Читать книгу Wingless Bird - Анна Морион - Страница 10

– It was all gone.

Vivian lay on the bed, staring almost unblinkingly at the high white ceiling. Rare but large tears streamed down her cheeks. Tears of deep disappointment and bitterness. But not a single groan, not a single cry, not a single curse escaped the girl's lips: why all this? Wailing could hardly save this evening and get her dresses delivered at least an hour before she left for the ball. And if a miracle did happen, and the dresses were in Greenhall right this minute, would Vivian have time to prepare for such an important event in just one hour? An hour! Sixty minutes! It would be in an hour that Lady Cranford and Anthony would get into their carriage and drive to Lady Marlborough's ball, and she, the inconsolable niece, would be left in her room to weep silently and feel herself the most miserable person in the whole world.

Everything was gone. The dresses were never delivered. The footman sent by Aunt Beatrice to Mrs.Davidson's atelier had still not returned. Vivian would not be going to the long-awaited reception. Her debut was not cancelled, of course, but postponed indefinitely. How long would she have to wait now for another chance? A week? Two? In high society, during the season when unmarried girls are hunting rich suitors, a fortnight is an eternity. An eternity in which all the rich bachelors would be sorted out. And who will she get? Someone's youngest son, like her cousin? No, that was not to be: the beautiful Miss Cowell needed to become the lawful wedded wife of a rich, or better still, a very rich man, and as soon as possible. Time has no patience. Time kills. Time is always trying to take away the dearest, the most precious thing.

– Oh, Miss Vivian… Please don't cry! It pains me so much to see you suffer! – exclaimed faithful Jane.

Vivian's head rested in her friend's lap, and her body was motionless, as if all strength had left it and turned it into one of the statues her aunt loved so much.

– Alas, Jane, it is beyond me. But I am not suffering, no. I am filled with disappointment.

– But what are you so disappointed about?

– The knowledge that everything I need depends on a pretty dress. But that's ridiculous. Isn't it, Jane? Just think of it: I can't go to a ball, my debut, because of some piece of cloth! – Vivian sighed irritably.

– 'Yes, Miss Vivian, it's very sad,' Jane said, stroking her hair gently. – But there is still time! I'm sure your dresses will be here any minute!

– I wish I had your confidence! I am afraid I shall spend the evening in these chambers. Dear Jane, I so appreciate your support! – The red-haired beauty said softly, and, tilting her head slightly, looked at her friend: "You will stay the night with me, won't you?

– Miss, I'd love to, but I have to get up early," she said, embarrassed. But her soul was filled with joy: Miss was asking her to sleep in her chambers! She needs her! How pleasant that would be! And these thoughts made Jane ashamed of her refusal, so she quickly added: – But I will stay with you, let there be no doubt in your mind!

Vivian smiled warmly, rose from the bed and hugged her faithful Jane tightly, and the latter responded enthusiastically.

– Dear Jane! Why can't the Cranfords be as good and kind as you? – whispered Vivian. – I swear to you that as soon as I am married you will come away with me! And my aunt will no longer frighten you with her icy stare!

– Of course you will marry, dear Miss Vivian! To a very rich and noble man, no less! – said Jane with sincere faith in her words.

– I thought you despised the Frenchwoman for hoping to lure a rich man into her net, but you hope to do the same for me? – Vivian chuckled and pulled away from her. – How contradictory you are, my dear friend!

– Come, Miss Vivian, the "French rat" is a dry rose compared to you! And you're as beautiful as the world has ever seen. Not only I think so, but all the servants of Greenhall! – The maid smiled broadly. – The Frenchwoman has no chance with the Duke of Nightingale, but you do!

– Do you think so? – Vivian gave her a wink, but then added sadly: – 'Alas, he is beyond my reach: why should he want me, beautiful but poor, when he can marry the daughter of some earl or duke and double his fortune?

– But you…

– No, no, Jane, I cannot waste my time in the vain pursuit of an unattainable bridegroom. But do not think that I do not detract from my charm, and I know very well that sometimes beauty wins even the hearts of kings and emperors.

– But then who have you got in mind? – Jane asked.

