The Letter (26 page)

How can I tell you of William? What is a dream made into a man’s flesh? I will tell you what it is, it is him.

William is a good man, Mandy. He has strength and intelligence, he is funny, he is arrogant — he is so many things. I do not understand the other part of him, the part of him that lives in another world of privilege, but it doesn’t seem to come between us…most of the time.

He is kind to me, and what we share is something that I haven’t the words to describe. Even though he will give me any material thing I ever want, I know that he will never give me the one thing I long for most of all, his love.

My only true regret in all of this is that someday I will leave here and I will never see him again. That is what made consenting to this arrangement such an easy choice. For you see, I could never marry another man after knowing him.

I am not sure when I will be home again, probably in a few months time, for soon William, who is engaged, will wed his bride. He has not shared with me the exact date.

Until then, I send you and Johnny all of my love.

Love Always,

Victoria

Sealing the envelope, Victoria put the letter aside to have posted later.

At noon the post came, and to her utter surprise, there was an invitation for her to attend a fundraising ball, a formal affair, no less. She wondered how, or why, this invitation was delivered to her.

“
Will’s secretary send invitation to you,” Kim Su said knowingly. “He wants you to come.”

Bewildered that he had not discussed this with her, Victoria reread the invitation several times. Excitement built inside of her each time she read it. It was indeed addressed to her, so perhaps she would go.

“
I guess he wants me to attend unescorted…but everyone will know won’t they?” Victoria said, her heart wilting at the thought.

“
He want to show you off…that is what men are doing all the time…they show off mistress to everyone…stupid men. But means he very proud of you.”

“
Well, I suppose I always did want to be a little bit scandalous in my life…it isn’t as if I am going to wallow in my own shame, I won’t. Besides, it sounds like a lot of fun doesn’t it?”

“
Yes very fun, and you don’t have to be escorted by pesky men, you do what you want if you are mistress…no small talk…no polite talking…dressing how you want…just do what you want, I like that.”

“
Really? Kim Su, you mean I have liberty that other women don’t have?”

“
Of course, mistress not live by rules, I think better than wife.”

“
That is a very interesting thought.”

The idea of not living by rules was quite appealing, quite appealing indeed.

“
What should I wear Kim Su? What would he think I would look good wearing?”

“
Red.”

“
Red?”

“
Men go crazy over red on woman. You beautiful in red…Boss go crazy right in the ball room.”

“
Then let us go get a red dress to make him go crazy,” Victoria laughed.

“
This sound fun,” Kim Su laughed, untying her apron. “You want to knock your man off his feet? You already knock man off his feet.”

“
Maybe Boss eat you up right in the ballroom.”

The two women giggled.

*****

Cursing mentally for the hundredth time that week, William put his pen aside. He had tried to find an opportunity to go see Victoria for days. But there had been utter chaos when he returned from the vineyards.

Several deals had gone through quicker than expected, there had been an attempted robbery at the bank, and last, but not least, he had been forced to deal with Faith, who wanted to see him every night since his return. He was perplexed at her petulant response to him taking a trip to the vineyards without inviting her and her parents.

Faith didn’t even like the vineyards or the “rustic” living she endured when she went there. She complained every time he went, but she wouldn’t go herself. Women were never happy, he concluded.

Well, not all women. Victoria had enjoyed the vineyards, almost as much as he did, in fact.

To his immense pleasure, she had been fascinated by the wine-making process. She had even had a few ideas of her own. She had actually suggested to him that he could change the position of the grapes as he planted them to arrive at a different taste in the fruit. A keen mind she had. If only all women were as intelligent as Victoria.

He wondered if she would like the diamond teardrop necklace he bought for her as a reward for giving him such a fulfilling weekend. Of course, he couldn’t present the necklace to her with those words, lest she throw the gift back in his face. He would have to use a little more tact and finesse.

Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be able to see her for a few more days. He had several engagements to attend with Faith. Perhaps it was better. She had become an obsession. The last thing a man needed was to be obsessed with his mistress.

Faith breezed into his office without a knock. “William! Your mother wanted to be sure that we were going to attend the fundraising ball this week?”

William smiled at his beautiful fiancé, wondering why; despite her delicate beauty and poise, she didn’t move him to passion as Victoria did. In fact, Faith didn’t move him at all. Perhaps in time.

Better that way anyhow. The only thing worse than being obsessed with his mistress was to be obsessed with his wife.

“
Of course, why is she so concerned? We go every year and she has asked me twice if we plan to attend,” William said as Faith gracefully sank into the chair opposite his desk and smiled a dazzling smile.

“
Well, she said only everybody will be there, just
everybody
.”

1
CHAPTER 22

Dressed in gleaming red satin and trimmed in velvet, Victoria turned every head in the shimmering ballroom as she floated through the gilded, double doors that were swung wide to welcome the endless stream of guests pouring through.

She was alone, already an intriguing story….but dressed as she was, in a gown that invoked thoughts of deep passion, while elegant enough to pass through the doorway of the charity ball, she was even more riveting.

Kim Su had swept her hair up and secured it with sparkling hair pins that left her silky waves cascading down her back.

Despite that he was unlikely to publically greet her, Victoria’s heart raced in anticipation and excitement as she scanned the room in search of William. It would be enough to see him in this magical setting.

