Chapter Six

Victoria and Serena walked off the train slowly, perfectly attired in their dark brown traveling suits. Serena glanced around the crowd for her mother and for the family chauffeur. Victoria stood next to Serena, patiently waiting for someone to appear.

There was a light tap on Victoria's shoulder as she leaned down to whisper something to Serena. She turned around, surprised. "Vernon Anderson!" she exclaimed delightedly. "What are you doing here?"

Vernon leaned down and kissed Victoria on the cheek. "I thought I'd surprise you," he answered, grinning.

"No kiss for me?" Serena asked petulantly.

Vernon reluctantly leaned down and kissed Serena on the cheek. She looked at Vernon archly and raised her eyebrows. "Well, that was certainly nice of you."

"Serena," Victoria whispered with a dangerous undertone.

Serena glanced at Victoria mildly and shrugged. She smiled brightly, assuaged. "I'll look for mother and the car. I don't know why they are so late."

"Pick up our luggage too, Serena," Victoria called. She turned to Vernon, smiling. "I am so glad to see you. I've missed you, you know. But your letters helped somewhat. How have you been?"

Vernon returned the warm smile. "I've been better."

"Has there been any news?" Victoria asked eagerly.

Vernon smiled. "With Serena gone?"

Victoria laughed easily. "Well... I was hoping that Serena was not the only one in this town that made news. But I suppose..." she sighed, "I suppose that it makes some sense."

Vernon glanced at Victoria curiously. "Speaking of Serena, has something happened between William and her? He has been moping and drinking for the past three months."

Victoria frowned, a worried look in her eyes. "Vernon, you know that Serena never tells me anything. She keeps her private life separate from our life together. But yes, I do suspect something has happened."

Vernon pressed his lips tightly together. "I wonder..." he started.

Before Victoria could muster a reply, Serena called Victoria's name with Grace at her arm. Glancing at Vernon apologetically, Victoria went through the rounds of hugs, kisses, and questions.

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Victoria sighed as she glanced at her dance card. The day we return from a tiresome journey, that evening we have to attend some ridiculous ball, she thought, exasperated. Why couldn't I have appropriately given out my excuses and stayed home and gone to bed? she asked herself with despair. No, I couldn't do that, she thought sarcastically. Then Serena wouldn't have been able to go. She glanced at the spot where her cousin was. I'm glad that someone is enjoying this, she thought tiredly. She took another, closer look at her dance card.

Something on the dance card caught Victoria's attention. Were her tired eyes making her imagine things? Two of her waltzes and the supper dance had all been reserved for Vernon. But I did not do that, she thought, bewildered.

"Well, don't you look surprised? What's wrong?" Sarah murmured in Victoria's ear, sitting in the seat next to Victoria. She smoothed her skirts, smiling at Victoria.

Victoria turned to Sarah, an expression of disbelief written all over her face as she handed Sarah her card. "Did you think Vernon did this, because he wanted to, Sarah? But why?"

Sarah sighed, returning Victoria's card. "Because you make the other girls look spineless, Victoria Brown." She glanced at Victoria, mildly amused. "Oh, Victoria, I would think that someone as intelligent as you would have determined that already. Look, there he is now," she whispered, opening her fan. She lowered her eyes.

Victoria looked up, quickly putting away her card in her evening purse. She managed a bright smile. "Good evening, Vernon."

Vernon bowed and held out his hand. "Good evening, Victoria. I believe that this waltz was reserved for me?" Noting the surprise on Victoria's face, he added, "In fact, I am quite sure of it."

Unable to hide her surprise, Victoria nodded. "Yes," she said graciously. She shrugged her shoulders slightly at Sarah before accepting Vernon's hand for the waltz.

Victoria hurried into the powder room and sat down on a cushioned chair. Her body and mouth were not made to endure inane comments by terrible dancers. She closed her eyes and took three deep breaths. She was deep in her thoughts when voices interrupted.

"I do not think Vernon harbors any feeling for Victoria except friendship," the first voice said cattily.

