The Reluctant Debutante (17 page)

Ginger lay back in the tub while Colleen poured in the hot water. When the water was toasty again, she became drowsy. As Colleen washed her hair, Ginger asked, “I can’t believe I don’t know this about you, but have you ever been in love?”

Colleen smiled. “Yes, miss. I was married for a while, to a wonderful man.”

“What happened?”

“He was a woodsman. He and a crew of men were working in the woods one fine day when one of the trees they cut didn’t fall properly. My husband was crushed to death.”

Ginger gasped. “Oh, I’m so sorry.”

“Ah, but that wasn’t the worst of it, miss, on what was the blackest day of my life. When the men came out of the woods with his body, I went into shock at seeing my man dead. I was pregnant with our first child, and I lost the baby. So, in one day, I went from being a wife and soon-to-be mother to being alone in this world and having to fend for myself.”

Ginger took hold of Colleen’s coarse hand, and looked up at her. “Oh, how heart-breaking. I never knew. You must be so sad.”

“Well, I figured life out after losing my man. You, and only you, are responsible for your own happiness, and no one else can tell you what’s right, or how you should be feeling. I came to work for your family soon after my tragedy, and I’ve been quite happy. I have a sense of belonging with both your family and with the other servants in the household. And, I even have taken a shine to a new man — the iceman who comes around several times a week to the house in the city. He’s quite a handsome lad, and so strong and muscled. Who would have thought a man who makes his living delivering blocks of ice would turn my head?”

“You give good advice about making your own happiness. I need to heed it.”

Ginger sunk into the water completely, rinsing the soap from her hair one final time. Colleen stood with a towel at the ready for her.

“What would you do if the iceman whom you fancy told you he fancies you back, and then is forced to leave the area? Would you follow him?”

“Lordy, my wee lass. What a question! Would I leave my good job and blindly follow after a man without him asking me to come? No, I think not.”

“But what if you truly loved him with all your heart?”

Colleen smiled. “So, it’s true love then, is it, miss? With the Frenchman?”

Ginger nodded slowly.

“Well, Miss Ginger. I am a firm believer in true love finding a way. Be patient.”

“Thank you, Colleen. You’ve made the most sense of anyone I’ve talked to since I came out of the woods. After you comb out my hair, I think I’ll try to sleep for a while.”

“All right, miss, as you wish.”

Ginger changed into an afternoon dress of purple taffeta, with ribbon woven into the fabric to form a plaid design. The bell skirt and wide pagoda sleeves set off her figure, as did the waist-cinching corselet, but she only sighed deeply at her image. There was no one downstairs whom she hoped to impress. She tugged on boudoir slippers made from purple velvet, and tears clogged her eyes again. She leaned toward the mirror and spoke softly to her reflection.

“You have to stop this. Many women never find their one true love, and you have been fortunate enough to do so. The fact you can’t have him is beside the point. You have known what it feels like to be cherished and protected. For the sake of the family’s reputation, and to save Papa’s business, your one night will have to suffice for the remainder of your life.”

She straightened up as she heard a quiet knock on the door. She called out, “Enter,” and Elizabeth bounded into the room. She grabbed Ginger in a huge hug before she threw herself into a chair and burst into tears.

“I am so sorry Cedric and I let you go ahead on your own. I was frantic last night, with worry. I was sick, thinking that my selfishness at wanting to be alone with him caused this!” Elizabeth placed a hand over her heart, for effect. “Tell me everything!”

“There’s truly not much to tell. I got knocked off my horse and trapped under a tree branch. Joseph dug me out from under it, found a cabin in the middle of the woods where I could recover overnight, and took off for St. Louis. This morning, when I woke up, my clothes were relatively dry, so I put them on and was walking home when Basil found me.”

“So you and Joseph weren’t alone in the cabin all night? What a pity. It could have been your golden opportunity. I had so hoped he would be the one to find you and the two of you would be forced to spend the night together. Who knows what might have happened? I think he’s so handsome. And quiet. And big. And mysterious.” She smiled at Ginger. “Of course, he can’t compare to my Cedric, but you must admit, he is still very good-looking.”

