Caroline (28 page)

"Ha!" Mary exclaimed suddenly. "Of course, we both would secretly love to have Sacha adore
our
bodies!" She paused, her eyes dancing. "Actually, there was rather a gleam in his eye the day we met you in the snowstorm. I confess to feeling a trifle jealous. But, I fear that he will always remain an elusive bachelor. He's just a born heartbreaker."

"You may be right," Caro replied, adding, "I really do appreciate your kindness, Mary. No wonder this family thinks so much of you!"

"I truly love all of them. And while I'm garnering awards for honesty, I may as well add one more thing...."

"What's that?"

"Well, from what Sacha said to you the other day, I have an idea that I may have been the model for your new ball gown!"

"Why?"

"The day we saw you, as well as the morning before, I spent with him in the company of his favorite dressmaker. He kept holding material up to my hair, and while the woman pinned things onto me, Sacha had the nerve to say, 'Add another two inches to the bodice, and take one in at the waist'!"

Caro almost hopped off the seat in excitement.

"Oh, Mary—what did it look like?"

The other girl watched her shrewdly.

"I mustn't tell you. I know you'll be happier in the end if it is a surprise, and besides, he would horsewhip me if he thought I'd betrayed him." She smiled impishly. "It's outrageously beautiful—but, knowing Sacha, the gown may not for you after all!"

* * *

The passage of each day and night of Caro's separation from Alec found her feeling more melancholy and unsettled. Apart from him, she brooded more on her lost past, and finally, the night before the ball, she had a dream.

It had taken her more than two hours to fall asleep, and when she did, her slumber was fitful. Her mind whirled with the confusion of her many problems and as sleep deepened, Caro found herself in a classroom. Books were opened across a writing table and she was working with quill and ink on a long sheet of parchment. Someone put an arm about her shoulders and she looked up into the kind face of a nun who spoke to her in melodious French. Caro answered and turned back to her work, then the pressure around her back increased to the point of pain. She found that the sister had been replaced by the hazy form of a man with pale-yellow eyes—all she could see were those horrid eyes as his grip tightened like a vise and his face came closer and closer....

Caro fled from the room through a labyrinth of dark stone passages, footsteps echoing behind her, until she came out into a courtyard. Her eyes picked Alec out in a crowd and she rushed toward him, only to be held at arm's length by a girl dressed in an elaborate ball gown.

"The dress is mine!" she announced, and Alec glanced coolly over at Caro before taking the girl's arm and leading her up the steps of a scaffold. He put a noose around her neck, then returned to the ground, where Caro once more sought his protection.

Suddenly Lydia, Gretchen, Mary and other females burst from the crowd, surrounding Alec so that she could not reach him.

"He's mine, he's mine!" each girl cried, joined by the voice of the woman on the scaffold. Alec's face was blocked from Caro's view, replaced by pale-yellow eyes and hands like claws that pulled her farther and farther away.

* * *

The day of Caro's ball dawned mild and clear, Antonia exclaiming that it was difficult to believe it was December. The day was spent in a flurry of happy activity as the second-floor drawing room received its last polishing. Tantalizing aromas wafted through the house from the kitchen, and Caro was told that Mrs. Reeves had forbidden anyone to cross her threshold.

Danielle arrived early, spending the day with the three women, for Jean-Philippe had disappeared, and Nicholai failed to make his usual appearance. The atmosphere was festive and everyone seemed to be infected with high spirits—except Caro.

Although she smiled and laughed along with the others, her nerves were taut after the ordeal of her restless, nightmare-filled night. In the light of day, it all seemed less menacing, but she was tense now as she listened hopefully for Alec's step outside or the sound of his voice. There was no sign of him, however, and to make matters worse, no gown had arrived for Caro. By the time afternoon tea was served, even Antonia was beginning to look worried.

"You girls are certain that Sacha said he had taken care of it? That is odd in itself, but if it is true, then the gown should be here. He is not one to give his word lightly. Could it be that you told him the wrong day?"

