Epilogue: Roxanna
My head rested on the arm of the fainting couch set in the middle of my bedroom. I was exhausted from the party we had attended last night. My head turned sideways and I noticed the back of my gown was touching the floor. I gathered it around my legs and just held it in my hands. The white silk under the cream lace made my pale skin look even paler. I had received many comments on both the gown and my skin tonight. A hair pin poked the back of my head and I sat up and let my hair down. The curls flowed down my back and I began to brush them.
There was a knock at my door. "Roxy."
"Come in." I responded, pushing my hair back. Alex walked in followed by Antoin and AnneMarie. "We are going hunting. Would you like to come?"
I looked into Alex's eyes and noticed how dark they had gotten. I knew tonight had been hard for him, but he had struggled through it. A small smile appeared on my face and I shook my head. "Not tonight." I could see his disappointment but knew he understood.
"Roxy, you need to hunt. It has been too long and I wouldn't want you to hurt anyone because you refused our offer." Antoin's eyes were dark but his tone made them seem darker.
"Please, let me stay." I was pleading now. I had just spent hours being paraded around and I didn't want to hunt now. "I don't slip up and you know it. I can go much longer than you without hunting." His hand came up and I cowered back. The look on my face must have worried AnneMarie for she took his hand and led him away. I waited until I heard the door shut, then I relaxed.
I thought back to the last time Antoin had raised his hand at me. It was two years ago at the home of a man named Charles. My mind went to Giovanni and then to the painting that I had hidden away. I went to the drawer of my vanity and pulled the little painting out of its case. My fingers ran over the woman and then down the stripe of red in her hair. I stared for nearly an hour, remembering my time with him.
I started to roll the picture back up and noticed something strange. There was writing on the back. I unrolled it and flipped it over.
"I hope that you will remain safe and that one day, we will meet again, my little charmer. G"
There was an address underneath that made me decide to write to him.
Giovanni,
Had I noticed your message on the back of your gift earlier, I would have written sooner. I don't believe words can express how I long to see you again. I think often of our time together and look at your painting as much as possible.
We have just arrived in Boston and I love it here. The city is magnificent and the society is amazing. I have been to a ball or party of some kind every night this week.
It sounded much too formal. I crumpled the paper and began again.
My dearest painter,
I miss you immensely. It has been hard these past years to not have you near. So much has happened and I wish I could run to your apartment and tell you.
Antoin has finally moved us down to Boston. It is a wonderful place and everyone always seems happy. My engagement to a young man was announced last night and a grand party was thrown in our names. The ceremony will be held next month and we will be leaving soon after. I have been placing all my energy into the wedding plans. Alex and I will be having a joint wedding. His fiancée is wonderful and he will change her on their wedding night. I am overjoyed at finally having a sister. Hopefully someday you can meet her. You would like her and she would be a wonderful subject for a painting.
I hope you are doing well and continuing to paint. Maybe someday I will run into you on the streets. I am in desperate need of a fall landscape.
With all my love, your little charmer, Roxy.
I brought the paper to my chest and then kissed next to my name. I addressed the envelope and ran down stairs to our mail slot. The postman would take it in the morning.
"Roxy? We are home." I went to go find my family, knowing that I would see Giovanni again.