“I know,” Shawn sputtered with exasperation. “I’m going to be down here for at least another week. I need you to do me a favor.”
“Come get you?”
“I wish,” Shawn sounded slightly relieved. “I need you to call Delia St. James. She called me the other day and it looks like she might need our help.”
“I’m on it, I just need her number,” Faith readily agreed. “I could use something to do. Today I went to the Farmer’s Market after I had lunch with my sister. That should tell you how bored I am.”
“I’m sorry the Pittsburgh gig fell through.”
“Please, three weeks in Pittsburgh, I got lucky,” Faith blew it off. “I’ll call Delia and find out what she needs. In the meantime, its football season. I think Willie is starting to get into the games.”
“Really?”
“He doesn’t change the channel on Sundays any longer,” Faith playfully teased. “Well, only when the Giants are playing.”
“Ouch.” Shawn cringed at the jab. She and Faith had been together for almost a decade, during their time together they laughed, loved and fought over sporting events. The latter was due to the fact that Faith was from Boston and Shawn was a native New Yorker. “I love you.” She offered wrapping up the call while she watched Hilary, Althea’s assistant arguing to the point she was afraid they were about to come to blows. “I’ve got to go.”
“I know that tone,” Faith stated. “That’s the ‘I’d rather be dealing with the dead than the living’ tone.”
“This trip is has been an ordeal. I really need to go. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
CHAPTER 14
Central Park West, NYC
May 17, 1938
“Leave these and the pencils nearby.” Christopher carefully instructed as he picked up what appeared to be a sketch pad. “Check them, just in case she made any business related notes on them. She does that sometimes. Whatever you do, do not ask about the pictures.”
“Is that me?” She squawked snatching the pad from his grasp.
“Probably,” he sighed snatching it back. He held it up and studied it for a moment. “Oh, yes it certainly looks like you. Before you get yourself into a tizzy, she isn’t aware of what she is drawing. She just draws. On occasion it has some meaning. Most of the time it’s just doodles. Also, make sure the ashtray on her desk is clean and all the cigarettes are extinguished. She has a habit of lighting one after another. Her mind just keeps going and sometimes even she can’t keep up. Here is a list of people who will call. Next to their names is the appropriate responses.”
“I see that her parents are to be told that she is busy or out.”
“Yes, you’ll understand why after you’ve had the pleasure of meeting them. If she is still working and it is past midnight, pour her a glass of bourbon and tell her that the day is done. She’ll fuss, but the key is to stick to your guns. Feel free to express yourself. She hates being placated.”
“I don’t think that will be a problem.”
“I know, that’s one of the reasons I recommended you for the job. I think you are going to enjoy working for Temperance.”
Despite his faith in her, Ella was still filled with trepidation.
Christopher had been an understanding teacher. Temperance worked like a madwoman, while Christopher and Mrs. Culvert did everything they could to get her to eat and sleep. In the few short weeks since returning from England, Ella dove into her responsibilities. Deciding that if she did choose to stay on this was exactly the type of job she wanted.
The only distraction was her employer. Despite their awkward first meeting she found spending time with Temperance enthralling. There were many times she regretted that things had taken a bad turn when they first met.
The first night she spent in the penthouse proved to be a test of wills. Sitting in the solarium chatting away, she found herself stealing glances at her new employer. Each time she found Temperance’s beauty nothing short of heart stopping. Helena had buzzed around for a week or two before jetting off somewhere fashionable.
“I know my coffee is good,” Mrs. Culvert announced as she stomped into the office.
Ella looked up from her desk and chuckled. “But it is still no substitute for food. Remember, food Miss Temperance?”
“What?” Temperance looked confused when she looked up from her paperwork.
“It’s time to eat,” Ella clarified tossing her pencil down.
“Go ahead, I’ll eat when Daniel gets here,” Temperance waved her off. “He said he was swinging by around lunch time.”
“Yes, we have guests coming,” Mrs. Culvert snarled. “Lunch time has come and gone. With company coming you might want to put on a dress.”
