Chapter 23

Chapter 23

“Are you certain that it is all right we left the ball so abruptly, without you saying goodbye to Jonathon?” Vivianne asked again, once the family had returned home unexpectedly early.

Vivianne had told her parents that she was feeling under the weather, and judging by the paleness of her face and her bloodshot eyes, her parents were more than willing to believe her. They had quickly bid farewell to Lady Bittens and headed home.

“It is fine,” Aurelia assured her. “I tried to find him, but I couldn’t. He is supposed to come for a visit tomorrow in any case. Father has already approved it, so I shall explain everything then.”

“I’m glad to hear that everything is going so well between you two,” Vivianne said tenderly. The two girls were getting ready for bed in Vivianne’s chamber.

“Oh, it’s all so wonderful, Viv.” Aurelia hesitated, but finally spoke again. “But that’s not important right now. Do you want to talk about what happened or do you want to leave it for tomorrow?”

“Do you mind if we leave it for tomorrow” Vivianne asked weakly. “I feel like the headache I had before has blossomed into something unbearable and I just want to go to bed.”

She doubted that she would be sleeping any time soon, but at least she would be alone, not bothering anyone with her sorrow and desperation.

“Of course.” Aurelia smiled with a nod. She got up from the edge of the bed where she was seated and approached Vivianne for a gentle kiss on the cheek. “I hope you rest well, and remember, whatever it is, it is not the end of the world. You have me, and Mother and Father, and we will help you with whatever it is.”

“Thank you.” Vivianne felt overwhelmed and slightly ungrateful that she hadn’t told her sister everything immediately. But she couldn’t. It was too painful, too difficult to talk about it now. She just wanted to curl up in bed and sob to herself until she had no voice, no tears, and no pain left inside of her.

I’ll leave the window open so you have some fresh air,” Aurelia said. “Goodnight,” she added softly, closing the door behind her.

Left alone, Vivianne thought she would feel relief, but instead she felt as if she had been pushed into a dark chasm and was constantly falling deeper and deeper. Aurelia’s presence was the lifeline that was keeping her above the surface, and now, without her, she had no more hope.

She curled into bed, allowing her tears to flow freely. But she couldn’t sob. She had no more strength left. She felt completely broken. The events of the evening kept reverting inside her mind, and she found it impossible to find any solace in sleep.

Suddenly, a sharp noise broke the stillness—a stone flew through her window with a startling clatter, dropping down onto the floorboards. Alarmed, Vivianne sat up in bed, her heart racing. She carefully approached the stone, realizing that there was a note attached to it.

The note was neatly folded, its edges slightly crumpled from the impact. With trembling hands, she picked it up and unfolded it.

Viv,

Please let me explain. I know I can’t undo the hurt I caused tonight, but it’s not as it seems. Please, come down by the oak tree in the garden. I’m waiting.

E.

She crumpled the note angrily in her hand. Every fiber of her being wanted to retreat to the safety of her room and ignore the invitation, but a small part of her, a part that still hoped for clarity and reconciliation, urged her to go.

She knew better than to start putting on her robe and trying to find the safest means of leaving the house, without being noticed by anyone. Just to hear what his preposterous explanation is, she told herself. Just that.

Those were her thoughts as she moved quietly through the corridors of the grand house, her heart racing with each soft footfall. She had donned a simple robe over her nightdress, its flowing fabric muffling the sound of her footsteps. The robe’s dark color helped her blend into the shadows of the faintly lit hallways.

As she approached the staircase, she paused, listening intently for any sounds of movement. The house was eerily silent, save for the occasional creak of the wooden floors. She carefully descended the stairs, her movements deliberate and cautious. Each step was measured to avoid any noise that might wake up any slumbering member of her household.

Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Vivianne slipped through the servants’ corridor, where the stone walls were cooler and the lighting dimmer. She moved swiftly yet silently, finally reaching the back door that led to the garden. She paused there again, her breath catching. With a final glance around to ensure she wasn’t being watched, she gently turned the handle.

The door creaked softly as it opened, and Vivianne winced, holding her breath. She listened for any sound of approaching footsteps. One second passed, then two, then three, four. She hastily slipped through the crack, pushing the door open just enough to allow her passage without it making more noise. Once outside, she quietly closed the door behind her, the sound of the latch clicking into place nearly drowned by the gentle rustling of the garden leaves.

In the cool night air, Vivianne avoided the well-trodden paths, instead sticking to the darker, less conspicuous areas where the shadows could conceal her presence. Her eyes stayed focused on the direction of the old oak tree, the place where she hoped to find Edward.

She reached it swiftly, with cautious steps, her breath visible in the night air. The figure standing beneath the tree had his back to her.

“Edward?” she whispered.

The figure turned slowly, revealing the familiar, disconcerting face of Reginald. Vivianne’s heart sank, her eyes widening in shock and confusion. “Reginald?” she said, her voice trembling. “You sent me the note?”

Reginald’s expression was a mix of smug satisfaction and a hint of something darker. “Yes, it was me. I’m afraid Edward won’t be joining us tonight.”

Vivianne took a step back, her mind racing. “Why would you do this? I thought that note was from Edward.”

Reginald’s lips curved into a thin smile. “I thought you might need some… clarity. Edward’s not the only one who can make a grand gesture.”

Vivianne felt nothing but anger and betrayal. “You’ve no right to manipulate me like this. I thought—”

Her voice faltered as she struggled to comprehend the situation. The encounter that had begun with the hope of reconciliation now seemed fraught with deceit. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself.

“What do you want, Reginald?” she asked, her tone firm but weary.

Reginald stepped closer, his gaze fixed on her with an intensity that made her uneasy. “I want you to see the truth. Edward is not the man you think he is. I wanted you to have a chance to reconsider before it’s too late.”

Vivianne shook her head, her heart aching after the night’s events. “I don’t need your interference. If Edward has made mistakes, I need to hear it from him directly. I will not be swayed by your schemes.”

Reginald’s smile faltered, but he quickly masked it with a calm demeanor. “Very well, Vivianne. If you’re determined to make your own choices, so be it. Just remember that this, too, was your choice.”

She frowned in confusion. “What was?”

That was when his demeanor shifted abruptly. With a predatory calm, he reached into his coat pocket and withdrew a handkerchief. Before she could react, he moved swiftly toward her.

Vivianne’s eyes widened in horror as she saw the handkerchief approaching. “Reginald, what—”

The fabric was pressed firmly against her face, and a sharp, chemical scent filled her nostrils. The chloroform quickly began to cloud her senses. She tried to pull away, but the world around her started to spin and blur.

Her struggles grew weaker as her vision darkened. The last thing she saw before slipping into unconsciousness was Reginald’s cold, calculating gaze.