CHAPTER 2

“Ready, Miss Martin?”

Jennie swallowed the bile rising up in her throat and plastered on her most demure smile. To her escort, she replied, “Joseph, thank you for filling in for Father. The family is most appreciative.”

“Happy to be of service,” her companion smiled- the triumphant assurance of a king.

I’m sure you are. Now, let’s get this over with.

Joseph York the Third was the last person Jennie thought she’d be attending the ball with. Her cousin’s friend from Harvard, Mr. York deserted his usual Newport set and took a suite at the Stockton Hotel for the season. Her aunt, of course, was delighted. With no family of his own in town, it was only natural for him to join their party. Old money, like her mother’s side. Not that Jennie needed a reminder- Gertrude herself sufficed daily. Tall, dark, and indeed handsome, he was sure to make some deb ‘an excellent match.’

Just not her. She’d long since lost her heart. Didn’t expect to get it back anytime soon either.

Joseph no sooner led them into the ballroom when her cousin approached.

Cocktail in one hand, Hugh slung his free arm over the other man’s shoulder. “There’s some alumni here I think you should meet. Wanna talk about the team’s chances next season.”

“Oh?” asked the barracuda.

Hugh’s brown eyes twinkled. “You don’t mind, do you Jen?”

“Of course not.”

“I’m taking them out on the Crusader day after tomorrow,” Hugh told Joseph as they walked away. “The striper are running if you care to join us.” Her cousin looked back over his shoulder and gave Jennie a wink.

“Thank you,” she mouthed, and he cocked his head in acknowledgment.

Jennie bit her lip, her hazel eyes frantically searching for Danny. Maybe -just maybe- she prayed, he hadn’t arrived yet.

No such luck. There, along a column in the far corner of the room, two sets of piercing blue eyes stared back at her- one in horror; the other, pure rage. She took a purposeful step in their direction when a silken hand grasped her shoulder.

“Your dance card, dear,” Gertrude leered.

No. Not now, she didn’t have time for this. Jennie’s hand shook as she perused the pamphlet.

“How is it already full?” she asked, searching her aunt’s face for an answer, a trace of emotion even, yet Gertrude’s mouth remained in the same thin line as always.

“You know you can’t be left with these decisions. You’re not out yet, dear.”

“I don’t even know half these names.”

“All good families, I assure you. Though I’m sure you recognize Mr. York’s.”

“How could I miss it?” Jennie scoffed. “He claimed five dances. Couldn’t you have at least added Hugh to the list?”

Gertrude’s eyes darted around them. “Remember yourself, young lady,” she growled. “You have a duty to this family just like the rest of us. This little mishap in the papers will blow over much more smoothly if we shoulder the burden together, do you understand?”

Jennie understood, alright. Understood that she didn’t have any control over her own life. Hoping he’d see she was detained, she threw a quick glance in Danny’s direction. Hands in his pockets, he looked down at the floor.

She swallowed hard; she’d never hurt him purposely. Surely he knew that. Tonight was supposed to be about them, about finally being together in the open instead of sneaking around. Her declaration to her father, to Gertrude, to the world, that -out yet or not- she was spoken for.

Jennie had to fix this right here and now, thoughts of tearing up the dance card fueling her resolve. Once Danny heard her explanation, everything would be back on track. Of course, he’d forgive her. Right?

“Look at me when I’m speaking to you,” her aunt commanded. “Answer the question.”

“Yes,” she mumbled.

“E-nun-ciate.”

“Yes, Aunt Gertrude. I understand.”

“Good.” Gertrude gave a curt nod of approval. “Stick to the script and you’ll do just fine. Now, dear, if you’ll excuse me, I must make my rounds.”

