Chapter 8. "La Mode Duncan" headquarters, and Duncan's women
Note: Here's the last chapter to introduce Duncan's "world. Chapters 9 through 13 will be action that takes place on the same day, March 27, 1875, involving Scarlett, Rhett, and Duncan.
Then, on chapter 14, we jump and advance in time (one year) and arrive in February 1876 with the famous Scarlett - Duncan meeting!
New York, March 21, 1875
The three French girls were enjoying the crisp ocean air on the promenade deck. In a few minutes, they would set foot on the New World. And that would be the beginning of the adventure.
The trip lasted eight days. It was Roger Dax who, at the request of his partner, had gone to the offices of the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique, the French Line, at 6 rue Auber in Paris, to book tickets for Blanche Augustine Bonsart Ratier and her daughters Marguerite and Georgette Ratier. The transatlantic crossing was made on the ship SS Amérique, which left the port of Le Havre on March 13, 1875. (*1)
During the journey, the young woman met an American passenger, a shipowner himself, who explained the history of this ship, the first French transatlantic. When it was built in 1864, it was named "Impératrice Eugénie", after the wife of Emperor Napoleon III. At that time, it served Central America, from Saint-Nazaire to Vera Cruz.
"Do you realize, my young lady? On this bridge traveled, before you, the Empress of Mexico, Charlotte of Belgium. In 1870, after the fall of the Empire, the ship was renamed "Atlantique". For the past thirty years, the number of emigrants like you has been increasing. And the shipping companies have "sniffed" the good business. So, all the ships were progressively transformed to increase their capacity in passengers and in speed. Our boat here was completely remodeled in 1873 to be lengthened to 396 feet. The paddle wheel was removed and replaced by a propeller, and a mast was added. It definitely looks good! The name was changed again to "America". Even if I am a regular on transatlantic journeys, I am still amazed by the speed records, eight days instead of three weeks twenty years ago!»
Flattered by the interest that the pretty young lady seemed to have in his story, Mr. Watts continued to tell the story of their ship. "It returned to service in January 1874, heading from Le Havre to New York. But it was a close call, because three months later, on the return trip to Le Havre, the ship had to face a great storm. Imagine the fear of the 83 passengers and 152 crew members! Fortunately, everyone was transferred to small ships that came to help. But the "America" was abandoned. An English ship came to tow it from Plymouth and then it had to return, as best it could, to the port of Le Havre to be repaired. »
Blanche breathed a great sigh of relief at the retrospective apprehension of having been confronted with such a catastrophe.
The American gentleman added, very happy with this conclusion: "And we have the pleasure to be part of this first Le Havre - New York* crossing since its modernization! This christening deserves to be celebrated. What do you think? "Smiling, he got up to get hot drinks for the young mother and her two little girls.
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Blanche Augustine Bonsart was once again delighted that the owner of "La Mode Duncan" had bought them a first-class ticket in "cabin passage" instead of "steerage class". What a luxury to have a personal cabin!
Her mother Augustine had replied that it was quite normal. The rich American was going to deprive her of her only daughter, not to mention young Germain, who would remain under her grandmother's protection. So, at least she was reassured that the trip would go well.
The cabins were located in the middle of the boat so that one was not disturbed by the vibrations of the engines. The small room was luxurious, equipped with sheets, a water basin, storage space, etc... Blanche was aware that she was one of the privileged few. Everything had been thought of so that the rich passengers would be comfortable. Even the door, with its slatted shutters, allowed for ventilation.
The first class had one main living room where one could eat and chat with the other passengers. The room where these wealthy people gathered had two bays separated by a balustrade, furnished with long tables, chairs, and upholstered armchairs. There were even bells to call the steward.
I can't believe I ate last night with the captain of the ship! How I wish Germain had been there too. My little boy would have been wide-eyed at the Captain's presence. And Papa would have been proud as a peacock to receive such a character in our Café estaminet in Lille!
The pretty girl Blanche attracted the eyes of the gentlemen gathered there. But she did not belong to their world. She was in solidarity with the emigrants of the steerage.
These were middle-class or working-class people who had to make do with a place in the steerage. The common dormitories were overcrowded, with bunk beds. There was often a struggle to cook on the small stove the food that had been distributed by the shipping company in small portions before departure: oatmeal, cookies, flour, rice, sugar, molasses, and a little tea. The single women with children could not defend themselves sufficiently and could only manage to prepare a hot meal from time to time.
