“Doesn’t that make things difficult for Rudy?”
“Yes, it does. We have found a way to manage.”
“Christopher, as entertaining as all of this has been, I haven’t accepted the position.”
“Not yet,” he asserted. “Temperance truly does regret her vulgar behavior, last evening.”
“I get that, but that doesn’t mean I’m interested in working for her.”
“A trial run perhaps? We are heading to London next week. The family is loaning out some pieces for a small showing. Join us?”
“I don’t think that I am the right person. Apologies aside I doubt that I will enjoy working so closely with Miss Muraille.”
“I suggest you consider taking the position,” Christopher urged. “You could begin this afternoon.”
“I have a job,” Ella was stunned that he expected her to just abandon everything, because his employer demanded it. “Every time I think your employer isn’t a bad person, I find myself on the defensive. I am not the type of person to just walk out. I owe my present employer a certain degree of loyalty.”
“Even though just this afternoon, he tried to do everything he could to convince Miss Muraille that he would be a far better candidate than you?”
“Yes,” she blinked with surprise. “Yes, Alfred can be underhanded at times. I don’t work solely for him. He’s my supervisor. He’s not the only person I answer to.”
“A man that has led his superiors to believe that all of your good work, was his doing.”
“And your boss is trustworthy?”
“Her faux paus aside,” he scoffed. “I would have thought, that traveling the world discovering new and old works of beauty would be something that interested you. Before I met her, Temperance was inspired by a friend of the family. Since, Mrs. Gardner’s passing some years ago, Temperance has felt even more driven.”
“Mrs. Gardner? You mean Isabella Stewart Gardner, that Mrs. Gardner?”
“I’m sure you are aware of her collection.”
“She turned her entire home into a museum, after traveling the world.”
“A life, my employer has done everything she can to emulate. Except for the getting married part. Mrs. Gardner didn’t accomplish it all on her own. Your job, would involve traveling the world in search of great works of art and literature. In exchange for which, you will receive an extremely generous salary and your own apartment in a penthouse overlooking the city. How is any of this an insult?”
“Insult?”
“Not, to further offend you, but you are behaving as if we’ve insulted you?”
Ella was far too stunned to respond. She really didn’t have the opportunity, to apologize or discuss the matter any further. Christopher checked his watch before informing her that he was behind schedule.
Wallace dutifully returned her to the museum. The moment she stepped through the doors, Alfred was on her. He wasn’t alone. Myron Spenser the director of the museum was by his side.
“I must confess, Ella I am disappointed.” Mr. Spenser tersely began. “A three hour lunch? When you came to work here, I thought you shared my passion for preserving these great works. But here you are off hobnobbing with some heiress. I’m afraid that I simply cannot stand for such behavior. You’re terminated.”
“What? I wasn’t hobnobbing,” she tried to argue infuriated that he hadn’t even asked her about her whereabouts. Apparently, Alfred’s word was all he needed. “Mr. Spenser I was simply returning the pieces from last night’s gala.”
“For three hours, no need to keep up the pretense,” he dismissed her. “Alfred has informed me of how you have been using your position. Social climbing, I expected more from you. Clean out your desk.”
Dejected and disgusted she walked home to the boarding house. Normally, she would have taken the bus. Now, facing unemployment every penny counted. On the long trudge home she mentally calculated how long she could survive on her meager savings. She had enough to cover next month’s rent, for the room she shared with two other women. How often she would be able to eat was a bit of a mystery.
Understanding that she needed to find a new job quickly she did the only thing she could think of, she walked all the way back to the foundation offices.
After being informed that Miss Muraille was at a nearby school, she made her way over there. Nothing could have surprised her more than finding Temperance Muraille sitting on the floor with a group of young children, finger painting.
“Make a mess,” Temperance encouraged the group of giggling children.
Still slightly shocked, she joined Christopher who was sitting in a chair, located in the back of the classroom. He glanced up, and nodded to an empty chair beside him. Then he returned his attention to the leather bound ledger she had noticed that was almost always in his possession.
“If you would feel more comfortable, you could stay in the guestroom in my apartment,” he offered without bothering looking up. “You must know by now that your virtue is safe in my hands.”
She didn’t respond, as the sight of Temperance crawling on the floor giving art lessons to a bunch of eight year olds was captivating.
“This,” Christopher disrupted her musings. “Is Temperance’s charity schedule and this is her business schedule.” He explained showing her the pages he had been studying.
“For the month?”
“For today,” he wearily explained. “Speaking of which, ah good she’s cleaned the paint off of herself. Normally, she forgets.”
“Thank you, for the art supplies and the books, Miss Muraille.” The teacher gushed.
“My pleasure, hopefully, I’ll be back soon,” Temperance tenderly offered. “Ah, Miss Westbrook. So, good to see you again. Christopher?”
“We’re off to see your cousin, Bernadette. I did as you requested. Dr. Edwards is meeting us at her home.”
“Joining us?” She directed towards Ella.
“She has decided to get a feel for things,” Christopher explained ushering the both of them to the car.
