by Robyn Carr
“Have you ever been in another hotel?” Amanda asked.
“I have now,” she said proudly. “Fletcher arranged for us to tour some of the hotels in Philadelphia, and we studied a blueprint of the Astor. Grandmother, do you read the columns in the newspaper about all the things people are doing? Where they travel, what parties are given, all that society hogwash? Have you noticed what they’re up to? They hardly stay home. They go to New York for the winter season, to Paris in the spring, to Newport in the summer. Some of them have discovered it isn’t prudent to keep houses at each place. They stay in hotels, Grandmother, but only if they’re grand enough for all their social affairs and fancy diversions. The chief reason we are the only residents of the Grafton Hotel who can afford to give parties and dances is because there is only this one, single suite of rooms. Mr. Grafton thinks it a waste of money to convert it because there doesn’t seem to be much of a demand for its use. And the reason there isn’t much demand is because many of the better families like to be among their friends. At the same time they go to New York, where there are many fancy suites and stay at the Astor together. They are all in Paris or the South of France at the same time. And when Patricia and Dale go to Saratoga, they will stay at an inn that will specialize in serving people with a lot of money.”
She paused and took a deep breath. She looked around. Bertie waited. Patricia was not listening. Emily’s eyes had grown wider in anticipation. Amanda’s narrowed shrewdly, with interest. Fletcher had a half-smile playing on his lips and gave a slight nod of approval.
“Grandmother, there is not a single fancy hotel in Philadelphia. There are only two hotels with ballrooms, and neither of them has many suites. The hotel dining rooms are not as fine as the restaurants, but they could be.”
Amanda lifted her coffee cup to her lips. “You suggest?”
“Let’s buy it.”
Patricia looked up in amazement. “Lilly, have you gone mad? What would you want with a--”
“Patricia, if you say a single word to Dale Montaine about this, I will make it my sole purpose in life to ruin your reputation, do you hear? I mean it!” She turned back to her grandmother. “Let’s buy it and run a hotel. Mama would love to have her business back--there isn’t anyone more efficient. You would have a fine investment for your money, you’re known as the grandest hostess in the world, and I would have something to do. We can all learn a great deal on this hotel, making it profitable…and--”
“Lilly,” Emily argued, “a hotel with so many rooms, such a big kitchen, it’s hardly a boardinghouse!”
“Oh, Mama, it’s not really much more than a boardinghouse. You would just need a few more people, that’s all. You can point, direct, order food, inspect the cleaning, greet the guests. Mama, it would be perfect for you. You can hire Sophia to help you…What are you going to do with yourself after this silly wedding is over?”
“Silly wedding! Lilly, how dare you speak of my--”
“Oh, Patricia, shut up. For heaven’s sake, are we supposed to gather around and watch people stick pins in your sides for the rest of our lives? You’ll get married, move into your big fancy house, and be on your own. Have all the stupid parties you want, but I need a little something--”
“Mama! Are you going to let Lilly talk to me like that? After all I’ve been--”
“Patricia,” Amanda sternly warned, “I think this hotel could not set me back as much as your wedding and all its accompanying frivolity. Now hush. I want to hear what Lilly has on her mind.”
“Mama! Lilly, you are so selfish!”
“Said the pot to the kettle! Grandmother, we can learn on this hotel and then…if it goes very well, as it should, we can build one! A huge, grand, wonderful hotel with hundreds of rooms and lots of diversions!”
“Build one? Good Lord, you’ve carried this whole idea a bit far, haven’t you? I don’t know that I’m quite that eager to lose all my money.”
“I wouldn’t even suggest it if it were not sound. Fletcher and I have spent weeks studying this. We’ve looked at the costs of improving this one. We’ve ridden around the countryside looking for attractive sights. Fairmount Park is ready for a large hotel. We have a plan to draw people from all over the world by, inviting a few prestigious families to be guests for their first visit. We’ll impress the devil out of them! Sorry, Mama. Dickens.” Fletcher smothered a laugh. Amanda could not resist a smile. “We’ll spend the next year working on this building, do a bit of rehiring--some of the waiters and maids are lazy and often absent--and when we get this hotel on its feet, we’ll begin the foundation for the newer, larger one. We could be set to open in the spring of eighty-one! Maybe sooner!”
