“One of his paintings could feed an entire Lower East Side tenement block for years and years. I would add that there’s some question whether or not the decision to leave his paintings and mansion to the city springs from guilt.”
“Guilt about what?”
“Something that happened ages ago, probably thirty years or so. Long forgotten except by a few, probably.”
She waited, and eventually he continued. “Mr. Frick and his rich friends had a private lake for their fishing club upriver from a town called Johnstown in Pennsylvania. There was a dam, which needed repairs, and it burst and pretty much wiped out the entire town. Over two thousand people died.”
“How awful. And it was Mr. Frick’s fault?”
“His and the other club members’， for their negligence in not making the repairs. Afterwards, the members formed a relief committee to help the survivors, but it’s rumored that they used their influence to pressure the investigators. No charges were ever made.”
Over two thousand people dead. An utter catastrophe. Mr. Frick’s reputation had been whitewashed in the ensuing years as he solidified his power, and his increasing wealth made him untouchable.
“So you see, Miss Lilly, the Fricks are the gilded ones of this great city. How lucky for them.”
She gave him a look.
“Right, it probably comes across as ludicrous, me saying such a thing. But we Danforths are upper class only in name. My family’s business has been in trouble for a long time, preceding my father’s death. I have only my butler on hand these days, having had to let go of the valet, the cook, the whole lot of them.” He laughed. “In many ways I’m a folly myself, with no purpose other than saving my family’s name and fortunes by marrying up. Although, don’t get me wrong, I am quite grateful that Miss Helen has found me worthy. She will keep me on my toes, of that I have no doubt.”
That Mr. Danforth would feel comfortable enough with Lillian to confide such intimacies gave her a tiny jolt of pleasure, but she was saddened to hear his low consideration of himself.
“You’d mentioned the other day that you wanted to pursue medicine,” she asked. “What drew you to that?”
“It’s not a pleasant story, I’m afraid.”
“That’s all right.”
“During the war, we were told to be on guard for the smell of garlic, to put on our gas masks at the first whiff. One of my fellow soldiers didn’t have a sense of smell, it turns out, and while we were suiting up, he was shuffling a deck of cards, ready for another round of gin rummy in the trenches. Two hours later, he was in blinding pain, throwing up, screaming, and we got him to the medics, where all they could do was pour water over his face to try to flush it out. I’m sure there is more we could have done, instead of watching as he bled out of his nose and mouth, gasping for air as his lungs became ravaged with ulcers. I don’t want to stand idly by ever again.”
“This is your chance then, Mr. Danforth. Think of what power you’ll have to change the world once you’re a member of the Frick family. Miss Helen showed as much, during the war, helping refugees by the hundreds. I think you’ll make a smashing couple.”
He smiled wanly. “I suppose so. Can I confide a secret to you?”
She nodded.
“Before all this started to happen, this business with Miss Helen, I had applied to medical school. A few days ago, I learned that I was accepted.”
“That’s splendid. Then you must go.”
“Well, that may not be so easy, now. The medical school’s up in Boston.”
A sudden gust of wind blew the scarf off her neck. They both reached for it and missed. Instead, it fluttered down to the rocks below, a slash of crimson amid the gray stone.
“Here, take mine.” Mr. Danforth wouldn’t accept Lillian’s refusal, and before she knew it, his scarf, still warm from his own neck, was wrapped around her own as they headed toward the Frick mansion.
They spoke easily on subjects less fraught than war and gilded lilies during the walk back, the spell of their quiet exchange on the Belvedere terrace broken by the rambunctious presence of other park-goers.
Standing once again in the living room, Mr. Danforth nodded at the drinks trolley. “Do you think I might help myself to some brandy? My nerves.”
“Of course.”
He rose and poured himself a drink. “I insist you join me,” he said.
That wouldn’t be prudent. She didn’t want the housekeeper or Kearns reporting back that she’d been imbibing the Fricks’ good alcohol. Also, it would be scandalous for her to share a drink with Miss Helen’s soon-to-be husband with no one else about.