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Authors: S.G. Rogers
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Nevertheless, she allowed her enjoyment of the exhibits to take precedence. As the clock struck five o’clock, Wesley hailed a cab to drive him and Belle back to their hotel.
With a happy smile, she relaxed against the upholstered carriage seat. “I can’t tell you when I’ve had a more wonderful day, Wesley.”
“Nor I, even though it was as hot as blazes.”
“By Monday evening you may wish the warm temperatures back again. The Atlantic Ocean can be very cold and foggy. We may even see an iceberg or two.”
“Really? Is there much to do on board the ship?”
“Passengers are usually expected to entertain themselves, by and large. Papa brought me a cabin brochure from the Inman Line ticket office. The City of New York is quite big, with a library and gentlemen’s smoking room. It’s designed to hold over five hundred first class and two hundred second class passengers. It can also carry one thousand in steerage, but we won’t have any steerage passengers on the eastbound voyage.”
“Did you get seasick on the crossing?”
“No, but many people did.” She shuddered. “It was horrible for them, and even the most stalwart traveler can become ill in rough seas. At any rate, the City of New York is much larger than the ship my father and I took from Liverpool. Perhaps we’ll feel the movement of the ocean less.”
“Before the Brooklyn Bridge opened, I used to take the ferry to Manhattan with my father. Neither of us became queasy, but I expect an ocean voyage is different.”
“A vast deal different and a great deal longer. Hopefully, the other passengers will prove amiable. If so, we’ll arrange a card game or some other entertainment.” She paused. “My father thinks you should learn to dance.”
“Dance?”
“Perhaps you already know how.”
“No. There are very few fancy parties in the Brooklyn neighborhood where I grew up.”
“Every gentleman should know how to dance. I can help you learn to waltz or polka, but we’ll need more people to form a quadrille or practice a promenade.”
“I hope you won’t laugh at me if I prove to have two left feet.”
“I expect you’ll be a wonderful dancer.”
“What makes you think so?”
She flushed with embarrassment. “The movements of your arms and hands are quite graceful.”
Wesley cleared his throat. “You’re trying to prop up my confidence.”
“Not at all, I assure you. But if you’d rather not—”
“No, no, I didn’t say that. I’m merely reluctant to make a fool of myself. If you’re game, then so am I.”
“Good. When our voyage gets underway, we’ll find a quiet spot to practice…assuming neither of us becomes queasy.”
As Wesley changed his clothes for dinner that night, he hummed under his breath. The thought of learning to dance with Belle excited a sense of fear as well as a thrill of anticipation into his heart. Despite her encouragement, he felt about as graceful as a newborn colt. He brushed his hair vigorously, in a vain attempt to flatten the curl. I hope I’m up to the task of impressing her.
He emerged from his room to discover his mother waiting for him. She tsked when she saw his tie. “You only imagine you don’t need a valet.”
Her deep purple satin gown rustled as she crossed over to retie his silk four-in-hand. Wesley tried to stand still as she fussed with him. “Mother, Mr. Oakhurst has asked his daughter to teach me to dance. We’re going to practice on the ship.”
“That’s a splendid notion, and the Oakhursts are terribly thoughtful.” Lady Frederic finished with his tie and brushed off his lapels. “Now you look perfect.” She peered at him. “I hope you aren’t becoming too attached to Miss Oakhurst.”
Wesley covered his surprise with a bewildered sort of laugh. “Why would you say such a thing? Belle—I mean Miss Oakhurst—and I just met.”
His mother’s shrewd eyes seemingly missed nothing.
“Oh dear. Wesley, she’s a lovely girl and very pretty, but
With a happy smile, she relaxed against the upholstered carriage seat. “I can’t tell you when I’ve had a more wonderful day, Wesley.”
“Nor I, even though it was as hot as blazes.”
“By Monday evening you may wish the warm temperatures back again. The Atlantic Ocean can be very cold and foggy. We may even see an iceberg or two.”
“Really? Is there much to do on board the ship?”
“Passengers are usually expected to entertain themselves, by and large. Papa brought me a cabin brochure from the Inman Line ticket office. The City of New York is quite big, with a library and gentlemen’s smoking room. It’s designed to hold over five hundred first class and two hundred second class passengers. It can also carry one thousand in steerage, but we won’t have any steerage passengers on the eastbound voyage.”
“Did you get seasick on the crossing?”
“No, but many people did.” She shuddered. “It was horrible for them, and even the most stalwart traveler can become ill in rough seas. At any rate, the City of New York is much larger than the ship my father and I took from Liverpool. Perhaps we’ll feel the movement of the ocean less.”
“Before the Brooklyn Bridge opened, I used to take the ferry to Manhattan with my father. Neither of us became queasy, but I expect an ocean voyage is different.”
“A vast deal different and a great deal longer. Hopefully, the other passengers will prove amiable. If so, we’ll arrange a card game or some other entertainment.” She paused. “My father thinks you should learn to dance.”
“Dance?”
“Perhaps you already know how.”
“No. There are very few fancy parties in the Brooklyn neighborhood where I grew up.”
“Every gentleman should know how to dance. I can help you learn to waltz or polka, but we’ll need more people to form a quadrille or practice a promenade.”
“I hope you won’t laugh at me if I prove to have two left feet.”
“I expect you’ll be a wonderful dancer.”
“What makes you think so?”
She flushed with embarrassment. “The movements of your arms and hands are quite graceful.”
Wesley cleared his throat. “You’re trying to prop up my confidence.”
“Not at all, I assure you. But if you’d rather not—”
“No, no, I didn’t say that. I’m merely reluctant to make a fool of myself. If you’re game, then so am I.”
“Good. When our voyage gets underway, we’ll find a quiet spot to practice…assuming neither of us becomes queasy.”
As Wesley changed his clothes for dinner that night, he hummed under his breath. The thought of learning to dance with Belle excited a sense of fear as well as a thrill of anticipation into his heart. Despite her encouragement, he felt about as graceful as a newborn colt. He brushed his hair vigorously, in a vain attempt to flatten the curl. I hope I’m up to the task of impressing her.
He emerged from his room to discover his mother waiting for him. She tsked when she saw his tie. “You only imagine you don’t need a valet.”
Her deep purple satin gown rustled as she crossed over to retie his silk four-in-hand. Wesley tried to stand still as she fussed with him. “Mother, Mr. Oakhurst has asked his daughter to teach me to dance. We’re going to practice on the ship.”
“That’s a splendid notion, and the Oakhursts are terribly thoughtful.” Lady Frederic finished with his tie and brushed off his lapels. “Now you look perfect.” She peered at him. “I hope you aren’t becoming too attached to Miss Oakhurst.”
Wesley covered his surprise with a bewildered sort of laugh. “Why would you say such a thing? Belle—I mean Miss Oakhurst—and I just met.”
His mother’s shrewd eyes seemingly missed nothing.
“Oh dear. Wesley, she’s a lovely girl and very pretty, but
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