Page 23 of The Pursuit of Elena Bradford

23

Midnight found the dance floor less crowded as some guests had left the ballroom. Elena’s mother claimed the music was giving her a headache and went to their room an hour before. For once, Elena hadn’t wanted to accompany her.

Even now, with the clock striking twelve, the night felt young. She stepped to the end of the room for a cup of punch and one of the sweet confections to await the next dance.

Ivy, her cheeks flushed and her curls escaping their pins, came over to gulp down a cup of the fruity drink. “Isn’t this the most fun ever? I could dance all night.”

“I think we already have.” Elena looked out to where the men and women were milling around waiting for the music to start again.

“Look, there’s Vanessa. I think she’s danced with every man here.” When Ivy waved at her, the woman came over to them carrying a drink.

“Are you having a good time?” Elena asked.

“It is so wonderful. I love dancing, and the music is perfect.” She sipped her drink. “And this punch is divine. I hope this night never ends.”

Just then, the bandleader called out that they were playing the last song of the evening. Always a waltz. A scattering of protests went around the room.

The man held up a hand. “Every dance must end. Whether you have run out of steps or not, we are running out of notes. So find your favorite partner and go around one last time this evening before we must say good night.”

“Uh-oh, here comes the general.” Ivy put down her cup. “I’m not finishing the night with him.”

She was gone to be captured by the young man who was obviously entranced with her. Elena had found out his name was Aubrey. From the smile on Ivy’s face as she followed him out on the dance floor, she wondered if Ivy even cared about sending that letter to Jacob anymore.

“I’ll dance with him,” Elena told Vanessa.

“No, no.” Vanessa took another quick drink before giving her cup to one of the servants passing by with a tray. “Let me. I promised him two dances. I know you did too, but you’ve already had the two dances. I saw you doing the quadrille with him. He was so nice to us today.”

“Whatever you want.” Elena shrugged.

“You will be able to find another partner, won’t you? Of course you will. Everyone wants to dance with you.”

“And you.”

Vanessa pulled a handkerchief from some fold of her dress to dab against her forehead. “Have they closed the windows? It seems so warm in here all of a sudden.”

“Are you all right, Miss Vanessa?” The general looked concerned as he stepped up beside them.

“Oh yes. I am fine and hoping you have come to ask me for this last dance.” She smiled and tucked away her handkerchief.

“The last dance. I would be honored.” General Dawson nod ded at Elena and led Vanessa out onto the floor as the music started.

For a few seconds, Elena thought she might be left without a partner, until Andrew appeared in front of her and held out his hand in invitation.

“Ready or not?” Elena took his hand. “You seem to have found me before the morning.”

“I couldn’t let the prettiest girl at the ball miss the last dance.”

Whether his words were true or not, they made her smile as she let him lead her out onto the dance floor. “That’s very kind of you, sir.”

“Kindness has nothing to do with it.”

“Then the good doctor must have insisted you get more dancing exercise.”

“He will be smiling for certain.”

“I saw you dancing with Vanessa. Was she surprised that you knew her father?”

“You could say that.” A shadow swept across his face. “We didn’t dance long. She said she felt ill and needed a rest. But I noticed she was back on the floor with another man before I found a spot by the windows. I think I was what was making her feel ill.”

“You?” Elena frowned. “What would make you think that? Perhaps she only needed a moment to catch her breath.”

“That could be. She was a little pale. Perhaps our Cinderella is not accustomed to so much dancing. Or perhaps her glass slippers were pinching her toes.”

“The clock has struck midnight, and she doesn’t seem to have changed from a princess back to a servant girl.” Elena caught sight of Vanessa and General Dawson. They were at the edge of the floor and appeared to be moving very slowly and no longer in time with the music.

“Miss Elena, Andrew,” the general called when they danced closer. “Miss Vanessa is feeling faint. I fear I may not be able to assist her to a chair quickly enough.”

Even as he spoke, Vanessa slumped against him and the old gentleman staggered back. Andrew covered the few feet between them and caught Vanessa before both she and the general fell. He lowered her gently to the floor.

Elena knelt beside her. “Vanessa, what’s wrong?”

The woman grabbed at her chest.

“Get the doctor, Andrew,” General Dawson ordered. “Elena, loosen her stays.”

Andrew headed across the dance floor to find Dr. Graham. The general went for water.

Elena felt for buttons, but Vanessa pushed her hands away. “Too late,” she whispered.

“Don’t say that.” Elena touched the woman’s face. Her skin was clammy.

“We had such fun.” Her body stiffened as she gasped for air.

“We’ll have more fun tomorrow. Relax and try to breathe.”

Vanessa clutched Elena’s arm. “No one will ever know...” Her words trailed off too faint for Elena to hear.

“What?”

Her answer was a mere whisper of breath. “Why” or maybe “who.”

“Shh. You can tell me later.”

A smile touched her lips when General Dawson crouched down beside her with a cup of water. “I hear music.”

Her hand went limp on Elena’s arm.

“Vanessa!” Elena grabbed her shoulders to shake her.

The general put down the water and took Elena’s hands. “She’s gone, dear.”

“Gone? What do you mean?” Elena jerked her hands free. She couldn’t take in his words. “She can’t be gone. Minutes ago she was dancing. She was fine.”

Everything about Vanessa looked perfect. The general had to be wrong. She couldn’t be gone. Not dead.

The music stopped. A sudden hush fell over the ballroom.

