The Ball at Versailles Chapter 13: Summer Intimacies and New Beginnings
⚠️ Spoiler Warning: This guide contains detailed spoilers for the entire novel. Proceed only if you've finished reading or are comfortable knowing the plot.
Summary
Jane and Amelia spend a day at Robert Walker’s working farm in upstate New York. Robert gives Jane a tour of the property, which includes horses, cows, sheep, a dairy, and orchards. The two girls, Sam and Amelia, quickly bond while lounging by the pool. During quiet conversation, Robert confides his worry that Sam’s romance with Quentin Dupont may lead her to move to Europe. Jane reassures him that such attachments are fleeting at their daughters’ age. At Sam’s urging, Amelia stays overnight at the farm; Jane drives home alone. Robert calls that evening to check on her safety.
Over the following weeks, the families continue to meet. Jane starts her new job at a magazine, working late. She moves Amelia into her Barnard dorm. Robert and Jane share dinner at P.J. Clarke’s and, after walking through Central Park, share their first passionate kiss. Both acknowledge their deepening feelings but proceed cautiously to protect the girls’ friendship.
Meanwhile, Amelia receives telegrams from Willie Brockhall, who flies from London to see her over Labor Day weekend. They meet at a borrowed apartment in Greenwich Village. After dinner at a small Italian restaurant, they return to the apartment and become intimate, with Willie using protection. The weekend is filled with walks, street fairs, Chinese food, and lovemaking. Amelia feels they have created a private wedding day, and the chapter ends with her falling asleep in his arms.
Key Events
- Jane and Amelia visit Robert’s farm; Robert shows Jane the property while the girls bond.
- Amelia stays overnight at the farm; Jane drives home and Robert calls to confirm she arrived safely.
- Robert and Jane have several more dates, including a dinner at a little Italian restaurant and a Sunday dinner at P.J. Clarke’s.
- They share a first kiss after dinner, acknowledging mutual romantic interest.
- Jane starts her new magazine job; Amelia moves into her dorm at Barnard.
- Willie sends telegrams announcing his visit to New York for the long weekend.
- Amelia meets Willie at a friend’s apartment in Greenwich Village; they have champagne and pizza.
- Willie and Amelia become physically intimate; Willie takes precautions to prevent pregnancy.
- They spend the weekend exploring the Village, attending a street festival, and repeatedly making love.
- Amelia signs herself out of the dorm for the entire holiday weekend.
Character Development
- Jane: Begins to trust Robert and open herself to romance after a decade of single motherhood. She also re-enters the professional world with enthusiasm, balancing work and parenting.
- Robert: Reveals his vulnerability—especially his fear of losing Sam to a European suitor. His growing attachment to Jane softens his guarded business persona.
- Amelia: Acts with independence by arranging a secret weekend with Willie. She crosses a significant threshold by having sex for the first time, though she does so consciously and with protection.
- Willie: Proves his devotion by flying across the Atlantic on a modest budget. He is tender, responsible about contraception, and expresses a pledge of lifelong love.
- Sam: Deepens her friendship with Amelia and remains supportive of her budding romance.
Themes, Symbols, or Motifs
- Rural vs. Urban Contrast: Robert’s farm offers a peaceful counterpoint to his high-pressure business life; the simplicity of the countryside allows Jane and Amelia to relax and form genuine bonds.
- Parental Protectiveness: Both Robert and Jane are possessive of their daughters. Robert’s fear that Sam will move to Europe mirrors Jane’s worry about Amelia’s future.
- Communication Across Distance: Telegrams and long phone calls sustain the romantic relationships. Willie’s telegrams are a tangible symbol of his commitment.
- Loss of Innocence: Amelia’s sexual initiation with Willie marks her transition from girl to woman. The act is tender and framed as a loving choice, not a reckless one.
- New Beginnings: Jane starts a job; Amelia begins her sophomore year; both romantic pairings enter new, more serious phases.
Why This Chapter Matters
Chapter 13 advances both romantic storylines from playful flirtation to genuine commitment. Robert and Jane’s kiss confirms their relationship is more than friendship, while Amelia and Willie’s physical intimacy raises the stakes for her future. The chapter also contrasts the two women’s trajectories—Jane cautiously re-entering the dating world after a divorce, and Amelia diving headlong into first love. The detailed farm setting establishes Robert’s simpler, grounded side. Finally, the weekend prepares readers for potential complications, including pregnancy risk and long‑distance strain.
Study Questions and Answers
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How does the farm setting affect Jane’s perception of Robert?
Seeing Robert on his farm wearing cowboy boots and jeans reveals a relaxed, down‑to‑earth side of him that contrasts with the sophisticated businessman she met in Paris. The setting allows Jane to feel more comfortable and to see him as a genuine, layered person. -
What concerns does Robert express about Sam’s relationship with Quentin, and how does Jane respond?
Robert worries that Quentin will convince Sam to move to Europe. Jane dismisses the fear, saying long‑distance relationships rarely last at their daughters’ age. Her response shows both her optimism and her own protectiveness. -
Why does Amelia sign herself out of the dorm for the entire holiday weekend?
She wants freedom to spend the weekend with Willie without having to check in with her mother or dorm officials. This decision reflects her growing independence and determination to pursue the relationship on her own terms.