Chapter One
Rebecca perched on the silk-covered window seat; her gaze fixed on the bustling street below. The midday sun cast a warm glow as she looked for Mr. Wales W. Wood, Esq. from the window of her family’s New York brownstone. Every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation.
He must pass by here soon. She leaned forward for a better view. A tinge of irritation crossed her mind as the housekeeper appeared, dusting the windowsill.
From her vantage point, Rebecca saw the comings and goings of the city’s elite. Her father, Joseph Cashin II, had ensured their home was the grandest on the street, a testament to his success in the mercantile business. Today, she was on a mission—a mission to intercept Wales before he reached the home of Miss Alice Strong, the latest object of his affections.
I simply do not understand what he sees in her. She is so boring. She brushed away a bit of flour dust from her dress.
As she tapped her fingernails on the marble sill, her thoughts drifted to her father’s words of wisdom. “Own where you lay your head and have the upper hand,” his voice a constant presence in her mind. She interpreted his words to imply, “Find a man who can support a household, and you can control.”
Rebecca’s older sister had heeded his remarks and married Mr. R. H. Douglas of the Douglas family industries. Emily often flashed her diamond ring to remind Rebecca of the money and prestige that came with her new husband. It was irritating to hear her tales of meeting the Roosevelts or the Rockefellers. There was only one way to change the situation for Rebecca, and that was to marry someone with greater prominence.
The sound of the family housekeeper interrupted her as she dusted, bringing her back to the present. “Such a nice day, Miss Rebecca,” Jenny remarked, her voice breaking Rebecca’s concentration. She paid her little mind, her focus on the task at hand.
With a dismissive wave, Rebecca commented, “Can you do something else? You are quite distracting.” Jenny mumbled apologies as she left the room. She contemplated her plan to intercept Wales before reaching Alice’s doorstep and Rebecca knew the timing was crucial. She could not let this opportunity slip through her fingers.
Mr. Planters momentarily distracted her by yelling, “Fresh roasted peanuts! Get your peanuts here!” from his street cart two doors down. She could smell the rich aroma as it wafted towards her window. She pictured the delicious cookies made from roasted peanuts, mixing the batter, and then slipping them into the new oven her father bought for the kitchen. She could almost taste the fresh cookies as they melted into her mouth and the sweet taste…delectable!
Her mother, wanting Rebecca to be more lady-like, fussed when she was in the kitchen covered in flour or buying new spices from the street vendors. Rebecca knew it was the maid’s responsibility to cook, but no one knew how to use the new stove like she did. She had to do something when Jenny burned the bread or overcooked the stew. Rebecca visited the New York Society Library and read everything she could on the topic.
This is no time to be hungry, she reflected, fingering the pages of the cookbook in her lap. She glanced again down the street one way and then the other, fearful she missed her moment. The grand facade of her home afforded her a perch for her favorite pastimes: observing people and gathering gossip.
As street vendors’ carts danced amidst the pedestrian flow, she absorbed every tidbit of action. The Wells Fargo messengers, splendid in their crisp attire and gleaming badges, caught her attention as they delivered envelopes, whether of social invitations, private or professional correspondence.
With rumors of war between the states resurfacing, she wondered about the allegiances of her neighbors. Who aligned with the Federals, and who had thrown their lot in with the rebellious South, risking familial disgrace?
While intriguing tales and scandal found their way to her ears, on this day, she fixated on the dashing Wales W. Wood. Upon learning of his impending visit to Miss Alice Strong, she focused on her family residence three doors down and across the street. Wales must not tread that path today.
Or any day, if I can do something about it, Rebecca decided. She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a white handkerchief. She fingered the initials, W.W.W., embroidered in one corner.
Mrs. Wales W. Wood or Mrs. Rebecca C. Wood? Undecided how she wanted her married name, it was an issue she could resolve later. Rebecca’s cheeks burned at the memory of Wales at Madame LeVert’s New York Salon, where they first met.
