Breath of Scandal

Anna wore an exquisite crimson chiffon gown to the hotel, hoping Matthew might see her when she arrived. She had not seen or heard from Lily or Matthew for several days and her curiosity was building.

The door to Lily’s private parlor stood open, surprising Anna. She couldn’t recall Lily ever leaving that door ajar in the past. Inside, she could see Lily seated on her rose velvet sofa. Sara, Lily’s maid, was setting the silver tea service in front of her on the ornate mahogany tea table. Lily saw her and motioned for her to enter.

“Anna, please come in and shut the door,” Lily called.

“Why did you leave it open?” Anna asked as she turned about to close it. Her hand brushed against Matthews, who was behind it. Anna whirled about to face Lily. “Is there some reason Mr. Wilder is here?

“He just stopped by to say good bye, dear. He’s leaving Savannah tomorrow and won’t be back for some time,” Lily said, brushing her eyes with her handkerchief.

“You’re leaving?” a wide-eyed Anna turned to ask him. “What about the hotel?”

“I sold it back to Lily. Gamble made me an offer. I missed working with him, so I accepted,” Matthew answered her. “Is there any reason I shouldn’t have?”

“No. No, of course not.” Anna sat down by Lily. “You certainly do like to make quick decisions about your life, don’t you Mr. Wilder?”

“I know what I want,” Matthew nodded. “And I know when it’s time to give up. A man can only take so much rejection.”

“Well,” Anna said, turning her back to him so he wouldn’t see the tears in her eyes, “I wish you success. Many people in Savannah will miss you, I’m sure.”

“I had hoped...no, prayed you might be one of them.”

Lily’s eyes met Anna’s, beseeching her to offer Matthew some word, some hope. Anna didn’t know how to respond. Matthew had already made up his mind. He was leaving.

“I will miss you, Mr Wilder, although I thought I had made my feelings clear. I consider you a friend,” Anna lied, hating the words that sounded so cold. Couldn’t he see her heart? If he wanted her, he would have to be bolder, more direct. She wanted him to shout at her, to tell her he loved her.

She had heard the stories about Matthew and Celia, and some anger remained. How could he love her and fall so easily into Celia’s arms? It was too much.

“I’m sorry,” Matthew said. “I should be going. Miss Jones, Mrs. Monteigne, I shall miss you both.” With a slight bow, Matthew left them alone.

“I’m sorry Anna, I didn’t know he was coming by. I think you are wise, though, to discourage his attentions,” Lily assured her.

“Am I?” Anna asked, surprised that Lily supported her rejection of Matthew. Perhaps the meeting had been purely coincidental.

“He is something of a rogue, isn’t he? You’ve done the only thing a lady could do, Anna. He likely would have hurt you,” Lily said, pouring the tea as she spoke.

“Hurt me? Who in this town hasn’t hurt me! He loved me. You know it. I have been a fool. The sad thing is, I know it, but I can’t stop myself,” Anna said blotting away the tears that had sprung to her eyes, “so I shall remain alone with my work and my lady friends. Good old Anna!”

“You’re right to wait for someone more suitable,” Lily declared.

“Who else will come calling for me, the butcher? Would he be more suitable? What have I done, Lily? What have I done?” Anna cried.

“Now it isn’t that bad, is it dear?” Lily consoled her.

“Isn’t it?”

“You were simply being wise, dear. I admire your restraint,” Lily nodded sadly.

Wise? Yes, she had been wise. Ever since Marco, she had been so careful. In truth, though, since the trial, she had had little opportunity to defend her honor. Few suitors presented themselves, fewer still she could take seriously.

There was a word for women who were too wise to succumb to the parlor games of romance that men so deftly played. They were called spinsters. Still, Anna had never felt compelled to marry simply to avoid that fate. She didn’t find single life so offensive that she would accept a man she did not love.