"No, Maman," Natalya replied emphatically while pouring milk into her tea. "In fact, Sacha even came to my room before he left Belle Maison on Monday, specifically to confirm the date of the ball."

"Good!" Antonia smiled with relief. "Perhaps he will return in time, then. Even though the reason for his absence would be easily explained, it does rather seem that as Caroline's guardian he should be present."

Caro felt a bubble of joy swelling up in her breast, almost dispelling the cloud that lurked there.

"Well, you certainly looked pleased by the likelihood of Sacha's presence!" Antonia told her. "I suppose that all those strangers will be easier to face with your guardian at your side."

Before Caro could reply, Danielle spoke up dreamily: "Oh, Maman, remember all the lovely balls we had here before the war? It hardly seems possible that Sacha and I were ever so young." She paused, laughing in memory. "Do you recall the night that Sacha and Miss Meadows both disappeared and Mr. Powel discovered them in the—"

Antonia cleared her throat, twinkling eyes belying her stern tone as she said: "Danielle, I'm sure that we all remember that occasion only too well. I fear I shall never be able to forget it! But we mustn't corrupt Caroline with such sordid tales. Now—who would like another cake? I imagine it will be some time before we eat again...."

By five o'clock, Danielle had returned to her home to prepare for the ball and Antonia was trying not to appear frantic as she made a cursory inventory of her own gowns to see if she had anything that might be suitable for Caro. Although her clothes were far from matronly, they were more tailored than those of a young girl, and of course, Natalya's gowns were far too long. By five-thirty she had sent a maid over to the Armstrong home to see if Mary had anything suitable for Caro to borrow.

For her own part, Caro felt miserable. She was convinced that not only would there be no gown, but also that Alec would not be coming home.

As she watched Antonia pace frantically over the rose-patterned carpeting, she thought, He probably never wants to see me again. He probably feels trapped. Perhaps he'll just stay in New York until I'm safely married off to someone else!

Her study in self-pity was interrupted by the appearance of Mrs. Forbes, who was looking surprisingly animated. "It's here!" she exclaimed, standing aside to admit two young serving girls. One carried the dress, while the other was laden with various little boxes.

"Oh, Caroline!" Antonia cried, pulling her to her feet. Natalya, hearing the commotion, ran down from her room to investigate. The gown was so beautiful that Caro was certain she was dreaming. Everyone wore expressions of awe and she could feel her eyes stinging with tears.

Fashioned of oyster satin, the bodice and overskirt were exquisitely embroidered with glittering gold flowers. Sparkling petals curved around the low neckline to form a shallow bodice, while all the other flowers were studded with perfect, dazzling diamonds. The petticoat that showed beneath the artfully draped overskirt was edged with rows of gold ruching. Reverently, Antonia took the gown from Mrs. Forbes and held it against Caro.

"My dear, it is a work of art! I couldn't be prouder of Sacha or more pleased for you. Look, Natalya, the colors blend perfectly with her complexion! I can hardly credit that my son was capable of this..." Her eyes took in the deep flush that spread over Caro's cheeks. "Well, little one, you shall be a princess tonight. Perhaps you will meet your prince?"

* * *

Danielle arrived early in the evening, her husband in tow. Caro found it difficult to muster the same compassion for Thaddeus Engelman that had drawn her to Danielle, for he was clearly a conceited snob. Caro had witnessed a marvelous change taking place in Danielle over the past month. All her condescending airs had melted away. She even appeared to be a trifle embarrassed by her husband's actions that evening, and Caro felt sorry for her.

All the women looked beautiful as, one by one, they congregated in the large drawing room with its imported crystal chandeliers. Danielle wore rose silk, Natalya was resplendent in her usual sapphire blue, while Antonia looked stunning in rich emerald velvet. Caro, however, drew a chorus of sighs when she appeared in the doorway. The gown fit her to perfection, artfully displaying every soft curve. Among the accessories which Alec had sent was a small velvet box containing a beautiful choker of topaz and diamonds. It encircled her neck now, gleaming in the candlelight. Her dress stood out from her hips on wide hoops, every golden flower sparkling, and her honey-colored curls were softly swept up, with a few falling over one shoulder. Alec had also sent a box of creamy rosebuds and Caro had woven them into her curls.

