Duke of a Gilded Age (18 page)

Lady Frederic read the story aloud. “‘A certain saloon passenger, whose story bears a passing resemblance to that of
Little Lord Fauntleroy
, has excited much conversation regarding his romantic fancy. Which shipboard maiden will he favor?
City of New York
scuttlebutt says it’s too soon to tell’.”

Wesley made a sound of disgust. “Who would want to read that tripe?”

“Don’t be so stodgy! There’s little else to do on these voyages besides gossip. It helps distract people from seasickness and boredom.”

“You say that now, but wait until
you’re
the subject of a silly story.”

His mother giggled. “I’ll be rather disappointed if I’m not.”

“Well, I’m happy to report I’ve something better to do than gossip. My friends and I have formed a dance club. We’re to practice in the afternoons.”

Lady Frederic regarded her son with admiration. “That’s very enterprising, Wesley.”

“It’s Miss Oakhurst’s idea, really.”

“She’s a clever girl.”

“Mr. Oakhurst was seasick yesterday too. Have you seen him or Miss Oakhurst this morning?” Wesley asked.

“I haven’t, I’m afraid,” she murmured, her attention wholly on her newspaper. “Perhaps we’ll see them at the church service later on.”

Wesley ordered orange juice, bacon, fruit, and oatmeal from a waiter. A few minutes later, Louise entered the saloon. Wesley waved, and she hastened over with a broad smile on her pretty face. He rose as she approached.

“Good morning, Miss Van Eyck. Have breakfast with us, if you like,” Wesley said.

“Oh, yes, thank you. I was afraid I’d have to eat alone,” she replied. “I think my mother and brother must still be sleeping.”

“Mother, this is Miss Van Eyck,” Wesley said. “Miss Van Eyck, allow me to introduce you to my mother, Lady Frederic.”

Louise dipped into a curtsy. “I’m ever so delighted to meet you.”

“Thank you, Miss Van Eyck,” Lady Frederic replied.

Louise sank into a chair, and Wesley took his seat once more.

“Lady Frederic, did Wesley happen to mention our dance club?” Louise asked.

“He did indeed, and I think it’s an excellent notion.”

“We’ve received permission to use the steerage deck and a piano,” Wesley said. “And my valet has agreed to play for us.”

Lady Frederic stared at him, wide-eyed. “Cavendish plays the piano too? The man continues to amaze me.”

The waiter brought Wesley’s orange juice, and while Louise ordered a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, an idea began to form in Wesley’s mind. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to surprise Belle with his newfound dance skills?
I daresay I want her to be impressed…more so than she was with Stephen Van Eyck.

The waiter left with a promise to bring their food as swiftly as possible.

“Miss Van Eyck, my experience in the waltz is minimal at best,” Wesley said. “If our dance club meets at two thirty, do you suppose you could arrive a half-hour early to practice with me? That way I wouldn’t feel so much the oaf when others are watching.”

“I’d like nothing better.”

A relieved smile lit Wesley’s face. “Good. Cavendish will be there to accompany us. I hope I won’t tread on your toes.”

“You could scarcely be worse than poor Mr. Stenger was last night. He’d never waltzed before, and all of us felt quite sorry for him.”

Wesley kept his countenance but inside he grimaced.
Please let me be better than Carl Stenger! The last thing I want is Belle’s pity.

Lady Frederic folded her newspaper and left it on the table. “If you’ll both excuse me, I’m going to get a little fresh air before church. It’s glorious weather out.”

Wesley stood as his mother departed. Louise quickly pulled the
Gazette
toward her and began to read it avidly.

“Oh no, not you too!” Wesley exclaimed.

“Oh come now,” Louise said. “Aren’t you the least bit curious what’s in it?”

“I’m afraid not.”

Belle donned a demure, high-collar dress suitable for church. The fabric had a dark green background with a lush, pretty pattern of ripe peaches. The sleeves were gathered into puffs at the top, but gave way to feminine apricot lace from the elbow to the wrist. A double row of matching lace around the hem gave the plain skirt movement when she walked. The gown was one of Errol’s favorites.

After she left her cabin, she went to her father’s cabin. Mr. Oakhurst answered her knock at his door, already dressed and looking far more energetic than he had the previous evening.

“Good morning, Papa! Do you feel like eating a little breakfast?”

“Tea and crumpets would not go amiss.”

As they entered the saloon, Mr. Oakhurst paused to admire the arched, stained glass ceiling. Daylight illuminated the colors of the glass beautifully.

“My heavens but that ceiling is incredible!” he exclaimed.

Belle smiled. “Indeed it is. And at night, it’s lit by hundreds of incandescent lights from within, like starlight.”

As she glanced around the room, Belle spotted Wesley in a booth with Louise. The two sat practically shoulder to shoulder, pouring over a newspaper together. A pang of jealousy made Belle nearly bite her tongue.
It’s none of your business, Belle, and you’ve no right to be jealous!
She averted her eyes and steered her father toward the opposite side of the saloon, choosing an unoccupied alcove table where her father could look out the porthole window.
You should have joined Wesley and Louise. You’re being silly.
As her father glanced over the menu, Belle leaned over slightly until she had a view of Wesley’s table. Immediately she wished she hadn’t. He was laughing at something Louise had said, and they appeared to be terribly cozy.