Had she wished, she could have encouraged the attentions of several gentlemen. Charlie Bradshaw had shown an interest, and Norman Ross had certainly tried to pursue her. But they were not men she would have considered before or after the scandals. Matthew was a man who could have won her heart. He was the kind of man she dreamed of before Rufus had come to take her to Louisiana.

Anna walked home alone after the tea. The day had turned into twilight, and the shadows made her house seem lonely.

More depressed than tired, she found it hard to sleep. Well into the night she struggled with the covers and her thoughts.

Saturday, December 2, Lily watched Matthew pack his bags. His train was leaving in just a few hours. If Lily had been right, this would be his last chance with Anna. Neither he nor Lily could anticipate her response.

Lily knew Anna wanted Matthew, but she also knew how proud she was. She hoped Anna would give in to her heart this time. She knew if she didn’t, Anna would regret it the rest of her life.

“She’ll come around,” Lily said, trying to reassure herself as much as Matthew. “She loves you, and love will prevail.”

Matthew was not as confident. He would try one last time, but after his meeting with Anna in Lily’s parlor, he had lost his optimism. “I hope you’re right, Lily. But I’m afraid you’re not,” Matthew said softly.

He closed his suitcase and walked to the window. From there he could see Anna’s house, so close and yet out of reach. He shook his head. He was going to lose her.

After dinner, Anna sat in her rocker and sat staring absently out at the deserted street. Before Matthew Wilder came into town and into her life she had been at peace, contented. Without him, that life now seemed empty, lonely and pointless. If she hated him for anything, she hated him for that. She had been happy before she met him. Now she wondered if she would ever be happy again.

In a few hours Matthew was leaving. Anna knew in her heart that, once he stepped on that train, he would step out of her life forever. Beulah’s mellow alto sounded from the kitchen, singing a hymn Anna remembered from her childhood, but found no comfort in it.

She reminded herself that she had her friends, her business, and her freedom, but with every passing moment all of those faded before the image of Matthew. She was angry that he had possessed her soul so completely. “Why?” she argued with herself. “What can he give me that I can’t get for myself?”

Anna paced her small parlor, struggling with her heart and her pride. She wanted to go to him, but did she dare?

“Did you say somethin’, Miss Anna?” Beulah called from the kitchen.

“No, Beulah, nothing.”

She couldn’t go after him now. What if he no longer wanted her? She could send him a note! No, that was a coward’s device!

Then she hit upon an idea. If she simply stopped by the hotel to visit Lily, she just might run into him. She could tell him again how much Savannah would miss him, thank him for what he had done for the town, and wish him well. It would give him a chance to ask again. He had to ask again!

“Beulah, call a carriage. we’re going to the Hotel Monteigne”, Anna called out. She hurried toward her room.

“Yes Ma’am!” Beulah replied, racing from the kitchen to the street to do as she was told.

“What to wear, what to wear!” Anna fretted, rummaging through her wardrobe. Her eyes fell on the simple yellow linen dress she had worn that first day she had run into him. “Did you call for the carriage, Beulah?” she shouted as she slipped into the gown.

“Yes’m,” Beulah called back. A moment later she was there to help Anna with her dressing, but she offered no further word. Both knew the seriousness of the moment. It was a last chance. It was a risk that, if not taken, could be forever regretted; a risk that, if miscalculated, could break Anna’s heart. Beulah’s eyes welled up with tears.

Anna noticed. “Oh Beulah, don’t cry! We can’t let him see us cry! It’s going to be all right, Beulah. It has to work”

Beulah prayed that Anna wasn’t too late. Love was a fragile thing, like fine crystal and all too easily shattered. “You go on wit’out me, Miss Anna. I cain’t do you no good. I be here till you comes home.”

From her jewelry box Anna retrieved Matthew’s ring. She kissed it for luck before she placed it in her bag. If she had the courage, she would give it to him. She would tell him she loved him.

Anna hugged Beulah and quickly rushed out toward the waiting carriage.