“She’s mad,” Patricia grumbled. “May I be excused?”
“If you breathe one word--”
“Why would I discuss this idiocy with anyone? You’re out of your mind.”
“Go ahead, Patricia,” Emily said. “You’re excused.” She looked at Lilly. “Lilly, I think you might be thinking a bit too extravagantly. I certainly don’t feel qualified to run a hotel. Or even help.”
“Don’t worry, Mama. I do.”
Amanda lifted a brow and peered at Fletcher. He took that as a question. “I was as stunned as you, madam. And no less skeptical. But, after a closer look, I see Lilly is onto something here. I can spend some time reviewing the plans and figures with you--but frankly, there seems a reliable solution to every possible problem. And she’s right about one thing for certain. Grafton has managed very badly. His heart just isn’t in it.”
“Grandmother, Wilson Montaine would not be interested in this hotel if it couldn’t be profitable! Will you consider it?”
“I’ll look at Fletcher’s numbers, Lilly, but I’m not promising any--”
Lilly shrieked and bounded from her chair, running around the table to embrace her grandmother. “Oh thank you! You’ll see! It’s perfect for us!”
“I said I wasn’t promising,” Amanda persisted.
“But you’ll see! Oh thank you, Fletcher,” she said, turning to him and throwing her arms around his neck. Fletcher, so proper and businesslike, was thrown off balance by Lilly’s enthusiasm, and it caused him to blush and laugh uncomfortably. “I told you we’d make a good team, Fletcher.”
“So you did, Lilly.” He looked almost apologetically at Amanda, shrugging. “She’s had the time of her life, madam. And so have I.”
“Happy birthday, Lilly,” Amanda said, peering at her closely. She had never brought up the subject of Lilly’s gaze toward Andrew Devon and his chilly bride. “Tell me, darling. Was this your first choice?”
Lilly smiled. “It is now, Grandmother.”
Chapter Thirteen
Patricia wore white satin complete with a fourteen-foot train designed especially for her by Madame Therese Boulliazau. She covered her head with a white veil that canopied her shoulders and reached her bent elbows. She carried an elaborate bouquet of silvery pink Jacqueminot roses. Orchids and white satin ribbons decorated the church. Dale Montaine arrived at the altar in a white formal suit with tails. A small string group played the music to which she walked down the aisle on the arm of Fletcher Drake. At the altar rail stood Lilly, resplendent in blue satin. Behind Dale stood Andrew Devon. In the pews sat sixty special guests. Three hundred had been invited to the dinner and party to follow the early afternoon ceremony.
Patricia, serious and calm, quietly spoke her vows. Dale repeated his in a firm and resonant voice. It was a polite ceremony carefully planned and executed by Amanda. Emily wept as her daughter became Mrs. Dale Montaine. Lilly and Andrew tried not to look at each other.
A string of open carriages decorated with ribbons and flowers carried the wedding party and guests to the Montaine mansion where a large party awaited them. At four o’clock on a bright May afternoon an elaborate buffet was opened in the garden. Patricia and Dale and their families occupied a long, linen-covered table and presided over the many guests. Their gifts were on display on long ta
bles in the foyer and considerable champagne was drunk. When the plates and tables that held roast beef, squab, curried ham, and a wide variety of complementary dishes were cleared away, the orchestra set up to play for dancing in the Montaine ballroom.
Dale and Patricia led the dance, and after a few moments and brief applause, other couples joined them. Lilly waited through four very long waltzes before Andrew approached her, bowed, and led her to the dance floor. His eyes twinkled in amusement, and she carefully held her lips still to keep from smiling.
