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Authors: Becky Lower
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inherited none of his father’s cleverness or personality. Or his backbone, for that matter.
She turned to the elder Mr. Gray. “Mr. Gray, how are your railroad investments holding up?”
“I took your advice, Ginger, when you first began pushing railroad stocks at me, and I’m proud to say the Pacific Railroad should have track laid between St. Louis and Jefferson City later this year. The big holdup was a massive bridge they had to build over the Gasconade River, which is now finished. The railroad is planning a huge celebratory train ride for all its investors later this year. Frankly, I’d like to see St. Louis, where Basil spends his time.”
And Joseph as well , she thought. Again, she looked at him.
Joseph was paying attention to Elizabeth, of all people. Here she was, practically falling out of her dress in an attempt to capture his interest, and he was listening with rapt attention to her best friend who had declared to Ginger her undying devotion to Cedric just last night! Elizabeth was telling Joseph some inane tale about how she tripped over her dress and nearly fell into some bushes on her way here to dinner. Her dress may have a stupid train, causing her near-tumble, but the neckline was nowhere near as plunging as Ginger’s own. So what did Joseph find so appealing? Suddenly, Ginger couldn’t wait for this dinner to end.
The final toast of the evening soon followed. Joseph was welcomed to New York by everyone at the table, and Ginger was finally able to stand up. She waited until Joseph’s gaze came her way, then she leaned over the table before rising from her seat, giving him an ample view of her assets. She watched with amusement as his eyes widened, and then narrowed, at her. Take that, Joseph! She stood and took William’s proffered arm before heading back to the parlor.
Chapter Nine
Elegantly crafted carriages lined up for blocks in front of the newly rebuilt Opera House to discharge their passengers. Instead of Jenny Lind or Henrietta Sontag, tonight the patrons were excited to see the great French actress Rachel, who was gracing an American stage for the first time. Her performances had been sold out for weeks.
Ginger and Elizabeth sat in the front row of the box, along with Ginger’s parents. The girls were admiring the gilt on the ceiling and the Venetian plaster reliefs adorning the crown of the room and the walls. A huge chandelier filled with hundreds of candles gleamed brightly overhead. In truth, they were using the gilt and chandelier as an excuse to throw their arms about and talk excitedly, hoping to attract some attention from the crowd below.
“Oh, look, Ginger. There’s Richard Douglas. And his friend, Cedric Smith. My goodness, they’re waving at us!” Elizabeth giggled. “Isn’t Cedric handsome? I do love the way that one lock of hair falls over his forehead like it does. Don’t you just want to brush it back for him?”
Ginger frowned at her friend. “Did you happen to notice it is the only lock of hair left on the top of his head? Goodness, the man is nearly bald! Please don’t do anything to encourage him.”
“Don’t be so stuffy, Ginger. You’re beginning to sound like my mother.” Elizabeth looked again at the two English gentlemen and waved back enthusiastically, nearly falling from her chair. “I do hope they come up here at intermission, so I can hear his lovely accent once again!”
Ginger laughed before she replied, “I love your enthusiasm, but should you not be a little more reserved? After all, you don’t want to make Cedric think he has a chance with you. Your father has already said he’ll not welcome a penniless Brit into the family.”
“Hang my father. I find the thought of adding a titled young British fellow to the family exciting, especially if the young man is Cedric Smith!”
• • •
Basil and Joseph walked through the gilded hallway of the Opera House on their way to the family’s box. Basil said to his friend,
She turned to the elder Mr. Gray. “Mr. Gray, how are your railroad investments holding up?”
“I took your advice, Ginger, when you first began pushing railroad stocks at me, and I’m proud to say the Pacific Railroad should have track laid between St. Louis and Jefferson City later this year. The big holdup was a massive bridge they had to build over the Gasconade River, which is now finished. The railroad is planning a huge celebratory train ride for all its investors later this year. Frankly, I’d like to see St. Louis, where Basil spends his time.”
And Joseph as well , she thought. Again, she looked at him.
Joseph was paying attention to Elizabeth, of all people. Here she was, practically falling out of her dress in an attempt to capture his interest, and he was listening with rapt attention to her best friend who had declared to Ginger her undying devotion to Cedric just last night! Elizabeth was telling Joseph some inane tale about how she tripped over her dress and nearly fell into some bushes on her way here to dinner. Her dress may have a stupid train, causing her near-tumble, but the neckline was nowhere near as plunging as Ginger’s own. So what did Joseph find so appealing? Suddenly, Ginger couldn’t wait for this dinner to end.
The final toast of the evening soon followed. Joseph was welcomed to New York by everyone at the table, and Ginger was finally able to stand up. She waited until Joseph’s gaze came her way, then she leaned over the table before rising from her seat, giving him an ample view of her assets. She watched with amusement as his eyes widened, and then narrowed, at her. Take that, Joseph! She stood and took William’s proffered arm before heading back to the parlor.
Chapter Nine
Elegantly crafted carriages lined up for blocks in front of the newly rebuilt Opera House to discharge their passengers. Instead of Jenny Lind or Henrietta Sontag, tonight the patrons were excited to see the great French actress Rachel, who was gracing an American stage for the first time. Her performances had been sold out for weeks.
Ginger and Elizabeth sat in the front row of the box, along with Ginger’s parents. The girls were admiring the gilt on the ceiling and the Venetian plaster reliefs adorning the crown of the room and the walls. A huge chandelier filled with hundreds of candles gleamed brightly overhead. In truth, they were using the gilt and chandelier as an excuse to throw their arms about and talk excitedly, hoping to attract some attention from the crowd below.
“Oh, look, Ginger. There’s Richard Douglas. And his friend, Cedric Smith. My goodness, they’re waving at us!” Elizabeth giggled. “Isn’t Cedric handsome? I do love the way that one lock of hair falls over his forehead like it does. Don’t you just want to brush it back for him?”
Ginger frowned at her friend. “Did you happen to notice it is the only lock of hair left on the top of his head? Goodness, the man is nearly bald! Please don’t do anything to encourage him.”
“Don’t be so stuffy, Ginger. You’re beginning to sound like my mother.” Elizabeth looked again at the two English gentlemen and waved back enthusiastically, nearly falling from her chair. “I do hope they come up here at intermission, so I can hear his lovely accent once again!”
Ginger laughed before she replied, “I love your enthusiasm, but should you not be a little more reserved? After all, you don’t want to make Cedric think he has a chance with you. Your father has already said he’ll not welcome a penniless Brit into the family.”
“Hang my father. I find the thought of adding a titled young British fellow to the family exciting, especially if the young man is Cedric Smith!”
• • •
Basil and Joseph walked through the gilded hallway of the Opera House on their way to the family’s box. Basil said to his friend,
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