CHAPTER NINETEEN
One would think that the mood inside of Grandmary's carriage as it made it's way to the Royal Bedford for the Independence Ball would have been one of excitement and merriment. Instead both girls were quiet and pensive, gazing out the windows as they made their way. Grandmary and the Admiral were also going to the ball. Practically everyone in Mount Bedford Society attended the annual Independence Ball.
"Samantha dear, the combs in your hair are a little uneven," Grandmary commented. Usually Samantha would consider this a tragedy, however tonight she just sat with her perfectly manicured nails in her lap.
"Hmmmm,"she sighed, still keeping her gaze out the window.
"You girls are in a rather pensive mood," the Admiral remarked.
"I'm in a dark mood," replied Samantha.
"Interesting," said The Admiral. "I feel as if I am going to a funeral instead of the town's most glorious ball."
Nellie had no idea why Samantha was so glum. Samantha thrived on going to balls. Parties and men were as important as fresh air to breathe to her. Nellie was the one who should be feeling down, and nervous. She was nervous because she knew she had to find Eddie Ryland first thing and tell him the truth before Samantha did something stupid.
"You girls have nothing to be dark about," said Grandmary. "Peyton Denardo and Eugene O'Reilly are very respectful suitors."
I better hope I get to Eddie before Grandmary does. Thought Nellie. I really should have put more effort in telling him the truth before this silly ball. I don't even want to go, well perhaps the food will be good, and I know Eddie hates these kinds of functions.
Actually if Nellie had told Eddie the truth and she could enjoy a Fourth of July evening with the man she adored she wouldn't be dreading the ball, because for once she had a date! But now she had to worry about hurting him, and she would rather die than hurt Eddie Ryland.
The carriage pulled up in front of the hotel. It was decorated with patriotically with red, white, and blue ribbons and flags on every column. A small band was playing on the front porch as guests strolled in.
As soon as they were in the grand ballroom Nellie began to pan the room for Eddie. She spotted Eugene sitting at the Denardo family table, Peyton was nowhere in sight. Nellie also noticed Samantha eyeing Eugene the same way that she usually eyed men, except she never eyed Eugene that way before. When Samantha caught that Nellie had seen her, her eyes quickly fell to the ground in an embarrassed way. Samantha had never been embarrassed about her affections for men before, however Nellie was soon sidetracked by the tables of food.
Nellie thought that she would never see as much as food as they had on the cruises that she would take with Samantha and Cornelia, why all they did was feed you, and Nellie was in pure heaven. But the Independence Ball had even more tables heaped with goodies then on the ocean liners. It was almost ridiculous, because many of the guests at the ball wouldn't even touch the food.
It was there that Nellie spotted Eddie Ryland. Of course he would be by the food. She caught him in a rather ungentlemanly like way popping a whole deviled egg in his mouth.
Without making an announcement, Nellie broke away from her party to head over to him.
"Helene love," Eddie greeted as he quickly swallowed his egg. "You look absolutely gorgeous. Too gorgeous for the likes of me."
"Eddie we have to talk," Nellie said.
"I do have something I need to ask you, but food first. Here try these lemon squares," Eddie said trying to put one into her mouth. "You'll love them."
"Eddie it's really urgent," Nellie pleaded. "Could we go into the lobby and sit down?"
"But I just got here," Eddie replied.
"Eddie!" Samantha bellowed as she came up behind them. "You better not be giving my friend a hard time."
"Why it's pig face!" Eddie greeted cynically. "Where's lover boy?"
"I think I see him over there," Nellie lied and pointed across the crowded room.
Samantha turned to look but unfortunately she didn't leave to go find him.
"He'll be here in a minute," she snapped. She eyed Eddie. "You clean up well."
"Do I?" Eddie asked. "I'm not one for these superficial shindigs." He popped a chocolate covered strawberry into his mouth.
"So Helene," said Samantha to Nellie. "Want to invite Eddie to sit with Grandmary and The Admiral?"
"No," Nellie said without thought,
"I'm not good enough for The Admiral?" Eddie teased. "Hey pig face, does The Admiral have a name? Surely his mother didn't pop him out and name him The Admiral."
Nellie began laughing but Samantha just glared.
"Eddie you are no gentleman talking about such things!"
"It's true," said Eddie.
"His name is Archie," Nellie laughed. "Like Archibald."
"Well if my name was Archibald I guess I'd go by The Admiral too," Eddie replied. "It's worse than Edmond."
"Edmond?" Samantha said with interest.
"Almost as bad as-" but Nellie stopped herself. She was about to say Nellie, but she stopped. This was not the way to tell Eddie, not with Samantha right there.
"As what?" Eddie asked.
"As uh," Nellie stammered.
"Elsa," Samantha cut in. "Elsa is a dreadful name, Anyway Eddie, I am inviting you to sit with us. You are Helene's friend and therefore welcome at my table."
