Chapter Three

Serena looked up from her car as she steered it towards the sidewalk. She eyed Vernon and smiled flirtatiously. She waved her gloved hand, winking her eye. "Why, Vernon Anderson, what a surprise it is to see you! Out here of all places!" she squealed loudly, catching some people's attentions.

Vernon turned around and smiled politely. "Hello, Serena."

"How is William?" Serena placed her arm on the car door and leaned over. She had been curious about William's whereabouts of late. She flicked a non-existent lint off her car coat. "He has not called on me for a long time."

"He is busy with his studies, I imagine," Vernon replied courteously.

Serena wrinkled her nose distastefully, eyeing the bundle of books in Vernon's arms. She squinted as she tried to read the title of the most visible book. She snorted. "You read the type of books Victoria reads. How perfectly dull! I prefer romance novels. They are much more... let's say, a la mode."

Vernon tilted his head downward. "To each his own."

"I suppose so." Serena's eyes lit up maliciously as she fiddled with her gloves. "You haven't seen Victoria of late, have you?"

Vernon was surprised by her question. "Why no. Should I have seen her?"

Serena sighed dramatically, yawning with a practiced nonchalance. She tugged on her neck scarf. "Oh, nothing. It's just that..." her voice lowered to a confidential tone. "I really shouldn't tell you this..."

"Oh? Then you should not have started to say anything in the first place then."

Serena blushed and continued to fiddle with her gloves. "Well, it's something everyone knows, to be frank. In fact she even told me." She titled her head to the side and dramatically lowered her voice. "And Victoria rarely tells me anything."

Vernon raised an eyebrow. "Really? I did not think you were her confidante."

Serena frowned. "She said she did not want to have anything to do with you," she blurted, batting her eyelashes.

Vernon's expression stilled. "Really? She said that. That is believable."

Serena nodded and narrowed her eyes. "But then she does not want to have anything to do with the past, you know." She flicked her wrist and glanced at her watch. "Oh dear, look at the time. Good-bye, Vernon. I really must leave now, you know."

Vernon nodded slowly. "Yes, of course. Good-bye, Serena."

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Stern opened the front door to a flustered and bewildered Sarah Simmons. Her cheeks were flushed as she absently handed her wide-brimmed, elegantly trimmed straw hat to Stern. She pulled off her gloves and asked somewhat wildly and frantically, "Hello, Stern. Where is Victoria, Stern?"

Stern nodded calmly. "She is in the garden, Miss Simmons. Is anything wrong?"

Sarah shook her head, hurriedly walking towards the back door, which lead to the gardens. She squinted her eyes, trying to find Victoria. She gasped sharply and and rushed over to her, exclaiming, "Victoria, you should really be careful from now on!"

Victoria looked up, surprised by Sarah's presence and remark. "Sarah, when did you get here? And what are you talking about?"

Sarah shook her head and sat down next to Victoria on the grass. "Oh, Victoria, how could you? He has done you no harm," she said reproachfully.

Victoria was puzzled. She shook her head, placing a hand over Sarah's. "Sarah, do compose yourself, and please tell me what is going on. I honestly do not know what you are talking about."

Sarah nodded. "I suppose Serena did not tell you what she did... no, she would never tell you of her indiscretions." She took a deep breath. "Serena met Vernon in town yesterday and told him that you wanted nothing to do with him. Victoria, of all the people to choose to say such things to!"

Victoria smiled mirthfully. "Was that worrying you so, Sarah?" She patted Sarah comfortingly. "I told Serena that on purpose because I knew that Vernon would find out from her." She laughed and placed the book she had been reading on her lap. "I supposed it happened exactly the way I expected it to. I've been meaning to tell you what it did, but I suppose it always slipped my mind. I'm sorry, darling."

Sarah was somewhat surprised by Victoria's joyful expression. "You will apologize to him?" she asked anxiously.

Victoria arched an eyebrow. "But whatever for? Why should I? I did not do anything wrong."

Sarah shook her head. "Victoria, you mustn't act so foolish. It will do you no good to make an enemy out of Vernon."

Victoria stared thoughtfully at Sarah. "I made no mistake when I told Serena that. I do want to forget the past, Sarah, especially Amanda."

"What did Amanda do to you?" Sarah demanded softly.

Victoria smoothed the pages of the book absently. "What didn't she do to me?" she asked absently.

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The car behind her honked. Without glancing at the car, Victoria stepped aside and continued to walk down the path. If she walked quickly enough, she would be able to reach the orphanage in fifteen minutes.

