The Bird has got wings

– Smile, my dear," Vivian whispered in her husband's ear, breaking him out of his memories. – And what made you think so much?

– Oh, my love, I am only remembering the day when my heart was set on fire with love for you," he whispered to her, and his eyes, shining with happiness, confirmed his words. – Do you remember that misty cold morning when you were lost and I found you and took you to my home?

– That morning… My dear, I couldn't forget it even if I wanted to," Vivian answered quietly with some irony in her voice, remembering how her aunt had thrown her out on the street.

But she had only learnt that it was Jeremy who had found her on the street, taken her in and taken care of her, when three weeks ago he had come so unexpectedly to the Salton house and, after spending a couple of hours with her and Charlotte in the garden, had suddenly asked Charlotte to leave him and her friend alone. When Miss Salton left the drawing-room with a broad but uncomprehending smile, Jeremy got down on one knee before Vivian and, without wasting time on a long monologue, confessed his love for her and asked her to be his wife.

– That morning I didn't know that my life would change so drastically! – Jeremy laughed softly. – I wish your cousin had been at our wedding. He's my best friend, you know.

– You're the one who insisted on the wedding happening so soon! – Vivian reminded him with a laugh. – So soon that my family could not have travelled from Casterbridge in time to attend!

– Forgive me, my love, I was so eager to possess you that I could not wait. But, as you asked, I have sent your family five thousand pounds sterling, and I think they should be pleased with it," Jeremy whispered, running his fingers along his wife's neck.

– 'Darling, you're forgetting yourself! We're not in our bedroom now, we're in the middle of guests! – Vivian frowned and gently pulled her husband's fingers away from her skin.

– To hell with these puffed-up hens and turkeys! You know I want you with every fibre of my being! – Jeremy whispered assertively, touching his lips to his beautiful young wife's cheek. – And, my love, when this damned ball is over, I will not let you sleep before I give you my caresses.

– Jeremy, darling, I promise you I will," Vivian replied patiently. – But at the moment, we are hosts to a ball and we have to entertain the guests whether we want to or not.

– You are simply irresistible, my love. No woman can match you in beauty or grace. But you're right, and I'll save my desires for later," Jeremy agreed with a predatory smile. His eyes followed every emotion on his wife's face, every movement. He needed to know that she belonged to him alone and thought of him alone. He loved her. Hotly and fiercely. Vivian had become the centre of his universe.

Instead of answering, Vivian gently ran her palm over Jeremy's cheek and looked into his eyes, as if confirming that he was the master of both her heart and her body.

"My body belongs to you, but you will never command my heart or my soul," the girl thought smiling sweetly at her spouse. She had no feelings for her spouse except gratitude that he had descended from the height of his golden mountain to her and made her his lawful wedded wife.

Mrs. Wington. Mistress of the huge Wington Hall, a mansion built of light-coloured stones, more like one of the royal palaces than the residence of persons who do not possess even the most trifling of titles. But who needs a title when all that London high society values is money? And the Wingtons had plenty of money. That's why that evening those who held titles, with smiles of envy at the new position of the former streetwalker and admiration for her beauty and majesty, came to this mansion to drink expensive wines and champagne, eat expensive food and desserts, dance and gossip.

– And what a gossipy girl that Miss Cowell is! – standing in a corner of the ballroom, with a glass of champagne in her hand, whispered in her friend's ear one of the mothers of this year's young debutantes. – They say her aunt has not given a cent of dowry for her! Lady Cranford had left London in such a hurry… was it not for that reason?

– Beatrice is a decent lady. I'm sure if she hadn't helped her niece with the dowry, Mr. Wington would never have married her. He cannot be so foolish! – replied the second lady, and, hiding her face behind her lace fan, glanced at the owners of the house, who were still standing at the door, talking to Lady Marlborough. – Look how beautiful Vivian is! Lily confessed to me that she was afraid to appear in the same hall as her… But, thank goodness, now this red-haired angel is married, and our girls just need to make her acquaintance!

– Yes, such a fiance is missing… We must find our girls now, and order them to try to become Mrs. Wington's friends… Here they are! Come along, my dear, let's not delay! I'm sure everyone wants to be friends with the newly married wife of such a rich man!

– I hope she'll give our daughters a few tips on how to catch a rich husband in her arms… She's been doing just fine!

– But Mr. Wington married her so hastily, and his father is still in mourning," said one of the gossips. – There's a rumour that she seduced him.

– And I heard that he seduced her… But look at the two of them: they have eyes for each other! I think they're in hot love! – objected the gossipy friend.

– Oh, my dear, love comes and goes… Let's see if he regrets this marriage! He could have married anyone, even an earl's daughter, but for some reason he chose Miss Cowell… No, no, something made them marry, and I am more than sure that the maiden made him compromise himself, and he, as a man of honour, hastened to correct his fatal mistake. Ah, that cunning fox! Shining like gold in the sun!

And the two friends went towards their daughters, who in their turn were gossiping about the same thing as their mothers.

How true were the words of one of these gossipers! Vivian, who was envied, called a "witch" and regarded as a "tenacious maiden," was becoming more popular by the minute, even though most of the guests had not changed their opinion of her. But so beautiful, graceful, and above all, rich, young Miss Wington could not help but become a new star, so suddenly shone in the sky of London. All those who had been strangers to Miss Cowell were now drawn to the brilliant, high-society beauty of Mrs. Wington, and desired her friendship or even a pinch of her attention. If the girls and their mothers hoped to receive Vivian's tutelage, the single and even married men could henceforth admire this fiery swan and sigh furtively when she passed by or bestowed upon them her incomparable smile. After all, it was much easier to admire a young, rich, married beauty than a poor, looking for a spouse as a homeless woman.

When at last the hosts of the ball were able to move away from the doors, for all who had answered the invitations had already appeared, Vivian made her way to Charlotte.

Miss Salton, dressed in one of her new dresses, which favourably emphasised her high firm breasts and transformed her full figure into a rather graceful one, was not propped up against a wall this evening, nor did she stand alone at the window, nor was her gaze full of sadness. On the contrary: the girl was invited to every dance, and her eyes sparkled with merriment, for the other guests, seeing her in a new outfit, with a new hairdo and new shoes, realised that Miss Salton, it turned out, was quite nice, and some even said, beautiful. Danish fashion was not to Charlotte's liking, but London fashion, and the advice of her dear friend Vivian, made the girl an attractive bride, though she kept silent about the thirty thousands of dowry. Several young gentlemen hovered round her and joked desperately, eager to hear her ringing laughter. They told her funny stories, shared the latest gossip, and looked at the girl with interest. What attracted them to her? Her father's wealth? Her wide, genuine smile? Her proud posture and majestic figure? Charlotte asked herself these questions, but did not try to find out the truth, for she was in no hurry to marry, and consequently all these gentlemen were no success to her, though she laughed at their jokes and danced with them. Charlotte had made up her mind to live as she pleased and was no longer tormented by the fact that her person was not interesting to others, so such attention from rather handsome and stately men did not make her blush and flirt desperately with them. She just danced, laughed and was happy.