Grandeur

Chapter Six

It appears as though the beautiful Carolina Broud will again host her infamous Independence Day soirée this coming Thursday. Who can forget the patriotic firework show from last year? The booms and crackles of them could be heard as far as Staten Island. How could one possibly compare to this year? I have heard that this year's guest list has become far more exclusive than years' past and that not even her closest friends have yet been invited. Details have been very few and far between – I have only just heard that Miss Carolina will be hosting the event. The details as to where and when are still hidden from the public. Though I do have my insiders who are sure to tell me everything as soon as they are able.

-From the "Gamesome Gallant" column in the New York Imperial, Monday, July 1, 1907

I raced as fast as my legs could carry me down to the kitchen where the papers awaited reading. No one was up yet, aside from Anna who, by the smell of it, was making omelets. The smell of meat and vegetables steamed up from the pan and into the air, instantly making my mouth water. I had barely touched my supper from the night before; my mind was in too much of a tizzy to feel the pangs of hunger. Now, though, my body was fully awake and alert.

I flipped through the pages of the paper until I read a large "SOCIAL" title at the top. I stopped and read Mr. Barnard's piece and was relieved to find he had heeded my letter. At least for now. Though he was a close friend, he was also a man who knew what the people wanted, and the people died for drama. I had been the drama of the weekend. He probably knew people were biting at the bit to hear of my arrival and mischievous deeds. I even surprised myself that I had not gotten into some sort of trouble yet – usually, it found its way to me.

"You alright, Miss?" Anna asked. She had probably been looking at me for a while, maybe even the moment I walked into the room.

I glanced up from the paper. "Yes, why?"

She pointed to the window, where the sun was just beginning to peak over the horizon, illuminating the deep, green grass that was a sign of a wet summer. Droplets of dew lit up the lawn, making it shimmer almost like a lake.

"It's quite early."

I set down the paper, satisfied with my reading. "Perhaps I'm still on Europe time."

Anna shrugged and turned back to her omelets. "Got any plans today, Miss? I've heard it's supposed to be quite nice."

"Oh?" I feigned interest. "No, no plans. I might visit Mother again." She had done so well when I first visited her, perhaps if I kept going she could get better. Despite everything Elizabeth had told me yesterday, I knew there had to be some hope.

"Oh, Diana," said a surprised Delores coming into the kitchen with two energetic children following by her side, "nice to see you awake so early."

I shook my head with a sly chuckle. "Everyone is, apparently."

Delores set the children at the table and began grabbing plates for everyone. "Well," she said, "even as a child you ran on your own schedule. Never got up on time or came down to meals when you were supposed to."

"I'm a grown woman now, Delores," I grumbled, but knew she was right. Even just a few days ago in Europe, I was still doing the same – sleeping late and going to bed even later sometimes.

"Call me Del," she said, setting the table in front of the three of us. Keller and Evie were squirming uncontrollably in their seats, nearly screaming for their food. By the looks on their faces and the groans that escaped their little lips, anyone would have thought these children had been starving for days.