Tenacious Love (Banished Saga, Book Four): Banished Saga, Book Four (17 page)

Sophronia frowned at her admission. “Those that matter accept you.”

“You can’t force your acquaintances to foist their sons at me in the hopes they would deign to dance with me. Or for them to willingly propel their daughters in my direction at tea time, hoping their polish will obscure my tarnish.”

Sophie’s eyes flashed with indignation. “There is nothing tarnished about you. You may have rough manners and say what you think—often before you think through what you truly believe or wish to say. However, there is no reason to believe that you wouldn’t provide them with much-needed enlightenment from their limited viewpoints.” Sophie studied her protégé. “As for finding a man to dance with and become entangled with, I’ve never believed you were eager to wed.”

“I’m not. Not while I want to do so much. For myself and for the cause. A husband would prevent me from doing what I love.”

“Not all men are tyrants, dearest. Look to your cousins and father. They allow their wives the freedom to do what they need, knowing that their wife’s contentment will only lead to a more fulfilling marriage.”

“Few men are as evolved,” Zylphia grumbled.

Sophie cackled. “Very astute. However, I have every faith you’ll find such a man.” She patted Zylphia gently on the knee and heaved herself to her feet. “I must go down to dinner and give your excuses to Pamela. If you need anything, call for the maid.”

“Thank you, Sophie.”

When Zylphia settled on the chaise longue, a listlessness pervaded her. The open window next to her allowed wisps of conversations to enter. She closed her eyes, entertaining herself with what she imagined the guests discussed. The discordant notes of the small orchestra warming up soon eclipsed their conversations, and Zylphia listened as they played snippets of songs. She swayed in place, envisioning herself dancing with the handsome men present at the house party.

She shook herself from her reverie when a maid knocked at her door. After the maid entered, carrying a heavy tray overstuffed with more food than four people could eat, Zylphia settled at the vanity, converting it into her dining table for the evening.

After trying each dish, she settled on finishing the soup and chicken. A bowl of berry trifle awaited her for when she desired dessert. In her boredom, she stacked the dishes on the tray to tidy up and make it easier for the maid to carry away.

She picked up the bowl of trifle, setting it and a spoon aside to save for later. She frowned as she noted a folded sheet of thick cream-colored paper that had been hidden under the trifle bowl. She grasped it and hobbled back to her settee.

After arranging a small throw blanket on her legs, she opened the note.

My Dear Miss McLeod,

I am deeply saddened to learn the injury you sustained today will prevent you from joining the festivities this evening. I had hoped to have the pleasure of dancing with you, after watching you dance with such elegance last evening with Mr. Hubbard.

I wish you a quick recovery.

Tedd Goff

Zylphia raised the letter to her nose, catching a hint of sandalwood. She smiled, remembering that smell from her walk with Theodore Goff earlier in the day. She slipped the message inside her book to read again another day.

Z
ylphia walked
with a barely discernible limp down the ornate stairs to meet Sophie, Parthena and Rowena in the main hall. The hall was three stories high, with a fresco covering the ceiling’s large expanse. The doors facing the sea were open, and a light breeze cooled the expansive hall.

“About time,” Sophie grumbled as she
thunk
ed her cane and walked toward the porte cochere. A white automobile with the cover pulled back awaited the women, and Sophronia sat comfortably in front while the three younger women crammed into the back of the car. They giggled when their wide brimmed hats bumped into each other as they settled in for the short ride down Bellevue Avenue. Their journey slowed to a near crawl as numerous cars merged onto the street in front of them.

Zylphia stared at the opulent houses they passed, enjoying their slow progression as it allowed her more time to stare. At their destination, their car drove through ornate black wrought-iron gates, along a driveway, pausing to drop them off in front of a large portico. Zylphia stepped out before the white marble building, its three white Corinthian pillars gleaming in the sunlight, and its large brass door opened invitingly. She followed Rowena, Parthena and Sophie into the mansion, stopping to marvel at the gold-brown marble covering the floor and walls in the entranceway, with a gilded room to the right and a room of pink marble to the left. A curved staircase wound its way up one side of the wall, and a fresco painting overhead was framed by golden florets.

She hastened to follow her group and emerged onto the back terrace, where crowds mingled, all discussing the need for universal suffrage. She started as someone approached her and affixed a Votes for Women pin on her coral-colored linen jacket covering her matching dress before moving on to the next person. She traced the pin, a satisfied smile escaping, as she ventured farther onto the terrace.

Zylphia moved to one side as she saw Sophie speak with members of her group, her cane waving haphazardly and smacking an unsuspecting bystander. Zylphia smiled at the woman’s outrage and Sophie’s unrepentant shrug as she argued for suffrage. Rowena and Parthena had disappeared into the crowd. Zylphia chose to lean against the back wall of the terrace, a place that maintained a good view of the speakers. She sighed as she glanced around the crowded terrace and back lawn.

* * *

“
W
hy the sigh
, Miss McLeod?”

She jumped in response to the voice beside her.

“Forgive me for startling you.” Theodore Goff smiled as he leaned up against the marble wall.

“Mr. Goff, you surprised me.” She took a deep breath. “How are you?”

“I should be asking you that question. How are you today after yesterday’s incident?” His concerned gray eyes met her embarrassed blue eyes.

