Web of Dreams (Casteel 5)

"But when they brought you two in and Tony said you had gotten lost in the maze . . ."

"Momma, just listen . . ,"

"To go in there during a storm, no less. What were you thinking? Was this a deliberate act, an attempt to embarrass me because you feel sorry for your father? Or maybe you just aren't getting enough attention today, is that it? Maybe getting these beautiful rooms from Tony just isn't enough, and little miss princess had to cause some trouble so everyone would notice her."

"NO!" I cried. "It just happened. The snow came so quickly, we didn't realize our footsteps would be covered."

"Why did you go into the maze?" she asked, eyes scrunched as tight as could be with suspicion.

"Troy wanted to show me the cottage and I thought . ."

"Oh, that child. He's so spoiled."

"No, Momma, he's lonely and . ."

"All that boy needs is some discipline. You've got to be firmer with him, Leigh. I insist. You're to think of yourself as his big sister, who knows better, understand? If you have any doubts at all about anything he wants, ask me or Tony, but don't cater to his whims. Oh dear," she said, catching sight of herself in the mirror. "Look at what I look like. And all this happening right before my wedding."

"I'm sorry, Momma." I lowered myself into the water again.

"Well . . . you should be. This wedding is the most important thing that has ever happened to me . . . or to you, young lady. It will be perfect. You don't want to get sick right bef

ore my wedding, do you? Can you imagine what it will look like if you are sniffling behind me, sneezing and coughing during the wedding procession?" She grimaced as if it were happening this very moment.

"All right, Momma. I'll get into bed after I get out of the bath."

"Good. Oh, Leigh," she said pressing her palm against her chest, "what a fright." She sighed and then smiled as if someone had closed the book on this episode. "Afterward, I'll come up and sit with you and we will have a good talk about my honeymoon. I'll tell you all the details and we'll discuss my wardrobe, what I should bring along, what jewelry, makeup, okay?

"Poor thing. I'm sure you were terrified out there. But, it's over," she added quickly and with a swipe of her hand as if she were shooing away flies. "Let's put it behind us. We have too many wonderful things to think about, don't we?"

"Yes, Momma."

"Good. I don't want to have a sad day here after this, not one sad day. Why should I? I've got everything anyone could want--youth, money, and a handsome, doting husband." She gazed down at me. "I'm sure you will have the same things someday, too. Well, get out and dry off or you will turn into a prune," she added and laughed. "I'll see about some hot tea for you."

She left and I got out of the tub. I dried myself off and put on the terry cloth robe. Then I went into my bedroom and picked out the warmest nightgown. I slipped it on and crawled under the covers.

I was very tired. The moment I closed my eyes, I fell asleep and didn't even hear the maid bring in the tea.

Momma was true to her word--she refused to hear any more about the incident in the maze, as she called it. As soon as Tony and she returned to my suite to see how I was and he brought it up, she snapped at him with surprising vehemence.

"Please, Tony, let's not talk about it anymore. It happened and it's over. Thank goodness, everyone's all right."

One result of the incident was that Mamma and I would sleep over at Farthy. She explained it to me when Tony left us.

"I've decided Tony's right," she said. "It's best we remain here tonight. It's still snowing quite heavily and I shouldn't take you back into the storm. In the morning after breakfast, we'll return to Boston and complete our packing for the move to Farthy. Tony promises to honor my wishes and remain in his own suite this evening," she added with a coquettish smile and turn of her shoulders. The situation was

fascinating.

"Will you have your own rooms after you're married, too?"

"Of course."

"But you didn't have your own rooms back in Boston. You always shared one with Daddy," I said. If she was so in love with Tony, I thought, why did she want to be separated? When I fell in love, I knew that I would never want my own bedroom. I would want to be with my husband every night, every moment.

"I always wanted my own suite, but your father could never understand. A woman needs her privacy. I don't want my husband standing over me while I go through my beauty rituals. There are things I'd rather he didn't know," she added gazing at herself in one of my dresser mirrors. "I have my secret ways of keeping my skin wrinkle-free, ways I'll share with you when the time comes, of course, but a husband need not know.

"A woman has to keep herself somewhat mysterious. If a man knows every little thing about you, he will lose interest in you. But if you can surprise him every once in a while, he will think you're exciting forever. That's why there are things I will tell you that we will never tell men, even men we love. Understand?" she asked smiling.

"Yes." I knew that one of the secrets she wanted to guard closely was the secret of her age. Perhaps, if Tony saw her at her dressing table every night, he would figure out that she was much older than she claimed, I thought.