Chapter Ten

With new hope in her heart and mind, Victoria went on. Of course there was a decidedly melancholy note in her laughter and speech, but no one really noticed it. Society was too busy murmuring about Steven's and Serena's engagement. In a queer way, they had forgotten about James and Victoria. Even Serena to some extent.

"You will be my bridesmaid, won't you?" Serena asked eagerly.

Victoria nodded, walking alongside Serena. "Of course. I would be honored to. You know that, Serena."

Serena sighed. "Steve is so sweet, Victoria. He thinks up the loveliest things. I suppose he's kind of like James then?"

Victoria looked up, her face impassive. "Yes, I suppose he is. James was always very creative." She returned her gaze elsewhere.

Serena did not notice the tense "was" in her cousin's speech. "James rarely rings you up, does he?" she asked absently as she looked through the fashion platelets.

Victoria placed her index finger on her lips. "Rarely."

"I suppose his business in New York makes him quite busy," Serena remarked carelessly, shaking out the white cloth besides her as she examined the designs in the fashion plate.

"Working on Wall Street would be rather difficult, don't you think?" Victoria asked carefully.

Serena shrugged, glancing at Victoria. "Steve always finds time to talk to me."

Victoria forced a laugh. "You're engaged to him, Serena."

Serena smoothed the cloth after she folded it. "James adores you though, Victoria. Steve says so in his letters."

Victoria felt trapped. "Really?"

Serena nodded rapturously. "Do you suppose we could have a double wedding?"

"I wouldn't want to steal your day," Victoria replied, forcing a light tone. "And you like the attention on yourself all the time."

Serena giggled. "He still writes to you, doesn't he?"

Victoria looked down at her book. "Yes, of course," was the answer as she drew away from Serena.

Arabella Grace Stuart smoothed her afternoon dress before entering the sitting room. She curtsied gracefully to Adelaide, showing off her dimples to advantage. She carefully lowered her eyelids, hiding the malicious expression in her dark blue eyes.

Adelaide clapped her hands, extending one in genuine warmth. "Arabella. How kind of you to accept my invitation," she murmured softly and sweetly, but not so softly that Vernon could not hear.

Vernon glanced at his aunt with surprise but quickly hid it. He rose and bowed slightly at the waist to Arabella. "Pleased to formally meet you, Miss Stuart. Your brother has told me quite a bit about you," he commented without any inflection in his voice.

Arabella opened her lips, her eyebrows raised. Then she closed them and smiled demurely before speaking. "I see. Nothing... too degrading, I hope?" she asked softly, batting her eyelashes discreetly but rapidly.

"Nonsense," Adelaide Vernon shook hands with Arabella Stuart. "You are one of the best behaved young ladies in this part of Boston, Arabella. I am sure that your brother has never said anything to the contrary."

Arabella seated herself gently and primly next to Adelaide and smoothed her skirts before looking up, her hands placed prettily in her lap. "Peter told me... that you're quite... well, that you're extremely brilliant," she complimented softly to Vernon. Her face held an expression of babyish innocence.

Vernon nodded. "I would not call myself brilliant, but I am near the top of my class, if that is what you are asking."

Arabella raised an eyebrow delicately. "Oh... well, I'm not asking anything."

"Of course not," Arabella concurred, purposely widening her eyes so that she would appear hurt.

Arabella clapped her hands, seeing that her nephew was not going to say anything. "Wilson, get the tea and other refreshments. Miss Stuart must be famished."

"Oh no, your ladyship," Arabella objected quietly but firmly. "I am fine, thank you."

Adelaide glanced over Arabella before nodding approvingly. If you've been raised properly, then your maid would have fed you before you came here, she thought privately before smiling graciously, or as graciously as Adelaide Byons could. "If you're sure, Arabella -- "

"I am, your ladyship," Arabella answered, smiling charmingly. "And you can be assured that I am not lying, your ladyship."

Adelaide nodded and turned to her nephew. "Vernon, why don't you take Arabella out and show her the gardens?"

