by Sarah Pawley
“I remember,” Grace said. “But I still don’t reckon I’ll take one of those things. I never was much for swimming anyway.”
Despite her initial reluctance, she actually found herself having a fabulous time. When she looked at herself in the mirror, dressed in her new clothes, she felt a great sense of pride in what she saw. And she had to admit that the new shoes looked and felt better than those worn out old boots. When they left the store she was feeling quite confident, and ready to take on whatever new adventures lay ahead.
* * * * *
When they came through the front door of the house, they were laughing and smiling as they put their bags down in the living room. Then they heard the sound of Jack's voice coming from the kitchen, and the sound of another male voice talking to him.
Grace felt her stomach drop. She knew the sound of those low, melodic tones, and who they belonged to. The sound of that voice rattled her nerves, and she wondered…
What is that old sour puss doing here?
She had a momentary urge to run upstairs and hide. But that seemed like the coward’s way out. And she was no coward. She never had been. Henry was just a man, after all, and she'd been around men all of her life, so what was there to be afraid of? Gathering her courage, she followed Alice into the kitchen.
There he was, sitting across the table from Jack, who turned around in his seat. He smirked as he looked at the two of them.
"Did you two put Marshall Field's into bankruptcy?"
"Yes, honey, we did," said Alice. "Looks like I’ll have to keep teaching after all, no matter how much you fuss about it." She bent down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. Then she looked over at Henry and smiled politely. "Good morning, Henry Shaw. What brings you over today?"
Jack looked up at her. "Henry just stopped by for a cup of coffee. We were talking, and he’s invited us down to the club tonight."
She leaned down, putting her arms around Jack’s shoulders. "That sounds all right to me. I think we'll take you up on that offer, Henry."
No one said anything more for several moments, and all three turned to look at Grace, who was standing just inside the doorway, partially hidden by the frame as if she were trying to avoid being seen. Jack gave her a curious look.
"Why are you hiding over there like that? Come on in here and be sociable. You remember Henry.”
Grace came forward a few steps, nodding slightly. Then she looked away, folding her arms across her chest, eager to keep her hands free from nervous little gestures. She could feel Henry's eyes on her, examining her. She refused to look at him…and yet, even when her own eyes were cast away from him, she could feel his gaze looking right through her. It was shameful to think about, but his look almost made her feel naked.
He probably enjoys making a fool of me, she thought. But he won't rile me. That would make him happy, and I'm not putting on a show for anyone, especially him.
But even if she could keep from looking at him, she couldn’t ignore that velvety tone that was his voice.
"Well,” he said. “It's all of a sudden too quiet in here for me. I suppose that's my cue to leave." He rose to his feet, looking at each of them in turn. "Victoria is down at the club already, deep into rehearsals. I should probably get down there and tend to business. I hope to see you at the show tonight."
He nodded at Alice and Jack, who nodded back and then turned their attention to each other. Grace hoped that Henry would be decent enough to remain silent as he passed her by. She kept her eyes away from him, pretending to look at a spot on the wall as he came near. But as he went by, he seemed to move with a slow purpose. His arm grazed hers…his touch so warm it raised the flesh on her skin and caused her take in a breath. Without thinking she slowly raised her eyes, meeting his…and her head seemed to swim from the way he looked at her. Then he smirked slightly, his voice becoming dangerously low and soft.
“Miss Grace.”
It was all he said, just before he tipped his hat to her…and then he was gone. But his tone sent a wave of slight dizziness over her, making her place a hand on the wall for support. Somehow she managed to think, asking herself…
Why am I supposed to hate him?
She tried to rattle her brain for a reason, but couldn’t think of a single one.
Chapter 7
“On The Town”
Jack had told the truth. The Edgewater Hotel was, as he had said, pink. But it was elegant and beautiful, and Edgewater Beach was full of visitor. They frolicked in the water and roamed the sand, enjoying the sunshine of a late June afternoon, but Grace was not among the ones playing and cavorting. While Jack and Alice walked along the beach together, reminiscing about the place where they'd spent their first few wedding days, Grace found a spot under the shade of an umbrella, where she tried to concentrate on the open book lying on her lap.
She found Lake Michigan to be quite beautiful. It was amazing to her that such a wonder of nature would be right across the road from the enormity of a man-made city. The beach was a wondrous thing to know as well. She loved the feeling of cool, wet sand as she walked along the edge of the water, and the warmth of the soft, dry sand as she walked over to sit on the blanket they had spread out. But of all these things, she found the most pleasure in just sitting and relaxing. For days, she’d been surrounded by chaos and excitement. Now, she felt compelled just to sit in peace and indulge in a good book.
Gaskell’s North and South had always been one of her favorites. Now it seemed funny to her how her life seemed to imitate art. Just as she’d always thought of herself as her fictional mentor, Jane, she could very well have been Margaret Hale...A girl from the country coming to the city, learning to adjust. And Henry might have been her Mr. Thornton...the cold, stern businessman who harbored a secret admiration for Miss Hale.
She shook her head at such a thought. What a silly idea. To think that Henry Shaw might be harboring a secret admiration for her. What nonsense.
