Chapter 29 Ruby

Chapter 29

Ruby

The crystal chandeliers in the Davenports’ ballroom sparkled so brilliantly, Ruby practically had to squint. Dinner was delicious, as was usual for a Davenport event, and Helen’s eighteenth birthday celebration was no exception. The guests had gathered in heightened anticipation to see the youngest Davenport make her debut. Dressed in their finery, they sipped champagne and pinched pastries off passing plates with white-gloved hands. It was the black-tie event of the season and the honored guest would be the last to make her way into the ballroom.

All were curious to see the lady Helen had become. Ruby, being very well-acquainted with her best friend’s sister, was more interested in the gown she wore. When the ballroom doors finally opened, there was a collective gasp. Helen appeared on the arm of her father. Her grand entrance was in the white flouncing gown, with no ornaments aside from her headpiece, as was her request. She winked at Ruby, who was floating above the clouds. The dress she had designed for Helen was magnificent. Mrs. Jennings’s work impeccable. Helen was the perfect young woman to model their creation. Ruby stood taller and let this feeling fill her up. After a tender dance for the debutante and her father, Helen, escorted by John, led a choreographed number with a few courting couples of their set. The youngest Davenport proved to be light on her feet, and the revelry of everyone present resumed.

Ruby had danced with several gentlemen already, including Harrison’s brother, who apologized to Ruby for his behavior earlier in the summer. “I should know better and trust my brother’s judgment,” he said. “And my sister’s. I saw how the two of you got on at the garden party. She’s shy, so thank you for that.” He confided in Ruby that Harrison had almost been taken in by an opportunistic young lady, and that he wanted nothing but love and happiness for his brother—the same kind of love his parents shared. Ruby accepted, willing to move on for Harrison’s sake.

An opportunistic young lady, she thought, but her fiancé’s arrival at her side pulled her out of her thoughts.

“Jeremiah,” he said. “I trust you kept all your embarrassing childhood stories about me to yourself.”

Jeremiah Barton pinched the bridge of his nose. “I knew I was forgetting something.”

Ruby laughed. “He was telling me how lucky you are to have found me, and I do agree. I’d also like to hear these stories, Jeremiah.”

“Maybe another time,” said Harrison. His hand found the curve of her back, his fingertips a gentle caress over the slippery fabric. She looked down at the wine-colored evening dress she wore. There were cutouts at the shoulder and a loose-fitting bodice at the bust that cinched in at the waist. For Ruby, it meant her figure was on full display, though the bits were properly covered. It had all the best features of the modern styles, including the higher hemline, but it also had the best parts of older styles. It was Ruby’s vision stitched to life, and she loved the way she felt in it: brave and beautiful.

She sighed. “I miss all the excitement of an extravagant ball at home. Listening to the household cleaning and polishing in preparation, the mouth-watering smells from the kitchens, Mother and Papa arguing over who changed the seating arrangements. All of it. I even miss the receiving lines and being able to see all the glamorous gowns up close.”

Olivia arrived as Ruby finished reminiscing. “Hmm, I remembered a lot of yelling, stomping feet,” she said.

Ruby laughed and bumped her friend with her hip. “You weren’t so bad once you learned how to dance.”

Olivia gasped, feigning surprise, before joining her. It felt good to laugh. For a moment, Ruby forgot the disappointments of these past weeks. Her mother had thawed a bit and, as predicted, her father had returned to work and his clubs. He spoke to Ruby in passing. Good mornings and evenings. Please pass the salt. While her mother labeled it as progress, it was too small and too slow for Ruby’s taste. Her parents were across the room now, entertaining the Bartons, their faces more welcoming than she’d seen but, then again, there were many pairs of eyes around for whom to perform.

Olivia gave her a knowing look. “Helen looks wonderful. And so do you! People keep stopping me to ask if I know where you got your dress. And Helen’s. They’re a hit!”

Ruby batted her eyelashes and stood taller. “I think they’re my best designs yet.” She winked. “Lucille’s—Mrs.Jennings’s attention to detail is unmatched. Marshall Field and Company has made a mistake in not capitalizing on her skills beyond tailoring and alterations. It has, however, been a challenge to find certain colors or fabrics.” She sighed. “Olivia, it has been the best of experiences.”

