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Vivian strolled into her favorite place, the sun-parlor. A nice breeze blew between the opposing cluster of windows. Sun rays enhanced the cheery yellow-painted walls. This was a place to impress anyone who entered. Her family had Hub City’s finest collection of artwork, stately furniture, and prized possessions.
The housemaid had prepared the room for afternoon tea but Mother had asked her to inspect the servant's work before their guest arrived. A wise decision since one of the embroidered pillows on the red upholstered armchair appeared flatter than it should be. She gave it a fluff and scanned the pillow in the matching chair. The quaint set was the most comfortable wing-backs in the house. Not to mention in the most elegant style of Queen Anne, having slender legs covered by decorative gilded florets and S-shaped scrolls. She turned on her heel. If the pillow hadn’t been sufficiently fluffed, what else would she find where the incompetent maid failed?
The gold-striped settee anchored the far wall and faced the chairs. In between nestled the tea table with four creamy-golden, carved cabriole legs holding a distinctively shaped mirrored top. Beneath the mirror, a base featured a wooden scrolled basket of roses.
Placement of the dishes and utensils were of the utmost importance. Vivian approached the tea table, viewing the arrangement as their guest would. On the far left of the table, the ornate china teacups from Hammersley and Company had been organized in a row. The edges of the cups and saucers were trimmed in gold. Each was decorated with four roses in orange, yellow, red, and lavender. Uniquely, one of the four colored roses adorned the inside of the cup. She repositioned the center teacup over slightly, aligning the row into perfection.
Next to the teacups, spoons had been fitted inside each other along with a stack of forks. Dishes of cream, sugar, lemon wedges, and spiced syrup along with a covered slop bowl were centered on the table. The brass bell ringer sat near the edge, with remaining space on the far right empty to hold the teapot.
On the side of the settee, a round table covered in a lace doily had a stack of plates layered with napkins in between alongside the silver, three-tiered food stand. The light meal consisted of a small top tier with thinly sliced, toasted English bread and butter. The middle layer hosted a mix of open-faced sandwiches dolloped with either pimento butter and brie cheese or maple cream and chopped nuts. The largest tier was filled with her favorite assorted frosted cakes. Vivian licked her lips.
Behind the food, a crystal flower vase displayed shades of orange and red roses, enhancing the tea service. A few flowers didn’t cascade in the correct direction. She pulled the stems, sniffed the blossoms, and rearranged them. Everything was complete.
Vivian chose the farthest wing-backed chair from the doorway. She crossed her legs at the ankles, straightened her spine, and adjusted her white dress skirt dappled with red, blue, and yellow circles.
She turned her head toward the clicking of heels approaching on the wooden floor. “Good afternoon, Mother.” Her red hair was pinned away from her face, giving Mother a youthful appearance. Sometimes people would comment they looked more like sisters. The compliment always made Mother happy. Although, Vivian figured people were just trying to be nice.
“Have you made certain we are ready for our guest?”
“Yes, Mother.” Vivian touched her wrist. Her new bracelet should have been there for the occasion. She hated losing anything and especially since she’d only purchased it a month ago. The white stone would have harmonized well with her dress. The last time she had the bracelet was at Hotel Charles. She must have lost it somewhere between the time she left the dinner table with Benjamin and before she got home that night. Hopefully, someone at the restaurant found it.
Deloris touched the painting by Georgia O’Keeffe and tilted the frame upward. “Now remember, when Constance arrives let me do all the talking. You’ll get too emotional.”
“Yes, Mother.” Her mother had crafty ways of controlling most any situation. If she pushed too hard though, Benjamin’s mother would wrap him up tight like a baby in a blanket and they’d never convince her to align with their wishes.
Deloris glided across the floor, balancing her navy Edwardian hat stacked with plumes of feathers. She settled herself onto the settee and jiggled the handbell. “Our goal here is to have Constance assist us in making Benjamin see how poorly he’s behaved. If you go off on a tangent, what reason will Constance have to help you?”
“I understand.” Vivian tucked a wavy strand under her white-laced hat and covered her burning cheek with her hand. How could Mother say that to her? Mother had been the one who had the outburst four days ago at church. Vivian had been humiliated in front of the whole town and now would have to bite a hole in her cheek and say nothing to Constance. Mother always had to reign above her.
The grandfather clock in the hall chimed three times as the housemaid brought in the teapot.
“Anything else, ma’am?”
“No, that will be all.” Deloris slid the teapot closer. “Don’t look so dismal, Vivian. Put your shoulders back and sit like a proper lady. I’m certain Constance will understand your position. Our friendship spans quite a lengthy period. I trust she’ll do the right thing.”
“All right, Mother.”
The housemaid appeared at the entrance. “May I present to you, Mrs. Constance Claussen.”
Vivian bowed from her chair. Inside the arched doorway, Benjamin’s mother soared almost to the six-foot doorframe, but her height didn’t intimidate Vivian. She gazed at Constance’s peach dress with puffed quilted detail on the bodice and sleeves that hung snuggly around her slender frame. The embellished neckline dipped into a V with a decorative pin accentuating the narrow point. Her hat brim curved upward in the back, exposing her black hair, and a purple ostrich feather in the front emphasized her impressive outfit. Benjamin certainly had her dark features. Constance gracefully walked across the room, between the wing-backed chairs and the tea table, outwardly prepared as a worthy opponent to her mother. Vivian rose, crossed over the oriental rug, and approached Constance near the tea table.
“Lovely to see you, Constance.” Deloris’ orange-red lips curved into a smile. “How would you like your tea? With lemon as usual?”
