I have a secret, but do not tell! My feet will soon join yours in the ballroom of the Bouchards, my gasp will join yours as Miss Diana Holland roams Manhattan in trousers, my tear will follow yours as the beautiful Victoria Weston surrenders herself all-too-soon to matrimony, my coo will echo yours as the Cuttings welcome yet another child. I arrive next Wednesday at noon, my dancing shoes ready.
Sincerely, the guest of Mr Grayson Hayes of Washington
- From the Gamesome Gallant Column, August 30th, 1909
Penelope Schoonmaker was known for having guests several times a year, for showering them with gifts and for hosting balls in their honour. All of Penelope's former acquaintances prayed for the day that Mrs Schoonmaker would remember them, would invite them to her home on Fifth Avenue, and would make them the envy of the whole of New York.
Thus it was with causal indifference that Penelope accepted the thanks of her brother, his wife and her sister and Davis Barnard as they arrived in her entrance hall.
"Mr Barnard, I assure you there is no need for thanks," she smiled. "I am pleased to welcome you to our house. I am positively delighted Grayson thought to invite you. Positively delighted."
"I thank you, Mrs Schoonmaker. You and your brother are very generous," Davis replied. Penelope smiled again before approaching Carolina with outstretched arms.
"My dear Miss Broad," she gasped. "How well you look. You must be exhausted by your journey. Helen will be looking after you while you're here, unless you brought your own maid?"
"Indeed I did," Carolina sniffed. Penelope forced the smile to remain on her face. "I would prefer if Charlotte attended to me."
"As you wish," Penelope conceded masking her irritation with practiced graciousness. She swept over to her brother, allowing him to kiss her on either cheek, as affectionate siblings ought to. She bristled as the hairs of his moustache scratched across her delicate skin.
"Grayson," she said, with forced warmth. "How good to see you again."
"And you, Penny, and you," he grinned. Penelope's mouth twitched. Brushing her anger to one side, she took Claire's hands in hers.
"And Claire, what fun we will have here in New York together," she gushed.
"If you say so, Mrs Schoonmaker," the maid responded.
"You may announce us as the Schoonmaker party," Penelope instructed the Bouchard's footman. He duly did so, and Penelope, though swelling with pride, pretended to ignore the turning of heads. "Mrs Bouchard," she sang, approaching the woman. "What lovely arrangements!"
"I thank you, Mrs Schoonmaker," the Frenchwoman replied.
"And may I offer my thanks for the inclusion of myself, my wife and my sister-in-law in your invitation?" Grayson said, kissing his hostess's hand. She smiled in acknowledgement.
"Pray, Mrs Bouchard, have the Cuttings arrived yet?" Penelope asked nonchalantly.
"Why yes. I greeted Mrs Cutting only a few minutes ago," was the response. "I imagine she is in the ballroom now."
"Thank you," Penelope curtsied turning to her party. "Mr Barnard, would you be so kind as to escort me to the ballroom? My husband appears to be engaged in conversation with Mr Bouchard."
"It would be a pleasure, Mrs Schoonmaker," he replied, taking her arm.
As they wove their way through the people, Penelope casually observed, "Diana Holland has returned somewhat blonder and browner."
"Ah yes. Miss Holland. I had read about her appearance in New York donning trousers," Barnard replied. Penelope was no idiot. Davis clearly liked the direction of the conversation, and wished for its continuance. His infatuation with Diana was blatantly obvious, perhaps not to the bulk of New York's population, but certainly to her. And it was this affection that made him indispensable. His affection and his occupation.
"Quite amusing." Penelope choked out a laugh. "But little Di always was one to cause a fuss. There she is now. Allow me to reintroduce you." They slid through the crowd with enviable elegance and efficiency, and Penelope observed that Davis Barnard was not a bad catch. Self-made, of course, and perhaps a little rough, but a good catch nonetheless.
She approached Diana, making sure she aroused her attention – and that of those around them. "Di, how well you look," she offered, taking her hand. Ah, the facades one must maintain, Penelope thought.
"Thank you, Penny," Diana replied. "But who is this with you?"
"This," Penelope said, revealing her escort, "is Mr Davis Barnard, a guest of my brother." At my insistence, she amended mentally.
"Davis?" Diana gasped.
"Indeed, Miss Holland," he replied stepping forward to kiss her hand. "How nice to see you again." Penelope watched as Diana took in Davis's dark hair and blue eyes, his tanned skin and his high cheekbones.
"And you," Diana breathed. Then, grinning she added, "And much more handsome than I remember you." Penelope rolled her eyes. She herself had been a flirt, but never in such a blatant way as that.
"I'm glad you approve, Miss Holland," Davis responded with a smile. "I wish I could say the same for you, but, alas, you have always been beautiful."
Fearing she would vomit if she listened to any more, Penelope cut in. "I must attend to my other guests, do forgive me." Hastily she walked to the other side of the room. Her vomiting-in-public days were over – long over. The last time that had happened was almost 12 years ago when... when Elizabeth had publicly announced her engagement to Henry – with no warning, no thought for her friend, no –
"I imagine you think I'm some sort of charity case," a voice hissed, cutting through her thoughts. Penelope focused her eyes to see Carolina standing in front of her, her dress sadly reminiscent of the last season's style.
"Not charity, Lina," Penelope laughed. "Pity."
"I doubt you're capable of the feeling, Penny," Carolina snapped.
"I sympathise, to be sure, but I cannot relate," Penelope sighed airily, "as I have never been rejected... on my wedding day." The girl did beg to be teased, Penelope justified. She smirked at Lina's wide eyes and obvious hurt.
"How sad it must be," she continued. "To be a spinster, greeting the wife of your former fiancé. How happy they look," she concluded. As if pre-arranged, Leland planted a kiss on his wife's cheek who affectionately straightened his bowtie.
"If only one could say the same for the Schoonmakers," Lina retorted. Penelope inhaled sharply. How dare she? How dare that little sneak presume to know anything about her marriage? "Don't think I haven't noticed that our arrival is oddly correspondent with the return of Diana Holland," Lina continued. "And you should know, Penelope, that I don't believe in coincidences." Without waiting for response, Carolina curtsied and strode away.
Penelope closed her eyes. No one had heard. She didn't know anything. She was just a bitter, working-class girl. She –
"Something the matter, sister?" Penelope's eyes snapped open to reveal Grayson, his face amused, standing before her.
"Certainly not, Grayson," she replied.
"Scheming again? You always did have a nasty streak," he said.
"Run down to the kitchens," Penelope returned angrily. "I imagine that's where you'll find your wife." She marched over to her husband, who had just entered the ballroom. Her eyes still angry, she approached him, half-expecting him to be reeking of drink. She was relieved when, upon closer inspection, she saw he was sober.
In a rare display of affection, he greeted her with a kiss on her cheek. "Dance with me," he whispered into her ear. Penelope could not fight the smile which spread across her face.
"Certainly, Mr Schoonmaker."
AUTHOR'S NOTE: And so the Davis/Diana romance begins! Hope you enjoyed this. If you've any suggestions, please let me know – especially suggestions about what the new Cutting baby will be called. Please review! :)