“I thought both of you understood the dire circumstances we’re in and why it’s necessary that my plan succeeds.” She focused her gaze on me. “You, of all people, should understand this mission, Clara. I pulled you out of deplorable conditions and have given you everything your heart could desire.”
My heart desired Alec.
“And you”—she said as she turned to Alec—“Edmund paid for your education at the best university in the country, and he left his entire life’s work in your hands. And this is how you’ll repay him? Having a clandestine meeting with Clara in the library?”
“It wasn’t anything inappropriate or untoward. You asked me to teach her how to flirt.”
Embarrassment warmed my cheeks. Was that all that had happened in the library this morning? Another lesson in flirtation?
The tension in Aunt Maude’s face eased. “As long as that is all that happened.”
“You have nothing to worry about where I’m concerned.” He walked toward the door, which was behind me, and paused. “You are correct about one thing, Aunt Maude. Uncle Edmund entrusted his life’s work to me. Stop spending so frivolously, or there will be nothing left of your husband’s legacy to rub in my face.”
With that final strike, Alec left the room.
I sat motionless in the chair, afraid to even blink for fear she would turn on me next.
Instead, she bit her bottom lip and looked to the side as she motioned for me to leave the room. “Get something to eat and then prepare for your morning callers.”
Without waiting, I stood and was about to exit the room when Higgins appeared with a silver salver in hand.
“What is it, Higgins?” Aunt Maude asked.
He entered the room and presented the tray, which had a gold-embossed invitation on its surface. “This just arrived from Mrs. Vanderbilt’s footman.”
Aunt Maude’s cares seemed to slip away as she took the invitation and opened it. Her eyes lit up. “It’s an invitation for Alec, Clara, and I to attend Mrs. Vanderbilt’s fancy dress ball in March.” She rose from her chair as she read the invitation. When she lowered it, she said, “Clara, Mrs. Vanderbilt would like you to participate in one of the quadrilles. You’ll begin to practice with the other young people at Mrs. Vanderbilt’s home immediately.”
Sweat started to gather on my brow. “What kind of quadrille?”
“I’ve heard there will be five themed and choreographed quadrilles to open the ball. Only four couples per quadrille, so that means there are only forty young people invited to participate—and you’re one of them. It’s a great honor!”
I was certain itwasa great honor, but I had no experience with anything like it. What if I made a fool of myself with all of New York society watching?
“Higgins,” Aunt Maude said. “Send for Madame Donovan immediately and tell her we’ve been invited to the most exclusive party in New York. I’m willing to pay whatever she asks to come here.” After Higgins left, Aunt Maude turned to me. “There is no time to lose. We must have two fancy dress ball gowns designed for us. We won’t know what theme you will dance in, so we’ll have to wait until after your first practice this afternoon to find out.” She tapped the invitation against her hand in thought. “Madam Donovan caters to Mrs. Astor’s Four Hundred. She has never wanted to work with me before, but once she hears we’ve been invited to Mrs. Vanderbilt’s costume party, and you’ll be one of the quadrille dancers, she will be eager to accommodate us.” She lifted her eyebrows. “Especially because I will pay her whatever she asks.”
“But Alec said—”
“It is not your place to question how I spend my money.” Aunt Maude’s anger was swift, and she tightened her jaw. “It’smymoney. Alec is only being cautious. We will be fine.” Her mood shifted drastically and she smiled. “My plan is working brilliantly. You’ll make a splash here in New York and then we’ll go to Europe, where you will be a sensation. We’ll have every eligible aristocrat in England pounding down our door to propose to you.”
The thought terrified me.
12
Mrs. Vanderbilt’s French-chateau-inspired mansion was unlike anything I’d ever seen, even more impressive than Aunt Maude’s home, if that was possible. I stood in a second-floor bedroom the night of the fancy dress ball with a dozen young ladies and their maids as we prepared for the quadrilles that would start thirty minutes before midnight.
Downstairs, the massive home was filled with over a thousand guests. I’d peeked out a window facing the street and saw hundreds of carriages blocking the road as their occupants waited to disembark in front of 660 Fifth Avenue.
The home was decorated with tens of thousands of flowers. Each room had a different color theme with flora draped over banisters, fireplace mantels, doorways, and tabletops. Gas lighting filled the rooms with a gentle glow and crystal sparkled from candelabras, vases, and statues. Mrs. Vanderbilt had allowed photographers to come in before the party to fill the newspapers with pictures of the opulence.
“There you are, Clara,” Annabelle said as she appeared at my side. “I’m simply breathless! I just peered over the banister, andthe foyer was crowded. There isn’t an empty square inch to be had.”
Annabelle and I had been put into the Louis XV–themed quadrille. We were both dressed inrobes à la Française. My gown was a gorgeous pink silk with box pleats, which fell loose from my shoulders down to the floor behind me. The front of the gown was open, showing an intricately embroidered stomacher displaying little pink flowers and green vines, and a ruffled petticoat. Under the skirt I wore panniers over my hips and had pink slippers on my feet. My hair was styled high on my head with ringlets falling over my shoulders.
“I saw Alec,” Annabelle said as I allowed Gallagher to assist me with long white gloves.
“Alec?” Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t hide the pleasure from my voice.
I hadn’t seen Alec since the morning we’d spoken about finances in Aunt Maude’s sitting room, a month ago. He’d returned to Newport that afternoon and hadn’t written.
