When he finished, he went to stand behind her. She wore an apricot satin dressing gown, and she puzzled over her clothes for something to wear.
Clay suddenly grabbed a gown of cinnamon-colored velvet. “Janie said you should wear this.” He held it up and eyed it critically. “There doesn’t look like there’s much to the top of it.”
“I supply that,” she said smugly, and took the dress from him.
“Then I guess you won’t need these.”
She turned and saw what he held. Pearls! There were four strands of them, held together by four long gold clasps. She held the necklace in her hands, felt the creamy texture of the pearls. But she didn’t understand how it was to be worn. It looked more like a long belt than a necklace.
“Put the dress on and I’ll show you,” Clay said. “My mother designed it.”
Quickly, Nicole slipped into her chemise, then the gown. The bodice was very low, the sleeves mere straps across her shoulders. Clay fastened the hooks and eyes up the back. He then pinned one of the clasps to the center back of the dress, the second one to her shoulder. The third clasp was fastened to the center of the deep décolletage, another one on the other shoulder, then making a full circle to the back. The four strands were threaded in such a way that they draped. Two strands went across the breasts, while the others hung gracefully across the velvet.
“It’s beautiful,” Nicole breathed as she looked in the mirror. “Thank you for allowing me to wear it.”
He bent and kissed her bare shoulder. “My mother gave it to me to give to my wife. No one else has ever worn it.”
She whirled to face him. “I don’t understand. Our marriage isn’t—”
He put a finger to her lips to stop her. “Let’s just enjoy tonight. There’s time to talk tomorrow.”
Nicole stood back as he dressed. She could hear the musicians on the lawn below. She was quite content not to think of any time but the moment. Reality was Bianca and Clay together in his house. Reality was his love for another woman.
They left the room, and Clay led her again through the maze of a house out to the garden. The tables had been reset with more food, and the people lounged about, eating and drinking. Nicole had hardly found time for a bite of food before Clay pulled her onto the platform that had been laid for dancing. The energetic Virginia reel left her breathless.
After four dances, Nicole begged Clay to let her rest. He led her away from the group to a little octagonal pavilion set under three willow trees. It had become night while they were dancing.
“The stars are beautiful, aren’t they?”
Clay put his arms around her and drew her close, her head resting on his shoulder. He didn’t speak.
“I wish this moment could go on forever,” she whispered. “I wish it would never end.”
“Have the other moments been so horrible? Have you been so unhappy in America?”
She closed her eyes and moved her cheek against him. “I have spent my happiest moments here and my most miserable.” She didn’t want to speak of it. She lifted her head. “Why isn’t Wesley here? Did he have to return to take care of his plantation so his brother could come? And who is that woman with Wesley’s brother?”
Clay chuckled and pushed her head back down. “Wes didn’t come because I guess he didn’t want to. As for Travis, he’s mean enough he could run his place from England if he wanted to. And the redhead is Margo Jenkins. As far as I can tell, she’s determined to get Travis whether he wants her or not.”
“I hope she doesn’t get him,” Nicole murmured. “Did you and Wesley quarrel?” She felt him stiffen against her.
“Why would you ask that?”
“I think your temper makes me ask that.”
He relaxed and laughed. “We did have a scuffle.”
“Serious?”
He pulled her away from him and looked into her eyes. “It may have been one of the most serious conversations of my life.” He lifted his head. “I believe they’re playing another reel. Are you ready?”
She smiled in answer as he grabbed her hand and led her back to the dancers.
Nicole was amazed at the stamina of the Virginians. It had been a long day, even though she’d slept in the afternoon. On her third yawn, Clay took her hand and led her upstairs. He helped her undress, but as she was climbing into bed he held a long bathrobe up for her. She looked at him in puzzlement.
“I thought you might like a bath by moonlight,” he
said as he undressed and slipped into a cotton banyan, a loose-sleeved robe.