When she first saw Wales, he embodied the man Mrs. Gwin’s Ladies School groomed her to attract and marry. Skilled in the art of hosting functions and orchestrating state dinners, Rebecca could work a room unlike any other. The same training school helped her sister capture her prize, but her new husband was not the type for Rebecca. He is decent to Emily, but he will not do for me.
Underlying Rebecca’s accomplishments was her ability to observe those around her. She knew Wales had a promising future, but he was also indecisive and impulsive. However, these traits she could use to her advantage when they married.
Of course, I will have to convince him to marry me. I cannot understand why he has any interest in Alice when I know he cares for me, she pondered, smoothing the handkerchief in her lap.
Rebecca recalled the day they met at Madame LeVert’s, where she engaged in boring conversations with courting gentlemen between dances, all while they nibbled on her renowned sugar cookies.
It was during one such tête-à-tête she saw Wales Wood, the latest addition to Bidwell & Strong. He was another eligible bachelor in the societal market. In the first moments of the meeting, their dialogue dived into topics such as life’s intricacies, philosophical musings, and the challenges they faced. Rebecca found the moment almost magical.
As Wales savored Rebecca’s homemade delicacies, the depth of their conversation captivated her, challenging her impression of him. She felt the spark of attraction; she noticed the glint of interest in his bright blue eyes.
“Miss Cashin, I believe you have a crumb on your cheek,” he said and handed her a white handkerchief.
Her cheeks went red in a blush as she wiped off the offending bit of cookie. She tried to give the handkerchief back, but he raised his hand in refusal. She placed it in her dress pocket, and where it remained with her since.
There was a flicker of appeal. She knew there was, so why was he compelled to visit Alice?
* * *
Upon recounting her meeting with Wales to her father, his eyes lit, making a note of the name for inquiry. He advised, while munching on one of her small cakes, “We must discover who he truly is behind closed doors.” Using his mercantile business as a pretext, Joseph Cashin orchestrated occasions for Wales to visit their home for paperwork deliveries.
Without fail, Rebecca greeted him at the door over the next few weeks, bearing snacks to welcome him. He stayed to talk with her sometimes, but then, other times, he politely refused her invitation, leaving to visit Alice’s home.
This will not do! She fumed as she watched their housekeeper let him in.
To delve deeper into Wales’s character, Rebecca’s father arranged for a maid, Nancy—sister to their live-in housekeeper, Jenny—to tend to Wales Wood’s bachelor pad at Barlow House, the closest residence for unmarried lawyers. Within days, Nancy provided a trove of observations. They learned Wales devoted long hours to his work at the firm and exhibited a penchant for untidiness.
“Yes ma’am,” Nancy reported to Rebecca, “He leaves his clothes in a heap on the floor when he comes home and eats out mostly. I tried to tidy up, but he could do better. He lives quite simply. I do not see any letters from a family anywhere. He saves his money and if he entertains the ladies…you know what I mean…then it is not at his place.”
Rebecca listened closely. While Wales was not a rake like his friend Darcy, he was still visiting both Alice and herself. It was as if he were trying to choose between them, though he had not directly told her this—and, according to the gossip, he had said nothing similar to Alice. True to form, he is not the best at deciding. Not a problem. I can remedy this for him later.
She considered these behaviors as trivial matters, but it was through Nancy’s recent revelation that caused her to act urgently. Wales’s next visit to Alice Strong was to propose marriage. Discreetly pocketed her reward, Nancy assured Rebecca of Wales’s decision, citing his conversation with Darcy as evidence just that morning.
* * *
While Wales’s affections might lean towards Alice, Rebecca knew she could win him away if she had enough time. She strategized on how best to interfere. If Wales approached from Bidwell & Strong, he would round the corner from the east, passing her home first. This provided an opportunity for Rebecca to intercept him before he reached Alice’s residence.
If he walked west from his apartment, he would head straight to Alice’s, bypassing Rebecca’s home. The direction of his approach would dictate her next move. If he came from the law firm, she could intercept him before he reached Alice’s doorstep. But if he left his apartment, her plan remained uncertain. With time slipping away, Rebecca readied herself to act. She was determined to steer events in her favor.