“Hey!” said Harrison, face alight with false indignation.

Ruby squeezed his hand. “Not including you, of course.” Olivia’s words reminded Ruby of all that she had to be proud of and excited for. “I must thank Helen again for our first order and sale! Mrs.Jennings said it was twice what she makes in a week. Hopefully she won’t have to return to that textile factory if they reopen, and she could leave Marshall Field’s. Oh! And Amy-Rose offered to have a mannequin displayed in her waiting room that can be seen from outside.”

“It will be a great way to attract more business!” said Olivia. “Here come some of your admirers.”

Odette approached quickly, with Agatha and Bertha in tow.

“Is this one?” Odette asked by way of greeting. “You said you would be wearing a number!”

“It is,” said Ruby. Pride coursed through her veins.

“Oh! This is wonderful.” Odette let out a squeak that had Harrison backing away in search of his friends.

“I must have one,” said Agatha. “I could use something to make my closet more…exclusive.” She dropped her voice lower. “Perhaps you could name it after me?”

Ruby beamed. This was exactly what she’d wished for. But she knew to keep the interest, she had to keep calm. “I’ll take it under consideration, Agatha.” She turned to Olivia. “Champagne?”

Olivia nodded.

“I’ll get it,” said Ruby. She floated over to the refreshments table. This time she let the eyes around her linger, hoping that their stares would turn into sales. The right kind of attention can get you far, and she hoped this would bring her name right to the office door of Mr.Price. She couldn’t wait to tell Mrs.Jennings. Excitement bubbled up in her chest, snappier than the two flutes of champagne she collected off the table.

“Ruby, you look mighty fine tonight.”

The smile on Ruby’s face froze. “Carter, good evening. Are you enjoying the party?”

“It is quite the spectacle.”

“I think it’s magical,” said Ruby, surveying the ballroom. “Have you seen Harrison? He went to find you.”

Carter shrugged and looked at her dance card at her wrist. “It appears that many of the young ladies are taken.”

“That’s not true. There are plenty of young ladies near the dessert table under the watchful eyes of their mamas, just waiting for an eligible bachelor to come along.” Ruby’s tone let him know that she did not count him among the suitors. She moved to her right.

Carter easily fell into step beside her. “It’s too bad the garden party was so crowded. We could have had some fun. I know Harrison did.”

“I had a splendid time with Anne-Marie, and what do you know of Harrison’s day?” Ruby thought back to Sunday service the morning after the Learys’ garden party. Harrison had apologized for getting caught up at work and said he wished he could have spent the day with her. It was not an odd statement. So why did Carter allude to something more? “Carter, do not be cryptic.”

“After work, our boy had a nightcap with Odette. She left the Learys’ shortly after you did and didn’t come home until much later. Though I suppose you don’t mind, considering how chummy you are with John Davenport.”

Ruby shook her head. She didn’t understand. There was too much Carter had said. Why would Harrison have drinks with Odette? She scanned the room and saw that Harrison and Odette were still where she’d left them, chatting with Olivia.

“Don’t be so put out. My sister and Harrison dated before he moved here to Chicago. He wanted to experience big-city living…. Didn’t he tell you?” Carter asked.

Ruby’s mouth had dried up. She drained one of the champagne flutes. Blinking, she tried to clear her mind. Harrison and Odette?

Carter took the empty glass from her and set it down on a tray. “Chin up, Ruby. Any man would be lucky to have you.” She could smell Carter’s sharp cologne. He had led her from the edge of the ballroom to the hallway leading to the study. Now she felt the fabric of his sleeve on her shoulder. He drew closer. His lips were a breath from hers when she heard Harrison. “Ruby?” He and Odette had followed them.

Harrison’s voice unlocked her muscles and she pushed Carter away. The churning in her chest bubbled over. She glanced from Odette to Carter. “I’m not sure what game the two of you are playing, but do it somewhere else.”

The flinty gleam in Harrison’s eyes changed his whole face. Ruby took his outstretched hand and pulled him to the center of the dance floor. As the music picked up, she allowed him to draw her to him, closer than they had since the rumors began. And in defiant view of anyone who cared enough to notice. She and Harrison would be wed soon. She vowed to waste no more time and energy.

Let them talk.