A Question of Class by Julia Tagan

declined. He stood stiffly in the center of the room, and then excused himself, mumbling something about getting a book from his room. She listened to his footsteps as they creaked up the stairs and then took her friend’s hand in her own.
    “I don’t know how much time we have alone.”
    “What on earth has been going on?” asked Theodosia. “You simply disappeared one day.”
    “Oh, Theo, it’s been awful. Mr. Delcour is getting rid of me. He thinks I had an affair with Percy Bonneville.”
    “That’s silly. Percy’s harmless. And anyway, it’s Mr. Delcour’s own fault for commissioning that painting.”
    Catherine smiled. Percy was a friend of the artist who had drawn the large portrait of Morris and her hanging in the Mount, and had stopped by the studio one day when she was alone at a sitting. Percy was witty and charming and she had been delighted to see him at the opera the next evening. She’d heard he was soon to be engaged to the daughter of one of New York’s prominent politicians, and had eagerly stepped forward to say hello. The woman had displayed an immediate dislike toward Catherine, looking her slowly up and down before turning away without speaking. Catherine, who’d spent the entire afternoon choosing the appropriate dress, gloves and fan, had realized what she truly was: a working-class girl from Bridgeport. Percy saw how upset she was and apologized profusely, but it did little to take away the sting of rejection.
    Since then, Percy had arranged to meet Catherine around town. She’d grown fond of him, as his way with words and physical grace were the exact opposite of Morris’s heavy lumbering. Chatting with him over tea was like being back in France, where one could freely speak and not worry about being judged. But now she was paying the consequences, no matter how innocent their interaction had been.
    “Theodosia, what should I do? You know how horrible Mr. Delcour can be,” said Catherine. “He’s got me under lock and key. He’s punishing me by sending me off to the West Indies.” Catherine wanted to tell Theodosia the entire truth, but she couldn’t yet. There was no way she’d be able say the words out loud: her marriage was not valid and she was no better than the women who sold themselves down by the docks. It was far too shameful to divulge such a thing.
    “The West Indies?”
    “Yes. When he gets back from Trenton in one week, I’ll be sent away. I’m not sure what to do.”
    “I had no idea Mr. Delcour could be so vindictive. But how can he send you away like that? I don’t understand.”
    “Mr. Delcour is a powerful man, and he can do whatever he likes. You saw for yourself what Mr. Carpenter did to your mother.”
    Theodosia nodded. “He destroyed her spirit, and her body followed.”
    “And now Mr. Delcour is set on destroying me. Men like that always get what they want.”
    “They certainly do. I’ll do anything I can to help.” Theodosia’s face brightened. “Why don’t you come to the ball tomorrow evening? Percy will be there. You can find a moment and speak with him, and perhaps he has an idea and can help, since he’s part of the reason you’re in this bind. He is an attorney, after all.”
    “Oh, Theo!” cried Catherine. “That’s an excellent idea, particularly considering Percy is my only friend, apart from you. I’m sure he’ll have a way to help me and clear my name.”
    Theodosia patted Catherine’s hand. “Let’s hope so.”
    “Mr. Delcour mentioned the ball at dinner the other night. I hadn’t seen the invitation, but I suspect Mrs. Daggett has been intercepting the mail before I see it. Not that we’ve received many invitations of late. The only reason we were invited to this one was the business relationship between Mr. Delcour and Mr. Carpenter. But I would like to come, and I promise I’ll behave.”
    Theodosia laughed. “I have no doubt you won’t. But that’s half the fun of being your friend.”
    “I’ll have