Matthew was coming up the walk. He smiled when Anna looked up just before running into him. “Going somewhere?” In his hand he carried a small bouquet of violets.

“I was just going to call on a friend,” Anna explained, suddenly frightened and unsure at the unexpected meeting. “But,” she stammered, “It can wait.”

“Good,” Matthew said, “Because I can’t. Anna, you’ve got to say you’ll marry me.”

“Oh Matthew,” Anna began to cry, “I will, I will!”

She ran to his arms. Matthew, at first startled at her sudden change of heart, brought his arms around her, held her and gently kissed her. He wanted to say something, something romantic or clever, but he couldn’t find the words. He kissed her again, and walked her back inside the house.

“I’ll be back in two weeks,” Matthew told her. “When do you want to get married?”

“In two weeks!” Anna answered, shocked at her own audacity.

“Two weeks? I’m holding you to it, Anna. When I get back to town you just tell me when and where to be, and I’ll be there!” Matthew laughed with delight.

Anna kissed him again as she shooed him out the door. He had a train to catch. “I’ve got work to do! You go get ready and I’ll see you off at the station.”

“I’ll be back in an hour to pick you up,” Matthew grinned, “Just to make sure you don’t forget to see me off!”

After Matthew had gone, Anna sank into her chair and breathed a heavy sigh. She began to giggle. All at once she jumped up, grabbed Beulah, and began to waltz about the room. They were both filled with laughter that turned to tears of happiness.

“Yes’m, Miss Anna,” Beulah said when she found her voice again, “That Mr. Matthew is one lucky man!”

“All aboard!”

Matthew tossed his bags onto the landing of the rail car then turned and touched his fingers to her brow, tracing down the side of her face. She smiled, tilted her face toward her shoulder and briefly closed her eyes.

“You are so beautiful. Two weeks! You promised! No later than Saturday. I’ll not risk losing you again!”

“Two weeks is a little soon. Why don’t we make it in February?” Anna countered.

Matthew put his finger to her lips. “Two weeks. I’ll be back no later than Thursday night. If you haven’t arranged a wedding when I return, I am kidnapping you. I’ll put you in shackles and take you to Baghdad.”

“Is that where you keep your harem?” Anna raised her eyebrow.

“One of them,” he laughed. “If you want to be my wife, two weeks. Other wise, my concubine!”

Anna’s ears grew warm and she knew he was blushing. “Matthew, you are the most incorrigible man.” She tried to look angry but her smile betrayed her. “Two weeks, then. I don’t think you know what you’re asking!”

He kissed her. “I know what I want. I’m not waiting any longer.” He kissed her again, holding the embrace far longer than was considered proper in a public place.

Anna lowered her gaze, embarrassed, when he did release her.

The train had begun to move slowly. Matthew grabbed the railing on the car and hopped on as the train started to pull away, thick steam rising from the wheels. He leaned out, waving good-bye to her.

Anna put a gloved hand to her lips and began to cry. She waved fervently as the train pulled away and continued to wave until it vanished in the distance.

“Lily, you have to help me!” Anna rushed breathlessly by Lily into the parlor.

“For heaven’s sake, Anna! Help you do what?” Lily closed the door and joined Anna on the settee.

“Matthew has asked me to marry him and I said yes!” Tears came to Anna’s eyes. “I can’t believe it, myself!”

Lily put her arms around Anna. “You did? Oh Anna, I am so happy for you both!”

“I told him we could have the wedding in two weeks!” She put her hand to her chin, and pouted. “How can I possibly do it?”

“You’re not serious?” Lily laughed.

“Lily, he said he wanted the wedding the day after he got back. He’ll be home by the fourteenth. He said by the sixteenth at the latest! That’s two weeks from today!”

“You don’t really mean...”

Anna let out a heavy sigh. ” I’ve got two weeks. I don’t have time to explain why. Will you help me?”

“Of course.” Lily frowned, putting her index finger to her temple. ” I just don’t see how.”

