Mona handed her wrap to a maid and then let Robert escort her into the ballroom. A live orchestra was playing the latest popular radio tunes, and the floor was alive with guests dancing the foxtrot, while older couples danced the black bottom and Charleston.
Robert and Mona stood in the receiving line and waited their turn to greet their hosts. Finally, Mona was presented to Cornelius Vanderbilt Hopper.
“It’s a pleasure meeting you,” Cornelius said. He kissed Mona’s hand. “Everything they say about you is true. You are a beauty like the rarest orchid.”
“Not half of what they say about me is accurate Mr. Hopper,” Mona replied. She didn’t know what to make of Hopper’s flamboyant comments.
“I thought people were exaggerating about your hair, but it is truly platinum, without any benefit of color—and your eyes—a true yellow, more of a golden hue I would think.”
Annoyed, Robert stepped in and held out his hand. “Good to see you again, Connie.”
Shaking his hand, Hopper said, “Robert, how nice to see you. Are you here with this gorgeous creature?”
“Yes, I am, so mittens off.”
“Speaking of gorgeous creatures, may I present my wife, Elspeth Neferet Alden Hopper.”
Both Robert and Mona turned to the petite, dusky-skinned, dark-haired woman with black soulful eyes standing beside Hopper. Robert gave a little bow, but Mona was so smitten with admiration that she could barely find words to speak.
Mrs. Hopper was wearing a pleated, linen sheath adorned with a large Egyptian collar called a wesekh made of gold, turquoise, coral, onyx, and lapis lazuli. The woman’s dark eyes were outlined in kohl like the ancient Egyptians. The only difference in her makeup from that of an ancient woman was that Mrs. Hopper wore bright red lipstick.
For a second, Mona thought she was addressing Nefertiti. “Em hotep.”
Mrs. Hopper became animated and said, “Ii-wey. You speak ancient Egyptian?”
“Just a few lines I picked up when I was in Cairo. I am more familiar with Sumerian and Babylonian words. I must say I am so taken with your collar. It looks authentic.”
“My father made it from bits and pieces he found in the sand. He presented it to me on my eighteenth birthday.”
“Lucky girl,” Mona said, barely taking her eyes off the collar. Jewelry was a weakness of Mona’s.
“My dear, people are waiting,” Connie said to Elspeth.
“You’re right, Connie. Forgive me. Miss Moon, I hope we have a chance to speak again this evening.”
Mona said, “Please, we must. I am dying to talk about the Near East and your adventures excavating Queen Ahsetsedek’s tomb.”
Elspeth asked, “You know of my father’s work?”
“Who doesn’t know about John Alden and his famous find in the Valley of the Queens?” Mona said.
“Dear!” Connie said as though annoyed.
For a second, Elspeth’s eyes dampened but she nodded and smiled.
Robert led Mona over to a chair. “Happy?”
“I’m ecstatic, Robert. I’m so glad you made me come. Think of it—John Alden’s daughter. Oh, the stories she must have. I can’t wait to get her alone.”
“Are you up for a dance while you’re waiting?”
“Assuredly.”
Robert led Mona onto the dance floor where they did the foxtrot, a waltz, and another foxtrot until Mona begged off.
“It’s hot in this room, that’s for sure,” Robert said.
“I need to freshen up. Can you excuse me?”
“Don’t take too long. I see some captains of industry heading my way for some boring shop talk.”
“I promise.”
Mona gathered her clutch from the coat check maid and headed for the downstairs bathroom for the ladies, but it was too crowded, so she asked if she could use the upstairs one. The maid pointed to a powder room on the second floor. Mona quickly bounded up the grand staircase and headed down a carpeted hallway. Passing one of the doors cracked open, she heard crying—a deep mournful crying. Standing at the door, Mona looked both ways, wondering what she should do. No one else was in the hallway. Crying was a private act and Mona didn’t want to intrude, but crying also meant someone might need help. She knocked on the door and peeked in. Inside a spacious and luxurious bedroom, Elspeth sat on a chair holding her magnificent necklace.
“Elspeth, what is the matter?” Mona quickly closed the door, locked it, and went to the weeping bride.
“You shouldn’t be in here.”
“You shouldn’t be crying at your own party.” Mona dragged a chair close to Elspeth. “Now tell me. What is the matter?”
“Connie told me to change into something more conservative. He said my dress embarrassed him and looked like something a person would wear at Halloween.”
“You looked stunning. I love the collar. In fact, I have half a mind to steal it,” Mona teased.
Elspeth looked at Mona through thick, tear-stained eyelashes. “I wore it to honor my father. Did you really like my outfit?”
“My dear, your dress was fascinating and quite wonderful. Who cares what Connie says?”
“I don’t want to make my husband angry.”
“Okay, change then, but no more tears. Don’t let those people downstairs see you cry, and when you go back down, tell everyone you tore the hem of your linen dress while dancing.” Mona went over to a wall, which was lined with mirrors. “Is this your closet?”
