“I’m surprised you are hungry! We all know you never have that great of an appetite, my friend!” Mercedes made fun of the lady’s comment.
“I share Mercedes’ opinion. Maybe Lorena does not want to be in our company. Maybe she already has another commitment, or maybe... another person for whom she may have deeper esteem!”
The way Carolina said this last word was particularly unflattering. The young lady with flowery words was also a master of misunderstandings, and time and again Lorena observed closely this character flaw so typical of rich society young ladies. Seeing that it would be hard to convince them, Lorena decided to play smart.
“Well, well, well... is it me that is always keeping little secrets? From what I know, the only sphinx of Thebes is you, Carolina! After all, didn’t you want to tell us a secret?”
Carolina stared at Lorena with surprise and admiration for her being so witty and sagacious. Realizing she should be more careful with what she said, because even though the little bourgeois girl was not too talkative, she did have a way with words.
“Decipher me or I’ll devour you!”[16] Mercedes joked.
“Well... yes...” Carolina stuttered and suddenly backed away from the girls who, not understanding what was going on, followed her suit.
“But what happened just now, Carolina?” Mercedes asked her friend who was so nervous that she retrieved a tissue from her little purse and started to dab on the sweat droplets on her face.
“It’s true that I have something important to tell, but I wouldn't say it to you here on the plaza”, she looked at her companions as if to transmit a solemn message. “It’s better that we finish this conversation in your room, Mercedes.” And she started down the street, followed by the other two.
When they arrived at Mercedes’ house, they were confronted by three very impatient women because they were so late. One was Mrs. Teodora, which was whispering something to Mrs. Leonor, Carolina’s mother, and with Mrs. Piedade, Mercedes’ mother, who was also Lorena’s godmother. The hostess, besides being the godmother of the Duartes Valões’ daughter, was also a distant cousin of Gaspar. This lady had married a renowned chemist[17] in São Clemente, well known by the name of Doctor Romero, so much so that only his family knew that his given name was actually Juliano. Carolina’s mother, in turn, was the wife of one of the main officials of the National Guard that had participated in The Paraguay’s War, receiving great honors for his performance in combat in the trenches. Not that this was enough to give the couple’s daughter a promising future, but Mrs. Leonor descended from one of the most iconic families of the Empire’s coffee farmers.
“Why are you so late, Lorena!” Mrs. Teodora complained. “Your godmother and I were worried!”
“Don’t worry, my dear! The important thing is that I can now order dinner to be served. And it looks like this will be a women-only gathering! I apologize for my husband’s trip...” and approaching Lorena, Mrs. Piedade hugged her tenderly. “Your godfather wanted to be here indeed, but he sends his regards!”
After their meal, the women decided to go for a walk in the garden to check on the flawless work Mrs. Piedade had done on her rose bushes, while the girls went upstairs so that they could talk more freely. Carolina had a mysterious attitude, and the others were dying from their curiosity. Mercedes lay down on her bed whimsically, while Lorena sat by the dresser and started trying out her friend’s different jewelry pieces to see how they looked on her.
“Well, what I have to tell you will make you two speechless...” Carolina announced, creating suspense.
“For God’s sake, why so much mystery?!” Mercedes spoke out, who from being so curious, had risen from the bed.
“The fact is.... That I have been courted! I will be marrying very soon!”
“As soon as she heard the news, Lorena tried to catch Carolina’s gaze through the mirror. Meanwhile, Mercedes covered her mouth with her hands to muffle her astonishment.
“But, how is that even possible?” Mercedes asked. “Please, tell us at once! Who is the insolent person? Antenor or the swashbuckler Lúcio Freitas? Ah, if it is Bernardo Campos, my dear, it is better to forget...”
“No!” exasperated Carolina. “I am referring to a true gentleman! My mother did not want me to tell you fearing the gossips, but everything is already settled; besides, you are my best friends and deserve to know... My father will pay a dowry of twenty thousand. I will be married probably by the end of October and...”
“In October? So soon? But who is the groom? Spill the beans!” Mercedes was about to suffer syncope.