She knew he wasn’t the kind of man she should have been thinking about. But ever since she’d first met him, he was a constant presence in her thoughts. Her mind went back to the comparison of Henry and John Thornton. What if, by some ridiculous chance, he really did harbor a secret liking for her?
For a few crazy moments, she allowed herself to imagine such an impossible thing. Yes, his disposition was not nice. But was he really so very bad? True, he’d been rude to her that first time. But he hadn’t been cruel outright. In all honesty, despite his rough manner and tone, he’d managed to be a gentleman of sorts. He’d tipped his hat to her, which was pleasant. He’d let her follow him onto the streetcar, after which he’d paid her way. He’d not been required to do any of that, but none the less, he had. And then, there was that strange moment when he’d passed her in the doorway.
He’d struck her senseless with barely a word. But what was it about him that had left her so dazed?
His good looks could tempt any woman. But looks alone had never mattered much to her. Lord knew that a handsome face did not determine a man's worth. Charlie had been enough proof of that. No, it wasn’t just Henry's handsomeness that appealed to her. He had an intensity about him. It was that which she found she couldn’t forget, no matter how she tried. And if by some miracle, he saw something desirable in her, she might have been the luckiest woman in the world. To have such a man would be divine.
She shook her head once again, determined to dislodge those foolish dreams from her mind.
You’re a fool, Grace Langdon, she told herself. Didn’t you learn anything from the mess with Charlie? Or do you want to have your heart broken all over again?
She was determined that it would not happen again. She would stay away from him, even if he did live right across the street. There were plenty of ways to keep her distance.
Then she remembered...they were going to his club tonight. What rotten luck, to start off her new resolution by taking such a chance. She couldn't lie to get herself out of it. One of her weaknesses...or strengt
hs, depending on the point of view...was her inability to lie. She'd never very good at telling fibs. And she couldn't refuse the invitation. Jack and Alice would want an explanation for her refusal, then she would confess her dilemma, and then there would be nothing but trouble to follow, and that wouldn’t do at all. It seemed she had no choice.
I’ll go, she thought. But I’ll stay away from him, and keep myself out of trouble.
* * * * *
In her room, Grace stood before the mirror, looking at herself in her new dress. Jack had told her the club was a fashionable place, so they had to dress accordingly. She hoped that she passed muster. Her hair was up in a loose gathering at the back of her head. Alice had suggested it would look more elegant that way…and as usual, she was right. Reaching up to touch the neckline of her dress, she felt a little nervous about it being as low as it was, even though it was above her bust-line. Compared to the high necked dresses she’d always worn, this was more revealing than anything she’d had on before.
A knock came on her door, and she turned to see Alice come in. Grace’s mouth fell open at how incredible her sister-in-law looked.
“My word, you look so beautiful.”
Alice grinned, striking a pose. Her beaded white gown, sleeveless and knee-length, showed off her well-toned arms and legs.
“You look fine too,” she said. “And a little nervous. Are you all right?”
Grace shrugged, turning back to look at her reflection. “I don’t know about showing so much skin. Do you think it’s too revealing?”
With a smile, Alice shook her head. “Believe me, it looks fine. But here…” She unclasped the silver cross and chain, setting it aside on the dressing table. Taking off one of her strands of pearls, she looped it around Grace’s neck. Looking over Grace’s shoulder, she smiled with satisfaction.
“That should shift the focus a bit, at least for your own eyes.”
Grace looked at her reflection again…and saw that Alice was right. The pearl beads made all the difference. Putting on her new hat…a lovely bell-shaped cap they called a "cloche"…she saw that it crowned her head quite nicely, adding the finishing touch to the entirely new person she saw when she looked in the mirror. She couldn’t help smiling to herself, and she thought, I look like a lady now, and quite a fine one.
Then a second thought came to her. I am still me, no matter what changes on the outside, and that is what matters most of all.
* * * * *
They rode into the city in an elevated train, or as Jack called it, “The El.” It was exciting to look out the window and see the city lights twinkling, and to look down and see the lights of the traffic passing on the streets below.
Odd, but as they exited the train and made their way down the stairs to the street, she didn't feel like such a stranger. The people around her moved along as one happy bunch. Some of the men smiled at her, nodding their heads in greeting, or tipping their hats politely. It was flattering to have that kind of attention, even in very small doses. But Jack didn't like it much. He frowned as they walked down the sidewalk.
"I don't think I like how men are eyeing you. Like buzzards, staking out a wounded animal."
Alice smiled at his brotherly concern. “I think she’s beautiful in her new clothes. She’s the cat’s meow. What’s wrong with letting people look?”
"As long as they look and don't touch. Men are pigs, especially when they get a few drinks in them."
Grace stubbornly raised her chin at him. "I can take care of myself. I'm seventeen years old. I don't need a guardian. Not even you, big brother."
Alice looked at her with a grin. “Give him hell, tootsie.”
Jack mumbled something under his breath, and Grace saw the wounded expression on his face.
She suddenly realized she’d never talked to him in such way. He’d always taught her to speak her mind, but she’d always spoken to him with love and respect. She saw him open his mouth as if to say something, and then he just sighed. Suddenly she felt the need to apply balm where she might have cut him.
