Duke of a Gilded Age Read Online Free Page B

marvelous selection of men’s hats. You may have noticed it on the left just before you entered the hotel. Also, a fine collection of emporiums, boutiques, and department stores can be found on Ladies’ Mile, which encompasses part of Sixth Avenue, Fifth Avenue, and Broadway. I recommend Arnold, Constable and Company, 115 Fifth Avenue. The store is nicknamed the Palace of Trade, and you may even see the Vanderbilts, the Carnegies, or the Rockefellers shopping there.”
    The illustrious names didn’t particularly impress Wesley, but he nodded politely. At length, the upward motion of the moving parlor stopped, the doors opened, and the manager led them down the hallway to a suite of three large rooms overlooking Madison Square Park. Miss Oakhurst immediately ran to the windows to admire the view. While his mother inspected the suite, taking everything in with obvious pleasure, Wesley stood in the middle of the sitting room, bemused. He’d never seen such luxury before, nor imagined it. The sitting room alone was more spacious than the flat in Brooklyn. Dentil moldings accentuated the high ceiling, and tapestry-patterned paper covered the walls. Impressive wooden valances sat atop the windows, which were framed by elegant, heavy velvet drapes. An enormous oriental rug covered the polished wooden floor, and a fringed horsehair sofa, an ornate coffee table, and two chairs made up a cozy sitting area. Nearer the windows was a substantial rosewood desk, where letters could be written or business conducted. A crystal vase on the fireplace mantle displayed a profusion of fresh flowers and ferns, and a smaller cut-glass bowl on the coffee table held an arrangement of hothouse roses, lilies, and cockscomb. The floral fragrances combined to perfume the air.
    A basket of fruit on the coffee table made Wesley’s mouth water. Since his father died, he’d grown accustomed to eating the bruised, small fruit sold in Lombardi’s at a discount. He picked up a fresh red apple, marveling at its size, color, and perfection. It almost looked as if it was made out of wax, but the aroma proved otherwise. As he returned the apple to the basket, he noticed a fancy beribboned box marked Maillard’s . Mr. Darling followed his gaze.
    “Chocolates, compliments of the house, of course,” he said. “Maillard’s is located on the ground floor of the hotel. President Abraham Lincoln adored their bonbons. In addition to chocolates, you can buy perfectly marvelous chocolate ice cream there.”
    On the table was also a light green booklet entitled Visitor’s Guide to the City of New York. Mr. Darling gave it a tap. “There’s a great deal of useful information about shops and restaurants inside this pamphlet.”
    The bellhops arrived with the luggage just then. Wesley was struck by how worn and battered the old trunks looked, especially in contrast with the luxurious splendor of the room. While Mr. Darling spoke to Mr. Oakhurst and Lady Frederic about arranging transportation for their shopping excursion, Wesley joined Miss Oakhurst at the window.
    A tremendous view greeted him. Metal tracks for horse-drawn trolley cars cut through the granite Belgian block pavement on Fifth Avenue, several floors below. Across the street, a long line of hansom cabs was parked alongside Madison Square Park. The large rectangular park was a very pretty sight with its looping pathways and historic monuments nestled amongst large sycamore, oak, and elm trees.
    Wesley blew out a long, slow breath. “I’m completely out of my element here.”
    Miss Oakhurst cleared her throat. “Not at all. Your clothes are a vast improvement from yesterday.”
    He inserted a finger in between his collar and his neck in a futile attempt to loosen the fit. “They’re my father’s things and I feel silly in them.”
    “You don’t look silly. I think your suit is rather handsome, even if it’s borrowed.”
    “Thank you.” He paused a moment. “I can tell you don’t altogether