Chapter 4 No.4

The summons came the next morning.

"Mother wants to see you," Julian said over breakfast. He was reading the paper, ignoring the fact that Vivian had slept in the guest room. "She heard about you leaving early last night."

Eleanor Kensington did not invite people. She summoned them.

The Kensington Manor was a fortress of old money and older prejudices. Vivian drove herself. When she walked into the solarium, the scene that greeted her made her stomach turn.

Eleanor was sitting in her high-backed chair, sipping tea.

And sitting on a low velvet stool beside her, pouring tea like a dutiful servant, was Scarlett.

"Vivian," Eleanor said, her voice like dry ice. "You're late."

"I was on time," Vivian said, checking her watch.

"You look tired," Scarlett chimed in, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Doesn't she look tired, Auntie Eleanor?"

Auntie?

Vivian ignored her. "You wanted to see me, Eleanor?"

"I heard you made a scene by leaving the gala early," Eleanor said. She set her cup down. "That is behavior suited for a child, not a Kensington."

"I wasn't feeling well," Vivian said, keeping her eyes lowered. "The heat... I felt faint."

"Faint?" Eleanor laughed. It was a harsh, barking sound. "You have the constitution of a wet paper towel, Vivian. Your family was drowning in debt. We saved you. You owe us your strength, not your vapors."

Julian walked in then. He leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms. He looked smug. He enjoyed seeing her scolded.

"Scarlett there," Eleanor continued, gesturing to the girl, "knows how to behave. She's sweet. Submissive. Unlike you."

Scarlett beamed. "I just want everyone to be happy."

Eleanor pointed to the chess set on the table between them. It was an antique ivory set.

"Sit," Eleanor commanded. "Play a game with me. If you win, I'll forget this incident. If you lose... you will apologize to Julian on your knees."

Vivian stared at the board.

"I'll play for her!" Scarlett jumped up. "I was captain of the chess club in high school! Let me teach her a lesson, Auntie."

Eleanor smirked. "Fine. Scarlett represents the family. Vivian represents... herself."

Vivian sat down. Her movements were slow, hesitant.

"And if I win?" Vivian asked softly.

"You won't," Julian scoffed. "You don't even know how the horse moves."

"If I win," Vivian said, her voice trembling slightly, "I don't want Scarlett coming to the house anymore. It... it makes me uncomfortable."

Scarlett's eyes flickered with panic. She looked at Julian.

"Deal," Julian said. "She's bluffing."

The game began.

Scarlett played aggressively. She moved her pawns fast, trying to dominate the center. She was reckless. Arrogant.

Vivian played defensively. She let Scarlett take a pawn. Then another.

"You're losing, sister," Scarlett taunted, taking Vivian's bishop.

Vivian didn't speak. She watched the board. She watched the patterns. She saw the trap Scarlett was setting, and she saw the flaw in it.

Ten minutes in. Scarlett overextended her queen. She thought she had Vivian cornered.

"Check," Scarlett announced proudly.

Vivian moved her knight. Her hands shook as she placed the piece.

Scarlett frowned. She moved her rook.

Vivian moved her bishop. "Is... is this right?" she asked innocently.

The trap snapped shut.

"Checkmate in three," Vivian said uncertainly. "I think?"

"What?" Scarlett laughed. "No way."

Scarlett moved.

Vivian moved.

Scarlett's hand hovered over her king. She froze. There was nowhere to go. Every square was covered by Vivian's pieces. It was a slaughter.

"Checkmate," Vivian whispered. "Oh! I... I won?"

Silence descended on the solarium. Eleanor leaned forward, her eyes wide. She looked at the board, then at Vivian.

"You..." Eleanor murmured. "You never told me you could play."

Vivian stood up. She smoothed her skirt. "My father taught me a little before he died. I guess... I guess I got lucky."

She looked at Julian. He looked stunned. For the first time, he looked at her with something like confusion.

"A deal is a deal, Julian," Vivian said, twisting her hands together nervously. "Please. Just keep her away from the house."

Scarlett burst into tears. "Julian! She tricked me!"

She threw herself into Julian's arms. Julian held her, glaring at Vivian. "You just got lucky, Vivian. Don't let it go to your head."

"I won't," Vivian said, picking up her purse. "I'm just glad I won't have to worry about... visitors."

She turned and walked out. She felt lighter. Stronger. But she kept her head down until she was out the door.

But the war was not over. It had just begun.