"Victoria!" Vernon called, stopping his car. He got out of the car and ran after her.

Victoria ignored Vernon and continued walking. Vernon placed himself in front of her, preventing her from walking further.

"Can I give you a lift?" Vernon asked kindly.

"No, thank you," Victoria responded coolly, stepping back. She kept her eyes averted.

"Where are you going?" Vernon slipped his hands into his trouser pockets and gazed at Victoria's face.

Victoria paused for a moment and lifted her chin defiantly. "To the orphanage."

Vernon leaned back; his lips twitched. "Why so defiant, Lady Brown? There is nothing wrong with helping orphans."

Victoria pressed her lips tightly together. "No, of course not, sir. Now, please excuse me." She tried to push Vernon away.

"Why do you want nothing to do with me?" Vernon followed her and placed his hands on Victoria's shoulders.

Victoria stared at Vernon. "You do not know? How can you not know? I've implied my reasons so many times."

"Perhaps it is better if you tell me directly. If you don't, then I shall brand you as a coward."

Victoria bristled. "I certainly am no coward nor do I ever plan to be! If you think that, then you are foolish and stupid, sir."

"Then tell me, Victoria," Vernon said calmly, with a dangerous undertone.

Victoria's face was set. "Are you going to tell me again that you've forgotten Amanda? Well that's I'm trying to do. I loved Amanda, like I have told you, but as a distant star. You must despise me for saying such a thing, but I do. And if you were me, you would have good reason to try to forget Amanda. There, are you content now?"

Victoria tried to fight the tears that were coming, but she could not. With a strength in her that Vernon was not aware of, she pushed Vernon aside and started running. Vernon raised an eyebrow and was about to follow her, but he changed his mind. Following Victoria now would be futile.

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Serena looked around the park eagerly for William. She placed her hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun. Finally, she did find William; he was waving to her from the pavilion. Smiling, Serena hurried over to William in the pavilion, throwing her arms around him. William pressed a kiss on Serena's cheek and returned the embrace.

"Oh, Serena, I have missed you," William whispered in her ear. He pressed a kiss in the nape of her neck.

Serena laughed softly and closed her eyes. "Oh, William, you should have told me you were going to be away," she scolded. "I thought you were angry with me."

William pulled away slightly, his arms wrapped around Serena's waist. "Did you really think that I could ever be angry with you?" he asked in a deep voice.

Serena shook her head, and put her head down, blushing. "Of course not," she whispered softly. She allowed her gloved fingers to rest in the hollow of William's neck.

William glanced around his surroundings and smiled lazily. "We are secluded. The trees are shading us."

Serena looked up and smiled, her eyes dreamy. "Are we? How wonderful."

William gazed at Serena, his smile seductive. He pressed his lips lightly against Serena's, waiting for a reaction. Serena's eyes widened as they blinked rapidly. He pressed his lips again to hers, this time more ardently.

After a few kisses, Serena pulled away, her hair dishelved, her hands placed on William's chest. "Please," she pleaded breathily. "Please don't make love to me."

William did not remove either of his arms from her waist. "Why not?" he asked, pressing a kiss on each of Serena's closed eyes.

"It isn't proper," Serena answered tartly, having regained some of her composure. She tried unsuccessfully to pull away from William and to fix her hat and hair.

William shook his head, amused. "Since when have you become the paragon of propriety, Serena?"

"I am not a whore, if that's what you are implying!" Serena exclaimed, shocked by William's question. She pulled away violently from William.

William shook his head, grabbing Serena's hand before she could escape. He smiled charmingly. "You are the daughter of a lady, sweetheart," he remarked softly. He led her to the rounded benches in the pavilion and seated her down next to him. "I would never try to use you in any ill way."

Serena felt thrilled; William had used the endearment "sweetheart," and he had promised to protect her honor. She allowed herself to be pacified by his comments. "Of course not, William," she said, resting her head on his shoulder.

William took one arm and wrapped it around Serena's waist, holding her closer to him. "I have never met a girl more beautiful than you, Serena," he whispered, pressing a kiss on her forehead.

Serena nodded dreamily. She was too ecstatic about being in William's arms to notice anything else.

Not even Victoria.

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Grace entered the hallway, hearing the sound of footsteps in the hallway. She smiled at Victoria, although that quickly disappeared when she saw Victoria's distressed expression. "What's wrong, Victoria?" she asked, concerned.

Victoria placed her books on the hallway table. "Nothing, Aunt Grace," she replied tiredly. She kissed Grace on the cheek. "Do not mind me."

