An American Beauty: A Novel of the Gilded Age Inspired by the True Story of Arabella Huntington Who Became the Richest Woman in the Country

Seventeen-year-old Clara attends a ball at Mrs. Nicholas Fish’s place, chaperoned by her mother. Mrs. Fish comments on having heard that a “niece” of Collis’s named Mrs. Worsham would be accompanying the family on a trip to Yosemite in the summer. Elizabeth excuses herself, claiming she is not feeling well, while Clara feels mortified.

In her journal, Belle writes that she feels as though she is falling and cannot fathom what has happened.

Belle arrives in California along with Collis, Clara, and a Maryland senator who is touring with them. They are joined by the rest of their party: Collis’s brother’s son, Henry Edwards “Edward” Huntington, and his wife, Mary Alice, who is Elizabeth’s sister’s daughter. Belle and Edward are instantly drawn to each other, and Belle is thrown by the effect he has on her. However, she tells herself she will not let her feelings sweep her away and destroy everything she has worked for.

One morning, Belle wakes up early steps out for a walk. When she spots Edward in the distance, she hastily retreats inside. Belle avoids Edward as much as possible, but it takes a lot of effort. On the fifth day of the trip, she excuses herself from the group’s plan, feigning illness.