New World, New Love (7 page)

‘Look, Louise! This one is for you. There’s a note for each of us!’ She read through hers quickly. ‘These gifts are a token of appreciation from Mr Lombard for our hospitality.’ She tugged at the ribbons and let the box fall to the floor as she ran with the silver-threaded gauze stole to the mirror. There she draped it about her shoulders. ‘It’s beautiful and so expensive!’

Louise sat down and read her note from him before opening the box slowly. Then she let the stole with its glittering gold thread remain unfolded in its box on her lap. She felt as if Daniel was closing in on her.

After work on Friday Louise made preparations for the following evening with Daniel, certain she was going to enjoy the occasion in spite of her misgivings, for it would be a great treat to be in more sophisticated surroundings after such a long time. She took from the closet the black silk gown that she had trimmed with the scarlet bows and braid. Now she removed these trimmings, putting them carefully aside for re-use, and cut the neckline into a décolletage. Then she took her sister’s silk gown, which was a deep blue, needing nothing added or taken away, and again cut the neckline deeper. The sleeves of both gowns were fashionably elbow-length already and nothing had to be done to them.

‘We can wear our lace shawls to hide the gap when we want these gowns for day wear again,’ she explained to Delphine, who made a deprecating grimace.

‘But those old gowns are so dull for a special invitation.’

‘I haven’t finished yet. I promise you that when the evening comes you’ll be well pleased with your appearance. Now be patient.’

Next morning Louise went out during the short break Miss Sullivan allowed for a midday snack and collected from the bank a sapphire necklace, which Delphine had inherited, and her own parure of a diamond necklace, chandelier earrings and bracelets. She carried the leather cases unobtrusively in an old canvas bag.

As Louise had expected, Delphine was enthralled by her own appearance when she was dressed and ready, the sapphires glowing around her throat. She could scarcely tear herself away from her distorted reflection in an old mirror to fasten Louise’s necklace for her.

‘These sapphires match my eyes! I wish I could wear them every day,’ she said, patting the necklace proudly as she returned to her reflection.

Louise was amused. ‘I don’t think Miss Sullivan would approve of that!’

Daniel came himself in a carriage to collect them. They emerged in their cloaks, for the evening was wet and windy, both wearing the gauze stoles draped over their heads, for which they thanked him.

‘I’ve been looking forward to this evening so much,’ Delphine declared excitedly when they were seated and the carriage was on its way to the City Hotel. Recently built on the West Side of Broadway, five storeys high with its entrance flanked by expensive shops and its own elegant coffee house, it was New York’s first grand hotel and it had become highly fashionable to dine at this new and expensive venue.

‘I hope it lives up to your expectations,’ Daniel remarked with a grin.

‘I know it will!’ she declared exuberantly.

At the hotel their cloaks and stoles were taken from them. In the golden aura of candlelight and the dazzle of jewels, Delphine was aware of heads turning as they were shown to their table. She felt as proud of her sister’s diamond-sparkling appearance as she did of her own.

‘Was Versailles as grand as it is here, Louise?’ she asked eagerly as soon as they had taken their seats.

Louise smiled to herself at her sister’s naivety, but did not show it as she answered, not wanting to cause her any embarrassment. ‘The palace had many lavishly beautiful rooms, but I’m sure this dining room could have taken its place somewhere in that vast building.’

Her tact was not lost on Daniel. He had observed both sisters closely over dinner at their apartment and seen how caring and protective Louise was towards Delphine. He wondered how long it would be before she woke up to the fact that her sister would always be a source of trouble, forever scheming for her own ends. He’d once loved a woman of Delphine’s character and knew the signs, which he had been too blind to see at the time. If it lay in his power, he would not let Delphine destroy Louise’s chance of happiness.

He knew himself to be in love with Louise. Maybe he had been since first sighting her in that yellow hat. Yet in spite of her softened attitude she remained totally self-contained, an invisible guard between her and any slight intrusion by him into her private self. She did not seem to realize that her very reserve was a challenge to him, holding out the promise of undiscovered depths that he longed to explore.

