A Proper Young Lady (24 page)

“The children are mine.”

“No, Danièle. They’re not. The clinic made a mistake with the sperm.” She hands me a letter from Uncle Randy to my father. “You and Ethan decided to let Miss Fairbairn put the children up for adoption. Randolph will make certain they go to a good home.”

I’m sure he will.
A quick scan of my uncle’s letter proves nothing. Nothing. Except they’ll all disown me if I follow my heart. I tear up the letter—a childish act of defiance—and drop the shreds on the table. 

Unable to bear more, I wheel myself down the hallway to the elevator. Melanie steps out when the doors open. Her desolate eyes stare past me as she walks by. The doors close with her on the other side, cut off from me forever.
My life’s over.
 

Melanie

Azure blue reflects in the garden pond. Not a ripple disturbs the calm serenity of another January afternoon. Cooper perches on the bench in the shade of the old walnut tree. Beside him Dani’s pale form—like some marble statue—slumps in her wheelchair. 

I turn my face away from the girl’s forlorn eyes, unable to bear her suffering.

Even my old teddy bear refuses a smile for the sunny day. Storm clouds darken her eyes, a reflection of the despair in my own soul. I grab her and hold her tight.

Mrs. Welles taps on the door frame, walks into my room, and settles on the edge of my bed. “In some ways, you’re more mature than my own daughter, you know. You grieve the loss of your dreams, but you’ll recover and move on with life. You place duty above desire.”

Recover? Ain’t gonna happen.
“If you say so.” 

“I’m planning a soirée for Danièle’s twenty-first birthday. I’m hoping that will give you and her both some closure.”

“Tuxes and fancy dresses?”

“Yes. I have a vintage gown that is rather frail now, but I think you’ll like it. Ms. Franklin will alter the dress for you. She’s waiting downstairs.”

“Now?”

“Yes, love. Now.” On her way out, she pauses in the doorway. “Please. It might cheer up Danièle.

The woman has always been polite enough, but she usually assumes my obedience. That she asks surprises me. I stand and follow her.

One of those fancy dress forms wears the antique gown. I bite my lower lip hard when I see it. The pink velvet fabric has faded till it seems almost white. A fur-trimmed cape rests on lace sleeves and a bodice worked with beads. Perfect for a winter wonderland Cinderella. “You can make that thing fit me?” Almost seven months pregnant, I’m not exactly princess shaped.

“Yes. With a few alterations...”

Way cool.

Danièle

Swollen grey clouds rumble low across the afternoon sky. Winter’s chill whistles through the treetops. Here and there an errant snowflake swirls to the still-warm ground. Jake rocks the wheelchair back, lifting its front wheels clear of the gaps between slate tiles. “You sure ‘bout this, Miss Danièle?”

“I’ll be fine, Jake. Check on me in an hour if you’re that concerned. All right?”

The old gentleman stares at me in uncertainty, then dips his head and walks off toward the house. Through the dormant maiden grass, past barren shrubs, and back up the trail around the pond.

I open the thermos and sip at my tea. Well, more Irish cream than Darjeeling, actually. But hot and sweet and full of caffeine.

Shattered memories drift at the edge of my vision, taunting me. The truth lies close at hand, hidden in the shadows of recent trauma.

Melanie sits in her bedroom window, staring down at the garden. Perhaps at me.
I hope your heart doesn’t ache as much as mine.
 

Did I abandon my love when Ethan sent her away? I remember not. I’ve lost November and parts of December to the void.
We were so happy together. What have I done that you reject me now?
 

Mrs. Fairbairn’s stern gaze flashes by. Did I anger her as well? My heart thumps up into my throat. She’s been through chemo again.
I must have gone to Atlanta.
 

Another bit of memory, more felt than seen, flickers through my senses—Melanie’s hot tears running down my shoulder. Her body pressed against mine. And a silver heart.
She was wearing Daniel’s heart in the hospital. I must have returned the locket to her. Which means I renewed my promise.
 

I slip my new phone out of my coat pocket. The old one was never recovered. And for some reason, the text message history disappeared along with my memory.

Melanie’s mother won’t be in my contacts, but I step through them anyway. And find a home number for Melanie, with an Atlanta area code.
I don’t remember that being there.
My gut clenches in fear, but I press connect. 