Everyone ate, slept, and talked in the same room. Blanche was pleased that the weather had not been too bad during the crossing, allowing the occupants of the steerage (or "tween deck"), installed above the hold, to get some fresh air on the deck.
Continuing his conversation with the Frenchwoman, the friendly shipowner recalled his experience as a passenger on the British ship "Oceanic" leaving from Liverpool. In 1870, this ship had at least 143 crew members, 166 privileged passengers in first class and, above all, a thousand people crammed into the "steerage".
Fortunately, the legislation concerning the transatlantic crossing of emigrants had improved since the laws of 1840 and 1850. Before these more protective rules, the consequences of the crossing for the poor migrants could be dramatic, as the hygiene conditions were deplorable and epidemics were frequent.
But they all left the Old Continent with hope in their hearts. They had fled famine, misery, religious discrimination and revolutions. So what did this painful journey matter? At their arrival, the hope of a new life in this mythical America was waiting for them.
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A small, frail hand tugged at the sleeve of her cape. "Maman, when are we arriving?" Blanche looked lovingly at Marguerite, "Soon, my dear. "Reassured, the child hugged her, and her twin sister followed suit. They were dressed warmly: their grandmother Augustine had knitted them large vests and bonnets of the same color. With the money from Roger Dax, her boss, Blanche had bought warm, durable coats for herself and her two daughters from the tailor on Boulevard de la Liberté in Lille.
Since the day she received Duncan Vayton's telegram, the young woman had felt as if she were being swept away in a whirlwind. The faces of those she was leaving behind in France appeared to her as a regret: her parents, her brother Georges and especially her eldest child, Germain. Victor Ratier, her husband, had been dead for nearly five years. As for her own heart, it had been buried for a long time in a small village in the North of France, in Erny Saint-Julien.
Like hundreds of passengers on deck, Blanche could see the American coastline getting closer and closer. In a few minutes, she would disembark, like all emigrants, at the Emigration Center in Castle Garden, Manhattan. (*2)
Her suitcase was ready. Mr. Vayton had insisted that she only pack a few clothes. It was complicated enough to travel with two little girls as young as five. When they arrived in Charleston, she could buy what she and her twins needed, at her boss's expense.
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Finally, it was time to disembark! With Marguerite and Georgette pressed up against her, Blanche followed the crowd of emigrants, sharing the feeling of being thrown into the unknown.
"Maman! Is this America? " Georgette pouted in disappointment as she looked at the austere-looking, circular-shaped fort, which looked menacing.
"Don't worry, my little ones. Soon we'll arrive at a nice house. But we have to be good in the meantime. »
First, it was necessary to pass the customs formalities. The Captain of the "America" had previously established the list of passengers destined for American customs. (*2) Here again, Blanche Bonsart had an exceptional privilege: in order to prevent her employee from being drowned among the hundreds of asylum seekers gathered in the large amphitheater, the powerful Charleston industrialist had asked his agent to come and greet her upon arrival, carrying a sign so that she would recognize him.
As expected, he was there! Blanche breathed a sigh of relief. Duncan Vayton's man of trust guided her into a private office of U.S. Customs. All the documents were ready, including the employment contract with Vayton & Son Limited, her place of residence and, of course, the name of her contact in Charleston. Soon, the little Bonsart Ratier family was officially declared an emigrant of the United States of America.
Duncan's employees made sure they had something to eat. He was now in charge of accompanying them to Charleston by train. A little more patience and Blanche Augustine Bonsart would arrive in Charleston!
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Charleston, March 21, 1875
The clock was ticking now. Duncan had set his priorities for the day: select the building that would be the headquarters and workshop for "La Mode Duncan," arrange for accommodations for his French employee and her children who would be arriving, and then entertain himself with Rebecca.
In reviewing the Vayton & Son Ltd. property list, Duncan noted that there were three buildings in Charleston that had been renovated by his company that would fit his needs.
The first house was quickly eliminated. It was a classic Charlestonian single house, but the showrooms would have been too small. The second visit was also disappointing: the colonial-style house was suited to the prestige of "La Mode Duncan" with its high ceilings and large windows. On the other hand, the staterooms would be too close to the sewing room, so the noise of the sewing machines would be disturbing. Tomorrow, his notary will put these buildings up for sale.