The second voice laughed bitterly. "For all my delicate fair beauty, he does not even glance at me. And I did hope to catch him this season."

"Who doesn't, honey?" the first voice retorted. "He has a title, money, and will supposedly to become a very talented physician."

The second voice sighed as she powdered her face. "He's incredibly handsome, isn't he?" she asked, giggling.

The first voice laughed. "Yes, he is. Victoria Brown ought not to pay attention to that New Yorker. Vernon is right here."

"Well, I heard from Cousin Marietta that he has his eye on Arabella Stuart," the second voice said confidingly.

The first voice sounded shocked. "Really? That snob?"

The second voice nodded her head. "Hmmm. It's not obvious, of course, but Cousin Marietta is never wrong."

The first voice snorted. "Well, I don't think it's true. You know that your Cousin Marietta is a gossip. And she has been wrong plenty of times."

The second voice sounded offended, but quickly changed the subject. "Hurry along, Em. The supper is going to start soon."

Victoria's eyes opened with a start. The confusing feelings that still were not resolved had been replaced by anger; she did not know why.

Vernon smiled charmingly at Victoria, gingerly grasping her hand and leading her to the dance floor. Normally, Victoria would have found Vernon's conversation enlightening. But presently, her face had a chalky, white color to it and she did not look well.

"Are you all right?" Vernon murmured into Victoria's ear after they had finished dancing the pre-supper dance. He helped her into her seat at the dining table. "You were gone for a very long time, and you were hardly paying any attention to me during our dance."

Victoria forced a smile, looking up at him. "Well, you cannot expect me to be dandy and fine after my travels. Yes, I do feel a bit under the evening weather, but otherwise, I am fine." She smiled reassuringly. "I'm not a child, you know, Vernon. You need not worry about me."

Vernon nodded approvingly and seated himself next to her. "You look very lovely tonight, Victoria."

Victoria looked surprised. "Really? Then it must be this dress. It's new. Mrs. Callahan bought it for me."

Vernon's smile half-disappeared. "Really? That was kind of her." He picked his champagne glass up and took a sip of it.

"Yes, very kind of her," Victoria agreed with a small laugh. "But I am afraid that I cannot say that her conversation skills... well, I do not wish to be mean."

"Well, I am certain that as you get to know Mrs. Callahan better, you will come to understand her better. And if you get married to James, the opportunities -- " Vernon started quietly.

Victoria shook her head. "Who talked about marriage, Vernon?" she asked in mock sternness. "I adore James, but marriage..." she shook her head. "That's something to think about. I do not plan to enter matrimony with my eyes closed." She picked up her glass goblet and drank the water.

"Of course," Vernon agreed, raising an eyebrow.

Victoria was disconcerted by Vernon's gaze. "Have you ever met his brother?" she asked out of desperation, knowing full well that he hadn't. She needed a new tack.

Vernon shook his head, somewhat surprised by the sudden change in subject. "Not Marshall Callahan, if that's who you're referring to."

Victoria smiled. "Yes, him. He's very... stern."

"Is he?" Vernon asked a trifle absently.

Victoria nodded, not noticing Vernon's apathy. "Yes. He is very different from James. Whereas James is kind... Marshall is very blunt and... rather rude and boorish at times," she explained. She blushed and chuckled in embarrassment. "Oh dear. I should not have said something uncharitable. I suppose that my tongue just runs away with me."

"You're allowed to have your personal say, Victoria," Vernon admonished sternly. "Don't ever apologize for that."

Victoria looked up and smiled in genuine affection and relief. Her feelings for the person standing before her... they were not clear-cut like her feelings for...

"Why, Victoria Brown, don't you look charming," a voice drawled from behind, interrupting her thoughts. "I wouldn't have known you if I had met you on the street, you know. New York must have done wonders for you. But then that's what you expect from a flashy city like that, darling," the young lady murmured as she leaned over to air kiss Victoria's cheek.

