Page 36 of Irish Thoroughbred
“You’re the one who said she was afraid of making a fool of herself, not me,” Travis reminded her reasonably.
“It’s not what I said that matters,” she concluded with her own brand of logic. “It’s what I’m saying.” Tossing her head, she turned and stalked into the kitchen.
Despite her proud claims, Adelia found herself terrified on the evening of the party. There had been no time for nervousness in the days before; she had been too busy with plans and preparations. But now, alone in her room,with only the prospect of dressing ahead of her, she began to feel the first flutter of anxiety.
She chose the green silk gown that Trish had insisted she buy and slipped it carefully over her head. Its classic lines accentuated her softly rounded figure; its deeply scooped neckline revealed a teasing hint of her firm breasts. The silk glowed against the creamy health of her skin. She arranged her hair on top of her head, trying for a more sophisticated style, but gave up in disgust and allowed it to fall loose and full to her shoulders, a fiery auburn waterfall.
Voices were audible in the living room as she descended the stairs. She took several deep breaths before joining Travis and Paddy.
Travis broke off what he had been saying as she entered the room. He rose from his chair. She sought his eyes for approval, but found them strangely veiled and unreadable. She wished that she had chosen one of the other gowns that now hung in the large cherry wardrobe.
“Ah, now, isn’t that a beautiful sight, lad?” Paddy said, surveying Adelia with uninhibited pride. “Why, there won’t be another woman here tonight will hold a candle to my little Dee. It’s a lucky man you are, Travis.”
“Uncle Paddy.” She smiled and moved to kiss his cheek. “What wonderful blarney. But don’t stop—I need it. I have to be honest and say I’m scared witless.”
“There’s no need for that, Dee.” Taking her hand, Travisturned her toward him. “You’ll have them eating out of your hand. You look incredible.” He smiled at her, his free hand brushing through her hair briefly before he turned away to replenish his drink.
Love me, Travis,her mind shouted suddenly.I’d give the world and more if you’d only love me half as much as I love you.
As he turned back, his eyes captured hers. He paused, unreadable emotion flickering over his face. “Dee?” he began, his voice questioning, but before she could speak the doorbell pealed and their guests began to arrive.
It was infinitely easier than Adelia had imagined. After the first wave of guests, she felt her tension dissolve and met the few speculative glances with characteristic boldness. The house was soon filled with people and chatter and laughter and the chink of glasses. It was apparent that Travis was well liked and respected by his associates, and his choice of bride met with acceptance and approval, if not immediately, then shortly after exposure to Adelia’s natural, honest charm.
One sleekly coiffured woman who had cornered Adelia halted Travis as he passed. “Travis, your wife is refreshing and charming and more than likely too good for you.” She smiled with the privilege of old friendship. “I believe it would be a treat just to listen to her read the telephone directory. Such a marvelous accent.”
“Careful, Carla,” Travis admonished, slipping an arm around Adelia’s shoulders in the casual way she had missedin the past few weeks. “Dee claims we’re the ones with the accent—and for all her sweet looks, her temper is not to be trifled with.”
“Travis, darling!” The trio turned, and Adelia caught a glimpse of swirling white as the owner of the voice embraced her husband. “I just got back in town, darling, and heard about your little party. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course not, Margot. It’s always a pleasure to see you.” He turned, and Adelia noted that he didn’t dislodge the red-tipped hand from his arm. “Margot Winters—my wife, Adelia.”
Margot turned, and Adelia nearly gasped aloud. She was staring right at the most beautiful woman she had ever seen. Tall and slender, she was elegantly draped in a cool white sheath. Ash-gold hair curled softly around an oval face. Her skin was the color of rich cream. Long-lashed gray eyes, as clear and cool as a mountain lake, looked over and beyond Adelia.
“Why, Travis, she’s adorable.” The gray eyes focused now on Adelia, making her feel small and inadequate. “But she’s little more than a child, barely out of the schoolroom.” The sweet tone was patently patronizing.
“I’m allowed up with the grown-ups now and again,” Adelia said evenly, her chin tilting to meet Margot’s gaze. “I hung up my book strap some time back.”
“My,” Margot observed over Carla’s chuckle. “You’re Irish, aren’t you?”
“Aye.” The quicksilver temper began its swift rise. “As Paddy’s pig. Tell me, Mistress Winters, what are you?”
“Dee.” Trish spoke from behind, laying a hand on Adelia’s arm. “Will you come out here for a minute? I need you to help me.”
Adelia was pulled out on the terrace, and after she had shut the doors, Trish dissolved into a fit of laughter. “Oh, Dee,” she managed between giggles. “How I would have loved to have left you there and watched you lay into her! I just didn’t think it was quite the right time. Oh…” She wiped at her eyes. “Did you see Carla? I thought she was going to explode! She kept choking on her drink and trying to keep a straight face. I wouldn’t have missed that for the world! How Travis could ever have been involved with that woman is beyond me! She’s a cold-blooded snob.”
“Travis and Margot Winters?” Adelia asked, attempting to keep her voice casual.
“Oh, yes, I thought you knew.” Trish gave a deep sigh, wiped her eyes again, and grimaced. “I don’t really think he was ever serious about her—I give him more credit than that. She would have given one of her Tiffany baubles to have him look at her the way he looks at you.” Trish smiled, and Adelia made a valiant effort to respond. “They had this big blowup a few months ago. It seems she resented all the time he spent with the horses.” She gave a snort of disgust and straightened her skirts. “She wanted him to sit back and let others do all the work while hespent his time entertaining her. She gave him some kind of ultimatum and took off for Europe in a cloud of expensive French perfume.” Trish laughed in pure delight. “Her little ploy failed miserably, and now her nose is out of joint. Instead of pining for her, Travis is happily married to you.” She linked her arm with her sister-in-law’s.
“Aye,” Adelia murmured. “Now he’s married to me…” Her tone was melancholy, and Trish glanced at her sharply, but Dee refused to meet her eyes.
Paddy moved back to his own house a few days later, and Adelia missed his presence keenly. He found Finnegan to be a congenial companion, and the dog divided his time between them. He would accompany Paddy as he grumbled inside for his afternoon rest, and Adelia was never quite sure whether Finnegan’s motives were duty or laziness.
Travis made no mention of Margot Winters or Adelia’s comments to her, and she found their relationship drifting away again until she felt more like his ward than his wife. When they attended social functions, he treated her with the warm attentiveness expected of a newly married husband; but once they were alone again in their own home, he was distant, showing her only the casual affection he might give to a favored cousin.
The depression and frustration this caused in her Adelia hid with apparent success, responding as she believedhe desired and maintaining the same casualness he directed toward her. Rarely did her temper flare, and she was aware his was under strict control. At times she imagined they were only polite puppets pulled on invisible strings. Desperately she wondered how long they could go on.
One afternoon, as July brought summer’s throbbing heat to the air, Adelia answered the summons of the bell and found herself confronted with the elegantly clad form of Margot Winters. Her finely penciled brows lifted at Adelia’s attire of jeans and shirt. She glided over the threshold without invitation.
