– She's in her chambers, sir.
– Very well. Show me to her," Anthony ordered. – I'm her cousin, so she needs no introductions or cards from me.
– If you say so, sir. Please follow me. – The butler walked slowly towards the staircase leading to the first floor.
Anthony, terribly intrigued and expecting to surprise his cousin by his unexpected appearance, followed him.
When the men reached the door of Mrs. Wington's chamber, the butler was about to knock and ask her if she wished to see the guest, but Anthony beat him to it, and, without knocking, opened the door and entered the room.
– Here is our young beauty, Mrs. Wington! – he said cheerfully, appearing in the reflection of the mirror of the dressing-table at which Vivian was sitting.
– Anthony? – Vivian whispered incredulously and turned round to her guest. – Anthony! You're here! My God, I'm so glad to see you! – She shrieked, and rising from the pouffe, threw herself into her cousin's arms. – You may be free! – she hurriedly threw to the butler, who immediately closed the doors.
– You are back! But how is little Kitty? She is better, I hope? – she asked anxiously, pulling away from Anthony.
– Oh, she's getting stronger every day," smiled Anthony. – And you are still just as beautiful… – Suddenly his warm, full of happiness look was replaced by incomprehension, and between his eyebrows there was a deep wrinkle. He grabbed his cousin's naked wrists, where small marks were clearly blue, and then looked closely at the same marks on her white neck.
– What's that? – Anthony asked. Though he spoke softly, the tone of his voice was insistent.
Vivian chuckled bitterly, pulled herself free from her cousin's grasp, and hastened to cover her neck with the palm of her hand, but it did little good.
– It is my payment for my wealth," she said in a perfectly calm tone, but she was anxious to hide the bruises under the light scarf which she now wore every day and only took off when she was in her chambers.
Her cousin's sudden visit had taken her by surprise, and she was terribly sorry that he had seen the marks of her humiliation left on her soft skin by Jeremy. She wasn't looking for self-pity, nor did she want to justify herself to Anthony. Accepting Jeremy Wington's proposal had been her conscious choice, even though she'd heard what gossip there was about him in society. Knew and became his wife. Voluntarily. For money and status.
Jeremy had brought Vivian both money and status, but had taken Life itself from her. But that was her secret, which she guarded like a bird protects its nest.
– I thought I could change him, but I was wrong," Vivian said to her cousin, wrapping a soft silk scarf around her neck. – That's all. I'm sorry you saw me like this.
– What is he doing to you? – Anthony asked in a fierce tone, rage boiling up in his soul. – Does he beat you?
– Beats me? God forbid, Anthony, what do you take me for? Would I let him hit me? – Vivian rolled her eyes playfully. She picked up a woollen shawl from the bed and wrapped herself in it: her wrists were now safely hidden from view.
Vivian played the part of an indifferent stone. She was not, alas, a rock, but a beautiful rose in a greenhouse that was too hot for her. And though this rose had thorns, the owner of the greenhouse had managed to blunt them and scorch the bright delicate petals of his precious flower. But Vivian was too proud to complain about the mental and physical suffering, and to question her own choices.