Victoria turned around to face Cordelia Barton. Cordelia had hair that was the color of spun gold. Her hair and her slanted brown eyes were her best features. She was tall and had an elegant figure, which she always showed off to her advantage. She had pale skin with a light touch of pink in her cheeks. Like Serena, Cordelia had a personality and tongue to match her wickedly beautiful features.

"Hello, Cordelia," Victoria greeted without emotion, her hands primly folded together.

Cordelia let out a false, tinkling laugh. "Well, in spite of your hair -- which is nice, but not as nice as mine, of course -- you certainly are not a beauty," she commented brutally. "But you almost look pretty in that dress tonight," she said sweetly, looking smug.

Vernon glanced at Victoria, whose expression was one of stoicism. Cordelia turned to Vernon, placing her gloved hand lightly on his shoulder. "And how are you, Vernon? I haven't seen you all summer," she said sweetly, batting her eyelashes.

Vernon took the intruding hand off his arm and barely kissed it. "I've been busy," Vernon replied noncommittally. "But I see that you are well-rested. I suppose that...ummm... these social functions are not enough for you."

Cordelia sighed condescendingly and smiled. She had decided to ignore his subtle insult. "You're always so busy whenever Victoria is not around. One would think that you two were lovers, you know." She ran a gloved hand through her hair and shook her head. "But then, Victoria has James, and you will have someone soon, I hope," she added throatily, implying that she hoped that "someone soon" was herself.

Victoria dared not to glance at Vernon, who was looking slightly disgusted. Cordelia continued to chatter on in her malicious and smug way; neither of the people in her company paid very much attention though.

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Victoria walked down the stairs, yawning. She placed her hand over her mouth and paused at the bottom of the staircase to stretch. She smiled tiredly and wished she could return to bed, but she had to eat breakfast. I hope the day will not be trying, she thought as she walked into the breakfast room. However that wish fast disintegrated as she was bombarded with questions from Serena.

"Is it true that Vernon did not attend any important social events while we were gone?" Serena demanded, throwing down her paper.

Victoria glanced at the paper Serena had just thrown down and picked it up to read it.

Unfortunately, Aunt Grace and Uncle George were still sleeping, leaving Victoria and Serena alone. "I did not bother to ask," she answered quietly.

Serena sighed and sipped her tea, spreading her toast with strawberry marmalade. "I wonder why he was so silent," she mused. "It certainly wasn't because of me, you know. He never really liked me."

"Hmmm," Victoria said, pretending to concentrate on her newspaper.

"I know Cordelia Barton has her eyes sight on him," Serena remarked. "Couldn't you tell from the way she flirted and danced with him last night? I tell you, she purposely left two waltzes free for him. It is a good thing that you don't like Vernon too."

"Hmmm," Victoria said again, pretending to skim the paper. Nothing was being read at all, or if it was, then nothing was comprehensible. At least, not at the moment.

"Not that I blame her," Serena continued heartlessly. "There isn't a boy worth looking at around here except for Vernon." She sighed. "Then again, all the boys seem dull compared to Steven."

Victoria glanced up, looking interested. "Steven Callahan? James' brother? I did not realize that you were... acquainted with him."

"Yes. The boys here are absolutely self-centered. Steven... well, he's generous," Serena said, for once in her life, at a loss for words.

"Of course," Victoria agreed absently, too busy hiding her feelings to notice Serena's loss of poise.

Serena put down her toast and sighed. "I suppose I will do something productive today." She wrinkled her nose. "Do not tell me you're not going to that orphanage again, are you?"

"I am," Victoria contradicted placidly. "It's a nice place."

"With brats all over you?" Serena asked distastefully. "I will pass, I believe."

A smile was hidden amongst the rustle of the papers.

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Grace took the mail from the silver plate Stern handed her and returned it to him. Taking her letter knife, she slit the first envelope open. Suppressing a sigh, she put on her lorgnettes and started reading. Nothing important, she thought, putting the letter on the table next to her. She took the knife again and opened the next letter. However, this time, she read with more care.

