Gilded Summers by Donna Russo Morin

Author:Donna Russo Morin [Morin, Donna Russo]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Next Chapter
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

GINEVRA

From the hidden corners of The Beeches, I watched her sail into the room. My eyes closed as I heard the gasp of wonder over her gown, my sigh released my held breath. It was as if the clock had already struck midnight and it was already my birthday and not hers.

This small group of Pearl's friends gave her the gift of their company and their genuine well wishes. She whirled from one to the other, chatting and laughing, and beaming.

I watched her dance many a dance, most often with just two men. One I recognized as the charming man that had called me beautiful at Gravel Court. In my mind that was his name, The-Man-Who-Called-Me-Beautiful. When they danced, I watched him more than her. Before these men, her face changed, a similar change, one of blooming cheeks and sparkling smiles.

It was as it should have been, a night that belonged to Pearl and her alone, no matter how often her mother pushed herself into the center of the room, she could not achieve the center of attention. That belonged to her daughter. Mrs. Worthington's face showed pleasure and displeasure in equal amounts. I understood; it was an understanding that frightened me.

Yes, Pearl owned the night. It should have been a night of nothing but delights, but there it was again, the bitter stab of jealousy. This night it bore two names. I envied those young women, envied their freedom and their beauty, their dresses and their jewels. And I envied them Pearl. She should belong to me and no one else.

I walked away then, fairly certain the dress wouldn't need me. I knew she didn't. I could not watch any longer.

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