“You sure the angel Master Brad calls you. I ain’t never seen no lady as pretty as you, child.”
“It’s just this gown, Hannah. Anyone would be beautiful wearing this.”
“That’s what you think.”
The gown was exquisite. Of a sheer, deep-red organdy covering dark blue silk, it formed a rich violet color that matched her eyes perfectly. The neckline was extremely low, and trimmed with a thin ribbon of red silk. The gown had tight, fitted sleeves, and layered swirls of material in front that gathered tightly across the hips to form the bustle, in the newest fashion. But Angela had refused to let the seamstress tack on the numerous trailing bows and rosettes and the yards of lace the woman had wanted to add to the bodice and skirt. Angela allowed only the thin silk ribbon to form and line the bustle, and two trailing bows of the same red silk—one at the start of the bustle, and the other at the finish, where the skirt broke away in two straight lines.
At her ears were long dangling garnets, one of many presents from Jacob. The garnet-studded pins that crowned her head and held her hair tightly in place were also gifts from him. Angela wore two short curls dangling from her temples, and nine thick ringlets falling to her neck.
Because of the low neckline, Angela wore only her gold coin around her neck, but it was now in a setting of red garnets. The setting was a gift from Bradford. He had recently had two other settings made for her coin. The other two were gold rings, one with emeralds, the other one plain, with a single dropping diamond. They were round frames for her to place the coin in, each one having one gem larger than the others that hung down to cover the hole she’d carved in the coin ten years ago.
Bradford met Angela at the bottom of the stairs just as the first carriage arrived.
“You look magnificent!” he cried exuberantly. He took her hand, pride glowing in his face.
“Magnificent?”
“Well, you must get tired of hearing me tell you how beautiful you are. There are other words to describe you, Angel, and magnificent is one of them.”
She laughed gaily. “As long as you think so, my love, that is all I care about.”
“Well, isn’t that charmin‘,” Crystal remarked from behind them, her voice dripping with contempt. “So it’s ’my love,‘ is it? And here I thought you’d set your trap for my poor brother, Angela,” Crystal laughed bitterly. “But Bradford is a much better catch, isn’t he? After all, he’ll be the heir to an estate that outshines The Shadows.”
Angela kept silent.
Crystal’s blue eyes were like ice as she continued. “Of course, marryin‘ Bradford will insure that you won’t be thrown out on your ear when Jacob dies, won’t it, dear?”
“The lady with the viperous tongue,” Bradford said smoothly, but his eyes were like liquid gold as they rested on Crystal. “Or perhaps not a lady at all.”
He put his arm about Angela’s waist and escorted her into the large ballroom. With the first guests following them in, the musicians, on a raised platform in the far corner, began the evening with a waltz. Bradford should have stood in the reception line with the rest of his family, but instead he took Angela in his arms. They were the first to dance on the newly polished floor.
By the time the waltz was over, eight families had arrived, with more coming through the wide double doors. Angela insisted that Bradford join his father, while she went to greet Susie Fletcher, who was standing with her brother Joel by the long tables covered with candies and hors d’oeuvres, and decorated with freshly cut roses.
“Susie, I never did thank you for inviting me to stay at your house last month,” Angela said, a little breathless from the dance.
“We really can’t blame you, Angela, after what happened,” Joel replied.
“Did you ever discover who it was cut up my dress?” Angela asked. She had actually forgotten the matter.
“No,” Susie answered quickly, smiling. “Have you and Robert set the date for your weddin‘ yet?”
“Robert and I aren’t getting married,” Angela said sharply, startled.
“But you look so happy!” Susie exclaimed.
“I am,” Angela laughed. “But not because of Robert. I love another man, Susie.”
“But I thought—I mean.” Susie looked overjoyed, yet alarmed at the same time. She turned to her brother. “Would you get us some champagne, Joel?”
“Of course,” Joel answered, and walked toward the crowded dining room.
“Angela, I’m so sorry!” Susie blurted out as soon as they were alone.
