Far From Home Read Free Page B

but I don’t suppose she was as poor as they made out!’
    ‘Indeed she was, Mrs Burrows! I know that for a fact for I was there. But she has now pulled herself up from poverty.’
    As they walked, Mrs Burrows hung onto her bonnet as the wind threatened to tear it off. ‘So it is possible,’ she murmured. ‘All you need is determination, and maybe a helping hand. Of course,’ she went on, ‘in America it is possible to overcome adversity. There is a ruling class as in England, but that class is made up from wealth and not from aristocracy, and if you become wealthy through hard work and endeavour, no-one is going to look down upon you because you are from the labouring classes.’
    Georgiana sighed. ‘But women are still excluded. They do not have the same freedom as men!’
    Mrs Burrows shook her head. ‘What you could do,’ she said, ‘is find yourself a rich amenable husband and succeed in your ambitions through him. Many political wives do so.’ She glanced at Georgiana. ‘But I don’t suppose you would want to do that? It wouldn’t suit?’
    Georgiana considered. What is the point of travelling so far and tying myself to some man whose ideals are not the same as mine and who makes decisions for me? I could have stayed in England and done that. ‘No,’ she said firmly. ‘I wouldn’t want to do that. It wouldn’t suit at all.’
    ‘Then good luck to you, my dear,’ Mrs Burrows said wryly. ‘You’re going to need it!’

CHAPTER TWO
    Mrs Burrows had recommended an hotel in New York, close to the park which was being created in the centre, an area of gardens, pleasant walks, lakes and arbours. ‘Not finished yet,’ she said. ‘But ask them for a room with a window overlooking it,’ she added. ‘Just in case you get homesick for the greenness of England.’ She had given a wistful smile. ‘As you will.’
    Georgiana was enthralled by the lovely harbour as they sailed towards Manhattan Island and saw, bathed in the warm sunlight of spring, the panorama of tall buildings of New York. Living as she had, near to the Yorkshire town of Hull with its narrow medieval streets, she was most impressed by the wide roads, carriageways and boulevards, and the handsome mansions built upon them. Kitty gazed out of the hackney-carriage window, amazed at the magnificent hotels and the shopping plazas as they travelled along Broadway, the long broad avenue which ran through the centre.
    They both drew in a breath when the carriage pulled up outside the Portland Hotel, Georgiana in dismay as she wondered how she would afford such luxury, and Kitty in delight as she saw the uniformed bellboys and commissionaires waiting on the wide steps to open the carriage doors and lead them through the central glass lobby into the reception hall.
    ‘Two rooms, if you please,’ Georgiana asked the reception clerk. ‘For myself and my maid.’
    ‘For yourself and your help, madam? You’re just in from England, I can tell!’ he said, and glanced at his register. ‘I’m not sure if we can accommodate you,’ he murmured. ‘We’re so very busy just now.’ He tapped his fingers on his mouth as he considered.
    ‘The hotel is recommended by Mrs Burrows,’ Georgiana said firmly, thinking that no matter the cost, all she wanted to do was climb into a bed which didn’t rock. ‘She particularly said to mention her name.’
    ‘Mrs Burrows! The English lady. Is she a friend of yours, madam?’ he said enthusiastically. ‘I just adore her, she is so quaint!’
    Georgiana raised her eyebrows but made no rejoinder on his comment and after turning over a page in his register, he nodded, asked her to sign, snapped his fingers at a passing bellboy and told him to take Miss Gregory and Miss Kitty Kelly up to their rooms on the fourth floor. ‘Your luggage will follow shortly, Miss Gregory. Welcome to the Portland. I hope you enjoy your stay.’
    A bed with muslin drapes dominated Georgiana’s large and luxurious room, but as well as