by Beth Bennett
Olivia shuffled over to the corner. How dare that man! She was eighteen years old. “Make sure that nose touches the wall.” She huffed but managed not to stomp her foot again. How was she ever going to stand this every day? Professor Goode’s alarm tinkled right at the fifteen-minute mark. Olivia took her seat without any more protest. The rest of the morning was spent going over her paper word by word. She had to make a list and correct every spelling error. Then the professor made her re-write every sentence in the correct form. By the time lunch came, Olivia’s hand had a cramp from holding the pencil so long.
“That’s enough for this morning,” the professor stated. “For homework this afternoon, I want you to write another essay about the same topic. Please make all the corrections you were shown.”
He couldn’t leave soon enough for Olivia. She dreaded what he would say next about her work. Hettie and Mrs. Daniels had gone out for the day, so she retired to the safety of the crow’s nest and curled up in the window seat. Balancing a book on her lap, she went to work on her essay.
‘My apple farm wuz a gud place.’ She looked at the paper the professor had corrected. Taking a rubber eraser, she rubbed out wuz and put was. Laboriously she pored over the paper, taking the whole afternoon to finish.
Hettie was full of merriment when she arrived home that evening. “What did you think of the professor, Olivia?”
“He’s meaner than a three horned toad.”
Hettie laughed loud and long. “He is to be sure. We had a wonderful afternoon. I’m sorry you were stuck here with the old thing. I’d be glad to help you anyway I can. Would you like for me to go over your work before you hand it in?”
That was the last thing Olivia wanted. It was bad enough to be beholden to the Daniels family. She did not want Hettie to know how very ignorant she was. “No, thank you. One professor is enough for me.”
“Quite right, quite right. Well, tonight we shall be having guests for dinner. My fiancé Mr. James Wright and his cousin, Lucy Spear are coming. I can’t wait for you to meet him. James and I are to be married next year. It will be fun to introduce you around.”
A knot formed in the pit of Olivia’s stomach. This was exciting but frightening as well. New Yorkers were interesting people, but they were so different. Well, she had no choice and she certainly didn’t want to be rude. She would make the best of it and be as kind as possible.
A very handsome gentlemen arrived that evening. He was dressed in a long top coat which he handed over to Mrs. Turner. He took off his stove pipe hat and did likewise. Hettie was all smiles as the man kissed her hand. “James, this is Olivia Overton, from Virginia. She’s the house guest I told you about.”
The man turned and smiled at her. He reached for her hand and Olivia backed up a step. Looking a bit confused, he none-the-less tried to put her at ease. “How very nice to meet you, Olivia.”
He made her nervous but she smiled anyway. “How’d do.”
A woman adorned in feathers and bows stepped into the foyer. She unbuttoned her summer wrap and revealed a long set of pearls draped around her very elegant neck. Her hair was as black as night and a pair of eyes the color of sharpened steel peered out of her perfectly formed face. She was stunningly beautiful.
James motioned for the woman to stand next to him. “Olivia Overton, may I introduce, Miss Lucille Spear. Known as Lucy or Lu to all of us.”
The woman’s eyes rolled over Olivia from top to bottom. An unmistakable look of pity formed in her eyes. “And how do you find New York, Olivia? Is it?”
Immediately Olivia knew the less she said to this woman, the better. “Fine.”
“Fine? Is that all you have to say? I should think someone from Virginia would find New York, amazing. Well perhaps it will take time for you to get used to it.” Dismissing her, Lucy turned to Hettie. “I’m so glad for a night out. It has been rather tedious lately. What a pleasure to dine with friends tonight.”
Hettie laughed and escorted the guests into the sitting room. Olivia followed behind.
Lucy draped herself across the closest settee and took a small cordial from the tray offered by Liza. Hettie and James took one as well. Olivia tried to follow suit and took a small sip just as the others were doing. The liquid burned a trail down her throat and Olivia doubled over in a fit of coughing. Lucy, James and Hettie chuckled together as Olivia turned red in embarrassment.
“That’s awful stuff,” she proclaimed.