As she merrily explained something to her sister about the tradition of French kings always dining publicly, his gaze under lowered lids dwelt appreciatively on her, his thoughts running swiftly towards his intense desire for her. He wanted to bury his face in her gloriously burnished hair, to caress and to know every part of her lovely body, for he was able to see enough of her pearly breasts in the low-cut gown to make his hands ache to enfold and arouse them. Although she would still be mourning her late husband, he knew that nothing could deter him in his pursuit of her. He meant to have her eventually, however long it took. There was no barrier he wasn’t prepared to break down when the time was right.

At that point, just as Louise was turning her head to speak to him, waiters brought the first course and he was saved from her seeing the stark passion in his eyes.

During the several courses, he noticed how Delphine kept glancing around the room with an entranced gaze. He supposed she was imagining how it must have been to dine in that brittle world of Versailles that had gone for ever. Louise saw deeper than that and felt the chill of concern. Delphine was promising herself that one day she would come and go in such grand places, no matter what it cost to achieve her aim.

In spite of the formality of the evening, the three of them conversed as freely as when they had eaten together in a humbler setting. Delphine scarcely knew what she ate in her exhilaration at being in such a splendid setting. She was fully aware of the keen glances cast in her direction by men, young and not so young, and she sparkled flirtatiously with Daniel. In contrast, Louise quietly enjoyed each course, even though none was up to the French standards she had known in the past, but the wines had been well chosen by Daniel and were quite excellent.

After they had finished dining they went through to a large salon for the serving of tea, one of the English customs that had lingered on. Before sitting down Louise paused to look at a framed etching on the wall. It showed the new capital of Washington. Daniel came to her side.

‘That’s how it will look when all the buildings are finished,’ he said, studying it. ‘It was New York’s loss when the Government moved to Philadelphia. Yet it’s right that the country should have a fine new seat of government, designed with an eye to space and beauty, as well as a grand house for the President and all who take the presidential oath after him. But the circles of high society here have missed all the splendid social occasions that centred on him and Mrs Washington, which is why the present flood of French aristocrats has been like manna from Heaven to them.’

Louise turned to look at him with a soft laugh. ‘Is that true?’

He grinned. ‘Indeed it is! To have the names of dukes and duchesses and other titled personages on a guest list means a great deal to certain people. It shouldn’t be long before you’re swept up in the whirl.’

Delphine, standing by them, was suddenly filled with hope. She would enjoy being fêted. Maybe the future was far brighter than she had hoped.

Before the week was out Daniel took them to a concert and then on Saturday evening to a ball at the exclusive Belvedere House, bringing a business acquaintance as a partner for Delphine. His name was Harry Turner, a pleasant young man, but too intellectual for Delphine and she found his conversation tedious. But when they danced in the beautiful octagonal ballroom she was in her element, starry-eyed as the chandeliers spun overhead.

When the evening had ended and Daniel had brought the sisters home again, he suggested a Sunday carriage ride into the country the following afternoon. Even as Louise began to shake her head Delphine pushed impishly in front of her.

‘Yes, we’d enjoy that very much, Mr Lombard.’

‘Call me Daniel, please.’

As soon as he had gone Louise let her clenched hands rise and fall in exasperation. ‘Why did you accept, Delphine? I told you I didn’t want to extend our relationship with him beyond this evening! He’s been thoughtful and generous, but enough is enough.’

‘I’m not turning down anything that is fun!’ Delphine retaliated defiantly. ‘Where’s the harm in a carriage ride? And I’m sure it will lead to another invitation.’ Her tone became self-pitying. ‘Remember, I’ve never known anything like this evening. It was all quite wonderful. Daniel will be gone again soon enough.’ She managed a catch in her whining voice as if close to tears. ‘Surely you don’t wish to deprive me of what little chance I have to enjoy myself socially?’

Louise frowned impatiently, recognizing her sister’s appeal as emotional blackmail.

‘You know I don’t want to deny you anything within reason, but we’re getting too deeply involved with Daniel.’

Delphine laughed with a hint of maliciousness. ‘You are, don’t you mean? He’d like to be alone with you, I can see that! So just be thankful that I’m always present.’

