The Test of Gold

by Renee Yancy

  Servants with blue and gold French livery and ridiculous powdered wigs scurried to and fro, their arms filled with American Beauty roses. Mama had even costumed the servants. Opposite the foot of the staircase stood a bronze basin flanked by cherubs in front of a mirror backed with silver metallic leaf to represent flowing water. Two sets of double doors with French beveled glass opened to the Grand Salon, which served both as her mother’s reception room and ballroom. The upholstery was green silk cut velvet, and the draperies bore the motif of Louis XIV—Apollo in a sunburst. The ceiling painting depicted Minerva, the Goddess of wisdom and war, snatching a youth from his love. How appropriate.

  Two chandeliers wired for electricity lit the salon, suspended from decorative gold masks of Apollo. Huge carved wood and twenty-two-carat gold gilt panels dominated the walls, with scenes from classical mythology. An ornate clock based on Michelangelo’s figures from the Medici Chapel in Florence stood on the mantel.

  “Do you require anything, miss?”

  She turned to find Percy in the same blue and gold livery as the other servants. His hair had been powdered too. She pressed her lips together to stop the giggle, and his chin rose a notch higher.

  “Oh, Percy.” She couldn’t help it. The laughter rose in her throat and spilled out. “Oh, oh, oh! I’m so sorry, Percy. Oh!” She went off into another gale of giggles until she gasped for breath and had to hold on to the banister. Finally, she gained control and straightened up. Percy had stood quietly during her fit, but a tiny sparkle glimmered in his eyes.

  “Percy, you’re first-rate, you are.”

  “Thank you, miss.”

  She shrugged. “Thank you for that laugh, Percy. But now, I suppose I must face the music.”

  She didn’t want to. But she had to. Guests were arriving, and she must endure the reception line with her mother and the duke.

  She straightened the folds of midnight blue velvet and entered the salon. Her mother stood near the fireplace, supervising last-minute placements of roses. She turned as Lindy approached, and her eyes widened. The duke turned then too. They stood together, wearing identical frowns, their gaze on her ball gown.

  “What are you wearing?”

  Her mother’s vicious voice made the back of Lindy’s neck cringe.

  “Go to your room and change immediately. Do you know how much money I spent on that costume?”

  But Mama had gotten everything she wanted, hadn’t she? So what if Lindy didn’t wear the costume her mother had chosen. Right now, Lindy couldn’t care less. “A fortune, I’m sure, Mother.”

  Mama’s eyes bulged at the bored tone in Lindy’s voice. “Six thousand dollars. I’ve hired an armed detective to shadow you tonight. That’s how valuable it is.”

  The duke’s jaw dropped at her mother’s last words. He wore a purple silk Roman toga that reached to mid-calf, with the imperial eagle of Rome embroidered in gold thread. Leather sandals shod his feet, with straps wound around his calves, and a wide leather belt girded his waist, with a golden sword thrust through it. A gold wreath of laurel leaves circled his forehead. Hail the conquering hero.

  “Evangeline! Did you hear me?”

  “Yes, Mother.” Voices reached them. Mamie Fish, resplendent in a white Renaissance gown with a silver tissue veil, had entered the salon with her husband. “But your guests are here. Surely you don’t wish me to leave now, do you?”

  The ghost of a smile played about the duke’s mouth. “You look splendid, my dear.”

  Her mother sent her a murderous glower that contrasted with the purity of her costume, white and gold satin with pearls and foliate embroidery in gold and silver, trimmed with silver lace. In her right hand, she carried an illuminated gilded torch. The batteries must be concealed somewhere in her costume. How ironic, if she had intended to be the Statue of Liberty. Her mother didn’t know the meaning of the iconic statue and what it represented.

  Mrs. Fish reached them. A smile replaced the frown on her mother’s face as she began the task of receiving the three hundred and fifty guests.

  All of New York society queued to fawn over the duke, the guest of honor, and the only person present with noble blood.

  Lindy bore the gauntlet with as much grace as she could muster. Many pressed their congratulations on her and the duke. Only when Madeleine approached did Lindy have a genuine smile.