"Teddy will come and visit us during Thanksgiving with Brian," Grace announced after she finished reading her letter.

Serena looked interested. "Really? With Uncle Gil and Aunt Guenevere?"

Grace nodded, folded up her letter and put away her lorgnettes. She did not wish to read another one, not after Theodore's brusque letter. "I shall be glad to see him," she said charitably, but more out of duty than out of affection. "I haven't seen him since Amanda's funeral."

Victoria looked up. There was a slightly disgusted expression on her face. "I haven't seen him since I left England, Aunt Grace. I do not feel any remorse for that," she said pointedly.

Grace sighed, feeling the same way, but did not deem it wise to say so in front of Victoria and Serena. "He is your late sister's husband, Victoria," she reprimanded gently. "Which means that he is your brother-in-law."

Victoria's eyes snapped. "Indeed. He was Amanda's husband, Aunt Grace. That I shall acknowledge. Father never approved of him very much though, and father's judgment is excellent," she retorted indignantly.

Grace's eyes were downcast. "Yes, I know. I'm sure Teddy knew that too."

Serena yawned. "I don't see what the fuss was all about, mother. Having known Amanda, I do believe Teddy was probably a very handsome gentleman with riches."

"Riches are all well, Serena, but there are things more important than riches," Grace remarked gravely, taking out her sewing.

Serena shrugged, stretching her legs. She didn't understand her mother nor the family vendetta against Theodore. She had other things to worry about. She turned to Victoria, tilting her head. "Did you receive a letter from James of late?"

Victoria nodded, surprised by the change of subject. "Yes, but I did not get a chance to read it yet."

"Oh well. I just wanted to know if Steven was all right," Serena remarked with a forced lightness. "But James does not mention him often, does he?"

Victoria, who was still angry at Grace's tolerance of Theodore, missed the meaning behind Serena's remark and question. She got up from her chair. "No, James mentions him and Marshall quite often. He thinks quite highly of his brothers. I will tell you how Steven is after I have read the letter," she promised. Turning to Grace, she said, "I think I shall retire now. Good night, Aunt Grace, Serena."

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Adelaide sighed as she waved her smelling salts under her nose. She stopped for a moment to glance furtively at Vernon, who was calmly reading his book. Sniffing disdainfully to herself, she placed the back of her hand on her forehead and said faintly, "I feel so terribly ill. It must be the warm weather."

Vernon smiled, crossing his legs. "It could be, Aunt Adelaide."

William sipped his lemonade. "Would you like a glass, mum?"

Adelaide waved a hand in feigned weakness. "No, no, child. I would prefer a cup of tea, if Abigail can make some." While William was requesting a cup of tea, Adelaide turned to Vernon. "Vernon, are you taking someone to the ball tonight?"

Vernon calmly turned a page in his book. "No one, Aunt Adelaide."

Adelaide shook her head. "You really should get out more. What about that Arabella Stuart? She seemed like a nice young lady."

Vernon forced a tolerant tone. "She is the sister of one of my acquaintances, Peter Stuart. And as you know better than I, Aunt Adelaide, I have rarely talked with her."

"I don't know why your parents spoiled you so," Adelaide said resignedly.

William looked offended. "Mum, Vernon's not spoiled. He's swell."

"How many times have I told you not to say that ridiculous word?" Adelaide asked shrilly.

William grinned sheepishly. "Sorry, mum." He stood up, his smile changing to a frown. "Have you seen Serena lately, Vernon?"

Vernon looked up from his book, holding his place with one capable hand. "No, I haven't, William. Why?"

"Sometimes, I think that she is been avoiding me." William shrugged. "I suppose she is busy. I have been trying to ask her to come to the ball with me, but I have been unable to reach her nor has she returned my messages." He forced a carefree smile. "I'll see you before I leave for the ball, mum." He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.

Adelaide nodded crisply. "All right. Good-bye, dear. And say hello to Serena for me if you see her or take her to the ball, William."

Vernon turned back to his book after William left. However Adelaide had other things on her mind when she interrupted his reading again. "You're always buried in those books of yours. What are you reading now?" she snapped.