Lucy looked knowingly over her glass and took another sip. “Why, Olivia, dear, that’s the finest claret there is. Straight from France. I do suppose it takes someone like yourself a bit of time to get used to it.”
Dinner was served and Mrs. Daniels joined them at the table. “How very nice to see you, James, Lucy. How are your families?”
A variety of niceties ensued and Olivia listened with interest to the conversation. It seemed everyone’s father and mother were fine and nothing out of the ordinary was happening to anyone’s relatives or in anyone’s life. She looked at Mrs. Daniels and noticed the way her hair was turned up in a complicated swirl at the back of her head. Hettie’s hair was even more beautifully done and Lucy, well, Olivia had no idea how she’d ever gotten her hair to stay in such a fashion. Olivia touched her own long braids and determined she would never wear them again. How pitiful and ugly she must look to them all.
The long dinner was finally finished and Olivia jumped up from the table to help. She stopped by Lucy’s chair and innocently questioned, “Ain’t you gonna hep? Where I come from, if somebody is nice enough to cook you dinner, it’s the polite thing to hep with the washing up.”
Lucy’s eyes narrowed at the rebuke. “That’s not the way it’s done in New York.” She looked away and turned her nose in the air.
Olivia shrugged and picked up her plate and took it to the kitchen.
As she pushed open the kitchen door, she overheard Hettie’s whispered comment. “She doesn’t know any better.”
It hurt her feelings to the core. I can’t do anything right. Promptly placing the dishes on the counter, she turned to leave but a small hand grasped her sleeve. “Don’t pay those fancy pants no never mind. They’re not so fine as they think.” It was Liza. She looked at Olivia with gentle understanding. She smiled and then let go. Olivia returned the smile and proceeded to help her with the dishes.
After they were finished, she gave Liza a hug and whispered, “Thank you.” Then running up the steps, Olivia shut out the world. Jackson had been wrong. She was indeed nothing more than a charity case. A stupid little gold fish trying to swim in a sea of fancy sharks. She threw off her ugly dress and gave it a kick. Pulling her nightgown over her head, she curled up in the bed and closed her eyes. She wasn’t coming out of her room for anything except the professor from now on. She would eat in her room, live in her room and stay out of the way.
Chapter 12
Olivia heard Liza coming up the stairs loaded down with a basket full of laundry. She peeked out the door. No one but Liza was about. “Oh let me hep you.” She grasped the side of the basket and she and Liza carried it up the steps.
“I have to change all the sheets on the beds, today,” said Liza.
“I’ll put my own sheets on my bed. I can’t abide letting you do for me what I can do for myself.”
Liza looked down the stairs and back to Olivia. Her dimple showed as she bit her lip. “The missus isn’t home. I guess it will be all right. Don’t let Mrs. Turner see.”
Olivia peeked over Liza shoulder. “I won’t.”
She took her sheets and when she was finished, she went looking for Liza. Olivia was amazed at the number of bedrooms. “There’s only three of us living here sides you, Mrs. Turner and Mr. Simmons. Why do they have all these beds?”
“This is such a fine household. The extra bedrooms are for guests. Mrs. Daniels has me change the sheets every week, even if no one has slept in them. She says she likes them to be fresh.”
Olivia could not believe it. “Wh
ere do you sleep?” She tried to copy the sharp folds Liza made with the corners of the sheet. “Have you always lived in New York?”
“I sleep downstairs in the servant’s quarters.” Liza brushed the sheet smooth with her hand. “My family came here all the way from Ireland. I was just a baby. We rode right up New York Harbor past the statue of Liberty. Mama carried me on her hip through Ellis Island. I’ve not lived anywhere else but my parents talk of the old country a lot. My family live in the tenements far away from here. I ride the trolley home once a month.”
All the way from Ireland. Olivia was amazed. She would have to ask the professor to show her where it was on the map.
Mrs. Daniels informed Olivia that Mrs. Holland would be calling for tea that afternoon. “I’ll make sure I finish my lessons on time then,” she said excitedly.
It was a very joyous reunion. Mrs. Holland gave her a big hug. “I hear you are doing very well, my dear.”
