The Bird has got wings

– I beg your pardon, gentlemen, let me steal Miss Salton for a little while," said Vivian with a smile to her friend's suitors, and, in spite of their feeble protests, led Charlotte away to a remote corner where the girls could have a more intimate conversation. – My dear, I can see you have no rest from the attentions of these gentlemen! – giggled Vivian.

– Oh, I'm sick of them," Charlotte said, and then added, "I'm so glad for you! – I'm so happy for you! Of course, I've said it for the thousandth time, but I never seem to tire of it! Viviane, perhaps you don't notice that everyone around you is talking only about you… .

– I know what they say! – laughed Viviane. – 'Viscountess Russell has called me "a thorn that's wrapped round a tulip," but of course that was said behind my back. But you know me, my dear: I don't care at all for the opinions of strangers!

– That old woman is like a bag of bones… But you are not the only one who has been honoured by her attention: poor Mr. Hilloby has caused her a storm of remarks about his toilet water… "He's wearing worse perfume than a woman!" she grumbled. Such an unpleasant person! – Charlotte wrinkled her nose. – The Duke of Nightingale never arrived?

– Not only did he not come, but he did not deign to answer the invitation. They say he has been very seldom seen in society since his engagement to Miss Beckley," she shrugged her shoulders. – Fortunately, I did not have to grieve long. My Jeremy loves me terribly. So much so that sometimes I am even afraid of his love," she added quietly, and Charlotte saw a shadow creep across Vivian's face.

– 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!

– I couldn't agree more. God be with her, that Frenchwoman… But she'll never set foot in my house! – Vivian winked at her friend. – But it seems that a new dance is about to begin, and I promised it to my husband.

– He loves you so much," Charlotte smiled. – He keeps his eyes on you.

– Well, it's wonderful to be loved by your husband, isn't it? – Vivian said with irony in her voice, but with a sudden coldness in her bosom.

When the music died down, the guests, satisfied and tired, went home, the candlelight, which had recently brightened the whole house, was extinguished, and the servants began to clean up after the merry and noisy ball.

Walking towards their matrimonial bedroom, hand in hand, the newlyweds Wingtons were silent. The light of the three candles sitting securely in the silver candlestick Jeremy carried in his hand danced and made the shadows of those walking shiver. But it was not only the shadows that trembled – it was Vivian's soul that trembled.

– Darling, this ball has made me so tired," Vivian said with a shy smile. – Please let me spend the night alone in one of the guest rooms.

– No," Jeremy said and turned his face to her face and smiled crookedly. – Are you afraid of me, my love?

– Not at all," Vivian answered him calmly, but his beautiful, predatory smile made her swallow. – I'm just very tired and would like to sleep alone tonight. And you've had too much to drink tonight, haven't you?

– No," Jeremy said firmly. – You are my wife, and I want you.

They stopped in front of the tall doors leading to their bedroom.

Jeremy opened the door and stared into Vivian's face. The fire of lust and unbridled passion burned in his eyes.

– Remember, my love, you will sleep only with me. Only in my arms. Always," he said quietly, leaning down to her ear. Then, pulling away, he gripped his wife's elbow firmly and pushed her towards the open door.

Vivian forced herself to smile and, praying that this night would soon turn into morning, walked into the bedroom.

Chapter 3

– Vivian?

The girl flinched and, like a thief caught red-handed, hurriedly turned round at the voice of her spouse. Her face, in the early morning light, was pale and frightened. After a moment Vivian smiled, and, putting on a warm long dressing gown, went to the bed, but did not sit down, but stopped at some distance, so that Jeremy could not force her back to bed.

– Sleep, my love. It's still only early morning," she said affectionately.

– Then why aren't you in bed? – Jeremy frowned sleepily.