April 9
CHAPTER 14
PAMELA
FROM THE PREVIOUS PAGE
Pamela’s smile was broad. She and Seth had a chance after all. “Honey, I think we have done enough talking today. What do you think?”
“Yeah.”
“There’s still time for a movie and popcorn.”
“Can I pick out the movie?”
“Only if you give me a hug first.”
They hugged for the longest minute.
****
It was not an ordinary committee meeting. They never were. Opulence and high purpose were the cornerstones of any committee meeting attended by Victoria Sheffield, particularly the Elizabeth Montague Foundation’s annual charity ball. Charged with providing scholarships to Ivy League schools, the century-old foundation focused on assisting able and gifted children living in and around the city. Unlike any other charity, attendance at the annual ball was by invitation only with a minimum ticket price of fifty thousand for each of the two hundred guests. The rich and famous often engaged in a bidding war for tickets to ensure their names would remain on the guest list of the most prestigious social event of the season.
The exclusivity of the guests was not limited to the ball. Overseeing the arrangements for the annual ball was the president’s steering committee consisting of fourteen members. Each member had contributed one or more millions of dollars to ensure a seat at the committee table. Victoria’s contribution of three million entitled her to sit in the vice president’s chair while Thaddeus Franklin Oliver’s five million dollar contribution placed him in the president’s chair.
The committee meeting, held in Thaddeus’ apartment in the SoHo district in Lower Manhattan, had been productive. A chamber group from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra agreed to perform and world famous chef Giovanni Lombardi promised to oversee the dinner of Royal Osetra caviar and pan roasted lobster. The gala event of dinner and an evening of dancing was set for the prestigious Mandarin Ballroom.
Victoria sat with Franklin at the head of the 19th century Italian Trestle dining table while the waitstaff stood silently against the wall, next to a Rembrandt self-portrait worth millions. Anchored on the opposite wall, again worth millions, was a Renoir self-portrait. A slight nod from Thaddeus ushered the waitstaff back into the kitchen in preparation of serving a late lunch of quail with braised pork jowl.
Nodding and gesturing were an acceptable and quick means of communication for Thaddeus. He had succeeded his father in overseeing the international oil and mining conglomerate TXP, which had substantial holdings on six continents. Intelligent, handsome, and only forty-four, he had remained single since the death of his wife five years earlier. He and Pamela had occasionally attended charity and social events together during the past two years as well as several of his polo matches.
Raising her crystal glass of French Bourgogne Pinot Noir wine, Victoria said to the committee,” Ladies and Gentlemen, I believe a toast is in order for the outstanding leadership Thaddeus has given us. The ball this year will be the finest the foundation has sponsored. Congratulations, Thaddeus, for a job well done.” A hearty round of applause followed the toast.
“Thank you very much,” he said.
The conversation broke down into small groups around the table while they waited for the luncheon to begin. The waitstaff remaining in the dining room ensured the wine glasses were never empty.
“Well, tell us, Victoria,” Helen asked from the end of the table. “Do I have to ask who will be your escort to the ball?”
Victoria smiled—politely. Helen’s question was fortuitous. Flirting with eighty, Helen was hard of hearing, requiring Victoria to raise her voice in order to answer the question.
Perfect.
The start of her plan to maintain the honor of the Sheffield name.
Speaking loud enough for Helen to hear, and more importantly, for the others, Victoria said, “No, Helen, there is no need for you to ask. The Duke of Manningford from Kingston upon Thames will again come over from England and graciously escort me.”
Helen clasped her hands. “Oh, that is such wonderful news. He is such a charming man. . .and so worldly. I swear, he has been everywhere for the United Nations.”
“And your charming daughter Pamela,” Helen continued. “Such a sweet girl. Tell us Thaddeus, will you be escorting Pamela again this year?”
He was stunned. The unexpected question was painful to answer. The room became quiet as the committee members watched him struggle for an answer.