  “Darling!” Maddie squeezed her hand and planted a kiss on her cheek. “He’s gorgeous, Lindy,” she whispered. “What a catch.”

  “Your Grace, may I present Miss Madeleine Goulet?”

  The duke took Maddie’s gloved hand and bowed over it. “Enchanted. But what exactly are you?”

  Maddie giggled. “Guess!”

  She wore a black velvet gown with an overskirt that ended in a point front and back, striped horizontally with gold satin. A black silk headband with gold antennae and diamond eyes nestled in her blond curls. Huge gold gauze and lace wings completed her costume, suspended by diamond clasps from her shoulders.

  The duke shook his head. “I’m afraid I haven’t that much imagination, Miss Goulet. Please enlighten me.”

  Maddie looked at Lindy. “Darling? Surely you can figure it out.”

  Lindy smiled. “You’re un frelon. A hornet. Am I correct?”

  Maddie clapped her hands. “Exactly.”

  Lindy leaned forward and whispered into Maddie’s ear. “Could you please sting my mother?”

  Maddie dissolved into giggles, and Mama frowned in their direction.

  “Best move on, dear.” Lindy smiled at her friend. “Before we both get stung.”

  Chapter 33

  Lindy woke to the murmur of the Atlantic Ocean outside her window. The arrival of the duke had been reported in the papers yesterday, and that meant a steady stream of callers today eager for a glance at royalty.

  Her bedroom door opened, and Claudine crept in, then stopped when she caught sight of Lindy. “Alors! Awake already?”

  Lindy sat up and pushed the counterpane away. “I can’t sleep.”

  Claudine sat on the edge of the bed. “You’ve been crying, chérie.” She studied Lindy’s face.

  “For all the good it will do. I’m going to get dressed.”

  Claudine pressed her lips together and didn’t move. Lindy tipped her head. “What is it, Claudine? You look like the cat that swallowed the canary.”

  The maid’s hand went to her pocket. “The mail came early. There’s a letter.” Claudine pulled a slim envelope out. “But I don’t know if I should give it to you. I’m afraid for you.”

  Lindy ripped the envelope from Claudine’s fingers. It contained another envelope, with Lindy’s name written in a bold slanting script. Inkblots marred some of the letters as if it had been written in haste.

  She sprang out of bed. “I’m going to go to the beach. Hurry!”

  She hastily chose a warm morning dress of blue wool and barely let Claudine pull her corset strings tight. “You must come with me.” Lindy shrugged into the heavy, black wool mantle Claudine held out. “Get your cloak and meet me downstairs.”

  Claudine nodded, and Lindy flew down the steps to the foyer, where she waited impatiently for her maid to appear. The butler emerged from the breakfast room and raised his eyebrows.

  “I’m going out for a walk, Percy, if Mama or the duke happens to wake up.” There was almost no chance of that. The letter in her pocket burned against her fingers.

  Claudine appeared on the staircase and walked sedately down the steps while Lindy wanted to scream at her to hurry. Then Claudine raised an eyebrow and glanced at the butler, who hadn’t moved but stood watching Lindy with a frown.

  “I’ll be fine, Percy. Don’t worry. At this hour of the morning, there will be no one awake to accost me. Have no fear.”

  “I would be remiss in my duty if I didn’t send a servant with you.”

  Lindy opened her mouth to refuse but caught the tiny shake of Claudine’s head from her side vision. She sighed. “Very well, Perc
y. Send for one of the footmen.”

  A few moments later, Jackson hurried in. He opened the huge glass and iron doors and followed behind them as they took the cobbled path over the hill to the sea and passed through the concrete underpass that opened up to a small stony beach.

  Lindy sat on one of the large rocks, and Claudine perched next to her, shielding Lindy from the groom’s sight. She turned away still further and pulled the envelope from her pocket and opened it.

  Dearest Lindy,

  I received your message with great joy. Pack a small bag and meet me tomorrow night outside your home. I will procure a carriage and wait for you outside the gate.

  We can be married right away, and then no one will be able to annul our marriage or our love.

  Until then, I remain, always and devotedly,

  Yours,

  Jack

  Lindy clasped the letter to her breast and bowed her head over it. Somehow, she must contrive a way to escape. She clenched her fists. She would do it. There had to be a way.