“Young ladies, that is the best part: with the judge Henrique Abrantes’ son!”
Lorena, upon hearing the name, felt the ground open under her feet.
“Carolina, are you going to marry Rafael Abrantes? He is such a distinct young man, from such a good family... And he is so good-looking!” Mercedes overflowed with excitement, already commending her friend effusively for her marriage plans.
Carolina asked her friend to speak in a quieter voice in order to avoid being overheard. Across the room, sitting without reaction, Lorena was shaken with the news. Her friend was going to marry? And precisely with Rafael, one of the most desirable men of the Court? This could not be true! She was the avid reader of books and of the novel pamphlets; she was the one who spent whole afternoons absorbed in her heroines’ adventures, waiting for that day when a prince would wake her up from her slumber of hundred years! She wished she hadn’t heard it! She’d rather have not awakened that day! Actually, she preferred to die than have to know that piece of news! For the first time in her life, she was feeling envy eating her insides.
Shocked with the revelation, all Lorena did was to put back the last jewelry piece inside the jewelry box and lock up the little ballerina that was still dancing on top of the music box. She pretended to smile. And without knowing what to do with her sweaty hands due to her sudden anxiety, she discreetly rubbed her hands on the sides of her skirt; standing up so that she wouldn’t look unhappy, she hugged Carolina tightly.
“Ah, my friend!” exclaimed her, all choked up and with tears about to roll down her cheeks. “I can’t believe such a thing! Specially you, Carolina, that we thought to be the more demanding of us all...”
Mercedes nodded while Carolina allowed herself to be hugged by the two friends. Whoever saw that touching moment could imagine the strong ties of friendship that united those young ladies. However, one of them pretended with great histrionic abilities.
“Anyways, when will everything be formalized so that we may compliment the bride and groom?” Lorena asked, faking her emotions.
“Very soon! Ah, my dear friends, I am so happy to know I have your support...” Carolina was touched by the display of affection.
“Why, how different could it be?” Lorena asked, reproving her with incredible dissimulation. “You know very well that we care tremendously about you!” and once more she hugged her.
Mercedes, that so far demonstrated to be extremely emotional, suddenly remembered that she should contact her dressmaker immediately so that she could recommend the latest Parisian fashion for the great event that would take place.
• • •
“So, will you really marry her?” Mrs. Piedade asked, serving herself another glass of lemonade.
“Yes, and very soon! And I want to invite you two to be there for sure. It will be in October, God willing!” Mrs. Leonor announced, not hiding her contentment.
“Ah, it would not be any other way! Carolina is a nice girl and a dedicated daughter! I am thankful by the fact that our daughters get along so well. Mercedes is also very sensible, but I fear for my Lorena...” Mrs. Teodora lamented.
“What is going on, my dear?” Mrs. Piedade asked, concerned with her goddaughter.
“It is just that Lorena is too withdrawn... She does not share anything with me and, sometimes, I notice she even avoids my presence. Can you imagine how much it hurts a mother’s heart? Besides, Gasp
ar doesn’t help me, as he should! He is only interested in the store business...” that was enough for Mrs. Teodora to initiate a never-ending sequence of complaints.
“Ah, but this can be an illness, Teodora!” said Mrs. Leonor. “I heard about a similar story that happened to Doctor Moreira, that lawyer, Piedade, that has a raspy voice like a thunder.... Indeed, it seems that the girl was disappointed by a suitor-to-be and, soon, they say that she wouldn’t even open her mouth; such was her sorrow, completely absent of the world. And the result was that she had to be put in a loony bin[18]!” and saying that, she drank her lemonade in big gulps.
“Ah, no! By the Virgin Mary!” Mrs. Teodora was horrified with what she heard. “My daughter doesn’t have this kind of problem! She is also not enchanted by any of those despicable young mean from the Ouvidor Street... And besides, you two just saw her earlier today. She is very happy until...”