“Have you been busy, Lilly?” he asked.
“My yes, Andrew. Busy as a bee.”
“Have you done quite a lot of reading lately?”
“Certainly. And other things.”
“Other things…like buying hotels?”
She grinned, pleased with herself.
“You believe you got the best of me, don’t you?”
“Indeed I did, Mr. Devon. You’ll be more careful with your business secrets from now on, won’t you?”
“You naughty girl. Mr. Montaine is very unhappy with me. And, I suspect, you.”
“Naughty, clever, and quicker than you, Andrew Devon! And soon…busier than even you!” She squeezed his hand while they danced. “Tell the truth--you envy me!”
“Yes,” he said, his voice husky. “And I’m proud of you. Do you think you can make it go?”
“I know I can. You know I can! I know perfectly well that Wilson Montaine would not look at that hotel twice if he didn’t think--”
“What makes you think he wants to own a hotel, Lilly?”
Her eyes widened and her mouth stood open despite the fact that Andrew whirled her effortlessly around the room.
“How do you know he didn’t plan to gut the building and put a factory or bookbinder or clothing manufacturer in there? You see, you haven’t done all the studying necessary.”
“Tell me,” she demanded seriously. “What did he plan?”
Andrew smiled slyly. “Wilson doesn’t plan. He never tells what he’s going to do--only what he’s done. He remains ready, at all times, to make whatever change necessary to make a profit. Don’t worry. That hotel can work,” he said. “But you see, you must look further than your nose, Lilly. If you’re going to succeed in business, you have to think like those who have been successful before you-- look at what they did and how they did it.”
“You beast,” she accused, then laughed in delight. “You frightened me half to death! I wish we could have talked about it. You would have had all kinds of advice for me, advice I needed. But I can’t confide my business in you--you would race ahead of me and win the game!” She laughed. “I did it, Andrew. I actually did it! I had some help from Fletcher and Grandmother, but I have a business!”
“You haven’t done it yet, darling. Be careful, go slowly. And if you want my help, you have it. No one wants to see you succeed in this more than I. Especially if it makes you happy.”
“That’s a lovely sentiment, but I can’t accept help from you. It would not only put you in a bad position with Mr. Montaine. I mean to do this on my own--though with Fletcher and Grandmother, of course. I hope to be a veritable viper in business, terrifying to every other investor and predator.”
“I have a hard time picturing you taking advantage of people.”
“Unlike Mr. Montaine, I don’t mean to be purposely unfair. Mr. Grafton is far happier with my offer than he was with yours. But when it comes to the types who would quickly disable me in any way possible to get the best of me, don’t look for charity. With those types... you and your sponsor, the illustrious Philadelphia Landlord, you will find me a formidable opponent.”
“I think I’m starting to believe you.”
“As well you should! Oh, Andrew, I don’t know when I’ve had a better time! Tell me you admire me!”
“You know how much I admire you. Don’t fish for compliments. And Lilly, do yourself a favor. Don’t discuss business within earshot of the new Mrs. Montaine. I already know about your plans for Fairmount Park.”
“What?” She nearly stopped moving her feet. Andrew almost stumbled and had to urge her into motion again.
“Don’t worry, Lilly. She mentioned some madness about a grand hotel in that area. Fortunately, only Dale and I were within hearing, and, given the fact Patricia is unimpressed with your plans and Dale is a dunderhead when it comes to business, you may consider it done for now.”
“You didn’t tell Mr. Montaine?”
“No. And I’ve decided not to.”
“Why?”
“To avoid a war, perhaps. With you. I’d rather not put any little traps in your way, and that would be one of my first assignments, I feel sure. And, I’ll share a secret with you, to make our terms equal--I’m getting out of his business. In two years I’ll be completely on my own.”
“And he doesn’t know?”
“Oh, I think he knows. It’s always been my agenda. Since Dale has failed so miserably to take over his own interests, Wilson can’t even bring himself to discuss the prospect of not having me at his beck and call.”
