Mother was right. Georgina’s lifewouldbe easier if she were more like Lilian.
But Masterson ultimately led me to Leo,her heart whispered.And gave me Daniel.
Ben reappeared at her side with two glasses of champagne.
“Here you are, George.” Ben handed one of the glasses filled with sparkling liquid to her. “Try not to be alarmed, but it appears Woodstock, despite your lack of encouragement and evident disregard for him, is making his way over to you.
“Oh, dear.”
“It’s a shame.” Georgina felt Ben’s fingers at the back of her head, tugging at her hair. “You’ve lost one of your clever little combs. Or maybe two.” He stooped down, handing them to her with an innocent look.
“Oh, goodness.” Georgina took a mouthful of champagne. “I should take care of this immediately.”
“You are the most difficult girl,” her mother intoned with resignation. “I am only trying to ensure your future happiness. So your father,” she said under her breath, “does not.”
Georgina hurried away from Ben and her mother, heading in the opposite direction from that of the approaching Mr. Woodstock. The layout of Mother’s opera house was simple once you got past the grand staircase. The less expensive seats were situated down this hall next to the area where less wealthy guests would enjoy their refreshments during intermission. Upstairs were the luxurious boxes and seats for the more socially affluent. Mother had built this opera house for them, not the masses who would crowd below to enjoy a play or musicale.
Staff bustled about, trays laden with glasses of champagne. The party must be costing her father a fortune. A small price to keep Mother happy while he spent his time in Baltimore. Georgina neatly sidestepped a tray on her way across the marble floor, her heels clicking as she hurried along.
The work of numerous architects and designers, the Rutherford opera house was elegant, richly decorated, and slightly chilly, exactly like the woman who’d championed it.
The Rutherford.
Georgina shook her head as she passed a portrait of her mother hanging on the wall. The building was more statement than structure. Cordelia Rutherford would not be ignored or pushed aside because she’d marriednewmoney. While many of her contemporaries were determined to be pedigreed but less affluent, Cordelia was not. So what if her father-in-law had been a barely literate barge owner.Shewas descended from one of the finest Dutch families in New York. How dare anyone turn their nose up at her?
The Rutherford was Mother’s revenge, so to speak.
Georgina looked up at the enormous marble staircase as she passed, wondering how on earth any of the ladies, after a glass or two of champagne, would keep from tripping on their skirts as they made their way up to the luxurious boxes above. There would be a performance tonight, of Rossini’sLa gazza ladra, an opera Georgina had never heard of.
Very well. I’m not overly familiar with opera.
Lilian liked the opera. She even spoke some Italian.
The guests below would, after more champagne and some dancing, make their way up the stairs to their seats. The boxes were horribly expensive and available for purchase on an annual basis only. No more passing of boxes down thru generations. Not at The Rutherford. Another snub from Cordelia. No more coveting the best seats for only the oldest families in perpetuity.
There was already a waiting list.
The small group of musicians, hidden behind a screen, struck up a tune. The dancing was about to begin and would continue for approximately an hour.
She slowed her steps. Georgina didn’t care if she danced or not. It was much more important to avoid Mr. Woodstock.
Georgina’s mind wandered from her mother’s machinations regarding Mr. Woodstock and back to the incident on the ferry. She probably should have sat below. Most women did. But the air was colder on the water, and she preferred the chill to the stuffiness of the seats below deck. She liked to watch the shore as it approached. The wind helped dry the tears she never failed to shed at leaving Daniel. Seeing her son always brought Leo to mind. Her heart would ache for a time but for a completely different reason.
Had she been pushed? Georgina had been so absorbed in her thoughts, she’d barely been paying attention to her surroundings. Harold surely wouldn’t come to America, and there wasn’t anyone else who wished to do her harm.
Stop, Georgina.
All her energy, every waking thought, had been directed toward hiding Daniel’s existence, getting her son to America, and then returning herself. She hadn’t given much thought to her future other than acknowledging she would have to remarry to claim her child.
The only other option was to leave New York forever. William would eventually balk at keeping her secret. Mother would one day see through Ben’s carefully crafted deception. Her parents might well cut all ties with her. And as problematic as their relationship often was, Georgina loved her family.
But she would never, under any circumstances, give Daniel up. Not again.
Her grandparents’ home still stood empty. The property was isolated. She could settle there and raise Daniel alone in Garrison. Present herself as a young widow, which she was, and not use the Rutherford name.
Georgina hurried past the darkened alcove beneath the base of the stairs used for storage and, for tonight’s event, covered with a gold drape. A perfect spot for an assignation. She was surprised she didn’t hear a young lady’s giggle from behind the velvet.
I was once such a reckless young lady.