Vernon looked startled. He glanced at Arabella's bowed head and raised an eyebrow. "But it's rather chilly outside, Aunt Adelaide --"

"Our indoor gardens naturally," Adelaide answered for Vernon with an edge in her otherwise pleasant voice. She tapped her cane loudly against her chair, calling for Wilson. "Do not bring the tea in, Wilson. His grace and Miss Stuart will be in the gardens. The indoor gardens," she added.

Wilson nodded. "Yes, your ladyship."

"And children, I will be taking my afternoon nap. If I do awaken in time to send you off, Arabella, pray do not be offended," Adelaide said kindly. "I am an old lady, and I am getting on in my years."

"Oh, your ladyship, you still look like one of the debutantes," Arabella objected. "Why, I would never take you for an old lady."

Adelaide smiled, pleased. She clucked her tongue. "Nonsense, child. I am getting on, and I won't have anyone deny. Now Vernon, show Arabella our gardens and be nice to her. I don't want to hear of any rudeness," she reprimanded. She tapped her cane firmly against her chair, signaling for Wilson to push it.

Vernon turned to Arabella and stepped aside. "Shall we?" he asked politely.

"Oh what lovely gardens you have!" Arabella exclaimed.

Vernon smiled faintly and smoothed away a strand of hair that had fallen on his forehead. He had walked quietly and companionably with Arabella for the past hour, commenting only now and then when he felt it was necessary. Otherwise, she kept herself happily occupied with her own chatter; he did not feel that he had to participate, which was a nice thing. There was little to say.

"Thank you," Vernon said politely.

Arabella stopped walking and faced Vernon, batting her eyelashes coyly. "Well, they were right, weren't they?"

"Right about what?" Vernon could not help asking.

"Everyone ... well, not everyone. Most people told me what a taciturn and reticent person you are," Arabella commented. "I see that they were right."

Vernon chuckled. "I do not see why I need to open my mouth when I do not have anything to say. Words can hurt, you know."

Arabella laughed lightly, the sound twinkling in the air. "Oh, you must be so much wiser than I. I never know when to stop," she said coyly, turning away.

Vernon forced a faint smile. "You will learn with time, Miss Stuart. That is something that people do not learn easily."

Arabella looked dismayed. "Oh, I'm afraid that I do not learn things easily."

Vernon shrugged. "It takes time, but you will learn."

Arabella nodded. "Yes, I know. Father has told me many times." She smiled alluringly.

Vernon raised an eyebrow. "What does your father expect of you?"

"To marry a respectable young man who has a good yearly allowance from his work or from his family or both, if possible," Arabella answered huskily.

"I've met your father on occasion," Vernon remarked as he walked. "He is a very intelligent and long-sighted man."

"Yes, he has told me quite a bit about you, your dukeship, and how extremely intelligent you are," Arabella replied, smiling so that her dimples showed.

Vernon grinned. "Did he? He and I entered into many heated arguments. It seemed as if he did not think highly of me."

Arabella laughed softly, tilting her head back. "Father thinks quite highly of you. He told me so."

Vernon nodded, surprise written in his eyes, when Wilson interrupted them. He bowed slightly and handed Vernon a note. "From Lady Brown, your dukeship."

Vernon smiled, nodding. "Thank you, Wilson." He took the note and read it before folding it again and slipping it into his pocket. There was a hidden curiosity in Arabella's eyes. "I'm afraid that I will have to cut our pleasant walk short. I have an appointment to attend to."

Arabella tilted her head slightly before nodding. "If I... may be forgiven for asking, but... what did Lady Brown..." she trailed off delicately.

Vernon smiled faintly. "Lady Brown and I are good friends. We meet often to discuss ideas. She is one of the most intelligent people that I know."

"I see," Arabella murmured, the glow in her eyes dimming. She lowered her eyes, a sulky expression growing in them.

"Now if you will excuse me..." Vernon asked more of courtesy than out of permission.

Arabella lifted her face and forced a smile. "Certainly. I would not want to intrude on your time any further." She kept the smile on her lips until Vernon disappeared from sight. Her eyes narrowed as she watched Vernon's light gait and heard his whistle.