"Yes your royal highness," Eddie could tease Samantha all day long. She was perfect teasing material. "I can't believe I have been asked to sit at the table of the Great Fabulous and Fast Kissing Samantha Parkington!"
"You hush with that talk," Samantha snapped and took Nellie by the arm. "Come Helene let's sit down."
"Is it okay if I have a word with Eddie first?" Nellie asked.
"Oh yes," Eddie said. "Helene and I were engaged in a private conversation before you came and butt in. Plus I have something I need to ask her myself." Eddie's eyes were dancing. Nellie gave Samantha a desperate look. This was her last chance to get Eddie alone. You didn't have to be a rocket scientist to know the real reason why Samantha wanted Eddie to sit with them. Grandmary, The Admiral, and five other high society families would be seated at their table, a great ground for humiliation.
"The Admiral, Archie," Samantha said rolling her eyes at Eddie. "Is going to give a toast soon. We really need to be seated."
"Please just a few minutes Sam," Nellie begged. "I promise it will only be but a few minutes." As Nellie begged Samantha began to tune her out, for all of her fears and suspicions were paraded in front of her, the living proof. Proof that outrageous four caret diamonds couldn't erase. Samantha's face turned as red as Nellie's dress, a fixture of hate forming in her eyes as she spotted Peyton Denardo her date, strolling into the ballroom with a gloating Edith Edelton on his arm.
Peyton had told Samantha earlier that very afternoon, that he would ask her to take supper with his family at their table, and that they would stand on the porch later and watch the fireworks show together. Eddie and Nellie had noticed Peyton and Edith as well. Out of all places to be stood up, the most important social event in Mount Bedford!
Edith and Peyton were laughing gaily, holding flutes of champagne as they strutted into the room. Peyton was greeted by his passé of young friends, the passé that stroked his ego just because he was Peyton Denardo.
"If looks could kill," Eddie said quietly to Nellie.
Samantha watched in horror as Peyton ushered Edith over to where his mother was sitting. Why Peyton had promised Samantha that tonight she would get to meet his mother, she should have listened to Nellie and Maude the whole time, instead of listening to diamonds.
"That trollop!" Samantha sneered.
"That's the pot calling the kettle black," Eddie laughed. "When are they serving first course?"
"Eddie be serious," said Nellie.
"Look it how ugly her dress is," Samantha mumbled. "It looks like she's wearing a night gown. That choker looks awful on her neck. Her neck is too long to wear a choker, she looks like a giraffe."
"Sam, Edith isn't half as pretty as you are," Nellie said hoping that Samantha would forget Peyton, forget the charade with Eddie and just calm down if she was flattered.
"No one is," Eddie chimed. "You're the Great Samantha Parkington! Of course Helene is as pretty, but not stinky Edith."
"You don't think Edith is attractive?" Samantha asked Eddie her voice filled with happiness.
"Nah," said Eddie. "She always looks like she's smelling something bad."
Samantha laughed, but her heart sank even more as she watched Peyton's mother and Edith engage deeper in conversation. This was a major blow. Here was Samantha Parkington, always belle of the ball, at the most lavish event in Mount Bedford, alone with nobody.
"Helene," said Samantha. "I need a drink."
"That actually sounds wonderful,' Nellie agreed.
"I'll get you some champagne," said Eddie and he took off towards the bar. Nellie went to go after him, desperate to catch him alone, but Samantha clutched her arm.
"I hate her," Samantha spat. "She did this on purpose. She did this to mortify me in front of everyone. Look! I'm a laughingstock!"
"No one is even noticing you," said Nellie.
"That's because they all have dates," Samantha muttered. "They all do except me."
"And Eugene," Nellie said holding her breath.
Samantha blushed and then glared at her.
"I'm back ladies," Eddie said handing them their champagne. Samantha gulped hers down in one unladylike gulp.
"Does Grandmary know you drink like a sailor?" Eddie asked.
Samantha did not answer him. She gave her empty flute to Nellie and then began stocking off towards Edith Edelton. The champagne gave her the courage she needed to do something totally outrageous, even with Grandmary there.
"Samantha you come back here!" Nellie hollered.
"Nellie!" Samantha yelled. "I have business to do!"
"Nellie?" Eddie asked.
However, he was immediately distracted by a steaming Samantha as she pushed her way through the waltzing couples on the dance floor, and over to the Denardo table. She marched right up to Edith Edelton and pulled the silly feather headband she was wearing right off of her head, and onto the floor. Eddie and Nellie weren't the only ones watching the scene. Samantha made a gesture towards her diamond earrings, Edith lunged to rip one off, this resulted in Samantha pouncing on her, and the girls toppling onto the floor. Grandmary had gone ghost white, her face frozen in a horrified, shocked, and amazed expression.