"Something Victoria recommended to me," Vernon answered placidly.

Adelaide looked horrified. "Those trashy romance novels? I never thought you would stoop so low, Vernon," she said pointedly. "Now Arabella Stuart, I am sure, would read only the most cultured of -- "

Vernon laughed. "On the contrary, Aunt Adelaide. Victoria does not read romance novels. She reads something of substance."

"Such as?" Adelaide questioned haughtily.

"She read the most interesting book on medical practices and recommended it for me," Vernon replied. "That is the book I'm reading now, Aunt Adelaide."

Adelaide sighed and shook her head, deciding to change the subject again. "Look at you, boy. You're pale and thin. A man should have some meat. And don't you tell it is fashionable for men to be thin like you. It certainly isn't fashionable to be as pale as you, Vernon."

Vernon, not being a fool, realized that he could no longer concentrate on his book with his aunt's scolding him constantly. With good humor, he said, "I'm very lucky, Aunt Adelaide, to always have your guiding me." With smooth grace, he stood up and kissed his aunt. "You're looking quite well this morning, aunt. I do believe you are feigning your illness." He grinned and walked away.

Adelaide was horrified. "Vernon Richard Anderson! Come back here, boy! Come back!" She hit her stick vigorously against the table.

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Victoria looked up from her book when Stern knocked on her open door and entered. Stern bowed. "Lady Victoria, there is a phone call for you downstairs in Mr. Creston's study."

Victoria frowned, closed her book and placed it on her desk. "Who is it, Stern?" she asked, rising from her chair.

Stern shook his head mournfully. "He would not give me his name, Lady Brown. Shall I tell him to leave you alone?"

Victoria shook her head. "No, no. I shall be down shortly to receive his call."

Stern bowed again. "Yes, Lady Brown. I will tell the gentleman that you will be down shortly."

Victoria smiled gratefully at Stern. "Thank you, Stern."

Stern nodded and closed the door. Victoria turned away, frowning.

"Stern tells me that you received a phone call. Who rang up today?" Grace asked Victoria kindly as she took off her things and handed them to Stern. She slipped an arm around Victoria's shoulders as they walked together towards the family room.

Victoria sighed, shaking her head. "It was from Marshall Callahan."

Grace raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that James' brother? Why was he ringing you up, dear?"

Victoria stopped at the entrance of the family room. "Well, he told me that James asked him to."

Grace smiled, relieved. "Well then, there is nothing more to that, darling. I am sure that James did ask him." She turned away from her niece towards the flowers in the vase.

Victoria followed her aunt into the family room, shaking her head. "It's just that..."

"Yes, dear?" Grace asked, trying to present a serene front.

Victoria shook her head, blinking her eyes rapidly. "Oh, I must be imagining things, Aunt Grace. I am not Serena... I never have been... never could be... but... well, it... it is not like James... to ask his brother to call me."

"What did Marshall say that makes you suspicious?" Grace asked, taking her attention away from the flowers.

Victoria shook her head. "No... I... am just jumping to unnecessary conclusions. I will not bother you further." She smiled affectionately at Grace and kissed her cheek.

"Where is Marshall, Victoria?" Grace asked as casually as possible. "I would think --"

"Oh, I'd forgotten to tell you that," Victoria answered airily. "He is coming to the ball tonight. But didn't I say that already?" She smiled warmly. "I will be up in my room, Aunt Grace. And thank you." She pressed another kiss on Grace's cheek.

Grace smiled faintly as she lifted her cheek. She watched her niece's figure depart from the family and started to frown. Absently, she cut off the end of the stem and placed the rose back in the vase.

The two girls were in the powder room in a corner, chatting and fixing their hair and gloves before going in for dinner. Victoria had been quite distracted for most of the evening, and although she was hiding her anxiety admirably, Sarah was not duped.

"I can understand why Marshall disconcerted you throughout your visit," Sarah remarked, looking disgusted. "Never have I met a gentleman so brusque and blunt. I rather think that he has no manners."

