Page 45 of Dropping the Ball

Her heart and mind battled over that point as she let herself into the terrarium, then checked that the door was secure behind her. She had every intention of making certain all the terrarium doors were sealed, then going up to her room, but as she walked along the winding flagstone path to the other end of the room, Lady Gladys rose from the table where Bernadette had spent so much time organizing the party.

“I was certain you would come this way,” Lady Gladys said, her voice cool and her eyes narrowed as she stepped into Bernadette’s path.

Bernadette was too tired to show any outward sign of surprise, which she was grateful for.

“Lady Gladys,” she said, forcing a smile. “What a surprise to find you in a place I know you despise.”

Bernadette stopped herself from wincing once the words were out, even though she wanted to. Exhaustion often made her sharp-tongued instead of soft and amiable, like she had been raised to be.

Lady Gladys tilted her chin up haughtily and smiled at Bernadette as if Bernadette had revealed her true nature. Strangely, it was the first time the bitter woman had looked at her as an equal.

“I do despise this place, but it will not survive long,” she said.

Bernadette stared at Lady Gladys, trying to determine whether she meant her hatred would not survive or the terrarium itself was doomed.

“What do you want from me, Lady Gladys,” Bernadette said. “I was on my way to my room to refresh myself before supper tonight, and I am afraid I am no fit company for social niceties at the moment.”

“Good,” Lady Gladys said, sidling closer. “I have no wish for niceties. I wish only to make everything perfectly clear between us.”

A shiver passed down Bernadette’s spine of the sort she’d had when first introduced to Alden’s snakes. Only this time, she did not think she would overcome the sickly feeling the creature in front of her provoked.

“Go on, then,” Bernadette said. “Say your piece. Tell me all about how Alden is yours and you will be the one to marry him, and how I am a glorified servant who should not look above her circumstances.”

Lady Gladys’s expression went wide with surprise. “I did not think you were as intelligent as all that,” she said. “I believed I would have to explain what is obvious to you.”

“What is obvious to me is that you regret choosing the wrong man years ago, and you believe you can change the past and win Alden’s heart again,” Bernadette said.

Lady Gladys burst into sharp, cruel laughter. “Good God, no,” she said. “If you believe love has anything to do with this, then perhaps you are as silly and stupid as I first believed.”

Bernadette simply frowned, not wishing to give Lady Gladys an inch by asking what she meant.

Fortunately for her, Lady Gladys was not finished reveling in the sound of her own voice.

“I do not love Alden and I never did,” she said, pacing around Bernadette like one of the jaguars from the Amazon Alden hadtold her stories about. “I chose Edward because I loved him. Well, I liked him. Better than Alden.” She stopped her pacing and lowered her head. “No, I did love Edward. Dearly. Fate was cruel to rip him away from me just as I discovered that truth.”

Against her better judgement, Bernadette felt sorry for Lady Gladys. “I am very sorry for your loss,” she said quietly.

Lady Gladys reacted as though Bernadette had insulted her. “I do not need your pity,” she said, walking back until she faced Bernadette again. “What I do need is Alden’s fortune and the benefits of this estate.”

Bernadette blinked, surprised once again that Lady Gladys would be so open with her. “Edward was the love of my life, but he did not manage his money well. I’ve lived on the very edge of solvency these last many years, and I am tired of it. When Alden returned from his ridiculous excursions, I was certain I could rekindle whatever flame he had for me. But he was only interested in this monstrosity we stand in.”

She gestured to the beautiful terrarium, her lip curled in disgust. That alone reduced Bernadette’s opinion of her even more.

“Alden is a weak-minded fool,” she went on. “That is why I never thought to return his affections before.”

“But you still wish to marry him?” Bernadette asked. She wanted to argue that Alden was brilliant and clever, but there would be a time for that later.

“Of course I still wish to marry him,” Lady Gladys said. “And as soon as I do, I shall encourage him to embark upon another expedition to South America, leaving Lyndhurst Grove in my care.”

Bernadette frowned, but she was not surprised. Everything Lady Gladys said made perfect sense, given her character.

“Once Alden has left, I will restore the house to what it should be,” Lady Gladys went on, looking around her. “This will all be torn down and the creatures within it disposed of.”

Bernadette boiled with indignation at that. “You would destroy something Alden loves and has worked so tirelessly on?”

Lady Gladys sniffed. “It is an abomination. If a man must have a pet, let him have a dog, not this … this–” She gestured as she failed to think of an adequate word. “Who keeps lizards and frogs in the ballroom?”

“Alden does,” Bernadette insisted. “They are his passion. If you truly loved him, you would respect that.”

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