Illusive Flame

by Girard, Dara

  Lavinia stared at her surprised and a bit humbled. “I see. Perhaps you may be different after all,” she said with reluctance. She stood. “However, I still don’t approve of...” She waved her hand searching for words. “This.” She studied Victoria for a moment. “But I think I understand now.” Lavinia suddenly sighed and turned away. “No, I know I do.” She patted Victoria on the shoulder in a fleeting, absent gesture then left.

  Once everyone had gone, Victoria wandered around the house disoriented, trying to grasp how her life had changed. Soon the house became a prison and she walked the grounds wondering what to do next. She ended up in front of the insect ravaged garden. She felt as though her life resembled it. It had begun with such potential only to be ravaged by unforeseen forces. She should feel glad, but couldn’t.

  She now had a place to stay and money to live on. Why did a sense of emptiness linger? Perhaps she was wicked. Wicked to want her aunt back more than all the money in the world. Wicked to want to belong to someone because that was what she’d wanted her entire life. She’d wanted a quiet, safe existent with someone she could make proud. She’d wanted to escape her past, but kept running into it. Now every time she looked at Robert she would see the face of one of her father’s victims.

  Victoria heard someone coming and sighed. She had wanted time alone. JB turned around the corner. “Hello,” he said.

  “Are you here to discuss the will?”

  He looked surprised. “No.”

  “I won’t tell you what I said to your mother.”

  “I don’t expect you to.” He shrugged. “She’s really a nice woman once you get to know her.”

  Victoria sniffed.

  He sat beside her.

  “I don’t want to talk,” she said.

  “You won’t have to.” He fell silent then said, “ Did Mom tell you about Rosalind?”

  “She told me everything about her.”

  “Even how she was Robert’s greatest humiliation?” He nodded at her disbelief. “Yes, she did. She was beautiful and talented, but she also made a fool out of him.”

  “How could anyone make a fool out of him?”

  “By publicly showing everyone that she preferred other men to her husband.”

  “She had a lover?”

  “Lovers in the plural. We’re scared to count how many. She was an artist, I’m sure Mom told you, but she forgot to mention Rosalind’s little projects. She claimed to want to patron other artists so she started selecting protégés.

  Robert supported his wife’s career unconcerned that they were usually men. The family suspected early that her protégés were much more than that, but we said nothing. Robert had no idea. Then one day he caught her in a very intimate position with one of them. He filed for divorce.

  “Through the divorce proceedings he discovered she hadn’t been brought up in the middle-class Connecticut neighborhood as she had claimed, but had come from a tenement house in the Bronx. That wouldn’t have bothered him because he’s not an economic snob, but then he found out that when he’d met her she wasn’t making money from her art. She’d had an older man paying all her expenses for certain favors. Basically, she had climbed her way out of poverty on the backs of successful men and he was just another rung on the ladder. I’m not sure if you can understand, but it really hurt him to be married for his money and prestige, and then have his wife completely reject him as a man. He promised himself he wouldn’t get caught again.”

  Victoria pulled at a blade of grass. “Why are you telling me this?”

  He shrugged. “I just thought you might like to know.”

  She digested his words and they sat in silence. Soon Jerome and Foster joined them. Jerome surveyed the area. “So this is the famous garden?”

  “It was going to be beautiful,” Foster said.

  JB looked around. “There’s always next year.”

  Jerome looked at her curious. “So tell us about yourself.”

  “You know everything that’s important,” Victoria said in no mood to humor him.

  Robert came around the corner. “Don’t put her on the spot.”

  “Hey, we’re just curious, little brother,” Jerome said. “You didn’t think you could keep this a secret for long, did you?”

  JB nudged Victoria. “If Robert doesn’t work out, you’re free to stay with me.”

  “Right,” Jerome said. “Like any woman in her right mind would want a man with three children.”

  She stared at JB amazed. “Of course! You’re the one with the triplets.”