"Serena is out," Grace remarked, deciding to leave Victoria alone for the moment. "I expected her to be home much sooner than this, but obviously she has not come yet. She is out with Vernon, James, and William."

Victoria picked her books up again and clutched them closer to her chest. Recalling the scene she had just seen, she shuddered. Forcing a small smile, she asked, "Really? I hope she has a nice time."

"James was looking for you, darling," Grace remarked, studying Victoria's expression and misreading the emotions written on it. "He seems to be interested in you."

Victoria sighed. "Yes. Well, I'll be up in my room, Aunt Grace. Call me down when dinner is ready or when Serena comes in, whatever happens first."

"How were things at the orphanage?" Grace called, holding onto the banister of the stairway.

"Fine," was the far away voice. Grace frowned slightly. Something was definitely wrong.

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Victoria crossed her legs casually and smiled, taking a small sip of her tea. She was listening to Serena's aimless conversation with their cousin -- Uncle George's son and only child, Frederick Kent Creston -- and watching her beloved cousin flirt outrageously with him. What a couple they make,

Victoria remarked to herself, placing her tea cup on her knee, tilting her head. I suppose they practice their flirting skills on each other and then try them out on the public. Victoria gave a small chuckle.

Serena glanced at Victoria sharply. "What is so humorous, Victoria? Do share the knowledge with us."

Frederick also turned to look at Victoria coolly. He had never liked his cousin, Victoria, very much for he always thought her to be so cold. She would never flirt or tease him with light kisses or any of the other interesting talents that Frederick thought young people should have. Hardly an exciting and daring young lady, he reflected. "Do tell us, Victoria," he said haughtily, pinching his nostrils pompously.

Victoria suppressed a laugh as she tried to reply without expression and without censure. "I was just thinking, Frederick, of a joke Sarah and I had shared yesterday," she lied, hiding her smile behind the rim of her tea cup.

Frederick was about to retort bombastically when the library doors opened. A person entered: it was James. Victoria looked up, surprised. He walked over to her, leaned down and kissed her on the cheeks. "You look better every time I see you," he complimented.

There was genuine amusement in Victoria's eyes. "Thank you, James."

James smiled and reluctantly pulled away from Victoria. He shook hands with Serena and Frederick, and bowed to Grace and George. Every motion was one of respect and civility.

"The market's going well?" George asked casually from behind his favorite newspaper, more out of courtesy than out of any real interest.

"Yes, sir. It has been going well for everyone," James replied cordially.

"Your mother gave me a ring the other day. She said she is coming up for the Thanksgiving ball." Grace chuckled. "I must say that I rather surprised. The Thanksgiving ball is still six months away."

James grinned. "Mother likes to be prepared."

Serena slipped her arm through James, well-aware that he would be squirming under her attentions. But at any cost, she was determined to be the center of attention, and there was certainly nothing wrong with this, was there? Was she not more beautiful and more charming than Victoria? "You look extremely healthy, James," she said coyly, batting her eyelashes.

James deftly pulled away from Serena, which left her pouting. "Thank you, Serena. You look well yourself," he returned rigidly.

Serena crossed her arms and tossed her head haughtily, turning on all her charms on Frederick, purposely ignoring James. James, rather relieved, eagerly turned to Victoria.

"We still are going to the ball tonight?" James asked gently.

Victoria nodded absently, putting away her book in the drawer of the table next to her. "Yes."

James smiled, unaware of Victoria's lack of attention. "I am sure you will look perfectly beautiful, Victoria."

Victoria could not help laughing. She placed her hand on his arm. "Oh, James, you are much too gallant. I do not have Serena's beauty or your wit."

James chuckled, placing his hand on Victoria's. "Your beauty is hidden, Victoria. It only appears when it wants to."

"Oh?" asked Victoria, mystified and amused.

James nodded, his eyes shining. "Yes. When you smile, your beauty lights up. When you are perfectly calm or chatting, it lights up too. I cannot explain it in words, Victoria..."

Victoria shook her head. "Hush, James. You are flattering me to the point where I might become haughty and think myself a great beauty."

"But you will be," James argued. He slipped Victoria's hand through his arm. "I know you will be."

Victoria -- in spite of her growing wisdom -- was still naive in the matters of love and courtship. She still did not realize that James was courting her because he loved her. For now, she thought he was a very good friend, perhaps a very flattering young friend; Being young and impressionable, Victoria had very particular ideas about what love was, which was rather foolish -- love is something that cannot be explained.