As a blond-headed street vendor selling sweetmeats blocked her view; Rebecca’s heart skipped a beat, but relief washed over her as the vendor passed, leaving her line of sight unobstructed. Fixated on the white door of the brownstone three buildings down where Alice Strong lived, an undercurrent of frustration simmered within Rebecca.
If only that meddling Alice would stay out of my way, Rebecca lamented.
One of her father’s sayings echoed in her mind: “If you want something in this world, take it. No one is going to give it to you.” She knew all too well how her family saw her—unlike the demure Alice or the quiet determination of her sister, Rebecca possessed a boldness that mirrored her father’s, a trait often criticized by her more conventional relatives. Her mother’s admonitions against her insatiable ambitions—spending less time in the kitchen, more time at formal gatherings where prospects awaited—had long lost their sting. Rebecca had resolved to pursue her desires, undeterred by anyone’s expectations.
Shifting on the window seat, Rebecca’s gaze remained fixed on the street below as she awaited Wales’s approach. In her mind, there was no room for second thoughts—she was determined to seize what she wanted. Consequences be damned.
* * *
With a magnetic presence that drew attention wherever he went, Wales Wood was captivating. His pale blue eyes, the color of the sky itself, paired with golden hair that seemed to glow with a halo effect, made him impossible to overlook. Towering at over six feet, he commanded any room with a blend of confidence and impeccable style, his every step leaving an impression few could forget.
Wales, admired by both unmarried and married alike, Rebecca did not mind others taking notice of him, yet she harbored a fierce resolve that no viable rival would come between her and his affection. Of all her competitors, Alice was the strongest contender for his attention—and it didn’t hurt that Wales also worked for Alice’s father, too.
Rebecca wrestled with her own jealousy, a feeling that did not escape those around her. Her father, always quick with advice, urged her to seize every advantage. “Don’t let her win, my girl,” he counseled. “That young man is a prize, and we want the best for our family. Use every tool you have, even a touch of allure. Talk to your sister—she always knew just how to manage things like this.”
Her father’s words echoed in her mind as Rebecca stood poised at the window, eyes fixed on the street below, eagerly awaiting any sign of Wales’s approach. She did not need her sister’s advice—Rebecca knew exactly what to do and how to set her plan in motion.
When he walked down her street, on his way to Alice’s house, she, by coincidence, would leave out her front door to send a package to a friend. She knew he trusted his friend, Mr. Darcy, and news of his entanglement with Miss Alice would distract him. No, it was not true, but it gave Rebecca time to distract him and help him reconsider his plans.
As she spotted his tall, distinguished figure rounding the corner, emanating from the direction of the law office, Rebecca’s heart quickened in anticipation. Clad in a flawlessly tailored suit, his blond locks catching the sunlight, Wales embodied an allure that stirred something deep within Rebecca’s own heart.
Eager to make an impression on Wales and divert his attention from Alice, Rebecca sprang into action. Pausing at the foyer mirror, she carefully adjusted every detail, ensuring her appearance exuded effortless charm. After a quick pinch to her cheeks and a finishing touch to her auburn locks, perfectly arranged, she stepped out with the package in hand, poised and ready to intercept Wales at just the right moment.
As he drew near, Rebecca felt a surge of urgency. She descended the steps with deliberate grace, positioning herself so he could not miss her. “Why, hello, Wales!” she called, her voice lilting with just the right amount of sweetness. “You look positively dashing today!” But Wales seemed oblivious, his gaze distant and unfocused, a subtle frown shadowing his features. She bristled—he was thinking of Alice. A pang of frustration ran through her.
Refusing to let him pass without noticing her, Rebecca stepped boldly into his path, her heart pounding as she forced him to stop. “Mr. Wood!” she called again, louder this time, with a hint of playful allure that could melt stone. “What a delightful surprise to see you here today.” The seconds ticked by as she held her breath, hoping for a spark of recognition in his eyes, determined that this encounter would leave him as captivated by her as she was by him.
