It wasn’t until he was gone that Mena sank down onto a chair, her legs suddenly too unsteady to stand any longer.
Had she truly kissed Julian Solomon?
As promised, Mari and Robbie arrived that evening to take her to Vauxhall. As they prepared to depart, Mari glanced about the foyer at all the books that had yet to find new homes. “Do I want to know?” she asked.
“A bit of spring cleaning, is all.”
Marigold’s eyebrows lifted. “It’s December.”
Mena shrugged. “I like to get an early start.”
Her daughter merely shook her head, but said no more as they walked down the steps and entered the Daniels’ coach. Mena sat beside Marigold while Robbie sat across from them.
Though Mena tried to keep her voice low, her anticipation was bursting at the seams. “What did the doctor say?”
Mari’s lips twitched before she gave up the fight and smiled fully. “You were right.”
Mena couldn’t keep a laugh from bursting forth as she hugged her daughter.
“I take it she just told you the news,” Robbie noted dryly, although he wore a contented smile of his own.
“It’s wonderful news, to be sure!” Mena exclaimed. She couldn’t have been happier, but even so, a bit of moisture found its way to her eyes. “My baby is having a baby of her own.”
Marigold squeezed her hand. “And you’re going to be an amazing grandmother.”
After a short ride, they were deposited at the Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens with its private dinner boxes and infamous Lover’s Walk, where more than one couple might venture off into the dark to have a midnight rendezvous away from prying eyes. Mena had never been down one of those paths, as she’d always walked the straight line of propriety, but it wasn’t as if she’d never been tempted.
However, such a dark lure was more popular in the spring months when the Season was at its height of activity. As it was, the area was populated, but not as much when it was warmer. However, the overall ambience was just as impressive during the holiday season when it was opened up to the public for a brief time to showcase various talent acts and celebrate the magic of the season. The entire park seemed lit up from within to rival that of the bustling city around them. It never failed to amaze Mena, even though she had passed through the entrance many times.
As Robbie led the way to their private box for a good view of the evening entertainment, Mari pulled Mena back. “Did anything arrive yesterday after I left?”
Mena debated on whether or not to tell her daughter the rather sensual bath she had enjoyed, surrounded by candlelight, but since she was alone, she decided it wouldn’t hurt to tell her. Once she did, Mari’s eyes widened. “This may turn out to be more than just a secret admirer. I think this man truly cares for you. Are you sure you don’t know who it could be?”
Again, Mena thought of Julian, but discounted him immediately. “No, but I think I’m going to try to put together a list—”
“Perfect!” Marigold said excitedly. “This weekend is the Norrington Ball. We should be able to gather several names—”
Mena cut her off. “We?”
Mari rolled her eyes. “Naturally. As your daughter, I have to approve of anyone who wishes to court my mother.”
Now it was Mena’s turn to scoff, although she didn’t say anything as they took their seats.
It wasn’t until Mari’s query registered in her mind, that Mena realized she hadn’t yet received a gift for that day. Maybe the excitement from her prospective suitor had already worn off…
About that time, a group of gypsy women appeared from a tent across the gardens. Mena thought it was the beginning of the entertainment to come, but when they steadily drew closer with their colorful scarves and half-hidden faces, she began to suspect that this was a private performance.
Nine ladies dancing.
A few murmurs rippled throughout the crowd, and indeed the women were rather sensual with their hip movements. They had bells on their fingers that they chimed in accordance with their gyrations. If Mena could think of one word that might describe their motions, it rather mimicked the act of lovemaking.
Suddenly, Mena felt as if the temperature in the box had risen, but more so when one of the women leaned forward and held a card out between her painted nails. “For you, my lady,” she whispered, before they all slowly faded away.
“That was rather…interesting,” Robbie murmured. Both his wife and his mother-in-law ignored him.
“What does it say?” Mari practically squealed.
Mena opened the card, anticipation humming through her entire body.
Eight days remain.
I want to make sure this is a Christmas to remember.
Forever yours.
Marigold sat back in her chair, a dumbfounded look on her face. “Oh, my.”
Mena didn’t say a word.
Day 5
There were some who believed that a person’s entire life could flash before someone in the blink of an eye when one died, but what about when the person yet lived? After being treated to such an erotic display the night before, followed by a rather awkward silence from her daughter on the carriage ride home some time afterward, Mena began to think of her life and everything that had led up to that point. Now, as she turned her attentions toward cleaning the attic, her current circumstances had her frowning.
It baffled her that anyone could be so forward with their intentions. She had never been one to inspire ballads, but now she was the object of some sort of bold fascination. While it had been flattering at first, as the days drew closer, she began to wonder if she was setting herself up for heartbreak. Or worse. Even a lark would be better than some crazed libertine who believed that he might be in love with her.
