Even Vivienne detected the sharp, sarcastic note in Father’s voice.
“As a matter of fact, yes. I’m worried. I can’t believe you left the house like that today,” Mother said to Vivienne. “After I explicitly asked you to stay.”
“Jane.” Father shot Mother a glare. “I don’t want to hear another word.”
Mother put a trembling hand on the table. “You don’t care about her. You’ll let her die as you did with Adele.”
Father shot up, scraping his chair back. “How dare you!”
Vivienne winced. The footman did, too.
“Adele meant the world to me.” Father’s voice cracked, and his pain thickened the air. “I was patient with you because we were both mourning our daughter, but enough now! Vivienne will leave this house tomorrow, and I can’t honestly be happier for her.”
“She will die!” Mother raised her voice.
“Then she’ll live her last days doing whatever she wants, and we’ll support her as parents who love her should do.” His voice boomed in the dining room.
Mother’s nostrils flared. “Her death will be on your conscience.”
“Mother, please.” Vivienne shook her head. “How can you say something like that to Father?”
He dropped his napkin on the table and left in such a hurry the footman had barely time to open the door for him.
Mother hunched her shoulders and cried silently, pressing Adele’s silver box against her chest. It pained Vivienne to see her parents fighting, but she couldn’t find the strength to be understanding. Mother had let her grief destroy their family although she and Father had their own faults. They’d always pandered to Mother’s delusions, and this was the result. Her brothers and sisters rarely visited them in London, and their relationship with Mother was strained.
Vivienne had been poisoned, forced to stay home, and had been ill for a long time.
“Compose yourself,” she said.
“How can you leave me?” Mother’s voice sounded high-pitched and hysterical.
“Why can’t you be happy for me? I’ve been cooped up here for years. I want to go out and have new experiences. I want my life back.”
“You’re sick!”
Enough. Father was right and she didn’t have the patience or the energy to argue with her mother. Their separation would benefit Mother as well. Perhaps she would realise that her life could go on.
Vivienne pushed her chair back and rose. The footman’s reflexes were once again put to the test by her speed. After she left the dining room, she didn’t go far. Her energy dwindled, and she slowed her pace to pause at the base of the sweeping stairs. The world tilted, and she took deep breaths. Her dizziness was nothing new, but since she knew the real reason behind it, anger exacerbated it.
“Lady Vivienne.”
She gasped at hearing Dr. Tucker’s voice. He came from the hallway towards her, carrying his leather bag.
She forced herself not to shiver.
He adjusted his round glasses. “I heard the news.”
Her legs quivered, and she put a hand on the bannister to steady herself. “What news?”
He leant closer and whispered, “You tamed my lion.”
Her breathing stuttered with fear. “What an odd choice of words.”
“You’re getting married to Mr. Lyon, the golden king. Tomorrow. How quick!”
She inched back from him. “Not that it’s any of your business, but why should we wait?”
“Love at first sight?” He stepped closer, and the light from the gas lamp glinted off his bald head. “Aren’t you too weak for a hasty wedding? A wedding is so demanding.”
