During this painful exercise, one thing became abundantly clear—I had to tell Henry what I was, or lose him altogether. In truth, it was no easy decision. For years I had been forbidden to give my secret away, knowing that doing so would only lead to persecution and possibly even death. A fair chance remained that Henry would think me mad once he heard my whole story, even knowing in advance that I was somehow different. But I was going to lose him either way, if my silence continued.
At the end of the second dance, I held onto his elbow and attempted to guide him outside before there was time to change my mind. It’s now or never...With my eye on an open door that led to the gardens, I groaned inwardly when Phoebe intercepted our path.
“Mr. Kilbrid, do you intend to keep your promise and dance with other ladies tonight?” she asked coyly.
“It would be my honor,” Henry said.
“But, Henry—” I started to protest.
“You don’t mind, do you, Selah,” he said with a tight smile. His eyes were darker than usual, like two hard emeralds.
I watched them walk away together, Phoebe hanging on Henry’s arm.
“I’m surprised she restrained herself this long,” Nora said, coming up alongside of me. “She’s a forward piece of baggage if ever I saw one.”
Nora was exactly what I needed at the moment. “I’m so glad you’re here. Are you having a good time?”
“Better than you, I’m afraid. Why are you and Henry fighting?”
“It’s of little importance,” I lied.
“Then you need to kiss and make up,” she said while tapping her foot to the music, “before you spoil the only ball I’ll ever be allowed to attend without being disowned. Besides, Henry can’t possibly stay mad, with the amount of skin you’re showing tonight. Poor William has refused to even come over here for fear of being caught gazing longingly at your copious bosom.”
Heat rose to my cheeks. “Did he really say that?”
“Not in those words exactly, but I’ve always been gifted at reading in between the lines.”
The music ended, and I began to look anxiously for Henry. Peering through the couples exiting the floor, I spied him next to Phoebe. He was saying something, and Phoebe tilted her head and laughed. She then tapped his arm playfully with her closed fan.
“The shameless hussy,” Nora said, reading my very thoughts. “When will she accept that you and Henry are married?”
I had to swallow my caustic reply when Karl Oswald came over and asked me to dance. Taking his arm, I excused myself and went to line up with the other couples. Henry and Phoebe returned to the floor together, Phoebe glowing with pleasure. Tears pricked at the back of my eyes from how much they seemed to be enjoying each other’s company.
After just one dance with Karl, I begged a rest and returned to Nora. “You look absolutely miserable.” She put a consoling arm around my waist. “Would you like to go sit outside for a while?”
I nodded and started to turn when Phoebe came up to us. “What a wonderful ball,” she said. “I’ve never seen someone dance so well as Henry.”
“Yes, and you’ve been more than eager to sample his abilities,” Nora replied. “Tell me, do you find it exciting to throw yourself at married men?”
Phoebe narrowed her eyes, looking very much like she wanted to pounce on Nora. She then seemed to have a change of heart and smiled warmly at me. “It so unfortunate what happened at the meeting,” she said, her voice dripping with sympathy. “I could hardly believe it was you that Nathan saw in his vision.”
“His false vision,” Nora corrected her. “As you very well know.”
“Of course,” Phoebe laughed. “Though I’ve heard he’s gone to Philadelphia to further his complaint.”
Nora tightened her arm around my waist. “No matter where he goes, it doesn’t change the fact that Selah’s innocent.”
“Oh, I’m sure you’re probably right and it will all come to naught, despite Nathan’s friendship with several of the magistrates.”
“What are you saying?” Nora asked.
“Just that it would be a shame if they decided Selah was actually guilty,” Phoebe said. “I can only imagine how lonely Henry would be if his wife were imprisoned or, dare I say, even hanged. I do wonder who would console him in her absence.”
I felt my lips compress in rage. “Are you offering?” I asked.
“You know, I’ve always been very fond of Brighmor,” she went on pleasantly. “Tell me, do you still have that hideous floral quilt on your bed?”
I balled my hands into fists as a bitter taste rose up in the back of my throat. Openly wishing for my death was low—even for Phoebe.
“You conniving little hus—” Nora started, biting back the last word when Henry approached.
“Good Evening, Nora,” he said politely. “I would ask for a dance, but fear you would only refuse me.”
“Yes, I would,” she said. “And from all I’ve seen tonight, dancing is a frivolous activity, devised purely for the sake of personal exhibition.”
“You may be right,” Henry laughed, “but I, for one, do not mind the exhibition.” He glanced at me then quickly looked away.
The conversation lagged awkwardly. Rather than coming up with something witty to say, I started to fuss with my necklace, making sure it was straight.