Dusky Rose

by Joanna Scott

  Laura sat down in the small blue velvet chair by the window. She watched the boats drifting lazily through the bay, envying their freedom. It was obvious to her that David had decided to make her life one of pure misery, leaving her with no means of escape. She grew steadily more desolate as she contemplated this thought. She must have slept because it was daylight when she was awakened by a sharp rapping on the bedroom door. Laura looked up to see a tall, attractive woman with slightly graying hair. She gaped at Laura, whose clothing was all rumpled and creased from her night in the chair. A look of pure disgust fluttered across her face.

  "I'm Miss Wentworth, Mr. Lattimer's secretary. I've come to take you to the shops to replenish your wardrobe."

  Laura could see by her expression that she looked upon it as a distasteful task.

  "I'll wait for you in the library. Please join me there when you're ready. We have a ten o'clock appointment at Magnin's."

  Laura waited until the disdainful woman had left the room. Then she freshened up as best she could since she had no other clothes. Miss Wentworth was having coffee in the library when Laura entered.

  "Would you like a cup of coffee or some breakfast before we leave, Mrs. Lattimer?"

  "Coffee will be fine, thank you," Laura said, as she went to pour herself a cup from the silver pot on the sideboard.

  She sat down and drank deeply of the strong black coffee, savoring its robust flavor.

  "As soon as you're finished, we'd best leave," Miss Wentworth said. "We have a lot of ground to cover today. As you know, Mr. Lattimer expects everything to be completed in the specified time."

  Laura gulped down her coffee and followed Miss Wentworth to the door. The older woman's superior attitude was making Laura very uncomfortable and the ride down in the elevator was accomplished in complete silence.

  When they reached the front entrance, Dan was waiting for them by the car. Miss Wentworth motioned Laura into the car, while she addressed the chauffeur. "You have the list of our itinerary, don't you, Dan? Just start with Magnin's and we'll take it from there."

  Once again, Laura cowered in the corner of the limousine. Miss Wentworth made no attempt to start a conversation and by now Laura was too intimidated to initiate any discussion herself.

  They arrived at Magnin's and Miss Wentworth swept Laura into the private selection area. An older woman with expensive clothing and heavy make-up walked over to them.

  "Ah, Miss Wentworth, so good to see you again. And you must be Mrs. Lattimer. How fortunate you are; Mr. Lattimer is such a charming man." Laura cringed as Miss Wentworth said, "We need an entire new wardrobe. Why don't we start with the undergarments and nightwear, then we'll progress to the outer garments. What size do you wear, my dear?" she asked condescendingly.

  Laura told them her sizes and was whisked away into a luxurious dressing room. "Now you just relax, my dear, we'll bring everything in to you," said the gushing saleswoman.

  And they did. Laura protested that she didn't need so many garments. But Miss Wentworth paid her no mind.

  "Mr. Lattimer gave me specific orders as to your attire, and I always follow Mr. Lattimer's orders and I suggest you learn to do likewise."

  Laura would have loved to shatter Miss Wentworth's high ideals by telling her the truth about her darling Mr. Lattimer, but she decided that if it ever got back to David he would only use it as an excuse to hurt Steven. So she smiled meekly and kept her silence.

  They left Magnin's and repeated the fitting and selection process at all the shops on Miss Wentworth's list. By the end of the day, Laura possessed more clothing than she had ever had at any other time in her life and she was also thoroughly exhausted. She was actually grateful when Miss Wentworth deposited her at the Pacific Heights penthouse before telling Dan to continue on to the office.

  Laura smiled at the doorman and elevator operator when they greeted her. Apparently word about her identity had gotten around because both greeted her as Mrs. Lattimer. Realizing that she didn't have a key to the apartment, she rang the doorbell. Jeffry answered the door.

  "Ah, good afternoon, Mrs. Lattimer. Several packages have arrived for you. We took the liberty of unwrapping them and placing them in your room. Is there anything else we can do for you?"

  Laura smiled at this display of friendly kindness. "No thanks, I'm just going to my room to relax. I'm exhausted."