"There you are," Vernon murmured softly, pressing a kiss on Victoria's cheek. Victoria rose from her seat on the grass slowly, meeting Vernon's eyes. She felt her heart fluttering. Trying to hide her confusing feelings, Victoria smiled slightly and started walking, holding a book tightly against her chest.

"You're late," Victoria reprimanded in a light voice.

Vernon smiled. "Yes, well, something held me up."

"What would that be?" Victoria asked, smiling into Vernon's eyes.

Vernon took Victoria's hand and held it between his own. He looked up and grinned. "Aunt Adelaide is trying to match me up with some 'eligible' young lady."

"Oh? With whom" Victoria tried to ask as casually as possible, lowering her eyelids. She felt her hand tremble.

"Yes. Her name is Arabella Stuart," Vernon answered, shaking his head.

Victoria closed her eyes for a moment before speaking. "I've heard she's a lovely person," she said quietly, pulling her hand away.

Vernon smiled wryly. "Have you? Well, I can't say. I only met her formally this afternoon."

"I'm surprised that you don't know her well. Aren't you friends with her older brother?" Victoria remarked quietly.

"Yes, I am," Vernon answered easily, watching Victoria's figure walk ahead of him. "But I do not think that Peter has Arabella's feminine wiles."

"Not all ladies have feminine wiles," Victoria reminded gently. "You must not say that of her without knowing for sure."

"Well, Arabella Stuart has everything under her control from batting her eyes to speaking demurely," Vernon argued, laughing. "She is so young --"

"How old is she?" Victoria interrupted.

"Oh, nineteen," Vernon answered blithely.

"Well, I'm sixteen," Victoria reminded gently. "She's not terribly young compared to me."

Vernon stopped walking and smiled into Victoria's eyes. "You were born old, Victoria. You're not anything like Arabella."

Victoria met Vernon's eyes for a moment before looking down at her hands. "You mustn't say things like that. I might get conceited," she teased lightly.

Vernon pressed her hand warmly. "Nonsense. You aren't the type. But tell me. How is everyone up at the Creston home?"

Victoria shrugged. "Oh, we're all fine. Nothing is happening, except that we are preparing for Serena's engagement party."

"I see," Vernon said quietly, his animated expression fading. "And is James Callahan --"

"Certainly he will be in attendance," Victoria interrupted, forcing a faint smile. "He is Steven's brother, Vernon. It would be rather rude of him not to."

Vernon nodded in agreement. "Yes," he concurred, subdued.

"But I have a feeling... I might as well tell you," Victoria decided aloud. "Everyone will find it anyway."

"What are you talking about?" Vernon asked, bewildered.

"About James," Victoria answered, turning around to face Vernon. The wind swept Victoria's undone hair around her face. She faced Vernon with a stoic expression, only a curl touching one side of her mouth. She placed her book and her hands near her stomach. "You would have found out anyhow. It's best that I tell you now."

"What are you talking about, Victoria?" Vernon asked again.

Victoria looked away, exercising her lower jaw. "James proposed to me some time ago. And I..." she took a deep breath, "I had refused. I realized that I did not want... well, that's enough of that," she laughed weakly. "I will not bother you with the details."

Victoria opened her eyes and lifted them to meet Vernon's. "So no, James has no... no meaning for me." She smiled sadly, reminiscently. "I tried to love him. I did. But I found that I couldn't. He had nothing to do with the dreams that I held so dear."

Vernon stood there, the wind whipping his hair as well. He watched Victoria, the slight shrugging of her shoulders, the firm line of her lips, the gentle, sad smile. He noted the sad, apologetic expression in her blue-green eyes, which had deepened to a vivid green. Gently, he placed a hand on her shoulder.

Victoria glanced at Vernon's hand and then at him. She smiled, or at least tried to. "There's no need to feel sorry for me. I make the choices in my life without regret. But I do feel..." she shook her head, "I ... I wish I had a chance to apologize to James. I did a great wrong, you know. A terrible wrong."