– I have no one in mind for my future spouse, for the only man I know who is a member of high society is my cousin. I had planned to find my victim at the ball tonight…" Vivian sighed, and a painful smile appeared on her lips, "but God must have other plans for me… I think he is punishing me for falling asleep during Sunday services.

The girls laughed quietly, but suddenly there was a loud knock at the door, and Lady Cranford entered Vivian's chamber uninvited. She was ready for her imminent departure: she was wearing a beautiful black silk dress, with long black gloves on her hands, her hair was elegantly coiffed and feathered, and she had a broad, happy smile on her lips.

– Your dresses are found, my dear! – she exclaimed.

Jane jumped up from the bed and made an awkward curtsy: oh, lest her mistress should think she thought she was her niece's friend!

But Lady Cranford did not even glance in her direction; she came quickly to her niece and, seizing her by the arms, almost forcibly seated her at the dressing-table.

– There is no time to lose- Oh, my dear, have you been crying? In vain: your eyes are puffy and your cheeks are red… You'll need powder.

Vivian had not expected such a sudden turn of events and was discouraged by her aunt's persistent and strange behaviour.

– Had the dresses been found? But where are they? – she asked the countess absent-mindedly.

– They will be brought in a few minutes," she replied, and began to take out the pins from her niece's high hair. – In the meantime, you take care of your hair: this one is no good....

– But, auntie, I won't have time…

– Don't forget: for your debut, wear a white dress and white gloves above the elbow…

– Auntie! There's so little time.

– You don't need much jewellery. But take that bird chain off your neck, it's too simple. You have more expensive jewellery, don't you? If not, I'll bring my own.

– Thank you, but I have more colourful jewellery in that box over there. – Vivian was confused: she had only fifty minutes to go to the ball! Didn't her aunt realise that in that time it was impossible to choose and put on a dress, shoes and gloves, to do her hair and powder her face? She will not go to the ball!

Lady Cranford opened her jewellery box, went through it in silence, and held out to her niece a short string of dazzling white pearl beads.

– Do you have earrings or clips like that? – she asked Vivian.

– 'Alas, auntie.

– Well, that will do. – The Countess went to the door. – 'I'll come and fetch you in forty minutes…'

"Forty? Not fifty?" – her poor niece was horrified.

– …Be ready: we must not be late. Here are your dresses! Remember: white dress and white gloves! – The Mistress of Greenhall left the chambers.

"What a lot of things she's bought! Where does she get all this money?" – Lady Cranford thought involuntarily, as she looked at the four footmen and three maids who, laden with many long covers, hurried into her niece's chamber.

– The dresses are here, Miss Vivian! – Jane shrieked with delight, but as she approached her friend she saw that she could hardly hold back her tears. – My dear miss, what are you saying?!

– Look at me, Jane! Look at my hair! How can you have time for a new hairdo? How can I be ready for the ball in forty minutes? – Vivian sobbed.

Jane glanced at Vivian's hair, which, devoid of bobby pins, was a thick, fiery waterfall down her back, but Jane combed her hair every morning and knew that it took a lot of effort to get those unruly, bouncy locks into a hairstyle.

– It will be all right, Miss Vivian, I'm sure I'll-

– Why try when I know we'll never make it! – Miss Cowell interrupted her nervously.

– Calm down and look at me! – Jane raised her voice slightly. Fortunately, the other servants were too busy putting away the covers to notice that Jane's maid had dared to shout at the mistress's own niece.

Vivian raised her eyebrows in surprise, but looked obediently at her friend.

– I shall have time to dress you, comb your hair, powder your hair, and wave to you from the window," said the maid in a confident tone.

– Are you sure about that? In forty minutes? – Vivian whispered: she was filled with hope.

– No doubt at all! But I need you to stop worrying and trust me.

– But how can I choose a dress if I haven't tried on any of them?

– Leave it to me. I'll choose a gown worthy of your beauty and your debut. And I swear to you, there will be no prettier lady at this ball than you.

Vivian smiled gratefully at her friend, and her eyes filled again with tears, but this time they were tears of emotion.

– Lead me, my dear Jane! – She said softly, and pressed Jane's hand in her own.