His last possibility was on the south side of the Battery, near the Magniolas' Mansion!
"What a beauty! "Duncan exclaimed as he admired the white building. This venerable antebellum palace was Italianate. It was primarily its asymmetrical "L" shape that set it apart from the others, with its front gable and a two-story, molded-vaulted loggia occupying three-quarters of the facade at the broken-angle end. (*4)
Instantly, the designer of "La Mode Duncan" had the vision of his models walking around the piazza that encircled three-quarters of the building, under the gaze of the invited clients admiring the show from both sides through the French doors in the impressive showroom. What a great show this will be!
Because Duncan had already made up his mind, even before he entered the house: Duncan's Fashion USA had its permanent home at 26 South Battery.
He passed through the door with sanded windows. An impressive spiral staircase faced him. The vast showrooms, with arches around the windows and room entrances, the waxed parquet floor bringing an authentic warmth to the place, the ceiling moldings reminiscent of Italian architectural motifs, all this ensemble would perfectly embody the luxury and elegance of the "La Mode Duncan" label.
An octagonal skylight decorated with stained glass overhung the top of the stairs. Upstairs, smaller, well-lit rooms would be perfect for use as fitting rooms. Other narrower rooms would be used to store accessories and the most beautiful models visible to privileged clients. His office was already chosen next door.
The key architectural element in Duncan's choice of building was the famous "L" shape, which had a building alongside it that would allow the sewing room to operate in large spaces without the noise of the machines interfering with visitors to the showroom.
An outbuilding had been added as a continuation. Duncan was pleased to see that these rooms had clearly been converted into separate living quarters. A kitchen, a bathroom, a dining room, and three bedrooms upstairs were perfect. Duncan would ask one of his Magniolas' Mansion housekeepers to freshen up the place. The butler would go in today to stock the little house with food, cleaning supplies and linens.
When Blanche and the twins arrive, their beds will be ready!
Satisfied, Duncan headed back to the Magniolas' Mansion. He still had to select from a catalog the latest model of Wheeler and Wilson Sewing Machine Company, which would be shipped from Bridgeport, Connecticut.
As for raw materials, and before the Duncan & Harvey mill was operational, the best fabrics from a northern mill would do. He would make the trip this week. He had already placed an order with his partner in France to send him the finest lace, embroidery, silk and organdy.
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The young man sighed with satisfaction. Everything was going as he had imagined. Tonight he could finally relax. He walked to a residential street near the Battery. The Widow Mansfield's house was well kept. No sooner had he signaled his presence with the door knocker than a smiling young woman greeted him.
Rebecca, her brother John and Duncan had been childhood friends. They spent all their free time at each other's family homes. They were from the same social background, and the plantations of both families were close. As they grew up, the clan was still very close. It was a race to see who could do the most mischief between the two boys of the same age. Rebecca, two years younger than they were, followed them faithfully and shared their games. Later, John and Duncan went to school together. Then time separated them.
A fortnight ago, Duncan stumbled across John Paxton on the street. The two old friends hugged loudly, happy to be reunited after all this time.
Over a drink, sitting in a tavern, the two men recalled the years they had spent without seeing each other.
John had become a shipowner, owning cargo vessels docked at the Battery's port.
"Always wanting to be on the high seas! "Duncan commented, tapping his friend on the back of his shoulder.
"I could say the same about you, the Parisian!» John laughed. He was always cheerful. That was one of the qualities Duncan loved about him, a great optimist.
Naturally, Duncan asked about his former childhood friend, Rebecca.
"My dear sister is well. Should I even confess? She is fine! She is a widow, mind you!»
Duncan looked surprised and was about to offer his condolences. But John Paxton stopped him with a wave of his hand.
"Frankly, there is nothing to be sorry about. I am not sad that he died of a heart attack. It was probably a fit of nastiness that took him! "John added wryly.
Noting Duncan's raised eyebrows, the young man said, "He put my sister through hell. Jealousy, greed, and violence. In short, he had all the faults. It made my heart ache to see how unhappy Rebecca was under him. When he died four years ago, no one mourned him. Especially not his wife! »
So Rebecca was free now... Duncan stared at his friend, smiling. They knew each other so well. I would love to see her again. Did she go back to live with your parents? »
"No, she kept her late husband's house. Let it at least serve her for something. »
Duncan laughed under his breath. Good John, generous to everyone, had made an exception for his brother-in-law.