Olivia nodded. “Yes, ma’am. Just fine. I don’t mind the work and the learnin has been good for me.”
“You know, there is more to life than your lessons. I feel sure Jackson sent you to New York to experience the city. How would you like to go with me to Jerome Park this weekend?
Olivia was immediately worried. She trusted Mrs. Holland but she did not want to get stuck in anymore uncomfortable situations. “What do you do in Jerome Park?””
“On weekend afternoons, the carriage club meets in the center of the grass in front of the grandstands. My late husband was a member. It would be a lovely day outing. July is nearly here and the heat will soon follow. I’d rather not venture out during a New York heat wave. If this were Spring or Fall, there would be horse racing to watch. Until the races begin again, the park is used for picnics and social gatherings.”
It sounded harmless to Olivia. “I reckon I can handle a picnic.” It was decided they would go and Mrs. Holland also invited Mrs. Daniels and Hettie. Olivia invited Liza but her invitation was rejected. Liza explained that servants were not allowed to attend such things with their employers. Olivia was slowly beginning to understand the system.
Hettie spoke up at dinner that night. “I’ve put the word out and the whole gang is coming. James, and Lucy and several others of the crowd we run with.” Olivia’s stomach dropped. Just the people she was hoping to avoid. She should have told Hettie right then and there she had changed her mind and didn’t want to go.
Saturday arrived far too soon for Olivia’s taste. She fretted over the event and even asked Mrs. Daniels what to say and how to act. Mrs. Daniels’ answer wasn’t very helpful. “Simply enjoy yourself, Olivia. It will be a relaxing day.” Nothing about New York was relaxing in her opinion.
Hettie was all a flutter about what to wear. “What do you think, the ivory or the blue?”
Olivia sat on Hettie’s bed and watched as she went through every day dress in her wardrobe. “I could outfit a hundred people on just the dresses you’ve got in your shiffarobe.”
Hettie laughed. “Mother is rather indulgent. This is nothing. You should see what Lucy has.”
I’ll just bet, thought Olivia.
“I know!” gushed Hettie. “Why don’t you choose one of my dresses to wear?” Olivia flushed red. “Oh, I don’t mean your dresses are not perfectly lovely. I just thought you might to like to wear something a little more…well…New York. But you don’t have to.” Hettie turned to begin going through her plethora of hats.
Olivia considered Hettie’s suggestion. It hurt her feelings a little bit but she knew Hettie was only trying to be nice. Lucy would be at the park. She and all her fine friends would look down their nose at her country dress. She hated feeling like a poor sparrow in a house peacocks. “Well… if you really don’t mind.”
“Oh! Olivia! Look at this dark blue trimmed in purple. See, it has a matching hat.” Olivia thought it was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. The hat was the same color as the dress and sported a light blue ruffle around the edge, a purple ostrich feather in the front and a beautiful pink bow in the center. Hettie continued to chatter. “It’s a little small for me. It should fit you just perfectly.”
Olivia bit her bottom lip. The temptation to wear the confection was overwhelming. “Do you think you can hep, I mean, help me with my hair?”
“Do I? Please! Liza always does my hair for outings. She’d be more than happy to do yours too.”
An hour later, Olivia emerged from her room wearing the beautiful blue and purple dress. She could barely breathe in the corset and the bustle felt ridiculous. She had to agree with Hettie however, the dress would not fit correctly without all the accompanying accouterments.
Hettie grabbed her hand before she could go downstairs. “Come in my room and look at yourself. You look stunning.”
Hettie drew her to stand in front of the full length mirror. Olivia did not recognize the face looking back at her. The dress fit perfectly. Her waist was exquisitely small. The purple trim highlighted her creamy skin and made the green of her eyes sparkle. Her light brown hair was drawn up into a lovely chignon and the matching hat sat atop as if it were tailor made just for her. Hettie had cajoled her into wearing matching pink ear bobs. Olivia timidly touched them as they danced just below her ears. She was speechless.
“I told you,” Hettie crowed. “You’re going to be the envy of every girl there and the object of every gentlemen’s attention.”
“Do you really think so?” Olivia whispered.