“You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“Yes, I do,” Susie replied, her pretty face puckered. “When Robert told me he was going to ask you to marry him, I just assumed you would accept. I—I hated you then. I was the one who cut up your dress that night. I’m so sorry, Angela!” Susie was near tears. “It was such a childish thing to do.”
“You love Robert, don’t you?”
“Yes.”
Angela smiled. “We women do strange things when we’re in love. Don’t worry about the dress, Susie. It was out of fashion anyway. And I wish you luck with Robert, though I don’t really think you’ll need it. You’re the prettiest girl he has to choose from around here.”
“Do you really think so?” Susie asked, her brown eyes radiating sudden joy.
“I wouldn’t say so if I didn’t,” Angela assured her. But warmth turned to irritation when Angela saw Crystal coming their way.
“Really, Angela,” Crystal said drily as she joined them, “I would think you wouldn’t let Brad from your side tonight. Aren’t you afraid of losin‘ him?”
Angela clenched her fists, but she managed a smile. “Having failed once, is his sister-in-law planning on enticing him to her bed again?”
The vivid red that stole into Crystal’s face gave Angela ample satisfaction, and she walked away without waiting for a reply. She met Joel on his way back with the champagne.
“Why don’t you set those glasses down on the table there and dance with me, Joel Fletcher?” Angela asked boldly, wanting to be out of Crystal’s reach. Angela knew the viper would be anxious to retaliate.
“Do you really mean it?” he asked hopefully.
“Has a lady never asked you before? Goodness!” she teased.
Joel set the glasses down quickly and nervously took Angela in his arms. Across the room, Bradford’s eyes were like burning cinders.
“Angela looks like she’s having a good time,” Jacob remarked.
“Yes—she does,” Bradford answered curtly.
“What’s wrong with you, son?” Jacob asked, concern in his voice.
“Nothing I can’t take care of. You’ll excuse me, Father?”
“I suppose I’ll have to. But I’ve been meaning to have a long talk with you, Bradford, about your fiancée and— other matters.”
“We’ll talk tomorrow, Father.”
“Very well, then,” Jacob replied and turned his attention to his guests.
As soon as the music stopped, Bradford started toward Angela and young Joel. When he reached them he took Angela’s hand and pulled her along behind him, leading her out through the first of the double doors and into the garden. Joel stared after them in total bafflement.
“What is the matter, Bradford?” Angela cried. He swung her around to face him, his fingers digging into her shoulders. “You—you are hurting me.”
The garden was flooded in moonlight, a soft silver glow all about them.
Bradford loosened his hold, but he didn’t release her. “The boy you were dancing with, was he the one whose clothes you came home in that day?”
“Yes, Susie’s brother.”
“You will not dance with that young man again!” Bradford nearly shouted.
“And why not, might I ask?”
“The boy’s in love with you, that’s obvious. But you’re mine, Angela. I will share you with no one!”
“You’re jealous again,” Angela said, trying to hold back her laughter. “You??
?re impossible, Bradford. I only danced with Joel so I could get away from Crystal.”
The fire left Bradford’s eyes as if by magic. “I’m sorry, Angel. I will have to talk to Crystal. I won’t have her tongue lashing you anymore. Nobody is going to hurt you.”
Angela spoke softly but very firmly. “But you are going to have to trust me more than you do. Just because another man looks at me, that doesn’t mean I’m looking back at him. My heart belongs to you.”
“I should believe that by now,” he replied, his smile apologetic.
“Don’t you?” she asked, and brushed her lips gently against his.
“Yes, my love, oh, yes,” he groaned, and crushed her small body against his.
It was well over an hour before they walked back into the ballroom.
“If I’m asked, may I dance with other men?” Angela ventured.
“Yes,” he grinned, and took her in his arms to claim the dance now in progress. “But not twice with the same man, you understand. It will take a while to tame my jealous temper. Bear with me, Angel.”
