Nate stood at the bottom of the stairs, leaning carelessly against the wall, arms crossed, as he talked to Mrs. Darby. They’d arranged for her to remain overnight so they could stay at the party as long as they liked. As he finished giving her instructions, soft footsteps caught his attention, and he turned to where Angel made her way down the steps.
Gazing up, Nate’s mouth immediately dried, and his heart thumped. He’d never seen a more beautiful woman in his life-and she belonged to him. Her creamy white skin, above the bodice of rose silk, looked like fresh milk. As she moved her head, light from the oil lamps cast golden highlights in her dark hair. But the smile on her lips said it all. She looked beautiful and knew it. He couldn’t help thinking she’d done this for him.
Angel’s gaze made an assessment of his dark suit and vest, with the starched white shirt and black string tie. He’d polished his black boots to a high gloss. At his regard, a glowing blush traveled from her neckline to her glossy curls.
Damn, we really should skip this party. She broke the spell by fanning herself with one delicate, glove-covered hand. “It’s gotten warm in here this evening.”
He ran his finger around the inside of his collar, stretching his neck. “I believe you’re right, darlin’.”
Before he gave in to the temptation to swoop her up and carry her back upstairs, right in front of Mrs. Darby, he took her arm and led her to the door.
Mrs. Darby grinned as she glanced between the two of them, and wishing them a good night, closed the door. Nate helped Angel into the buggy, and joined her from the other side.
“You look stunning, Mrs. Hale.” He lifted her hand and kissed it.
“Why, thank you, kind sir,” she answered, laughing. “You look rather dashing yourself.”
Glowing lights shattered the darkness from blocks away. Buggy carriages lined up, waiting for their passengers to alight and be handed to waiting footmen. A spark of anticipation shot through Angel. She’d attended numerous parties of this kind, but never thought to see one in Oregon. She could feel the excitement as they awaited their turn.
Men stood at attention to move the buggies away from the house. One of the servants took Angel’s hand and helped her. Nate quickly alighted and joined his wife. She bit her lip to keep from laughing at the scowl he threw the man. Her husband was jealous of a servant!
They joined the others and climbed the steps to the elegant house Eli had built over fifteen years ago. Nate told her it was rumored at the time the wealthy man intended to take a new bride, the reason for the house, but he never re-married, and Lucy remained the only woman in his life. The females in town had not abandoned their hopes yet, he’d added. His money, power and connections were exceedingly appealing.
The white columns gracing the front of the residence were reminiscent of Southern plantation homes. The entrance hall alone was the size of their bedroom. A servant took her wrap, and directed them to the ballroom where an orchestra already played. Lucy, Eli, and an older woman stood in the receiving line. Lucy’s face lit up when she spotted Nate, but it immediately turned into a pout when her gaze slid to Angel.
Lucy gave him a more than friendly kiss on the lips. “I’m so glad you came tonight.” She whispered something, forcing him to lean toward her, as if they shared an intimate exchange of words.
Angel smiled wryly, and took Mr. Benson’s outstretched hand.
“Is this stunning woman your new wife?” Eli spoke to Nate as he bent over Angel’s hand and kissed it.
“Eli, may I present my wife, Angel.” Nate attempted to remove his arm from Lucy’s grip.
“You are a lucky one, young man.”
Angel tugged her hand from his. Mr. Benson seemed like a nice man, but she wondered if he knew what his daughter was up to with Nate.
Mr. Benson turned to his right. “May I present my sister, Miss Adeline Schaeffer.” He nodded to the older woman standing between him and Lucy.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.” Both women spoke at the same time, and laughed.
Finally free from Lucy’s grip, Nate took Angel by the arm, and, nodding politely to the family, moved from the line and toward the ballroom.
Nate straightened his tie and mumbled out of the side of his mouth. “If he looks at you like that again, I may commit the fatal social error of punching my host in the nose.”
“He wasn’t looking at me any particular way.” She again
bit her lip. “Now, the look his daughter gave you is something to comment on.”
“We should’ve stayed home,” he groused.
“Oh, dear.” Angel stopped and regarded him.
“What’s wrong?”
She leaned in, drawing him closer. “It seems I’ve forgotten to put my silk drawers on.” She moved away, and smiled at him as she glanced over her shoulder. His mouth opened in surprise, and she laughed softly as she hurried to a group of women from church waving frantically at her.
Nate had never been so miserable in his life. Not long after Angel made her announcement, she was surrounded by gentlemen of every age in an effort to secure a dance. He could think of nothing but his elegantly dressed wife with no undergarments on under her dress. She moved, danced and talked as if everything were normal. He, on the other hand, was so hard he could barely walk.