The Winds Of Fortune Episode 05
Minnie stood before the looking glass, a smile curling her red lips.
She was not a vain girl, but she was pleased with the effect of her ensemble.
Her cheeks had a healthy glow and her eyes were bright with excitement.
She was wearing a dress from New York that her mother had sent for.
It was crimson silk which skimmed her hips and fell in ruffles as it descended to the floor.
Her hair had been waved and she wore a diamond necklace that her father had given to her mother on their wedding day.
“Oh, Minnie, you look an absolute peach.”
Pearl was standing in the doorway, gazing at her.
She closed the door and came inside.
“If Theo wasn’t intending to propose tonight, he will once he sees you looking like that.”
Minnie blushed and her smile widened.
Tonight, Mr Theodore Cranby had asked her out for dinner and dancing.
She knew that he had been holed up for a while in her father’s study two days before, and it was the belief of the family that a proposal was imminent.
She had never felt so happy. She hardly knew how she would wait for hi to arrive.
“I shall be so excited to have him as a brother,” Pearl continued.
“You must live nearby, as I cannot do without you. I shall spoil all your children and –”
“Slow down!” Minnie interrupted, laughing.
“It’s by no means decided. Even if it were, I don’t want to start thinking about children just yet!”
Pearl grinned.
“Perhaps you’re right, but isn’t this exciting? Theo is such a lovely man. I am quite envious of you.”
Minnie came over and hugged her sister.
She thought Theo was absolutely perfect. She had first met him at the Stevensons’ dinner party, where she’d been seated beside him.
Of course, she’d noticed his good looks, but it was the ensuing conversation that had made her heart beat faster.
He was intelligent and kind. They discussed books and plays, even politics, and she was delighted to find they shared many opinions.
Not least, they agreed that women’s votes were an important breakthrough.
She had only met him a few more times when she found herself deeply in love.
She very much hoped that Pearl would find someone just as wonderful for herself.
“You must have some of the perfume that Grandmama bought me,” Pearl told her. “It’s divine.”
Minnie waited, smiling to herself as her sister dashed from the room and back again, then dabbed Shalimar on to her wrists and neck.
“Thank you.” Minnie sniffed appreciatively. “Theo will be here at any moment. I am so nervous!”
Minnie picked up her bag and fur and they headed to the drawing-room together.
“You look very nice, my dear.” Grandmama Louisa was sitting by the fire, her feet resting on a stool.
The Tiffany lamps had been lit and the room was filled with warmth.
“You are simply ravishing.” Her mother came towards her and clasped her hands.
Carrie’s eyes were glowing and she seemed almost as excited as Minnie.
“It’s thrilling. I remember so well the night your father proposed to me. I’ve never been happier.”
There was a muffled snort from Louisa, but her mother ignored it.
“At least Minnie is capable of making a wise matrimonial choice,” Louisa remarked.
Her mother ignored this remark and merely smiled.
“Shouldn’t he be here by now, Minnie?” she asked instead.
The words were hardly out of her mouth when there was a knock on the door.
Miller entered. He had a note on a silver tray, which he presented to Minnie.
She recognised the writing immediately and her heart plummeted.
“What is it?” Her sister watched her anxiously.
“It’s from Theo. Our date is cancelled.” She tried to prevent her voice cracking. “His father is very unwell.”
“That is most unfortunate, but not the end of the world.” Her mother patted her hand.
“Yes, Minnie,” Pearl agreed. “It’s clear he’s head over heels in love with you.”
Minnie nodded. She felt devastated, but her mother and sister were right, and his father only had Theo to take care of him.
“Shouldn’t Grover be here by now?” Grandmama Louisa looked concerned.
“Hasn’t he come in already?” Carrie asked.
Louisa shook her head and Minnie noticed the smile was wiped from her mother’s face.
She glanced at the mantel clock. It was getting late.
“We’ll go and meet him. It will be a distraction for you, too, Minnie.”
Minnie was surprised, but could feel the air of urgency from the older women.
Her father had been behaving strangely, so perhaps it would be best.
Not long after, they were seated in the Packard.
Her mother had insisted on ditching the chauffeur, and Minnie sat beside her, looking out at the lights from the houses, bars and clubs.
What a strange evening this had turned out to be.
Instead of dancing in Theo’s arms, she was out in the darkness, trailing the streets, and sensing the tension from her calm and vivacious mother.
The excitement of a proposal had temporarily removed all other thoughts from her head, but now the hollow feeling returned to her stomach.
What was wrong with Father?
She caught sight of a dishevelled figure in an overcoat and trilby, winding his way along the sidewalk.
“There he is!”
Her mother pulled over and Minnie jumped out.
“Father!”
He looked up, staring blankly, as if he didn’t recognise her.
Her mother was already out of the car and steered Grover towards the open door, as if he were a child, and helped him inside.
“You will be wondering why our Minnie is here,” she said brightly as she pulled away from the kerb.
He didn’t answer, but sat motionless and staring.
Minnie swallowed. Her mother kept up a flow of small talk all the way home, but her father registered none of it.
Eventually they arrived and he made his way up the steps.
Minnie and her mother followed behind.
“Come and have a drink with us, Grover, darling.”
Taking no notice of his wife, he walked into the study and closed the door.
Carrie’s face was pale.
“I shall telephone the doctor,” she said decidedly.
Minnie relinquished her fur and hat and watched as her mother waited to be connected.
Then, to her horror, the silence was shattered.
A gunshot rent the air.
Her mother dropped the phone and dashed towards the study door.
Sick and terrified, Minnie followed her.
To be continued …