Ginger smiled back. “So, he’s ‘my Cedric,’ now, is he?” She pried a bit, hoping she could steer the conversation away from herself and Joseph.

Elizabeth sighed dramatically and smiled wickedly. “Oh, Ginger. He’s just the most magnificent man. When you left us, we went into the woods by ourselves and he introduced me to all the pleasures of a man and a woman!”

“
All
the pleasures?”

“I’m quite certain we covered every single one of them. My clever Cedric had packed a blanket and some food into his saddlebag. We found a lovely little gazebo in a clearing in the woods and he laid the blanket out. Then, he reached up and took me from my mount. His hands slid down my body as he put me on the ground, and I simply melted in a pool of desire!”

“So all he did was run his hands down your body?” Ginger mentally compared it to what she and Joseph had been doing.

“Oh, no, he didn’t stop there. But his mere touch was all it took for me to become a raving, moaning woman who wanted to have him touch me all over!”

“And he did?” Ginger’s voice dropped to a whisper.

“Ever since the night at Niblo’s, when Joseph pulled him off me — much to my dismay — I’ve longed for Cedric to touch me again. But we were never able to be alone very much. So, when he touched my breasts again yesterday, I was ready for more. I wanted to know what lovemaking was all about.”

“So you and he — ?”

“Yes, yes, yes. That’s what I’ve been dying to tell you. I was so excited at just the thought of being alone with him, without my mother prying us apart. I forgot all about the food he had brought, until much, much later. Oh, Ginger, it was just the most wonderful way to be introduced to lovemaking.” Elizabeth sighed at the memory.

“And now we must get married because I’ve so willingly let him have his way with me. We are going to elope to Illinois tomorrow, after we return to New York. We’ll take the train and head for Galena and the DeSoto House.”

Ginger stared at Elizabeth in amazement. “Elope? Whatever are you talking about?”

“Well, Father has already told me he would never approve of Cedric, as he has no money of his own. But, I truly do love him, Ginger! What else can we do except elope, now that he’s claimed my virginity?”

“But I’m sure if you explained the situation to your father, he would recant in his disapproval. And why Galena? Isn’t that where Agnes St. John went when she decided to marry her poet? Will you be creating a new scandal then?”

“It’s the very same hotel. Agnes, bless her heart, was my inspiration. The DeSoto House is supposed to be gorgeous, and it’s brand new. And, they specialize in helping eloping couples. Oh, Lord, yes, I long to be shocking, don’t you?”

If you only knew how very close I’ve come
. Ginger bit her lip, trying to hold back her tears
.

“But, I’ve always wanted to be in your wedding, Elizabeth, and for you to be in mine. You remember, we planned our special days way back when we were children. You were going to marry Basil so we could truly be sisters, and I was going to be your maid of honor. Whatever happened to those plans? What of Basil? I don’t want you to elope!”

Ginger could hold back her tears no longer as she grasped their childhood plans were being dashed. She ran to her friend’s side and clasped her hands.

“But think how delicious it would be though, to steal away in the dead of night and board a train to a new, unknown place. Not to mention romantic. Maybe we can get a sleeper car on the train and have our honeymoon happen before the wedding. Mmm.” Elizabeth closed her eyes.

“But why not Basil? What happened to your undying devotion to him?”

Ginger knew she should be deliriously happy for her friend, but tears streamed down her face as she realized their relationship would never be the same after tomorrow. She tried to reason with Elizabeth.

“You told me, just last year when he left for St. Louis, you would love no other. Of all people, Basil would understand if you came to him after being with Cedric. Lord knows he’s dallied all summer with his French actress.”

Elizabeth merely rolled her eyes at the suggestion.

Ginger pummeled the pillows on her bed. “But if you and Cedric marry, I’ll never be able to see you. You’ll move to England, and we will no longer be neighbors,” she wailed as she gathered Elizabeth into her arms again. “Oh, I hate the Cotillion and all it stands for! I can’t wait for this dreadful season to come to a close.”

“There, there, Ginger. We can still be friends. We’ll always be friends. But I can’t marry Basil. He has shown not one speck of interest in me since his return. I spent most of my time talking to Joseph when the two of them were near me.”

