Gods and Monsters by V.R. Christensen

Author:V.R. Christensen [Christensen, V.R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Captive Press Publishing
Published: 2015-04-06T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter twenty

LAYNIE AWOKE EARLY THE NEXT MORNING to find that Beth was already up. She was sitting in the morning room, hard at work on some piece of sewing. As Laynie drew nearer she recognized it as the gown Beth had initially attempted to persuade her to wear last night.

“You are up very early,” Laynie observed.

“Yes, I suppose I am,” was Beth’s simple answer.

“Can I ask what you are doing with that dress?”

“I’m filling in the neckline. I know how modest you like your gowns to be. It isn’t exactly the same color, but I think it works. What do you think?”

Laynie did not quite understand the impulse behind her sister’s sudden spirit of charity towards her. “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather have the dress for yourself? You know green does not look well on me.”

“It might, though. If it had a wine-colored overlay, don’t you think that would warm the color against your skin? Or perhaps a silk wrap of that color?”

“But we don’t have anything like that, Beth.”

“Then we’ll just have to get you something, won’t we?”

Laynie watched her sister work for a long time.

“What is it?” Beth said, glancing up at her over her needle.

“Aren’t you angry with me?”

“What for?”

“Well, I don’t know,” Laynie answered, afraid to offer any evidence against herself. Beth’s displeasure the evening before had been quite apparent. How was it possible she had forgotten it overnight? “Are you expecting Mr. Emerson today?”

“You know, I’m not certain,” Beth said and offered a weak little smile. “Perhaps. Who knows?”

“I’m sorry I abandoned you last night. I—”

“It’s quite all right. You didn’t feel well. You hadn’t been feeling well all day. I’m not upset with you, Laynie. Really I’m not.” She looked up once more from her work and Laynie had to believe her sentiments were offered sincerely.

Laynie sat down. “How was the rest of the evening?”

“Dull, actually. Papa monopolized the conversation until Mr. Vaughn was bored quite senseless. He left not long after dinner, and Mr. Emerson followed shortly thereafter.”

“And everyone parted on good terms?”

Beth looked at her as if she ought to know better than to ask such a question. “If you want to know, Laynie, I think your retiring early hurt Mr. Emerson’s feelings.”

“That’s a rather ironic idea. I left— That is…one of the reasons I did not want to remain, besides my headache, of course, was because he was being disrespectful. And forgive me for asking, but if he is displeased with something I have said or done, why should you take exception to it?”

“You put him in a dour mood, Laynie. He wasn’t any fun after you left. Neither gentleman was, if you want to know.”

Laynie considered this for a moment. “Do you think I ought to apologize?”

Beth shrugged. “That’s for you to say, I suppose.”

“And he said nothing for certain about returning today.”

“He did not commit to anything, but then I did not ask. Papa assured him he was welcome any time. I’m sure he’ll come, Laynie, don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried for myself, Beth.

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