An Affair Without End by Candace Camp

Author:Candace Camp
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Published: 2011-03-21T23:00:00+00:00

Chapter 13

The drive home from Sir Rufus’s estate was as chilly and silent as Vivian had imagined it would be. Vivian’s anger had faded by the following morning, however, and she hoped that Oliver, too, would regret the way they had parted. When that happened, he would doubtless seek her out at some social function and they would be able to apologize to each other and reestablish their rather bumpy relationship. But it was imperative that he seek her out, so there was frustratingly little that Vivian could do except turn up at as many events as she could.

Vivian was resigned to this course, buoyed by her confidence that it would not take Stewkesbury too long to come around, but it presented her with a ticklish situation in regards to her friendship with Eve and Camellia. If she called on them at Stewkesbury House, she might run into Oliver, and he might think she had arranged the visit precisely to run into him. That would never do. However, she needed to take Camellia with her on calls to the various leading ladies of the ton if Vivian was to establish the girl properly. Even more important, Vivian felt sure that Camellia was feeling rather downhearted now that her sister had left on her tour of the Carrs’ various relatives, and it would cheer Cam up to have a little company.

Finally Vivian sat down to pen a note to Eve suggesting that the three of them pay a few visits together the following day. Fortunately, as she was struggling over how to express the idea that Eve and Cam should come to her home to begin their calls without arousing their curiosity as to why she was reluctant to call at Stewkesbury House, the butler entered the room to announce that Miss Bascombe was here and he had put her in the smaller drawing room.

“Oh, dear.” Vivian stood up quickly. Had Camellia walked over here by herself? It would be another black mark against her if anyone found out.

But Grigsby, perspicacious as always, added, “Miss Bascombe was accompanied by her maid.”

Vivian smiled. “Thank you, Grigsby.”

She went lightly down the stairs and into the small drawing room, holding out her hands to Camellia. “Cam! How kind of you to visit me.”

Camellia, who looked, Vivian thought with approval, quite stylish in her sprig muslin dress and green spencer, rose and came forward. “Hello, Vivian. It occurred to me after I got here that I had probably committed some horrid error by coming to see you without an invitation, but at least I remembered to make my maid walk over with me.”

“You are always welcome in my home. You needn’t an invitation. But I am pleased you remembered your maid. And your dress is lovely. Which bonnet did you wear with it?”

“It has a green velvet ribbon.”

“The one we saw in Turlington’s window?”

“Exactly.” Camellia laughed. “How can you remember such things?”

“Oh, my dear, I rarely forget a fetching bonnet.” Vivian led Camellia to the couch and sat down beside her.

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