Wingless Bird - стр. 26

– Miss Vivian! There is no way…" Jane began enthusiastically.

– No, please, Jane! Be quiet!" Vivian interrupted her. – God, what a disgrace!

Jane was tempted to say something, but she obediently remained silent. She smiled mysteriously all the way, making her friend wonder what was the meaning of her smile.

Dinner at Greenhall passed in sepulchral silence.

Vivian was full of fresh emotions and impressions that she had received during that exciting day, and Anthony still felt unwell, but forced himself to appear at the dinner so as not to upset his mother. The landlady herself was busy thinking about her son's future and calculating the money she would have to spend on a dinner party in her niece's honour.

It was not until all three had eaten their dessert that Lady Cranford looked at her niece and asked in an indifferent tone:

– How was your day, my dear? I hope you had a good time?

– It has been a wonderful day, auntie," she answered in the same indifferent tone. – I did a lot of shopping and renewed my wardrobe. The new clothes will be made as soon as possible and will be delivered to Greenhall a few days before my debut.

– That's wonderful. I am delighted for you.

– Thank you, Auntie.

With that, the trio left the dining room and went to their rooms.

It was not until bedtime, when Jane had changed her friend into her nightdress and braided her hair, that Vivian learnt from her that the handsome stranger she had so awkwardly encountered in a crowded London street was none other than England's most desirable groom, the Duke of Nightingale.

– I wish it were a masquerade ball," Vivian sighed when, at an early breakfast, Lady Cranford handed her an official invitation from the Duchess of Marlborough herself to what was to be the debut of "my dear niece," as the mistress of Greenhall had written in a letter to the Duchess. – I would be a forest nymph and carry a little flute! And you, cousin? What would you dress up as?

Anthony immediately pictured Vivian in the garb of a forest nymph, namely a short green dress, with a brightly coloured floral wreath on her head and her long red hair loose, and the image captivated his mind. And then this nymph would sit on his lap and play a beautiful quiet melody on her flute. And then he would gently take the flute from the nymph Vivian, run his fingers through her luxurious hair and kiss her soft lips. Yes, they must be very soft, her lips....

– Anthony? – suddenly, as through a mist, he heard the voice of the one he had seen in his dreams. The young gentleman blinked, banishing the sweet picture from his imagination, and smiled. – Alas, my dear Vivian, I have no thoughts on the subject. But you would have my permission to order me to be what you please.

"What familiarity! Calling each other by their first names!" – frowned Lady Cranford, listening in amazement to the dialogue between son and niece. It was thanks to her that Vivian now held in her hands an elegant invitation from the Duchess of Marlborough, for it was in answer to a polite request from her old friend Lady Cranford.

– In that case, I would have you dressed as a faun! You would hold a golden goblet full of wine in your hand all evening, but you wouldn't be able to take a sip. Just think what a merry couple we'd make! – Vivian, full of delight at her idea, clapped her hands and laughed a beautiful melodious laugh.