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Grace, Serena, and Victoria entered the ballroom one by one. Serena fanned herself, glancing at many of the guests. Grace smiled serenely, but kept a sharp eye on her daughter and her niece. Victoria just looked at everyone in the room with a half-amused, half-dazed expression.

Meanwhile, James, who had uncharacteristically deserted Victoria for the moment, was holding a conversation with one of Boston's premier bankers. However, he seemed to sense that Victoria was somewhat irked by his lack of regard. Excusing himself politely, he walked over to Victoria. Victoria, sensing his presence, lit up, but not with love.

Victoria smiled broadly at James and held out one of her gloved hands. "Hello, James."

James kissed her gloved hand. "So we meet again, Victoria."

Having already promised a dance to James, Victoria started to dance gaily with him, her face animated and her smiles genuine. Many people, especially the dowagers, observed Victoria and James carefully to notice any possible rifts in their relationship. Many of the mothers had their daughters' caps set on James as one of the most suitable future husbands, for he was a rich and powerful American, who was the cream of New York society. The young men, on the other hand, were surprised by Victoria's radiance, which they assumed belonged only to Serena. At the same time, the mindless young girls were seething with rage because Victoria had somehow captured and was basking in the attention - or so it seemed to them - of one of the most eligible bachelors in high society.

And Vernon? Well, Vernon was sipping his drink quietly and observing his surroundings. But the focus of his attention was on Victoria. It was true that at this stage of her life, Victoria was not a beauty, at least not a conventional beauty. But one must remember that Victoria was only sixteen, and in this world, there are late bloomers, whether or not one likes to admit such. Only patience could provide an answer.

"Doesn't Victoria look splendid?" Sarah asked Vernon, trying to provoke a reaction.

Vernon smiled mildly. "Yes," was the brief reply.

Sarah sighed. "Victoria does not believe James is in love with her. She is also completely oblivious to the gossip of the dowagers. Not that I blame her, though. Most of it is not pleasant."

"No, it is not," Vernon agreed, taking another sip of his drink.

"Look at Serena," Sarah remarked with a teasing smile. "She is put out, because she cannot capture the attention of all the boys."

"Well, Serena is very beautiful," Vernon said charitably. "But of course, not to my tastes."

Sarah looked at Vernon curiously. "Victoria told me you were betrothed to Amanda, her late older sister."

Vernon nodded, a ghost of a smile touching his thin lips. "For a long time, yes. She jilted me."

Sarah's expression was thoughtful, and her eyes brooding. "Was she so very beautiful? I mean, the type that you can never forget?"

"Yes, she was beautiful, but she was forgettable," Vernon remarked dryly. "And no, she and Victoria do not resemble each other the least bit. They are very different, in personality as well as in their physical features."

"Do you have any idea how Amanda hurt Victoria?" Sarah asked with concern in her eyes. "There are some things I could never ask Victoria. Once when I tried to ask her, she froze and just stared at me with her glassy blue-green eyes. It frightened me, and I am frightened of very few things."

Vernon was puzzled, shaking his glossy head of hair. "I would have thought that she would have told you, of all people? You are her best friend."

Sarah smiled crookedly. "Sometimes even friendship is not enough."

Vernon nodded, agreeing. "I know very little about her relationship with her mother, but I am aware of the fact that Victoria's mother, her ladyship, did not pay very much attention to Victoria. Victoria was her father's pet. He loved Victoria the best," he explained. "To be perfectly frank, Sarah, I never paid very much attention to Victoria. Oh yes, there were times when I was kind to her, because she always seemed so lonely. Whenever she and her mother were in the same room, even when she was ten, I could sense the underlying tension between her mother and herself."

Sarah sighed, trying to understand Victoria, when she herself had experienced so little of life or at least, the bitter unhappiness of it. "There have been many times when I have felt sorry for her, Vernon. In spite of her supposed candidness, she has so many secrets in her soul. I hope she meets the right gentleman who can heal the pain in her heart and love her for who she is."

Vernon paused and took a sip of his drink, a smile touching his lips but not his eyes. "I am sure all those who are closest to her are wishing for that," he finally replied when Sarah stared at him, impatiently waiting for a response. "And besides, she needs to love herself first."

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Serena followed William into one of the secluded rooms, covering more than half of her face with a broad fan. As soon as William locked the door behind them, he fervently pressed his lips against Serena's. Serena accepted the kiss, but immediately pulled away, repulsed. William frowned.

"Have you been drinking again, William?" Serena demanded, rubbing her lips delicately with her handkerchief. "The smell is intolerable."

