Consuelo laughed, set her banjo aside and patted her tight dark curls in place.
“It’s not funny. Oh, heaven help me!” Alva dramatically pressed the back of her hand to her forehead as if about to faint. “How dare I call on the great Mrs. Astor? At least I waited until two o’clock.” Alva had observed the rule that it was impolite to make a social call before two in the afternoon and even worse to stay past four.
“I think asking her butler if you could speak to her was probably the greater offense.”
“Lord have mercy,” said Alva. “I didn’t realize it’s such poor form to ask to be received by the high-and-mighty Caroline Astor.”
“Now you’re just being a brat,” she teased. “And really, you mustn’t speak that way about Mrs. Astor. She’s a very powerful woman, and like it or not, Mrs. Astor is the only one who can grant you entrée into New York society.”
“But she’s too old-fashioned. Too set in her ways. And she’s cold. I tell you butter wouldn’t melt in that woman’s mouth.”
“Now, Alva.”
“Okay, all right.” She raised her hands.
Consuelo went over to Alva and cupped her face in her hands. “Calm down. You’re a very bright girl—you will figure this out. If Mrs. Astor is standing in your way, maybe it’s time to try another avenue.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know”—she dropped her hands and shrugged—“maybe the Academy of Music.”
“I’ve already tried buying a box. They won’t even meet with me to discuss the matter.”
“Well, try again. I’ve known you a very long time and you’re not a quitter. You’ve always gotten everything you’ve set your heart on, including Willie Vanderbilt. If you put your mind to it, Mrs. Astor and the Academy of Music won’t stand a chance.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Caroline
Caroline was about to start a new book and had settled into her favorite Herter Brothers armchair, across from the crackling fireplace, near the upstairs bay windows. It was a crisp, sunny fall day, and most of the leaves from the Norway maples out front had withered weeks ago, giving her a clear view of Fifth Avenue through the tree branches.
She’d yet to open the book resting in her lap and was instead gazing out the window, watching the family brougham pulling up out front. The coachman jumped down from his box and when he opened the carriage door, Charlotte stepped out. She smiled and leaned toward him while he held her by the waist, raising her up like a ballerina, her feet fluttering the hem of her coat. They were laughing, the winter sun glinting off the brass buttons on his uniform.
Caroline got up, moved closer to the window, pulling back the drapes, watching the two of them, the rush of her pulse beating up inside her head. She stood there, transfixed, until Charlotte left the coachman and came inside.
When she heard her coming up the stairs, Caroline met her at the top of the landing. “Might I have a word with you, young lady?”
Caroline knew she had to say something, but she was so unprepared to deal with this. She was still thinking of what to say when Charlotte spoke up.
“I saw you watching us just now,” she said smugly, as if she’d done it intentionally, performing for Caroline’s benefit. Was Charlotte taunting Duncan Briar or Caroline? She couldn’t tell.
“He’s a very interesting man. You would realize that if you’d ever bothered getting to know him.”
“I don’t need to get to know him. And neither do you. For heaven’s sake, Charlotte, he’s a coachman! You are not to go out riding with him again without a chaperone. Do you understand?” My goodness, she sounded just like her mother. Hadn’t she uttered that very same sentiment to Caroline when she’d learned about Horace Wellsby?
Charlotte smirked. “Don’t worry, Mother, I’m not going to marry him.”
“Of that you can be certain.”
Charlotte folded her arms across her chest. “Will there be anything else?” She stood, drumming her fingers along the sleeve of her dress. “I promised Father I’d beat him in another chess game.”
Caroline was at a loss. She shook her head and waved Charlotte away.
* * *
—
Later that day, Duncan Briar stood before Caroline in her sitting room, head bowed, hat in his hands, fingers crumpling the brim. He’d brought the smell of the horses in with him from the livery stables out back.
Caroline set her teacup aside and folded her hands in her lap. “I’m afraid your services will no longer be needed here.”
His head shot up, surprised. He had shaggy brown hair and a strong chin. His blue eyes opened wide. “If this is about repairing the carriage wheel—”
“I assure you it has nothing to do with that.”
“Then may I inquire as to why I’m being dismissed?”
There was an earnestness in his eyes, as if he had no idea what was coming. Caroline thought for a moment, weighing her response. The less said the better. “I would be happy to provide a reference for your future employer.”
As Duncan bowed, thanked her and walked away, Caroline felt a twinge of guilt. After all, he’d been a fine driver, a loyal employee, but Caroline had to get rid of him.
Later that afternoon Caroline found Charlotte in her bedroom, holed up in the little nook built into the bay window. A magazine lay facedown on the seat cushions alongside her stocking feet.
“You didn’t have to let him go,” she said, staring out the window, wiping her eyes with the back of her hand.
So she’d already heard. Maybe Carrie or Jack had told her. “I did it for your own good.”
Charlotte reached for the magazine and began leafing through its pages. Her eyes were shimmering, and Caroline could tell she was beating back more tears. “He didn’t do anything wrong. If you want to punish someone, it should be me, not him.”
Caroline didn’t want to punish Charlotte. She had simply wanted to remove the temptation. “I’m only trying to protect you.”
“Protect me, huh?” she said bitterly, chucking the magazine aside. “I don’t need protecting.”
Caroline knew better than to press the matter. If she backed off now and said no more, it would simmer without boiling over into an argument. As she turned to leave Charlotte’s room, she saw her daughter’s shoes pushed into the corner, caked in mud with a few straws of hay stuck to the soles. Obviously she’d been down to the stables to see Duncan Briar one last time.