“Oh, God Lord,” Temperance fussed. “You sound like my mother.” She groused lighting up a cigarette.
“I bet she told you a lady doesn’t smoke,” Mrs. Culvert chastised her.
“She’s mentioned it.”
“What is this surprise that Daniel is bringing over?” Ella questioned, hoping to change the subject.
“I haven’t a clue,” Temperance offered blowing a ring of smoke in the air. “I swear he acts like a school girl at times. He hinted that Nora was going to join us. Maybe he has smartened up.”
“He adores that girl,” Mrs. Culvert agreed rubbing her hands on her apron. “Its other people sticking their noses in that has kept him from seeing what’s in front of his face.”
“I know I’ll regret asking, but what do you mean?” Ella questioned as she stood.
“Everyone goes on and on about how Claire is the pretty sister,” Mrs. Culvert snorted with disgust. “Granted that one could be on the cover of a magazine but pretty only goes so far. Claire’s too highfalutin for my tastes. She’s all La dee da.”
Ella giggled. “Sorry, my father use to say that all the time.”
“Really?” Temperance perked up.
“Yes, really,” Ella turned sullen. “Company is coming and you need to eat. We’ll be there in just a moment, Mrs. Culvert.” The cook seemed excited as she rushed off towards the kitchen.
“What is it?” Temperance asked extinguishing her cigarette.
“Nothing.”
“No, not nothing,” Temperance prompted.
“My dad,” she sighed the old pain resurging. “Highfalutin, La dee da. Dad, I want to finish school. Well, La dee da is that going to put food on your table? Because you’re not sitting at mine till you’re an old maid. Dad, I have a chance to go to Vassar and study art. Well, La dee da, that’s good now you can paint pretty pictures on the tin cup you’ll be begging on the streets with. Dad, I got a job at a museum. Well, aren’t you just the highfalutin city girl now. Too good to come home to the farm. Sorry, it’s just my parents never got me.”
“Oh?” Temperance paled her voice quivered. “I didn’t realize that you didn’t get on.”
“Oh my!” Mrs. Culvert squealed from the other room.
“Now, what?” Ella shook her head before heading towards the excitement. She was well aware that Temperance was right behind her. “Daniel, Nora and who’s your friend?”
“Preston!” Temperance squealed almost knocking Ella over as she rushed to him. She captured the stunning man in uniform in a fierce hug. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Surprise!” Daniel announced.
“Look at you,” Temperance squeezed his face before taking a step back to look at her brother.
“He’s too skinny,” Mrs. Culvert announced. “Now, everyone go sit in the dining room. The others will just have to catch up.”
“Others?”
“Ella,” Temperance suddenly seemed short of breath. “There’s-“ but a loud knock at the door cut her off.
“Someone at the door.” Ella concluded.
“Hello, you must be Ella,” Preston took it upon himself to introduce himself. “I’m Preston.”
“Nice to meet you,” she sputtered amazed at how much he looked like
his sister.
“I’ve heard a great deal about you.”
“All good, I hope,” Ella offered nervously.
“Ella?” Temperance tried to get her attention.
“I’m sorry, here I am hogging you.” She reassured him by placing her hand on his arm.
“Ella?” this time Temperance’s voice squeaked.
“There you are!” Came the commanding voice startling everyone.
“God Lord, it’s my mother,” Temperance blanched.
“My son, is on leave and I have to hunt him down.”
“Oh, dear.” Preston mumbled. “Mother, so good to see you.”
“Come give, Mother a kiss,” she demanded while her husband hung back. Preston obeyed planting a quick peck on her cheek.
“Where is Christopher?” Mr. Muraille haplessly questioned as he stood in the foyer holding their coats.
“Allow me, Sir.” Jenny jumped in relieving him of his bundle.
“May, I get anyone a beverage?” Ella quickly offered noticing how his face lit up.