Elizabeth patted her friend’s hand before she continued, speculatively. “Basil seemed off in his own little world this summer, trailing after his flamboyant French actress with his tongue hanging out. Who, if we can believe anything we hear about her, has many men other than Basil at her beck and call. It’s a wonder the woman has any time to perform. On the stage, I mean.” Elizabeth giggled. “So, it is Cedric, not Basil, to whom I have given my heart, and we will elope to Illinois and spare Father from going back on his word. And, if my actions create a scandal, so be it. Are you not tempted to do something outrageous and delicious, too, before the season ends?”

“No, I think I’ll leave any devilment up to you, my friend. I’m going to content myself with working with Papa and Halwyn for the rest of my days.”

Elizabeth looked at Ginger with speculation. “I’ve never known you to be a bore. If you had been, I would not have been a friend to you since forever. But the life you’ve just described for yourself is tedious beyond reason. Surely there’s another option for you. Are you certain you can’t tolerate one of your suitors? What about Richard Douglas? He seemed so attentive early on. And it would be such fun if the two of us married the two Brits. We could tour England together!”

Elizabeth flopped on the bed beside Ginger and rolled onto her stomach. She crossed her ankles as she raised them off the bed.

“Richard is only interested in Papa’s money, not in me. In fact, he told me this weekend even though Papa’s money is what he needed, he did lust after my body, and so it would be no hardship to be married to me! What kind of backwards compliment was he giving me? Does he think a woman longs to hear such idiotic remarks?”

The two girls giggled at Richard’s awkward behavior.

“Okay, then, what about William? True, he lost the horserace in a most dramatic fashion, but nonetheless, he is a cavalry officer in the Army, and a really good catch.”

“William is a senseless fool. Because of his need to be the best, he placed his horse in peril. The outcome of the race and the fact he wants to protest the result only prove what an immature man he is. I could never tolerate being married to someone like him.”

“So you will finish the season with no husband? What a pity. Will you try again next year?”

“No, next year, it’s Jasmine and Heather’s turn. I have no wish to go through this agony again. I’ll just pray I get through the remainder of July and August without too many social obligations. Then, I’ll rejoin Papa at the bank, and be content.”

“Oh, Ginger. If you only knew what I now know about men, you’d think differently. Nothing can compare to making love to the man of your dreams. To feel him deep inside of you, and pounding his body up against yours.” She sighed dramatically once again. “I get damp just thinking about Cedric!” Elizabeth giggled softly and gave Ginger another wicked look.

“I’m happy for you, Elizabeth, truly I am. But it’s not meant to be the life for me. My work at the bank, and with Amelia Bloomer, will suffice. Will you need my help in managing your getaway with Cedric tomorrow?”

“As a matter of fact, I will. It’s why I came up here.”

Laughing delightedly, as they had done since they were children, they began to plan Elizabeth’s escape into marriage and scandal. Ginger put her thoughts about Joseph away for the time being, and launched wholeheartedly into creating a magical memory for her friend.

Following a light supper in her room, Ginger helped Elizabeth plan the details of the elopement. Then, before retiring for the night, she decided to find her father. As she expected, he was in the yard, walking on the once finely manicured lawn, which was now in serious need of repair after all the horses’ hooves had chewed the ground. She joined him and locked her arm in his.

“I do miss having a yard to tend,” he said, with a trace of longing in his voice.

“Well, this one looks like it could use your touch,” Ginger said, ruefully. “I do so enjoy spending time at Grandmother’s home in the country, where you grew up. She has the most beautiful rose gardens. But I also love being in New York City, with its hustle and bustle. Did you and Mother get to look at houses this weekend? Perhaps if you find a home here in the Hamptons, you can have your own gardens to tend.”

“We saw a few the day after we got here, but nothing we liked. We’ll come out again for a weekend before summer ends.” He patted his daughter’s hand. “But tell me how you are feeling. You look a lot better than when you first came in with Basil. Are you recovered?”

As she gazed at her father, tears filled her eyes again. He moved his arm to her shoulder, and embraced her.

“I know it was a frightful experience for you, and I was worried sick — as were we all — praying nothing was seriously wrong. Do you wish to talk about your experience? I’ve found talking about things often helps.”