That was how things began. Dr. Edwards who was looking for a sizable donation to fund an animal sanctuary was introduced to cousin Bernadette, whose poodle aptly named Poopsy was ill. Temperance introduced the Vet to her cousin and let nature take its course. They fell for one another hard and fast. The wedding was just a few short months later.
The rest of the day consisted of three lunches, four get togethers for cocktails, two more meetings at the foundation offices, a dinner engagement, and a trip to the boarding house to collect Ella’s belongs. By ten o’clock that evening the day still wasn’t done.
“Mrs. Culvert left dinner in the oven,” Jenny the housekeeper informed them after Christopher introduced Ella. She was polite, but a tad uneasy when she learned that Ella would be staying in Christopher’s apartment.
“Thank you, Jenny,” Temperance placated her. “It’s late, I’m sure your husband is worried. We’ll see you tomorrow. Christopher why don’t you get Miss Westbrook settled while I see what Mrs. Culvert left. I have no doubt there will be more than enough for three. She’s always overly generous with her portions.” She explained as the office telephone rang.
“That would be the overseas operator,” Christopher explained helping Ella with her meager belongs.
“What time is it there?” Temperance questioned hurrying to answer the call.
“Around noon time.”
Christopher and Ella dined on lamb, potatoes and fresh green beans while Temperance handled business in Australia. Ella was mildly disgusted by the way Temperance chained smoked throughout the telephone call. Every now and then Christopher would go over with notes and a clean ashtray.
“How do you stand it?” Ella waved at a cloud of smoke.
“I’m used to it and I smoke myself. You don’t?”
“No, my mother insisted that a lady does not smoke,” she chuckled.
“So, does mine,” Temperance’s voice startled her. “And Mrs. Culvert may have mentio
ned the very same thing three or four thousand times.”
“No, thank you,” she waved off the offer. “Not with all the restaurants I’ve been today.”
Ella furrowed her brow recalling that with each meal, she noticed that Temperance barely touched her food.
“I’ll clean up,” Christopher offered again confusing Ella. He had tidied up a good hour ago.
“You, already did,” Temperance dryly noted.
“Cigars and cognac in the solarium?” He eagerly suggested.
“Le Printemps,” Temperance suggested.
“Unless, you would consider the Henri IV, Dudognon?” He teased.
“I don’t think, so,” she choked. “Wait, Miss Westbrook doesn’t smoke.”
“She can drink and enjoy the view.”
Ella blindly followed them to a set of doors, she had mistakenly believed was a balcony. It opened up into a tropical garden complete with a stream running through it. Surrounded on all sides and the ceiling was paneled glass.
“My little oasis in the urban jungle.” Temperance commented.
“I hate to break this to you Miss Muraille, but your entire apartment is an oasis.”
“I suppose,” she softly agreed while offering Ella a seat in comfortable lounge chair. “And it’s Temperance, when we’re not working.”
“Where is Christopher?” She was filled with a sudden panic.
“Libations!” He announced appearing in the doorway with a tray.
They sat back, smoke, drank and snacked on some smoked oysters Christopher claimed to have found lurking around.
“Earlier today, I was filled with despair,” Ella confessed.
“Now, what did you do?” Christopher wagged an accusing finger at his boss.
“Why must it always be me?”
“It wasn’t,” Ella interrupted their bickering. “After, I left this afternoon Mr. Spenser the director of the museum fired me.”
“Good heavens, why?” Temperance demanded.
She explained the greeting she received upon returning to her job. Christopher was livid. “That, Alfred fellow needs a good thrashing.”
Ella turned to Temperance for help. “Don’t look at me, I agree with him,” she asserted. “In fact, Christopher make a note I need to ring Mr. Spenser tomorrow. He needs to be set straight.”
“That is not necessary.”
“This Alfred fellow has besmirched your reputation,” she was furious. “Even if you don’t wish to enter into my employ, having that kind of blemish on your record could severely limit your options.”
“I hadn’t considered that.”
“Allow me to handle this. Sometimes being a spoiled debutant has its advantages. Now, tell me about yourself. I understand you attended Vassar.”
Chapter 9
Central Park West, NYC
April 5, 1938
The following morning Ella awoke to a whole new world. Christopher allowed her to sleep in his guest room. By the time her head hit the pillow her mind was spinning.
During the evening chat she found herself hanging on every word Temperance Muraille uttered. She was captivated by the woman who bore no resemblance to the crude person who had hit on her the night before.
Ella didn’t recall accepting the position. Although she did collect her things from the boarding house. Her actions did surprise her overly protective landlady and the two gals she shared a room with.
“Don’t tell me you’re still on the fence about accepting this position.” Christopher scolded her in the following morning.
“It’s a bit much to take in.”
“I understand it has been a bit of a whirlwind but that is how things work around here. Speaking of which, the schedule for London is going to be a tad on the busy side. The key is to keep Temperance on schedule. If there is a chance you won’t be joining us, I need to know. The cost of the flight is a bit steep.”
