Duke of a Gilded Age

by S. G. Rogers

  Wesley slipped the man a gold coin. “Just make sure my mother has whatever she needs.”

  “Yes, Your Grace. I’d be delighted.”

  Chapter Eight

  Pride & Pretense

  AFTER BELLE’S FATHER WAS SHOWN to his cabin on the saloon deck, a steward escorted Belle to her cabin on the upper deck. The corridors were crowded with excited passengers, young and old, trying to find their rooms. Belle’s cabin was located in the interior, which meant it had no view, and she would have to share the bathroom at the end of the hall. Nevertheless the cabin was private, considerably larger than the one she’d occupied on her last crossing, and nicely decorated in floral patterns that were soothing to the eye. There was also a small washbasin for her to use that cleverly folded away.

  “Whenever you’d like a bath, you’ll need to reserve a time with Mrs. Bartlett, the stewardess for this section,” said the steward. “Dinner is at six o’clock, on saloon deck. Promenade deck is where you’ll find the library and ladies’ drawing room. I do hope you enjoy the voyage.”

  Belle gave the man a small tip and he departed. After she checked to make sure her trunks were all there, and tested her bed to see if it was comfortable, there was little else to do but unpack. She opened her largest trunk and hung up her gowns in the closet. That task didn’t take long, so she decided she may as well join the throngs on deck. Although she didn’t know anybody, the festive atmosphere outside was better than the solitude of her cabin.

  When she emerged from her room, the sounds of a row reached her ears. Down the hall, a well-dressed American matron was arguing with the harried stewardess.

  “I’m telling you, Mrs. Bartlett, my daughter needs a deck cabin or suite with a private bath!”

  A pretty young girl was leaning against the wall nearby, with her arms folded across her chest. At the woman’s words, the girl sighed impatiently and trained her gaze on the ceiling. Belle suddenly recognized her from their brief meeting in the Fifth Avenue Hotel lobby. That’s Louise!

  “Madam, all the deck cabins and suites are occupied. I wish I could help, but my hands are tied,” Mrs. Bartlett said.

  “Oh, Mama, the room is perfectly fine,” Louise interjected. “If you’re so concerned I should have a private bath, I’ll be happy to switch with you. Otherwise, I’d like to go outside now!”

  “You’re not to go walking by yourself amongst the rabble, Louise! Wait until after the warning bell, when they leave.”

  Louise brightened at Belle’s approach.

  “Why, hullo! Isn’t this a wonderful coincidence?” Louise laced her arm through Belle’s. “Mama, this is my dear friend, Miss Oakwood! I may have mentioned how she and I met at the hotel? We’ll chaperone one another on deck.”

  Before her mother could object, Louise hustled Belle around the corner and up the stairs. “Golly, I hope you didn’t mind me using our acquaintance to get away, but my mother is like a dog with a bone sometimes,” she murmured. “She’ll argue with that stewardess until the ship is mid-ocean.”

  “I hope not,” Belle said. “But the name is Oakhurst.”

  “Oh, sorry. I’m awfully bad with names. You don’t have to stay with me if you don’t want to. I may be able to find my brother, Stephen.”

  “No, let’s stay together. It’s nice to have a friend.”

  Wesley’s feeling of loneliness that had begun earlier surged after the steward left. He sank into an upholstered chair, drained the rest of his champagne, and stared into the glass. It crossed his mind to seek out Belle, but he didn’t know her cabin number. Even if he did, she would probably consider a visit to her room to be improper. A tap on the door startled him from his reverie. He rose to answer it, but Cavendish got there first. Lady Frederic beckoned Wesley from the doorway.

  “Come outside, dear. There are people here to see you off.”

  “What?”

  Puzzled, Wesley emerged from his cabin. He was shocked to see Mrs. Zinna, Gino, Mrs. Lombardi, Mrs. Thackeray, Sergio, and even Officer Hannigan. Elated, Wesley shook hands and exchanged hugs with each of them.

  “How on Earth did you come to be here?” he asked finally.

  “What letters do you think I’ve been writing these past few days?” Lady Frederic said. “Some were to England, but the rest were to our Brooklyn friends.”

  “There are a lot of folks in the neighborhood who couldn’t come to see you off, but they sent their best wishes,” Mrs. Zinna said.