Toward midnight, the long tables at the front of the room were cleared of hors d’oeuvres, and chairs were set up for the banquet. The soups were brought in, then the salads, followed by large platters of buttered rice, yams, and mountains of golden biscuits. Then came duck, venison, turkey, and hot and cold ham.
After the banquet, Angela danced with several men, most of whom she didn’t even know. Mostly, of course, she danced with Bradford. Champagne had gone to her head. And when Grant Marlowe asked her to dance, she found herself giggling.
“I can’t believe I’ve finally found you without a partner,” Grant smiled. “I was beginnin‘ to think I never would.”
“Don’t be silly. You could’ve asked me any time.” There were those giggles again. Why did he make her laugh?
“I wish they had ‘em like you in Texas. Will you marry me, Miss Angela?”
“Now you are being silly,” Angela replied, laughing.
Grant danced her out into the garden, leading her to a large, moss-covered oak. Quickly, he pulled Angela closer and kissed her, a passionate kiss that cleared her head.
She pushed against him with all the force she had, but he held her easily. When he did release her, seconds later, Angela fell back several steps, nearly losing her balance.
“You—you shouldn’t have done that!” she gasped.
“I just couldn’t help myself,” he replied lightly.
“Oh, God, Bradford is going to be furious if he finds me out here!”
“Does Brad have some kinda claim on you?” Grant asked, bewildered.
“Yes—he does. Damn! I’ve got to go back before he finds me gone.”
“It’s too late for that, ma’am.”
“What?”
She spun around to see Bradford running toward them. Before she could say a word, Bradford’s fist flew into Grant’s face, sending the larger man crashing to the ground. Angela found her voice.
“Stop it! Stop it! He didn’t know, Bradford!”
Bradford turned to face her and she stepped away from him. For just a moment, she felt he might kill her.
“How could he know? We haven’t told anyone. Do you understand? He had no way of knowing!”
Bradford searched her stricken face and gradually the flame died. He turned to Grant and extended a hand to help him from the ground.
“I apologize for my fool temper. Will you forgive me?”
“If you’ll accept my apology also,” Grant replied as he fingered his jaw tenderly. “If I’d known you had a claim on the lady, this wouldn’t have happened.”
“Apology accepted,” Bradford grinned sheepishly. “Now, since you will be leaving in about six hours, I suggest you call it a night. My soon-to-be-wife and I have a few things to discuss.”
“She’s awfully tiny to bear that temper of yours, Brad,” Grant said frankly, his concern for Angela plain. “You ain’t gonna hurt her ‘cause of this, are you?”
“Of course not,” Bradford answered with surprise. “This woman’s mine. She knows she has nothing to fear from me. Now get out of here, will you?”
Grant hesitated, staring at Bradford. From wild rage to sudden calm—it just wasn’t natural. Was Bradford really as calm as he seemed? Grant said good-night and walked away reluctantly.
Bradford watched until his young friend walked back into the ballroom. He could see through the wide windows and open doors that most of the guests had departed. His father would be furious that he had not been there to see them out.
“Come here, you,” he commanded, though his voice was not harsh.
Angela approached him slowly. “You’re not mad?” she whispered.
“Not anymore.”
She sighed, then shook her head. “Well, I am! You have to trust me, Bradford. I can’t worry that every time I look at a man, you’re going to whip the daylights out of him. You have got to control that temper.”
“I know, Angel, and I’m sorry. This is all new to me, Angel. I’ve never felt such a fierce possessiveness before. But I’ll never hurt you because of it. I swear that.”
Angela relaxed in his arms, feeling the tension leave them both. They would overcome this jealousy of his. They had to. She would prove to him that there was no reason for jealousy.
Bradford held her tenderly, caressing her back. He glanced up at the sky, now a grayish-pink with the approach of day. He thought briefly of the talk he would have with his father later. He knew what Jacob was concerned about. He would have to tell his father that he couldn’t possibly marry Candise now. Then afterward, he would make the formal announcement.