“I’ll help,” Daniel offered a tad too quickly. Nora joined in ushering them towards the bar in the sitting room.
“If we stay in here long enough, maybe they’ll go away,” Nora whispered as Daniel mixed drinks.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Temperance startled them as she stormed in. “The alcohol is in here. Eventually, they’ll sniff it out.”
“Good lord, did you leave Preston to fend for himself?” Daniel sputtered. “He’s no match for her. An invading army, sure but not my dear sweet Auntie. Who knows, what she’ll get him to agree to. If Henry was here we might stand a chance.”
“Henry?” Ella questioned. “Do you have another brother?”
“No, but I do have a confession.” Temperance squeaked. “This is so much harder with my parents here.”
“It could be worse, it could be my parents.” She quipped with a light laugh. The laugh died when Temperance began to tremble. “What did you do?” Ella inquired, with trepidation in her small voice.
“They showed up at the office the other day practically accusing me of kidnapping you,” she blurted out. “I didn’t know that you didn’t get along. How could I? You never talk about them.”
“And that wasn’t your first clue?”
“When are they coming?” Nora stepped in handing Ella a large tumbler of bourbon.
“Where is mine?” Temperance groused.
“You’ll get yours when you answer the question,” Nora scolded her.
“They said, they’d join us for supper,” Temperance whimpered. “That means dinner right?”
“Yes.” Ella hissed. “Which means, they’ll be here any time now.”
“I expect that one of those are for me?” Mrs. Muraille’s voice cut through the room. Her husband had quietly stepped in behind her.
“Thank you, Nora,” he commented intercepting Temperance’s cocktail.
Preston stood beside his mother appearing shell shocked. “Did I hear that Ella’s parents are joining us?” He sheepishly questioned.
“Who is Ella?” Mrs. Muraille sputtered as Daniel literally shoved a martini into her hand. “Never mind. Now, that I have the two of you together.”
“Which you normally avoid,” Temperance muttered under her breath while stepping behind the bar.
“We need to discuss the holidays.” She prattled on ignoring the fact that her daughter had spoken.
“Now? Mother, I have no idea where I’ll be. As I’ve explained in the past, I can’t simply ask the US Army for holiday leave. Who knows where my unit might be sent.”
“Nonsense,” she dismissed him just as handily as she had dismissed her daughter. “You keep saying that. Cook is disappointed every year. She bakes you a cake and you don’t show up.”
“I’m a Captain in the United States Army.”
“Temperance.”
“Yes, Mother,” she dutifully responded.
“Another,” she passed the empty glass. “That dreadful Astor woman is hosting a party on New Years’ Eve. Think of somewhere nice we can have tea. Preston, you can join us to celebrate your birthday at brunch. I’ll tell Cook, she’ll be very excited.”
“Martha, her name is Martha.” Temperance muttered.
“What was that?”
“I said, I wasn’t planning on being in the city for New Year’s.”
“Temperance, it is tradition.”
“Is it? I seem to recall that I haven’t endured my birthday tea for quite a few years, now.”
“Ella?” Preston squeaked as he extracted himself from his mother’s grasp. He motioned for her to follow him. Thankful for the escape route she quickly trotted after him. They ducked into the solarium.
“Whatever must you think of us,” he sighed wearily as they sat down.
“Just wait, my parents are on their way,” she cautioned looking up at the glass ceiling and counting the stars. “Your birthday is January 1st?”
“Yes.”
“And your sister’s is December 31st?”
“Yes.”
“Now, I understand the snickering when she claims to be the older one.”
“By eleven minutes.” He chuckled. His smile quickly faded. “Growing up every year, Mother would celebrate our birthdays separately. Formal tea where she usually forgets to give Temperance a present. For my birthday it is a cake served in the middle of her New Year’s Day brunch. Again, presents were optional. As soon as the cake is served her attention returns to her guests. It makes one wonder, why she bothers. She claims that it is tradition.”
“And Reggie’s birthday?”