“I’m getting married in two weeks if it’s in a barn wearing a gunny sack. The date is not going to change. What can we do?”

“You had better focus on your trousseau, and let Hilda and me take care of the wedding and the reception.”

“Would you? I know it’s nearly impossible to get it done, but we must!”

“Anna, love makes everything possible. You take care of the dress and the groom, and we will handle the rest. Now, you go on home and I’ll go out to see Hilda.”

“I’ll go with you,” Anna offered. “Hilda would be hurt if she didn’t hear the news from me!”

“Very well, Anna, ” Lily relented, “but, after you’ve told her you must leave, get on home and concentrate on your trousseau!”

“I will.” Anna’s heart raced. She still had the gold embroidered satin fabric she had ordered in August carefully tucked away in a trunk. “I had all but given up on love.” Anna paused, feeling her face grow warm, hearing the excitement in her own voice. “Listen to me babbling on like a school girl.”

Lily patted Anna’s hand and went to the door.

“Harry,” she shouted, “I’ll need a carriage. Please see to it at once!” She turned back and looked at Anna. “Two weeks! Well, the Good Lord made the earth in seven days. I guess anything is possible.”

Hilda Jackson expressed her emotional distress by plumping down on the couch and covering her face with her hands momentarily. “Two weeks. Oh, no! This will never do! No wedding can be done in two weeks!”

Lily laughed and shook her head. “Her mind is made up. She’s not changing it, Hilda. Are you in on this little conspiracy or not?”

“My Christmas Party is on the sixteenth!” Hilda pouted.

“Oh, I forgot.” Anna’s expression was one of dismay.

Mrs. Jackson perked up. “We can make that your reception. Of course! You remember, Anna, I suggested once before that we combine your reception with my Christmas Party. Everyone is already invited.”

“Hilda, it will either be her reception or your party. It can’t be both.” Lily remarked.

Anna bit her bottom lip, glancing anxiously from one friend to the other.

“We will just tell everyone at church tomorrow I am not having a party on the sixteenth. My dear friend Anna is getting married and we are having her reception here at Waverly instead!”

“I don’t want you to call off your party, Hilda!” Anna declared.

“Nonsense. If you are getting married in two weeks, I intend to be there. Besides, we have the same friends. I’m not about to run the risk of a no show. Why, it would ruin me socially for years!”

Anna smiled. Nothing could ruin Hilda Jackson socially, as she had proven on more than one occasion. “Thank you.” Anna said with the respect due the dowager queen of Savannah society.

Mrs. Jackson got up and began to pace. “The wedding is another matter. There simply isn’t time. Let’s simply have a small wedding in the gazebo in the garden. It’s still warm enough this time of year. It should be lovely.”

“Yes, yes! “Anna smiled broadly. “That’s perfect!” She tingled all over. Oh, what would I do without you two?”

“I don’t know, dear, but without you we would be bored and we wouldn’t have the loveliest gowns in the state! Oh, dear. After the wedding, will you still make my dresses even if you close the shop?” Hilda asked anxiously.

“Hilda, don’t be ridiculous. Anna will be Mr. Wilder’s wife!”

“Yes, Hilda, I will make your dresses.” Anna smiled.

Lily looked puzzled. “Won’t you be closing the shop?”

“No, why should I?”

“Does Matthew know?” Lily asked, as both she and Hilda leaned forward.

“Yes. Its perfectly all right with him,” Anna said, although she didn’t sound as if she were convinced of it.

The two older women looked at each other, then smiled knowingly. “Of course dear. One thing at a time.”

“Good-bye, Lily. Thank you for everything!”

Anna stepped down from the carriage and turned to wave. She could hear Beulah singing as she climbed the steps. The door opened quietly. Her smile turned to silent laughter as she found Beulah dancing about the room with a mop.

“How are you, Cinderella?”

Beulah jumped. “Oh, Miss Anna! I doesn’t see you come in! Where you been at all dis time? You and Mr. Matthew ain’t had no fallin’ out, has you?”

