Authors: Linda Daly
Enraged
by such a revelation, she immediately looked at Felicity with contempt and
hate then back to her husband.
“Why Lavinia dearest, you look pale. Are you sure everything is all
right?” James asked sympathetically, but his eyes reflected amusement by
her suffering.
“Perhaps some fresh air would help.” Directing her attention to her
hostess, she said, “Vivian, please begin without us. We shan’t be but a
moment.”
It was Alfred who replied for his wife. “Take your time, dear. The
Myles’ were just commenting on how generous your dear husband was to
them today and since we both know how James detests notoriety, this will
save him further embarrassment.”
Raising his eyebrow, emphasizing the word embarrassment, Lavinia
knew his comment was directed toward her.
How dare he
, she thought
while turning on her heels. Lavinia stormed out of the dining room, past
the sitting room, rushing to the garden where she stood fuming watching
James approach. From the smug look on his face, she knew her suspicions
were right. Unable to control her rage as soon as he entered the gardens,
she snarled, “How could you?”
“How could I what, my dearest?” James asked innocently, only
provoking the rage inside her.
“You know perfectly well what I mean. You knew how vulnerable I
was, begging you to prove your love for me last night, when all the while
you were lusting over that filthy tart!”
Judging by the look in his eyes, Lavinia knew she was right and
demanded an explanation. “How could you?” she yelled.
Drawing closer to her, James took her elbow and callously said,
“You’re distraught Lavinia, besides delusional. First you accuse me
unjustly of accosting you, and now you claim you begged for my
affections. Didn’t I satisfy your insatiable desires, so you maliciously
attack me for punishment? Or is it, in your demented state that you simply
don’t know anymore? Maybe I should take you home and call a physician
that Alfred has recommended. Perhaps a few weeks of rest in the
countryside might do you a world of good.”
Jerking away from him, Lavinia snarled, “No. I know precisely what
you and that old coot are scheming and I won’t stand for it. You are the
delusional one if you think I’ll be fooled into being sent away to the
country so you can be free to lust after that strumpet Felicity. Next you’ll
be insisting I go to some sanitarium . . .”
Chuckling sinisterly at her, he said, “Is that so? Why would you think
I’d send you away to asylum, my dear? Could it possibly be that you aren’t
able to control your temper in public? Have you become so unstable that
you find it necessary to hurl false accusations at your husband trying to
discredit his good name, calling a matriarch of society foul names? The list
is endless my dear, and I’ve only mentioned today’s outlandish behavior.
Shall I bring up your sordid past episodes as well? Why, any doctor would
agree you need confinement.”
Before she had a chance to respond, Alfred came through the garden
door asking, “Is everything alright, James? Should I send Montgomery for
the doctor?”
Lavinia gasped, knowing the two of them were deadly serious
.
They
did intend to be rid of her by locking her away in some nut house. Panic
filled her as she pleadingly began shaking her head, and tears ran down her
cheeks.
“Please James, don’t do this,” Lavinia begged. Their eyes locked onto
one another and she held her breath. Seeing no warmth for her in his eyes,
Lavinia feared the worst. “I beseech you, don’t lock me away. I’ll be
good.” She whimpered.
Turning his head back to Alfred, James finally said, “No. Not this time,
my friend.”
Hearing his reply Lavinia, sighed and wept softly in her hands.
“Very well, as you wish,” responded Alfred in a cool tone. “Do see to it
though, that you both return promptly. You know how Vivian detests
waiting.”
“Yes. of course,” replied James looking back at Lavinia. “Get control
of yourself at once or I might have a change of heart, my dear.”
Obediently, Lavinia wiped the tears from her eyes, having no other
recourse. Never had she felt such hatred or fear for another as she did now.
Realizing that she had been out-maneuvered by the two of them and had
played right into their hands, Lavinia asked, “Now what?”
“Now, you
will
conduct yourself in the manner that any man should
expect from his wife, and that is to be soft and gentle just as Benjamin
Myles’ wife. From where I stand, I’ve got the short end of the stick when
he rid himself of you and took Felicity as a bride. Furthermore, I’ll be
damned if you think I’m going to continue letting the likes of that sniveling
swine, ex-husband of yours outshine me any longer. Am I clear on that,
Lavinia? You do as I say, or else my dear, you will suffer the consequences.”