  Mrs. Lombardi took Wesley’s face in her hands. “We’re going to miss you and your mama,” she said. “You’re buono gente, eh?” She let go, giving his cheek a final slap.

  “Grazie, Mrs. Lombardi,” Wesley said. “You and Mr. Lombardi are good people too.”

  Officer Hannigan, who was wearing his street clothes, gave Wesley a playful cuff on the jaw. “Stay out of trouble lad, you hear?”

  “I’ll do my best, Officer. Thanks for all those occasions you could’ve arrested me but took me home instead.”

  The policeman waved away Wesley’s thanks. “Your father always had a kind word for me, Wesley. Maybe it was my way of returning the favor.”

  “When I realized I had a future duke living in my apartment building all this while, I could die!” Mrs. Thackeray said. “I’m so proud of you, Wesley.”

  Sergio pressed a Saint Christopher’s medal into his hand. “Per viaggiare in sicurezza,” he said. “For safe travel.”

  The medal was hung on a ribbon, to be worn around the neck. Wesley slipped it over his head and patted it as it rested on his chest. “Grazie, amico mio.”

  He suddenly found tears stinging the backs of his eyelids.

  “Thank you for coming, all of you,” he said. “It really means a lot to me.”

  Belle and Louise made their way to the promenade deck. Passengers and their guests crowded the walking track, situated underneath a series of girders supporting the large lifeboats. On the other side of a brass railing, next to the deck cabins, were lounge chairs reserved for the first class passengers.

  “My brother is here somewhere…or more likely in the bar having a drink,” Louise said. “He graduated from Harvard with honors, so Papa decided to send him on a European tour as a reward. At the last minute, Mama and I decided to go too. Poor Mama is miffed because some crusty old duke got the last two deck cabins. Even though we’re still in first class, Stephen and I had to go a bit lower.”

  Belle winced. “As it so happens, I’m traveling with a duke. The Duke of Mansbury is neither crusty nor old, but he and his mother may indeed have booked the last two deck cabins. I hope you won’t hold it against him for long.”

  “Is he young and handsome? My mother would like nothing better than for me to marry royalty.”

  “Well, I—”

  “Are you royalty? Oh, tell me that you are! With your manners and looks you absolutely must be royalty. Mama will love it that we’ve made friends.”

  Louise’s pretty face was almost childlike in its earnestness, and Belle found she wished to please her.

  “My grandfather on my mother’s side is a baronet as a matter of fact.”

  It was completely outlandish for Belle to pretend an intimate acquaintance with her grandfather, who was no more a baronet than he was a giraffe. In addition, baronets were only slightly above the knighthood in terms of rank, and considered commoners as compared to the peerage. Louise won’t know the difference. Americans are hopelessly ignorant about titles anyway, she reasoned. It’s a harmless deception, after all, only meant to last for the duration of the voyage. When we land in Liverpool, Louise and I will part company, and she’ll forget everything I’ve told her.

  “I knew it!” Louise exclaimed. “Should I address you as Lady or something like that?”

  “No, but I’m engaged to a knight. When I’m married, I’ll be Lady Blankenship. Presently, I’m just Miss Annabelle Oakhurst.”

  “You’re engaged, then? You must tell me all about him.”

  “Certainly, bu
t there’s plenty of time. Shall we find my friend, the duke?”

  “Oh yes, please!”

  Belle forged a path through the throngs. She finally found Wesley and Lady Frederic, but they were talking and laughing with a small crowd of people who had evidently come to see them off.

  “I think we should wait a bit to go over,” Belle said. “They’re visiting with friends at the moment.”

  Louise gave a little squeak when she spotted Wesley. “Is that the duke…the one in the top hat? My heavens, I’m smitten already!”

  A handsome young man came up behind Louise just then, wearing a blue blazer with brass buttons, a striped shirt with a bow tie, and a jaunty straw boater. Unlike the fashion of the day, he was clean-shaven. The lack of mustache and whiskers drew attention to his high cheekbones and rugged jaw.

  “Sister, you have that scheming look about you,” he said. “Should I be worried?”

  Louise wheeled around, curls flying. “Stephen! Did Mama send you to follow me?”

  “Somebody has to make sure you stay on the straight and narrow.” Stephen gave Belle a slow, lazy smile and a wink. “If I’m not around, I’m afraid the task will fall to you, Miss…”

  “Oakwood,” Louise supplied.