"I was just about to go see her. Do you want to go with me? »
And that's how he happened to see Rebecca again. With the same pleasure as when they were teenagers. In fact, more pleasure because Rebecca was even more attractive - if possible - than he remembered. The clan of the three had reformed.
After that, Duncan invited twice Rebecca to the restaurant and the theater. Their exchanges were full of gaiety and connivance.
On the evening of March 21, 1875, his childhood friend invited him at her home for dinner.
The young woman jumped on Duncan's neck in a natural way, recapturing the closeness of their teenage years. After a light meal, they enjoyed coffee in the living room. Duncan simply poured himself a glass of whiskey.
"How good to be together! Don't you think so? " Rebecca relaxed in a shepherdess and looked at her childhood friend with laughing eyes.
"Sure, you know you are even prettier than you were at fifteen?" Duncan's blue eyes played with his young friend's gray ones.
She made a small modest put. The widow knew she was pretty and had never lacked for admirers. She had only made one mistake in her life, marrying Henry Mansfield. He was rich, of course, and she had inherited a substantial sum from him. Since his death, she felt like she could breathe again. She was enjoying life. And the admiring glances of the men in her world.
After having been so constrained by a tyrannical husband, and recluse without being able to visit her friends, Rebecca had decided to enjoy her widow status as a free woman.
Oh, very elegantly and discreetly, of course! Her birth and education as a lady of Charleston's high-end society did not allow her to display too much misbehavior. But one also knew how to be discreet in her world. She had had two affairs in the last four years. In fact, nothing very captivating! thought internally the young woman. A stunt to pass the time.
But it would be different with Duncan Vayton if... "Duncan, you know, I have never forgotten the afternoons we spent by the lake. How carefree the three of us were. Do you remember that?" She looked wistfully at her guest.
Duncan felt like he was floating. The whiskey, of course, was working. But not only that. With Rebecca, golden years flashed before his eyes. And early teenage emotions...
"Becca, I have not forgotten anything." He was using the nickname from their childhood. "Especially not a certain stormy day when you and I had to take shelter in the lean-to by the riverbank." Duncan's voice became more and more caressing.
The blond curls of Rebecca had released from their bun. One of her had rested on her breast. With amusement, he compared it with the small breasts which he had caressed that day, under the rain. They had exchanged a real kiss for the first time. There had been many others before, behind a bush, in a corridor, but all that remained quite childish, like a slightly more demonstrative embrace. But, the fury of the storm had brutally stimulated their nascent envy. The caresses had become lascivious. Who knows what would have happened if John had not come to join them at that moment?
Rebecca's cheeks reddened at this mention. Not because of embarrassment, but because she remembered her emotion as if it was yesterday. An emotion that has just reappeared, even more violent. How handsome he is! she admitted.
Even as a child, she admired him. She adored him. Duncan, with his blonde hair, was her sunshine. As she grew up, she did not even mind the other male friends who wanted to play with her. There was only Duncan. Then there was that first unsettling kiss in the lean-to. And then there were many more which followed.
John was not fooled and had well understood the maneuver of his two companions. My goodness! He almost imaging becoming Duncan Vayton's brother-in-law. And then the visits between the two teenagers became more and more frequent, as they were received by one family or another. So much so that the Vaytons and Paxtons began to dream... It would be a beautiful alliance, that was certain.
When Duncan and John went off to boarding school to study, it was a heartbreaker for Rebecca. As soon as the vacations rolled around, with an exploration of other games in the Vayton's conservatory, the sun came back out with Duncan's blond hair. The caresses between the two young became more precise and insistent.
With a glass in his hand, sitting in the widow Mansfield's living room, Duncan mused as he moistened his lips, It would be fun to compare your little breasts from before with those of today... It was at that precise moment that their eyes met.
Duncan stood up, and without a word, walked up to his hostess, brushing against her. Rebecca shivered. "How is it possible to feel the same attraction as sixteen years ago? As if we had left each other yesterday?" She had not realized she had spoken aloud. Duncan's azure eyes grew deeper.
"Becca, you are more gorgeous as ever. When I thought of Charleston, back in Paris, I was seeing your beautiful gray eyes." With one hand, he wrapped his arms around her shoulder. With the other, he lifted her chin and kissed her gently. With ardor, Rebecca answered his kiss. She had the impression to live a dream.