Kim Su had said this was an extravagant yearly affair where all the wealthy aristocrats gathered for a charity benefit. Because she was an unknown and would be considered a social pariah, Victoria was surprised when she reached the bottom of the expansive, sweeping staircase and was greeted immediately by one of the hostesses of the charity ball.

“
Welcome,” the woman smiled in a cold polite fashion taking Victoria’s hand into her chilly grasp. “I am Mrs. Alexander Greer.”

“
Thank you. I am Victoria Riley,” Victoria answered smiling into Mrs. Greer’s ice-blue eyes. Victoria’s chin came up under the woman’s frosty measuring survey.

Despite her bravado, Victoria’s heart beat wildly while she was descended upon by several more people who introduced themselves while scrutinizing her.

For a while small-talk prevailed with a polite pelting of personal questions directed at Victoria. She had her answers well rehearsed for several days before the event and easily deflected the questions.

“
Where are you from Miss Riley?” one matron, named Annabel Hazelwood asked while her tiny, moss-colored eyes roved over Victoria’s gown assessing its quality.

“
My family is from Fort Worth, Texas,” Victoria answered, smiling with practiced airs. “I am only here for a short business visit for my father, who was too ill to travel.”

“
A business woman, hum,” came the disapproving reply from the widowed Ms. Hazelwood. “How very interesting….” Victoria smiled at her own boldness. She was a business woman alright…the likes of which would shock the very curl out of every one of those biddies’ well-groomed hair fashions!

As the conversation moved around, Victoria relaxed into her role. Her gown and manners had satisfied the crowd for the moment, even if she had admitted to dabbling in her father’s business.

When her initial novelty faded, many of the women moved away to their familiar circles to discuss Victoria and decide if this commoner who had obviously been invited for entertainment was worth knowing.

Several men remained to talk and stare at her with open admiration. As she made small talk with the well-arranged gentlemen, Victoria discreetly scanned the room in search of William certain that if he was there she would have seen him by now.

Hearing a commotion by the door, Victoria turned to view of the entrance while politely bantering in conversation that required little attention with the gentlemen surrounding her.

Her heart lurched to a stop and she was overcome with ridiculous shyness when her eye found William towering at the top of the staircase as if her thoughts had conjured him.

Quickly, she faded back into the throng, murmuring her apologies to her fast- formed admirers. She deftly migrated toward a potted plant in a dimly lit corner where she could openly follow William’s progress down the stairs without witnesses.

But dear gracious!

He was so absolutely handsome and politesse in his black tails with a charcoal vest, black trousers and a shimmering cape draping off of his broad shoulders. Every inch of him, from his shiny black top hat to his polished shoes fulfilled the image of the aristocrat that he was. She covered her heart with her fist in reaction to the impact of his visage.

Victoria’s heart squeezed when he removed his hat and cape and handed them to the attendant by the door. She unclenched her fist and her trembling fingers smoothed non-existent creases from her gown.

Here, he was in his element…smiling his casual sensual smile that summoned the pack that pressed toward him when he reached the bottom of the stairs. He gave back the words of greeting and handshakes were eagerly given.

Here, he was king.

And on his arm was the most beautiful creature Victoria had ever seen.

Seeing his fiancé cut sudden and deep. Her heart plummeted to the ground.

Golden hair, dressed in a powder blue gown, trimmed in delicate lace, the girl was a perfect beautiful doll.

Desperately attempting to swallow the painful lump in her throat, Victoria followed the shining couple’s progress as they moved through the crowd together with accustomed steps. William smiled down and touched Faith in a familiar loving manner elegantly plying all the gestures of a man soon to be married to the woman he adored.

Bile rose up in Victoria’s throat and waves of bitter pain sliced through her heart. Why would William invite her to the ball to witness him with his beautiful fiancé?

What a cruel game he played. Or was it some perverse sexual stimulant?

A rage sizzled away the hurt.

Damn him! How could he make love to her the way he did.....
then
go about with this woman as if the sun rose and set on her? And make Victoria stand witness no less.

Of course, he had never tried to deceive her about her role. It was clear from the start that she was a toy…an object of lust …a vehicle to slake his needs. When she made a deal with the devil, she could expect no less.

Rage seethed, racing against pain.

She didn’t want him anyway. She only wanted the store, and to be with Mandy and Johnny.

So if all that were true, why then did her heart feel jagged as if it had been cut with a broken piece of glass?

Worse still, here she was like a school girl — hurt for the first time. And like an idiot she was hiding behind a potted plant.

Victoria Riley wouldn’t let herself wallow in sorrow and hide behind the potted plant all evening!

Finding her pride, she made a liberating step away from the potted plant.

Boldly, she glided back into the ballroom, her strides slow, deliberate and sensual. Instantly she was pulled into another group of men interested in the exotic, unescorted woman dressed in red.

***

Across the room, William scanned the crowded ballroom with detached interest anticipating another tedious evening.

He wondered idly what Victoria was doing at this moment. Perhaps she and Kim Sue were pursuing some culinary delight. Or embarking on some home improvement project Victoria insisted on doing rather than just allowing him to hire someone to do it for her.

His eye hit the object of his thoughts in the form of a vision beyond his wildest dreams stopping his heart. Dressed as she was, Victoria was more ravishing than he had ever imagined.

Victoria?

At the ball?

Looking stunning.

In red.