Before she could say a word he added that they would be stopping in Rome and Paris. Shopping as he put it. She would later learn that shopping meant seeking out art to purchase. Not just old masters but new artist as well. Ella never recalled saying yes. She must have had, since before she knew what was happening she was in London.
It was the furthest Ella had traveled in her entire life. It was also the first time she flew. Before they left, Christopher took her shopping for new outfits. She was embarrassed at first until, he explained to her that many of their engagements involved visiting old aristocratic homes and that even he and Miss Muraille needed to update their wardrobes.
There were several social events that as staff she and Christopher did not attend. Then there were several, where the Lords and Ladies of the manor had invited Temperance to their ancestral manors under the guise of selling off an old painting or sculpture. Of course they were surprised when Temperance arrived with her staff.
Christopher quickly educated Ella on the American Princess, phenomenon in England. As an American Heiress, Temperance was an attractive commodity for British aristocrats whose titles dated back hundreds of years and the fortunes had vanished along the way. Being land rich and cash poor marrying one of their sons off to a wealthy American seemed like a sensible answer.
Temperance would arrive eager to see a masterpiece only to be greeted with a party where the Lord and Lady of the house paraded their unmarried sons around for her.
Ella quickly understood what a shrewd business woman Temperance truly was. Somehow she’d managed to procure the artwork without offending or embarrassing anyone.
The homes they entered were enchanting. They would drive up long path ways, to large water fountains surrounded by open fields, where men would spend their days hunting.
The rest of the trip involved visiting museums, distant relatives and old school chums. Temperance’s old acquaintances having traded family money for a title were often eager for news from back home.
It fascinated her how quickly, Temperance could put anyone at ease. Her old mates insisting that she attend one party after another. Temperance managed to dodge most of the invitations without offending.
Often listening to the conversations, Ella felt as if they were speaking in some sort of code. Another thing that fascinated Ella was the way women took to gossip. She had always assumed that it was a decidedly ugly American habit. She was mistaken. Most everyone enjoyed whispering about Billy and Kick, whoever they were. All Ella understood was they would never be allowed to get married because, Kick was Catholic. Billy and Kick were the only couple anyone was discussing who weren’t having an affair. They were simply two young people in love.
Thankfully, her employer although polite was focused on the business of displaying and adding to the family collection.
The trip involve seeing the Elgin Marbles. She stood in awe being so close to the sculptors that had once been a part of the Parthenon. She was embarrassed to admit seeing sculptors from ancient Greece eclipsed the grand homes and elegant parties.
“It makes you feel insignificant, doesn’t it?” She recalled Temperance whispering.
“They belong in Greece,” Ella couldn’t refrain from commenting.
“I agree. Ella, I don’t wish to offend you but we’ve had a slight change to our itinerary. Christopher has purchased a new dress for you.”
Despite her employer’s soft tone, Ella bristled. “And just what is the occasion?”
“We’ve been invited to a simple gathering at Buckingham Palace. Well, I’ve been invited and the King understands that I prefer to travel with my staff.”
“Excuse me?” Ella gasped as she panicked.
“I think you look, amazing in whatever you wear. Christopher insisted that both you and I spruce up as it were before we meet the King and Queen. He has excellent taste.”
“King George?”
“I was referring to Christopher. Perhaps I should ask the King about his views on fashion.”
“Don’t you dare,” Ella was horrified. “Why are we meeting the Royal Family?”<
br />
“I’m rich they’re royalty. Just the way it goes. Doesn’t make sense when you think about it. I really don’t have anything in common with the royal family. I mean other than the fact that none of us has ever washed our own knickers.”
“I should start getting ready.”
“No,” Temperance placed a comforting hand on her arm. “I’ll come get you when we need to start preparing. This, is something you may never see again.” She nodded towards the sculptors.
“And the King of England?”
“Is just a man. Think about it if his brother hadn’t quit-“
“Stop. You’re insane, you know that don’t you?”
“You are not the first woman to mention it. Enjoy, I’ll be back.”
Later, she met the royal family who were delightfully charming and as Temperance pointed out, they were just people. Nice people who were gracious despite the need to have the guests follow a certain protocol.
Watching Temperance that evening interacting with royalty completely at ease. She was mindful of protocol and still remained utterly charming. On the ride back to their hotel, Temperance said something that Ella would never forget.
“Ones birthright is simply the luck of the draw. It is what you do with what you are given that makes you who you are. At least that is the way, I’ve been leading my life. The first night I met you, my words came out all wrong. I wanted to say something about how much we both love art. Instead, I spewed out vulgar rubbish. The next leg of our trip should prove to be less fanciful. Paris then Rome.”
Later after a truly amazing trip where she was immersed in art of all sorts she found herself moving into Christopher’s old apartment. Again, she couldn’t recall agreeing to come work for Temperance Muraille.
She quickly learned why Christopher was paid so well. Temperance Muraille was by all accounts a difficult woman who worked nonstop. Her mind always seemed to be in motion and she would often forget that others simply couldn’t keep up.
Chapter 10
Midlothian, IL.
September 12, 2017
Muraille Island Page 7
