Page 64 of Silver Lining
She forced herself to smile. "I can't deny that it would please me to see my husband move up in the world, but I assure you I do not dictate my father's decisions."
Gilly cast an uncomfortable glance toward her mother's rigid back, then politely shifted the focus of the conversation. "Will you accompany Wally into town?"
"I guess you didn't hear about my horrible experience last week." Blinking at brimming tears, she told Gilly about the cuts and snubs directed her way. Gilly murmured sympathetic sounds, but Livvy remained as unmoved as she had initially. Philadelphia dabbed her eyes with a scrap of lace. "It's unbelievable that this is happening to me! The scandal was supposed to be diverted; instead my good name is ruined!"
Now Livvy turned. "In view of the circumstances, your good name would have been ruined no matter how the situation was handled."
Shock widened her eyes. "You can't possibly be suggesting that I am in any way to blame!"
"Allowances can be made for the unfortunate fact that you had no mother to guide and advise you. But your father must also be aware that my son did not abuse you. Your predicament is the result of a consensual act, and, therefore, you do, of course, share responsibility for the loss of your good name, as you put it. Perhaps the scandal would be easier to bear if you acknowledged your part in causing it!"
"That is outrageous! That horrible Low Down person is to blame, not me!" Philadelphia came to her feet, her hands shaking. Heat flooded her face, and her lips trembled. "I don't know why you've turned against me. My only crime was loving Max McCord. I don't deserve any of the hideous things that happened to me, and I am in no way whatsoever at fault!" Tears swam in her eyes as she gathered her skirts and fled to her room.
She slammed the bedroom door then quietly opened it and tiptoed to the head of the stairs to eavesdrop.
"Weren't you a bit hard on her, Mama?"
"I suppose I'll have to apologize," Livvy admitted with a sigh. The aggrieved tone announced that any apology would not be sincere. "If you'd conceived before marriage—God forbid—I know you wouldn't have denied responsibility. You would have admitted to as much wrongdoing as Dave."
"You know she's spoiled. She's always been coddled and catered to, and I doubt she's ever had to face her mistakes. If she truly believes that she shares no blame, then it must hurt terribly to be treated as a pariah. And Mama, she'll never escape the taint of this scandal. Surely you can find it in your heart to pity her."
Spoiled! Coddled and catered to!
Well, so what if she was? She was a Houser, after all, not some nobody with no name or background.
Everyone knew she could have married far higher than a McCord. Who were they, after all?
"One thing is abundantly evident. Weekly gatherings are too great a strain on everyone. As much as I dislike the necessity, I think from now on we'll have a family dinner only once a month."
"She means well, Mama."
"Then why isn'tshe speaking to her father about Max? Houser would relent if Philadelphia asked him to end his vendetta."
The men returned then, and shortly afterward Gilly and Dave and Max and Low Down collected jackets, hats, and gloves, and said their good-byes. Lifting her skirts, Philadelphia moved silently to the hallway window that overlooked the front road.
After a minute the couples emerged, walking toward their respective wagons. She paid no attention to Gilly and Dave, but watched sharply as Max assisted Low Down up on the wagon seat.
And she gasped as Low Down said something, then placed her gloved palm against Max's cheek. They looked into each other's eyes, then Max laughed and tucked Low Down's skirts around her legs before he climbed into the driver's seat.
Oh, dear heaven. They were lovers.
Feeling sick inside, Philadelphia pressed a hand hard against her mouth. It had never occurred to her, not once, that Max would actually bed the creature. Naturally, she had assumed that he would remain faithful to her. Yes, he'd made that stupid promise to give Low Down a baby, but no one expected him to keep a commitment made under duress. As for her father driving off Max's hands, he had to know he deserved punishment, but surely he also understood that someday they would be together again. She had never intended to make him angry or drive him into the creature's arms. Never that.
Reeling with shock, she stumbled back to her room and fell across the bed in a storm of furious weeping. Damn him.
When Wally came upstairs, she threw herself into his arms and sobbed on his shoulder. After he had anxiously inquired over and over as to what had put her in such a state, she explained, "Your mother hates me! She said such mean things… I'm sure she didn't mean it but… Oh Wally." Easing back in his arms, she turned swimming eyes up to his face. "Will you do something for me?"
"Of course, dear. Anything!"
"Kiss me."
He blinked hard as if he'd been poleaxed. Then he looked delighted. He wet his lips and gently drew her forward as if she were made of thin glass that might shatter beneath his hands.
His kiss was soft and tender. Utterly boring. When it ended, Philadelphia pressed her head into his shoulder to smother her sigh and conceal her despair.
Since Max was not present to agonize over his brother kissing her, the kiss was wasted. She'd gained no advantage by granting it.
She wished to heaven that she had not seen Max tuck the creature's ugly skirts around her legs. Damn him, damn him.