“My dear, what Lorena needs is to distract herself. Why don't you allow her to come with us to the Cassino[19] one of these nights? This would be good for Mercedes, as well. Besides, it is already time to present her to society, and allow her to know other ladies and young men of her age and that are beyond our circle of friends.”
“I have to agree with Piedade on this!” Mrs. Leonor reinforced. “There will be a soirée to celebrate the Emperor’s coronation anniversary and it certainly would be a good occasion. What do you think?”
“I’ll talk with my husband. I believe that even Gaspar and I may be able to attend. I apologize for bugging you two with my problems. It is just that I care, I am an extremely zealous mother; after all, Lorena is my only child!”
The other two women understood the meaning of those words. A womb that could no longer conceive certainly deserved a bit of human compassion. Such a condition is similar to a terrible presage in a family, especially when a woman is not able to give her husband a son.
“When will the Emperor’s coronation anniversary be?” Mrs. Piedade asked.
“It will be in two weeks, on the eighteenth day of July. Do you agree in coming with us? It will be very enjoyable, and you two will have the opportunity to meet Carolina’s future husband...”
Mrs. Teodora consented joyfully and started thinking what she would say to her husband when she arrived home. He would have to agree, for once more he had tricked her and skipped church, breaking his promise. Well then, now Gaspar would have to fulfill his role as a father and husband. Thinking about it, she looked at her friend, and smiled back a smile of satisfaction while they served themselves more lemonade.
Chapter IV
Ouvidor Street. An address well known and of great competition amongst the Court’s young ladies and eligible bachelors who were regulars of the fancy shops. This famous street was the cultural heart of Rio de Janeiro, where the latest news would show up. It was the granary where refined and elegant Brazilians could delight themselves in their good taste and refinement. To go through so many establishments meant to be, in a way, closer to Paris and Europe. Perfumes, shoes, clothing, among other goods, represented the paradise of those souls eager and anxious for the latest tendencies of the French fashion. That piece of city, narrow and thriving did not know monotony. Slaves passed by busy with merchandise that arrived in the ships; footmen run hurriedly in order to transport their lords’ purchased goods; the fashion princes would mingled on the street with the intention of falling in love with a young lady they could admire, of buying their Havana cigars or a Wellicamp hat. Mrs. Gaspar’s store was one of the many shops specialized in cloth, yarn and buttons. Around that time, close to noon, it wasn’t that busy; and he, by the counter, was checking his inventory. He hadn’t even noticed that his daughter had arrived, followed by her mother. The young lady, smiling at her father, hugged him tenderly.
“Oh, my! Look what I have here, my two precious ones!” Mrs. Gaspar smiled, content.
“Mrs. Teodora greeted Mr. Estevão and saluted the two women he was helping. Walking a few more steps towards her husband, she talked in a tired tone:
“We are exhausted! We spent the whole morning shopping for this event at the Cassino: we visited the dressmaker that Leonor recommended, new shoes, belt buckles...”
“Who would imagine! You, complaining because you will be present in one of the most important ballrooms of the Court!”
“Of course not, Mrs. Gaspar! I just don’t deny that there is great effort in preparing for these social conventions. It is the Emperor’s coronation anniversary and we cannot show up looking like peasants! In fact, I already ordered your clothes. Good thing that we didn’t have to worry about the fabrics...” Mrs. Teodora displayed a smile of satisfaction while Lorena gave her father an affectionate glance.
“And why on earth do you care so much about it? We are not obligated to go to this event...”
“How can you even ask such a question? It is because of your daughter, of course!? And if you don’t know yet, one of her friends, the daughter of General Figueiredo, is to be married, and with the son of a very distinct and rich man!”
“And you would love to marry our daughter to a baron or to a marquis, wouldn’t you?”
Mr. Gaspar was teasing his wife, while pretending to waltz with Lorena, who was laughing with her father’s joke.
“Gaspar Duarte Valão, could you do me the great favor of taking this conversation seriously?”
On that moment, it was Lorena’s turn to intervene:
“Mom, don’t you realize that daddy doesn’t care about these things? I know he wishes me happiness, regardless of the person with whom I might marry.”