Jennie’s cheeks blazed. Though not specific to Father, the headlines were damaging enough considering his thick accent. It started when the New York World reported the German-American Alliance supported the Kaiser’s war effort, which was absolutely preposterous. Still, the press spilled blood in the water and created a feeding frenzy among the other papers. How could they print such lies? Fearmongering, that’s what it was, pure and simple. She was proud of her heritage- proud of her father and the company he’d built. He was only a child when he left Bavaria. Alone, for that matter. If the papers could lie, Jennie supposed she could, too. Her mantra about Father being home under the weather slipped out with frightening ease.

She looked over at the column again, but both Culligans were gone. Five minutes in, the ball was already a complete and utter disaster. Still, Jennie had a role to play, and the pressure was on. Until she could speak with Father about her feelings for Danny, she had to perform.

The night dragged on and on. One boring conversation after the other, most of them about Father- her suitors fishing to estimate the size of her dowry. She smiled and nodded; laughed at all their terrible jokes. Any innocent bystander would think she was having a fabulous time. This was good because, somewhere amongst the crowd, Gertrude was watching her like a hawk.

All the while, Jennie kept her eyes peeled for Danny. To keep herself sane, she allowed her mind to wander, daydreaming she wasn’t really dancing with Mr. Jones (“of-the-Baltimore-Joneses”), but him. Danny. Her Danny.

Most nights, they simply lay together by the lake. Her head on his chest, he’d pet her hair as they traced the constellations, never ceasing to find brave Perseus and Andromeda. Danny told her stories about the pirates that used to land on the surrounding shoreline, and, knowing he’d pull her closer, Jennie pretended to be afraid.

They both wished the giant elephant attraction Jumbo was still around. Jennie had seen its sister in Atlantic City, but he’d never been that far up the coast. “We’ll go there sometime,” she promised.

“Miss Martin?”

The spell was broken, and she found herself staring back at a very perplexed Mr. Jones.

“Yes?”

“I asked if you cared for some punch.”

Jennie glanced at the buffet to hide her embarrassment. She saw Shannon enter the ladies’ bathroom out of the corner of her eye. Finally- this was just the kind of chance she’d been waiting for.

“No, thank you.” Smoothing her arms along her corseted bodice, she added, “I’m actually feeling a bit fatigued. Would you excuse me while I freshen up?”

Jones bowed, and Jennie seized her moment, hastily borrowing a pencil from one of the staff on her way to the lavatory. Once inside, she retrieved a calling card from her purse and scribbled as fast as she could.

Darling-I can explain.

The Spot. Same time.

All my love. ~J

There. Now, all she had to do was wait for Shannon to come out. The longest minute in the world passed. She couldn’t have missed her, could she? Then what would she do?

Her feet swelled in her heels, so she plopped down on one of the velvet settees. Might as well take advantage of it while she could. Tempting as it was to hide out in the bathroom all evening, her aunt would eventually come looking for her.

Two girls about her age entered, and Jennie tilted her head in acknowledgment. It was better for her to appear aloof- she couldn’t risk getting caught up in conversation right now- though, apparently, there was no chance of that.

“Kraut,” one of them sneered on her way to the mirror.

Jennie balled her hands in her lap. They’re just jealous. Of what, though? Empty-headed boys, who only cared about her money?

“I heard her father won’t even show his face,” said the taller of the two in a loud whisper.

Her companion nodded. “Well, I heard they’re going back to Philadelphia.” She pinched her nose. “The stench of it this time of year.”

“I know. Why, it’s almost as bad as…Liberty Cabbage.”

Both girls snickered.

“Come now, ladies,” said a third voice, “don’t you have anything better to talk about?”

Jennie looked up, speechless. Shannon? She certainly didn’t expect to be defended by someone who was shooting daggers at her only hours before.

The tall girl raised an eyebrow through the mirror. “Excuse me?”

Shannon eyed the girl up and down. “Those shoes with that dress? Inexcusable.” Her opponent’s nostrils flared, and Shannon cackled. “Truth hurts, doesn’t it?”

“Well, I never!” the girl spat, grabbing her friend by the elbow. “Come on, Harriet.”

Jennie intended on waiting until their...