Chapter 13
“Here are three of them. We narrowed the candidates down to those offering the highest financial settlement without any dowry,” Mildred said, her voice continuing. “I don’t like this one. The man is far too old, and he has three sons older than Mabel. Even if he’s rich, what kind of reputation will we have if we present him as this year’s debutante’s husband? It would look exactly like we were selling Mabel off for money.”
“Then discard this one.” The sound of paper rustling filled the air. “Between these two, hmm….”
“Looking at just these two, this one is better… but there are rumors swirling about his complicated relationships with women.”
Walter clicked his tongue and scolded her. “How many gentlemen like that are there? What does a woman’s little problem have to do with a marriage? Even if he claims to have several women, as long as he doesn’t leave property to his illegitimate children, there’s nothing to worry about.”
“…There are other rumors just as ugly.”
Mildred’s weak protest was waved aside by Walter. “Nonsense! Those are all just idle gossip.”
Hearing it, Mabel let out a despairing sigh and closed her eyes. A man with a woman and ugly rumors attached to him.
Walter cleared his throat. “Hmph, it’s not because of the settlement amount, but this is a match that won’t tarnish our family’s honor. If anything, it’s a good thing. It’s practically a bonus.”
“True. After all, he’s a French nobleman. Once Mabel learns that she’s to become a baroness, she won’t try to throw a tantrum about not sending her to university anymore.”
“That’s right. She’ll be lucky to live out her life grateful to us, hmph.”
Mabel froze. ‘…A baron?’
According to what she knew, there was only one unmarried French nobleman in New York society. With his complicated relationships and ugly rumors….
The strength drained from her legs. Mabel slid down the wall and collapsed onto the floor, murmuring, “This can’t be…”
The rumor that Baron Carlyle de Rocheret had proposed marriage to “this year’s debutante” sent New York society into chaos. The shock ran even deeper because the two parties had no apparent connection whatsoever.
Word had also spread that Lavinia was devastated by the news.
‘Why?’
Mabel asked herself the question over and over, sometimes several times a day.
At parties, the men orbiting her had never been shy about expressing admiration. They showered her with compliments and went to great lengths to catch her eye.
After repeated experiences, Mabel learned to distinguish the gazes of men who truly felt something for her from those who merely offered polite interest.
Carlyle’s had been nothing but the latter—cool, disinterested, even cold. She had never once seen the slightest spark of genuine interest.
After much thought, Mabel concluded that he must be searching for someone to silence the negative whispers circulating about her in society. If that was his purpose, she could understand why he had proposed to the debutante.
Everything surrounding her had left her miserable.
It was like the hunting season, releasing just one deer onto the grounds and holding a competition. Any affection shown for the trophy was secondary at best.
When Carlyle entered the competition, he had shot the deer and claimed the trophy. How he intended to dispose of it was entirely up to his mercy.
The way Hamilton captain looked at Arabella might never be matched in a lifetime.
Burdened by shame, enduring his tangled affairs with women, she would surely wither away in indifference.
Mabel buried her face in her hands and cried quietly.
Mildred had stopped taking Mabel to society events. It was a signal that things were already moving in the shadows, beyond her notice.
Mildred simply repeated that she must maintain a proper demeanor and wait.
“The remaining inheritance will include your trousseau, so you need not worry.”
With that careless remark, even her last glimmer of hope shattered. The inheritance meant to protect her had vanished.
The only choice left for Mabel was to marry a man whose woman troubles were as tangled as his rumors.
By the Grace of the Crown
Mabel Darlington is hereby bestowed the title of Baroness de Rocheret
Upon learning that she is to become a baroness, Mabel will no longer demand that she be sent to university.
— Walter Darlington —
One October afternoon in early fall, when the yellow and red leaves swirled over Fifth Avenue from the stone wall of Central Park.
Mildred knocked on Mabel’s bedroom door.
“We have invited Baron de Rocheret to Friday’s dinner. Before the evening meal, we will step out so the two of you may speak privately. Do you understand what I mean?”
“……”
“Why no answer?”
“Yes, Aunt Mildred.”
Finally, the day had come.
Inviting a single unmarried man to dinner from a house with unmarried daughters was as precisely choreographed as any dance.
She was even being given time alone without chaperones. There was no other interpretation.
The remaining time was only four days.
If she failed to think of a way by then, she would be dragged to the wedding altar like this. But every solution that came to mind was extreme.
Pack up and run to another city, or choose the man who sent the most letters and elope with him.
Just then, a knock sounded at Mabel’s door.
“Miss Mabel?”
“Come in, Helen.”
Helen peeked her head through the door.
“A telephone call for you.”
“For me? Who was it?”
“Miss Piper.”
The moment Mabel heard the name she had never expected, her face brightened.
“Who is Miss Piper? I’ve never heard of her.”
Mildred asked with suspicious eyes.
“…A friend from Barnard College.”
“From which family?”
“I heard her father is a doctor at Mount Sinai Hospital.”
Mabel studied Mildred’s expression.
Mount Sinai Hospital was the institution funded by New York’s Jewish financiers, most of its doctors Jewish as well. They were tolerated in society only because of their wealth.
Mildred pressed sharply. “Really? Where is her home?”
“…Riverside Drive.”
Riverside Drive was the wealthy enclave on the Upper East Side where the nouveau riche gathered.
Mildred gave a knowing smirk. “Of course.”
Instantly, something surged inside Mabel, but she pressed her lips tight. She could not afford to be rude and risk losing the chance to take the call.
Mildred gestured reluctantly. “Go answer it.”
“Yes, Aunt Mildred.”
Mabel slipped out of the room and hurried down the corridor.
At the end of the hall, on a small console table, sat a candlestick telephone. She lifted the long receiver to her lips and pressed the cup-shaped handset tightly to her ear.
“Hello?”
- Holy smoke! Mabel, you’re alive! How long has it been since I last heard that voice? I’m so glad to hear it.
Over the crackling line, Louise’s lively voice came through.
Mabel smiled softly. “Louise, I’m happy to hear from you too! How have you been? What made you call?”
- I’m at the Plaza Hotel tearoom right now. Remember when you said your house was close? I came to check, and it was my lucky day.
“That’s good… Thank you for calling. I’ve been wanting to see you.”
- Then come out for a while? Let’s walk in Central Park.
“Um… Could you hold on a moment? I have to ask Aunt Mildred…”
- What? Even walking in front of the house needs permission?
Mabel smiled bitterly. “Yes, I’m sorry.”
- There’s nothing to apologize for. Life as a debutante isn’t easy. All right, get her permission and come quickly.
“Just a moment.”
Mabel turned around and hesitated.
Mildred was still standing in the corridor instead of returning to the room. She seemed curious about the call with the nouveau riche friend.
“Aunt Mildred, a friend is at the Plaza Hotel tearoom. May we walk together in Central Park?”
“…Right now?”
Mabel reassured her at once. “Yes, we won’t go far. We’ll follow the path to the menagerie, then turn back in front of the arsenal.”
The menagerie and arsenal buildings in Central Park stood directly across from the Darlington residence.
Mildred pursed her lips in thought and signaled Helen.
“Helen, take Mabel to the Plaza Hotel.”
Mildred checked the grandfather clock beside the stairs and reminded Mabel. “It’s getting dark after five now. Send Helen to the steps in front of the arsenal at 4:50, and come back with her.”
“Yes, Aunt Mildred! Thank you for letting me go.”
After telling Louise the good news, Mabel hurried out of the Darlington townhouse, unable to wait any longer.