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She stared at Ella Pemberton in amazement. For a woman who was addled, she had a remarkable memory when it suited her, and she certainly handled these two busybodies perfectly. Katie wanted to cheer for her. Instead she got immense pleasure from the Misses Chandlers’ discomfort.
    Martha recovered first “I’m so glad we’ve had this little talk. You are perfectly right Ella. Fan, would you care to come to a reception tomorrow afternoon? I can quietly invite a few of the best people and begin to reinstate you into our midst”
    “And tea on Sunday,” Alice added. “I know everyone will want to see you when I explain things.”
    Katie grinned. “I would be delighted.” If she had any misgivings about continuing the charade, they were vanquished. She owed it to Fan, and to women everywhere. And if it meant a little deception, so what? She was giving an elderly woman immense pleasure, and herself the opportunity of a lifetime. After all, Fan traveled in circles Katie O’Connor would never have access to. There was a long summer ahead filled with parties, balls, teas, and rich men….
    And for however long it lasted, she was Frances Pemberton. Maybe the luck of the Irish hadn’t deserted her after all.
     
     
    This is totally ridiculous. Christopher ruffled his hand through his hair and stared out the window of the train car, watching the open New Jersey countryside roll by. That a grown man would be on an expedition like this was almost unthinkable, and for himself it was doubly embarrassing.
    “Stop scowling, Christopher,” Aunt Eunice said without glancing up from her novel. “It is unseemly, and it won’t help matters.”
    Christopher sent her a look betraying his lack of appreciation. “Well, how am I supposed to feel? We’re going to Cape May in the hopes of landing a rich debutante for my wife. Do you know what that makes me?”
    Eunice closed the book firmly and gave her nephew a steady stare. “Practical, is what it makes you. We’ve been through all this before. This is your best option. Cape May is a wonderful place to look for a wife. All of the wealthiest women, daughters of railroad executives, merchants, and builders, come here for the summer. You have every opportunity to meet them, wine and dine them, and under a starlit sky, come to an understanding. With the help of the ocean breezes, the balmy air, the sun-drenched days, even you can make a go of it.”
    “That’s not the point.” Christopher glowered. “I’ve had my share of success with women and you know it. What I am referring to is the reason behind it. This time I’m not courting someone because I care for her company or because I find her pretty. Now it’s for her bank account.”
    “It is amazing how noble we get when confronted with the truth,” Aunt Eunice remarked. “Do you really think your brethren, the dashing Philadelphia Main Liners, are not taking financial matters into consideration when choosing a wife? When was the last time one of your college friends married a poor woman? Or one without background? And they all expect a dowry.” Eunice smiled as Christopher scowled again. “Grow up, my boy, and face reality. You are only doing the exact same thing.”
    “You seem to have forgotten one small detail,” Christopher said bluntly. “To court a woman means money. I’ll need clothes, funds for outings, rent for the house, money to give parties…it will require a considerable investment. And my own account is depleted.”
    “I know,” Aunt Eunice said wisely. “I’ve already taken care of that. I sold some of the paintings and can invest in you through the summer. Don’t give me that look, we have no choice. But I plan to see my money back. Like any other investment, I want to recoup the capital plus a dividend.” Giving him a charitable smile, Aunt Eunice continued. “Do you think you can manage your part?”
    “Yes.” Christopher glared, then turned to look once more at the vacant countryside.