O'hara's Choice - Leon Uris [102]
Horace Kerr was a founding member, and, in his more youthful years, played fairly well.
Though Horace believed that Amanda, with her grace and speed, would be a natural player, she refused, for women had to play in full-length skirts, cinched waists, and heeled shoes, an absolute regulation costume of the club. Moreover, the men smiled on the ladies condescendingly.
Bellevue Avenue was a chatty street during the summer where the new and expanding middle class could rub elbows with the elite. There were archery ranges, some theaters and eateries, and an open-to-the-public lawn-bowling pitch. The horse rink and shows were close by; the entire scene very American in texture.
One could shop in the casino store on Bellevue Avenue, but the club itself belonged to the mighty. The clubhouse was an extravaganza of high taste and on this day boasted a finery of ladies wearing boxy, bindy millinery creations, bustled and laced, with gentlemen in white ducks and boaters.
After Dixie Jane departed with her mother, Glen Constable came up to spend ten days, just the two together, to let natural impulses take over.
Yes, there was a buzz as Amanda Kerr entered the casino on the arm of Glen Constable. She nodded and blew a kiss and waved and winked as they were ushered to Kerr’s courtside box. Glen floated. Who could blame him if he was so smashingly pleased with himself?
First, a well-played match between the Newport men’s singles champion and the champion of the Marion Cricket Club of Philadelphia.
Glen had played doubles with them both and displayed non-chalant modesty as he leaned over and coached Amanda on some of the nuances of the match.
Great stuff, what!
They were served and sipped lemonade as attendants drew new white lines on the court after the first match. There was a rising air of anticipation when the next match was announced. The Newport mixed doubles team would play an exhibition with Lotte Dodd and Wilfred Baddley, the Wimbledon champions.
The covered stands were packed with over three hundred gaily festooned ladies and gentlemen wearing jackets bearing their club emblems. cavalier lawn tennis club, richmond, virginia, Glen’s insignia read.
Over the way another three hundred spectators sat in open stands. Many of the women held annoying parasols.
First game.
Lotte Dodd zipped her underhanded service with a spin that gave notice. Miss Dodd and Mr. Baddley won on four straight spinning serves that hopped wickedly off the grass.
As they changed sides, a massive groan erupted. The first sprinkling of rain was soon followed by a sudden swift shower. The open stands evacuated. A nasty wind slanted the rain and it pounced in under the covered stands.
Glen and Amanda jostled themselves into the foyer, laughing as everyone shook the water off themselves like spaniels coming out of the surf.
. . . and came face-to-face with Baroness Lilly Villiard and Lieutenant Zachary O’Hara, directly in their path. The foyer grew tight for space. They fought for their bearings.
“I’ll see you now.” Zach spoke first in a command to Amanda.
“I am Miss Kerr’s escort, sir, and that was rather rude.”
“I’ll see you now,” Zach repeated, raising his voice. All around, eyes went to them.
Amanda held Glen at bay.
“Kindly let us pass,” Glen said.
Zach was planted and radiated a sense of menace. Glen stepped in front of Amanda and Zach clutched his Cavalier Tennis Club jacket and froze him.
“I’ll see you now,” Zach repeated again, opening his hands and pushing Glen off balance.
The four were center stage in a room suddenly chilled.
“Glen Constable,” Lilly said. “I haven’t seen you in years. I was off to France and I believe you had entered Harvard.”
“Yale,” Glen corrected. “Let’s take this outside, sir.”
Seething, Amanda stepped between them.
“Glen, he’s making an ugly scene. I’ll speak with him.” She lashed at Zach. “All right. I’ve a booth reserved in the restaurant.”
Lilly swooped in and took Glen Constable’s arm.