"I'll stick close by,” she said. “I promise.”
That seemed to comfort him, if only a little.
They rounded the corner, and for the first time, she saw the lights of the club in full view. The vertical name sign glowed with a blaze of lights, given off by thousands of tiny round white light bulbs, and trimmed in brilliant glowing red. The doors leading into the building were made of shining glass and rimmed with polished brass, with large carved handles. Jack opened the door for them, and they stepped inside.
It wasn't quite what she’d expected. There were no dancers here. No musicians. Only a flow of people heading down a corridor which led to a grand staircase. And grand was the operative word, for although there was none of the music and dancing she'd imagined, it was beautiful beyond words. The corridor itself was made of stone walls and a wooden beamed ceiling, and in a few places along the red carpet there were velvet benches. The lighting, warm and soft, was provided by two large crystal chandeliers at either end of the hall.
Enchanted by the beauty, she moved along as if in a dream as they made their way towards the stairs. And as they climbed the steps, her ears began at last to hear the sounds of music. It was happy and upbeat in tempo…fast and exciting…so different from anything she'd ever heard before. When they reached the top of the stairs, the music fell on her ears with all its power and force. The noise of hundreds of shoe heels stomping the floor, all at once, not only fell on her ears but vibrated up her spine.
But it was the great ballroom itself that took her breath away. With its crystal chandeliers and mosaic tiles…its ceiling of terra-cotta and outer halls accessed by beautifully wrought arches, it looked like a Spanish palace courtyard. There were even potted palm trees here and there. Most incredible of all was the dome above the dance floor. Colored a deep twilight blue, with artificial stars that twinkled, and images of clouds that were created by projected light beams, the illusion was breathtaking. Jack had to take her gently by the arm and pull her away, for she was quite content just to stand and stare, captured by the wonder of it all.
He guided her to a nearby table…covered in fine white linen, set with silver and graced with a candle centerpiece. She sat, trying her best to look dignified among such refinery. But she could not be still.
The music ended and the crowd applauded as they made their way back to their tables. A moment later the lights dimmed. The room became bathed in soft candlelight. She looked all around, smiling with awe and wonder.
How beautiful, she thought. The most beautiful place I’ve ever seen.
The curtain went up on the stage, revealing a flower garden where a man and woman stood. She watched the scene begin with the young man trying to woo the girl with various flowers, to no avail. Then he started to dance, and the girl took notice…just as Grace did. She’d never seen someone move as he did, one moment madly tap dancing in place, the next moment shuffling across the floor. When the skit was done and the curtain went down, the whole place went crazy with applause, and Grace shared in their enthusiasm.
The band began to play again, and as the crowd moved back to the dance floor, Grace watched them with great amusement. She'd never seen people move in such ways…bouncing and shaking, arms swinging and feet flying. With a little giggle, she turned to Alice and Jack.
"They look like chickens on a hot stove. What kind of dancing is that, anyway?"
Alice turned to Jack, seizing his hand and pulling him to his feet.
"That’s the Charleston, sister. And it's not a square dance, that's for sure. Can you manage without us for a little while?"
Grace smiled, waving them away.
"Of course. You two go on and have fun. I told you, I can take care of myself."
Jack looked skeptical, reluctant to leave her there by herself. But before he could protest, Alice rushed him out to the dance floor.
As they disappeared into the crowd, Grace smiled. It did look like fun. And
Jack and Alice looked so perfect together…so full of joy and laughter. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d seen her brother so happy. And part of her wished she could go out and join them. But she could not. Sadly, she had little ability, and little experience. And she didn't have a partner…which got her to thinking of Henry. She’d vowed to forget him. But here, in his very domain, how could she not think of him? It was where he worked…where he probably spent most of his time.
Despite her attempts against it, she found herself looking among the crowd, wondering if she might catch a glimpse of him. Surely he was here somewhere. He had to be, this being his place of business. For several moments she scanned the room, wondering if he would appear…and secretly, hoping she might look at him without his knowing it.
It felt safer that way, to watch without being watched. She could not deny how attractive he was…how he stirred feelings in her that she’d never known before.
But he was a danger to her good sense. When he looked at her, it was as if he could read her mind…and that put her too far out of her comfort zone. It was better to admire his beauty from afar. It was certainly safer, for her, to maintain that distance.
Chapter 8
“Give and Take”
Up above the floor, from one of the balconies, a pair of blue eyes were looking down on Grace. The gaze was intense…deeply focused.
The little country mouse had surprised him. He’d been so sure she wouldn’t turn up. It was, after all, a place of "sinful" things…of intimate dancing and drinking. Prohibition kept him from selling alcohol…but he had no qualms about his customers bringing their own. His wait staff served tea, sweet drinks, and various kinds of juice and if his patrons happened to slip a bit of spirit into their drinks, courtesy of a hip flask or such, that was their business. He needed his to keep his customers happy, so he turned a blind eye to the illegal consumption. And judging from the way his place was always packed, it had worked. If anything, prohibition had probably brought more people to his door. It was human nature to get away with bad behavior, and if it brought him more money, then so be it.