“You know he only took that girl to the cotillion out of obligation. But you can’t expect a fellow to play the gentleman when he’s being treated like that.” She frowned. “I suspecttonight was the end of that relationship. And I say good riddance to Victoria.”
“I wouldn’t be too sure about that.”
“What do you mean?”
Carol shrugged.
“Tell me why you’re not so sure about that.” Maria patted the bed and Carol reluctantly sat.
“Well, I, uh, overheard Victoria and her friends in the ladies’ room.”
Maria’s eyes widened. “And?”
“One of her friends seemed to have inside information about an engagement ring that Victoria was going to receive for Christmas.”
Maria laughed. “Well, that’s nonsense.”
“I don’t know. She seemed pretty confident.”
“But you saw the two of them bickering.”
“Maybe that was just a lovers’ quarrel. For all we know, they’ve made up by now.” She fiddled with the quilt pattern. “That would explain why Victor didn’t return to the cotillion.”
“Oh ...” Maria’s brow creased. “I didn’t think of that.”
“Victoria is a very beautiful woman,” Carol continued. “And I suspect when she wants to, she can be very sweet ... and persuasive.”
“Don’t you mean manipulative?”
Carol shrugged again, then stood. “Well, I know you must be tired. I know I am.”
“Victor is too smart to be manipulated by her,” Maria declared.
Carol leaned down to kiss her aunt’s cheek. “Well, I’m not going to worry about that tonight.”
Maria’s eyes flickered with interest. “So you do care?”
Carol forced a smile. “Victor is a nice guy. I’d hate to see him settle for the wrong woman.”
Maria nodded. “Especially when the right woman might be waiting in the wings.”
“Good night, Aunt Maria.” Carol turned off the light. “Sweet dreams.”
“You too, dear girl. I’m going to pray that your dream guy visits your dreams.”
“Go ahead. Knock yourself out.” Carol shook her head as she closed the door. Her aunt was one determined woman. As for being visited by her “dream guy,” she seriously doubted it. As she got herself ready for bed, Carol did her best to block Victor from her thoughts, but as soon as she lay down, she remembered how fun it was to dance with him and how magical it felt to be in his arms. Despite her resolve, she had a feeling her aunt’s prayers would be answered tonight.
****
Right after breakfast the following morning, Maria insisted on deep cleaning her house. “Our Christmas Eve party is just two days out now,” she told Carol, “and I always like to put the polish on the place.”
“Can’t we do that tomorrow?” Carol slid a plate into the dishwasher. It wasn’t that she was tired herself, but she suspected Maria was still worn-out from last night.
“Tomorrow we’ll go over and help Antonia get food ready for Christmas Eve. Then we bring half of it over here and Antonia brings the rest Christmas Eve. So our day will be full.”
Carol didn’t see how fixing food could take a whole day but assumed her aunt knew what she was talking about. “Well, I’ll try my best to make your house sparkle and shine,” she told her. “Just tell me what needs doing.”
“The guest bathroom, for starters. It needs a thorough going-over.”