  She walked into the bathroom and dropped her clothes to the floor. Then she stepped into a hot shower, letting the water run over her body to relax her jangled nerves. She stepped out of the shower and selected some powder from the vast display on the vanity. David certainly knew how to treat his guests, there was no denying that. This guestroom had more amenities than most personal bedrooms. Laura looked in the drawers trying to select some undergarments. They were all pure silk, just as Miss Wentworth had specified. "Mr. Lattimer does not approve of these new polyester fabrics," she had told Laura, as if Laura cared about what Mr. Lattimer liked and disliked. She selected a set in beige satin with handmade lace inserts. Then she walked to the closet and stood gazing in amazement at the amount of garments crammed into it. Had she really purchased all these things in one day? She found it difficult to make a selection from this vast array of clothing. Finally, she chose a cowl-necked dressing gown in a pale slate blue that brought out the sapphire color of her eyes. Then she walked over to the elegant chaise longue and curled up until she fell asleep.

  She was awakened by a light but insistent tapping on the door. When she said "Come in," Jeffry stood waiting in the doorway.

  "Mr. Lattimer's office called to say that he would not be home to dinner tonight. Will you be eating in the dining room, or shall Mrs. Thompson prepare a tray for your room?"

  Laura was so tired that she welcomed the chance to eat alone in the calm privacy of her room. She was sure that she wasn't up to facing David tonight. She had never known what to expect from him, but if his latest mood was any indication, his attitude would be far from pleasant.

  "Thank you, Jeffry, please tell Mrs. Thompson that a light supper in my room would be just fine."

  When Jeffry left, Laura set about exploring the small but elegant guest room. All the wood furniture was finished in white with edges of pale blue. The walls and draperies were covered with a watered silk in a pleasant shade of Wedgwood blue. The deep shag carpet was pure white and Laura thought it had an almost fur-like appearance. Judging by the furnishings of the room, Laura thought that most of its occupants must have been female. No man could ever be comfortable in such a feminine room. She ran her hand over the soft blue velvet covering of the chaise longue and sank into its cushions. Whatever else one might think of David, he certainly had good taste.

  Laura thought for a moment, then walked to the small nighttable, picked up the telephone and dialed the number of the plant shop. Midge answered the phone and Laura hesitated, not really knowing what to say. When she spoke, her voice was low and unsteady.

  "It's me, Laura. How are you, Midge?"

  "I'm fine, Laura. How are you?"

  "I'm a bit tired. I went shopping for clothes with David's secretary. It seems he didn't approve of my wardrobe." Laura's voice wavered, "Midge, I'm sorry if I've caused you any disappointment. Please forgive me. I honestly had no idea that David was Jonathan Lattimer, and I certainly didn't know I had married him… Do you believe me?"

  Midge hesitated. "Look, Laura, this isn't the sort of thing we can discuss on the telephone. Why don't we meet for lunch tomorrow?"

  "I'd love that, Midge. I'll be at the shop before twelve."

  She had just hung up the receiver when there was a knock at the door. It was Jeffry, carrying a tray of food. He put the tray down on the small, round, cloth-covered table, then he set out the dishes and silver.

  "Enjoy your dinner, Mrs. Lattimer. I'll return later for the tray." Laura couldn't help but wonder what the servants must be thinking about this strange marriage and her relationship with David. She was grateful for the glimmer of kindn
ess and understanding she found in Jeffry's eyes.

  The table was near the window and Laura could see the twinkling lights of the bay as she sat down to a dinner of fresh fruit cup, thinly sliced steak, rissole potatoes and small baby peas. Laura ignored the carafe of wine and went directly to the hot black coffee for her beverage. The chocolate mousse was as light as air and Laura felt thoroughly satisfied by the time her dinner was finished. She was glad she had decided against drinking the wine, because now, having rested for a few hours, she felt wide awake and refreshed. She decided to save Jeffry the trouble of coming for the tray by bringing it back to the kitchen herself. When she walked through the kitchen door she saw Jeffry and a stout older woman eating dinner at the small table. Jeffry looked up, startled, when he saw Laura. He jumped to his feet and snatched the tray from her hands.

