Читать книгу Wingless Bird - Анна Морион - Страница 11

Vivian's splendour was dazzling.

She walked slowly down the marble staircase, quietly tapping the heels of her silk-trimmed, new white shoes. Her slender frame was emphasised by a beautiful white silk dress, embroidered with small flowers and cinched under her breasts with a wide white ribbon. Vivian wore dazzling white elbow-length gloves on her hands and short pearl beads around her neck. The girl's fiery hair was styled in a simple but beautiful style, with only a couple of curls framing her face. This simplicity, however, gave Vivian that elegance and a touch of aristocracy which is lacking in those who love feathers and bright jewellery.

The image of Miss Cowell, niece of the famous Dowager Countess Lady Cranford, was modest. Very modest. But this girl had no need of bright dresses, heavy jewellery or elaborate hairdos: her beauty was so mesmerising that if she had worn men's breeches and coat she would have been no less beautiful. All in white, like a graceful snow-white swan, Viviane was ready to win the hearts of men and destroy rivals: she knew that Mademoiselle de Croix was not the only hunter of the rich, because a dozen other girls who had already debuted this season, pursued the same goal. What a pity there are so few rich noble gentlemen, and so many aspiring maidens to be their spouses!

"Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, must look just like that," said Anthony's mind, as he gazed at his cousin with fascinated eyes. – Could a mortal woman be like the goddess? Lord knows I wish Vivian were coming down into my arms right now. How I wish I could take her away right now into the sweet wilderness, sing songs of her unearthly beauty, and kiss her hands, her cheeks, her lips… And then… These foolish thoughts… Get out of my head! Viviane is going to the ball to find her way to luxury and wealth, and what could I give her? If Viviane were to reciprocate and become mine, poverty would swallow us both up. Is that what I wish for myself?"

– Good evening, cousin," said the girl affably. – You look beautiful: poor girls and their mothers: let them guard their hearts!

Anthony laughed softly, and, as his cousin descended the last steps, gallantly offered her his arm.

– Thank you," smiled Vivian. – But where is Aunt Beatrice?

– My mother has a habit of hurrying everyone and demanding punctuality, but she keeps everyone waiting for her. I remember that was a character trait my father disliked," replied Anthony, trying to suppress his admiration and appear indifferent to his cousin's appearance, to let her know that her beauty could captivate anyone but him.

– Oh, it is so like me! – laughed Vivian. – 'I assure you, dear cousin, this is the first time I have not been late, and even appeared before my time. But, Anthony, at the ball you must stay by my side and warn me if any black-hearted, miserly, card-loving or hard-drinking man should seek my attention.

'In that case, my nymph, you should stay away from me,' thought the young gentleman gloomily, but only smiled falsely and replied:

– 'I am afraid, my dear cousin, I cannot spend this evening by your side, though I am desperate to keep you away from ardent gamblers, drunkards and misers. You must realise my situation and that from tonight I am doomed to find a wealthy wife.

The girl smiled sadly.

– Yes, I am familiar with your difficulties. And you must know that I am very sorry, and I sincerely hope that very soon we shall see you in church, betrothed before God to a girl worthy of you. – She gently removed her palm from her cousin's palm. – But, pardon my curiosity, have you already got someone in mind? I swear I will keep it a secret.

Anthony shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

– Unfortunately, pretty rich heiresses are scarce this season. For that reason, I'm practically out of options. Mother wishes me to marry, and as soon as possible. But I agree with her impatience: marriage is the only sensible step for me to take.

"Exactly. I am sorry for you, cousin, but alas, such is our fate – to try to sell ourselves as dearly as possible. It sounds horrible, but it is the plain truth: we poor relatives and younger sons are different from corrupt women only in that we will sell our bodies and faces in a legal marriage. Anthony is handsome and charming, but compared to his brother and other first-born bachelors, he's a nobody," Vivian thought. – It will be interesting to watch his charms… And I don't want to fall under them myself. No way. That will never happen. I know my heart, and I know that my future depends on me, and not only mine. Soon I will make an incredibly successful match, and no Frenchwoman can prevent me from doing so."