  He suddenly smiled. “Yes, all girls.” He took out his wallet. “I have some pictures.”

  Jerome rolled his eyes and groaned. “Don’t let him get started. You’re lucky he doesn’t drag along his camcorder.”

  JB ignored him and handed Victoria his wallet. She flipped through the photos of three little girls about five years old. “They look like you,” she said.

  JB studied the images. “They have a lot of their mother too.”

  “Careful,” Jerome warned. “He thinks just because they’re cute he can use them to persuade some woman to marry him.”

  He put the pictures away, uncomfortable. “That’s not true.”

  “Sure it is. It took you two years just to get Christine to marry you and that was because—”

  “Quiet,” Robert said.

  “You don’t need to use your children to get a wife,” Victoria said, squeezing his hand. “You’re reason enough.”

  Jerome laughed at the expression on JB’s face. “Wow, Robert. You actually found a woman who can make JB blush. Careful little brother, seems you’ve found another woman who knows how to handle men.”

  A stunned hush fell.

  JB sent his brother a quelling look.

  Jerome cleared his throat. “Uh, sorry about that.”

  Victoria stood, sensing the tension between them.”I have to go. Nice talking to you.”

  The men waited for her to leave then JB turned to Robert. “So?” he asked.

  Robert shrugged. “So what?”

  “What’s going on?”

  “I think that’s obvious,” Jerome said. “Here’s my advice. Have all the fun you want, just don’t marry her. ”

  JB shook his head. “No, she gets on with Amanda. You should marry her if only for that.”

  “She’ll take him to the cleaners. Keep her as a mistress. She won’t cost much.”

  “She has her own money. She won’t cost anything.”

  Jerome folded his arms. “When has a woman cost you nothing? Even with a prenup--”

  “I think Victoria’s different.”

  “Why? Because of that grand display earlier? I agree with Mom—a quick show of dramatics and nothing more. She’ll get used to having money real fast.”

  “So, you don’t like her,” Robert said.

  “I didn’t say I didn’t like her. I like her very much, which means she’s probably not good for you.”

  “Want her for yourself? Wouldn’t be the first time.”

  Jerome narrowed his eyes. “I told you I was never with Rosalind. You don’t have to believe me, but it wouldn’t be the first time she lied to you.”

  Robert shoved his hands in his pockets and turned away. “Sorry. I do believe you.”

  He nodded letting his hands fall. “Good. I’m just offering advice. I think you should be careful.”

  “I’m very careful.”

  “Too careful,” JB said. “You need to take a risk.”

  Jerome threw his head back and laughed. “This coming from you?” He laughed until tears filled his eyes.

  JB frowned. “Ignore the laughing baboon and listen to me. Take a risk.”

  “I am,” Robert said.

  Jerome sobered. “If he marries this one, how will he know whether she’s just marrying him for his money?”

  “Because she now has money of her own.”

  “And again I say—”

  Robert held up his hands. “I’m
not interested in getting married again so let’s drop the subject.”

  Jerome shrugged. “Okay. Let’s go grab a beer and complain about women.”

  Robert saw Foster’s face. “No, let’s get a couple of root beers and catch a game.”

  The men agreed and piled into his car.

  * * *

  “Have you seen Amanda?” Katherine asked Victoria later that day. Victoria saw Lavinia in the distance and knew Amanda’s disappearance would be the ammunition she needed to take her away. “I think I know where she is.”

  “Does she always disappear like this?” Lavinia asked, coming toward them.

  “Usually,” Katherine said. “She has a wild streak that Mr. Braxton overlooks.”

  Victoria took a deep breath trying to keep her temper. “Amanda is a sensible girl. She is merely picky about who she spends time with.” She turned before either woman could reply. “I’ll find her.” A few moments later she found Amanda sitting in her favorite tree. “There you are.”

  “I’m not going back inside,” she said in an angry little voice.

  “Why not?”

  “Because Grandma wants to take me and I won’t go.”

