Виктория Холт - Lord of the Far Island

I was in a whirl. I caught a glimpse of myself in one of the mirrors. My cheeks were flushed, my eyes brilliant. I decided that the black gown was not so unbecoming after all.

Then Mr. Carrington asked me to dance with him and I did. I found him courteous and charming. We talked about the play we had seen together and I sat out with him afterwards. It was not long before Philip joined us.

"She's said yes, Father," he told Mr. Carrington.

Mr. Carrington nodded, smiling. He took my hand and pressed it. "I am very happy," he said. "You seem to me a remarkable young woman."

"We'll announce it at supper," said Philip. "You can do it, Father. Better not let Mother. She'll forget who's to be the bride and before I know where I am I'll be partnered off with someone most unsuitable."

Philip and I danced together. It was the waltz and our steps fitted perfectly. Had we not gone to dancing classes together?

"Your Cousin Agatha is glaring like a gorgon," he informed me.

"Let her," I answered. "That particular gorgon has now no power to turn me to stone nor even into a governess."

"Ellen, I fancy you're rather pleased with life."

"I know just how Cinderella felt when she went to the ball."

"I must make a delightful Prince Charming."

"He rescued her from the ashes. You've rescued me from Cousin Agatha and the Honorable Mrs. Oman Lemming, who are far more deadly."

"Remember it, Ellen. I shall remind you over the next fifty years."

"And after that?"

"I shall have brought you to such a state of gratitude that you will never need to be reminded. That'll take care of the next twenty years."

"How odd to think of us... old."

"A fate to which we all must come, even my divine Ellen."

"Oh, Philip, I'm happy. Life is going to be so... amusing, isn't it?"

"Just imagine us together with no Nanny Grange hovering to observe decorum and silly little Esmeralda trailing on."

"Don't be unkind to Esmeralda. You're fond of her really, and she is very dear to me. Don't forget she's lost a bridegroom tonight."

"They couldn't have been serious about that."

"Why not? They wanted her married. Your parents evidently wanted you married. Two families governed by financial wizards! What could be better than a merger? And you have spoilt it all by preferring the Poor Relation."

"You're the one who's spoilt it. Who could look at Esmeralda with you around?"

When the waltz was over he took me to my seat and Philip talked about the future, but I was too absorbed in the glorious present to think very much about it. And when we went in to supper, Mr. Carrington made the announcement to the company. He said how pleased he was to tell them all that this was a very special occasion for his family because his son Philip had confided in him that he had asked for the hand of a young lady who had promised to be his wife. He wanted everyone to drink to the health and future happiness of Miss Ellen Kellaway and his son Philip.

What a hush there was in the dining room, where the great table was so expertly dressed by Wilton and his minions, laden with cold salmon, meats of all descriptions, salads and desserts, and the black-gowned white-capped-and-aproned staff stood at intervals like sentries waiting to serve. All eyes were on me. I knew that some of the stern dowagers were thinking: But it was to be Esmeralda, and if not Esmeralda, were not their own daughters far more eligible than Agatha Loring's Poor Relation?

And there was I in my simple black gown made beautiful by Philip's orchid, just as I was made attractive because I was the chosen one. I knew my eyes were shining, my cheeks faintly flushed; and I sensed that Philip was proud of me. He gripped my hand firmly. Yes, I was happy as I had rarely been. It was a miracle. Mrs. Oman Lemming faded away as a nightmare does by day. She and her establishment were just an evil dream. No more humiliation. It was ironical. I, the despised, was to be one of the Carringtons. And there was Philip beside me, metaphorically fitting the glass slipper on my foot and proclaiming me as the one he had chosen.

Lady Emily wafted up to me and kissed me on the ear. I think she had meant it to be my cheek but she always missed the point; then Mr. Carrington took my hand and kissed it and his smile was warm and welcoming. Esmeralda came up and threw her arms about me. Dear Esmeralda! Even though she had not wanted to marry Philip she might have felt a little piqued to be passed over. Not she! She could see that I was happy, and she was contented too.

Philip and I sat together with his parents. Cousin Agatha and Cousin William Loring eventually joined us with Esmeralda. It was a kind of ritual—the two families together to celebrate the happy event. Cousin Agatha tried bravely to hide the fury in her heart and I had to admit she contrived to do so very well. But when I met her gaze once it was quite venomous.

Mr. Carrington said he thought there should be no unnecessary delay. Once two people had made up their minds and there was no reason why they should hesitate, they should marry.

When I said good night to Philip he said he would call next day. We had so many plans to make and he agreed with his father that there should be no delay.

I went to my room. I took off my serviceable ball gown. I would always keep it, I promised myself, even when I had magnificent Carrington ball gowns. I laughed to myself remembering the awe in which this household had always held that name. And now it was to be mine.

While combing my hair the door opened and Cousin Agatha came in. She was breathing deeply and was clearly holding her emotions in check.

She looked magnificent in her way—massive bosom heaving and her jewels glittering. She ought to have had a bowl of poison in one hand, a dagger in the other, and asked me to choose. It was her eyes which were daggers; her voice from which the poison dripped.

"Well," she said, "you have made a fine fool of us all."

I was in my petticoats, my hair about my shoulders.

"I?" I cried. I could not resist adding a little maliciously: "Why, I thought you would be pleased. It gets me off your hands!"

"You have suddenly grown innocent. I will admit you have done very well for yourself. You must have known all this time, and poor Esmeralda has been thinking that it would be her wedding which would be announced."

"I don't think she is disappointed."

"Ingratitude! Not that you have ever shown anything else. From the moment you entered this house you caused trouble. You are wicked and I am sorry for the Carringtons."

Why did I always want to incense her even further than I already had? But I did, and now I felt secure. I thought, I'll tell Philip about this. And then I was exultant because in the future I would have him to share things with. And I knew for the first time how very alone I had felt before.

"You have always led me to believe that the Carringtons are the most important family in London," I said. "I scarcely think they will want your pity."

"They do not seem to realize the... the ..."

"Viper you have been nursing in your bosom?" I suggested, rather insolently I'm afraid, but I was intoxicated with my success.

"Pray do not try me too far. You have betrayed our trust in you."

"I know such a marriage was not what you intended for me," I said. "And to be governess for the Oman Lemming children was not what I wanted for myself. Fate has intervened, and has raised me from the status of Poor Relation, which I can assure you, Cousin Agatha, has sometimes been hard to bear."

"When I think of all I did for you ... I took you into my home... ."

"Because you made a solemn promise to my grandmother."

"Because you were of the family."

"Though the connection was not strong," I added.