“Not at all.”
“Then I’m sure you can also understand why my mother wasn’t keen to have Stanley associate with Luella after he returned from his grand tour, or why I haven’t lifted a single finger to discourage all the young ladies, who consider me their unspoken leader, from shunning Luella, and not simply because she had the audacity to break my brother’s nose.”
Camilla frowned. “May I assume the reason behind you not lifting a finger is because you wanted to marry Owen, who, I have to say, was probably unaware of what transpired between your mother and Betty Lou?”
Sally returned the frown. “You don’t think he knew?”
“Owen is, at heart, a kind man. He wouldn’t have avoided addressing the insult his mother directed your way.”
“I’m not sure I agree with you in believing Owen is kind, but none of it matters now since I didn’t actuallywantto marry him,although Iwouldhave married him since he’s considered so eligible, had he been receptive to the idea. I prefer gentlemen who aren’t quite so intimidating.”
It was quickly becoming evident that Sally, along with Curtistine, and likely a lot of the young ladies in the valley if she wasn’t much mistaken, were victims of their overly ambitious mothers, and could certainly benefit from some sensible advice for a change.
Camilla began absently tapping a finger against her chin as an idea began to form, one that could very well provide a solution to Luella’s unfortunate situation.
“Is something amiss, Miss Pierpont?” Sally asked. “You’re suddenly looking rather ... odd.”
She stopped tapping her chin and caught Sally’s eye. “It’s not that anything is truly amiss, Miss Murchendorfer, but, you see, the longer we converse, the clearer it becomes that both you and Miss Longerbeam could definitely benefit from some guidance in the area of matrimonial pursuits.”
“Matrimonial guidance?” Curtistine asked.
“Indeed, and it just so happens that I’m qualified to lend you that guidance.”
“Not to be rude, Miss Pierpont,” Sally began, “but you’re a lady of rather advanced age who has only recently decided to marry. Why would we believe you have the knowledge, or the experience needed, to lend us any guidance with matrimony in general?”
“A perfectly legitimate question, Miss Murchendorfer, although you might have left out the bit about me being rather advanced in age.”
“That’s what made it a legitimate question.”
“Well, quite. However, to address your question, know this—I’ve been a successful matchmaker within the New York Four Hundred for years. I understand what makes a good match and what doesn’t, and I’m willing to impart that knowledge to you—but it’ll come with strings attached.”
Sally frowned. “Strings?”
“Nothing of worth ever comes for free, so if you want to benefit from my counsel, I’m going to have to insist that everyone immediately discontinues with ostracizing Luella. She had nothing to do with what is certainly some type of feud between Betty Lou and Ada Mae, and it’s hardly fair that she’s been made the brunt of your mockery and cruel jests.”
“If you’re suggesting I suddenly turn into Luella’s best friend,” Sally began, “know that my mother will not be in accord with that.”
“I’m sure Ada Mae won’t be, unless...” Camilla began tapping her finger against her chin again, smiling a second later when another thought began taking shape. “I think we need some type of activity that will allow everyone to put aside their differences, and as luck would have it, I’ve got the perfect one in mind—quadrille lessons.”
Curtistine wrinkled her nose. “Quadrille lessons?”
“Indeed, and at Owen’s new manor house in the country, which has a spectacular ballroom. I’ve already promised Luella that I’d teach her some of the quadrilles that are all the rage during any given Season in New York, and I’ll be more than happy to include both of you in those lessons on two conditions—you need to make amends with Luella, and you need to tell your mothers about these lessons and get them to agree that Luella is no longer a target for gossip and exclusion.”
“I’m not certain quadrille lessons will be enough of an incentive for my mother to put aside her animosity toward the Chesterfields,” Sally said.
“You’re probably right, but I can guarantee she’ll at least consider setting aside her animosity after you tell her that I’m not going to teach you just any quadrille, but the famous Star Quadrille that I performed in during Alva Vanderbilt’s famed costume ball a few years back. And to really encourage her to agree to my conditions, you’ll then need to tell her that I intend to make arrangements with Mr. Fulton so that this quadrille will be considered the pinnacle of his ball come June.”
“We’ve never had a quadrille performed in Wheeling,” breathed Curtistine.
“Then this would be your chance to bring a touch of New York high society to your town, which I can guarantee will be well received.” Camilla smiled. “And if that’s not enough incentive for the good mothers of Wheeling, know that we’ll need to invite, besides the two of you and Luella, five of your lady friends, of whom Luella will need to approve, and seven gentlemen.”
“Why only seven gentlemen when, if I’m doing the math correctly, there’ll be eight ladies?” Curtistine asked.
It was difficult to resist a smile. “Your math is quite correct, Miss Longerbeam, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased to learn that two of my dearest friends, Mr. Charles Wetzel and Mr. Leopold Pendleton, both members of the Four Hundred, have arrived from New York for a visit. Charles will be more than amiable to leading the quadrille, whereas Leopold, given his age, prefers instructing over dancing.”
“I thought you’d be teaching us the steps,” Sally said.
“And I will, although I’ll also need to be the pianist once we get started, leaving Leopold to supervise the floor.”