“No, Beulah. Why on earth would you ask that?” Anna asked as she removed her gloves and hat.

“I jus’ knows how you is.” Beulah rolled her eyes.

“I’ll just let that pass!” Anna raised her chin and marched into her room.

Settling down next to her hope chest, she unlocked it and looked inside. She removed the dove-grey satin and taffeta patterned train she had finished in August. It would take her every bit of two weeks to finish the rest of the dress, and that was if she simplified the design. She would have to hire Mrs. Cooper to finish the dresses in the shop.

She looked again at the picture from the Boston Herald Sunday Fashion Book. The dress she was copying was from the House of Worth in Paris designed for the wealthy daughter of an American industrialist for her debutante ball in New York. Anna could not duplicate it, but she could use the picture to cut her own pattern.

“I have to see the dress!” Lily exclaimed as Beulah helped Anna slip into it behind the dressing room screen.

“I hope I didn’t over do. It is rather fancy,” Anna fretted.

“You looks jus’ like an angel,” Beulah sighed. “I don’t imagin dem goss’mer wings is any purtier.”

“Oh, Anna, come out!” Lily said, impatient. Anna stepped out and Lily gasped. Her hand flew to cover her open mouth as tears welled up in her eyes. “Savannah has never seen a more beautiful bride!”

“It’s the dress,” Anna said, blushing.

“The dress is real purty Miss Anna, but you is gorgeous! Ain’t no two ways ’bout it!” Beulah folded her hands in front of her and beamed.

“You’re right, Beulah!” Lily touched Anna’s face softly as she would have with her own daughter. “You are beautiful! I wish Marjorie could see you now!”

Anna’s eyes grew misty. She reached to take Lily’s hand. Unnoticed, she took Beulah’s, too. “I have family here today!”

“Are you ready?” Lily asked.

“Yes!”

The wedding music swelled and the doors opened. Anna stood at the back of the chapel. She was so lovely the assembled guests gasped. Walking down the aisle on the arm of Beauregard Jackson, she was radiant in the silver and golden gown. The train gracefully dropped to a bed of ombré tea-rose petals and a garland of silk rosebuds. At the high lace collar she wore the amethyst brooch that her mother had given her, the only mother she had know through her early years. In her hand she carried a rose bud nosegay wrapped with blue ribbon and a handkerchief borrowed from Lily. Her veil was suspended from a mock tiara, crafted from the magnificent strand of pearls which were a legacy from Ruth.

Celia was in Charleston on an extended vacation with her Aunt Margaret, but Tyler was able to attend. Gamble arrived just an hour before the wedding and sat at the front of the church, where one might expect to see Matthew’s father. Lily and Hilda sat up front as the bride’s family. Beauregard joined them after giving Anna away.

Matthew and Anna exchanged their vows. She surprised him by slipping the ring he had sent her back on his finger. A tear came to his eye as he kissed her. She knew at last how much he loved her.

Although only a few attended the wedding, the reception that followed was a huge event thanks to the influence of Mrs. Jackson. Anna was the object of every woman’s envy in her beauty and her happiness. She had survived them all, and, with the dashing Matthew by her side, she had won the prize. Would she be accepted at last now that she was no longer a threat to these women, or would they continue to keep her a prisoner of a past that was not her own? Only time would tell.

Anna felt the years drop away and, once again, she became a frightened, but excited, young woman. As the guests began to leave, she became nervous about the night ahead. Would Matthew understand? Would he be gentle?

She walked slowly with him to their suite in the hotel, her head on his shoulder, his arms comfortingly around her. In a few months they would have a proper honeymoon. They would sail to New York and on to Europe, but, for now, there simply was no time.

The Presidential Suite was one of the rooms Anna had designed. From its balcony she could see the house that had been her home for so long. So close, and yet it was so far away. A sad smile touched her lips as she thought how lonely it suddenly looked.

