grave as to drive a permanent wedge between Aubrey and me.”
“He won’t let that happen!” Madeleine’s outburst took the other two by surprise. “I told you what Simon said. He is positively smitten with you.”
“Derek said the same. He said the last thing he expected when he came to Newport was to find Aubrey married, but he couldn’t deny that his friend seems deeply pleased with his choice of a wife.”
“It’s nice to hear that from people who know him so well. I find myself equally surprised most of the time by everything that has happened. From the day we met, there was something different about him and how I felt when he was around.”
“I know that feeling,” Catherine said with a small, intimate smile. “I met Derek when I was delirious with fever and was instantly attracted.”
“The same with my Simon, although I didn’t have a fever. However, being around him made me feel quite feverish in an altogether different way.”
The three women giggled like schoolgirls.
“Aubrey told me I would adore you two, and he was absolutely right.”
“We adore you right back,” Catherine said. “In my new life, I have found it difficult to find genuine people who are unaffected by the trappings of wealth and society. It’s indeed refreshing to find a true friend in you, Maeve, and I mean that sincerely.”
“I feel the same way. I’m thankful for both of you. I couldn’t face this day or this Season without your support.”
“We’ll be right there with you through it all,” Catherine assured her.
“What exactly is the point of this outing we are on?” Madeleine asked as they pulled up to the Casino.
“I believe the goal is to see and be seen,” Maeve said. “And everyone who is anyone wants to see the two of you.”
“Oh joy,” Catherine said as her companions laughed.
With the two of them by her side, this day was looking far less daunting to Maeve.