Sex and Vanity: A Novel

“You know I’m only at this wedding as a favor to Lucie’s family. I’m just the plus-one here, and my only job was to keep an eye on my young cousin. But I’ve failed in my duty. Utterly, epically failed. We should never have come to this wedding. We should never have come to Capri. Jesus Christ, her mother’s going to lose her shit when she finds out! And my grandmother’s going to skin me alive! […] I’m so mortified. Lucie, my poor little cousin, has ruined herself. She’s absolutely ruined her life!”

The events of the Prologue incite the narrative conflict and action. In this reception scene, Charlotte Barclay’s harried monologue intensifies the atmosphere and infuses the narrative with mystery. The event she’s describing to Olivia Lavistock isn’t revealed until the end of Part 1, so this quotation introduces and sustains the narrative tension. Furthermore, the way Charlotte talks about Lucie Churchill establishes the power dynamic between them and inspires much of Lucie’s internal tension.

“‘I am disappointed, but there’s not much more we can do, is there?’ Lucie was always conscious of being born into privilege, and it had been drummed into her from an early age by her mother to ‘always be grateful and never complain.’ She was well aware that her room in this five-star hotel, even with the less-than-perfect view, was far nicer than what most people on the planet would ever be able to enjoy, so she was loath to grumble. Charlotte, however, had a different take on the situation.”

From a young age, Lucie has learned to control herself and play the part of the demure, submissive young lady. She doesn’t react to Charlotte or the other wedding guests’ antics because she doesn’t want to betray herself or fall short of others’ expectations of her.

“‘Well, I’m not sure how much your son is going to like me, Mrs. Zao. You see, I don’t think this wedding is going to be a massive waste at all. Isabel is my dear friend, and she does everything with intention and heart. I think it’s all going to be wonderful!’ Lucie turned abruptly and headed quickly up the stairs. She was spilling champagne along the way and knew she was behaving rudely, but she didn’t care. She was beginning to think that Charlotte had been right all along, and she was regretting the decision to accept the Zaos’ rooms. Rosemary’s words kept ringing in her ears. Maybe you could…you know…be nice to him. What the hell did she mean by that?”

Lucie’s emotional reaction to Rosemary Zao introduces Lucie’s confused feelings for Rosemary’s son, George. Lucie privately acknowledges George’s handsomeness and her compulsion toward him. However, she vehemently denies others’ suggestions that she and George would get along because she fears acknowledging her desires and feelings.