Grandeur

Chapter Four

A fortunate young lady needs no advice, except a very good old-fashioned reminder, that she "should obey her mother, and be a good girl." If she does just that, if she avoids clandestine meetings with young gentlemen, and all foolish love affairs, and takes care of her health, she may be quite sure that her bark will float gaily on to the comfortable port of a happy marriage and a successful future.
-Mary Elizabeth Wilson Sherwood, "Etiquette: The American Code of Manners"

Sunday mornings were for church, followed by rest and relaxation and culminating in visiting hour. Elizabeth came to wake me in the morning for the church service. As I hadn't been to a service in years, I opted out. I told her I still had rest to catch up on – after all, my mind and body still believed to be hours ahead in Europe.

When I eventually did awaken, I pulled on the robe I had taken out of my luggage the night before. My hair, which had been tied in a nice braid behind my head, had become unruly and undone. Loose tendrils fell around my face and stuck out at odd ends.

I yawned as I pulled on the slippers and made my way down the stairs to the kitchen. I walked quickly through the dining room where all the commotion took place last night. I tried not to think about it.

"Ah, good morning, miss," Anna happily greeted me.

I almost jumped. "Oh, Anna. You gave me a fright. I thought you'd be at church with the Cuttings."

"Can't," she answered. "I've got to get the visitor's food finished and lunch underway."

"You're not religious?" I was happy someone was finally like me – not a religion fanatic, afraid of doing good just to go to some place no one had any physical proof of. The only religion I needed was novels.

Anna shrugged. "I wouldn't say that. I believe in God and Heaven and all that. I read the good book in my own time, Miss. Toast?"

I sat on a chair in the corner. "Yes, please. Thank you."

It took me all my might to stay awake in that seat while I waited for the bread. It had to have been well past 10 o'clock in the morning but my body ached with exhaustion. The moment my bread was buttered in brought to me on a small plate, I heard the back door open as the four family members and Delores walked in.

"It's another hot one," I could hear Teddy say, probably to Anna.

"I'll make more lemonade," she told him from the kitchen.

They made their way into the kitchen, the little ones leading the way, screeching in laughter as they ran off to play. Delores chased after them.

"Good morning, Diana!" Teddy exclaimed upon seeing me in my disheveled state. Seven years ago, I might have been embarrassed to be seen in such a state by a man, but growing up in the tough towns in Europe made me numb to that. "Glad to see you've awakened. Sleep well?"

I could hear the sarcasm dripping in his voice, saturating every word. I snickered and rolled my eyes. Elizabeth laughed and took his coat from him to hang it up.

"Teddy," I said after swallowing a rather large bite, "I was wondering if you could drive me to Gramercy today? I really would like to see Mother – after all, that's the point of my return."

Elizabeth and Teddy exchanged glances nervously. All laughter and sarcasm was now out of the room.

"Are you sure about that, Di?" Elizabeth asked.

I wrinkled my brow. "Am I sure? Why, of course I'm sure!"

"It's just..." Teddy stepped forward. "Your mother, Diana, is in such a delicate state–"