Anna did a lot of thinking on the way home from Colin's house. When she arrived, Shaw offered his hand, helped her from the carriage and delivered her to the door. As she entered the house, Mrs. Weathers met her.
"Madam, how was your outing? Is Miss Yarborough well?" she asked, making light conversation as she took Anna's shawl and bag.
Before she could answer, a knock came at the door. Mrs. Weathers and Anna exchanged glances.
"Who would be out at this time of night?" She opened the door to find Antonio Paulo.
"Mr. Paulo," Anna said, surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"I thought I would pay a visit to you—and your husband. Is he here?" Antonio entered the hall. Mrs. Weathers closed the door behind him and ascended the stairs.
Antonio advanced upon Anna. He moved so close he looked down at her. He gave her a charming smile as he caressed her face and bodice with his eyes.
"Good evening, Antonio."
Anna jumped at the booming voice of Chase at the top of the stairs. Antonio looked up, and his smile faded. Chase unrolled his sleeve and fastened his cuff, his coat draped on the rail.
"Chase. You're home," Antonio said. His surprise was obvious and equal to Anna's. For once, she was happy to see Chase home. Anna stepped away from Antonio, and moved across the entry to the base of the stairs. "See who has come for a visit?"
Chase came down the steps as he pulled on his coat. He gave her a peck on the cheek before he proceeded to the mirror to check his appearance.
"So, Antonio, what brings you around?" Chase asked. He didn't bother to turn from his image in the glass.
"I realized how long it had been since we had a visit," he stammered. "I wanted to see how you were getting on."
"I'll leave you gentlemen to talk," Anna said, and watched Chase for a sign of dismissal. He motioned to her with glassy eyes for her to go upstairs. She was quite relieved to comply. "Good night, Mr. Paulo," Anna said with a smile.
"Good night, Mrs. Trent." He followed Chase into the parlor.
"Mrs. Weathers," she called as she ascended the stairs.
Mrs. Weathers met Anna on the stairs, returning after placing her mistress's shawl and bag in her room. "Send up tea, please. I seem to have caught a chill this evening."
"Yes, madam," she replied. "I apologize. I didn't get the opportunity to tell you Mr. Trent had returned."
"No matter. How long was he home before I arrived?" She tried to sound casual.
"Nearly an hour. I'll send up your tea."
Anna smiled her appreciation, then continued to her room, and wondered what would happen after Antonio left.
* * * *
Anna didn't wait long before a solid knock came at her door. She read in front of the fire, and indulged in a cup of tea, when Chase called out in a stern voice.
"Anna, I want to talk to you." His harsh tone put her on edge.
"Come in." She braced herself for the confrontation.
Chase stood before the fire, and glared down at his wife, feet apart, his hands clasped behind his back. He had a look of annoyance in his watery eyes.
"Has Mr. Paulo gone already?" She tried to make idle conversation as she closed her book, and placed it on the table. She gave Chase her complete attention.
"Yes. He has," Chase replied. "Do you know why he came here tonight?"
"No," Anna answered as she tried her best to achieve a look of wide-eyed innocence.
"To see you." Chase answered, louder than she expected. His outburst made her flinch.
"Why would he come to see me?" What had she done? She'd said nothing to Rita about his behavior. She could think of no reason he would want to see her.
"Well, Mrs. Trent, you seem to have the honor of being the only wife of his many acquaintances that he has not, shall we say, 'conquered.' He was looking to complete the set."
Chase was angry. Anna had never seen him jealous. Considering his own activities, it surprised her. He began to pace.
Anna gave a laugh. "You have nothing to fear. I'm not easily 'conquered,' as you well know." She thought about it for a moment. "He actually told you?"
"Humph." He stopped, sat down, and glared into the fire. Anna sat quiet, not sure what to say.
Well, now. The great lover is jealous. Imagine that. Further thought brought to mind the premonition Anna had of Antonio's visit. Chase changed the outcome, at least, by being home. Anna felt relieved when she realized the visions could be changed.
She knelt in front of Chase. "You have nothing to worry about. He couldn't interest me when I have you," she lied. She wasn't interested in either one of them.
"Anna," Chase said, and pulled her to her feet as he stood. He removed his coat, and draped it on the chair. "You would never leave me, would you?"
Anna 's thoughts were in a sudden turmoil. She thought about Chase's history of infidelity, possible involvement with narcotics, and his usual cold treatment of her. How could she answer truthfully? Though if she ever left him, she would have to give up all that she dreamed of. "I'd never leave you."
"Thank you, Anna." He placed his hands on her waist. She stoked her hands from his shoulders down his arms as they kissed. Suddenly, he flinched, and jerked away. "Good night, dear." He grabbed his coat, and swiftly left the room.
How odd. There was blood was on her hand.
* * * *
Anna found she carefully watched everything Chase did, the way he talked and his moods. When he did come home, most of the time his eyes were glassy. She noted his condition was usually accompanied by a good mood. As he continued to spend most of his time away from home, she was no longer upset at his extended absences. In fact, she came to enjoy her time being her own, to do what she pleased, when she pleased.
She was the dutiful wife when he showed up, and made him feel like the king of the castle when in actuality, it was her castle, her life. He was fast becoming only the means of supporting her dream. She realized her mistake in marrying Chase on the night she and Colin found his narcotics. It was a mistake she could do nothing to correct, so she chose to make the best of the situation.
Not many days later, Anna received a note from Mrs. Rita Paulo to request they meet for tea at a posh restaurant. It seemed odd; during all of the time their husbands had been partners, Antonio had never brought her to visit, nor had they ever attended any social engagements together. Anna accepted the invitation.
