When the Splendor Falls (94 page)

And it was beautiful, Leigh had to admit, and although not as elaborate as some of the
haute couture
gowns illustrated, it was fashionable with its square-cut, tight-waisted bodice and small cap sleeves.

In fact, Leigh thought uneasily, it might be a little too fashionable, the off-the-shoulder
décolletage
too revealing, but Jolie had shrugged, eyeing her critically, then had said with almost a smirk that she was a married woman and should dress like one,
if
she wanted to keep her husband interested.

Married?
Leigh sometimes doubted that statement, wondering if Jolie knew Neil still slept on the daybed each night, and glancing down at the soft flesh of her breasts, lifted high by her corset, Leigh suspected Jolie had known exactly what she was doing when cutting the bodice so low; Leigh touched the triple strand pearl necklace with its sapphire and diamond pendant resting just above that tantalizing curve. Another gift from Neil. The glinting gold of her wedding band caught her eye as she raised her hand to push a stray curl from her cheek and frowned slightly in growing frustration, pride and passion warring against one another as she glanced across the yard to where Neil stood in conversation with several guests. He stood taller than those around him, except his father, who was in another group nearby, his head tipped slightly as if listening to what was being said in conversation behind him, where his son stood. And except for the braid, Neil would have looked like any gentleman properly dressed for an evening spent in polite company, wearing the expected black frock coat and black trousers, his linen fresh, his shoes shined.

“Do you know, I am absolutely amazed that Diosa has not made a very dramatic appearance yet,” Althea said, taking a sip of fruit punch to douse the fiery heat in her mouth.

“Oh, my dear, haven’t you heard?” Camilla said, overhearing the remark as she came hurrying up to them, glancing at their plates to make certain they were being well fed. “Leigh, dear,” she said with maternal concern, “aren’t you going to have any of the
borrego
? It is so tender and Lupe’s garlic and herb sauce is perfect this time,” she said, trying to entice Leigh to a helping.

But Leigh shook her head, remembering the lamb she had rescued, and that was still safely penned on this night of the barbecue, promising herself she’d keep it out of the pit.

“Now, what was I saying? Oh, yes, you haven’t heard, have you? Diosa and Luis Angel left Silver Springs several days ago. They arrived in Sante Fe, then almost immediately left for Mexico. Whatever is this world coming to? All of this hustle and bustle. They just arrived back from Mexico at the beginning of the week, and here it is already the end of the week, and they are off again on business for Alfonso Jacobs. And he and that dear Courtney Boyce have left too. Somewhere into Texas, I believe. I really do not care, for I am quite offended, for I would have thought they could have delayed their journeys long enough to have attended our little
barbacoa
, not that I expected Alfonso to show up. You know I do like most people, but I have never cared for him, such a crude, argumentative man, always bullying people, especially poor Mercedes, and he did try to hang Neil,” she added. “But I cannot understand Diosa not coming. She was so excited about tonight. She said the gown she was going to wear was of the latest French fashion. All black lace and gold-leaved rosettes, fashioned after a gown created by Mr. Worth for Empress Eugenie,” she said, glancing around when she heard someone call her name, and giving them an apologetic glance, she hurried away, stopping half a dozen times for a tidbit of food or conversation before she reached the person who had greeted her, the old woman now sitting down and resting while she waited.

Hearing laughter, Leigh turned her head, the matching pendant earrings swinging back and forth over her bare shoulders, and sparkling with trapped firelight as they reflected the torches burning brightly into the night. She smiled as she watched several pretty young girls in their colorful skirts and pure white blouses race up to a group of handsome young men. Capriciously selecting the gentleman of her choice, one of the girls broke an eggshell filled with cologne over the man’s head, leaving him in little doubt the young lady felt a tenderness for him, and in the next instant she was in his arms dancing the complicated steps of a contredanse.

Leigh’s smile became slightly wicked as she wondered idly what Neil would do if she cracked an eggshell over his head.

“Just make certain it is one filled with cologne, my dear,” his voice spoke softly beside her, startling her from her musings.

“Do you always read people’s minds?”

“Only my wife’s, especially when she has a glint in her eye, and I suspect is searching for me,” he said.