  Behind her, Claudine cleared her throat, and Lindy turned. The groom had edged nearer, watching them with narrowed eyes. “Is something wrong, miss? Have you received some bad tidings?”

  Lindy shook her head. “No, Jackson, all is well. My aunt sends me felicitations on my engagement, and her words were so sweet as to draw tears.”

  The stolid young man pulled his coat closer around his shoulders against the stiff breeze that had risen. “Very well, miss. Please allow me to wish you joy, as well.”

  “Thank you, Jackson.” She rose. “That’s enough sea air for one morning, Claudine.”

  Silently, they returned to the mansion. Once in her bedroom, Lindy flung off her cloak and threw it to Claudine, who caught it and stood rooted to the floor. “What did he say, chérie?” Her usually cheerful face was troubled.

  Lindy caught her breath. “I’m going to meet him tomorrow night. We’re going to be married.” She sank onto the bed and held up the letter. “You must help me, dearest. No one can know.”

  “Are you sure? Your mother will never forgive you.”

  “I’m sure. I love Jack. He’s all I want.”

  “What of the duke?”

  Lindy snorted. “Let my mother marry him.”

  The door burst open, and Mama rushed into the room in her dressing gown, her hair in a long braid. “What are you up to, Miss, behind my back?”

  In two steps, she pounced on Lindy and plucked the letter from her daughter’s stunned fingers. “What’s this, then?”

  Lindy reached to retrieve it from her mother’s hand, but her mother slapped her across the face so hard Lindy fell onto the bed, stunned. In all her life, her mother had never struck her.

  In a flash, her mother read the letter. She looked at Lindy cowering on the bed, and her lip curled. “How have I raised such a daughter! That you could even think of betraying me so.”

  Mama pointed a finger at Claudine. “You’re fired. Get your things and get out of this house.” When Claudine didn’t move, she took a step toward her and raised her fist. “Now!” she screamed.

  Her face ashen, Claudine walked out of the bedroom. Mama looked at Lindy, a triumphant smile on her face. “You see how your thoughtless actions affect others, Evangeline?”

  Lindy sprang to her feet, her body trembling. “Mama, don’t send her away.” Her voice broke. “Mama, please.”

  Mama snorted. “You’re more concerned for your maid’s feelings than for mine.” She tore the letter into pieces and threw them at Lindy. “Your tears do not move me, Miss. You will marry the duke if it’s the last thing I accomplish on this earth.”

  She stalked toward the door and turned with her hand on the doorknob. “Don’t push me, Evangeline.” She lowered her voice to a whisper. “I swear if you cross me again... I’ll shoot him.”

  Lindy gasped. “What? You can’t mean that, Mama. Don’t say such things!”

  Her mother’s lips twisted like a gargoyle’s. “You think I wouldn’t do it?” Her glare burned Lindy like a torrent of red-hot lava. “There are ways. No one would ever know.”

  Lindy shook her head. “You couldn’t. I don’t believe you.”

  “I never thought you would force me to such an end. But I will do what is necessary.”

  Lindy’s breathing quickened. “Even you—you would never dare...”

  “You want to try me, Evangeline?” Her mother’s bloodshot eyes flattened like a basilisk. “I meant every word. Defy me once again, and you’ll see how far I will go.”

  Palpable enmity poured out of her mother like a foul cloud. Lindy’s mind whirled, trying to reconcile this horrifying apparition in front of her with the woman she thought she knew as her mother.

  Would Mama really go that far to get what she wanted?

  Her mother waited, the cords in her neck standing out, her chin lowered like a bull about to charge.

  I can’t take that chance. I can’t risk Jack’s life.

  Her mother would do exactly what she had said to get what she wanted.

  “Mama.” Lindy broke into sobs. “Don’t do anything. I’ll marry the duke.”

  Her mother smiled, and Lindy shuddered at the coldness in her face.

  The door slammed, and a moment later, the key turned in the lock.