Vernon pressed his right index finger on his lips. His legs were crossed and his green eyes thoughtful. Although he was looking out the window, one could see his profile. And Adelaide could.

Adelaide suppressed a sigh and put down her smelling salts. From all accounts, it seemed that Arabella Stuart was enchanted with Vernon, but he... well, he treated her like a younger sister. As if she were not developed properly, Adelaide thought to herself, annoyed. Why anyone can see that Arabella is perfect for Vernon. She possesses an elegant figure and carriage, a pretty face, excellent manners... not at all like the flappers that seem to rule Boston these days. Well, it was not like this in my day...

"What are you thinking, Aunt Adelaide?" Vernon asked kindly.

Adelaide started, surprised by Vernon's sudden question. Her nostrils were flared. "I was thinking about Arabella Stuart."

Vernon smiled. "Oh, her."

"Yes, 'her'," Adelaide snapped. She put away her smelling salts and put on her most pleasant expression. "What do you think of her?"

"Rather young, impressionable," Vernon recited as he walked around Adelaide's chair, "and rather young."

"Young, you say?" Adelaide asked, surprised. "But she's nineteen. That's not young. Why, I was married by that age."

"Years don't matter, Aunt Adelaide," Vernon reminded her wisely. "It's the experiences. She's had a rather pampered life, hasn't she?"

"Of course. She's one of the well-bred ladies of Boston. She isn't like the flappers," Adelaide countered with distaste.

Vernon smiled faintly. "Yes, she seemed fairly proper. But I would not call her extremely well-bred. She seemed to be well-trained in the art of... feminine wiles," he added, turning away so that Adelaide could not see his smile.

Adelaide snorted. "It's a good thing that she has them, Vernon. It isn't proper for girls to be bold as they are now."

"Ah yes, bold, you say," Vernon pretended to agree, nodding gravely. "A young lady must never be bold," he said in an exaggerated manner of speech.

Adelaide nodded, pleased. "Yes. Now you are finally getting some sense into your head."

Vernon sighed, sitting down in a chair. "Yes. Now what else do you have to say?" he asked politely, fixing his attention on Adelaide.

Adelaide lifted her chest, extremely pleased. Finally, this nephew of hers was paying some attention to her. "Arabella is very fond of you. It would not hurt if you... well, paid her more attention."

"But I'm sure that she has many beaux, Aunt Adelaide," Vernon retorted in a stricken fashion.

Adelaide waved a hand in dismissal. "Nonsense, Vernon. No beau can compare to you. Haven't I told you that?"

"Yes, you have, Aunt Adelaide," Vernon answered promptly. He smiled.

Adelaide's pleased expression turned sour. "Now, Arabella told me that you had to cut the tour of the garden short, because of... uh... Lady Victoria's request." She raised an eyebrow and tapped her cane against her chair. "Is that true?"

"Yes," Vernon answered, his eyes twinkling. "But it wasn't a request, Aunt Adelaide. "It was a reminder. I had asked her for one."

Adelaide sniffed disdainfully. "Humph. Mind your step, Vernon. Your friendship with Victoria Brown is becoming a scandalous topic among the dowagers. Most people think that James is staying away because of you."

"Really?" Vernon asked carelessly, although he was listening carefully.

Adelaide sighed in frustration. She could never know what her nephew was thinking behind that pale mask of his. "You do dance and talk with Victoria quite often, more than is proper. Poor James can hardly get a word in." When Vernon opened his mouth to speak, she interrupted. "And don't tell me that this isn't so. Why, I've seen it with my two eyes."

"Victoria Brown is a very intelligent young lady and one of my good acquaintances," Vernon defended himself smoothly. "I see no harm in dancing with her and talking with her. She has a lively mind, and I delight in teasing her."

"Well, tone it down, at least," Adelaide snapped. "People think that you two are carrying on like... like... trash!" she exclaimed.

"Oh, I see," Vernon said, amused. "What have we done that is so indiscreet?"