Althea hid her smile, for they sounded like an old married couple exchanging easy banter, just as she and Nathan once had, she thought, glancing away as smoke caused her eyes to tear slightly.

“Do you know,” she said to no one in particular, “I have been so pleased with Steward’s behavior the last few days. He hasn’t thrown one tantrum. And I must say, Neil, he seems especially impressed by you. Whenever he sees you, his eyes get as big as walnuts. He wanted to stay up for the barbecue this evening, but it was far too late. I was afraid he was going to become upset and make himself ill, but after I brought him out here earlier, letting him choose his own meal from the pit, he seemed contented to retire for the evening. That was after we saw you bringing in that long board for the dance floor.”

“He’ll grow into a fine young man one day,” Neil said with a smile tugging at his lips.

Leigh glanced up at him, thankful Althea hadn’t witnessed the earlier scene in the barn between them.

“You ladies finished?” he asked, and when they nodded, he took their plates and wove his way through the crowd.

Althea glanced over at her sister and smiled, for Leigh’s eyes were following Neil’s tall figure until the crowd swallowed him up.

“I do like him,” Althea said softly. “The first time I met him, in Europe, when I was on my honeymo—” She hesitated, then continued, “when Nathan and I were on our honeymoon, I didn’t like him. I hope you aren’t offended by my saying that?” she asked, looking concerned as she glanced over at Leigh, but she was surprised to see her sister smiling.

“I didn’t like him either when I first met him. Or when I married him,” she said.

“Oh, yes, well, of course, I’d forgotten,” Althea said, finding it hard to believe they had ever not cared for one another, for she couldn’t imagine Leigh with anyone but Neil. “He was so silent and brooding. And I sensed such a ruthlessness about him. He never smiled. But now, he seems like a different man.” And she knew the reason why. Leigh had made the difference. “There is something about him that reminds me of Nathan.”

“Of Nathan?” Leigh said in surprise.

“Yes, I don’t know what it is, but there is just some quality in Neil that Nathan possessed too.”

Leigh nodded, understanding. “They have faith in themselves. They’re Braedons. They’re people you can trust. I used to think that if I needed advice, Nathan would be the man to turn to,” Leigh admitted, for as much as she had loved her father, his judgment at times had been less than sound. “Although there was a time when I might have doubted it, Adam had that quality too.”

Althea smiled sadly. “Yes, the Braedons. Do you know, Leigh, I don’t think I truly deserved Nathan. I was a very proper wife, but I wasn’t an exceptional wife. I just took from him, thinking it was my right, because I could not be faulted. But, sometimes, I think you must give a little bit more than what you receive, and more than what is expected. I would do so much more now,” Althea said, a note of regret in her voice that she’d never have the chance now to prove to Nathan that he had not made a mistake in marrying her. “Yes, the Braedons.”

“Did I hear my name mentioned?” Neil asked, coming to stand before Althea. “And as a Braedon, I think I have the right to ask another Braedon to dance,” Neil said, holding out his hand to a momentarily flustered Althea, her cheeks pinkening with confusion and pleasure. She glanced over at Leigh uncertainly and Leigh pushed her forward, for it had been a long time since Althea had danced.

“I’m going to get some lemonade for Elizabeth. She’s thirsty,” Noelle said, gazing down into her doll’s expressionless face. “Would you like some, Aunt Leigh?” she asked politely. “I may have some myself.”

“No thank you, dear,” Leigh said, watching as Noelle walked off.

“May I?” a baritone voice sounded close behind Leigh, and she turned in dismay, expecting to see one of the bull whackers, only to find Gil standing behind her nervously. “W-would you like to dance, Leigh?” he asked again, this time in his own voice.

“I would be honored,” she said, allowing him to take her hand.

Clearing his throat, Gil led Leigh onto the dance floor, a platform of split logs carefully joined together to form a smooth surface, and guided her into the steps of the waltz now being played.

Leigh glanced up into Gil’s thin face, watching as his lips silently counted the dance steps, his expression serious.

“You’re a very fine dancer, Gil,” Leigh said, and he was.

Gil glanced down grinning, then looked away, his face flushing with embarrassment as he said stiffly, “Thank you.”

Leigh frowned. “Gil? Is there something wrong?” she asked, for usually they got along as easily as a brother and a sister.

