“Are you sure?”
“Positive,” Serene says before she turns her attention to the maid. “That will be all. Thank you.”
Once the maid is out of the room, Serene turns to me. I busy myself by grabbing my gloves from the vanity.
“There’s still time to change your mind,” Serene says gently.
Repeatedly, I stroke the silky material. “There’s time for no such thing.”
“Of course there is. Say the word, and Étienne will gladly tell everyone to leave. Believe me, he lives for that kind of shit.”
“It’s very kind of you, but no.”
Serene takes one of the gloves and begins to gather the material together. Patiently, I hold my hand out and wait.
“Are you certain about my hair?” I blurt.
Serene momentarily stops bunching the material into her hands and lifts a single brow. “This question again? For the umpteenth time, it looks fantastic.”
She stretches the opening of the glove, and I slide my right hand in. “It’s just … I’m not accustomed to wearin’ it down in public.” Serene slides the material up my arm until it stops at my elbow. I begin to adjust the glove to fit my hand while she works on the other glove.
Serene had suggested I wear my hair down in loose waves with one side pinned directly above the ear, and it sounded good at the time. But the more time that went by, the stronger my nerves became. I was so close to using the magazine on the dresser to fan myself. It was far too hot in here.
Compose yourself, Rainey. You are fine. You knew all along it would lead to this.
Serene holds the glove open for me, and we repeat the same process as before. With our heads bent in concentration, I ask a question I’ve been thinking about all day. “Do you think he will be here tonight?”
At my question, Serene stops adjusting the glove before she continues. “I don’t know. He hasn’t told Étienne or me otherwise.” When she’s finished, she steps back. “Do you want him to be there?”
Of course, I do. It’s probably for the best if he isn’t, but I miss him so much.
Serene knowingly nods. My silence is the only answer she needs. “This is your bachelor ball. Your night to show him and everyone how beautiful savage can be.”
Her emphatic speech brings a faint smile to my face. I want that more than I realize. “Thank you.”
Serene steps beside me and turns me to face the mirror once again. “I’m married to a Lacroix. Listen to me when I say they go wild for wild women.” She points at me and swipes her finger up and down. “This will capture Livingston’s attention and make him realize what a fool he is.” She meets my gaze in the mirror. “That’s what you want, don’t you?”
Before I can answer her, there’s a knock on the door. “Come in,” Serene says.
I expect to see a maid, but instead, it’s Momma. She smiles at the two of us, and when she sees my dress, her eyes widen. “Oh, how beautiful.”
My brows furrow. It’s not what she said; it’s the hurried, dismissive way she spoke. She wanted the conversation to come to a close so she could say what’s on her mind.
Serene looks between the two of us and walks to the door. “I’ll leave the two of you.”
Momma doesn’t wait for the door to close before she advances toward me. Her eyes are wide, furtively moving around the room as though she doesn’t know where to sit. She’s starting to worry me.
“Momma?” I say although it comes out as a question.
“The debts are paid,” she blurts.
Slowly, I lower my arms to my side. “Pardon?”
Momma stares at me with watery eyes. Her bottom lip quivers ever so slightly. “The collectors informed me before I left for Belgrave that they were paid in full days ago.” She steps forward and clutches my hands. “We can keep the house. You don’t have to do this.”
Surely, I’m dreaming. At any moment, I’m going to wake up and discover none of this is real. Blinking rapidly, I wait for Momma to disappear right before my very eyes. When that doesn’t happen, I pinch my arm.
Momma slightly shakes me by my arms and laughs breathlessly. I haven’t seen her this happy in such a long time. “Don’t you see, sugar? We’re saved!”
This is great news. Wonderful even. But I have so many questions that I don’t know where to begin. I shake my head, trying to get a grasp on the situation. “I don’t understand. How? When?”
“I don’t know when. Just that they’re paid.” Letting go of me, Momma clutches her hands to her chest and looks toward the ceiling. “This is a miracle.”
“Yes, it is,” I numbly say because it’s a miracle that doesn’t make sense.
But here is my chance. I could call Serene back to my room. I could tell her that I’ve changed my mind, and I don’t need the dowry. For the time being, my problems are over. But that’s not entirely true. I still have one problem. One deep, painful problem that refuses to heal, and when I’m alone, it hurts the most. It dwells in every conversation, laugh, argument, kiss, and embrace Livingston and I have had. Another man will never be Livingston, but at least I won’t be alone.
“Who paid the debts?” I ask.
Momma regards me carefully. She is starting to become more composed. “Are you askin’ me if I know if Livingston paid?”
Rapidly, I nod and wait for her answer.
She shakes her head. “Sugar, I truly don’t know.”
I don’t know whether I feel relief or disappointment. He once offered to give me a loan so I wouldn’t have to go through with the bachelor plan. But I knew the offer was based upon his friendship with Miles. My pride had a life of its own and dictated that I decline the offer.
“All I know is that the debts were paid in full, and it was done anonymously.”
I was inclined to believe it was Livingston. Very few people knew of our financial situation, but I couldn’t prove it.
I needed more time to think this through. More time to talk this out. I need more time.
There’s another knock on a door. Serene peeks her head inside. “Rainey? It’s time.”
The ballroom at Belgrave is breathtaking.
The heavy curtains are pulled back from the windows. The French doors are open, allowing in fresh air. The marble floor is spotless, allowing light from the chandeliers to reflect in every direction. A quartet is set up in the far corner of the ballroom. The sound of their instruments fills me with peace, and I’m tempted to close my eyes.
It’s a black-tie affair, and everyone is dressed in their best attire. I admire the guests before I step into the room. Once I do, I know I’m going to be enclosed by the bachelors and the guests.
“Ready to go in?” Serene asks quietly.
I turn to her, and see her regarding me with concern. I smile at her. “Yes. Of course.” For good measure, I step forward, knowing that after this, I can’t go back.
At once, Conrad is in front of me as though he’s been waiting for me the entire time. “Rainey, there you are. You look beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
“Shall we dance?”
“Of course.” I accept his hand and allow him to escort me into the throng of dancers.