Stephen Van Eyck and Mrs. Van Eyck entered the saloon just then. When he saw Belle, Stephen took his mother by the elbow and steered her over.

“What a stroke of luck! Good morning, Miss Oakhurst,” Stephen said. “Do you mind if my mother and I join you?”

Belle hoped the dismay she felt regarding the arrival of Mrs. Van Eyck was not reflected on her countenance. “That would be delightful,” she managed.

Mr. Oakhurst stood as Belle introduced Mrs. Van Eyck and Stephen to him. Mrs. Van Eyck seemed none too steady as she lowered herself into a chair.

“How are you feeling, Mrs. Van Eyck?” Belle asked.

“I’m not yet recovered from the rough seas of yesterday,” she replied. “And the ship’s bell rang every half hour to keep me awake. Perhaps a deck cabin was not such a good idea after all.”

Mrs. Van Eyck and Mr. Oakhurst began to converse about seasickness and its various remedies. Belle couldn’t help but notice Stephen looked quite handsome in his high collar and red Ascot tie. He caught her staring, and she quickly lowered her gaze to the floral arrangement in the center of the table.

“I believe my sister must be here,” he said. “Did you happen to see her?”

“No,” Belle lied. “But then, my father and I only just arrived.”

As the meal progressed, Belle became increasingly apprehensive. She pretended to attend to Stephen’s stories about Philadelphia life, but her attention was actually focused on Mrs. Van Eyck.
Please don’t let her broach the subject of my grandfather, especially in front of Papa!

Mrs. Van Eyck ate sparingly, and at last she excused herself to return to her cabin. At the same time, Mr. Oakhurst also left to take a walk on the promenade deck. With the danger of exposure past, Belle felt her shoulders relax. She stopped twisting the napkin in her lap and let her hands rest on the table instead.

“Miss Oakhurst, please allow me to tell you how pretty you look this morning,” Stephen said.

“Oh…thank you.”

Without warning, he covered her hand with his. Before she could react, he’d gripped it so firmly she could not pull away without creating a scene.

“We’ve only just met, but I’m quite taken with you,” he said. “After last night, I’ve begun to hope you feel the same way.”

“Mr. Van Eyck, I implore you to release me this instant!”

Too late, Belle saw Louise and Wesley approach. Louise’s expression was one of delight to see Stephen holding Belle’s hand, but Wesley’s eyes were narrowed with displeasure. Belle’s face flamed hot.

“I hope we’re not interrupting.” Ice caressed Wesley’s every syllable.

Stephen loosened his grip, and Belle’s hand quickly returned to her lap.

“In point of fact—” Stephen began.

Belle cut him off. “Not at all. Please join us. Um…have you had breakfast?”

“We just finished,” Louise said.

She slid into a chair, but Wesley remained standing.

“We were waiting for you for the longest time, Annabelle,” Louise continued. “Finally, I looked across the room and there you were!”

“My father and your mother just left,” Belle said. “We breakfasted with them.”

“I didn’t see you here, Louise,” Stephen said. “I thought perhaps you’d fallen overboard.” He gave Belle a little wink.

Louise wrinkled her nose in response. “I’d never give you the satisfaction of being an only child.”

“Wesley, would you care to sit?” Belle’s smile was tentative, but her silent plea for understanding was rebuffed.

“Thank you, no. It’s grown rather stuffy in here,” he replied. “I’m going for a stroll before church.”

He turned on his heel and strode from the room. Belle’s heart hammered in her ears, and she stifled the impulse to run after him. Louise prattled on about arrangements for the dance club. When Carl, Eva, Stacy, and Horatio entered the saloon with Mrs. Stenger, Belle seized on an excuse to leave.

“The Stengers and Egermanns are here,” she said. “Could you let them know the time and place of our dance club meeting? I must speak to my father about something, but I’ll see you at the church service later on.”

Belle left the saloon and mounted the stairs to the promenade deck. Although she didn’t see Wesley, she noticed Mrs. Van Eyck sitting in a deck chair several yards off. She was draped in a blanket and seemed to be dozing. Belle moved past as quietly as possible, but Mrs. Van Eyck opened her eyes at that exact moment.

“Oh, Miss Oakhurst, why don’t we have our chat now? I’d love to hear all about your grandfather, the baronet.”

His annoyance was such that Wesley paced the promenade deck walking track without taking in the view. So Stephen Van Eyck had wormed his way into Belle’s favor with his slick Philadelphia manners? Couldn’t she see he was an insincere dandy? Wesley’s pride was further wounded by the fact she’d allowed Stephen to hold her hand. This, after Belle had taken
him
to task for the very same thing! Belle Oakhurst was engaged, for Heaven’s sake, and even Wesley knew Stephen’s behavior was inappropriate. Evidently the girl’s judgment was flawed and her character was not as stellar as she’d let on. It was fortunate he’d discovered the truth before he’d grown too attached. Stephen had done him a good turn, really. He ought to feel relieved…but he wasn’t.

Hoping to confide his woes to Cavendish, Wesley returned to the cabin. The sitting room was empty, however, since his valet had gone to breakfast. Wesley slumped in a chair, wondering how he should best manage the remainder of the voyage. Only one course seemed clear; he should keep his distance from Belle as much as possible.
Sadly, in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean that will be easier said than done.