“Danièle?” Melanie’s sister answers, sounding none too happy.

“Yes.”

“What do you want?” she says, her voice colder than darkest winter.

“May I speak with your mother, please?”

Seconds pass in tense silence before she agrees.

“What can I do for you, Danièle?”

“Mrs. Fairbairn, I remember very little from the time Melanie left Victoria Springs until I woke up in a hospital bed. I was hoping you’d fill in some of the gaps.”

“They say true love never forgets. Why should I help you?”

Touché
. “Your daughter’s my life.” 

“So I’ve heard. Yet you—or at least your family—break her heart at every turn.” 

The wind changes direction, announcing a winter storm. A drop splatters against my hand. More on my lap. Waves race across the pond. “I don’t know what to do.”

“Where’s your heart, child?”

“With Melanie and our babies—whosever they are.” 

“Whosever? Did you lose the papers I gave you?”

“Papers?”

“The ones from Dr. Pierson. In an envelope that says 12VAC5-something on it.”

Memory hits with such force that I flinch. I know where to look for an answer now. “Thank you, Mrs. Fairbairn.” I slide the phone back into my pocket and begin wheeling myself toward the manor. Inside, I find my way to Jake’s office.

He stands to greet me. “What do you need, Miss Danièle?”

“I’m looking for my personal effects from school.”

“Your mother asked me to shelve your books in the den. And I think Miss Melanie returned your clothes to your room.” He studies me for a moment, his face thoughtful. Then a bit apologetic. “I forgot about your briefcase.” He rises from his desk and retrieves my portfolio from the supplies closet.

The only unusual paperwork I find in my case is a Department of Motor Vehicles Form DL 17 signed by Dr. Pierson, stating that my gender is female. Rather pointless, that.

“Miss Danièle, I’ve been holdin’ your mail.” Jake pulls a bundle of envelopes from his desk and hands them to me.

I accept that faint hope from his steady hand and thumb through the pile. Someone opened my Visa bill and marked it paid. I stick it into my pocket. Most of the rest are advertisements I drop into Jake’s trash can.

One remains—Virginia Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. My hands tremble as I worry it open to find two sheets of paper. An affidavit signed by Dr. Pierson—proof the children are mine. And a birth certificate for Dànaidh Ailean Welles. 

I grin at Jake’s uncertain face. “You just saved my life.” I make my way down the hallway to the elevator using my wheelchair, but do a happy dance as soon as the door closes.
Now to plan our future.
 

Chapter 28

Melanie

Man, is he good, or what?
Cooper rocks his navy blue tuxedo, like the country’s honor depends on his dance moves. The guy’s lead leaves no doubt where my next step should go—and yet I have to concentrate to even notice his gentle pressure against my side or my hand. 

The Marine pauses between sets and offers Dani a turn. The girl paired up with her father once, earlier in the evening, but she gives Cooper a polite shake of her head and sends him back to me.

Grace and Brent drove all the way from Richmond. Dani’s old roomie dances a few times with the Marine while I sway to the beat in the arms of her boyfriend. But Cooper and I are definitely the best dancers there.

Dani wears braided extensions in her hair. Tortoise shell combs hold the white-blonde tresses in an up-swept style, like some ice princess on a formal visit. Her long gown sparkles in the dim light. She’s always been more into glamor than my barefoot and blue jean ways. And yet, the proper young lady’s the father of my children. Whatever Mrs. Welles says, my heart—and my babies—know the truth. 

Every time my gaze meets Dani’s, love and true happiness flow from her eyes. And vindication. The composure of a princess has driven all uncertainty from the girl’s face. Everybody else might be wearing their formal best—even Jake—but Dani owns the night. Maybe the girl remembered her love for Ethan and settled back into her role as his fiancée. 

That’s what we all want. Isn’t it?
So why do I feel like puking?
 

At ten o’clock, Grace hugs Dani and me farewell. She and Brent have classes early in the morning. Mr. and Mrs. Welles drift away shortly thereafter. Just Dani and me and Cooper remain.

The Marine pulls me closer as the music slows. My weary head falls against his shoulder. A year earlier, I would have danced till sunrise. With the twins, midnight’s already well past my bedtime. “I think that was my last one.”

