sixteen
After five hours of preparations, which included a bath, styling her hair in a complicated chignon, and donning her new Worth gown, Vivienne was finally ready for the dinner party.
“You look lovely, my lady,” Dobkins said, draping the train nicely.
The ivory-coloured silk enhanced Vivienne’s eyes, and the coiffure left a few curls falling over her lightly rouged cheeks. Dobkins helped her arrange a delicate shawl on her shoulders.
Mother entered the bedroom; her black gown was in stark contrast to her pale cheeks.
“How are you feeling?” A high note crept into Vivienne’s tone.
“Better.” Mother’s voice sounded drowsy. “So we’re all going.”
“It’ll be a lovely evening.”
No reaction changed Mother’s features. “Remember to apply the sage salve under your nose. It kills germs as you breathe.”
“Yes, Mother.”
“I’ll ask Lady Acton to give you a seat close to the fireplace. The fire will keep the air around you clean.”
Where did Mother get those ideas from? “Of course.”
“Your hair is lovely, and—” Mother frowned, regaining some of her colour. “Why aren’t you wearing your diamond bracelet? I asked Gilbert to take it from the strong room.”
“And I told him there was no need. I lost it.”
Instant shock flashed across Mother’s face. Finally, a reaction. “Excuse me?”
“I wore it while I was riding, and it must have fallen without me realising it.” She hoped her voice didn’t quiver too much.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I hoped to find it. I’ve been searching the park ever since.”
Mother paled again and sat on the edge of the bed, gathering her black gown around her. “Is that why you went to the park every day?”
“I’m sorry.”
“You put your life in danger for a bracelet.” Mother reached out to take her hand. “Your health is more important than a diamond bracelet. I could have sent someone to search the park. You didn’t need to breathe that poisonous air.”
It was with an effort that she remained silent. Her instinct was to shake Mother by the shoulders and beg her to stop believing every stupid claim the quacks she listened to said.
“There’s no evidence the air in the park is poisonous.” Her tone sounded low.
Mother was flustered but didn’t argue. A good sign, perhaps?
A half an hour later, the drive in the carriage was a quiet one, with Mother holding the silver box for dear life.
Father held Mother’s hand. “Why don’t you put the box away, darling?”
“Why do you always ask me to do that? I don’t want to get rid of it.”
“You can’t spend the evening with that box in your hands.”
Mother clenched the box more tightly.
“And couldn’t you wear something else other than black?” He rubbed the spot between his eyebrows.