William wrapped his arms around Serena again and started kissing her face. "A little," he murmured between kisses.

Serena wrinkled her face, pushing his arms away. "You'll cause me to have wrinkles," she complained, smoothing her face carefully with her gloved hands.

William placed his ungloved hands on Serena's cheeks, gently rubbing them. Serena closed her eyes, allowing herself to feel the sensuous movements of his hands. She allowed William to lead her towards the couch and to seat her down next to him. His hands went down to the sides of her neck and then to her bare shoulders. Serena's lips curved provocatively as she opened her eyes to look at William in the dark.

"William, you must stop," Serena whispered unconvincingly.

William pulled away, smiling ruefully. "Yes, we are verging on being improper." He clasped Serena's hands in his own. "That dress is very becoming on you."

Serena laughed. "How can you tell in the dark? And you arrived late to the ball."

"But that does not mean I have been neglecting you," William whispered, placing a kiss on her ear.

Serena giggled, standing up and smoothing herself. "I really must return," she said gently, allowing herself to be pulled lightly by William.

William nodded, sighing regretfully. "Yes, we mustn't stay away too long."

"Besides, my other beaux are waiting," Serena whispered defiantly. "I must give them some of my attention."

Oddly enough, William just chuckled and pressed another kiss on Serena's lips. Serena frowned at William's mild but affectionate reaction. It was not what she had desired.

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Victoria followed James off the dance floor, breathless. Her cheeks were flushed with the rosy hue of health as her blue-green eyes sparkled with joy. She had never danced as much as she did until now with James nor had she danced with such a good dancer like James. Except for Vernon, of course, she thought darkly. But that was when she was a little girl, a brief moment when Vernon decided that he would be kind to a homely, skinny girl of ten, and the younger sister of his beloved betrothed.

"That was delicious fun," Victoria suddenly remarked with feigned breathlessness, smoothing her skirts.

Sarah nodded to James, who left Victoria and Sarah alone to talk with each other. Sarah laughed. "I am glad you are having a good time, Victoria. You have so much color in your cheeks."

Victoria placed her hands over her cheeks, mortified. "Do I look colored, Sarah?"

Sarah shook her head, amused. "No, of course not. You look sweet."

Victoria smiled in relief. "I would rather look sweet than painted."

"Perhaps it was your wholesome upbringing that makes you think that, Victoria," Sarah teased.

Victoria nodded, all the color and sparkle disappearing from her face. "I suppose so."

"Everyone thought you looked positively glowing with James," Sarah remarked lightly, trying to provoke Victoria.

"Did they?" Victoria asked with the right amount of nonchalance. She looked up and fixed an eerie smile on her pale face. "I really need to freshen up, Sarah. Would you like to come with me?"

Sarah was startled. She did not understand why Victoria had suddenly become so lifeless and cold, but she nodded. Allowing Victoria to lead the way, she followed Victoria into the ladies' room.

As soon as Sarah and Victoria had entered the ladies' room, Victoria grasped Sarah's gloved hand and pulled her towards a secluded and dark place of the room. Poor Sarah, who did not know what to make of Victoria's suddenly unpredictable behavior, followed unwillingly, somewhat frightened by Victoria's erratic behavior now.

"Oh, Sarah, I do believe I am in love," Victoria whispered excitedly, but in a somewhat practiced fashion, as if she were telling a story, one that she had recited this many times to herself before.

Sarah, who needed time to catch her breath and to compose her thoughts, looked puzzled. She did not understand where this sudden declaration had come from. "With James?" she asked, confused.

Victoria laughed softly. "Of course, silly. Who else?"

Sarah shook her head and forced herself to hug Victoria. "I am glad for you. But you're telling me now all of a sudden? Didn't you know this before?" she asked, pulling away slightly.

Victoria frowned slightly. "I did not realize this until now, when I was dancing with him underneath all those lovely lights in the ballroom."

"But you've danced with him before," Sarah refuted. "What makes this time so different?"

"I did not know him well enough then, Sarah," Victoria answered, surprised by Sarah's question. She thought her reasons were perfectly reasonable and logical.

Sarah sighed, still muddled, but tried to seem content for Victoria's sake. "Never mind, Victoria. I will not ask you any more questions. But I am happy for you, though."

Victoria returned the hug Sarah had given her before. "That means so much to me, Sarah. I could not possibly love James without your blessing."

This last statement struck Sarah as being very odd, but she shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. This was not the time to mar Victoria's happiness.