Sunday dawned warm and sunny. In the afternoon, Daniel arrived, driving a pretty little cream-coloured carriage with the black top folded down and a pair of dappled greys in the shafts. He drove the sisters out of the city into the May-bright countryside. It was the first time they had been out of New York since their arrival and both enjoyed the change. There were forests and hills and isolated farmsteads as far as the eye could see, with the sparkle of a river here and there. Everywhere the dogwood trees were in bloom, spreading their pale blossom across the landscape like a soft cloud.

The afternoon ended with coffee and slices of sweet raisin bread in the City Hotel’s own coffee house. To Delphine’s delight Daniel produced three tickets for a play opening.

‘I hope you’ve no other arrangements made,’ he said.

Louise was aware of her sister’s frantic glance, which begged her not to refuse him. She hesitated briefly, forcing herself to accept the situation for this last time. ‘No, we haven’t, but you’re doing far too much for us.’

‘I could never do that.’ His eyes were serious.

The play was excellent and they had the best box, which the President and Mrs Washington had occupied whenever they had patronized the theatre. During a light supper afterwards, Daniel spoke of taking them to a ball at Rousselot’s before he left New York again.

‘When you have so much business in this city, why don’t you live here?’ Delphine asked flirtatiously.

‘The heart of my business is in Boston.’

‘But you’ll never stop coming back to see us, will you?’ Delphine insisted. She did not want him deterred from inviting them out by what she considered to be Louise’s stupid failure to encourage him.

He grinned, having no illusions about her query. ‘You can be sure of that.’

When they arrived back at the apartment, she thanked him for the evening as Louise turned the key in the lock. Then, as Delphine went in, Louise turned to say goodnight to him.

‘Don’t go in yet, Louise. This is the first chance I’ve had to talk to you on your own.’

She guessed what was coming and was quick to forestall him. ‘Before you say anything, let me speak first. I’ve enjoyed your company, but I need to live my own life, which was impossible for me in the past. To be free as I am now once seemed an impossible dream, and I don’t intend to lose my total independence for any reason. I hope you understand.’

‘I do,’ he replied, his eyes narrowed.

‘I’m so glad.’ She felt relieved. ‘I felt it only right to speak frankly.’

‘I agree. It allows me to speak with equal frankness and say that you’re only postponing the inevitable.’

Startled, she gave an incredulous little laugh. ‘You’re very much mistaken!’

He ignored her words as if she had not spoken. ‘The day I saw you on the ship as you waited to come ashore was a turning point in my life. I’m finding it harder to leave you every time, not just when I go back to Boston, but each time I bring you home again to this dreadful place.’

‘You are saying far too much,’ she protested firmly. ‘I’ll bid you goodnight and go in now.’

‘Wait! When I return to Boston again in ten days’ time it’s likely to be the end of the summer before I can come back again. At least say you will write to me.’

She shook her head quickly. ‘No, Daniel. I’ve explained why already. I only write to three people – my childhood friend living near Troy, my aunt in England and my cousin in Boston. I’m sure Madeleine will gladly pass news of Delphine and me on to you whenever you should happen to meet her.’

‘Louise!’ he exploded in total exasperation, seizing her by the shoulders. Bringing her hard against him, his powerful arms went around her, his hand cupping her head, and he almost lifted her off her feet as he buried her mouth in his in a violently passionate kiss as if he would never release her. Against her will her resistance melted, long-suppressed desires searing through her softly pliable body as his strength and warmth encompassed her. She clung to him, exulting in her wild response, all else lost to her. But even as she drifted towards the abyss she regained her sanity and stiffened fiercely in his embrace.

He was breathing deeply as he loosened his arms and she thrust them away from her with both hands, her eyes locked with his.

‘Nothing has changed!’ she declared breathlessly, dismayed that he had roused her dormant sensuality with such burning force.

‘Time will tell,’ he said quietly.

‘You mustn’t come here any more! I don’t want to see you ever again!’

He was astounded by her vehemence. ‘I hope you don’t mean that.’

‘I do! My life is my own! You want to change and disrupt all that I came to find here in my new country.’