  Chapter 34

  New York City

  Jack sprang out of bed before the sun rose. He’d packed his valise and laid his clothes out the night before. He hummed under his breath as he washed his face and shaved, then stopped abruptly. He didn’t want to wake his sleeping uncle, who would be sure to enquire as to the source of his happiness so early in the morning.

  He tucked his shaving kit into the valise and pulled out the blue velvet ring box tucked underneath his clean shirts. Inside lay his mother’s ring. A delicate band of gold etched with posies, with one perfect sapphire in the center. Soon it would rest on Lindy’s finger. If only his mother could have met her. But no sad thoughts would tarnish this morning’s joy. His mother watched from heaven, of that he was sure.

  He propped the letter on his desk for his uncle to find later.

  Dearest Uncle:

  It is with great joy and great trepidation that I write this letter.

  Miss Lindenmayer has accepted my proposal of marriage. By the time you read this, I will be with her, and we will be married. I will explain everything later. I know you will not approve, nor will her parents. But we love each other, and we are both of age to make our own decision, and we trust this is the right one for both of us.

  Respectfully,

  Jack

  Quietly, he unlatched the front door and let himself out. Dawn filled the eastern sky with rosy light and tinted the snow pink. His heart gave a happy thump. Soon Lindy would be in his arms, and they’d never need to part again.

  He walked briskly through the awakening neighborhood to Second Avenue and hailed a hansom cab. “Grand Central Depot on Forty-Second.”

  Chapter 35

  New York City

  Reverent Winthrop looked up from his sermon notes when a gentle knock sounded at the door.

  “I’m verra sorry to interrupt ye, Reverend.” The maid Jenny glanced behind her. “But Mrs. Lindenmayer said it was urgent.”

  Vera Lindenmayer brushed past Jenny and swept into the room. “I wouldn’t call personally if it wasn’t.”

  Reverend Winthrop stood hastily. “Thank you, Jenny.” He looked at Vera. “Some tea, perhaps?”

  “No, thank you. I prefer to get right to the matter at hand.” She took the chair in front of his desk and plopped her fur hat down, sending the stamp box skittering.

  “Indeed.” Surreptitiously, he pushed the box into place.

  Jenny shrugged and closed the door, her pursed lips indicating her opinion of Vera Lindenmayer’s condescending manner

  Reverend Winthrop took his seat. “This is an unexpected pleasure, Mrs. Lindenmayer. I thought you were in Newport for the Christmas season.”

  She f
ixed her gaze on him like a whip. “I was in Newport, until a matter of the utmost importance compelled me to take the early train into the city this morning. I’ve come directly from the station and have no time to spare. I must be at Seaside this evening.”

  “Of course. How may I help you?”

  “It’s your nephew I’ve come about.”

  Reverend Winthrop frowned. “My nephew?”

  “Your nephew, Jack Winthrop. The Jack Winthrop, who has been frequenting the library in my home and pressing his unwanted attention on my daughter.”

  Reverend Winthrop turned a nasty shade of red. He pulled a handkerchief from his waistcoat pocket and coughed into it while Vera Lindenmayer drummed her fingers on his desk and regarded him with narrowed eyes.

  “What do you mean, Mrs. Lindenmayer?” He put the hankie away.

  “Were you aware Mr. Lindenmayer had given him permission to use the library?”

  “Yes, yes. So kind of him.”

  “But you weren’t aware he and my daughter were secretly meeting there?”

  “My gracious, no.”

  “He actually proposed marriage to her.” Vera’s lips twisted. “The nerve of the rascal.”

  “I-I-I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

  Vera sniffed. “Obviously.”

  “I’ll speak to him immediately.”

  “Yes. You will.” She lifted her chin. “And you will send him away. Immediately.”

  “Send him away? But... but... how... where?”

  “That’s for you to determine.”

  Reverend Winthrop shook his head. “Mrs. Lindenmayer, he’s my only nephew. He has no other family since his mother passed away.”

  “That’s no concern of mine.” She paused. “Need I remind you how much financial support my husband gives to St. Thomas?”

  Reverend Winthrop gulped.

  Vera glanced around the comfortable study, the leather chairs, and the cheerful fire burning in the grate. “I suppose you enjoy your life here in New York? It would be a great pity if we had to lose you, Reverend.”