She lifted a brow. “Well, what do you think of the Fairmount Park idea?”
“I think,” he said, smiling, “it’s splendid. Genius. But now, before you become vain, let me tell you something. You’ll have to provide a lot of fancy activities to draw the kind of hotel guests you want. Riding, lawn tennis, croquet, bicycles were very popular at the Centennial fair. You’ll have to be sure to include fine dining, parties, and a fully trained staff--complete with women who can attend ladies and valets who can take care of gentlemen. If you’re going to be out that far, you’ll have to copy the Centennial committee’s decision to provide transportation--but yours must be more elegant than ferries and horsecars. To make people feel at home outside the city, you should consider coaches that will get them to the theater, the musicals, the homes of their fancy acquaintances…not to mention delivering them from their private railcars and yachts to your friendly abode.”
“Yes! Of course!”
“Plenty of pampering and fussing. The price matters far less than the luxury--that’s why Grafton’s wasn’t working. Grafton was always more interested in being among the privileged and not concerned enough with serving them. He considered himself above that. It cost him in the end.”
“Why are you doing this? If Mr. Montaine ever found out--”
“He won’t, Lilly. Unless you tell him. He has his fist around enough property in Philly. Even Dale won’t be able to run through all the Montaine money in his lifetime. And I assure you, that’s about all Dale is capable of.”
“Wouldn’t he be quite angry to know you’re giving me free advice? Especially since he had his eye on Grafton’s?”
“You know him a little now, Lilly. Do you think he could create the kind of establishment that you intend? After today, do you think he’ll be included in all the social activities of Philadelphia society? Do you think he’ll care?”
“No, he seems a little lost around all this hoity-toity nonsense, probably the sole quality for which I can admire him. But why will we succeed where he would fail?”
“One reason. Only one. Amanda, Lady Nesbitt…at the helm. She is the best and most well-known hostess in Philadelphia. She remains in the good graces of this group because she hasn’t dishonored herself by divorce or silly marriages. Mrs. Armstrong will be tolerated politely because of her mother, but I’m afraid she lost your access to the haut ton in her marriage. The new, young Mr. and Mrs. Montaine will be out. Poor Patricia. The truth will come slowly.”
“Oh please, what a bleak picture!”
“Chronique scandaleuse,” he said. “A dim view of society, but a true one. The aristocrat is born, Lilly, never made. Nothing can make Patricia a true aristocrat.”
“And you? Are you not seen as one of them? Isn’t Dale?”
Andrew chuckled. “Dale and I share two traits…and I hope only two. We are seen as young men with a lot of money and are occasional
ly tolerated because of that. Dale nearly won his entree with Dorthea Lancaster--the Lancaster fortune could use a little bolstering. Now he’s lost it completely. But then he’s always been a fool.”
“And the other trait?”
“We have no friends.”
“Oh, Andrew, surely you could have friends, if you chose.”
“I don’t think so. Those who have less suspect me. Those who have more fear me. And those of like fortunes and methods are wary, as well they should be.”
“I will never have friends then,” she said sadly.
“You have family, Lilly. And you will have a good business. Take my advice and use this society to finance your own fortune. Don’t pretend to be one of them. Let your grandmother keep her acquaintances--they will be careful with her. Let her bring you the rich and influential and give them your rooms. In time, God willing, you will establish the best hotel and be in much demand before she is gone. I want you to be a success.”
“Oh, Andrew, how I adore you!”
“Now, what have we decided? None of that! You are not allowed to adore me, and I am not at liberty to accept adoration.”
“But we can be friends, you see! We must!”
“Ah, Lilly! An occasional dance at a family gathering, a glance over the heads of other guests, perhaps a raised glass at the opening of your hotel. The rest of our friendship is too tarnished.”
She tilted her head and gazed at him. “Andrew Devon, you’re too young and too handsome to be such a horrible prude.”