Chapter 21

Twenty-One

As Sally began saying something about Beulah being a woman who would never abide by any rifle-surrendering edicts, Luella came breezing back into the room, looking downright stunning in the green riding habit Lottie had picked out. She skidded to a stop when her gaze landed on Sally, but she didn't remain immobile for long. After squaring her shoulders, she surged into motion, stalking to Camilla's side.

"This is a less-than-pleasant surprise," Luella said, settling a scowl on Sally. "Aren't you supposed to be attending your weekly luncheon at the McLure House right about now?"

Sally winced ever so slightly, something that suggested she'd been responsible for excluding Luella from that. "I am, but Curtistine and I saw you and Miss Pierpont strolling down Market Street and decided it was the perfect time to welcome her to Wheeling."

"Well, since you've evidently made Camilla's acquaintance," Luella began with a nod toward the exit, "you and Curtistine can just trot on back to the McLure House, where I'm sure they'll have their delicious chicken salad waiting for you."

A touch of fire flickered through Sally's eyes. "I've never been a lady who trots, and for your information, I'm lingering because I want to speak to you."

"About what?"

"You know what."

Luella lifted her chin. "If you think I'm going to stand here and suffer through a lecture about Esmerelda eating your mother's flowers, think again."

"Your brother already had your gardener restore Mother's flower beds."

"Then what do you want to discuss with me?"

Sally shot a look to Curtistine, who sent her an encouraging sort of nod, before she returned her attention to Luella. "I'd like to apologize."

"For what?"

"We could be here all day if you need a true accounting of everything I probably think I should apologize for, but how about I sum everything up with this—I've behaved badly where you're concerned, and I'm sorry about that."

It was obvious an intervention was in order when Luella merely set her jaw and narrowed an eye on Sally.

Camilla cleared her throat. "Don't you think it might be helpful, Luella, if you were to say something in response to Sally's heartfelt apology?"

"Sally doesn't have a heart."

"That's not exactly the response I was hoping you'd make."

A huff was Luella's first response to that before she turned to Sally. "Fine. Apology accepted, but don't think this makes us any kind of friends."

"I'm thinking I might need to include a special lesson in graciousness over the next few weeks," Camilla muttered under her breath as Sally took to whispering something to Curtistine before she lifted her head and resettled her gaze on Luella.

"To point out the obvious, Luella," Sally began, "we've never really been friends. You were always closer to Stanley, no matter that he and Mother are denying that. However, we have known each other since birth, and while I admit I've been less than kind to you, don't you think it might be time for the two of us to at least be civil toward each other?"

"Civility is overrated."

Sally's lips curved the slightest bit. "Perhaps, but in the spirt of extending you an olive branch, what would you say to joining us for lunch today at the McLure House?"

To Camilla's surprise, even though Luella shook her head, her lips began curving ever so slightly as well.

"While I wasn't expecting an olive branch," Luella began, "it's very nice of you to invite me to lunch. However, I'm afraid I'm unavailable today as I have plans to go riding this afternoon. And before you extend the same invitation to Camilla, she can't join you either, as she's decided I need a chaperone."

Sally's mouth went a little slack. "You're in need of a ... chaperone?"

"Apparently," Luella muttered right as Mr. Kline, in the company of two harried-looking gentlemen, hurried into the room and immediately set his sights on Camilla.

After Mr. Kline introduced Mr. Compton Bennings and Mr. Richard Delbridge to her, Mr. Bennings ran a hand through hair that was decidedly rumpled and caught Camilla's eye.

"Mr. Kline told us that bustles are apparently out of style in New York City," he said, seemingly feeling no need to do anything but cut to the crux of what he obviously thought was a matter of great concern.

"I'm afraid they are," Camilla admitted.

"What are they wearing instead?" Mr. Delbridge asked as he took to blotting a perspiring forehead with a handkerchief he'd pulled from his breast pocket.

"Horsehair padding, which suits the more tailored, less back-heavy styles that began showing up in Paris just last year."

"This is a disaster," Mr. Bennings murmured, exchanging a horrified look with Mr. Delbridge before the men presented Camilla with bows, turned on their heels, and all but bolted from the room, Mr. Kline giving his apologies before scurrying after them.

"Am I to understand," Sally began, raising a hand to her throat, "that bustles are going out of fashion?"

Luella gave a bob of her head. "They are, and I say good riddance as I never intend to don another one of those dreadful contraptions." She suddenly took to peering at something over Camilla's shoulder. "Oh, look. There's Owen, and ... he seems to be carrying flowers."

Camilla turned, but her gaze didn't linger on the flowers in Owen's hand, instead roaming over the man himself because ... he was looking quite different from the last time she'd seen him.

Gone was the ill-fitting jacket he'd started off with that morning, replaced with a gray houndstooth blazer that was cut to perfection and showcased his broad shoulders. He'd also apparently stopped by the barbershop she'd noticed next to the haberdashery, because his hair was now freshly cut, although not too short, but the natural curls he had were brushed back from his face, and ... He looked exactly how one would expect a successful titan of business to look—except for the fact that he was still an unusually large man, and one who definitely emitted a sense of power, although now that power was accentuated with an unexpected air of sophistication.

