Wingless Bird

The night passed, the morning came, and with it an early breakfast, and with every hour Miss Cowell grew more anxious: what if the dresses were never delivered? It would be a tragedy, for the reception at Lady Marlborough's, which was to change Vivian's life dramatically, would be today!

The evening drew nearer, but the dresses were still missing. At luncheon, Vivian, full of grief, could no longer cope with her emotions, and she had no appetite at all.

Her condition did not escape her aunt's notice, and she asked her what was the cause of her nervous jerky movements, silence, and sad eyes.

– I am very sorry you have noticed my grief, dear aunt. The dresses that were to have been delivered last night have not arrived, and I have not a single dress worthy of my debut," Vivian confessed frankly, hoping that her aunt would help her to find a way out of this unpleasant situation.

– How unfortunate. But, my dear, your blue dress suits you very well and looks quite elegant," Lady Cranford tried to comfort her.

– No, no, not at all! How can I appear in it among guests who will be dressed in splendid gowns and suits? No, auntie, I am afraid if I go to Lady Marlborough's party dressed like that, I shall be mocked, and no honourable gentleman will even look in my direction. – Vivian sighed sadly, and flung up her hands: "Oh, auntie, what am I to do?

Lady Cranford wondered if perhaps she could lend her niece one of her new dresses that had never been worn.

– I have some brand new dresses that were delivered to me a couple of days ago, but I'm afraid they won't fit you, as they are made to my figure and height. Besides, as you may have noticed, I am still in mourning for my deceased husband, and all my clothes are black," she said, and, wishing to comfort her niece, for whom she was begi

Vivian, who had not expected such a friendly gesture from her strict aunt, smiled gratefully at her and squeezed her palm tightly.

– Shall we send one of our footmen to the atelier? What if your order is ready, but for some reason it was forgotten to be delivered? – The Countess suddenly suggested: she knew well how many orders every atelier serving the families of London's high society had. – At which atelier were your dresses ordered?

– Mrs.Davidson's atelier," Vivian answered readily.

– My dear, Mrs.Davidson's is one of the most sought-after ateliers in London and caters for half of all the noble families in London, including our own. There have been a couple of occasions when our orders have been sent to the wrong address and we have received orders from other families. I'm sure your dresses have been delivered by mistake to someone else. – Lady Cranford immediately summoned her breakfast footman and ordered him to go to Mrs.Davidson's studio to find out what fate had befallen Vivian's dresses. Then she turned to her niece again: "My dear, don't be afraid to trouble me if you have any difficulties.

– I thank you, auntie. And how can I ever thank you for your care? – Vivian replied softly, but she was full of wonder: why had her aunt suddenly become so kind to her? Was this some kind of game? A pretence? Should she be trusted? – Oh, I only just noticed that breakfast was without your son!

– Anthony is not feeling well. – The Countess raised her beautiful eyebrows slightly: her son had drunk too much red wine at di

"He drinks too much!" – she thought, but did not dare to share her anxiety with her niece, for they still knew so little of each other.

Ever since the meal at which Anthony had so awkwardly insulted his cousin, the two had hardly spoken to each other, and, exchanging a polite "Good morning," had passed each other in silence. But the heart of the mistress of Greenhall rejoiced at this circumstance.

– I hope he will soon feel better. We are going to the Duchess of Marlborough's this evening, and he must not miss it, for this ball is a wonderful chance to make new acquaintances and use his charms. Many pretty daughters of wealthy families have made their debut this season, which will bring a good dowry to the future spouse. Anthony must not miss his chance," said Lady Cranford.

– In your opinion, dear aunt, what should he expect? You must remember the sermon he preached to me about Mademoiselle de Croix and her ambition to win the Duke of Nightingale's heart and marry him. – Vivian asked, wanting to know what plans her aunt had for her son.

– As you know, Anthony is my youngest son, which means that when his father died, he inherited only a small share of the vast fortune that my eldest son Richard received. According to my deceased husband's will, Anthony receives a certain, rather decent sum each month, but compared to what his own brother receives, it is a pittance. I feel guilty towards my boy for not being able to leave him my funds… The heartless laws of England forbid me to bequeath my entire fortune to him, so all my money and this house will go to the already rich Richard. Fortunately, Anthony is well aware of his situation and is willing to do his best to marry well and secure a secure future for himself. However, like you, he does not dare to think about marriage with girls above him and much richer than him, because he is not the most prestigious groom in England. Alas! – The Countess wrinkled her nose and shook her head.

Only now Vivan realised how much Aunt Beatrice loved her son, and what an unenviable position in high society her cousin occupied. She thought: Anthony must have found his position as the youngest son much more burdensome than even her own, the daughter of a poor provincial nobleman. She had grown up in a modest mansion with a small garden, while Anthony had been surrounded from birth by the outrageous luxuries he would have to give up, for his chances of getting the daughter of an earl, or even a viscount, into his net were as slim as those of a beautiful Frenchwoman marrying the Duke of Nightingale.

– I'm so sorry. Anthony is a wonderful caring man and a true gentleman… I hope he marries very well and never knows what need is," Vivian said quietly to her aunt, and she raised her eyebrows in surprise at such high praise for her son.

"What if they are secret lovers, and their quarrel is a mere game, plotted by them to deaden my doubts, anxieties, and correct guesses as to their true feelings? How could I see if it was true? – suddenly flashed through Lady Cranford's mind, and the sprouts of distrust of her niece rose again in her soul. – Or am I deeply mistaken? After all, Vivian clearly wishes to make a good match, and my son is a poor candidate. And he realises how poor Vivian is. Besides, as she grows older, her beauty will fade and her poverty will not disappear. "No, no, my Anthony is a clever boy and knows how important it is for him to decide with his head and not his heart."

– But, darling, you shouldn't fly under the radar and expect to be proposed to by a titled and very rich man either. Your chances of such a marriage, if you take a sober view of the situation, are even less than Anthony's," said the Countess, in the tone of an abbess.

"Oh, auntie, you don't know me at all! You may order your son about, but I will pursue my purpose, and you will soon realise how you have underestimated your poor niece!" – With a sneer in her soul, thought Vivian to herself.

– 'You are right, of course, aunt,' she said aloud. – But would you like to take a walk in the garden? I can't get enough of your beautiful flowers.

Lady Cranford did not need to be asked twice, and hand in hand they went into the garden to enjoy the colours of summer on this rather cold but exciting day.