by Agnes Forest
Lady Vivian took Sawyer’s hand and they began their second dance. They were back on the shores of the Galapagos and all of Almack’s went insane.
Lady Sophie had briefly recovered but fainted yet again, Sherbet cried - something that he was doing rather frequently of late - and he held onto Calvin for dear life. Calvin was being squeezed by the bear-like man and wished to pry himself free so he could claim his sixty quid. He thought perhaps he might use that money to buy a gun.
The dance hall was filled with light, love, and good cheer. The crystal chandeliers tinkled and shines in celebration of the courtship of Lady Vivian and Sawyer Cook. The musicians played with gusto, even the figures in the stately oil painting seemed to pop out of their frames and applaud.
One would not be surprised if out on the veranda, the bit players and supporting cast of the story poked their heads through the windows, cheering, weeping, and doing their own dance of victory. Percival would be there, holding the happy fox in his arms and smoking his pipe.
That soldier saved my life, the fox would have thought with a glistening eye.
Lord Benedict would be there, of course, shedding his own tear. Finally, a son-in-law he could eat sausage with at noon.
All the servants of Stockwood Park would be out there as well. They would dance for joy that they would never have to serve Lord Phillip again.
Even Sawyer’s hounds would arrive and spin about in circles, pleased with their new mistress. They would show her the pond.
Heavens, even the ducks from the pond came to cheer the happy couple on. There was a wolf on the veranda, too! But the wolf was so pleased with the courtship that he did not eat one duck.
In essence, the veranda was not truly packed with this happy crowd, but their spirits were all very much there.
And so, as the evening at Almack’s stretched on, Lady Vivian and Sawyer took their second dance, and then their third. They danced until they could not dance any longer. And since the evening was so happy and gay, the crowd poured out of Almack’s to the Golden Pineapple where Lady Vivian went and had a beer.
“I can’t stop crying,” Christian Sherbet said, having a beer as well.
“I feel as though I’ve been released from prison,” Lady Vivian said, eating a salty peanut.
“I have a gun,” Calvin said darkly, and everyone ignored him.
“You should have seen the look on her face when I returned from the duel,” Sawyer said, loosening his collar.
“I did almost faint,” Lady Vivian said with a smile.
“I wish that I had been there,” Sherbet said, wiping the tears.
“I’m very much glad that you weren’t,” Sawyer replied, as he remembered that he and Lady Vivian had shared a delicious kiss in that moment.
Lady Vivian was eating peanuts feverishly because that dancing had truly worked up her appetite.
It pleased Calvin that she was eating peanuts so. That meant that eventually Lady Vivian would get fat, then she’d get old, and then she’d die.
“I must say, I could not have done it without you chaps,” Sawyer said, giving a warm nod to his friends.
“She is so beautiful,” Sherbet said, staring at Lady Vivian in awe.
“I thank you,” Lady Vivian replied with a nervous grin.
Sawyer took a large swig of his beer and threw it down onto the bar. That being done, it was time for what he had been wanting to do all night. Sawyer grabbed Lady Vivian by the hand and pulled her outside under the night sky.
In Vivian’s empty stool, Fanny sat herself.
“About time,” the chaperone said, taking off her bonnet. “I’ll have an ale, as well.”
Christian Sherbet was instantly in love.
Outside, the night sky was black as pitch and the stars were not white but rather prismatic in nature. Greens and yellows, oranges and blues. It was stunning.
“What’s all this about?” Lady Vivian asked playfully.
“I was tired of sharing you with all of British society,” Sawyer said, putting his arms around her.
“I’m tired of sharing me with all of British society,” Vivian replied.
“It shall all change, when you’re at Bedringham Court.”
“Don’t ever let me drown in your pond,” Vivian said with mock seriousness.
“Lady Vivian,” Sawyer replied with soldierly duty. “I shall never let you drown in my pond.”
With that, the couple enjoyed a long, heartfelt kiss. They lingered there under the night sky, considering how much fate had to play a role in the happiness that they enjoyed.
To the outside eye, one really would think that the kiss went on for far too long.
How can those two young people breathe? one might ask oneself.
Sawyer pulled away and took Vivian’s soft cheek in his hand.
“Lady Vivian Ravenswood, will you be my wife?” Sawyer asked tenderly.
“I’m afraid you’ll have to speak with my father, m’Lord. The decision is not mine to make,” she replied playfully.
“Do you think he’ll say yes?”
“I know that he is fond of you, but there’s still question as to whether you’re a man that can support me,” she replied.
“Would you be happy married to a penniless soldier?” he asked.
“If you’re referring to yourself, yes. I would be the happiest woman in the world.”
“In that case, I shall be able to appease your father with explanation of my financial situation.”
“Truly?” Vivian asked, all the while knowing nothing of the truth of it.
“In all things, I choose modesty. But I must admit that I have not been forthcoming with you about my income.”
“Oh.” Lady Vivian knew not what else to say.
“Might I explain my inheritance to inspire confidence in you?”
“M’Lord, there is no need to do so,” Vivian replied, leaning in to kiss him again.
And so it happened that in the days to come, the nuptials were performed, the happy couple were wed, and not only was Lady Vivian allowed to live at the standards she was accustomed to, but even Lord Benedict enjoyed the prosperity. Although the grounds of Sawyer’s modest home were expanded to accommodate a family, and a townhouse was eventually purchased, to the end of her days, there was nothing more pleasing to Lady Vivian than sitting with her husband, gazing out at his humble pond.
Afterword
Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed the book!
* * *
Lady Vivian is the first volume of what is going to make a four-book series revolving around Almack’s Assembly Rooms. In case you wish to be notified when the next book is available then click here to subscribe to my newsletter.