“There’s nothing we can do for her now.” General Dawson stroked Vanessa’s arm.

Elena stared at Vanessa’s face, which was pale as moonlight. The vibrant blue of her eyes dulled. Behind them, Dr. Graham was telling people to stay back as he made his way toward them. A buzz of questions followed him.

“What has happened?” Dr. Graham helped General Dawson to his feet, then knelt in his place beside Elena.

“The general says she’s gone.” Elena sat back as the doctor placed his fingers to the side of Vanessa’s neck to feel for a pulse.

Elena pressed her fist against her lips to hold back a sob when the doctor lowered his head and muttered a prayer before he gently pushed the young woman’s eyelids closed.

Strong hands reached down to pull Elena to her feet. Andrew wrapped his arms around her. “I’m so sorry, Elena.”

She leaned against him. “How can she have died like this? We were drinking punch together only moments ago before the music started for the last dance.”

“I don’t know.” Andrew rubbed his hand up and down her back. The buzz in the room grew louder as some people pressed forward to see what was happening.

Dr. Graham stood and took control. “Please, everyone. Stay back. One of our young ladies has had a medical issue. We will be caring for her, but please, I must ask the rest of you to go on to your rooms. The ball is over.”

“Is she dead?” a man shouted.

The doctor didn’t answer him. “I will let everyone know in the morning about the lady’s condition.”

“Does that mean she’s still alive? That there is hope?” Elena whispered.

Andrew leaned his head down close to her ear to answer. “I think not. Dr. Graham simply wants everyone to leave before he does whatever else needs to be done.”

“I can’t believe it.” She started to turn her head to look at Vanessa again, but Andrew stopped her with a gentle hand against her cheek.

“Remember her the way she was earlier. Not there with the life gone.”

“Is it that new woman? The one none of us knew?” another voice, a woman’s this time, demanded.

“Vanessa?” From somewhere among the dancers, Ivy let out a little scream.

Elena stepped back from Andrew to look for her. Ivy pushed through the people to stop in front of her.

“You’ve been crying.” Her voice sounded accusing. “Is she all right? Vanessa?”

Elena shook her head slightly and pulled Ivy closer. “Don’t make a scene. Let Dr. Graham do what he thinks is best.”

“But Elena.” Ivy peered past Elena. “Why aren’t they helping her?”

“Shh.” Elena touched Ivy’s cheek. “We can talk when we go to our room.”

She started away with Ivy, but the doctor stopped her. “Please, stay here, Miss Bradford. I will need to talk to you and Andrew. And to General Dawson after we clear the ballroom. Andrew, get the ladies chairs.”

Some of the people in the room headed for the stairs out of the ballroom, but others continued to mill around.

Dr. Graham spotted Kirby among them. “Frazier, escort any who might need assistance to their rooms.” Then he motioned to some servants behind them. “Help clear the room. But first bring a tablecloth.”

Andrew brought the chairs. Elena sat down but wished she could still be leaning against Andrew. He had looked almost frail when she first saw him on the stagecoach, but a moment ago, he had felt like a wall of strength. She watched him help the doctor cover Vanessa with the cloth a servant brought.

General Dawson came over to Elena’s chair. His face was gray, and the sparkle in his eyes was quenched by sadness. He looked shakier on his feet than he had that first night she danced with him.

She stood up. “Here, General. Take my chair.”

He hesitated. “I wouldn’t normally agree to sit when a lady has to stand, but this is making me feel my years.” He sank down into the chair.

Ivy jumped to her feet. “Take my chair, Elena. I don’t think I can sit still anyway.” Her gaze went to the shape of Vanessa’s body under the tablecloth. But then after Elena sat down, she dropped to the floor beside her in a cloud of organza and petticoats. She scooted close to Elena’s chair. Elena started to warn her that she would get her dress dirty, but then it didn’t seem to really matter.

She ran her fingers down Ivy’s cheek. “You could go on to the room. Dr. Graham didn’t say you needed to stay.”

“Please, don’t make me go.” Ivy’s eyes beseeched her. “Mother will already be asleep, and I can’t bear to be alone.”

“All right.”

“What happened to her?”

“I don’t know. She was dancing with General Dawson and just collapsed.”

“What did he do to her?”

Beside Elena, the general pulled in a breath but didn’t say anything.

Elena put a hand on his arm. “She didn’t mean that. She’s upset. We are all upset.”

“Yes,” he said softly as he covered her hand with his. His fingers were cold despite the warmth of the room. She felt a tremble, but she wasn’t sure whether it was his hand or hers that was shaking.

Elena turned her attention back to Ivy. “The general was dancing with her, Ivy. He would have never done anything to hurt her.” The general gave her hand a little squeeze.

“I know.” Ivy peeked around Elena’s skirt at General Dawson. “I’m sorry, sir.”

“Understandable, child.” His voice broke.

“I can’t believe this.” Tears filled Ivy’s eyes. “We were just talking to her.”

Elena slid her hand away from the general to pull Ivy’s head over into her lap and smooth down her curls. They had escaped from the pins meant to keep the elaborate style their mother had fashioned for Ivy. Elena wondered if her own hair looked as unkempt, but she didn’t reach up to check. What difference did a stray strand of hair make now with death stealing one so young?

She stared at Vanessa’s body. She had been full of a joyous wonder all day long and had danced as if she never wanted the music to end. But the music had ended.