Page 34 of Lilly

"Then your attendance at the meeting was simply to..." She pauses to find the right words. When it comes to this topic, my mother speaks in code, as though she's worried someone's listening. "Reacquaint yourself with the other men," she says, finishing her thought. "I suppose it's been a while since you've seen them."

"Yes," I say, playing along. "It was good to see everyone again. Ezra was there. You remember Ezra, don't you? He and I went to Yale together."

"Of course I remember him. His mother and I have been on several committees together."

"What about his wife? Dorothy? Do you know her at all?"

"I've met her once but I don't know her personally. Why do you ask?"

"Ezra mentioned her. He said she was having lunch the other day and ran into Katherine. They didn't speak. Katherine was at the table next to hers. I was wondering if you'd heard anything about Dorothy, like perhaps that she tends to exaggerate the truth? Make up stories?"

"Pearce, you know I don't take part in the gossip mill. It's so unbecoming."

"Yes, but I know your friends take part in it and I know you've heard them talking. So have heard anything about Dorothy?"

She stops to think, taking a sip of her tea. She places her cup back on the saucer, then says, "No. I've never heard any comments that would indicate that Dorothy is one of those women who spins tales to get attention. Ezra's mother isn't that way either so I doubt she would choose a woman for her son who would partake in such activities."

Like most members, Ezra's wife was chosen for him, and from my mother's comment, his parents must've been given a say in it. So if Dorothy isn't one to make up stories, then what she told Ezra is true. But what was it? What did Katherine say?

"Mother, you haven't heard from Katherine recently, have you?"

"I see her at various events, but I try to avoid her. She's doing everything possible to work her way back into our world, and in doing so, she's coming off as desperate. Last summer, I even heard her introduce herself as Katherine Kensington." She huffs. "It's a disgrace the way she still tries to use our family name to her advantage."

"Did you correct her?"

"Of course not. I'm not going to get myself involved in her ridiculous attempts to regain her social status. Besides, what would be the point in correcting her? Everyone knows she's no longer a Kensington."

"Do you know what she's been up to recently?"

"Her son has been seen at some events in New York, which I surmise is Katherine's attempt to become a socialite again."

"Her son is only twelve. I doubt he'll be able to do that."

"He's her only choice since she's unable to use Lilly in that way. I saw her son pictured in the paper just recently at one of the events he attended. He's very handsome. And tall for his age. He looks older than twelve."

I haven't seen Katherine's son in years. During the school year she sends him off to boarding school in Europe and sometimes he even spends the summers there. Katherine has no patience for children so either ignores them, as she did with Lilly, or sends them away, as she did with her son. But now it sounds as though she's suddenly interested in him because he might serve a purpose.

"You were the same way at that age," my mother continues. "You were so tall that people assumed you were fourteen when you were really only twelve." She sips her tea. "Katherine's son already has a girlfriend. Well, I suppose they're not really dating at that age but they've attended some events together."

"And let me guess," I say, "the young lady's parents are of interest to Katherine."

"Yes. The girl's father owns a real estate investment firm that is quite successful."

"And her mother?"

"Is a philanthropist, as are the girl's grandparents."

Meaning they come from old money and have so much of it that instead of working actual jobs they spend their time finding ways to donate a portion of their wealth, likely in a way that will benefit them the most. That may sound cynical but I've spent my life around wealthy people and know their motives are usually self-serving.

A thought pops in my head as my mother drinks her tea. The new member committee. Phillip being on it. Is Katherine hoping her brother-in-law can convince the committee to make her husband a member, thus making her son eligible for membership? Or is she focusing solely on her son, hoping the organization will recruit him while he's still young and naive and can be molded into whatever they want him to be? If she's already grooming him to be part of the society scene, attending events and being photographed, then it's quite possible they would consider him. Lilly said her half brother is very smart and mature and comfortable in social settings, all characteristics the organization would find appealing. Of course, he'd have to be willing to carry out their assignments, but as Katherine's son, I'm sure he has an evil streak in him. We all do, really. It's just that not all of us express it.

"That must be what it is," I say to myself.

"Speak up, Pearce," my mother says. "You know I don't like it when you mumble."

"I suspect Katherine is wanting her son to be given membership someday. She may have even begun the process to make it happen."

"She can try all she wants but they'll never accept him."

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