She answered her with a quiet smile, and went to the long covers that covered the wide bed, in which the new, freshly pressed, splendid dresses were waiting.

– Anthony, dear, may I come in? – came Lady Cranford's voice from outside her son's chamber.

– Of course, mother, come in," he said.

The door opened immediately, and the first thing the Countess saw was Emily making Mr. Cranford's bed. The windows of the room were wide open, and it was filled with the delicate fragrance of the flowers growing in the garden of Greenhall.

– Have you been resting, my dear? – The mistress of the house asked her son, looked him over with an appraising glance, and exclaimed. – Oh, what a handsome boy you are!

– It is difficult not to be handsome when my mother is so beautiful as you are, mother," Anthony answered gallantly, and a broad smile shone on his mother's face. – You look beautiful. Poor young girls who want to shine at this ball: you will outshine everyone and everything with your beauty.

– Come, my dear, the days of my splendour are behind me, and I am now the aged mother of two grown-up sons and the grandmother of three grandchildren! – Lady Cranford splashed her hands theatrically. – What a marvellous costume. But, Anthony, couldn't you have chosen something a little less dark? Black for one of the most highly anticipated events of the year? After all, you have so much in your wardrobe… What's that on your shoulder? – She carefully removed a long dark hair from her son's surtoute and looked up into Anthony's face in surprise. – A woman's hair? How did it end up on your coat?

– Emily must have dropped it when she was cleaning my coat," the young man shrugged and turned to the maid and gave her a cold look: – 'Next time, Emily, watch your hair.

– I beg your pardon, Mr. Cranford," Emily replied in a resigned tone. – Your bed is ready. What else do you want?

– Nothing. Go. No, stay. Bring me a glass of brandy," Anthony told her.

– Right away, Mr. Cranford. – Emily made a quick curtsy and hurried out of the chambers, lest her stern hostess should notice her flushed cheeks and slightly dishevelled hair, which would lead the lady to think that ten minutes ago her own son had been having an affair with a maid.

But Emily had nothing to fear: Lady Cranford's thoughts were centred on the coming ball, and she paid no attention to the maid. Why should she look after a maid when her handsome son was at her side?

– Brandy, my dear? – The Countess frowned. – The carriage is waiting! In forty minutes we should be on our way to Lady Marlborough's. You know how I hate to be late.

– I need to cheer up," said Anthony. – The thought of being a dowry hunter so soon makes me cold. You know how disgusted I am with hunting.

Lady Cranford smiled softly and took her son's hand in her own.

– My dear boy, of course you are disgusted by this position, for you are so kind and honest, and your noble heart is disgusted by pretence. But you know that to charm a rich bride requires not only beauty and charm, but also flattery. We women are addicted to pretty phrases… If a glass of brandy will help you forget your high-minded principles, I don't mind. – Lady Cranford patted her son on the shoulder. – 'But please don't be late: in thirty-five minutes I'll be waiting for you in the hall, by the stairs.

– Mother, you are a marvellous thing. – Anthony drew his mother's palm to his lips and kissed her. – What about Vivian? Is she ready for the ball yet?

– Not yet, but it's not her fault. There's been such an embarrassment with the dresses she ordered! They were delivered to the wrong address and only arrived at Greenhall a few minutes ago.

– Where was my cousin's order delivered?

– Oh, I honestly don't know… But after all, it doesn't matter at all: Vivian's dresses are here, and I confess I hope her hands will be asked for in the coming days after tonight's debut. But you, too, my boy, don't delay: the sooner you marry, the better. But I must go…I await you in the hall!

The Countess left her son, and he sat on the soft sofa, waiting for the brandy his mistress was to bring him. When the giggling Emily had done as she was commanded, she was immediately sent away, and Anthony, savouring the drink, sank into his gloomy thoughts, which, however, did not prevent him from coming down the hall by the proper time.

"Mother was in such a hurry to see me, and she herself is evidently late. And Vivian, too, apparently. Oh, women!" – The young aristocrat thought with a mocking smile on his lips, but a moment later he heard quiet footsteps on the stairs, turned round and involuntarily held his breath. His heart shuddered with an overwhelming admiration: his cousin was coming down the stairs with the grace of a queen.