“Just you wait and see.”
Mrs. Holland’s fancy carriage pulled around to the front of the Brownstone. It was a rather warm day but a gentle breeze made the temperature tolerable. The carriage seated four inside but to Olivia’s surprise, could hold six more people on top! There was the driver’s seat plus one extra space, then another seat behind that. Then at the very back of the carriage, there was another seat with a thick upholstered cushion.
“Mother, Olivia and I want to ride in the back top seat. I can’t stand to get inside and be bounced around.”
“Do you have your umbrella, dear? You don’t want to get too much sun.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Mrs. Holland and Mrs. Jackson chose to ride inside. “I’m too old to climb to the top of those seats,” Mrs. Holland complained.
Hettie opened her umbrella once they were settled and the carriage took off at a quick pace. Olivia felt like a queen riding above all the fray of New York City. She was just high enough to see over everything yet still feel a part of it all. Her heart swelled with excitement as the carriage bumped over the cobblestones. She even waved to a little girl who watched them pass by.
When they arrived at Jerome Park, they were greeted by hundreds of carriages just like the one they were riding in. Fine young men dressed in top hats and black coats accompanied beautiful young women adorned with the latest fashion. Carriages were parked all over the center field but the grandstand benches were empty. Blankets were spread across the park and families and couples picnicked on the grounds.
They alighted from the carriage and Olivia watched as the driver opened a little square door. It was located right beneath the seat they had been riding on. Olivia simply couldn’t believe it. Inside was a real honest to goodness ice box. She didn’t even know anyone who had one in their house let alone one in a carriage.
All the fixin’s for the grandest picnic you ever saw were brought outside. Sandwiches and sliced cucumber, salad and cake. There was even ice in the lemonade! It wasn’t long before Hettie hurried away to greet Lucy and a gaggle of other girls. Olivia watched quietly from a blanket while sipping on lemonade. She cautiously eyed them from afar. They were all frills and lace, umbrellas and parasols. Hettie called for her to come join them.
Olivia looked the other way and pretended not to hear. Hettie called louder, “Olivia! Olivia! Come here, everyone wants to meet you.”
There was no hope for it. She would look like a dolt if she didn’t go pay her respects. She stood and brus
hed off her skirt. Making sure her hat was in place, she patted her hair and took a deep breath. Hettie was all smiles as she introduced Olivia around.
“That’s a lovely dress,” one girl commented. “I wish my waist was that small.”
“And look at that hat,” another said. “It’s absolutely beautiful.”
Lucy Spear joined the conversation. “Hettie, isn’t that the gown you wore to the races last year?”
Olivia raised her chin and refused to be cowed by Lucy’s comment. Hettie tried to brush it off. “I’ve gotten too fat for it. Doesn’t it look gorgeous on Olivia?” All the girls murmured in agreement and Olivia decided to ignore Lucy Spear.
Hettie pointed to a group of young gentlemen coming their way. “Oh, look! There’s James!” All the girls turned in greeting as the young men began their compliments.
“I do say, ladies. Everyone looks lovely today.” James kissed Hettie’s hand. “But you look especially beautiful, my dear.”
The group pressed forward and Hettie invited the young men to join their picnic. “Introduce everyone, James, I don’t believe they have all met.”
James doffed his hat as did the others. Olivia’s eyes fell on one man, in particular. He was tall and broad, with sandy brown hair and wasn’t dressed quite as fine as the others. She couldn’t take her eyes off him. Somewhere in the back of her mind, a distant memory stirred. He looked so familiar. She just couldn’t put her finger on it.
“And this,” James said, pointing to the man, “is my father’s head groomsmen. Jimmy Simpson.” Olivia heard nothing else. Jimmy. Her Jimmy. The Jimmy she had pined for, for years. The Jimmy she was sure had died in the war. He was here, a grown man, with only the barest hint left of the boy she had known.
He doffed his hat, but when his eyes met hers, there was no recognition in them. Olivia could not even reply to his greeting. She simply did not know what to say. She stared at his face, hoping he might realize who she was. Lucy Spear’s haughty laugh interrupted her thoughts.