“I’m fine. Please, don’t trouble yourself.”

“I saw you walking with a limp.” He frowned as he looked at her leg, covered in linen skirts in a vibrant coral. He frowned further as he watched Zylphia transform into a placid woman of leisure, any curiosity or vitality forcibly squelched.

She brushed at her skirts, probably to ensure her legs were covered, and folded her hands demurely in front of her. She held herself erect, no longer leaning against the marble wall. “There’s no need for your concern. I’m perfectly fine today.”

He studied her closely, battling to keep his face politely neutral, fighting the frown that wanted to transform into a glower. “Did you receive my note?”

Zylphia flushed. “I did, although I’m certain it wasn’t proper.”

Tedd bit back a smile. “I’ve never been known to follow conventions.” He glanced over the crowd that had begun to hush as the speakers approached the podium. “Have you heard any of them before?” He watched as Zylphia shook her head no.

He watched her battle curiosity before she blurted out her question. “Why are you here? I wouldn’t think your friends would approve.”

Teddy chuckled. “I find that women often see sense before men do. I overheard you and your friends discussing suffragism the other evening and was curious. Besides, if you look closely, you’ll see I’m not the only man here.”

She looked away, her lips twitching as she noted a few well-dressed men scattered throughout the throngs of women. The speakers stepped up to the podium and Zylphia leaned forward, forgetting Teddy and all the others present, as the speakers touted the success of the parade in the spring at bringing much-needed attention to the ideals of the suffrage movement. She canted forward even more as Alva Vanderbilt Belmont, the owner of Marble House, began to speak. Zylphia stifled a giggle at a few of Alva’s proclamations and clapped loudly when she finished speaking.

“Would your father approve?” Teddy asked as those gathered began to mingle. He knew the main goal was to encourage those present to donate to the cause, with various women moving through the crowd with donation baskets.

“Of course he approves of women obtaining the vote.” Zylphia rose to her full height, grimacing as she placed weight on her injured ankle.

He reached forward, clasping her arm, his eyes filled with concern.

“Don’t ask me again if I’m all right,” she hissed. “I’m fine and recovering well. There’s no reason for me not to be here.”

She shrugged her arm, but, rather than release it, his grip firmed. She fought a desire to fidget as he studied her. “Why do you hide away who you really are?” he whispered.

She shook her head in denial. “What did you mean about my father?”

Teddy sighed in frustration at her reluctance to answer his question. “I wouldn’t think any father would approve of the vow that Mrs. Belmont wishes you to take.” He cast a spurious glance in Alva’s direction.

“My father supports me in all I do.” Zylphia tilted up her chin in defiance. She started as Parthena and Rowena approached her, unnoticed.

* * *

“
D
id you hear Mrs. Belmont
, Zee?” Parthena asked with unbridled enthusiasm.

Before Zylphia could respond, Teddy had melted into the crowd, and then Rowena spoke. “I think we should take her vow. We three should promise not to marry until women have the right to vote. What do you think?” She turned from Parthena to Zylphia.

“I agree. No marriage for any of us until we have rights equal to that of men,” Parthena declared.

“Although I like to believe that being granted the vote would also grant me equal rights, I’m far from delusional,” Sophie said as she joined their group, her scratchy voice filled with wry humor.

“Zee?” Rowena asked.

Zylphia nodded. “Yes, it’s our pact.”

Sophie sighed. “You do realize that the woman advocating such a thing has already been divorced and remarried? It seems a strange thing to ask of women when it’s not something she’s willing to do herself.”

“Alice Paul isn’t married,” Zylphia challenged.

Sophie
harrumph
ed before pinning her with a fierce gaze. “No, she isn’t. But I had greater hopes for you, my dear, that you were able to forge your own road.” She turned on her heel, her cane whacking innocent bystanders as she walked past in her agitated state.

“Don’t listen to her, Zee,” Parthena urged.

“She’s always provided great counsel to my cousins.” She watched Sophie’s retreating form with a frown.

“Well, that’s for them. For us, we have each other.” Rowena linked arms with Parthena and Zylphia, leading them down the steps, across the lawn, to the edge of the cliff walk and away from the crowd near the elaborate Chinese tea house.

“What more do you think we can do?” Parthena asked.

“If you do more than attend a function like this, your father will disown you,” Rowena warned her.

Zylphia ceased her own musings, turning with surprise at Rowena’s words. “Certainly you speak in jest?”

“He barely tolerates my interest in music. He’d hardly condone such a terrible lapse in judgment,” Parthena said, mimicking her father’s tone.

Zylphia reached forward, clasping her friend’s hand. “I’m sorry.”

“Not all are as fortunate as you to have a father proud of his daughter and willing to support her in all she does.” Rowena was unable to hide her envy or her bitterness. “At best, we are tolerated. At worst, we are seen as an expense until we are married off.”

“I don’t understand,” Zylphia whispered.

“If your father had six daughters like mine, maybe you would.” Parthena sniffed, breathing deeply of the salty air.

Zylphia turned away to face the sea, imagining a family with siblings. Instead of a glowering, domineering father, her father would be joyous and full of pride. She closed her eyes for a moment, giving thanks for Aidan McLeod.