I’ll be honest: when in doubt, I went with the source that fit my novel best, and, quite often, relied on a story from a Biltmore guide, even if I didn’t have proof in print. Oral history has been so important to North Carolina’s preservation that it seemed necessary to honor that. But despite my research, this is, through and through, a work of fiction, and much of the story that I couldn’t find I dreamed up as best I could. How Peter Gerry and Edith Vanderbilt began their courtship, for example, is a detail I could never confirm. But the Helen Keller speech in Washington, D.C., where I placed them was real, and is an event that would have been reasonable for either of them to attend.
No one seemed able to confirm exactly how Cornelia and John Cecil met, but the Vanderbilts’ fancy dress balls were legendary, and, while I have no proof that Cornelia ever dressed as Cleopatra, I know Edith did. And since her dressing as the Queen of the Nile didn’t have a place in my story, this is a nod. Jack’s proposal on the day of her father’s death? True—and, in my opinion, so lovely.
I also took a few liberties: The flag in the Biltmore Banquet Hall wasn’t commissioned until 1920, but I wanted the ladies to see it as a visual reminder of what they were fighting for back home in 1918. Believe it or not—and this one shocked me—no one knows which bedroom belonged to Cornelia Vanderbilt in her childhood, before her father’s death, so that I have guessed.
If you want to know more about these remarkable women, this extraordinary family, and what remains America’s largest privately owned home, I recommend The Last Castle, Fortune’s Children, Images of America: Biltmore Estate, Lady on the Hill, Biltmore: An American Masterpiece, and The Vanderbilts. And, just for fun, Specialties of the House—which I relied on for several food-related bits and pieces—is a great look at the Vanderbilt menus. And check out some of the many ghost stories about Biltmore that, if you’ve already read this book, you’ll see inspired one of its story lines.
Oh! And since I have been asked several times already, it is true that All Men Are Ghosts is the last work of fiction George Vanderbilt read before his death, according to his reading journals. Again, sometimes the stories write themselves.
All of this to say, Edith and Cornelia’s rarefied world is one that, against all odds, we still have a true glimpse into, and re-creating what might have happened inside of it was one of the most fun writing experiences I’ve ever had. When I was almost finished with this novel, I began to have a scary thought: Who was I to tell these women’s stories?
That night, as I was perusing Instagram, I came across a piece of jewelry. A signet pinky ring, bearing the initials E.D., just like the one Edith received on the day of Cornelia’s Baptism. Maybe it was a coincidence. But I took it as a sign, one of many that came during this process.
I worked my very hardest to tell these incredible women’s stories with creativity, insight and, most of all, compassion. We might truly never know their inner lives at this point, but I hope this novel gave you a glimpse behind the curtain—and perhaps even inspired your first or next visit to Biltmore Estate, the lady on the hill that, with any luck, thanks to the tireless efforts of Edith Vanderbilt among many, many others, will stand tall among the mountains of the beautiful Blue Ridge for generations to come.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
I have always felt an indescribable connection to the women in my family, both the ones who have formed the fabric of my life with memories and the ones who came before who I never had the pleasure of knowing. I think, at its core, that is what this novel is about: the connection we can feel to people we have never met—whether through a shared history, or, perhaps, a family heirloom.
So it would make sense to thank, first, the women in my family: my sister-in-law, Dorothy Coleman, who passed along her family veil to me; my cousin Sidney Patton, who I passed it onto next; my cousin Catherine Adcox, who, being the perfect three years older than I am, taught me pretty much everything I needed to know about life; my aunts, Cathy Singer, Anne O’Berry, and Nancy Sanders, who showed me what sisterhood meant and who are my A+ editorial team; my grandmother Ola Rutledge, who lives her life with heart, humor, compassion, and tradition, and is everything a matriarch should be; and my grandmother Hazel Woodson, who I knew for only a short time, but who, in leaving me her treasured pearls, proved the power of a family heirloom. My mom, Beth Woodson, gets her own lines of thanks because she is not just my mother; she’s my business partner, my biggest cheerleader, and my inspiration, the perfect example of how to never stop growing, taking risks, and learning new things.
My friends have to hear a lot about any and everything I’m writing and offer their opinions, so love and gratitude to Millie Warren, Lee Taylor, Kate McDermott, Jessica Wilder, Booth Parker, Shelley Smith, Leeanne Walker, Kate Denierio, Drew Beall, and so many others who probably feel like they’ve already read this book as much as I’ve talked about it.
My Friends & Fiction partners in crime, Mary Kay Andrews/Kathy Trocheck, Patti Callahan Henry, and Kristin Harmel: This book would not exist without you and our morning writing sprints during the darkest, deepest early days of the COVID-19 shutdown. Thanks for your guidance, your support, and for never letting me miss my word count! Speaking of Friends & Fiction, Meg Walker, friend and brilliant managing director, Ron Block, genius librarian and rock star podcast host, Lisa Harrison and Brenda Gardner, peanut butter and jelly and loveliest book club hosts, Annissa Armstrong, launch day love lender and head cheerleader, and Shaun Hettinger, tech genius and five-star cabana boy—you guys add so much light and love to my world, and I am so grateful!
I met Michelle Kreitman at a literary luncheon where I just happened to mention that I was working on a story about Edith and Cornelia Vanderbilt. Michelle, I don’t know what magical inner workings of fate brought us together, but I can’t thank you enough for all your help! I am eternally grateful for your advice and support.
My team at Gallery Books wows me each and every day. Thanks to Molly Gregory for picking up this book midstream and wading through the depths of it with me. I can’t thank you enough for your dedication to making this story the best it could be—and for always doing it with a big smile! Bianca Salvant, thanks for being a never-ending font of fabulous ideas and implementing them so （seemingly!） effortlessly. Jennifer Bergstrom, Aimee Bell, Jennifer Long, and Abby Zidle—endless gratitude for continuing to let me do what I love so very, very much. Gabrielle Audet and Sarah Lieberman from Simon & Schuster audio: Thank you for always bringing my novels to life in a new way so gloriously. I wait with bated breath for each audiobook to experience my novels in a brand-new way.
Elisabeth Weed, this book would not exist without you for a million reasons. Thank you for suggesting a “real wedding veil.” I can’t imagine this book any other way! Olivia Blaustein, you’re the greatest, and I’m so grateful for you.
Kathie Bennett, Roy Bennett, Susan Zurenda, and everyone at Magic Time Literary: I know these past few years have been different to say the least, but you have risen to each and every challenge with grace. Thanks for making so many incredible things happen for me year after year!
I would not be here after nine novels were it not for the selfless and lovely support of the Bookstagram, blogging, library, and independent bookstore communities. To all of you who share my work: Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Kristy Barrett, Stephanie Gray, Andrea Katz, Dallas Straun, Susan Roberts, Susan Peterson, Ashley Bellman, Susan McBeth, Zibby Owens, Judy Collins, Hanna Shields, Courtney Marzilli, Jennifer Clayton, Chase Waskey, and Randi Burton, your love for this book humbles me, and I can’t thank you enough. And Meagan Briggs and Ashley Hayes of Uplit Reads, you guys are amazing!