Nicholai was the first person to reach her side, and she couldn't help admiring his handsome appearance. Lifting her hand to his lips, he declared:

"Caro, you are a dream come true. I cannot believe that such beauty can be real."

She laughed happily. "Thank you, sir! And, I am very real, let me assure you of that!"

* * *

After the guests began arriving, it was not long before the ballroom was comfortably crowded. Caro was frankly awed by the splendor that met her eyes at every turn. The men were richly garbed in velvets and jewels, with fine lace at their necks and wrists. Some of the women wore gowns so extravagant that she couldn't help staring.

There was dancing, along with a constant supply of wine and food. Antonia had seen to it that no detail had been overlooked, for there were delicacies of every description including sweetmeats, cheeses, floating islands, trifles, and over a dozen varieties of tarts.

Caro felt momentarily uneasy when Jean-Philippe led her out onto the polished dance floor for the first time. As always, she felt flustered in his presence, and her discomfort doubled when he took her in his arms. She was completely unsure of her past dancing ability, but once the music began her feet moved gracefully of their own accord. There was a cluster of musicians against one wall, playing violin, cello, flute, and harpsichord. The effect was liltingly melodious to Caro's ears, and she relaxed in Jean-Philippe's arms, bantering as easily with him as she did with Alec.

After that, there was no rest for her. She danced so much that she occasionally neglected to watch for Alec, and she even began to forget that Lydia Chamberlain was there. Caro had felt sick when she first saw her, looking exquisite in richly decorated yellow silk. When their eyes met, she had seen the hatred in Lydia's violet gaze and unconsciously shrank back against her dance partner.

However, there were a great many charming people present who helped her to ignore Lydia's presence. Natalya whispered to her that the cream of Philadelphia society was present, and Caro believed it. Early arrivals were Samuel and Elizabeth Powel, who lived next door. She learned that Powel was the mayor of the city, and had held that office under English rule as well. Mrs. Powel was middle-aged, but interesting in appearance, possessing great charm and a talent for coquetry that Caro found unsettling.

Caro met Gouverneur Morris early on and liked him immediately. One of Philadelphia's leading and more colorful citizens, he was imposingly tall with a deep, commanding voice. She had already heard the story of the leg he had lost in a supposed fall from his high-perch phaeton. Natalya had confided to her that the common belief was that he had jumped from a lady's window to escape a husband who had returned home unexpectedly. Gouverneur was suave and outspoken, but Caro liked him because he appeared simply to enjoy himself. They became fast friends, and she forfeited a dance to stand and talk to him.

Another new friend was Mary Morris, whose husband Robert was the well-known financial wizard and current partner of the unrelated Gouverneur. She came up to Caro early in the evening, a soft-spoken, friendly woman in her thirties, and introduced herself. Her good wishes were so sincere that Caro felt drawn to her as she had been to Antonia. She soon found herself promising to have tea with Mary soon at the Morris house on Front Street.

"My two sons have just left for school in France," she explained, "and I find I am rather lonely. I should so enjoy your company!"

"I would love to come," Caro replied. "I am very eager to make friends."

"You shall have no trouble in that respect! I am only sorry that Sally Jay is with John in Paris. She is nearly your age, and a marvelous person."

By midnight, Alec had still not appeared, and Nicholai took Caro down to supper. There was a change in his manner that vaguely unnerved her, but she could not pinpoint it and finally decided that she was imagining things.

Dinner was a long succession of courses—celery soup, cream of Quahog soup, warm rolls of every description, fish soufflé, chicken smothered in oysters, roast beef, herbed spinach, Harvard beets, baked squash, chocolate mousse, and Williamsburg orange cake. Caro found that Alec's face danced in her mind whenever she looked at her plate, and her uneasiness was increased by Nicholai's watchful eyes.