  “Your uncle won’t let her take you.”

  “He always does what the family tells him.”

  Victoria watched an ant crawl up the trunk trying to think of something to say. “I don’t think he will this time.”

  Amanda fell quiet then said cautiously, “Grandma doesn’t like you. She didn’t like Ms. Janet either.”

  “Yes, I know.”

  “Why not?”

  She shrugged. “Just because.”

  “Well, I like you.”

  It was a simple statement, but after the looks from Katherine and Mrs. Braxton she needed to hear it. It made her feel as though she did belong in some way. “I’m glad.”

  Amanda swung her legs. “Are you going to leave now that Ms. Janet is gone?”

  Victoria studied Amanda’s worried face. “No.” She motioned for her to come down. “Let’s go before it gets dark.”

  “I want to stay out here.” She hugged the trunk of the tree. “I want to sleep on this branch and watch morning come.”

  “It’s not safe for you to stay out here.”

  Her face lit up as she thought of an idea. “You could stay with me. There’s plenty of room.”

  “I’ve got a better idea. You could sleep on the balcony.” Amanda considered the suggestion then asked, “Will you stay with me?”

  Victoria hesitated. “Okay.”

  Amanda smiled then climbed down the tree. “Great! I’ll help you pack.”

  A half hour later, Robert met them as they came through the front door. “Where have you been?” he asked Amanda. “I come home and Ms. Katherine is in a panic.”

  Amanda raced past him. “Ms. Victoria is spending the night.”

  “That wasn’t my question,” he called after her: “Where are you going?”

  “To get Ms. Katherine.” She disappeared around the corner.

  Robert stared amazed. “I haven’t seen her that excited in a long time.” He turned to Victoria and began to grin. “So she convinced you to stay, hmm?”

  “I-I only thought—”

  “You don’t have to explain. You make her happy. Thank you.” He bent to kiss her.

  She turned her cheek to him afraid someone might see them. “Not here in the open.”

  He wrapped an arm around her waist “Relax. I told you they already know.”

  She turned her back to him and tried to remove his arm. “It still doesn’t seem right’

  He pulled her closer. “It feels right.” He kissed her throat, his coaxing lips melting any reservations. “Don’t you agree?”

  She felt herself weaken and tilted her head giving him further access. “I’m beginning to.”

  “Do I need to be a little more convincing?”

  “Perhaps.”

  He brushed her hair aside and kissed the back of her neck. “Would this convince you?”

  “Maybe.”

  His mouth seared a path to the curve of her neck. “How about this?”

  She grinned. “Definitely.”

  Katherine came around the corner and halted when she saw them. She drew in her lips. Victoria began to pull away; Robert tightened his hold. “Yes, Ms. Anderson?”

  “Your niece has informed me that she wants to sleep on the balcony,” she said.

  “Yes, I know.”

  “She wants me to set everything up for her and Ms. Spenser.”

  Robert nodded. “What’s the problem?”

  She glanced at Victoria. “I think we should discuss the topic in private.”

  “I don’t.”

  “Very well. Your mother and I don’t think it’s appropriate behavior for Amanda to have sleepovers with the help staff.”

  “I’ll decide what’s appropriate behavior,” he said cold and exact.

  “Yes,” she said with a hint of disapproval. Her eyes slid to the arm wrapped around Victoria’s waist. “I’m sure you have a different idea of what that is.”

  Victoria could feel Robert’s anger. She tried to move; his grip became like a steel bar. When she winced in pain, he loosened his hold. “Ms. Anderson why are you here?”

  “I was hired to look after your niece and other familial issues,” she replied.

  “Yes, you were hired. So you’re aware that position can change.”

  She blinked surprised by the veiled threat. “Yes, Mr. Braxton.” She held her chin high. “Excuse me.”

  Victoria shook her head as Katherine’s footsteps grew distant. “She’s going to dislike me even more now.”

  Robert tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Why would she dislike you?”

