It was such an elaborate affair with caviar hors d'oeuvres, shrimp and lobster entrees, as well as prime cuts of beef and roast turkey, bowls filled with at least a dozen varieties of salads, a half dozen differently prepared dishes of potatoes, Portuguese breads and rolls and a Viennese dessert cart that actually drew applause. Nothing was spared to make this one of the most memorable occasions of the social season.
Those who took time to speak to me and to Samuel asked after Mother, but really didn't want to talk about her at all. It was as if any possible suggestion of anything unpleasant was absolutely forbidden this afternoon. "Just don't ask," I wanted to say, and leave it at that.
"What a wonderful surprise to give your mother at this difficult time in her life," Mrs. Roddentrout, one of Mother's friends told me before coffee was served. "Very thoughtful of you, dear," she added as if becoming engaged was something you went out and did to make others happy.
"I assure you, Mrs. Roddentrout, it wasn't preplanned to happen at any particular time," I replied and she looked at me in total confusion. I nearly laughed.
Samuel knew many of the business people at the party and found himself embroiled in conversation most of the afternoon. I watched Nelson and his fiancee and occasionally caught him gazing at me and throwing me a smile, or lifting his glass to toast me, too.
Dancing started and I was suddenly taken by surprise when Nelson asked me to dance immediately after he had danced with his fiancee.
"It's only proper that I dance with all the engaged women here today," he said. Samuel laughed. "Do I have your permission, Samuel?"
"Oh, absolutely," he said, "but you'd better ask Olivia. She's the one who has to agree," he wisely added. "Miss Gordon?"
I rose from my seat and we went onto the dance floor. I felt every female eye on us as he took my hand and put his other hand on my waist.
"You look beautiful. I'm really happy for you, Olivia," he said. "I hope you'll be as happy as I will."
"I don't know how happy you'll be, Nelson, so I won't agree to that just yet," I said.
He laughed nervously.
"I can see that you and I will always have to be direct and truthful with each other," he realized.
"All right," I said, my eyes fixed on his. "Let's make that promise."
"Okay, let's play truth or dare, Olivia," he challenged. "Let's."
He brought his cheek closer to mine and whispered. "Are you in love, Olivia?"
"Are you?"
"I think so," he said.
"I expect to be," I said.
He pulled back slowly and I looked into his eyes. They were laughing and full of sparkling light. Butterflies panicked in my chest. I was afraid he would see how much I cared for him. I felt as though I would soon be standing naked in front of him, unable to hide a thought, a feeling, a dream.
"You and I are more alike than I would have first thought," he said, his eyes turning dark and serious for the moment. "I hope we will always be friends."
"So do I," I said.
When he drew me to him again, I was sure he could feel my heart pounding against his chest.
"Did you tell your sister to stay away today?" he asked. I stiffened.
"Absolutely not. She thought this would be a boring affair," I said and he laughed.
"That's what I like about her, too. She says just what she thinks and feels. It's refreshing when you spend most of your time surrounded by dishonesty."
"Refreshing?" I said thinking now about my mother's revelations. "Sometimes, keeping the truth to yourself makes for more happiness."
He shrugged.
"Who knows who will be the happiest of us all? I wish we had a crystal ball."
"It wouldn't stop some of us from making the same mistakes," I remarked.