“Oh, well that is different. He is the favorite.”
“He’s a scoundrel. No offense.”
“None taken, he is. Whiskey, women, gambling and polo are the only things that hold his attention.”
“But you’re a decorated officer in the United States Army,” she was confused and suddenly appreciating her parents. “According to your sister, you graduated at the top of your class from West Point.”
“Father assumed that I was grooming myself for a career in politics.”
“Your sister is a brilliant business woman, whose generosity is known around the globe. How is it that your brother who squanders every dime and seduces women is the favorite?”
“I stopped asking quite some time ago.”
“And who is Henry?”
“Oh,” he blushed. “We’ve known one another since we were boys at Andover Academy.”
“Is he in the Army as well?” She treaded carefully.
“A Chaplin, he’s attached to my unit.” He stammered slightly. “Do you enjoy working for my sister?”
“Yes. She’s an interesting woman.”
“I see.”
“There the two of you are,” Daniel bellowed stomping in with a tray of drinks. Nora followed quickly behind him. “I brought reinforcements.” He announced as Nora assisted in handing out tumblers of bourbon. “Have you cautioned our dear Ella yet?”
“About?” Preston questioned while Ella quietly surmised it was about Henry.
“Not referring to you and Tempe as twins.” Daniel clarified. “It bothers Aunty.”
“That is so odd.” Ella whispered draining her first cocktail. Her heart leapt when the buzzer rang. “Oh, goodie.” She excused herself and answered the call. After informing the front desk to send her parents up she wondered about something. Daniel being waved up was of no concern. He lived in the building and was well known to the building’s staff. But they had no warning that the Muraille’s were on their way up.
“What is it?” Daniel questioned as they joined her in the front room.
“How did your Aunt and Uncle make it upstairs without a warning from downstairs?”
“Many a brave man has fallen in the face of Iris Muraille’s wrath,” Nora boldly offered.
Everyone had somehow managed to end up in the sitting room when Mrs. Culvert stormed in and demanded that ever
yone have a seat in the dining room. “Dinner is halfway to hades by now. Sorry folks,” she nodded to the Westbrooks who stood there looking utterly lost.
“Mr. and Mrs. Westbrook, so nice of you to join us.” Temperance’s social graces kicked in. “My apologies, we weren’t expecting such a large gathering. My brother, Preston surprised us.” She emphasized the point by patting him on the chest.
Ella was blown away at how quickly, Temperance had put her parents at ease. Although, she didn’t miss the way, her mother looked at Temperance. She didn’t doubt that her mother did not approve of the slacks wearing, chain smoking, career gal.
Then it happened. Ella was quietly relieved when Temperance seated her next to Preston. He was sweet and easy to talk to. He also bore a striking resemblance to his sister. During dinner, Ella became so preoccupied with stealing glances at Temperance, holding court at the head of the table that she was oblivious of what was happening around her. One look in their direction and it was obvious; Temperance had won over her parents! What Ella was still unaware of was that Temperance had put a plan into motion.
By the time Henry arrived, Ella was furious. After the parents had departed the party moved to the solarium. “Have you lost your mind?” She demanded as Daniel handed out beverages.
“You’re in trouble,” Nora nudged Temperance.
“Usually.” Temperance dryly responded. “Although, I am rarely aware of just what it is I’ve done.”
“My parents think, I’m dating your brother!” She jerked her thumb towards Preston.
“I thought that was genius.”
“Genius?” Ella, choked her hands unwittingly curling into fists.
“It was presumptuous, Tempe,” Preston pointed out.
“Your mother was so happy,” Temperance argued with a pleading look.
“Yours wasn’t,” Daniel noted.
“She never is,” Temperance chided him. “She has Helena penciled in as Preston’s intended.”
“No matter how many times I tell her that I despise that woman.” Preston grumbled.
“Ella, I fail to understand what it is that I did to upset you. Your parents are going back to Massachusetts incredibly happy.”
“No, they’re going home to plan my wedding.”
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