  "Mrs. Lattimer, you shouldn't be doing that. Mr. Lattimer would be very disturbed if he thought I was neglecting my duties."

  Laura smiled, "Then we just won't tell him and he need never know; it will be our little secret. I'm sorry I disturbed you. Please finish eating your dinner."

  Laura left the kitchen and walked into the library. She hadn't really been able to look at it carefully this morning because Miss Wentworth had rushed her out so quickly. Now she was amazed at the vast amount of books it contained. She was especially intrigued by a huge collection of family photograph albums that accounted for a good part of the contents of one wall. She took an album from the shelf and sat down in one of the soft leather easychairs by the fireplace.

  The first pictures in the album were of a young man and woman, obviously very much in love. The caption under the photograph read "Jonathan and Elizabeth." She looked closely at the man in the picture; he bore a striking resemblance to David, although his hair was lighter and he didn't seem to be quite as tall. Also, Laura could tell by the clothing the couple wore that it had been taken many years before David's birth. The album continued with the history of the two young lovers, recording their engagement and then their marriage. Obviously, she was looking at photographs of her husband's parents.

  Then Laura saw a picture of the young woman holding a baby in her arms. She gasped when she saw the caption, that said "Elizabeth and David." She continued looking through the album, following the carefully chronicled growth of her husband into boyhood. His basic facial structure had remained the same, but it had hardened and the gaiety of childhood had become the arrogance of manhood. Laura found it hard to believe that the cheerful boy in the photo had become the same man who was causing her so much unhappiness.

  She was startled out of her daydreaming by the sound of the doorbell. She listened as Jeffry answered the door and spoke in soft, conversational tones. Then David came striding swiftly into the library, completely ignoring Laura's presence. He unbuttoned his shirt collar, loosened his tie, tossed his jacket onto the chair and walked across the room to the bar where he poured himself a drink. Drink in hand, he sank down on the sofa opposite Laura and placed his long legs on the ottoman beside it. He took a long sip of his drink and studied her carefully.

  "How was your day? Have you adjusted to the horror of being my wife?"

  "My day was exhausting, as you well know! Your darling Miss Wentworth dragged me to every store in San. Francisco, in her effort to make me over to suit your taste."

  David's piercing eyes swept over Laura in a slow languorous stare. "Judging by your present attire, she's done a laudable job. I must remember to commend her."

  "Please be sure to do that. She revels in your praise. I'm sure that a few kind words from you will make her day. In fact, everyone around here seems to worship at your feet. How I would love to tell them the truth about you."

  David smiled condescendingly, "And just what would that truth be? What do you know about me that my employees of many years standing don't?"

  Laura looked at him piercingly. "I know that you're a vicious man who will stop at nothing to satisfy his whims. You threaten to destroy my whole family if I won't remain a part of this loathsome marriage; you don't love me; you insist I stay with you for reasons I can't understand…"

  David looked at her and his eyes darkened with anger. "No, I don't love you… I might have, once… Why else would I have married you? All these years I've been able to escape the clutches of designing females only to be entrapped by the greatest little schemer of them all. I have no intention of letting you walk off with my money so that you can marry Roger or some other poor fool who doesn't know you for what you are, while my hard earned cash pays the bills. No, you will remain my wife until I tire of you and decide what I want to do."

  Laura was incensed; her eyes blazed as she threw the album to the floor and stalked from the room. She slammed the door of her bedroom and flung herself on the bed. Why was this happening to her? Wasn't there anything she could do to convince David she wasn't after his money, so he would let her go? Her situation seemed entirely hopeless, and once again she cried herself to sleep.

  Chapter 7

  The next morning Laura awoke in a more cheerful frame of mind. She remembered her lunch date with Midge and was looking forward to it. After showering quickly, she walked to her closet in search of an outfit suitable for the day's activities. She frowned, remembering that all her clothing was new and she had nothing in the way of jeans. She could just imagine Miss Wentworth's shocked expression if she had suggested purchasing a pair of jeans. However, she didn't feel that one of her sophisticated new outfits would be appropriate attire for the plant shop. She looked through the closet until she found a pair of apricot linen slacks with a matching silk blouse and cashmere cardigan. Then, quickly applying her lip gloss and running a comb through her hair, she opened her bedroom door and walked into the kitchen.

