“Is that her final decision?” I asked. “She’s changed her mind half a dozen times since yesterday.”
“I believe so, miss.”
It didn’t matter to me. I had dozens of gowns, and though I liked some more than others, I had tried to keep my own preferences to myself. There was little point in stating my opinions since Aunt Maude made almost every decision for me.
As I bathed and allowed Gallagher to help me with my church toilette, my excitement and trepidation mounted.
I had been living on Fifth Avenue for two months—two of the most grueling and tiring months of my life. And today the entire experiment would be put to the test. Not only would I be required to attend Aunt Maude’s church, but this evening, she was hosting a dinner party. If all went well, we would start to pay calls on New Year’s Day and hopefully, I would receive invitations to society functions.
The grandest coup of them all would be an invitation to Mrs. Vanderbilt’s costume ball, to be held at the end of March. Three months away and it was already being hailed as the most remarkable and extravagant party the city had ever seen. Over a thousand guests would be invited. My performance over the next couple of months would determine if I was to be one of them.
And then, England.
But none of that was as important as what would happen as soon as Gallagher finished my toilette.
I would have breakfast, alone, with Alec.
As soon as I was dressed, I left my room and made my way downstairs toward the breakfast room. Aunt Maude would have her breakfast in bed, as was the custom for most married ladies. Since my arrival, she’d been eating breakfast with Alec and me, but now that I was officially adopted, she felt it important that we create a standard routine.
I tried not to look too eager as I crossed the front hall, slowing my step. I wasn’t even sure if I could stomach breakfast with the butterflies wreaking havoc inside me. The last thing I wanted was to embarrass Aunt Maude or, worse, disappoint Alec—and it was making me feel ill.
Alec was sitting at the head of the table, leaning forward, his hands clasped, his elbows on the table. He stared out the window at the frozen world beyond, deep in thought.
The aroma of sausages, cinnamon, and fresh-baked pastries filled the small, intimate room, tucked into the corner of the house. Breakfast had been set on the sideboard, meant to be dished up as each family member arrived, but the lids were still in place. Higgins and the first footman stood silently by the door to the butler’s pantry, waiting.
“Merry Christmas,” I said as I stepped into the room.
Alec tore his gaze from the window and rose at my entrance. His hair was still damp, and his face freshly shaved. He was dressed in a fine, black suit, ready for church.
He took in my appearance, an approving smile lighting his face. “Merry Christmas, Clara. You look lovely this morning.”
I’d had months of practice and now smiled easily at his compliment. “Thank you.”
The footman lifted the lids off the silver chafing dishes and stepped back so we could fill our plates.
There were cheese turnovers and egg fritters, alongside sausages, cinnamon pear butter, crumpets, and stewed apples. I wasn’t sure if I could eat a bite, but I filled my plate, conscious ofAunt Maude’s reprimands to put on a little more weight before we traveled to France for my Worth wardrobe.
I also thought of my family in Five Points and the meager breakfast they would be eating. I had used my remaining money and sent Gallagher off to purchase gifts for Imogen, Polly and Patrick. They should have been delivered by now, and though I hadn’t included a card, I suspected they knew where the gifts had come from. It was the least I could do as I enjoyed all this splendor. I only hoped I could do more one day.
The footman held my chair for me as I took a seat and then Higgins filled my glass with orange juice and Alec’s with coffee.
“Thank—” Alec paused and then nodded at Higgins. “That will be all. You may join the others for your own Christmas breakfast.”
“Sir?” Higgins asked with a frown.
“Miss Hill and I can serve ourselves.”
Higgins continued to frown, but he bowed at the waist and then shooed the footman from the room, disappearing behind the butler’s pantry door.
“I hope you don’t mind,” Alec said to me. “I can’t abide having someone looking over my shoulder as I eat.”
I grinned. “I don’t mind in the least. I haven’t eaten a single thing without an audience in two months.”
“Aunt Maude will have my head when she hears.” His eyes crinkled at the corners. “But it shall be worth it.”
I reached for my fork, but Alec stopped me.
“May I say grace?” he asked.
