Now and Forever (61 page)

She considered him, her eyes twinkling with delight. "A bow tie, a cummerbund, cuff links, your basic tuxedo...that's not very much, Andrew."

"'Tis more than I like."

"You're a hunk," she said.

"I take offense, mistress."

"Don't," she said, starting to laugh. "That's the highest compliment for a man these days."

"Has the sound of an insult about it."

"Well, it isn't. The women are going to be falling all over themselves, Andrew. I hope they won't turn your head."

"Would you be feeling proprietary, lass?"

"Aye," she said, kissing his mouth. "Very proprietary."

"'Tis a higher compliment to me than any other."

In truth the highest compliment of all was that a woman of such beauty and splendor should desire his company. The sight of Shannon in her floor-length white silk gown shot through with shimmering threads of gold put him in mind of celestial beings. Diamonds glittered at her throat and dangled from her ears. A narrow gold bracelet, also studded with diamonds, graced her right wrist.

"'Tis a king's ransom." It struck him most forcefully that in his entire lifetime he would not be able to provide even one of the gemstones she wore with such ease, and that realization was not a happy one. "A man could live forever in my world with the money from one of your earbobs."

"I'll remember that next time I buy a plane ticket to 1776," she said with a saucy toss of her head.

He smiled at her jest but for an instant found himself wondering how it would be to return to his own world with such a woman by his side.

"The limo will be here any moment," she said, fetching a small, beaded bag from the table near the door.

"I do not understand the need for another person to drive when you are most capable."

She gestured toward her slim-fitting dress. "You can't work a clutch in Versace."

"This limousine, how does it differ from a car?"

"It's bigger," she said, adjusting her earbobs. "And it's terribly impressive."

"You wish to impress others?" That did not sound like the Shannon he had come to know.

"At events like this I do. The more impressive you are to others, the more likely they are to support your charity. It's a game, Andrew. Like playing chess but with real, live pieces." She met his eyes. "Karen Naylor and her date will be sharing the limo with us."

"The Negress lawyer?"

"Must you label her that way?"

"I am not here long, lass. How else am I to remember the various players."

Her dark brows drew together in a frown. "I have the feeling you remember Karen quite well."

"Because she is a Negress?"

"Because she's African-American."

"A cumbersome phrase."

"But accurate," she shot back. "A problem that might not have had such tragic consequences had the men of your time seen fit to prohibit slavery."

"You speak as if I had the power to change the course of events. I was not privy to the discussions at Carpenters Hall. My opinion on the keeping of slaves mattered little in the scheme of things."

"You're wrong," she said, his beautiful warrior woman. "How can you, of all people, say that the opinion of the common man doesn't matter? The Revolution was based upon the opinion of the common man."

"And that Rebellion had not enjoyed much success when I took my leave."

"Maybe if--" Shannon stopped abruptly, horrified by what she had been about to say.
Maybe if you hadn't left....

"Finish your sentence, Shannon. I am eager to hear your words."

"Forget it," she said. "There's no point to this discussion." Certainly not if she was going to say something as idiotic as that. She'd been on edge since Thursday morning and that odd encounter in Lord & Taylor. It had been so long since she'd heard her old name, much less met anyone who associated her with it, that she'd found herself looking over her shoulder more than once, almost as if Bryant somehow was going to find her again.

Ridiculous,
she thought. She had a new home and a new identity. The odds of Bryant ever finding her were a million to one.

About like the odds of meeting Andrew McVie?

Fortunately the doorbell sounded, signaling the arrival of the limousine and putting an end to further conjecture.

"The masks," she said, looking about.

Andrew moved next to her, blocking her way. "They are in my keeping."

She nodded, then waited, but he didn't move. "We should go, Andrew. We don't want to keep Karen waiting."

"Aye," he said. "We would not wish to do that."

"Make an effort," she said in a soft voice. "Please don't make this difficult for everyone." If they were going to share their lives, it would have to begin now.

"I am not the ogre you paint me to be, lass. I am in new circumstances and doing my utmost to bend my will to the greater will of the times in which I find myself."

Unexpected tears filled her eyes. "I know you're not an ogre. It's just--"

"You wish me to see your friends in a favorable light."

"And I wish my friends to see you in a favorable light, as well."

"I had not thought of it in such terms."

"I know," she said, reaching for his hand. He was so strong within himself, so sure that his way was the right way, that the opinions of others were of little consequence.
This isn't the world you knew, Andrew. This is my world and you must learn to live by its rules.
Why was it that thought suddenly filled her with great sadness?

"I will make an effort," he said, "although those rules are difficult to understand."

She smiled, feeling once again connected to him in the deepest way possible between two people, deeper even than the act of love. "I can't ask for more than that, can I?"