“Tonight we tell the family about us,” Bradford continued. “And a week from now, we will be married. After that, no man will doubt that you are mine. But I trust you. I trust you never to leave me, as Crystal did. I trust you to love only me, my Angel, as I love only you.”
Chapter 30
IT was nearly one o’clock when Angela awoke, but she had expected to sleep longer. The heavy drapes were closed tightly against the sun. Bradford was not in the room.
After washing and dressing, she was ready to face the day. And what a glorious day it was going to be!
Angela started down the hall, mindful of the guest rooms she passed before reaching the stairs. She and Bradford had to be much more careful since Grant and Bradford’s lawyer, Jim McLaughlin, had arrived. But their careful secret meetings would end in a week. Then they would have nothing to hide.
She descended the stairs quickly, but slowed her pace when she heard Bradford’s voice raised in anger. He was in the drawing room, but who was he yelling at?
“Is that what you had Tilda’s boy wake me for, to tell me this nonsense? Do you think I’m a fool?”
Crystal’s shrill laughter sounded. “Why do you find it so hard to believe? Things like this happen all the time.”
“It’s a lie, Crystal, a vicious lie!” Bradford stormed.
“And if you think this trick of yours is going to stop me from marrying Angela, then you are crazy!”
“Then you really do plan to marry her?” Crystal asked, incredulous.
“I told you so last night on the dance floor, when I warned you to leave her alone. Didn’t you believe me?”
“Frankly, no,” Crystal answered. “I pity you, Bradford. What you want can never be.”
“I will not listen to any more of this.”
“You’d better!” Crystal insisted. “Surely you didn’t believe those excuses your father gave for bringin‘ her here? Really, Bradford! To make the girl a member of the family for no reason? Because he’d known her since she was born? How gullible are you?”
“He and Angela’s mother were childhood friends.”
“Exactly!” Crystal exclaimed.
“You’ve proven nothing! Damn it, Crystal! Must I go to Father to put an end to this?”
“Tell me this,” Crystal ventured. “If he had wanted the truth known, then why d
id he invent so many lies to avoid tellin‘ it? You musn’t say anything. He would be extremely upset if he knew you had discovered his sins. It might cause another attack, and his doctor has warned that another attack will kill him.”
“That’s very convenient, Crystal,” Bradford said drily. “So I can’t confront Father with your lies. But that doesn’t mean I believe a word you’ve said.”
“Be sensible, Bradford. It’s a matter of record that your father bought Golden Oaks almost twenty-two years ago. And shortly after that, one Charissa Sherrington gave birth to Angela. It’s obvious that Jacob followed that woman to Alabama. Why else would he buy the land that her newly acquired husband farmed on?”
“This is all conjecture, Crystal,” Bradford replied wearily. “It doesn’t prove a thing.”
“All right, then. Listen to this. I didn’t want to admit to searchin‘ through your father’s desk, but you force me to show you what I found there. This is a letter written by Charissa Sherrington. It proves everything. I’ll read it to you. You will listen to this, because you know you have to. ’My dearest Jacob,‘ the letter begins.”
I know you must be searching for me, and I’m sorry I left without saying good-bye, but I thought it best. I always knew that you could never leave your wife, for it would mean giving up your sons, and they need you. Even knowing this, I still can’t help loving you, Jacob. If only you had realized your love for me before you married her! But I have said that many times before, haven’t I?
You don’t have to worry about me, Jacob, or about the child I am carrying. I know you said you would give the child everything you would give your other children, but that is not enough, my dearest. You cannot admit to being the father, and I want my child to have a father. For that reason, I have married.
I met my husband only yesterday, when he boarded the coach I was traveling in. He seems to be a kindly man. I know you will think I should have waited until I could find a man I could love. But I will never love anyone but you, so it doesn’t matter.
William Sherrington wanted a wife, and I needed a husband quickly. It would be believed that he is the father of my child. The marriage will be a convenient one, and William has promised to raise my child as his own.