The Bird has got wings - стр. 11
– If you have something on your mind, please share it with me," Charlotte said affectionately. – I'll always be there for you. And it is easier on the soul when another soul takes some of the burden.
Vivian hesitated: should she share the details of her marriage with her friend? Marriage was a matter between two people, and what went on behind closed doors should remain between spouses, as society said. But she desperately wanted Charlotte to embrace her, to dry her tears and tell her that eventually this suffering, mental and physical, would end. But Vivian could not confess to her friend that by marrying a man she had seen only twice in her life, she had willingly surrendered herself to his fierce, burning love for her.
When Jeremy proposed to her… Jeremy Wington! The one who had just lost his father and inherited his fortune (The Times wrote about it)! The rich as Croesus handsome young man, who threw his love and his money at her feet, first astonished Vivian with his proposal, and then, after listening to her doubts that she, a waif, was not worthy to be his spouse, firmly assured her that all he needed was herself, and he would never reproach her for not bringing him a pound sterling. "You, dear Miss Cowell, are the greatest treasure, the greatest jewel to me. And if you become my wife, I promise you will never hear a word from me that I once took you as a penniless girl. I love you. Desperately and sincerely," said Jeremy at that moment, and his voice was so firm and his look so resolute that Vivian realised what an unexpected, wonderful surprise Fate had given her. And the girl said: "yes," and a week and a half later Jeremy put a beautiful ring with a large emerald on her finger and ushered her into his London home as his lawful wedded wife, life partner, and mistress of all that he owned. "I've got my luck by the tail!" – thought Vivian, looking round the huge, beautiful mansion, standing almost in the heart of London. The heavy ring on her ring finger and the emerald, as green as Mrs. Wington's eyes, reminded her that this was no dream, that Lady Cranford's poor relative was now the wife of a rich, handsome young gentleman. But her first wedding night, when Jeremy threw her innocent wife into the maelstrom of his passion, made her cry with fear of him and his burning love to her…
– Vivian? Darling, are you all right? – Vivian heard Charlotte's concerned voice as if through a fog.
Blinking, Vivian returned her thoughts from the master bedroom to the ballroom and, looking around, replied with a smile:
– I'm perfectly fine! It's just… I was just trying to remember about whether we had sent an invitation to the de Croix family," she found herself.
"No, Charlotte won't know about anything. Let her think me happy," decided the girl. She knew that her husband was watching her. Watching her like an inquisitor watches his victim.
– Ah, yes, I don't think I've seen a single de Croix all evening! – Charlotte giggled. – But I wish I could have seen Mademoiselle de Croix's face! Just think of it: the Duke of Nightingale marrying Miss Beckley, and you, too, did not hesitate and married very well! Poor Lucy! I think, with her father's reputation, she'll be an old maid for life!