“All right.” He escorts me to an empty seat at Dani’s table. “Can I get either of you ladies anything?”

Yeah. Food.
“You’re my hero. Tea with milk. And anything Jake made for the party that isn’t sweet. My blood sugar’s been high, so I gotta behave.” 

Dani just shakes her head and smiles at me.

As soon as Cooper leaves, the girl moves to the chair beside mine and spreads the fingers of one hand across my belly. Like she owns the place. Both of the babies kick for her. Why not? They know their father’s touch.

In the dim light, the girl’s violet eyes glow like moonlight. The tenderness in them probably isn’t all for Ethan. Nah. Part of her is still married to me.

Hope your heart doesn’t hurt as bad as mine.

Her eyes do that little scanning motion—searching for a reaction. “Why are you running from me?” 

“You gonna live in a dream? Daniel was never any more real than our marriage.”

“Or our wedding bands?” Her hand brushes across my belly again. The little traitors both party in response. “Tell me I’m not the father of your babies. Say you don’t love me, and I’ll leave you be.”

“You’re a beautiful young woman, Dani. Why mess with that? Marry Ethan and adopt a bunch of kids.”

“That would certainly make everyone else happy. What about us?”

My date returns with tea and a plate-load of Swedish meatballs.

Dani watches with amusement as I dig into the savory morsels.

Cooper leans close and kisses me on the cheek. “Thanks for the pleasant evening. I have other duties to attend to now.”

“Yeah. Thanks.” I stand and give him my best hug.

After he leaves, Dani rises and holds out a hand. “May I have the last dance?”

“Yeah. Guess so.”
But do you have to make this more difficult?
 

The girl leads me out into the ballroom. Her feather-light touch draws me close as the music starts—another slow dance. After a few hesitant steps, she pauses. “Sorry, love. I seem to have forgotten how. Bump on the head, don’t you know?” 

So I lead. Well, mostly we lean against each other and sway to the beat. Like some high school kids at their first prom.

When the music stops, Dani’s eyes beg me for one more, but the girl’s legs wobble, so I guide her back to the table. “You should be in bed.”

Dani slides into her wheelchair. Small twitches at the side of the girl’s mouth give away her pain. She bends forward and pulls her skirts up off the floor and away from the wheels.

And just how are you gonna wheel yourself anywhere?
“I’ll push you to your room.” 

When she has everything arranged just so, she throws a sleepy smile over her shoulder. “Sit with me a while first.”

I push her down the hallway, far from the bright lights. Beside the elevator, I lean against the wall, breathe deep, and rub the back of my hand across my forehead.
I’m losing everybody I care about.
“I’m tired, Dani. More so than I’ve ever been.” 

“I won’t keep you long.”

I don’t have anything left to give.
“All right. Someplace warm?” 

“I know the perfect spot.” The girl’s infectious smile and enthusiasm break through my gloom. She gestures toward the end of the hallway “Beyond yonder portal.”

Behind those carved wooden doors lies darkness, disturbed only by the flickering amber light of a fire. Soft waves of heat ripple through the air.

I turn on a couple of small lamps, adding a mellow background glow to the room.

Dani motions me toward an overstuffed couch in front of an enormous fireplace. River rock climbs up the wall to the ceiling. An elk’s head glares down at us from above the hewn cedar mantel. The scent of pine needles and dried flowers permeates the air.

After I help her move to the couch, I pull off my high heels, lean back into the supple leather, and stretch my aching muscles in the warm glow.

The girl squirms around till her back faces me. “Unzip my dress, would you, love?”

What moron designs clothes you can’t take off by yourself?
I undo the little hook thing and pull her zipper down far enough for her to reach the tab. 

Dani kicks off her shoes and draws her feet up under her gown. For a long while, she stares in silence at the crackling fire. When the girl turns my way again, a single tear escapes and leaves a glowing trail down her cheek. “I’ll never see you again if you leave.”

Please don’t make this forever.
I start to object, but Dani shushes me and pops up off the couch, “Give me a minute before you say another word.” 

In the flickering light, the girl rummages through a large trunk. When she returns, she brings an old top hat and a white handkerchief.