CHAPTER THREE

Peyton and Samantha waltzed across the dance floor. Peyton wasn't the only gentleman to take an interest in Samantha, but it was obvious that he was the one who met her fancy. Nellie killed some time talking with Eugene, who kept claiming that he didn't mind if she ate in front of him. So Nellie did. She found out that his full name was Eugene O'Reilly, and like her had a strong Irish heritage. He and his friend Peyton were university students, Peyton studying business, Eugene business, history, and music. They had come with Peyton's father to Mount Bedford for the summer from Rochester. Peyton's father was an extremely successful industrialist, with some business to take care of in town, and they were staying at the hotel all summer.

"Wow," Nellie said. "Is there anything you don't do?"

"I'm awfully bad at hunting," Eugene replied. "I don't see what the fascination about shooting things is."

"Me either," Nellie replied.

She told him that she was planning on going away to college next year to study to become a teacher, and study her true secret passion, writing. They both enjoyed books and reading very much. Eugene seemed quite educated and worldly. Any book that Nellie mentioned he had read, but mostly he seemed to want to steer the conversation towards Samantha.

"I guess I couldn't try calling on your friend sometime," Eugene said.

"Why not?" Nellie asked. "Samantha has callers all of the time."

"I'm sure she does," Eugene replied. "She's got so many men all paying attention to her, I wouldn't have a chance with her."

"Samantha enjoys the company of all men," Nellie said with a laugh. Why Nellie thought Eugene was perfect for Samantha. He was handsome, well educated, liked to read, hated hunting, they both loved music.

"I'm nothing compared to Peyton Denardo," Eugene replied. "He has a lot more wealth, power, and charms, than I do." Eugene wandered off.

Maude caught up with Nellie.

"Hi," she said brightly. "Can I call you Nell?"

"It's fine with me," Nellie replied.

"I am so glad that you and Samantha are here for the summer," Maude said. "So many of the girls here are so stiff and preoccupied with themselves. It will be nice to have some new blood."

Nellie wanted to like Maude. She had bright blue eyes, freckles, mounds of curly dark hair, and an uplifting smile.

Please don't ask about what life in the orphanage was like, Nellie hoped.

"I know one person who is not going to like Samantha in town," Maude said.

"Who?" Nellie asked. Why Samantha was always so popular. Everyone loved Samantha.

"Edith Edelton," Maude answered. "She's not going to like Samantha because Samantha is going to be competition. Edith isn't used to competition."

Edith Edleton. Nellie recognized that name. Edith Edelton loved making fun of Samantha's friendship with her. Nellie vowed right then and there that Edith Edelton was not going to hurt her friend and sister.

"She might not like you as well," Maude went on. "Looks like you found yourself a beau."

"Me?" Nellie laughed. "I'm not one for men."

"You had a mighty handsome one speaking with you just now," Maude said. "I thought maybe if I stood next to you, you'd lure them over here for me"

"Oh that's just Eugene," Nellie laughed. The thought of him calling on her was enough to make her double over with laughter. He was much too rich and sophisticated for a girl like her. You could put her in a fancy gown, with matching slippers, and a diamond choker, but she would never forget her roots. They made her who she was today.

"Are you crazy!" Maude exclaimed. "He seemed interested in you."

"He was asking me all about Samantha," Nellie replied.

"Oh," Maude answered. "But she has been dancing most the night with that other extremely handsome fellow. She can't take all the handsome men. So maybe you can have the other one."

Nellie shook her head.

"I am not using this summer to get involved with men," said Nellie. "I will have entrance exams for school in the fall, and plenty of work to do."

"You're more dedicated than I am," Maude said. "But I'm not very smart. Maybe I can have your handsome friend then?"

"Be my guest," said Nellie.

Just then Samantha motioned for them to come over. Samantha was sitting on a chair across the room, surrounded by Peyton, Eugene, and four other young men.

"Nellie, Maude," she said. "Meet my new friends Stu, Randolph, Gregory, and Tom."

Maude immediately took a liking to Tom. Nellie spent her time talking with Gregory. Gregory was drab, and boring. He had just graduated and had landed a job as a banker. Nellie glanced at her watch. It was already eleven-thirty. They were an hour past their curfew.

Edith Edelton was not a happy girl. It was bad enough the Samantha had all those men around her, but even the servant girl was getting attention, and Edith couldn't be beat by a servant girl.

"Samantha just thinks that she's the hottest ticket in town," Edith sniffed to Clarisse. "But they are only paying attention to her because she is new. They'll tire of her."

"Well considering that we are at a hotel, and most of the people at this party are guests we are all new," Clarisse replied. "Samantha has all of those men around her because she's pretty and outgoing. The servant girl is the one who shouldn't be having anyone. The men only speak to her because she is here with Samantha."

"They won't speak to her anymore," Edith said smugly and she drifted over to Samantha.

"Samantha," Nellie said and went over to take her friend's hand. "It's eleven-thirty. We really should get going."

"What's the matter rag-bag?" Edith asked. "Are you afraid that your dress will turn to rags at midnight?"

"Edith go away," Samantha snapped, causing the oohs and awes from the male audience around them.

"Samantha darling," Edith cooed. "Long time, no see. You greet me so friendly and lady-like. You and your servant girl look well."

"She's not my servant," Samantha said through gritted teeth. "She is my sister."

"You've grown into quite the philanthropist adopting poor, destitute, servants," Edith went on. "Nellie, your ship sure came in the day you decided to honey up to Samantha. You must have known you had a live one. I bet you were thrilled your good-for-nothing parents died so you could go live with a rich family."

That was enough. Nellie was tired of hearing Edith belittle her in front of Samantha and her new friends. Not being the servant girl had been nice for the brief while it lasted, but now the stigma would be back. She took off running, she could hear Edith and Samantha bickering on behind her.

"Nellie wait," Eugene called and ran after her.

Nellie ignored him and ran out of the ballroom, down the stairs, into the hotel lobby. Since it was so late, it was nearly empty.

"Nellie!" Eugene called. "Please, I need to ask you something."

"Being a maid is the pits," Nellie said haughtily.

"I'm sure it is," Eugene replied. "But that is not what I wanted to ask you. Peyton and I are kind of like you and Samantha. My parents died and his family took me in. I wasn't a servant, but my family had a lot of financial trouble, and I had to sell newspapers on the street corners."

Nellie felt relived that she had a friend, but embarrassed for snapping at him earlier.

"I'm sorry," she said. "It's just that when I used to live in Mount Bedford I was a servant, and that is how all of these girls remember me. It's rather awkward being back here."

"Well I wanted to ask you," Eugene began. Just then he was interrupted by a steaming Samantha.

"Come Nellie!" She commanded. "We are going home. I've had enough of this place and Edith Edelton."

Nellie waved a quick little wave to Eugene, and followed her sister out the door. In her mind they were already way late. Samantha could say what she wanted about Grandmary's curfew, but they were guests in Grandmary's home, she was their elder, so they should respect her rules.

"I hate Edith Edelton," Samantha spat as they rode home. "That girl is as vain as a peacock, and for no reason. She's ugly! She's so ugly-"

Nellie drained Samantha's ramblings out. She knew something like this was bound to happen if Samantha had brought her into Mount Bedford society.

The girls made it home. The house was completely dark.

"See, I told you that Grandmary would just go on to bed," Samantha said as they tiptoed up the stairs.

Nellie breathed a sigh of relief. Samantha ranting and raving was enough. It would be heaven to fall into bed, no more confrontations to deal with. Little did they know that Grandmary was not a fool, little did they know that nothing or no one ever slips by Grandmary.