Victoria relished his discomfort. She allowed a few additional seconds of silence to pass. For her plan to work, he needed to suffer more of the pain he had received from Pamela’s rejection.
Satisfied she had achieved her desired result, she said, “If I may, Thaddeus, allow me to answer the question.”
He nodded, unable to mask his discomfort at Helen’s question.
Again, Victoria spoke loud enough to ensure there would be no missed words, rubbed her hands to suggest the subject was difficult. Her serious countenance conveyed the gravity of her answer.
“Helen, I am unable to answer your question about Pamela attending the ball this year. As many of you know, she has been a guest for many years. She has not informed me of her plans.”
Victoria was pleased with her incomplete answer. Again, perfect. She allowed the group to digest her comments while they formed their questions on what had happened to Pamela. Victoria sipped her wine, suggesting she had closed the discussion. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Thaddeus struggle to regain a pleasant manner. The group began discussing Victoria’s announcement.
Victoria leaned into Thaddeus. “I’m sorry Pamela declined your invitation to escort her to the ball this year. I must confess I was distressed when I heard the news.”
“I’m sure you must know, Victoria, that I have a special affection for Pamela.”
“I am aware of your feelings for her. You know, I am your strongest supporter. You two would be the perfect couple.”
“Thank you.”
“Is Pamela ill?” Margaret asked. “I saw her two weeks ago at Ambassador Charleston’s reception.”
“No, Margaret. She is well. Thank you for thoughtful inquiry.”
“Please tell us,” Alice said, “what has happened?”
Oh, thank you, Alice, for that question. This is so much easier than I expected.
“Alice, Pamela is seeing a new gentleman.”
Thaddeus was visibly shocked at the revelation.
Helen continued while Thaddeus squirmed in his chair. “Returning her wine glass to the table, she said, “Well, are you going to leave us hanging? This is wonderful news. Tell us all about him. Do we know his family? Where does he work? When are we going to meet him?”
Thaddeus waited for Victoria’s response. He had plans for Pamela’s future. Losing Pamela to some interloper was not an option.
Elbow on the table, finger tips touching her face, wearing a sad expression, Victoria said, “I must confess that the question is difficult for me to answer. I know so little about the man.”
Victoria, ignoring the guests, straightened the salad fork on the linen napkin. Pause, Victoria, pause. Capture all of their attention.
Anxious, Joan pressed, “Well, surely you must know something about him?”
“I only know that Seth is uneducated and has never held a job”
“Oh,” the entire group gasped.
“I can’t believe it,” Margaret said, pressing her hands to her chest.
“This is terrible news,” Helen moaned.
Catherine arched her back, returned her hands to her lap, “Why is Pamela seeing this. . .man?”
“He never went to college and has never worked?” Thaddeus said in disbelief. “There must be an explanation. Pamela would never make such a mistake.”
“I’ll bet he forced his attentions on her,” Willard said. “Yes, that’s it, he’s after her money, blackmail or something.”
“Poor Pamela.” Alice said. “How shocking.”
“There’s more,” Victoria said. She struggled to hide her joy in destroying Seth’s relationship with Pamela.
Silence swept the room with all of the group’s attention focused on Victoria.
Victoria rested her hand on Thaddeus’ arm. With the most concerned look she could muster, she said, “I know you are chairperson for the International Alliance for World Peace and that you abhor war. I know terrorists assassinated your brother in Cairo. I’m sorry. Seth was a soldier and fought in the war. He told me he killed people.”
“Oh, God, no,” Thaddeus groaned. “Please tell me Pamela will not invite him to the ball. It would be a disaster.”
“I’m sorry. Only Pamela can answer that question.”
Victoria knew the answer. Pamela had become blind to her social position and responsibilities. Her daughter would invite him. Thaddeus was right. It would be a social disaster, a painful lesson for Pamela.
And, it would be an acceptable social disaster.
Pamela is a Sheffield.—she needs to act like one.
TO BE CONTINUED
