[6] During Joseph Pache's term directing the Baltimore Oratorio Society, Darling worked as his secretary.
In 1918, she opened the Valley View Hotel, a 12-room manor resort in Thurmont, Maryland, with Pache's financial backing.
Sometime in 1926, Darling became acquainted with George F. Schultz, who worked for the Health Department of the State of Maryland.
[7] In the fall of 1933, Schultz (then 62 years old) began to suspect Darling (then 48) of passing her time with other men.
[8] To avoid his anger, Darling left Baltimore in September and stayed at the Valley View Hotel in Deerfield with her maid.