“That’s not a good plan at all, especially since I don’t see any reason for you not to enjoy a romance-filled life,” Permilia argued. “Romance, as can be seen in my case, is not simply for the fashionable set. You, my dear friend, are a delightful lady, and that is why you will find romance in your future, as well as your own very special gentleman.”
“I’m ordinary, Permilia, and a realist. That means I’ve become content living my life in a less than exciting fashion, knowing there is little chance I’ll ever make a match of it with some special gentleman. As far as I’m concerned, there’s absolutely no reason to believe that I’ll ever be anythingbuta paid companion, supplementing my income by teaching a few classes at Miss Snook’s School for the Education of the Feminine Mind.”
“You’re not meant to live an ordinary life, Gertrude.”
“As friends, allow us to agree to disagree on that.”
Permilia shook her head. “I most certainly will not agree to that, but because we are friends, I’m going to beg a moment more of your time to explain why I’m right and you’re wrong.”
“Since this is your night, there’s really no need for you to beg. It’s not as if I’m going to bolt for the door to avoid whatever argument you’re about to make, especially since air is a commodity I’m currently in short supply of, which makes even the thought of bolting somewhat prohibitive.”
Leaning back against the railing, Permilia smiled. “And that makes you my captive audience, so without further ado, allow me to tell you about a sermon Asher and I had the privilege of listening to in a small church located in Five Points.”
“You’ve been attending church in Five Points?”
“Some of the students at Miss Snook’s school spoke highly of this particular church, or more specifically, of Reverend Mingott’s refreshingly simple sermons.”
“Since this Reverend Mingott’s church is in Five Points, may I assume his sermon dealt with accepting the hand God has given a person and being grateful for that hand?”
Permilia laughed. “One would think that would be an appropriate topic for Reverend Mingott’s congregation, but no.” She immediately sobered. “His message that day centered around the notion of being ordinary and living an ordinary life.”
“Which I would imagine is a state of living he encourages his parishioners to embrace since they live in the worst part of the city.”
“On the contrary,” Permilia countered. “Reverend Mingott encouraged just the opposite, although he began the sermon about an ordinary man who believed he was living life in a contented manner. Reverend Mingott then continued on by explaining that the man participated in ordinary activities, worked an ordinary job, visited every so often with people who embraced the same liking for ordinary experiences, and ended with how the man felt he was doing everything that God would expect of him since he was living a life that might not be exceptional, but was far from dismal.”
Permilia smiled. “Reverend Mingott then made one of the most poignant points I’ve heard in years. He looked out over the congregation and said that even though this man believed he was living a life God would find pleasing—an ordinary life if you will—he was doing nothing of the sort because ... God doesn’t expect His children to live ordinary lives, but extraordinary ones.”
“Not everyone is capable of living those extraordinary lives, Permilia,” Gertrude pointed out.
“Well, no, not unless a person is willing to give up living an ordinary life on her own and hand that life over to God, trusting Him to lead the way to the path of extraordinary.” Permilia moved to Gertrude’s side. “That, my dear, dear friend, is what I know God expects and wants for you.”
Blinking away tears that had taken her by surprise, Gertrude drew in a breath and forced a smile, unwilling to tell Permilia exactly why she was certain God wanted nothing of the sort for her. She and God had been at odds for years, though she was not a woman who’d turned her back completely on her faith. But because of what she’d endured with her mother years before, along with what had happened to her father, she was not one to put much stock in the belief that God had anything of an extraordinary nature for her to experience in her life. Nor did she believe she deserved a life of anything other than ordinariness since she’d surely disappointed God with the way she’d handled her mother, a woman who’d descended into melancholy to such an extent that she’d—
“Ah, ladies, there you are,” Mrs. Davenport called as she stepped onto the veranda, her arm firmly entwined with Edwina’s. “I’ve been sent to fetch the both of you, or at least you, Permilia, because a most charming gentleman by the name of Mr. Gilbert Cavendish has just announced that dinner will be served soon. He also asked me to tell you that before that dinner is served, he’s arranged to have the orchestra play a special melody for a special dance, one he chose specifically for you and Asher.”
“I wonder if Mr. Cavendish mentioned to Asher that he and I would be opening up the evening with a special dance?” Permilia asked no one in particular before she headed for the door, mentioning something about needing to make certain the special dance wasn’t a quadrille.
Smiling after her friend, Gertrude was soon joined at the railing by Mrs. Davenport and Edwina.
“Isn’t this a most splendid evening?” Mrs. Davenport began as she stopped directly in front of Gertrude and smiled.
“It’s been an interesting one,” Gertrude said, not caring for the sudden glint that stole into Mrs. Davenport’s eyes or the way she squared her shoulders, which was something Mrs. Davenport always did right before she divulged news of the concerning type.
“I suppose it is interesting at that, but I know you’ll find your evening much improved by what I’m about to disclose—that I’ve decided to...” She paused, drew in a breath, but before she could speak, Edwina, looking as if she were about to burst, spoke up.
“Hester wants to repair to Newport for the summer instead of staying in New York,” Edwina exclaimed. “And ... she’s offered to introduce me into Newport high society.”
“Who in the world is Hester?” Gertrude asked slowly.
Edwina’s smile faltered as she glanced to Mrs. Davenport. “Did I mishear you when you encouraged me to use your given name?”
Mrs. Davenport sent a quick glance Gertrude’s way before she looked back at Edwina and smiled brightly. “Not at all, dear. My name is Hester.”
“I thought your name was Agnes, not that you ever encouraged me to use it,” Gertrude said as a temper she’d not been expecting crawled through her veins and her cheeks began to heat. “And, if you’ll recall, you and I agreed,Mrs. Davenport, that I, being your very weary companion after an eventful winter social season, deserve to spend the summer in New York, far away from society events and obligations.”
Edwina raised a hand to her throat, looking rather horrified. “On my word, do forgive me, Gertrude. I had no idea you’d find this news distressing. Do know that I certainly will not press Mrs. Davenport to still take me to Newport because, clearly, you have no desire to go there.”
Mrs. Davenport, to Gertrude’s annoyance, beamed an even brighter smile Edwina’s way. “Of course we’ll go to Newport. We’ve simply taken Gertrude by surprise.” She leaned closer to Edwina and lowered her voice, although it was not so low Gertrude couldn’t hear her. “Gertrude does not care for surprises, you see, but mark my words, once she has time to grow accustomed to the idea, she’ll be pleased with our decision.”
