Twin of Ice (Montgomery/Taggert 6)

In her room, she still seemed to be numb. Her whole life over, turned around in one single night. Everything lost.

On the wall hung a framed diploma from Miss Jones’s School for Young Ladies. With violence, she tore the diploma from the wall and flung it across the room, feeling no relief when the glass shattered.

With steady fingers, she began to unbutton her dress. Moments later she was standing in her nightgown, just standing, not moving, not aware of when her mother entered the room.

“Houston?” Opal said, her hand on her daughter’s shoulder.

“Go to her,” Houston said. “Blair needs you. If she stays here and marries Leander, she’s going to give up a great deal.”

“But you have, too. You’ve lost a lot tonight.”

“I lost it long before tonight. Really, go to her. I’ll be all right.”

Opal picked up the broken diploma. “Let me see you in bed.”

Obediently, Houston climbed into bed. “Always obedient, aren’t I, Mother? I always obey. If not my parents, then Leander. I’ve always been such a good little girl and what has it gotten me? I’m a true, deep-down lady and my sister with her knickers and her kisses is getting everything I’ve worked for since the first grade.”

“Houston,” Opal pleaded.

“Leave me alone!” Houston screamed. “Just leave me alone.”

With a shocked look on her face, Opal left the room.

* * *

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful, the sun highlighting Ayers Peak that graced the western side of Chandler. There were many churches in town, covering every denomination, and nearly all were full of people.

But even the sun couldn’t melt the coldness inside the Chandler twins, who walked on opposite sides of their stepfather. Their mother had suddenly been attacked with a mysterious ailment that kept her from witnessing her daughters’ public humiliation.

Leander waited in the pew for them, his eyes looking toward Houston, and when they neared the bench, he put his hand out to her. “Houston,” he whispered.

Now he can tell us apart, she thought, but said nothing as she moved aside to keep from touching him.

Duncan nearly pushed Blair toward Lee and at last they were seated, Blair beside Lee, then Duncan and Houston on the end.

The service seemed to pass in seconds because Houston knew that at the end of it the announcement was going to be made.

It came much too soon.

Unfortunately, Reverend Thomas wasn’t conducting the service today but was replaced by Reverend Smithson who could have been more tactful.

“Now I have an announcement to make,” he said with an amused tone. “It seems that our own Leander has changed his mind about which twin to marry and is now engaged to Blair. I don’t believe I could make up my mind between them, either. Congratulations again, Lee.”

For a moment the church was thunderstruck. Then, men began to chuckle, and women gasped in astonishment. Every, one rose to leave.

“Houston, you must listen to me,” Lee said, catching her arm “I must explain.”

“You have explained,” she hissed at him. “When you told me how wonderful Blair was, and how you hoped the ice princess would never return, that’s when you did your explaining. Good morning,” she smiled at a passerby.

“Hello, Houston, or are you Blair?” someone asked.

“Congratulations, Lee.” A man slapped him on the shoulder and went away laughing.

“Houston, let’s go somewhere.”

“You can go to . . . your bride.” She glared at him in anger.

“Houston,” Lee pleaded. “Please.”