Page 104 of Forbidden (Old West 1)

As if to balance the family’s response, Beatrice Greer said genuinely, “Hello, Rhine. Looks to be a wonderful affair, as always.”

“Thank you, Beatrice, and you look lovely. Help yourselves to the buffet.”

She smiled, and they moved off to mingle with the crowd.

He did the same, and as another forty minutes crept by he noticed that some of the couples were dancing. He checked his timepiece. The noise level of voices had risen significantly, an indication that many of the men were well on their way to being drunk. The wait staff behind the tables were still dishing out food. Rhine had had enough. He wanted to get this part of the evening over with. He walked over to the musicians and asked that they stop playing. When they did, he called out, “May I have your attention, please.”

It took a moment or two for the room to quiet, and once it did, he continued. “I’d like to thank you all for your attendance. As you know, the money raised by ticket purchases will be given over to the party as it always had been.” He glanced around at the familiar faces, drew in a breath and said, “But what you don’t know is that the man you’ve known as Rhine Fontaine was born a slave on a plantation in Georgia.”

As if he were telling a joke, some people laughed, but the serious set of his features apparently made them think differently and soon silence filled the room.

“Say that again.”

“I was born a slave.”

People began looking at each other confusedly and a buzz went through the crowd.

A male voice yelled out, “A slave? You’re a nigger?”

Rhine’s jaw tightened at the slur but he nodded.

The buzz grew louder and seemingly tenser.

Natalie came over to him and said angrily, “Stop lying!”

“I’m not lying, Natalie.”

“You’re White and everyone in this room knows it!”

“No, I’m not.”

“Yes you are! Why are you doing this? Haven’t you humiliated me enough?” She’d gone from angry to furious.

“This has nothing to do with you, Natalie.”

Another incensed male voice rang out. “You played us for fools all these years? Damn you!”

“That wasn’t my intent.”

“You Black bastard!”

Natalie yelled, “Tell them this is just a joke!”

“It isn’t.”

“Yes it is! Don’t you think I’d know the difference between a White man and a nigger! There’s no way I’d be engaged to one or let one kiss me!”

“Well, you were.”

“No, I was not! Why are you lying!”

He heard glass breaking as people dashed champagne flutes and plates to the floor as if the contents were suddenly contaminated or held a contagion. Outraged men yelled out their foul opinions of him before gathering their wives and hastening to the exit, while others hurried over to tell him to his face just what they thought of the deception. More than a few slurred him. Another few told him he’d better leave town. Natalie, her eyes wild, screamed hysterically, “Damn you! Tell the truth!” and began hitting at him until Beatrice and Lyman stepped up to quickly pull her away.

Over by the kitchen door, Eddy watched the disintegration of Rhine’s ball with a heavy heart. Only a brave man would’ve willingly stepped into such a firestorm of irrational hate. One moment they’d been his friends and now they were red-­faced with fury, their fists balled as if spoiling for a fight simply because he’d revealed his true heritage. She glanced up at Jim standing beside her. His jaw was tight, his eyes keen, as if he was ready to step into the fray should any violence occur. When the glass began breaking, she said, “I’ll get a broom.”

He nodded but kept his eyes focused on his partner and the furious men circled around him. The wait staff seemed frozen in place. “Start clearing the tables, please,” she told them. “Then go on home.” They’d already been paid so there was no reason for them to stay any longer than necessary. She and Jim would handle the cleanup.

By then most of the crowd had departed, so Eddy began sweeping up the glass-­ and food-­littered floor. But when she heard, “You! Get my wrap!” she turned and looked into Natalie Greer’s haughty face.

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