– But let us not grieve our hearts before our time," said Anthony, suddenly, unexpectedly to himself. – And if I have offended you, unintentionally, without wishing to, I apologise sincerely. I did not know that my opinion of Mademoiselle de Croix would so distress you… You must have become friends by now?

'Does poor naive Anthony think I resent him because of that French girl?' – thought the girl ironically, and barely managed to suppress a mocking smile. – No, silly boy, you insulted me when you compared me to a wingless bird! I have wings, and some wings!"

– Alas, I have not seen her since that meeting in the shop, but soon I shall see her at the ball, and I hope we shall be friends. But let's put our grudges behind us, dear cousin: there's dancing and merriment tonight! – replied Vivian.

– Be careful: this girl is not as simple as she seems. And if you don't think of her as one of your competitors, she obviously thinks of you as her worst enemy," Anthony warned, not understanding her cousin's eagerness to make friends with the one he had openly warned her against.

– I appreciate your concern, but I am full of confidence that Mademoiselle de Croix is not at all as wicked and dangerous as you claim," Miss Cowell smiled at this.

"I shall hold the French beauty in my hands. So long as she thinks of me as a friend – my future is safe, and I can easily snatch any suitor from under her nose!" – she added snidely, to herself.

Slightly irritated by his cousin's obstinacy, Anthony remained silent as he decided to leave the girl with her own rosy hopes and mistaken beliefs. If Vivian wished to tame the ravenous panther, with her sensitivity and soft heart, she would be deeply wounded by the sharp claws and long teeth of this greedy beast.

– How good it is that both of you are ready to leave. – Suddenly the voice of the Mistress of Greenhall sounded from the stairs, and soon she was standing between her son and niece. She looked at Vivian, so beautiful and modest, and smiled approvingly: "Lovely outfit, Vivian. And your hair, too.

– It's all Jane's doing," she replied, hoping that her aunt would give her friend a raise, or at least a word of thanks, which would certainly please her. – Jane prompted me with the choice of dress and…

– Lady Marlborough is waiting for us," the Countess interrupted her, as if she had not heard her niece, and taking her son's elbow, she said to Vivian: "Don't drink too much punch at the ball, and eat like a sparrow at dinner: men don't like a girl with a good appetite.

Anthony laughed softly.

– 'Alas, that is so! – he said cheerfully.

– But isn't it our womanly duty to lead them out of this delusion? – Vivian wondered.

– 'My dear, when you are married you may surprise your husband with the truth, but till then remember that you are a bird, and need only a few grains to satiate you,' her aunt answered her in a decided tone.

"It seems that this evening will be not only exciting and wonderful, but also hungry," thought the girl gloomily, but a moment later, when the trio descended into the courtyard, where a lacquered black carriage, a pair of slender black horses, and an important-looking coachman were waiting for them, Vivian's soul was filled with delight. – Had it really come to pass? My dresses had been found, and I was going to Lady Marlborough's ball! What's in store for me there? The Stevenses, the Brodys, the Cravens… I have always enjoyed their invitations and their balls, but they are but petty noblemen, unknown to any but the people of our little town. Ah, if they could see me now, they would be so proud of me! I shall be sure to write to them after the ball! All the details! They'll be delighted!"

As the Cranfords and Vivian settled themselves in the soft seats of the carriage, the Countess of Cranford shouted to the coachman: "Pull on!" and the swift horses dragged the carriage to where Miss Cowell's heart was longing to go – to the ball where her fate might be decided.

The Duke and Duchess of Marlborough's mansion was only thirty minutes' drive from Greenhall, but as other guests were travelling there, the Cranford carriage moved slowly, which caused the Countess to press her lips together disapprovingly, for she did not like to be late. Still, they arrived at Marlborough Mansion late, and then waited a quarter of an hour before it was their turn to arrive at the front door and leave the carriage.

The carriage stopped at a low, broad stone staircase, and suddenly Vivian was overcome with excitement, but she was able to control her emotions. Anthony left the carriage first and helped the ladies down.

– Go home, Thomas, but be here at twelve o'clock," Lady Cranford ordered the coachman.

– If you say so, ma'am!" he said.