She quivered, hearing his ultimatum. James had made himself perfectly
clear. Either she did exactly as he wished, or she would be locked away.
Nodding her response, stunned beyond belief, Lavinia stepped back into
the Honeycutt’s home, being led by James who had placed his hand in the
small of her back. Coarsely he whispered to her, “Smile dearest, you wouldn’t
want to make a scene now, would you?”
Pasting a smile to her lips, Lavinia took her seat across from Felicity.
Judging by the look of concern on her face, Lavinia knew her smile wasn’t
fooling anyone. Avoiding eye contact with her nemesis, she unfolded her
linen napkin, saying, “My, but dinner smells wonderful as usual, Vivian.”
As the salad was being served, Lavinia remained silent, keeping to
herself.
James might be able to control my tongue, for the time being, but
he will never be able to control my thoughts.
Smiling at Felicity then back
at her husband she thought, y
ou bloody bastard, you will rue the day you
prefer that little bitch to me.
Then recalling James’s words describing
Benjamin, a genuine smile crossed her lips.
Well, James was right about
one thing. Benjamin was nothing but a swine who apparently enjoyed
rolling around in the mud, with his sow slut.
Spooning dressing over her salad, she continued to smile until
Benjamin, said, “Um, roast pork, one of my favorites.”
Immediately Lavinia began coughing to mask her laughter until
knowingly, James frowned at her.
“My, but I am parched this evening,” she mumbled and reached for her
goblet of water.
After dinner, as was the case every night, the men went to Alfred’s
library while the women chatted in Vivian’s private sitting room. As the
women relaxed, sounds of the men deep in conversation over the
conspiracy of the death of Lincoln could be heard trailing into the sitting
room as one disagreed with another. Tonight was no exception.
From the night Lincoln had been shot and killed, no matter who
attended the Honeycutt evening dinner parties, sides were drawn as the
events of the conspiracy and the military rights on such offenses were
reported in the newspapers. Tonight’s debate was no exception--even if a
woman was found guilty in a military court of law, should she be hung.
Proclaiming Mrs. Surratt’s innocence as usual, Michael argued that she
was as much a victim as poor Lincoln was and therefore should have never
been found guilty in the first place. He argued there was no proof she was
actually involved in the plotting with John Wilkes Booth and the other
men. As others would interject, Michael held steadfast to his opinion that
this was a gross injustice. Simply because she ran the boarding house
where Booth resided and had become friendly with her boarders and son’s
friends, was no justification for such acts to be committed to a good
Catholic woman as they had been, always ending his argument by stating
emphatically that her only crime was trying to protect her son, John.
Albert and James however, sided together that
any woman
, no matter
how naive Mrs. Surratt claimed to be now, should be treated as the men
whom she associated with. Using Michael’s argument against him,
especially since her son was involved, it was certain proof that she must be
involved too. Claiming Mary Surratt knew exactly every detail of the
assassination plot and was proven a co-conspirator by storing French field
glasses at her property in Maryland, along with other escape articles
needed for Booth and Herold, Louis Weichmann, her escort, testified he
had overheard her telling John Lloyd that very morning “to have those
shooting irons ready”. According to Weichmann’s testimony, Booth and his
accomplice David Herold did flee to the boardinghouse in Surrattsville,
Maryland, first, to retrieve the hidden items after the murder of Lincoln.
Clearly, this was proof she was guilty and should get what she deserved.
Benjamin on the other hand, felt as many Americans did--that a
civilian should not be brought up on charges by a military court of law.
Apparently, Lucas agreed with his assessment of the situation by adding,
“The woman is entitled to be tried in a court of law as prescribed in the
constitution, by a dozen of her peers.” Stating, this being the case, then a
pardon was in order until a civil court could hear the evidence.
Bored with the same old arguments night after night, Tad, not caring if
Mary Surratt were to be hung on July seventh or not, patiently waited until
Michael was deeply involved expressing his opinion and would silently
make his escape. This night however, Tad had to wait, while Benjamin,
with the aide of Lucas, debated their viewpoints with Alfred and James.
While Sarah and Lavinia exchanged their views on woman’s suffrage,
Miranda asked Felicity, in a hushed whisper, “Have you noticed how
peculiar Mrs. Sterling is behaving this evening?”
Nodding, she said, “Take it from me. She’s a predator, waiting for her
prey to become distracted. So watch yourself.”