  Victoria sighed. She didn’t feel like explaining it to him. “I don’t know. She just doesn’t approve of me.”

  “Don’t worry. My nanny was the same way.”

  Her voice cracked in surprise. “Your nanny? Katherine is your nanny?”

  “Yes, of course. What did you think she was?”

  “I don’t know,” she stammered. “But she made her role sound so impressive.”

  “It is impressive. She looks after Amanda and any other children that come to the house. She watched Nicholas and Patrice grow.”

  A nanny. She’d thought Katherine was a social hostess. She’d gone about with all that grace and snootiness to look after children? Katherine suddenly seemed so ordinary, she nearly laughed. Everything would be okay.

  Victoria didn’t consider herself good with children, but Amanda didn’t seem like any of the children she’d grown up with. That evening under a canopy Victoria and Amanda set up their sleepover. The scent of a sweet spring evening filled the air. They made popcorn and cotton candy, then shivered over ghost stories and giggled at silly tales, watched a movie on Amanda’s DVD, made up songs, and then listened to some.

  “I want my magician’s cape,” Amanda said beginning to stand. “Ms. Katherine knows where it is.” She pushed a button on the device that connected to other areas of the house. A few moments later Katherine came into the room.

  “Did you need something?” she asked.

  “Yes,” Victoria said. “We need Amanda’s magician’s cape.”

  “It’s in the game room.”

  “Would you fetch it, please?”

  Katherine folded her arms and sent Victoria a significant look. “You know where the room is.”

  Amanda’s face darkened like her uncle. “We know where it is, but it’s your job to get it for us. Now go.”

  Victoria stared at her appalled. “You can’t speak to a grown woman like that.”

  Amanda looked at her confused. “Yes, I can. She’s supposed to do her job.”

  “No, you must still treat people with respect.”

  Katherine spoke up. “Amanda can speak to me in any manner she wishes. You, however, cannot.”

  Victoria stood and walked to the door.
“I’ll be right back Amanda. Ms. Katherine and I need to have a few words.” Once outside in the hallway, she said. “That was unnecessary.”

  “I do not respond to the requests of those below me. You may sleep with Mr. Braxton, but I can assure you that’s the only position that’s changed.”

  Victoria straightened. “Please fetch Amanda’s cape. I will not repeat myself.”

  “Neither will I.” She spun on her heel and left.

  Victoria sighed and headed to the game room. She knew her relationship with Robert would not be welcomed, but hadn’t expected this. Katherine made her feel as though what she had with Robert was wrong. Perhaps it was, but she didn’t care.

  “Did Ms. Katherine get the cape?” Amanda asked when Victoria returned to the room.

  “Yes,” she lied. “Now let’s pretend we’re goddesses trapped by an evil witch...”

  * * *

  “So is it serious?” Foster asked Robert in the study as they went over the monthly ledger.

  “Is what serious?”

  “You and Victoria.”

  Robert frowned. “We are discussing business right now.”

  “I know... and it’s getting messy.”

  He glanced up. “What do you mean?”

  “How long do you plan on paying your lover a salary?”

  Robert stared at his checkbook, taking reign on his temper. He did not like discussing his personal life, but Foster had a point.

  “Ah,” Foster said. “So it is serious.”

  Robert picked up another bill.

  “She doesn’t need the money anymore.”

  “Meaning she doesn’t need me anymore?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  Robert scribbled an amount on a check.

  “Come on, Braxton. Everyone is talking.”

  Robert sent him a glance. “They can as long as I don’t hear them.”

  “I like her.”

  Robert rubbed the back of his neck ridiculously glad he did. “My mother doesn’t.”

  “Fortunately, she’s leaving tomorrow.”

  The two men smiled, then Foster laughed and the tense mood broke.

  Someone knocked on the door.

  “Come in,” Robert said.

  Katherine entered. Foster whispered, “Here’s someone else who doesn’t like Victoria. Excuse me.” He nodded to Katherine then closed the door behind him.