“What is it, Hope?”
I took a deep breath. “I’m going to be the first woman”—I lowered my voice, afraid someone might overhear and ruin my plans—“to fly over the English Channel.”
Grace stared at me and blinked a couple of times before her mouth started to form her disapproval.
“Please listen to my plan—our plan,” I said, nodding at Luc. “When Louis Blériot flew over the channel for the first time in 1909, he became the most famous man in the world. No woman has made the flight—which means if I do it, I will have the same fame, and it will open all sorts of doors—”
“Hope—”
“After I take my licensing test tomorrow,” I continued, not letting Grace interrupt me, “we will return to New York. Luc has already wired friends in France and is looking for a Blériot aeroplane I can borrow. On March seventh, we’ll board a ship for England.”
Grace lifted a hand to stop me. “It sounds like a very expensive endeavor. So many things could go wrong, and then how would you be helpful to Mama and Daddy?”
“What can go wrong? Several men have successfully made the flight after Blériot—”
“And several have died attempting it,” she interrupted, her irritation rising. “Not to mention that someone else could get there before you, and then what? Your money and time will be wasted.”
“Luc has already started making the plans. There are dozens of companies that would pay me after the flight to endorse their products, and dozens of exhibitions that pay well, too. But we must not waste a single moment. Luc wants to return to America on the maiden voyage of theTitanic, which leaves France on April 10th. Some of the wealthiest people in theworld will be on the ship. What better place to find sponsors and support? It will give us a couple weeks on the journey to raise the first part of the down payment for the orphanage.”
“Mama and Daddy would never approve—”
“They won’t know anything until after I’ve made the flight. But think of how much money this will raise for the orphanage.”
I knew the prospect of helping Mama and Daddy was hard for Grace to ignore. Her lips twitched as if she was trying to form a good argument to keep me from making the flight.
“I have offered to finance and manage this flight for Hope,” Luc said to Grace, his voice almost monotone, not inviting debate. “I have also started to form the best support crew of mechanics in the world. Blériot flew from France to England, so Hope will fly from Dover, England, to Calais, France, a flight of only twenty miles.”
“It will be simple,” I said to Grace. “Just twenty miles.”
“Over open water,” she reminded me.
“Softer landing than grass and dirt,” I said with a saucy smile, trying to get her to laugh.
She frowned harder. “Do you honestly think you have the skill to fly over the English Channel?”
“Shh.” I put my finger to my lips and looked over my shoulder to see if anyone was listening. “No one can know our plan,” I said quietly. “If word gets out that an American woman is attempting the flight, one of the European women will beat me to it. I’m surprised no one has thought to attempt it, yet.”
“Perhaps because it’s too dangerous,” Grace countered. “The weather is often unpredictable and treacherous over the channel.”
“Hope is one of the most talented aviators I know.” Luc’s voice was low and serious. “I would never encourage her to make this flight if I didn’t think she could do it.”
My chest filled with affection. His opinion mattered more than anyone else’s.
Grace studied him, as if trying to find some hidden agenda in his words.
“And we want you to come,” I said, intending to pull her into the plan, hoping she’d agree. “As a reporter for theNew York Globe. I want you to take pictures and be the first to report my successful flight. Just think how it will advance your career.” I reached across the table and laid my hand over her clasped ones. “I want you by my side.”
She didn’t speak for a moment as Luc and I waited.
“You’re going to do this whether I agree or not, aren’t you?” she asked me.
She knew me well. “I want you there—but I’ll do it, regardless.”
Grace let out a slow breath. “Fine. I’ll go.”
I couldn’t help jumping up to give her a hug.
Luc didn’t look as pleased. After all, it was my idea to invite Grace. He wanted to do it without her.
