And who would grace our streets once more but Miss Diana Holland? But perhaps she is not Miss Diana Holland any longer, and perhaps her souvenir of Paris is not a painting of the Eiffel Tower but a husband... All will be revealed, it seems, as the Edward Cuttings host a ball this Friday to mark her return. What will this new generation make of the beautiful Di?
-New York Times Gossip Column; August 2nd, 1909
Penelope could not resist the smirk of satisfaction as Loretta stepped daintily into the front parlour. She had turned out quite well – an excellent combination of her and Henry, inheriting her high cheekbones and coveted figure as well as Henry's thick hair and easy manners. It would have been Penelope's greatest failure – and humiliation – if her firstborn had turned out to be anything other than perfect.
"Good Afternoon, Mama," Loretta said sweetly, adjusting the hairpins that kept her hat in place. "Where are we going?"
"You, Loretta, have been snubbed, and we are going to remedy that," Penelope replied somewhat cryptically. She smoothed her skirt and tucked a curl into her hat. "You see, sometimes, Loretta, we have to make people do something they don't want to do. It's ridiculous, really," she laughed, "for someone to think that the Henry Schoonmakers could be so easily dismissed."
"You mean we're going to the Cuttings'? Because I wasn't invited to that ball tomorrow?" Loretta said. Penelope glanced at her, quickly masking her awe with indifference. Apparently, Loretta had inherited more of her cunning than she had thought.
"Yes." They sat in the car and once again adjusted their skirts. "In high society Manhattan, women have certain responsibilities and obligations. Elizabeth Cutting has disregarded these obligations and has omitted you from our invitation to her ball. You are, after all, about the same age as her son, and so you really ought to be invited and offered a room if you become fatigued throughout the course of the night. It is the responsibility of a good wife and hostess to anticipate the needs of her guests and to compose her guest list with consideration."
"Mrs Cutting," Penelope smiled, deliberately addressing Elizabeth with her married name; Elizabeth would have to respond with 'Mrs Schoonmaker', and even after ten years of married life, Penelope loved to hear herself addressed as such. It was like a victory chant.
"Mrs Schoonmaker," Elizabeth said, and even after years of practise, Penelope could not help the smile that teased her lips. "Loretta." Loretta curtsied. "One moment, please and I will call Keller down. Or should you like to go upstairs to the nursery?"
Penelope suppressed a grunt. Really, it was rather uncomfortable for Loretta to be asked such a question. "I would prefer if Loretta stayed here, with me," she intervened. "We can't stay long, and Loretta is a little too old for the nursery now." Keller was, too, since he was older than Loretta.
"I quite agree," Elizabeth replied as she rung for the maid. "Keller often spends the day down here, but Diana is such a bad influence."
Penelope almost chocked. "Di-Diana? Your sister? Here in New York?"
"Yes," Elizabeth replied, appearing quite shocked. "She arrived last week. The ball tomorrow is in her honour. You mean to say that you did not know?"
"Indeed I did not," Penelope replied, eyes wide. "Is she staying?"
"Yes. I'm surprised you have not heard. That is all that is in the newspapers have been writing about." Elizabeth broke off to quickly issue her instructions to the maid.
"Alas," Penelope said haughtily, "I don't have time to read gossip columns."
"Nor I," Elizabeth said. "My husband merely tells me what he hears at work."
There was a sudden giggling and thudding outside to precede the entry of Diana and Keller. Diana's hair was tangled and wild and her eyes – Penelope had to concede – were bright and happy. Her mouth was turned up into a smile and her skirts were ruffled and wrinkled and testified to her having been playing or kneeling on the floor.
"Penny!" Diana exclaimed. "How nice to see you!" Penelope was somewhat startled. She and Diana had certainly never shared any affection and given the fact that Penelope had used her behaviour to blackmail Henry into marrying her, Penelope very much doubted that Diana really thought it was "nice" to see her.
"Diana," Penelope replied stiffly.
"And who is this?" Diana continued, smiling at Loretta.
"My daughter, Loretta Schoonmaker," Penelope said, emphasising her daughter's surname.
"You must be around the same age as my wild nephew Keller. I do hope you're coming to my ball tomorrow. You must ask your mama for some of her jewels; Penny always had the best," Diana continued condescendingly.
"Oh, no. Loretta has not been invited for tomorrow," Penelope said, feigning indifference.