She suddenly found it slightly difficult to breathe, that circumstance increasing when Owen was standing in front of her a blink of an eye later, taking her completely aback when he all but thrust a bouquet of daisies her way.

It was only sheer luck she managed to grab them instead of letting them drop to the ground.

She grinned. "You remembered."

"I did," he said before he directed his attention to Sally and Curtistine, who were staring at him with wide eyes. "Ladies," he began, earning curtsies in return, which he acknowledged with a bow before he returned his attention to Camilla. "I apologize that the bouquet is on the small side. I had to practically wrestle those daisies from Leopold, who wanted to buy every daisy in the flower shop for Meemaw."

Something warm immediately began flowing through her. "I thought you didn't want Leopold to know your grandmother favors daisies."

"I didn't, but after Leopold told me he was going to present Meemaw with roses, and dozens of them, I couldn't very well not tell him since Meemaw loathes roses."

The warmth that was still flowing through her intensified.

"That was very gracious of you," she said, earning a rather grumpy look from Owen in return.

"I'm not feeling very gracious."

"I can tell. Want to explain why not?"

Owen released a bit of a sigh. "Graciousness in general is eluding me because Leopold's far too competent with knowing exactly how to dress a gentleman. I ended up having to defer to him at the tailor's instead of choosing anything myself because ... who knew that one shouldn't dare mix houndstooth with plaid?"

Camilla's lips twitched. "A reason to be put out with Leopold for sure."

"Indeed, and then that far-too-competent man, after the tailor told me he didn't think he had anything readily available that would fit me, wouldn't take that as a firm no. He somehow convinced the tailor to allow him to peruse any garments customers had failed to return for, and lo and behold ..." Owen gestured to his blazer.

Camilla refused a grin. "He should be drawn and quartered for having the audacity to secure you such a dashing jacket that doesn't leave you in imminent danger of splitting a seam."

After rubbing a hand over his face, Owen smiled, although it was definitely along the lines of a very faint one. "I'm sounding churlish, aren't I?"

"I would say you're sounding more like a man who still isn't comfortable with the idea that a gentleman might be sweet on your grandmother, but who is now realizing that the gentleman in question isn't quite so bad after all."

"I'm not putting in a good word for him with Meemaw."

"That would certainly be expecting far too much of you ... at least for now," Camilla said before she lifted the daisies to her nose. "Thank you for these."

"You're welcome." Owen turned to Luella, whose eyes were sparkling in a rather un-Luella-like fashion. "What?"

"Nothing," Luella said.

"Your smile suggests otherwise."

"I suppose it might at that" was all Luella said before she gestured to her riding habit and gave a bit of a twirl, tripping on the overly long hem before finding her balance. "What do you think?"

"It's very nice, although it seems a little long," Owen said. "Might be difficult to execute any dance steps if you're planning on wearing that to the ball come June."

"It's a riding habit, Owen," Luella pointed out.

"Then it'd be difficult for you to retain your seat, as I imagine all that fabric will get in your way, or worse yet, spook your horse."

"That's why Bernadette will be hacking off a good foot or so of fabric for me."

Owen frowned. "Why would Bernadette be in charge of hacking anything for you?"

"Were you not listening to me earlier?"

Owen blinked. "Should I assume that means you've already mentioned something about Bernadette and hacking?"

Luella released a snort. "I'll take that as a you-weren't-listening because, yes, Camilla and I addressed Bernadette earlier, as in we mentioned she was altering a few of my old gowns, and you were standing right beside us." She frowned. "Didn't you notice that the afternoon dress I wore here is vastly different from the dress Mother bought for me a few years back?"

"Are you going to get all huffy if I admit I didn't?"

Luella tilted her head. "I suppose I could be persuaded to keep my huffiness in check if you offer to foot the bill for my new wardrobe."

"Spent all your allowance on furniture, did you?"

"Not all of it, because Daddy increased my allowance substantially last year, no doubt due to the guilt he's been feeling over abandoning me for Paris. However, I am running a little low on funds, and it would save me the bother of petitioning Daddy for more money if you'll cover my purchases today."

"I was already planning on footing your bill."

It did not escape Camilla's notice that Sally and Curtistine were now considering Owen with clear speculation in their eyes, as if they might very well be reassessing their views on a man who clearly wasn't the ogre they'd thought him to be, not when he wasn't hesitating to indulge his sister with a shopping expedition and had presented his not-quite fiancée with a bouquet of her favorite flowers.

"Forgive me for changing the subject," Sally said, drawing everyone's attention, "but I've just realized, Miss Pierpont, that you said we'll need to round up seven gentlemen to learn the quadrille since Mr. Charles Wetzel will be the eighth. May I assume you need seven because you know Owen wouldn't care to learn the steps?"

It wasn't exactly a surprise when Owen and Luella immediately settled somewhat incredulous looks on her.

"What's this about a quadrille?" Luella asked.

