Snippet #2319655

Vivian had lost him. There, right before her eyes, Philip played his unmistakable charm on a young aristocrat. She was young, and far more radiant than Vivian. Vivian glowed, but not in the same innocent way that the girl did. The light that came from Vi was powerful, and even dark. She was a matured woman, having a radiance that foretold her entire life story within a look.

Her eyes sparkled in the chandler’s rays as they bobbed over the crowd, trying not to stare at Philip. She thought she knew exactly what he was doing, it was all part of the game. A nervous lump formed in her throat as her attention became more intensive on her past lover and the young woman.

Part of her wanted to leave her little post and create a scene. Another part of her wanted to remain secure, reigning in her position; remaining the most powerful woman. Although her face and words were gracefully continuing conversation with the aristocrats, her mind and eyes were distracted. She couldn’t help herself, all she could focus on, all she could see was Philip and the woman on the ballroom floor. A beat of jealously pulsed through her, though she would readily deny it. No lady would admit feelings of jealousy, especially for someone she isn’t supposed to have feelings for at all.

After realizing many aristocrats had taken their leave, observing the Queens lack of attention, Vivian tried to suppress her negative feelings. Needing a distraction, and wanting nothing more than that distraction to be her husband, she turned her pale face toward Marcus. As if on cue and without warning her husband was gone, flying into the pool of the rich and beautiful. With her hair falling into place, Vi’s deep eyes trailed Marcus, her mouth slightly agape. Where on earth was he going?

Then, without much movement in the ballroom, Vivian’s vicious eyes spotted Isobel. Though the woman’s pathway was different than Marcus’, Vivian knew all too well that the woman was going to meet. The Queen was aware, she had always been aware of the affair, but never had she felt such hatred toward Isobel. Vivian had always felt safe in her position, often reassured that Marcus would never really fall in love with another woman. But tonight, with the haste and sheer joy that Marcus projected on his way out, Vivian knew that he loved Isobel and that she would soon lose him too.

Suddenly, she felt ill. She was standing alone, magnified by the lights that shone down on her; pale and losing more color. A certain anger was boiling inside of her, her mind struggled for sanity as the room began to circle around her. She was crumpling, falling from her high place within seconds.

Vivian needed to leave, before things escalated. Surely, this would be top of the rumor mill tomorrow. The Bennett family was falling apart. The Queen was weak; unable to keep a level head at the dinner. Quickly, with glossy eyes, Vivian stumbled down from the front stage. She avoided all eyes and friendly mouths as she tried to find the nearest exit. With her head down, eyes wide, and fingers laced in an anxious manner, she made her way through the crowd. She tried to avoid him, but with the circumstances and large number of people, Vivian brushed past Philip. The electricity she had once felt next to him, the love she had once absorbed was now stale and bitter.

Without any words, and no expectation of a reaction, Vivian excused herself in a narrow hallway. It was unused, and entirely uninvolved with the party, in fact it wasn’t even decorated. Once the door closed behind her the noise of the event was muffled. The silence buzzed in her mind as Vivian leaned her face against the cool wall. Just a few moments. That’s all she needed. That’s all she prayed she needed.