After some languid embracing, Duncan stopped and bowed his head. "What is it? "the young woman asked.
Her lifelong friend looked her squarely in the eye: "I have never lied to you, you know that. When we were young, I felt an immense tenderness for you. But I left because I did not want to get married. I was too young. I even confessed to you that I did not imagine one day committing myself. »
"I know, I remember," Rebecca had lowered her head before Duncan caught her expression of sadness.
"Unfortunately, I haven't changed my mind on that. I can even tell you that I will never marry. I am too used to my independence. And yet, you know that, as before, I am attracted to you. But you deserve the truth. I care about you too much. »
Then, Rebecca looked him in the eyes. She clasped her hands around his neck and kissed him fiercely. When they caught their breath, she confidently stated:
"My darling, I too love my freedom. I have been deprived of it too much. No more marital constraints, that's fine with me. We get along so well, Duncan. And... I betrayed myself earlier by speaking out loud. So you know how I feel. Why don't we both take advantage of our physical attraction and our immense closeness to enjoy life? No one would need to know. What do you think? "Her voice had softened a bit, for fear that Duncan wouldn't believe her detachment.
In response, Duncan lifted her in his arms and laid her back on the couch. The friend-lovers had just rekindled the flame of adolescence.
In the morning, after a cheerful breakfast, Duncan Vayton kissed Rebecca tenderly and left the Mansfield's house.
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He had many things to do, including contacting his business agent in Charleston to let him know that Vayton's fashion house was hiring and that they were looking for serious, experienced, motivated workers.
It was only in the evening that James drove Duncan to the train station to greet the French woman and her two children.
When he appeared on the platform, two little girls rushed towards him. "Tonton Duncan, Tonton Duncan! "(uncle), and they took turns kissing him.
Blanche looked at them with a tender look. A great breath of happiness came over her.
Then Duncan stood up and kissed the young woman on both cheeks. "At last, Blanche, you are here! I have been waiting for you because we have work to do! And I need my best seamstress to take over the sewing room. Welcome to America, Miss Blanche! »
Duncan gave her his best smile. He was sure now that "La Mode Duncan" was well on its way, with the help of his loyal assistant.
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End notes:
The Compagnie Générale Transatlantique was created in 1855 by the brothers Emile and Isaac Péreire.
(*1) Transatlantic ship: first called Empress Eugenie PSS (1865~1871) America SS (until 1895)
Built by the Chantier de l'Atlantique de Penhoët in Saint Nazaire. Inaugurated on April 23, 1864. Originally, she was 105.63 meters long, 13.41 meters wide, with a tonnage of 3,200 tons. Iron hull, two masts, with a speed of 12 knots. On February 16, 1865, it made its first crossing from Saint-Nazaire to Vera Cruz. In 1873, it was extended to 121.91 meters, with a tonnage of 4,585 tons. The first voyage from Le Havre to New York was resumed on 13 March 1875. No luck! In December 1875, she broke her propeller shaft while leaving, and had to be towed again to Ireland. In 1876, it was equipped with a lighthouse and electric light on the outside. She ran aground again on January 7, 1877 at Seabright, New Jersey, and was refloated on April 10. She resumed her transatlantic crossing on August 11, 1877. On May 1, 1886, she made her last trip from Le Havre to New York, and then moved on to the Le Havre - Panama route. In 1888, electric light was installed inside the ship. Finally, on January 28, 1895, it ran aground in Savanilla to be transformed into a wreck. Sources: Noel Reginald Pixell, wrecksite.
"Impératrice Eugénie" in 1865; . and .
(*2) Castle Garden, New York:(before Ellies Island) the first emigration center, originally a military fort. This reception center was created in 1855 in order to prevent unscrupulous employees or swindlers from accosting emigrants upon their arrival in this unknown country in order to offer them lodging, shelter, and, ultimately, to swindle them. .
(*3) Custom passenger list
(*4) have a look at "La Mode Duncan" headquarters, actually an existing mansion on the 26 S South Battery in Charleston, to describe the interior, the facade, the outbuildings (the sewing room and Blanche's house), For viewing the interior and many details, check out the photos at : estately com - listings - 26 S South Battery - listings/info/26-s-south-battery or the Battery - and Charleston homes-for-sale homes-for-sale/26-South-Battery-Charleston-SC-29401-237534486
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