“No, nothing,” he denied, risking another quick glance, but he couldn’t look away as fast this time, his admiring gaze resting on the creamy softness of her breasts, revealed so seductively by the blue velvet gown. He swallowed, for he’d never seen Leigh looking so beautiful, and it was making him uncomfortable to hold her so close and smell her perfume.

“Gil?” Leigh questioned.

“Huh?” he said, glancing up guiltily to meet her curious gaze and turning an even brighter hue.

“I hear you nearly set a record for shearing the most sheep in an hour.”

Gil’s grin returned as he easily answered her questions, forgetting his discomfiture as Leigh talked and laughed with him, and noticed the wistful gazes from several young ladies following his tall figure.

As Leigh glanced around, she saw a laughing Althea dance by in Neil’s arms. She was startled to see Solange, in a gown of flame-colored satin, pass by in the arms of Michael Sebastian. They danced well together, Leigh thought, watching as their figures glided around the dance floor, but Michael Sebastian’s dancing seemed automatic, as if his mind were on other, more important thoughts.

The dance came to an end, and Gil left her, his step quickening almost comically as he caught sight of a young girl with an egg trying to head him off before he could escape the dance floor. Leigh was watching in amazement as he bolted through the crowd, when she suddenly saw Guy walking toward her, sidestepping various people who happened to step in front of him, waiting patiently, then smiling and nodding when greeted by someone. He even stopped and retrieved a woman’s fan when she dropped it.

She wasn’t even aware of Neil approaching with Althea on his arm, until she heard his deep voice thanking her for the dance. Neil stared down at Leigh, a smile touching his mouth briefly as he thought of dancing with his wife for the first time. It was something he’d looked forward to for most of the night. He started to hold out his hand, when Leigh stepped away, her gaze locked on Guy walking across the dance floor by himself.

Neil’s eyes narrowed intently as he saw Guy run the last few steps to meet Leigh, holding out his arms and lifting her off her feet in a hug as he swung her around, kissing her laughing face as they shared something wonderful that had happened.

“Althea! I’ve always thought you looked lovely in lavender,” Guy said, coming over to where she stood in stunned silence, disbelieving of what she was seeing and hearing as Leigh, her laughing face tear-streaked, walked beside him, no hand on his to guide him.

“Oh, dear Lord,” Althea breathed, glancing down at her gown, then back into Guy’s face. He could see. “How? When? I had no idea,” she began, then just shook her head and opened her arms to him.

With a sister in each arm, Guy turned around and smiled at Lys Helene, who’d been standing just a few feet away, watching their excited faces with pleasure. Leigh saw his glance, and held out her hand to Lys Helene, pulling her over and stepping aside so she could stand beside Guy, who glanced down and kissed her forehead.

He caught Leigh’s glance on them. He mouthed the words “She loves me,” and Leigh thought only a blind man wouldn’t have known that as she stared at them and saw the tender exchange of glances.

Neil held out his hand, still doubtful perhaps, but he had to believe, for Guy quickly reached out and shook it. “Congratulations, Guy. I’m very pleased for you,” he said, glancing at Leigh’s face, her eyes shining with happiness as they stood there talking, then he looked at his sister, who was held close against Guy’s side, her wide-eyed gaze resting on his face lovingly, and he smiled, for it hadn’t taken him long to see what was happening between his sister and Guy Travers. And there was a time when it would not have pleased him; in fact, he would have done his best to keep them apart, but now he had no reservations about their marriage. Strangely enough, in war, Guy had found his honor, and had become a man Neil would trust with his life—and his sister’s.

As Neil stood listening to their excited talk, hearing the plans they could hardly wait to make for their return to Travers Hill and the future they would build there, he noticed the light fade from Leigh’s eyes as she grew quiet, gradually withdrawing from their talk and standing slightly apart. She would not be returning to Travers Hill.

“Guy, I see Mama. She is looking this way. We must tell her the good news before she hears it from someone else. She would never forgive us,” Lys Helene said, for a large group of interested people, sensing the excitement, had formed around them. Trying to find her father’s figure in the crowd, Lys Helene was worried, wondering how he would react when she told him she intended to marry Guy and return to Virginia with him.