Wales stopped abruptly, nearly colliding with Rebecca. She saw his eyes widening in surprise. A flurry of apologies tumbled from his lips as his hands instinctively reached out to steady her. “Oh, Miss Cashin! I am terribly sorry!” he exclaimed, his charm shining through. His gaze softened, and a warm smile curved his mouth. “But truly, it’s always a delight to encounter such beauty on this street.”
Rebecca felt her heart skip, the intensity of his gaze setting her pulse racing. For a fleeting moment, she felt certain her presence had worked its magic, drawing his attention away from Alice, even if briefly.
Rebecca jokingly met his gaze, “You flatter me too much, sir. Your words may just cause me to swoon.” Wales’s laughter deepened her embarrassment, but she reveled in their playful exchange.
Wales, ever the gentleman, teased back, “Then I shall have to be prepared to catch you, lest I bear the guilt of causing your collapse with my compliments.” Rebecca played along, mimicking a fainting spell as he kept his hands on her shoulders, indulging in their shared moment of amusement.
With a mischievous glint in her eye, Rebecca urged him to spare her further flattery. “Come now, tell me of your day and spare me more honeyed words lest I dissolve completely.” As they spoke, Rebecca could not shake the feeling that perhaps her plan to divert Wales’s attention from Alice was already beginning to bear fruit.
As Wales’s arms dropped to his sides, his demeanor shifted to one of resignation as he recounted to her his day. “Very well,” he conceded. “I shall be as dull as dishwater. Today I reviewed contracts, filed paperwork, and drafted dry legal briefs. Does that help steady you, my dear?”
Rebecca sensed his gaze drifting toward Alice’s brownstone behind her, but she was determined to keep his attention. With a playful giggle, she gently rested her hand on his arm, feigning enthusiasm for his workaday topics. “Immensely! I am a rock under your mundane talk,” she exclaimed. “Please, go on about clause amendments and witness statements. I drink it all in! My father talks of the same, and I could listen to him for hours.”
Wales looked at her with eyes wide and was taken aback by her eagerness. “I’m afraid I’m too parched for legal jargon.” He attempted to extricate himself politely. “Might I entice you to talk more about this later? I am going to see Miss Alice. Please excuse me.”
Rebecca’s heart sank as she realized he was intent on continuing to Alice’s residence. She knew she had to act to prevent him from slipping away.
Feeling the urgency of the moment, Rebecca seized Wales’s arm, halting his departure. “Wait, Mr. Wood!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with seriousness. “Before you go, I feel I must warn you.”
Her pull on his arm slowed him down and Wales obliged. “Of course, Miss Cashin. Regarding?” Rebecca noted his slight impatience, interpreting it as a sign that her ploy might work.
Glancing around to ensure they were alone, Rebecca leaned in close, her hand grasping his collar as she pulled him down to her level, her lips tantalizingly close to his ear. She could feel her heart racing as she inhaled his intoxicating scent.
Summoning her resolve, Rebecca whispered conspiratorially, “I overheard the most delicious piece of gossip.” She knew Wales did not follow hearsay, but on this occasion, she hoped to use it to prolong their interaction.
“Oh?” Wales raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.” Despite his reservations, Rebecca could sense a flicker of interest in his eyes, giving her hope her gambit might yet succeed.
Rebecca’s heart pounded with anticipation as she spun her tale, her fingers smoothing a nonexistent wrinkle on Wales’s collar. “Well,” she began, her voice hushed with dramatic flair, “I heard from a reliable source that Mr. Darcy has been courting Miss Alice in secret!” She gasped, feigning shock. “Can you imagine, with their families being such rivals? It is scandalous.”
Wales’s eyes widened in disbelief, leaning in to catch every word. “No! Darcy and Alice? I never would have imagined.” She managed to pique his curiosity. “Who told you this bit of gossip? I must know if it is true.”
Rebecca maintained her facade of secrecy, playfully locking her lips as if to protect their identity. “I’m afraid my sources are confidential,” she teased, a coy smile playing on her lips. “But I assure you, I have it on very good authority.”
