The American Heiress: A Novel by Goodwin Daisy

Author:Goodwin, Daisy [Goodwin, Daisy]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Published: 2011-06-20T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

An Ideal Husband

THE CARPET OUTSIDE THE BEAUCHAMP HOUSE IN Prince’s Gate, Cora noticed, was green instead of the usual red. It looked as if a roll of turf had been laid out between the door and the pavement. As she stepped on to the carpet in her silver slippers, Cora wished that Ivo was with her. When she had told him about Charlotte’s invitation, he had grimaced. ‘At home with the Beauchamps and all their artistic friends? Honestly, Cora, I can’t think of anything worse.’

Cora had pleaded, but Ivo had not been persuaded to change his mind. Every time she mentioned the party, he laughed and said he was too much a philistine to go to the Beauchamps. So she had come alone, although now she was at the house, she wondered why, a feeling that intensified as she walked up the stairs to the drawing room. She heard a swell of noise and laughter as the door opened. Inside she caught a glimpse of yellow walls and black paintwork as Charlotte greeted her.

‘Cora, I am so pleased you are here.’ She took Cora’s hand in hers and gazed into her eyes with such intentness that Cora flushed. ‘Don’t look so anxious, I promise you, it will be amusing, not like Conyers at all. Louvain is here, and Stebbings the poet, you know, and he’s brought some men who are publishing a new magazine.’

Cora followed her hostess into the room. She could see at once that Charlotte was right, this was a very different kind of party. There were no diamonds here, even dirty ones. The lighting was quite dim, there was no chandelier, only wall lights with coloured glass shades that bathed the interior in a curious yellow light, as if the whole room were set in aspic. The men seemed paler than normal and several of them, Cora noticed, had hair that touched their shoulders. Charlotte was as smartly dressed as ever in mauve chiffon with black lace but Cora noticed that some of the other women were wearing oddly limp garments that bore no relation to any fashion that she was familiar with. She was amazed to see that some of the women were smoking in public.

Charlotte led her over to two men who were looking at a periodical with a yellow and black cover. She heard one of the men say, ‘They wouldn’t have him, you know. He wanted to contribute but Aubrey said no.’

‘Not serious enough, I suppose. Poor Oscar.’

Charlotte clapped her hands. ‘Gentlemen, may I present you to my new Duchess. Mr Louvain and Mr Stebbings.

Cora held out her hand and smiled brightly. ‘Why, I am delighted to meet you both. I never saw your picture of Mamie Rhinebacker, Mr Louvain, but I heard of nothing else in New York last year. And Mr Stebbings, you mustn’t be cross that I haven’t read your work yet, but I’m new to this country.’

Charlotte laughed. ‘Goodness, no one here has read Stebbings’ book, although we all fully intend to.

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