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It was obvious to the dowagers and to society at large, that Victoria was only fond of James, and that James was madly in love with this young lady. First of all, he hardly paid any attention to anyone else; he had eyes for Victoria only. The dowagers were twitching their mouths in approval, while the mothers and daughters were seething with rage. However, the supposedly happy couple were oblivious to all this.

However in the same room, the universal outpouring of either approval or rage was not shared by one particular person: Vernon. He was intrigued by the twists in Victoria's mind, which left her him with questions, not answers. However, Vernon being Vernon, never said anything, but just watched. When the moment was right, then it would be time for him to say what he wanted. But not now.

"Will you visit my family this summer at the Hamptons?" James asked politely, yet with warmth.

Victoria's eyes were shining with warmth. "If Aunt Grace will allow me and if Serena will come with me."

James barely pressed Victoria's hand, but the gesture was the same, and she was thrilled. It was the first time a young man had touched her gloved hand in a manner that was not brotherly. "Of course Serena will come. Being a good and faithful cousin to you, she will most likely do anything you ask of her," he said kindly, obviously seeing something everyone else could not of Serena.

Victoria laughed softly, shaking her head at the interpretation James had of Serena's personality. "I know that. You are so kind, James, to understand Serena's desires as well as mine."

James' lifted Victoria's gloved hand and kissed it gently. "She is your cousin, and you love her. Therefore, I love her, and want only the best for her," he said, clearly forgetting about all the times when Serena had bothered him with unwanted flirtatious smiles. He tilted his head, examining Victoria's face. "Do you know what you look like right now?"

"Decent-looking, I hope," Victoria said laughingly, trying to pull her hand away without much success.

There was a serious expression in James' eyes. "You look like a radiant yet mysterious beauty right now," he answered. "Your eyes are your best feature, you know. If I took a photograph of you right now, your eyes would stand out, and there would be this mysterious, half-laughing expression on your face."

Victoria was intrigued. "Are you a photographer too, James?"

James shook his head, letting go of Victoria's hand. "No. I just like playing with the camera, Victoria." He smiled warmly. "You would be the most perfect subject for the camera."

Victoria smiled lightly. "You sound as if you were a professional, James."

James smiled in return. "Perhaps someday I can be so in your eyes."

Victoria was alarmed by the expression on James' face and his last remark. Impulsively, she jumped up from her seat and held out her right gloved hand. "Do you want to dance, James? I am tired of sitting here and talking. My feet do want to move."

James stood up and bowed deeply. "Certainly," he agreed, smiling warmly, taking her hand.

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Victoria threw the elbow-length cassock around her shoulders. For a fleeting moment, she stood up straight and closed her eyes, trying not to think about James. For some odd reason, she did not want to, even though she had told Sarah that she loved him. She shook her head and sighed. I am in love, I am in love, I am in love...

Victoria opened her eyes, and realized that Vernon was standing right next to her.

"Oh, hello," Victoria greeted, slightly breathless. She grasped the ends of her cassock tightly.

"Hello, Victoria," Vernon greeted briefly, nodding his head. "I believe you have had a nice time this evening."

Victoria laughed falsely, wondering where on earth this hollow sound was coming from. She certainly did not feel like laughing. "Oh, a splendid time. I imagine Serena had a good time too?"

"You were not paying attention to your cousin, were you?" Vernon asked wryly.

Victoria blushed slightly. "No, I did not, but you were, weren't you? You were dancing with her," she said acidly.

"Yes, Serena. I did dance with her once, didn't I?" Vernon said a bit absently. He turned to Victoria. "You looked quite glowing tonight."

"Thank you," Victoria thanked, her eyes hooded. "James told me the same thing."

Vernon nodded gravely, placing a hand in the pocket of his tailored dress pants. "James is a good, steady fellow, and you could do no better."

"No, no of course not," Victoria said a bit sadly, turning toward Vernon. "You're very sweet to say that." Impulsively, she tiptoed and kissed Vernon on the cheek. She pulled away slowly, her cheek almost brushing his. Her gloved hand was placed gently on his right shoulder.

Victoria stood perfectly still and looked up into his eyes, perhaps waiting for something to happen. Something glorious.

But nothing did.

Victoria stepped back.

"Would you like a ride home?" Vernon asked impulsively, which surprised him.

Victoria had already pulled away and had been rushing to the door of the coat room. She turned around on her heel slowly, facing him. "No thank you, Vernon. Serena and I... Uncle George is picking us up. But thank you anyway. I appreciate the gesture." She smiled slightly and hurried out of the room.