Elspeth nodded.
Mona threw open all the mirrored doors to Elspeth’s wardrobe. “Let’s find the most seductive gown you have.”
“Connie wants me to wear something conservative.”
“Listen, my dear, if you give in to ridiculous demands now, your husband won’t give you a moment’s peace. You will never be your own woman. Understand?”
Elspeth wiped away a tear. “It’s true what they say about you.”
“What’s that?” Mona asked, rummaging through the closet.
“That you are different. A leopard among house cats.”
“Do they? That’s rather nice, don’t you think? I like leopards. I recently had a bout with a mountain panther.”
“Who won?”
Mona laughed. “It was a draw.” She pulled a low-cut red chiffon dress from the closet. “This will do nicely. Wear this.”
“Oh, no. I can’t. It’s too risqué.”
“You’ll wear it or you’ll be under your husband’s thumb the rest of your life. Now, we need some jewelry. Do you have a necklace to set off that dress?”
“I have a diamond choker.”
“Do you have something that will plunge into your cleavage?”
Elspeth’s hands fluttered a bit. “I have a ruby and diamond pin that can change into a necklace.”
“Sounds perfect.” Mona threw the dress at Elspeth. “Put it on.” She went over to Elspeth’s vanity and rummaged through her jewelry box finding the pin and then a heavy chain for it. Mona clasped the necklace around Elspeth neck. “Looks lovely. Now we need to fix your makeup.” Mona dusted Elspeth’s face with powder and redid her lipstick with a brighter shade of red.
“I hope Connie likes this dress.”
“He probably won’t. He’ll make a fuss after the party.”
“I don’t want that.”
“It doesn’t matter what dress you select. He will deem it inappropriate. Don’t you understand?”
“What do you mean?”
Mona looked Elspeth directly in the eyes. “You know exactly what I mean.” She grabbed one of Elspeth’s arms. “Where did you get that bruise?”
Elspeth pulled her arm away. “I fell.”
“Sure you did.”
“It was an accident.”
“Sure it was.”
Elspeth looked away. “I have no friends or family here. It’s terribly frightening being alone in a strange place without anyone to talk with.”
“Then you must come to tea tomorrow at Moon Manor. I know what it is like to be alone in new surroundings. Tell Connie I’m having a hen party so you can meet more ladies in the community. Will you come?”
“That’s awfully sweet of you, but you needn’t bother with me. We don’t know each other and—I don’t want to be a nuisance.”
“I have tea at four o’clock. Be there.”
“Will you walk down with me? I don’t want to face Connie in this dress alone.”
“Of course. I need to use the powder room first though. Nature calls.” Mona strode off to the bathroom and after refreshing herself, checking her outfit, and putting on more lipstick, she entered Elspeth’s bedroom only to find her gone.
“She left without me,” Mona said to herself. She hurried to the grand staircase where she discovered Connie berating Elspeth on the stair landing. Elspeth was looking down at her feet and anxiously twisting a handkerchief between two sweaty palms.
“My goodness,” Mona called out from above. “You’ve changed into another dress, Elspeth.” She hurried down the steps and twirled Elspeth around. “It’s a stunner, dear. Don’t you think so, Mr. Hopper, I mean, Connie?” Mona didn’t give him time to answer. “Come on, Elspeth. You’ll simply bowl people over. I know a lot of women here tonight who will want a gander at your necklace. Ruby, isn’t it? From India? Two stunning necklaces in one night. You put us all to shame.”
Mona turned to Connie. “You must be so proud. Your wife is surely going to be the social butterfly of the season. Come Elspeth. You must show this dress off. Will you excuse us, Connie—or would you like the honor of escorting your wife?”
Connie’s face flushed red and was so overcome with anger, he couldn’t sputter any reply to Mona, nor would he have if he could have found the words. He realized she was toying with him, so all he could do was to take his wife’s arm and guide her down the stairs into the ballroom. Connie wouldn’t dare offend Mona, as she was too powerful.
“Don’t forget tea tomorrow at four, Elspeth. Ladies only. I insist,” Mona called after her. Smiling, Mona glided down the staircase into the arms of Robert.
Robert asked, “Why do you look so pleased with yourself?”
“I just bullied a bully.”
“Really?”
“Yes, really.”
“Tell me about it in the car. Ready to skip this popsicle stand?”
“Most assuredly.”
“I’ll grab our coats. You say goodbye to our hosts.”
Mona shook her head. “I really think we can forget that part of the evening.”
Robert laughed. “What did you do, darling?”
“I’ll tell you about it at your house in front of a roaring fire with hot chocolate.”
“Will you stay the night?”
“And give the servants something to gossip about? No way, but I might be convinced to see the wolf moon sink behind the horizon.”
“I’ll take what I can get.” Robert rushed off to gather their coats. With the promise of a little snogging, Robert couldn’t wait to get Mona to his house. And there was Mona’s encounter. Robert could only guess what had occurred.
Hmm—what could Mona possibly have instigated now?