– Now, my children, I expect you to do your best. And don't overdo the flirting, for you don't want to be known as frivolous and fickle, do you? – Lady Cranford addressed her son and niece, but seeing the undisguised admiration on the girl's face, she said to her affectionately: – 'I suppose, my dear, you have never been in such splendid houses before?

– Never! – she whispered feelingly, looking at the Marlborough mansion, which looked more like a royal palace.

– This is Greathall," Anthony said quietly, chuckling at her almost childish admiration for the old stone house.

But to Vivian, who had come from the provinces, this "old stone house" seemed like magic: its heavy splendour deeply astonished her unsophisticated mind, for compared with Greathall, her aunt's mansion seemed like an ordinary little mansion.

– A fitting name," Vivian smiled, but realising that she was behaving like a little girl at a Christmas fair, she shrugged her shoulders and said indifferently: – It's a beautiful house, and it must be at least two hundred years old, mustn't it?

– Two hundred and fifty-one," said the Countess: her niece's behaviour made her feel annoyed, but remembering that up to this moment the poor girl had been deprived of the contemplation of such mansions, she drew a deep breath to drive away the unflattering feeling. – But let us not delay: we have arrived late as it is… I should have remembered to leave early for such receptions. Anthony, lead the way!

The young man did not have to ask twice, and soon the guests from Greenhall were exchanging greetings with the Duchess of Marlborough, the mistress of the mansion. Dressed in a large embroidered green dress, the woman looked so young that Vivian at first mistook Lady Marlborough for one of her two daughters.

– My dear Elizabeth, it is so good to see you again! – Lady Cranford said with a smile, holding out her friend's palm, which she gladly took in her own. – Promise me you will never leave London for more than a week!

– Ah, my dear Beatrice, you know I wish the same thing! But as the wife of a counsellor at the royal court, I have no choice but to follow my husband wherever he is directed," said Lady Marlborough, with a sweet laugh, and glancing at Vivian, said amiably: – 'And this pretty girl must be your niece!

– She is, Your Ladyship. – Vivian blushed slightly at the compliment from the Duchess herself and made a deep curtsy. – May I express my gratitude to you for the honour of being invited to your reception. I am so glad to be here!

– No need to thank me, dear girl! It's a pleasure to meet my best friend's niece too!

"Best friend"? I didn't realise my aunt had such important connections! However, there is nothing to be surprised about: aunt Beatrice is only a step below the rank of the Duchess of Marlborough!" – Miss Cowell thought with satisfaction.

"What a pretty maiden! It is fortunate that William is already married; otherwise, who knows, he might have lost his head at her beauty?" thought Lady Marlborough in her turn, and rightly remarked that she had never met a prettier maiden in her forty-eight years than this modest red-haired girl.

But Vivian had no plans for the Duke of Marlborough's eldest son and heir: Jane had already informed her that he had married the daughter of an earl that spring.

– Anthony, look at you! What a handsome man, indeed, I even regret that I am already married! – coquettishly exclaimed Lady Marlborough and extended her hand to kiss him.

– Why, my fair lady, would your husband be able to live without you? – He said delicately, and barely touched his lips to her white glove.

Anthony was gallant and polite, but Vivian could easily see that he was clearly not happy to be talking to the duchess. She was right: Anthony would have liked to marry one of her ladyship's daughters, for his mother was her best friend, but Lady Marlborough, as well as her husband, knowing Anthony's disadvantageous financial position, was unwilling to marry her daughters to him and did not conceal it from either the young gentleman or his mother. For this reason Mr. Cranford despised the Marlborough couple and tried to avoid them.

– But, please, let us go into the hall: everyone is already assembled, waiting only for you! – The Duchess exclaimed vigorously and placed her palm familiarly on Anthony's elbow, then whispered in her friend's ear: "I am sure your niece will be a great success today!

Lady Cranford laughed softly, and they all headed for the large, beautiful doors leading into the huge ballroom of the mansion.

Suddenly Vivian noticed a dark-haired girl standing at the far window and smiled slyly: the girl was none other than Mademoiselle de Croix.

The beautiful Frenchwoman was looking at Vivian, and a friendly smile played on her lips as if she were silently inviting her to a conversation.

– I beg your pardon, I'll be a little late," said Vivian, suddenly, quietly, to herself.