  “Oakhurst,” Belle said.

  “Yes, that’s right,” Louise said. “Annabelle, this is my brother Mr. Van Eyck. Stephen, this is my new friend, Miss Oakhurst.”

  “Delighted to make your acquaintance,” Stephen said with a little bow.

  Belle curtsied. “Thank you. Your sister and I met in the elevator of the Fifth Avenue Hotel the other day.”

  “Really? Between the two of us, Louise has always had the better luck.”

  Stephen’s straight blond hair shone in the sunshine like a halo, giving him the appearance of an angel. But the gleam in his eye was anything but seraphic. Heat rushed to Belle’s face.

  “Annabelle is engaged to a knight, Stephen,” Louise said.

  “Engaged?” Stephen’s mouth turned down in a charming pout. “My heart is broken.”

  “And her grandfather is a baronet,” Louise added, to Belle’s dismay.

  “How very royal,” Stephen said. “Have you been presented at court, Miss Oakhurst?”

  “Er…yes, my grandfather sponsored me this past season.” Oh, Belle, stop lying!

  The sudden noise of a clanging bell made her flinch. Stewards could be heard calling out, “All ashore who are going ashore!”

  “We’re about to shove off,” Stephen said. “This is rather exciting.”

  As Wesley’s guests filed past on their way off the ship, Belle caught Wesley’s eye and waved.

  “Louise, are you ready to meet my friend now?” she asked.

  “Yes, please. Stephen, you’re about to meet a duke, so behave.”

  “I will if he does,” Stephen said.

  Wesley hastened over with a broad smile. “Did you see that, Miss Oakhurst? My friends came all the way from Brooklyn to say good-bye. I didn’t think they would.”

  “That was very kind of them, Your Grace,” Belle said. She noticed the medal glinting around his neck. “Is that a Saint Christopher’s medal? I didn’t realize you were Catholic.”

  “I’m not, but I suppose a good luck medal can’t hurt, can it?”

  Belle giggled. “I suppose not. Allow me to introduce two new acquaintances of mine, Miss Louise Van Eyck and her brother Mr. Stephen Van Eyck. Miss Van Eyck and Mr. Van Eyck, I present the Duke of Mansbury.”

  Wesley bowed to Louise and stuck out his hand to Stephen. “Let’s not bother with my title, shall we? The name is Wesley Parker. I’m pleased to meet you both.”

  Stephen had a mild look of surprise on his face as he shook Wesley’s hand. “You’re American.”

  “Born and bred. The title is newly inherited and I’m not used to it. Miss Oakhurst has been very helpful in acclimating me.”

  Stephen turned his blue eyes in Belle’s direction. “Is that so? Since I’m to rub elbows with the Brits, perhaps you can advise me how best to fit in.”

  “I’d be delighted,” Belle said.

  Wesley’s smile slipped slightly as he peered at Stephen.

  “Say, would anyone like some champagne?” he asked, somewhat abruptly. “I’ve an open bottle in my sitting room that I can’t possibly finish by myself.”

  “I adore champagne,” Louise said.

  As they headed into Wesley’s deck cabin, Wesley maneuvered himself between Belle and Stephen.

  “Who do you like for the World’s Championship Series, Mr. Van Eyck?” he asked.

  “Call me Stephen. I’m from Philly, but I admit the Bridegrooms are the team to beat, no question.”

  Wesley and Stephen fell into an animated conversation about baseball and sports while Cavendish poured out champagne and handed around the glasses. Louise cleared her throat. “I propose a toast. To new friends,” she said.

  “To new friends,” Wesley, Belle, and Stephen echoed.

  The steward, Mr. Finnegan, appeared in the open doorway with a stack of papers in the crook of his arm. “Excuse me if I’m interrupting, but I have the passenger list.” Mr. Finnegan handed one to each person in the room, including Cavendish.

  “Hot off the press, it seems,” Louise said, reacting to the warmth of the paper.

  “Yes, we have our own print shop on board. The ship’s newspaper is called the City of New York Gazette. If you have any bits of news or gossip, please let your steward or stewardess know.” Mr. Finnegan headed for the door. “Oh, and we’re weighing anchor in fifteen minutes.”