"I've invited these ladies to join us at the country house, which really does need a better name, to learn a particular quadrille to perform at the ball come June. It obviously requires gentlemen, as it's a couple's dance."

Luella began looking at Camilla as if she'd taken leave of her senses, but before she could voice any of the arguments she clearly longed to voice, Owen cleared his throat.

"I think quadrille lessons sound delightful," he surprised her by saying. "And know that I'll be more than happy to partner you if you're wanting to join in on the fun."

Camilla refused to allow her mouth to drop open, but before she could decide if Owen had offered to partner her because they were supposed to be an almost-engaged couple or because he might actually want to dance with her, Luella was beaming a smile at something across the room.

The reason for the smile quickly became evident when Camilla spotted Charles strolling across the room, his gaze settled on Luella. A second later, he was stopping directly in front of her before he presented her with a bow and then pulled two small lily plants from behind his back.

"I'm afraid the pickings were slim at the flower shop when it came to lilies," Charles began as he handed the lilies to Luella. "However, I thought it might be interesting if we were to attempt to graft these two together and see what happens, since one of them is yellow and the other purple."

"Interesting indeed," Luella said before she took a moment to introduce Charles to Sally and Curtistine, who took to fluttering their lashes his way.

It was rather telling when Luella put an immediate cessation to all the fluttering by handing the lilies back to Charles and smiling one of the most angelic smiles Camilla had ever seen her smile.

"Would you be a dear and hold on to those, Charles, while I change?" Luella began. "It won't take me long, and then we'll get right on the road, which should leave us enough time to do the grafting before we go on our ride today."

When Charles merely stared back at Luella, evidently struck speechless by the sight of the smile, Camilla cleared her throat.

"Not that I want to be the bearer of disappointing news, Luella, but you still have numerous ensembles to try on."

Luella gave an airy wave of her hand. "All the garments we've selected today are the same size as this riding habit. That means they'll fit me relatively well, and Bernadette will alter them accordingly from there." She turned and nodded to Owen, sending him a smile that dripped sweetness. "You'll settle my account while I change?"

After Owen inclined his head and headed off to speak to the salesgirls who were congregated around the cash register, Luella turned back to Charles. "I won't be but a few minutes," she said.

Charles gave himself a bit of a shake, probably because he still seemed to be in a somewhat stupefied state, and was smiling at Luella a blink of an eye later. "Allow me to escort you to the dressing room. I'll then wait for you in that cozy-looking chair outside the changing area, perhaps using the time it takes you to change to make some notes about grafting, which we can then discuss on the ride home." With that, he thrust the lilies Camilla's way, took hold of Luella's arm, and off they went.

It wasn't much of a surprise that his attentiveness to Luella had not gone unnoticed by Sally or Curtistine, nor was it a surprise when Sally sidled up beside Camilla.

"Odd as this is for me to admit, but I feel as if a great weight has been lifted from my shoulders since Luella and I have now begun mending some fences, something that was long overdue," Sally began. "That has, of course, left me wondering whether Stanley, who, as I'm sure you've heard, was very close to Luella at one time, may benefit from doing some mending of his own. It seems to me that he might have been overly influenced by my mother and the animosity she holds for Betty Lou. I imagine if he were given the opportunity, he would jump at the chance to make amends for the rather grievous disservice he did to Luella."

"Why do I get the feeling you already have something in mind that would allow Stanley to rectify this grievous disservice?"

"How astute of you, Miss Pierpont, and to avoid beating around the bush, I think you should invite Stanley to participate in the quadrille."

Swallowing the urge to ask Sally if her sudden desire to get her brother back into Luella's good graces had more to do with a personal interest in Charles—a member of the Four Hundred— over any desire to actually see Stanley make amends with a young lady with whom he'd shared a relationship for years, Camilla took a moment to consider her answer.

Frankly, Luella would probably balk if questioned about the matter because she truly seemed to have no interest in pursuing a relationship with a man who'd treated her so shabbily.

However, given the distress Stanley had caused Luella, she was due some resolution regarding her old friend, and if that resolution also came with a side of Stanley receiving a touch of remorse for his abysmal behavior, well, that would definitely be some icing on what could be considered a comeuppance cake.

"I'm relatively certain," Camilla finally began, "considering Luella is a most gracious young lady, at least at heart, that she'll be, not exactly thrilled, but at least receptive to the idea of including your brother. However, I will need to discuss the matter thoroughly with her, but know that I'll send a note around just as soon as a firm decision is made."

"Then I'll be waiting for that note with bated breath, as I know my brother will be as well after I tell him I've decided he's been more than an idiot with his behavior of late." With that, Sally dipped into a curtsy, sent a telling nod to Curtistine, and after Curtistine dipped into a curtsy of her own, the two ladies turned and strolled out of the department.

"Care to share what that was about?" Owen asked as he rejoined her.

"It's called strategy."

"What kind of strategy?"

"I haven't figured out all the particulars just yet, but I'm hoping, at the very least, that Luella will soon be well on her way to becoming accepted into the folds of Wheeling society, just as I'm hoping the Chesterfield family as a whole will finally attain that recognition your mother was so eager to acquire."