Deceived

She turned.

'I love you!' Cally said.

'I love you too,' Aurora replied, and then left her sister.

In the downstairs foyer Calandra's trunks sat waiting. The wedding would be first thing in the morning, when the Royal George arrived. Then the newlyweds and their two servants would depart for England after a wedding breakfast. The minister would be returned to Barbados by means of a St. Timothy boat, and the day would progress just like any other day on the island, except that Cally would be gone.

The household was up early. The baths were filled, and all involved bathed. Tea was brought to each bedroom. Cally's maid, Sally, was so sick with her excitement that she vomited twice.

'What's the matter with you?' Martha asked the younger woman.

'I'm going 'ome!' Sally said. 'I'm going to see England again, and be personal maid to a duchess!' Sally's term of bondage had ended several years earlier. She had always been homesick for England, but had never had the means to return. She had been transported for debt. The only means of support she had was here with Calandra. Now she had been asked to accompany her mistress, and she was thrilled. 'Don't tell me, Martha 'enry, that you won't be 'appy to see England again.'

'You ain't going to remain personal maid to a duchess long if you don't put those H's back on your words, Sally me girl,' Martha told the younger woman sternly. 'I thought we had learned you better these past ten years. A duchess's servant got to talk more posh. You want to end up back in the same London slum from where you came?'

'Gawd, no!' Sally exclaimed. She looked worried. 'Maybe I ought to stay put right here on St. Timothy.'

'Don't be a ninny,' Martha said. 'Just remember to speak careful, and learn everything you can from the Hawkesworth family servants. You've got the next couple of weeks to make friends, and ask questions of Browne, the duke's valet. And by make friends I don't mean you should go and seduce the poor fellow. And if anyone should question your authority, and try and steal your place, just remember to be tough and remind 'em that you've been with her grace since she was a child. Few will challenge an association like that. Be pleasant, but don't trust anyone until you got a real good lay of the land. The dowager duchess will have a favorite serving woman. Make friends with her and defer to her judgment. With a strong ally like that, you ain't got nothing to worry about.'

'Oh, Martha! I'm going to miss you!' Sally's plain face was woebegone. Her gray eyes were teary.

'Go on with you,' Martha said gruffly, but she was feeling a bit weepy too. When Sally departed, she would have no close woman friend of her own class. But it was only for a little while, she reminded herself. Her eye went to the windows, and then she said, 'Look out in the harbor. The Royal George is sailing in, and the bride not ready!'

Cally's wedding gown was brought forth. It was a beautiful garment of cream-colored satin. The round neckline was edged in matching lace that matched the engageants falling from the three-quarter sleeves. The skirt opened in the front to reveal a brocade underskirt embroidered in a delicate floral pattern with gold thread. The skirt was gathered full at the hips with flounces and ruches, and lay over its underskirt and several stiffened petticoats. Calandra's dark hair was gathered into a chignon, and one long curl was coaxed to lie over her left shoulder. She wore no jewelry except for pear-shaped pearl earbobs and a small gold cross on a fine gold chain. Carefully she slipped her stocking feet into low-heeled cream brocade shoes with small gold rosettes. Then she looked at herself in the long mirror.

Calandra Hawkesworth. It had a noble ring to it. Calandra, Duchess of Farminster, she thought, and preened before the glass. Yes. She looked like a duchess. She was going to be a great success in England. 'I am beautiful,' she said aloud to no one in particular.

'You are, and that's the truth,' Martha told her with a smile, 'but don't you forget when you get to England, that pretty is as pretty does, Miss Calandra. I'll want to hear good things of you when we arrive.'

Oralia came into the bedroom and stopped, her hand going to her heart as she viewed her daughter. 'Oh, my, my, darling! It is perfect. You look regal.' She handed Cally a small spray of star-shaped white orchids. Then she asked, 'Where is Aurora?'

'Here, Mama.' Aurora entered by the door that connected her room and Cally's. Her gown was almost identical to her sister's except that it was pale rose-colored silk. The visible underskirt was of cream brocade, hand painted with tiny blue forget-me-nots. Her matching shoes had pink rosettes, and her brown-gold hair was fashioned with twin ringlets on either side of her head. Her only jewelry was a gold cross that matched her sister's.

'Oh, how lovely you look!' Oralia said, pleased. She presented her stepdaughter with a bouquet of pink hibiscus and green ferns.

George popped his head in the door. 'Captain Conway and the Reverend Mr. Edwardes have arrived. The bridegroom is waiting eagerly. Are you ladies ready?'

'Escort me down, George, and then you may come and get your sister,' Oralia said, gesturing to the two servants to accompany her.

The two sisters were alone for a brief moment.

'You're certain you're not sorry?' Cally said. 'This is a wonderful and generous thing you have done, Aurora, but even I know Papa would not approve.'

'I am not sorry,' Aurora assured her, 'and Papa would want me happy first and foremost. You know that. Now, you be happy, Cally.'

'Ohhh, I just know I will! I am going to be a duchess, and live in England. I cannot wait to get there and become a part of society!'

'And Valerian? Do you give no thought to him?' Aurora was just slightly troubled by Cally's childish attitude.

'Valerian? Well, he will be my husband. What else is there?' Cally replied. 'I'm certain we shall get on quite well.'

George returned. 'Come, my little sisters. 'Tis time.'

They left the bedchamber, and Aurora descended the staircase first, moving slowly so that everyone would have a chance to see and admire Calandra. Of course only the servants were there to see, besides the ship's captain and the Anglican minister who stood with his back before the open door of the house. To his left stood the duke, dressed simply but elegantly in pale fawn-colored breeches, full at the top and fitted above the knee, below which he wore white stockings. His coat was of black velvet, and his waistcoat a white brocade embroidered with black thread garlands. He had silver buckles on his shoes, and lace at his throat and cuffs. Reaching the minister, Aurora stepped to the left and turned to see her stepsister.

Cally moved gracefully, her little hand upon George's arm. When they arrived before the Reverend Mr. Edwardes, Valerian stepped forward, and George gave his sister's hand into that of the duke and stepped into Valerian's former place as George had two roles to fulfill in this wedding. He was to give the bride away, and he was also the best man.

'Dearly beloved, we are gathered here together today in the sight of God and this company to join together this man and this woman,' intoned the Anglican minister.

How long had it been since she had been to church? Aurora wondered. The minister had come from Barbados for her father's funeral, and before that? She could not remember. Her father would have liked to have had a clergyman on St. Timothy, but without a congregation it would have been good money wasted, he always said. The slaves had their own religion, and a family of five plus their servants was hardly worth the bother. So the minister was sent for only when he was needed. Hardly an ideal arrangement, Aurora thought. When I go to England I shall go to church every Sunday, she decided. England. What fate was awaiting her there? Only time would tell. Her mind wandered here and there for the next few minutes, and then she heard the minister say, 'I now pronounce you man and wife.' He joined their