“At least our dresses are all pretty,” Lucy said.
“It is important to wear the appropriate clothing,” Penelope said. “It’s what distinguishes the aristocracy from the rest of the world.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Stuyvesant said sardonically.
Penelope, obviously missing his barb, looked gratified at his assent. Cordelia gave a tight smile and took a drink of her punch. “I confess that I am excited to dress up tonight for the masquerade.”
“You could dress up in any costume and I’d still know who you were,” Stuyvesant said.
“How could you?”
“I’ve known you your whole life,” Stuyvesant said. “You couldn’t possibly fool me. You’ve probably picked some elaborate French queen to portray, with a dress designed exclusively for you by the house of Worth in Paris, and you’ll be dripping in jewels.”
Thomas watched Cordelia’s face, and he saw her eyes glance down to her plate before smiling back at Stuyvesant. He must have guessed correctly.
“Would you like to make a friendly wager, Stuyvesant?” Thomas asked.
“What sort of wager?”
“Whichever one of us guesses Cordelia in costume first will win twenty pounds.”
“Let’s make it one hundred,” Stuyvesant said. “It will be the easiest money that I have ever earned.”
“And if neither of you guess who I am before the unveiling at midnight,” Cordelia said, “then you’ll both have to pay me one hundred pounds.”
Stuyvesant laughed loudly and Thomas tried to smile, but the sound of the man’s laugh irritated him too much. Everything about the large American man annoyed him, from Stuyvesant’s accent to the way he cut his meat with his left hand.
“I wonder if you’ll be able to guess my costume, Thomas,” Penelope said, eager to stay a part of the conversation. “You’ve known me just as long as Mr. Bradley has known your wife.”
“I can’t wait to see it,” Thomas lied, and turned the other direction. “Stuyvesant, my valet, Thayne, would be happy to assist you with a costume.”
“I can manage,” he said. “We Americans are known for our ingenuity.”
“And humility,” Lucy said from his side.
Penelope snorted.
“My humility is one of my attributes that I am the most proud of,” Stuyvesant said, and laughed as if he were a great wit.
“Miss Hutchinson will be able to experience American ingenuity and humility firsthand,” Thomas said. “My mother means to take her on a visit to America.”
Stuyvesant grinned broadly. “Well, it is churlish not to be proud of one’s own country, and I can’t deny that I think America is in the forefront of the world in technology and industry. The New World leaves the old one in the dust.”
“Perhaps the old one is perfectly fine with the way things have always been,” Penelope said with a touch of asperity.
“This century is coming to a close, and I wonder what great changes the next one will bring,” Cordelia said, clearly trying to lead the conversation away from an argument.
“I daresay all sorts of new technologies and inventions,” Lucy added.
“Sometimes I fear our way of life is coming to an end,” Thomas said. “And I am not sure if that is a bad thing.”
“Why would it be a good thing?” Penelope asked.
“Because so few enjoy the privileges denied to so many,” Thomas said. “A comfortable house, plentiful food, and good health.”
“I think it is our duty to provide those opportunities for everyone,” Cordelia said, looking at him with rare approval.
“A man should earn his own way,” Stuyvesant said. “And take care of his own. No one can do it for him.”
