Chapter 12: Escorted Out

The guards did not touch them.

They walked a step behind, staring at the gravel.

Hayden carried the hatbox.

Lydia walked beside him with her chin up.

Cissy followed them out onto the lawn.

The lights of the house were all on.

The housekeeper stood on the front steps with the cook and two maids.

The gardener had come around the side of the house, and the driver had put down a cigarette.

Everyone who worked at Larch Row was gathering in the glow of the porch lamp.

"I'm so sorry for the scene," Cissy called to them, in a clear and tender voice.

"Henrietta has asked me to see to the house."

"Mr. VanAlen and his guest are leaving for the night."

Nobody moved.

Lydia stopped in the middle of the lawn.

She put her bag down on the grass and turned around.

"I'm not a guest," she said.

Her voice carried to the steps.

"My name is Lydia VanAlen."

"I have lived in this house since I was sixteen."

"I married Mr. VanAlen in the garden under that tree."

She pointed to the old cedar by the wall.

"Three years ago I was told he wanted a divorce. I signed papers that came to me in the mail."

"Tonight I learned the county never received them."

Somebody drew breath on the steps.

"I am still his wife," Lydia said.

"That makes me the lady of this house, for as long as I choose to be."

"Lydia," Cissy said softly. "Please. You're upset."

"She forged the divorce papers and wrote our goodbyes for us."

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