She observed with satisfaction as curiosity clouded Wales’s features, his desire for confirmation clear. “I’m sure with your connections, you might know who told me,” She continued brightly, her tone inviting.
Tilting her head inquisitively, Rebecca watched as Wales grappled with the revelation, sensing his uncertainty. “What do you say?” she proposed, her voice sweet with persuasion. “Join me for tea and cookies at the house, and we can compare notes. I am sure together we can uncover the truth.” Anxiously, she awaited his response, hopeful that her invitation would serve as the final lure to keep him by her side.
As suspicion crept into Wales’s expression, Rebecca felt a surge of panic rising within her. She had pushed it too far, and now she had to scramble. “That’s quite an accusation, Miss Cashin,” he remarked, his tone tinged with skepticism. “While I appreciate your…concern… I find it hard to believe Mr. Darcy would act in such an ungentlemanly fashion towards Miss Strong. I talked to him this morning, in fact, and he said nothing.”
Rebecca blinked, realizing she needed to fabricate further to keep Wales engaged. “I assure you,” she replied hastily, “my sources saw Darcy arrive at Alice’s home just yesterday with a massive bouquet of roses! He is clearly intending to steal her away from under your nose.”
Wales regarded her with a discerning gaze, his suspicion clear. “Indeed? How do you know I am interested in her?” he queried, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Then who are these mysterious sources of yours? Is it Alice? Is she spreading rumors we are engaged?”
Surprised, Rebecca stumbled over her words, her mind racing for a plausible response. “Well, I… I could not possibly…” she stammered, her facade crumbling under Wales’s scrutiny.
“Come now, Miss Cashin,” Wales interjected, his tone firm. “We discussed morals and foundational truths just the other day. If you want me to believe such scandalous gossip, you must reveal your sources.” His words hung heavy in the air, leaving Rebecca grappling with the consequences of her deceit. She knew she had to think fast to salvage the situation and maintain her grasp on Wales’s attention.
As Rebecca’s lie fell flat, her desperation mounted. “Why… it was not Alice… it was Alice’s own maid who told me!” she insisted, fabricating another falsehood to salvage the situation. “She informed me all about Darcy’s secret courting.”
Wales’s response was icy, his demeanor imposing as he stepped closer, invading her personal space. “Did she now?” he retorted; his voice laced with skepticism. “Because I know Alice is lacking a maid. The last one became sick, and they are looking for a new one. While an imaginary person cannot say such things, I expect you and maybe Miss Alice, in fact, to be capable. Exercising your husband-hunting skills on yet another bachelor. Luring yet another sorry soul into a cage of decorum and wealth.”
Rebecca recoiled, her heart sinking as she realized the depth of Wales’s insight. Despite her initial attraction to his sharp intellect, she now found herself overwhelmed by his scrutiny. His flushed face betrayed restrained anger, hinting at emotions she could not decipher.
Wales sighed, shaking his head. “Miss Cashin, I appreciate your… enthusiasm. But did you think I would not recognize such a ploy? The two of you have joined forces to play me for a fool?”
Caught in the grip of Wales’s rebuke, Rebecca’s facade crumbled, leaving her speechless under his scrutiny.
“What do you mean?” She blinked, faking innocence.
“I think you know what I mean,” Wales snapped, his tone unforgiving. “You enjoy making up malicious gossip, playing me into a game you are concocting. But I do not take kindly to deception.”
Rebecca could only hang her head, imitating shame, knowing that any attempt to salvage the situation would be futile.
“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I will go,” Wales declared, his voice cold and final. “And in the future, I suggest you find other ways of spending your time.”
With that, he turned sharply and strode away, leaving Rebecca standing alone on the sidewalk. As she watched him disappear down the street, she realized she pushed Wales further away.
Crestfallen, but not defeated, Rebecca resolved to find another way to win Wales’s heart. He was not married yet, and this was a small setback. With a heavy sigh, she retreated into her home when he left her sight. She closed the door behind her and steeled herself for the challenges that lay ahead.