Immediately Miranda smiled at her friend’s ability to come directly to
the point without arousing suspicion.
Seeing Miranda’s smile, Lavinia turned her attention toward her and
cooed sweetly, “Oh do share with us what’s so amusing, Miranda dear. It
wouldn’t have anything to do with that incredibly handsome Tad, now
would it? I must admit, when I saw you speaking with him earlier, I
thought to myself, ‘my but they do make a striking couple’.”
Feeling exceptionally uncomfortable, Miranda’s eyes drifted toward
Felicity as if looking for assistance and acknowledging her earlier
observation.
“Wouldn’t you agree, Mrs. Honeycutt?” Lavinia asked.
Both Vivian and Sarah began to speak at once. Embarrassed and
realizing her mother-in-law was annoyed, Sarah politely said, “Oh I’m
sorry, Mother Honeycutt.”
Vivian looked at Sarah, coolly saying, “Perhaps this could be
prevented if Lavinia felt comfortable calling you by your first name.”
Aware that this was another attempt of Vivian’s to make her feel
uneasy, Sarah turned and looked at Lavinia, her face crimson. “I’m so sorry
Lavinia, for the confusion. Since I’ve heard you address my mother-in-law
as Vivian, I assumed you were referring to me. But to avoid any further
confusion in the future, please, will you address me by first name?”
Glaring at Sarah, Vivian coughed, clearly not amused by Sarah
pointing out the obvious that it was she who had spoken out of turn.
Felicity and Miranda only glanced at one another sensing the tension
between Sarah and Vivian.
Not ready to drop the opportunity of speaking about Miranda and Tad,
needing Vivian’s help more than ever, Lavinia said, “Certainly Sarah.
You’ve known our dear Miranda since she was a child I understand?”
“Yes, of course.” Sarah said, knowing where this conversation was
leading and feeling extremely uncomfortable.
“Well, then perhaps you would give her some motherly advice and tell
her what a wonderful catch Tad is.”
Sarah knew that if she didn’t agree with Lavinia, Michael would hear
from his mother how his new wife had said that she didn’t think Tad was
good enough for Miranda. While on the other hand, if she agreed with
Lavinia then poor Miranda would feel uncomfortable.
Tactfully Sarah responded by saying, “It has always been my practice
never to try and persuade my daughter Elise or Miranda into doing
anything while in the presence of others. Surely you must agree that
deliberately trying to embarrass them serves no purpose other than to
alienate your loved ones from you.” Sarah’s last comment was directed to
Vivian, but she turned to Miranda and smiled lovingly. “I trust Miranda
being such a wise young woman will follow her heart.”
The smell of cigar smoke filled the room and Vivian looked at Lavinia
knowingly and nodded toward the doorway just as Tad came in to join
them.
“Ah, I knew I’d find you lovely ladies in here. Such a lovely evening
isn’t it?” Tad walked over and kissed his grandmother’s cheek. Then
turning to Miranda, he asked, “Since we still have unfinished business,
perhaps a bit of fresh air would suit you?”
Not ready to answer him yet, but not wishing to be questioned what
unfinished business Tad and she had, Miranda said, “A walk sounds quite
nice, thank you.” Avoiding everyone’s eyes, especially Felicity’s, she
accepted Tad’s hand. Once Miranda stood, Tad placed her hand in the
crook of his arm as he escorted her to the gardens.
“Thank you, Miranda. From the look on your face when I came in, it
looked like you needed rescuing.”
For the second time that evening, Miranda was stunned by Tad’s
sudden change in attitude. “I don’t know what to say Tad. In fact, I was just
going to scold you for putting me in such a compromising situation, which
left me no alternative but to take a walk with you. After what you’ve just
said, though, I would sound terribly rude, wouldn’t I?”
“Oh no, I wouldn’t dream of answering that question. Especially since
it took you three years to get over something I said in haste when we first
met.”
Glancing at him in the moonlight, Miranda softly chuckled, suddenly
finding herself enjoying his company, despite her reservations. Watching a
hummingbird glide to another branch of the lilac bush as she and Tad
walked closer to it, she said, “Well, I suppose that was a baited question.”
Not answering her, Tad changed the subject and asked, “This time of
the evening is so pleasant. Don’t you agree?” He pointed to a bunny that
hopped into the shadows of the dense bushes.