"How silly of me!" Elizabeth exclaimed sounding surprisingly genuine. "Of course you must come, Loretta. You can keep Keller company – and out of trouble." Elizabeth poked her son gently and smiled. Ugh, Penelope thought, why is she always so happy around her children?
"I wouldn't want to impose, Mrs Cutting," Loretta replied quietly.
"Nonsense. I'm sure you will enjoy yourself. And of course, Mrs Schoonmaker, you and your husband and Loretta would be most welcome to stay the night if Loretta becomes tired," Elizabeth said.
"I am much obliged to you, Elizabeth," Penelope said. She was about to take her leave, though her visit was much shorter than it ought to have been, but she had fulfilled her intentions and saw no reason to tolerate Diana's presence any longer than was necessary.
"How is your brother, Penelope?" Diana said. "I imagine he's married by now."
Had she heard? Was she simply trying to mock her? Diana's face was the picture of innocence, but that was probably a well-practiced facade. How dare she? Penelope forced a laugh. "Oh, Grayson. Indeed he is married. He married that maid of yours, Claire Broad. Mama quickly disinherited him. They moved away somewhere... to Texas or Washington or some other obscure place. I don't know. We don't really talk." Penelope smiled tightly, irked at Diana's impertinence. Of course she knew. It was quite the scandal; Grayson Hayes, heir to a massive fortune, marrying a maid.
She had no dowry, no heritage of any consequence, no connections – nothing but an awe of the privileged class. The newspapers had crowed about it for weeks. And, of course, her name was dragged through the mud – "Grayson Hayes, brother of Mrs Penelope Schoonmaker married former Holland maid Claire Broad", "Penelope Schoonmaker's brother Grayson has married – a maid!" – to add to her humiliation. Grayson, consequently, was taboo and they hadn't spoken in years. But, of course, when their mother died, Penelope would inherit a considerable fortune.
"Really? Claire never wrote to tell me," Diana mused. Penelope rolled her eyes. Typical Diana thinking the maid actually harboured any affection for her. "But how romantic."
"I'm afraid, Mrs Cutting," Penelope said, "we must take our leave. I'm afraid we must visit my mother. We will see you tomorrow evening." Penelope curtsied, smiled at Elizabeth and Diana's responses – whatever they were – and swept out of the room, Loretta in tow.
Penelope scribbled a note and passed it to the footman to deliver: Buck, Diana in New York? Come immediately. Why did you not inform me before? Tomorrow is her ball. We have much to discuss. – PS
"Loretta, before you go upstairs, I wish to discuss something with you," Penelope said as they entered the parlour again, handing their hats to the maid.
"Yes, Mama?" Loretta said, seating herself delicately on the sofa.
"I want to talk to you about your relationship with Keller Cutting." Loretta blushed, a telltale sign that Penelope's suspicions had been correct. "There's no need to be embarrassed; I know there's nothing romantic, but I wanted to let you know that you should never allow yourself to become anything more than a friend to Keller and he to you, and also that you should never betray your emotions so easily. Your father and I could never condone a marriage between you two, it would be impossible given the history between Elizabeth and I, so tossing your affections to him would be a waste indeed," Penelope said.
"What is the history between yourself and Mrs Cutting, Mama?" Loretta asked.
"Oh," Penelope said with practiced reluctance. "I don't think I should say. But then, you are old enough I suppose. You must promise never to discuss this with anyone – not your siblings, your friends and especially not Keller." Loretta duly promised. "Elizabeth and your father were once engaged, but Henry preferred me. Henry's dad – your Grandfather Schoonmaker - insisted upon the engagement, and didn't approve me. Anyway, soon Grandfather Schoonmaker and Grandma Isabelle liked me very much and gave their blessing for Father and I to be married. It had become apparent that the Hollands – Mrs Cutting's family – only wanted the marriage because they had lost all their money.
"Father broke off the engagement and proposed to me and Elizabeth always hated me for that. She married Teddy, of course, but the Cuttings weren't nearly as rich as the Schoonmakers." Penelope assessed her daughter's reaction. Loretta merely smiled.
"I think you and Daddy are perfect together, Mama," she said.
"I think so, too," Penelope replied.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: I know that not much happened in this chapter, but there will be a ball in the next and that, I promise, will be fun. I'm not going to pursue the Grayson/Claire story, but I just wanted to put them in. In case it's not clear, Loretta is about eight years old, though she is to be very mature for her age. The name Loretta was one of the most popular American names of the 1900s, and though I don't think Penelope would call her daughter a "common" name, I think she would definitely set the trend. Please review to let me know your opinions.