  As the steward left, Stephen and Louise poured over the passenger lists with avid interest. Louise bit her lip. “I wish I knew who all these people are.”

  “That’s part of the fun, not knowing right off,” Belle said. “It’s like a treasure hunt.”

  “The deck chairs are marked with names, so that makes it easier,” Stephen said.

  “They’ve been marked? How perceptive of you to notice that, Stephen,” Louise said.

  Stephen’s deep masculine laugh filled the cabin. “Don’t act so astonished.”

  Mrs. Van Eyck peeked through the open doorway with a passenger list clutched in her hand. “Louise and Stephen, what are you two doing in here? I’ve been looking for you everywhere. Fortunately, I heard your voices just now.”

  Uninvited, the woman swept inside the sitting room. Wesley got to his feet, but she ignored him and rounded on Cavendish instead. “I must say, Duke, it was horribly rude of you to take two entire deck cabins and discommode my children.”

  Cavendish gave her a gracious smile as he bowed. “Madam, your charm is exceeded only by your beauty. We’re mortified if we’ve caused you any inconvenience whatsoever.”

  A blush crept over Mrs. Van Eyck’s cheekbones, and she seemed unable to speak.

  Louise giggled. “Mama, this is the Duke of Mansbury. Wesley, this is my mother, Mrs. Van Eyck.”

  Wesley bowed. “It’s an honor.”

  Mrs. Van Eyck stared at Wesley and then at Cavendish. “If he’s the Duke of Mansbury, then who are you?”

  “Bartholomew Xavier Cavendish, at your service.”

  “Oh,” Mrs. Van Eyck said, nonplussed. “Well…come along, children. We must wave good-bye to New York as we set sail.”

  Stephen and Louise stood and followed their mother from the cabin.

  “We’ll talk later,” Louise called over her shoulder.

  Belle and Wesley exchanged an amused glance with Cavendish.

  “You handled that well, Cavendish,” Wesley said.

  “Thank you, sir.”

  Belle rose from her chair. “Shall we also wave good-bye to New York?”

  “Yes, let’s,” Wesley replied. “It seems the sensible thing to do.”

  Chapter Nine

  Knocked Flat

  WESLEY AND BELLE JOINED LADY FREDERIC, Mr. Oakhurst, and their fellow passengers at the dockside railing as the City of New York weighed anchor and slipped
from its berth in the North River. Wesley and Lady Frederic waved at their friends and neighbors who were cheering from the pier. Although Belle and her father knew no one in the crowd, they waved too for the sheer pleasure of it. After the huge ocean liner sailed down the river, into Upper Bay and past Liberty Island, the passengers on deck began to disperse.

  Wesley crossed to the far side of the ship as it skirted Brooklyn on its way to Lower Bay. The cheerful sunshine that had heralded their departure had disappeared, blocked by dark clouds rolling in. Erratic gusts of wind threatened to blow his hat over the side of the railing, so he removed it and held it in his hand. As the ship cleared Rockaway Peninsula, the ship’s bell tolled the half-hour. Belle joined him.

  “It looks like stormy weather ahead, but I overheard one of the stewards saying the tide is in our favor,” she said. “As soon as we’re on the other side of the Sandy Hook lighthouse, it will be full steam ahead.”

  “That’s good news.”

  “Are you terribly sad to be leaving New York?”

  He glanced at Belle, whose pretty features were etched with concern.

  “Not really. Since my father died, I can’t think of a happy memory…until this past week.”

  “I take that as a compliment,” she replied with a smile. “You didn’t have a sweetheart in Brooklyn, did you?”

  “Er…I was rather fond of Liam Kennedy’s younger sister for a while, but after he turned against me, so did she.”

  “Oh, dear. Since you’re now a duke, I expect Miss Kennedy will never let her brother forget you, will she?”

  Wesley laughed. “I hadn’t thought of it, but you’re quite right. She has a redhead’s temper, so it may be some time before Liam receives a kind word from her.”

  “That notion should lighten your mood! Listen, I’m going to my cabin to freshen up and I’ll see you at the captain’s bon voyage reception in the saloon.”

  “I’ll look forward to it.”

  Wesley watched Belle walk away. A gust of wind lifted the hem of her skirt, revealing her slender ankles. He rather enjoyed the spectacle until he noticed Stephen Van Eyck watching Belle too.