I smiled, as I knew I should, and nodded. “Won’t you have a seat?” I had planned to thank him for coming and then tell him I had no intention of accepting gentlemen callers—but with Alec watching, I didn’t want Mr. Vanderbilt to leave too soon. Perhaps I could practice my flirting with him, after all, and show Alec that I wasn’t as naïve as I used to be.
I took the seat opposite Mr. Vanderbilt and offered him one of my biggest smiles. “I had hoped to see you again.”
It was the right thing to say. His face lit up with a grin and his cheeks turned a ruddy color. He was an attractive young man, in his early twenties, with gentle, dark eyes and a charming mustache. When he smiled, it lit up his entire face. “I hope you don’t mind that I’ve come so soon.”
“Of course not.” I had practiced the art of using my eyes to flirt, since Aunt Maude told me it was imperative that I could communicate my pleasure or displeasure without uttering a single word. I did so now, letting him know I was pleased he was here. “I wasn’t certain you would want to come after my song last night.”
Mr. Vanderbilt’s laughter was as charming as his smile. “On the contrary, Miss Hill, it was the song that made me sit up and take notice. Anyone can sing timeless Christmas carols—it takes a spirited young woman to choose an Irish folk song. I get so bored with evening entertainments—but not last night. I have a feeling I would never get bored with you.”
He had found me to be spirited? The song choice had been made from frightened desperation—and nothing more. But I smiled nonetheless.
There was an awkward pause, so I said, “You mentioned last night that you’ve been to Europe. Do you enjoy traveling?”
“I travel extensively. I’ve been across the ocean a dozen times already.”
I lifted my eyebrows, unable to imagine such a life.
“And you?” he asked. “Do you like to travel?"
“I was born in England,” I said—but then realized it didn’t match the narrative that Aunt Maude was telling, so I quickly said, “I came to America when I was just a baby, so I have no memories of it. I have not left New York since then, but I believe I will love traveling.”
Mr. Vanderbilt spent the better part of twenty minutes regaling me with stories from his travels, telling me that I wouldenjoy this place or that. Several times, he even told me he would love to show me it himself.
Alec remained near the fireplace, not moving, nor giving any indication that he wanted to be part of the conversation.
I forced myself not to look at him—to pretend he wasn’t even there.
“It sounds delightful,” I said to my caller. “I would love to see some of the places you’ve mentioned.”
“Perhaps you’ll allow me to call on you in England—though—” He briefly glanced at Alec before continuing. “I hope you’ll allow me to call on you before then.”
I again refrained from looking at Alec. It would be foolish to encourage Mr. Vanderbilt, though it also seemed foolish not to. For a girl from Five Points, his attention was like a daydream—an impossibility. A Vanderbilt was interested in calling on me?
But I was no longer a girl from Five Points—at least, legally. I was a well-bred heiress to Mrs. Edmund Hill—and as her heiress, Mr. Vanderbilt was not an option. So I blithely evaded the question.
“Does everyone travel to Europe in the spring?”
He smiled, though I could see the disappointment in his eyes. He had wanted an answer from me, and I had not given it.
“Europe or Newport,” he said. “There is very little socializing in New York City in the spring and summer. It’s much too wretched a place to endure during that time. No one stays here.”
No one? There were over a million people in the city. If he only knew what we endured during the hot months of July and August in Five Points. Living in a mansion like this one during the summer would be a delight.
I smiled and then rose, indicating that our meeting was over, and said, “It was so nice of you to come, Mr. Vanderbilt.”
He also rose and nodded. “Thank you for receiving me. I do hope I may call again.”
I had hoped he would take the hint from before, but clearly, he had not. I couldn’t alienate him, for fear of being left out of his sister-in-law’s party, but neither could I encourage him.
Alec watched me closely, his expression stormy.
For reasons I couldn’t identify, I wanted to make him upset.
“I would like that,” I found myself saying to Mr. Vanderbilt.
“Excellent.” He grinned at me and then he turned to Alec and nodded his farewell before leaving the parlor.
I slowly sank onto the chair I’d been occupying and let the nerves have their way. I hadn’t realized how tense I’d been until now.