Adelaide blushed. "Well, I wouldn't know. I do not keep an eye on you every second, Vernon. But the other dowagers have told me such stories, and I know that they do not lie," she said triumphantly.

"Of course not," Vernon said smoothly. "But those dowagers are inclined to exaggerated, are they not? I have never heard any of them tell a complete truth in my entire life."

"Vernon!" Adelaide exclaimed.

Vernon yawned and smiled briefly. "See you at supper, Aunt Adelaide. I am feeling rather tired, if I do say so myself." He leaned over and kissed Adelaide's cheek lightly before leaving the room. Adelaide has opened her mouth to put in the final word, but closed it. Vernon had already left.

Arabella stepped out of her father's car, wearing a smart fur hat, her mink jacket, and an elegant white winter gown. Her boots were a dark brown and extremely well-made. She smiled at the waiting gentleman in the ballroom, pausing so that people would notice her entrance. She held out her gloved hand to be kissed. Her eyelashes fluttered at almost every gentleman, which made Sarah Simmons feel ill.

From a distance, Sarah watched Arabella flirt scandalously -- well, not scandalously, but certainly not decently -- with practically every eligible male in the room. Sarah's eyes narrowed as she recalled the gossip that was surrounding Arabella. Normally, Sarah would not believe the gossip about a person, but in this instance, she knew that people did not gossip about Arabella -- Arabella created the stir.

Oh, there were many things that disturbed Sarah about Arabella. But more than Arabella's coquettish skills, it was Arabella's discreet declaration that she would have Vernon Andersen hooked by the end of the season and would have a large solitaire diamond ring to prove it. By now, Sarah had realized that Victoria's relationship with James had faded into nothingness, in spite of Victoria's lack of details. And Sarah suspected that Victoria's feelings for Vernon had deepened in spite of herself. Hence, she, Sarah Simmons, would not watch a two-timing brat capture someone as noble as Vernon. Especially when he could have Victoria.

"Hello there, Arabella," Sarah greeted first, smiling sweetly. "I haven't seen you for awhile. Is... is everything all right?"

"Why hello, Sarah," Arabella greeted in her deep, sweet voice. She held out her white gloved hand. "How are you? I haven't seen you for a while too. Yes, everything's fine, thank you."

Sarah shook the offered hand. "Oh yes, I'm doing so well. And you, Arabella? I've heard you've made quite a few conquests."

Arabella smiled knowingly. "I have... but..." she leaned over and whispered in a confidential tone, "those boys are not what I have in mind." She drew away, smiling triumphantly.

"Oh?" Sarah asked, her eyes growing wide in mock horror. "Who do you have in mind?"

Arabella chuckled triumphantly, waving a hand. "Vernon Andersen." She looked around her and smoothed her long gloves casually. "I am sure that you know who he is."

"Yes," Sarah murmured, keeping her eyelids carefully lowered. "He is quite a catch, being a duke and all. Do you... ummm... think that you can handle such a gentleman?"

Arabella smiled arrogantly. "Darling. There was never a man that I couldn't handle. And why should his dukeship be different?"

"Well," Sarah said in feigned thoughtfulness. "I have heard that many girls tried before you, and they have all failed," she answered, emphasizing the "all".

Arabella's smile faded somewhat. She had not realized that she was not the first in trying to conquer Vernon. "Well," she said huffily, "I am sure that all those other girls were perfect ninnies."

"Yes, I suppose that they were," Sarah murmured in agreement, discreetly rolling her eyes. "But ah ... do you love him?" she asked curiously. "I never knew you had... your... uh... cl... eyes set on him."

Arabella shrugged nonchalantly, snorting. "Vernon has a title and wealth. Yes, I am fond of him, Sarah. But no, I don't love him. What use is love?"

Sarah meshed her hands together. "I see. But then love can't interfere in one's life, now can it? Especially when we are frightfully ambitious?" she asked, lifting her shoulders in a suggestive fashion. She glanced up and met Gerard Valois's eyes. "Oh look. I do believe that I see someone I know. Excuse me, darling."

"No, of course not," Arabella answered, frowning.