"Nay," he said, "you cannot." He shot her a bemused glance. "But I am of the opinion you will try."

 
#

Shannon had told him to avoid the topics of politics, religion, and sex in conversation but it appeared to Andrew as if he alone refrained from discourse on those subjects. He heard odd bits of talk about such things as test tube babies, gay rights, and born-again Christians and found he could understand little.

"You're very quiet, Mr. McVie," said one of the women at their table. "Surely you must have an opinion on abortion."

"Aye," he said, "and that opinion is as personal as the topic itself."

"Right to life," said the woman with a knowing nod of her head. "Typical evasive answer."

He felt Shannon's concerned gaze from across the table but this stranger's barb made him wish to deal with the matter directly.

"I stated no preference in the matter," he told the woman, "only that my opinion is of a personal nature."

"You're among friends, Mr. McVie," she continued. "Why not share your views with us?"

"Because my views are of no consequence in what is a private matter between a man and his wife."

Her painted blond eyebrows lifted above her mask and she laughed. "'Man and his wife.' What a quaint notion."
 
She turned toward her companion, dismissing Andrew in a most obvious fashion.

He felt a hand on his arm. "Great job," said a familiar voice.

He looked to his right and saw Karen standing next to him. She wore the same bejeweled mask everyone else save Andrew sported. "There was much left unsaid."

"She'd never hear you, Andrew. The woman's head is filled with cement."

"You heard the conversation?"

"Every last phrase. Not many people hold their own with Lydia. You deserve the Croix de Guerre."

He glanced toward Shannon who was engaged in conversation with the silver-haired man who had accompanied the Negress lawyer. He sensed, however, that she was fully aware that Karen was at his side.

"There is much intolerance of opinion at this party," he said.

"You noticed." Her tone was dry but he heard the leavening note of humor.

They watched as Shannon rose from her chair to dance with the silver-haired man.

Karen smiled at him. "If you ask me to dance, I won't say no."

"If I ask you to dance, you will be most regretful for I was cursed with lack of ability."

"So was I," Karen said. "That's why Sam is dancing with Shannon. Why don't we show them we're not lost causes?"

She was a woman of wit and charm and he was not unaware of the olive branch she extended toward him. They both shared a Harvard education, a dislike of fools, and a strong affection and respect for Shannon. In truth he could not think what else was required as a point from which to start.

He rose and inclined his head in her direction. "Lack of ability does not mean lack of the ability to
learn
. May I have the honor, Miss Naylor?"

She laughed and gave him her hand. "You may, Mr. McVie."

Together they took the floor.

 
#

"I thought you couldn't dance," Shannon said when they exchanged partners for the next song.

"And that is true," Andrew said, sweeping her into his arms.

They took a few steps and Shannon started to laugh. "You're right," she said. "You can't dance."

"And neither can Miss Naylor. We were a most agreeable combination."

"So I noticed." She forced them to a stop. "I'll lead, you follow." They began to move again on the beat. "See? You have potential."

"Aye," he said. "'Tis a miracle."

"Thank you, Andrew," she said softly. The sight of him dancing with Karen had given her hope.

"There is no reason for thanks, lass."

"I know it was hard for you."

"No harder than it was for Miss Naylor. She is a most intelligent woman and a true friend to you."

"I know," said Shannon. "I'm glad you realize that."

"It occurred to me that she is living my life, had I been born in your time."

"What an odd way to look at it, but I suppose that's true." They were about the same age, had the same educational background, the same drive.

"Now I am a lawyer without a practice and a farmer without land. It would seem my only claim upon this world is a result of your generosity. Every man in this room has a trade save for the man with whom you have cast your lot."

"Do you think I care about that, Andrew? You can't choose a profession before you learn all there is to learn about the world you're in. We'll travel. You'll get to learn all about the country...all about the world. Then you'll know what it is you were meant to do."

He fell silent and her heart went out to him.
You'll find your way, Andrew,
she thought.
Just give it time.

 
#

The masks came off at midnight with great fanfare.

"As if we didn't know exactly who everybody was," Karen said with wry amusement. "The rich are definitely different." She grinned at Shannon. "Present company excepted, of course."

"Of course," said Shannon, grinning back.

Andrew and Karen's companion, John, were engrossed in conversation. Shannon couldn't imagine what they had in common but they seemed to be getting on well and for that she was grateful.

"Photos, everyone!" Madolyn Bancroft, coordinator of the gala, popped up at their table. "We have the
Star-Ledger, Philadelphia Inquirer, New York Times,
and
Town and Country
waiting for you. Smile pretty!"

"Smile pretty." Karen groaned. "That woman is so perky there are times I want to strangle her."

"I know what you mean," said Shannon. "But that's probably why she's so good at what she does."