Constance smiled warmly. “Yes. And add some spiced syrup too, please.”
“Wonderful choice.” Deloris drizzled the syrup into the cup, poured in the hot tea, and added a wedge of lemon along with a spoon and fork.
Vivian held the saucer and escorted Constance to her chair. Not once acknowledging her.
Constance sat and crossed her legs at the ankles, smiling politely. “It’s good to see you, Vivian.”
Vivian handed her the tea. “Likewise.” She twisted her fingers through her white-gloved hands. Constance’s critical tone echoed in her ears. Where does she get off judging me for what happened? Her mother definitely had a battle on her hands.
Constance gently squeezed the lemon wedge with the fork. “The weather’s been pleasant if you like it a bit on the warm side.”
Deloris picked up her teacup. “Let’s drop the idle chitchat and get down to the business at hand.” She took a sip.
“All right.” Constance lifted her chin. “I’m listening.”
“I am going to assume you’re well aware of how Benjamin publicly ended his relationship with my daughter. And I will conclude you had no idea he planned on doing such. If this is incorrect, don’t let me continue.” Deloris placed her saucer and cup on the table, studying the woman opposite. “Good. Then I know you would have intervened.”
Constance frowned. “Of course. I never would have condoned such behavior.”
“Have you spoken with him about his rationale?”
Constance swirled her spoon through the tea. “I have.”
Vivian’s throat constricted. She tugged on her boatneck collar. Would Benjamin have told his mother something different than he’d expressed to her? If he’d given his mother the same implausible tale, had she believed him?
“Honestly, I felt he was holding something back in his explanation.” Constance laid the spoon on the saucer and set her tea on the side table. “He profusely apologized if his actions caused any unpleasantness in your and my relationship. I believe my son is truly sorry for any repercussions due to his decision.”
“That’s all fine and good, however, my daughter is still in love with your son. The town is talking about how disgraceful your son’s actions were and I would think you wouldn’t want your family’s reputation tarnished any more than I want ours to be.” Deloris sternly glared at Constance.
“No, I do not.” Constance’s brow furrowed. “I hope you’re not suggesting my son’s the only one responsible for what happened. Your daughter could have handled the situation with a little more grace.”
Vivian squeezed her fingers around the armrests. Was Benjamin’s mother delusional? She tried to leave without causing a scene. None of what happened was her fault. What had Benjamin told her?
“I think you need to explain yourself.” Deloris crossed her arms.
“You know as well as I do a relationship takes two people who are willing to work hard. In this case, that would be my son and your daughter. I know my son; he wouldn’t just call things off on a whim. And you have to know your daughter can’t be completely innocent. Have you asked her about the circumstances surrounding the broken engagement?” Constance tipped her head slightly toward Vivian.
“Well, I really don’t like what you are insinuating.” Deloris’ cheeks reddened. “Vivian did tell me what happened. I think you’re the one with blinders on. If your son’s so innocent in the matter, why would he have sent Vivian an apology letter?”
Vivian twisted in the chair. Benjamin’s letter reiterated how he’d cared for her and how sorry he was for ending their relationship. This obviously validated the fact that if Lily wasn’t around, she’d still be with Benjamin.
Constance straightened in the chair. “Benjamin is remorseful, but that doesn’t mean he is the only guilty party in this fiasco.”
“You’d better be careful as to what you’re saying. It seems to me you don’t have control over your son at all. Don’t you remember what happened with your son Robert? You let him have his way and now he’s a lowly traveling salesman. Let’s not forget my husband has given a lot of business to Ebbe. You wouldn’t be as affluent if it wasn’t for him.” Deloris steepled her fingers. “I suggest you rein in your son before it’s too late.”
Constance’s shoulder slumped forward. “What do you propose?”
Vivian smirked. Benjamin’s mother caved as expected.
Deloris gestured Vivian toward the tiered tray. “It may be a touch more complicated getting them back together than you think. Are you aware of Benjamin meeting someone else?”
Vivian gritted her teeth at the mention of Lily as she picked up the goodies.
“That cannot be.” Constance slowly shook her head. “I would have heard.”
“Oh! But it is.” Vivian held the tray in front of Constance and handed her a plate.
“It is not that I don’t believe either of you.” Constance transferred a maple cream and nut sandwich onto her plate. “I simply have a hard time considering my son would do something like this.”
“Especially since we’re engaged to be married.”
“Vivian!” Deloris scrunched her face into a disgusted expression and returned her focus to Constance. “I assure you I have first-hand knowledge this is true. Never would I have fathomed your son would disrespect my daughter like this.”
“I am so sorry, Deloris. Who is she?”
“Lily Vanderhoof.”
“Vanderhoof? That family name is not familiar.” Constance took a nibble of the sandwich.
Vivian presented her mother with a plate and offered the tray. Certainly, Benjamin’s mother hadn’t heard of her. Why would she? Little Miss Lily Flower was only one rung above a woman of ill repute.
“Probably not, they are not of our notability.” Deloris chose a morsel from each of the trays. “Benjamin drove this deplorable papist home several times.”
Constance covered her mouth.
“Vivian dismissed his actions as a gesture of friendship. However, we’ve recently understood his candor covered up his deceit.”
“Benjamin will not disgrace our families like this. And with a Catholic too!” Constance’s face flushed. “My son has not been raised to treat such a young vibrant woman like your Vivian this way.”
Deloris grinned. “I am pleased you are seeing this from my vantage point.”
“Don’t worry, it is our position. Especially since we were the ones who encouraged them to initiate the relationship. I will do whatever I can to influence my son.”