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

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. After everyone leaves, Belle steps out for a walk again, only to once again encounter Edward, who has also stayed back.

Edward apologizes for startling her the other day, and the two make conversation, but the atmosphere between them is charged. They are forced to rush back when it starts raining, and at the hotel they acknowledge that they must not meet alone again.

On the train ride home from Yosemite, Clara comes upon Belle and Edward in the dining car at separate tables. She senses that she has stumbled into a private conversation, as things seem tense between them. Edward leaves, and Clara joins Belle. Clara asks after Archer, and Belle stopes herself from revealing that Elizabeth had him sent away.

To Belle’s surprise, Edward arrives at Belle’s house with Collis to accompany her to an auction. Edward compliments her on the house, and Collis proudly praises Belle’s intelligence and taste in having acquired the property and done up the place.

Edward asks Belle to mediate a disagreement between him and his uncle: Collis wants Edward down south to help oversee construction of new railway lines. Edward doesn’t think Mary Alice will be comfortable there and would prefer to be in Manhattan. Belle is tempted to have Edward close by but knows it will not be good for her. She advises him to go south, as it can be beneficial to expand one’s horizons.

At the auction house, Edward asks Belle which pieces she has her heart set on, and she confesses she would have either of the two artworks by Bouguereau that are up for bidding. Edward remembers that both feature a mother and child, and he asks about Archer. Belle explains that Elizabeth finds the idea of him being here difficult, and this is the sacrifice Belle must make for her family’s good. Before Edward heads to the auction floor, he advises her to get her son back; she should only live by her own rules. Belle tells him she cannot afford idealism.

There is a bidding war for the two Bouguereau’s; Collis loses one but wins the other, a piece titled Mother and Child. Belle later hangs this up in her drawing room and renames it Temptation.

Clara first notices something wrong with her mother on one ordinary evening in the middle of dinner when Elizabeth experiences a stabbing pain in her stomach. Six months later, she is at an advanced and painful stage of cancer.

In her journal, Belle writes about encountering Clara and Elizabeth at a bookstore. Elizabeth draws Clara back to keep her away from Belle’s “degenerate presence,” and Belle decides not to bend to Elizabeth’s wishes anymore. She tells Collis that she will not be separated from Archer any longer; she is taking him with her to Europe and does not care whether Collis will be waiting or not when they return. Collis promises that he will be.

Belle visits Texas and is thrilled to be reunited with 12-year-old Archer. Emma notes that Belle seems lighter and more like herself. Archer takes Emma out riding to show her a plot of land that is for sale. She realizes how much Archer loves this land and reflects that even though it is not in London or Paris, it could be theirs.

Belle writes to Edward telling him that she can afford a limited amount of idealism after all and is leaving for Europe with Archer.

Archer and Belle travel to Paris, with Archer frequenting bookshops while Belle shops. Belle sees an advertisement in a hotel window that reminds her of her dream with the hart in the woods. She has a dress made similar to the one she dreamed of and wears it to have her portrait painted. On their last day in Paris, Belle sends a postcard to Edward on which she has written only the word “Merci” (thank you).

Mary Alice invites Clara out to shop with her. She comments on Clara’s stylish new hat, and Clara tells her it was a gift from Paris, though doesn’t say who gave it to her. Mary Alice complains about her life in Tennessee. When Clara attempts to placate her, Mary Alice bitterly comments on Collis’s involvement with Belle. She resents Clara for having been the one that the Huntingtons took in, and an angry Clara storms out.

Belle attends the fundraising benefit for the Metropolitan Museum of Art Technical School. She reflects on how only in such spaces can she share the room with New York’s elite.

Belle meets Edward, who is visiting for a few days with his wife and children. He got Belle’s letter and postcard and is glad she got her son back. Belle reveals he is here at the event, as he is deeply interested in art and history.

Belle and Edward pass by John Rockefeller, and Belle tells Edward about how she outbid him for two plots of land recently. Mary Alice arrives to take Edward away to meet Mrs. Fish. Before they leave, they overhear two older women commenting on how the standards of the museum are dropping: They expected the “hetaeras” (courtesans) only to be depicted in the art, not be present in flesh and blood. An irate Belle excuses herself to find Archer.

One evening, Elizabeth sorts through the week’s invitations to different balls as Clara tends to her bonsai. Clara bemoans how all the balls are the same and wishes for some excitement. When there is no response, Clara turns to find Elizabeth slumped over in her chair.

Elizabeth’s nurse writes to Belle saying Elizabeth is in a bad way and would like to see Belle. Belle arrives at the Huntingtons to find a distraught Clara. Belle asks her to send someone to call Collis back from work while Belle goes in to meet Elizabeth.

An ailing Elizabeth asserts how her love for Collis has been the bedrock of their marriage. However, Belle was able to give Collis what Elizabeth never could: a son. She recognizes Belle’s anger at having been forced to send Archer away but asserts that Belle tried to take what was hers in the first place. Belle responds that whatever she took was freely offered.

Elizabeth admits that she loves Collis so much that, despite her hatred for Belle, she also loves her for making Collis happy. Elizabeth calls Belle “poison” and makes her swear that she will never harm Collis and always take care of him. Belle promises to do so, even as she thinks of Edward. Satisfied, Elizabeth sends her away, claiming she never wants to see Belle again.