Shaw drew the coach up before the restaurant at the appointed time. Anna stepped inside, and left behind the bright light of the warm day. She looked around. Before she scanned the room, the headwaiter came to her aid.
"You are Mrs. Trent?" the young man asked. He wore a black tailored suit. He was tall and had dark hair and eyes. Bedroom eyes, her mother used to call them, lids slightly closed as if he had just awoke.
"Yes." Anna smiled. She liked his appearance. He led the way through the tables to a lady who expectantly watched their approach.
"Mrs. Paulo, may I present Mrs. Trent." He seated Anna, and retreated to his post at the door.
"It is so nice to finally visit with you." Anna offered her hand. Rita shook it, and made Anna wonder at the look of pity on her face.
Rita Paulo was a frail lady, thin and drawn. Her face bore the signs of the great stress life with Antonio must place on her, and she looked so much older than her age could possibly be. She was dressed in a beautiful lavender summer dress, frilly and cool, trimmed with white. Her chestnut hair was piled on top of her head with a spray of lavender and gypsum woven delicately throughout. Her skin was pale, but Anna supposed she spent much of her time indoors with her children.
"Mrs. Trent," she began, "I felt it my duty to speak with you."
"Your duty?" Anna questioned. She seemed to be all business, no cordiality at all.
"Yes," she stated flatly. "I have become aware of certain—circumstances—I believe you should be made aware of."
"Such as?" Anna was not enjoying the company of this woman. As much as she pitied her, in that moment, she felt no fondness for her.
"My husband has made me aware of the fact that your husband, Chase Trent, has been spending a great deal of time with one Lydia Stinnette."
Was Lydia what this was about? How dare she!
"Antonio told me that business suffers because of the time and money Mr. Trent has been spending on Miss Stinnette, money that rightfully should be shared between the partners. I felt you should know."
Anna was outraged at the woman's impertinent remarks. She glared directly at her.
"Mrs. Paulo, I don't know where your husband got his ideas or why he would tell you about it, but..." Anna thought back to the conversation she had with Chase. Someone could get hurt, he had warned. Anna swept aside the warning with a mental wave of her hand. "I suggest you look in your own home, madam, before you cast accusations of infidelity."
She looked shocked at Anna 's words.
"What do you mean to imply?" She was so matter-of-fact. She really didn't know what Anna meant.
"It is supposed to imply that, before you start accusing my husband of infidelity and taking money from the company, you should take a good hard look at your own husband. I have been watching him from the time he first came to my home, bragging about his extramarital affairs to Chase and laughing about the fights you and he have had over them. He spends more time in the beds of his friends’ wives than he has probably spent in yours, madam."
Anna was furious at her high attitude. Did she really excuse what Antonio did?
Anna recalled the evening he came to see her, when he thought Chase was with Lydia. Should she mention that? No. Despite her anger, Anna did not want to add to this poor creature's pain and agony any more than she just had.
Rita stared at her wide-eyed as Anna's words penetrated her mind. She sat straight, proper, and blinked as if she were trying to understand Anna's outburst.
She reached a decision as she leaned forward. Anna sipped her water and set the glass down.
"Mrs. Trent. What do you know of my Antonio?" Her voice was controlled and low.
"Mrs. Paulo, I have no desire to talk about your husband's activities, but I ask you to refrain from speaking ill of Chase. Is this a reasonable agreement?" Anna wanted to be civil to her. Rita was the kind of person Anna had to feel sorry for.
As bad as this conversation had begun, Anna wished it to end on a friendly note.
"That is what I thought," she said as she relaxed. "You have no accusations against Antonio."
Poor foolish woman. "Mrs. Paulo—Rita. I could relate to you many things about Mr. Paulo but it would only serve to hurt you and I have no desire to do so." Anna tried to pat her hand in reassurance. Mrs. Paolo pulled away as if Anna carried a disease.
"Because you have nothing to say. You are upset, I am sure, upon hearing about Mr. Trent and I understand your sense of retaliation."
Anna was not about to take this kind of treatment from this woman. She stood, very determined, and picked up her bag from the table.
"Mrs. Paulo," Anna began, a stern note to her voice. "I am aware of my husband's activities with Miss Stinnette. I am also aware your husband has bedded every one of his friends’ wives with the exception of me. I was lucky enough my husband was at home when he chose to call. You may ask either of our husbands to confirm this."
Denial registered on her face. Rita pressed her hand to her mouth as Anna continued.
"The only reason Mr. Trent is seeing Miss Stinnette is, obviously, she has grown tired of Mr. Paulo. Your Antonio has been bedding her for at least half a year or more. I also suppose it is the reason why he told you about Mr. Trent, so you might attempt to cause trouble in our marriage. You may tell your husband I am already aware of all of my husband's activities." Anna thought for a moment before she decided to continue. "Including his cocaine addiction which I am sure, like Lydia, he was also introduced to by your precious Antonio. Good day, Mrs. Paulo."
With that said, Anna turned and walked to the door. She paused long enough for a valet to hail Shaw.
Chase told Anna several days later Mr. Antonio Paulo and family had been called back to Italy due to some family crisis. She could only guess what the crisis might be. So ended the partnership. Some weeks later, Anna received a post from Mr. Paulo address to her. It stated in no uncertain terms the next time they met, one of them would be "carried away in a box".
To Be Continued...
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This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination, or are fictitiously used. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
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© 2008 Jena Galifany/Marge Conrad
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