Victoria laughed, placing her gloved hands in her lap. "Oh, Sarah. He never ... well, he does not disconcert me in the same way that... no, never mind."

Sarah watched Victoria carefully. "But it seems that Marshall is... let's say... uh ... more... lenient with you than the rest of us?" she asked slyly.

"Nonsense," Victoria said firmly, more to convince herself than to convince Sarah. "Marshall can be nice at times when he wants to," she added, laughing.

Sarah looked thoughtful, but pushed whatever idea that she had aside. She looked at Victoria curiously. "All right. I won't bother you about Marshall. Obviously, you're not interested in him. But Vernon... you..."

"Yes?" Victoria asked quietly, looking at anything but Sarah.

Sarah shook her head. "I don't know...but... you were shining when you greeted him."

Victoria laughed, more in relief and terror than in amusement. "Shining, Sarah darling? I am not a star," she reminded teasingly.

Sarah shook her head again. "You shouldn't ask me why, Victoria. You're the one who looked radiant when you were with Vernon." She looked at her friend curiously. "You never looked that way with James... and I was wondering..."

Victoria sighed, trying to sound amused. "If you are doubting the extent of my love for James... oh, Sarah, you know me so well. Do you really think that I could --

"Oh Victoria, I am not suspecting you of anything," Sarah objected. "But I am just wondering if perhaps... perhaps you are deceiving yourself. You have in the past."

Victoria snapped her evening purse shut and turned away from Sarah, smoothing her hair. "I'm certain this time, Sarah. I don't why you have such doubts," she started stiffly.

Sarah smiled faintly. "Yes, I should have more faith in you. I... I just want to be happy, Victoria. I don't anything but happiness for you... and -- "

Victoria turned and grasped Sarah's hands. "Oh, I know, Sarah, what you are talking about... but I wish..." she smiled for a moment before shaking her head. "I'm not doing any more wishing. There is no point." She glanced at the clock and forced herself to laugh. "Oh look at the time!" she exclaimed. "We have been in here much too long."

Sarah watched the hurried movements of her best friend and shook her head. Oh, Victoria.

Marshall, who was rarely seen at parties of any kind, was flocked by the debutantes in the ballroom. After all, the general philosophy among the debutantes and their wicked mamas was that if one could not get James, then someone else from the family was good enough.

"Marshall seems to be having a good time," Vernon remarked.

Victoria looked up absently. "Yes, he is, isn't he? But I suppose that that is the point of a party. To have a nice time," she remarked, raising her glass goblet to Vernon. But there was a hint of sadness in her eyes."

Vernon did not miss the expression. "Do you miss James that much?" he asked gently.

Victoria looked at Vernon blankly. "James? Oh... James," she quickly amended. She looked down at her gown and smoothed an invisible wrinkle. "Of course, I miss him, Vernon. But I have to live with the fact that he is a very busy person and cannot be with me all the time," she lied, taking a sip of water from her glass goblet.

Vernon crossed his arms and leaned against the wall. "You do love him, I hope? It would be pointless to allow him to court you if you didn't," he reasoned.

Victoria nodded quickly, smiling briefly. "Of course I... do," she said reluctantly. There was a brief silence. Victoria started to stare at inanimate objects blankly.

Vernon cleared his throat. "I suppose that is why you seem very distant tonight, Victoria."

Victoria looked up again, shrugging. "Do I? I'm sorry. I suppose I'm not very good company tonight."

"But never boring, Victoria," Vernon said quietly, placing his hand on her shoulder.

Victoria smiled slightly, feeling her heart beat queerly. "Thank you, but... you need not flatter me unnecessarily, Vernon," she said sincerely. She glanced at the crowd and pulled away from Vernon. She swallowed the lump in her throat uncomfortably. "Oh look. I believe Sarah is beckoning me, Vernon. Excuse me," she said quietly. Their eyes locked; Victoria quickly lowered her eyes and rapidly walked away.