Matthew walked up behind her, put his arms around her and gently kissed the back of her neck. His eyes followed her gaze to where Beulah was sweeping the porch steps of the little yellow house.

“Miss it?” he asked.

“No, of course not.

“Liar!” Matthew laughed.

“Yes, I guess I do hate to give it up...” Anna sighed.

“Then don’t.”

“Its too small for you, me and Beulah, “Anna said, half hoping he would disagree. “And there’s really no room at all to build.”

“You’re right.” Matthew said.

“So how could I keep it?”

“Anna, you know I travel a lot. Perhaps that’s even part of why you fell in love with me,” Matthew joked. “I will be gone often, and you would probably feel more comfortable in your little house when I’m away. This suite is mine. It’s part of the deal I made with Lily.”

“You told me you were leaving and might never return to Savannah. You mean you planned to live here in Savannah all along?”

“I did what I had to do. Anna, it seems I’ve loved you forever. How could I ever leave you or Savannah?”

“You tricked me!” Anna’s anger flared for just a moment, but she was too happy to hold onto it. She began to laugh.

“Yes,” Matthew smiled, “I tricked you. What choice did you leave me? And don’t go blaming Lily for helping me! She was sworn to secrecy

“Lily knew? Yes, of course! She helped you trick me!” Anna said as the truth became evident. “How long did it take for you to plan all this?”

“All my life.”

Anna raised her head and gazed up at him. Matthew was the most handsome man she had ever known. He could have any woman he wanted, but he wanted her. How patient he had been with her! And then he had plotted with Lily to win her back.

She was more in love with him than ever. She turned, reached for him and boldly kissed him. He returned her kiss passionately. For a moment they were lost in that place that only lovers know.

Suddenly something Matthew said jolted her back to reality. “What did you mean? You said you would live here and I could live at my house. I don’t understand.”

“Anna, I just thought...” Matthew was wary. He remembered her anger the day he showed her Homewood. “When I’m in town we can be together here. When I’m out of town, you could stay here or at your little house with Beulah.”

“I see.”

“Wherever you would feel more comfortable. I know you love your house and you want to stay in town.”

“Yes, I do,” Anna answered him, thinking of the property on Monterey Square.

“When you find a house you want me to buy, or if you want me to build a new home...” Matthew paused. “I just thought for awhile, Anna, until you decide what you want, this would be best.”

Anna didn’t know what she wanted, and he knew that. Perhaps they could build a new house on Monterey Square. She’d have to consider it, but he would let her help make the decision. Anna was pleased at that.

“Yes,” she agreed. “You’re right. We’ll have to think about it, won’t we? Until then, we’ll do as you suggest.”

“People may talk, Anna. It’s an unusual arrangement.”

“Let them talk,” Anna smiled as she untied his tie. “I can live with a breath of scandal!”

She unbuttoned his shirt and lay her head against his chest. She kissed him again.

“Isn’t it time you changed?” he asked.

Anna blushed and left for the dressing room. She had almost forgotten her own purity of heart and body. Years of scandalous rumors had altered even her own perception of her innocence. The reflection in the mirror showed a woman who was still beautiful and loved. She had only recently allowed herself to admit how desperately she loved him.

The turquoise and pink sky of evening had darkened to night. She looked out of the small round window at the stars and moon, especially bright to her that night, as if they had just been freshly hung in the indigo sky. She was ready and eager to surrender to his love.

Matthew lay waiting for her in the French walnut and gilded four-poster bed. She walked slowly from the dressing room, a vision of loveliness. Her empire cut white satin and chiffon gown plunged deep to reveal soft full breasts. The light behind her silhouetted her long slender legs. Her dark hair tumbled down over her shoulders.

Matthew looked into her violet eyes and pulled her toward him. Her lips softened and yielded to his kiss, he kissed her eyes, her cheeks, her neck, and traced her silky skin to their own private paradise.

“Oh God,” she whispered, “Do I deserve to be this happy?”

And the answer came, “Yes!”