Duke of a Gilded Age Read Online Free Page A

to be taller than we can ever imagine.”
    Belle shook her head in amazement. “You’d think structures would topple over after a certain height.”
    “I certainly hope they don’t! Ah, I see the young duke and his mother have arrived. Will you meet them while I alert the manager?” Mr. Oakhurst strode toward the front desk.
    Belle gave Wesley an appraising look as the doorman ushered him and Lady Frederic into the lobby. Despite the fact his clothes were in need of a good tailor, the cutaway jacket, vest, and trousers were an improvement over his former disarray. Furthermore, his shiny top hat suited him well. His shoes were abysmal, however, his lip and eye were still swollen, and his hair was indifferently combed. Nevertheless, if one didn’t examine him too closely, Wesley Parker resembled a gentleman. Lady Frederic’s appearance was also much improved, and her demeanor was far more relaxed and cheerful than the day before.
    Belle curtsied. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Lady Frederic.”
    “Good morning, Miss Oakhurst.”
    Belle’s curtsy to Wesley was an afterthought. “Hello, Your Grace.”
    Wesley stared. “My what?”
    “Your Grace. It’s how you’re addressed by those social classes lower than the gentry. Otherwise, you’ll be addressed as Duke, or sir. Family and very close friends are another matter.”
    He looked annoyed. “See here, that’s nonsense!”
    Just then, Mr. Oakhurst returned with the hotel manager.
    “Good morning, Lady Frederic,” Mr. Oakhurst said. “Good morning, Your Grace.”
    Belle tried not to smirk at her father’s use of Wesley’s title.
    “Allow me to introduce you to Mr. Darling,” Mr. Oakhurst continued.
    The manager beamed. “Welcome to the Fifth Avenue Hotel, Lady Frederic, Your Grace. Come this way, sir, to sign the register.”
    Wesley seemed bewildered as he penned his name in the book at the front desk. Belle felt a slight tug of sympathy at his discomfort. He’s so out of place, I could almost feel sorry for him .
    While Wesley was thus occupied, Mr. Darling directed the bellhops to take charge of the Parkers’ worn trunks. Thereafter, the manager insisted on showing the Parkers to their suite personally.
    As Mr. Darling, Lady Frederic, and Mr. Oakhurst headed toward the elevator, Wesley and Belle fell into step just behind.
    “I wasn’t sure if I should sign the register as Wesley Parker or the Duke of Mansbury,” Wesley whispered. “I finally settled on Wesley Parker, the Duke of Mansbury, but it dribbled out into the margin.”
    “You may style yourself merely ‘Mansbury,’ Your Grace,” Belle replied.
    “I don’t like being called Your Grace,” he whispered. “If you don’t call me Wesley, I won’t answer you.”
    “Then our conversation will be quite one-sided,” Belle replied. “In British society, rank is everything. You’ll be expected to observe it.”

    Wesley attempted to behave as if he checked into first-class hotels and rode on sumptuous vertical railways every day, but in truth he was in mortal fear of saying or doing the wrong thing. Fortunately, Mr. Darling filled the slow steady ride to the top floor with his vivacious conversation.
    “The Prince of Wales stayed with us when he was touring North America,” he said.
    “Did he? How marvelous,” Lady Frederic said.
    “Indeed, the Fifth Avenue Hotel attracts dignitaries and statesmen from all over the globe. We’ve over four hundred employees to serve our guests, you see. Each bedchamber has a private bath and you’ll find a fireplace in every room. Oh, and meals are included during your stay here, except the late supper. For that, there’s a nominal fee.”
    “The Duke of Mansbury and Lady Frederic would like to procure a few items of clothing prior to their voyage,” Mr. Oakhurst said. “Where would you recommend, Mr. Darling?”
    Mr. Darling flicked a brief glance at Wesley’s dusty top hat.
    “The renowned Knox Hat Shop on the ground floor has a