  "May I please have some coffee and toast?" she said to Mrs. Thompson, who was busy dicing some vegetables.

  "Mrs. Lattimer, if you would just ring the bell we would bring your breakfast into the dining room, or your bedroom, if you prefer. I'm sure Mr. Lattimer would be very upset if he found that you were eating in the kitchen."

  "Very well," Laura said contritely, "it won't do to disturb Mr. Lattimer, so I'll have my coffee in the dining room."

  She proceeded to the huge dining room, which was elegantly furnished with ornately carved walnut pieces. Feeling totally dwarfed and alone, she sat at one end of the massive table, staring into the sparkling glare of an enormous silver candelabrum. Jeffry walked into the room bearing a tray with her toast and coffee.

  "Mrs. Thompson asks if you would like eggs or sausage with your toast?"

  "No, thank you, Jeffry, please tell her that toast and coffee are all I ever eat for breakfast."

  Jeffry frowned. "Mr. Lattimer believes in having a hearty breakfast. He won't approve of you having just toast and coffee."

  Laura looked into Jeffry's distressed eyes. "Mr. Lattimer may not approve of many things I do."

  Jeffry was startled. "Mrs. Lattimer! Please don't say things like that. I have been in Mr. Lattimer's employ for many years and it makes me most uncomfortable to hear such talk. We are all very fond of Mr. Lattimer and always do our best to make him happy. Now, if you have no further need of me, I shall return to my duties."

  Well, thought Laura, there goes my only friend. I suppose David can't be all bad if his employees can feel so strongly about him. She gulped down her coffee and ran out the door, eager to exchange this hostile atmosphere for the warmth of the plant shop which she loved so well.

  She had exited the elevator and was walking through the lobby, when she was confronted by Dan, her husband's chauffeur.

  "Would you like me to drive you somewhere, Mrs. Lattimer?"

  "No, thank you, Dan, I can take a taxi. I'm not going very far."

  "That's quite all right," Dan said, following her out the door. "Mr. Lattimer said I was to drive you wherever you wanted to go," he said, as he opened the limousine door for her.

  Laura knew better than to argue with David'
s orders by now. She entered the limousine and directed Dan to the plant shop. When the car stopped, Dan came around to open the door for Laura.

  "What time shall I return for you, Mrs. Lattimer?"

  "Oh, don't bother, Dan. I'm not sure when I'll be leaving. It will be very simple for me to get a taxi to take me home."

  "It's no bother, Mrs. Lattimer. If it's all right with you, I'll get myself some lunch and check back with you later."

  "That will be fine, Dan," Laura said, realizing that unless she agreed to return home with him, Dan would forego his lunch and remain parked in front of the plant shop all afternoon.

  She opened the door and found Midge busily watering the plants, a chore which had previously been her own responsibility. At the sound of the bell, Midge turned and saw Laura. She dropped her watering can and ran to greet her with welcoming arms.

  "Laura, I'm so happy to see you. I've missed you so much… Let me look at you. That's a beautiful outfit. No wonder Miss Wentworth called to say I was to give all your other clothing to charity. Don't you want any of it? No, I suppose not. I can see your taste has changed. Tell me, how does it feel to be married to one of the most powerful men in the world?"

  Laura sat down on one of the small red velvet chairs and laughed for the first time in days. She had forgotten how much she enjoyed the closeness she and Midge had always shared. If only she could return to the happiness she had known in childhood. But she knew that was impossible; she was a grown woman now, married to a man who despised her. She turned to Midge, the wistful look fading from her face.

  "Wait a minute, Midge. Give me a chance to catch my breath. For one thing, my taste in clothing has not changed. I dearly miss my jeans and T-shirts. My entire new wardrobe was chosen by Miss Wentworth, on orders of my husband. In answer to your second question, I hate being married to David and I'm waiting for him to decide to put an end to this farce. He hates me, Midge, so how can I stay married to him?"