Mrs. Teodora pretended she didn’t hear her daughter’s comment, turning her back to them while she searched the store for something else she could deliver to the dressmaker right away. Meanwhile, Gaspar was having fun with Lorena and was talking to her very quietly so that only she could hear:
“Your mother is difficult, but you shouldn’t take everything she says seriously, alright?”
“Yes, daddy.” Answered Lorena just as quietly. “I say the same to you.”
That was enough for Mr. Gaspar to roar with laughter, being heard by some of the clients, by Estevão, and by his own wife, who didn’t hide from her face her disgust of her husband’s unconventional manners.
• • •
Lorena was in her room, comfortably reading the latest novel pamphlet from the newspaper, when suddenly her mother opened the door. The young lady stood up from the chair, embarrassed, and tried to hide the pamphlet, what couldn’t go unnoticed by Mrs. Teodora’s sharp eyes.
“Lorena, we need to talk about something very important...”
“Yes, mother.”
“What did you talk about on Sunday with Mercedes and Leonor’s daughter?”
“Nothing much, mom! We talked about Carolina’s trip and...”
“And about the wedding?”
“Which wedding, mom?”
“Spill it out, now! Don't pretend you don’t understand me. It’s obvious that you know exactly which wedding I am talking about. Carolina’s wedding!” Mrs. Teodora was more impatient than in other occasions.
“Ah... yes... she mentioned it in passing. And said that when the date is set we are going to be invited to attend. Why do you want to know it, mom?”
“I have only one question to you: don't you feel annoyed in knowing Carolina is going to be married to someone such as Rafael Abrantes? I say so because, in my opinion, I believe that girl is quite eccentric...”
“Get annoyed? Why would I get bothered with that?” The girl pretended she didn't understand the point. Obviously, the news had bothered her tremendously.
“Because I see in you the chance to acquire better possibilities. Lorena, don't you realize how alike you two are? You have in your blood the beauty and the magnitude of a queen. However, I’m afraid that you might not have a proper understanding of what it means.” Mrs. Teodora slumped down, sitting on the bed with heavy shoulders. “I know that sometimes I am harsh with
you, and I ask that you forgive me for my severity, but don't you dare to be irresponsible and throw away all the opportunities given to you. Your father and I gave you a good education, culture, refinement... And all that I see is that you are wasting your time with these silly romance novels!”
“Mother, please, don't speak like that!” The girl was uncomfortable with all those accusations. “What do you mean by all that, after all?”
“Ok, I will try to be as clear as possible... I believe that it is about time we find a husband for you. And a gentleman that is worthy of your condition. You are not a proletarian’s daughter, but the daughter of a bourgeois! We don’t belong to the nobility, but we know how things work in this society. One has to know how to survive in this world, my daughter!”
Lorena lowered her eyes, as if her mother’s words echoed heavily on her, revealing her condition.
“At the Cassino, you will have the opportunity to know many young bachelors, men of great titles. This is not simply a matter of having fun, but it is necessary to secure your future side by side with a good man. Take a look at my example with your father!”
The young lady took the opportunity to ask an important question.
“Mother, did you marry my father out of love?”
“What kind of question is that, missy?” Mrs. Teodora seemed to be offended with her daughter’s question.
“You allege to be happy with my father, and as you two have been married for so long and I never see you fighting... well... I just wanted to confirm this.”
Mrs. Teodora looked at Lorena with surprise in her face. Before she entered the room, she though the topic of marriage was a delicate subject to talk with her daughter, now it was her turn to face a delicate question. She noticed the face of the girl was expecting a convincing answer, and all she could do in that moment was to contest it with the upmost sincerity of her soul.
“Well... when I met your father, I only had a deep affection for him. He was a gentleman, and even today he is...” she said, correcting herself. “He only irritates me with his many jokes.” Mrs. Teodora realized the difficulty to control her own emotions and, if even she felt that way, let alone a young lady of only eighteen years old?
The Countess Of Assis - Romance, revenge and ambition during the Second Reign Page 3