twenty-five
Vivienne couldn’t focus on her needlework after Samuel had left, and for once, her chronic fatigue had nothing to do with her lack of concentration.
Seeing him after so many years had been a shock, even though she’d been aware of his coming. Her body still trembled from the encounter, and dozens of thoughts piled up in her mind. She hadn’t been able to exchange any words with him also because…she wasn’t the same woman he remembered.
Her body had changed and not for the better. She’d never cared too much about her excessive paleness, gaunt cheeks, and straw-like hair. Not when her health was most important. But in the mirror of his deep amber eyes, she’d seen her reflection as a ghastly woman, more dead than alive, which was exactly as she felt.
Shame had paralysed her, especially in front of his now-charismatic presence.
Samuel wasn’t as she remembered. He looked strong and handsome with his dark golden hair cut above his jaw and fine suit. He was taller and broader than she had remembered, andsimply magnificent. Looking at him, he had nothing left of the shy, worried young man she had known.
He was a man who knew what he wanted and wasn’t afraid to take it.
And she…she was afraid of everything.
“Are you tired, darling?” Mother sat on the armchair in front of her and picked up her own needlework.
“Not really.”
“What do you think of Mr. Lyon?” Father asked, lowering his newspaper.
She thought the world of him. “Mr. Lyon is an interesting gentleman. He has seen much of the world.”
Mother resumed her work. “His good luck is impressive. Such an adventurous life, but his health is strong.”
She didn’t say anything, worried she might say something wrong. Health was a delicate topic in her house. She loved her parents, but Samuel wouldn’t have been welcomed in Huntington Hall if not for his ridiculous fortune.
Her father embraced the association he had developed with Lyon Gold Corporation, welcomed the prestige and notoriety. Thenouveaux richeswere no longer snubbed by the aristocracy. Their money meant power, and its influx was welcomed by those who had before consider it vulgar and parvenu.
“I admire Lyon,” Father said. “He’s a man with determination and strong will.”
Mother arched her brow. “Doesn’t his muteness bother you?”
“He earns more respect because of it,” Father said. “Another man would let his inability to speak rule his life. He has flourished despite his situation.”
Vivienne smiled at him. Father didn’t care only about money.
“I’m going to be honest, Vivienne.” Father folded the newspaper and grinned. “If Lyon should become your suitor, I would welcome the match.”
She didn’t say anything. Surely Samuel had better options than a dying woman.
“Edward, you can’t be serious.” Mother lowered her voice. “Lyon isn’t aware of Vivienne’s condition, and she isn’t strong enough to be courted by anyone. We agreed on that.”
Vivienne hunched her shoulders. The words weren’t cruel, but sometimes truth and cruelty were siblings.
“I have hope for a bright future for Vivienne.” Father held her hand tenderly. “Given more time, I’m sure she’ll improve, and maybe I’m a fool, but I’m convinced Lyon’s vibrant energy is contagious and is what you need, darling.”
Mother pressed her lips together, stabbing the fabric with the needle.
Vivienne didn’t have the strength to be as hopeful as Father was.
After the skating disaster in The Regent’s Park, her pneumonia had gone from bad to worse in a matter of weeks. She would have died if not for Dr. Tucker’s dedication and expertise. Instead, she’d improved, but her health had never fully returned. Her lungs were scarred, and her heart suffered, too.
Some weeks were worse than others. Sudden fevers would torment her for days, tremors and stomach aches would force her to stay in bed, and catching a cold was a normal occurrence.
But her spirits had been damaged more than her body. Every time a disease afflicted her, her wish to live was eroded. Like the tiny drop that corroded the rock with its persistence, so the constant illnesses and aches were winning over her life.
She had nothing to offer Samuel aside from her fragility.
