“Find out if Thornton is available, although I suspect he’ll make himself available to meet the general.”
“I’ll do that right away. And then tell Mother. I hate to upset her, but it can’t be helped.”
“Can’t Anna be of some assistance?”
David frowned. “She never has been. And she’s been acting so peculiar lately.”
So David had noticed it, too. “In what way?”
“I don’t know. Suddenly she has opinions. I wouldn’t be surprised if she refused to attend this dinner, for example.”
“Why wouldn’t she?”
“Just to be contrary, although if Elizabeth is there, she’ll probably come. Will you tell Elizabeth? You’ll see her before I do.”
Oh, yes. Gideon would like nothing better than telling her David was requiring her presence at a dinner. “I’d be happy to.”
“Good. Then I’ll contact Thornton and the general. And warn Thornton to be on his best behavior. As soon as we calm the general’s fears, we can get the rifles sold.”
“And you can be off to Europe with your bride,” Gideon said, pleased that he didn’t sound the least bit sarcastic.
Why, then, did David frown?
? ? ?
Elizabeth checked her reflection one last time before heading downstairs to begin what promised to be a very trying evening. She did look fabulous. The purple silk gown from the trunk of stolen goodies fit perfectly and showed off her slender figure. She’d found some amethyst jewelry that matched, and she’d pinned a small tiara with a peacock feather in her hair. The matching shoes were a little big, but she’d stuffed tissue paper into the toes, so they’d do. The long, white kid gloves were the final touch.
Satisfied that she had managed to create every advantage available to an attractive young woman, she wrapped her confidence around her like a cloak to conceal the quiver of terror hiding deep inside of her. So many things could go wrong tonight, and she had no one to whom she could turn. Even Anna didn’t know the whole truth, and if she ever found out . . .
Elizabeth shrugged off that horrible thought and practiced her smile in the mirror. There, that should do it. Of course, she wouldn’t need it until she reached the Vanderslice house. She had no intention of smiling at Gideon Bates on the way over.
As she made her way down the stairs, however, she almost forgot her resolve when she saw the expression on his face when he caught sight of her. He already had his coat on, so plainly he’d been waiting, but any signs of irritation or impatience dropped away instantly.
She was gratified to note that he had to swallow before he could speak. “You’re looking exceptionally lovely tonight, Miss Miles.”
“Indeed you are, Elizabeth,” Mrs. Bates exclaimed. She’d just come out of the parlor and beamed her approval.
“Thank you. I wanted to make a good impression. For David’s sake,” she added. “I wish you were joining us.”
“And I’m glad to be spared an evening of trying not to say anything controversial,” Mrs. Bates said. “Those stuffy men David does business with are so narrow-minded.”
“Is that what my life will be from now on?” Elizabeth said with feigned dismay.
“Only occasionally, I’m sure,” she said. “And when we get the vote, it won’t matter anymore.”
“May I help you with your wrap?” Gideon asked.
Elizabeth had carried down the black velvet cape she’d chosen to wear over her gown, and she held it out to him. He shook it out and wrapped it around her with an ease that surprised her. If his hand lingered on her shoulder just a second too long, she pretended not to notice.
“Will that be warm enough?” he asked.
She looked at him in surprise, and Mrs. Bates actually laughed.
“Of course it won’t be warm enough,” Mrs. Bates said, “but a woman can’t think of that when she’s trying to look fashionable, can she, Elizabeth?”
“Certainly not. Besides, it’s not far. I’m hardly likely to freeze.” She took a moment to tie the ribbons at her throat. Then Gideon opened the door, and Mrs. Bates told them to have a lovely evening, and in another moment they were alone out on the quiet street.
Gideon offered his arm, but she ignored it and set as brisk a pace as her ill-fitting shoes allowed. Why couldn’t David have come for her so she didn’t have to be alone with Gideon?
“You don’t have to be nervous,” he said, easily matching her pace.
“What makes you think I’m nervous?” she asked in alarm.
“I just supposed you might be. It’s the first time you’re acting as David’s hostess.”
“All I’m doing is having dinner. Mrs. Vanderslice is our hostess.”
“We both know you’re expected to make an impression, and in that outfit, you certainly will.”
“And I suppose all that’s expected of me is that I look lovely and make charming conversation.”
“And don’t mention women’s rights, I suppose. I don’t know where the general stands on the issue, but I’d guess he’s not very open to the idea.”
“What about Mr. Thornton? Surely he supports the movement.”
“Don’t let his recent behavior fool you. He only helped us get you ladies out of the workhouse because he wanted David’s assistance with this deal.”
“So neither of them would be sympathetic if I asked for their support?”
“I doubt it.”
“So you and David are our only male friends at this event?”
She’d expected him to confirm that statement. It was one area where he might win her good opinion, but he said nothing.
She gave him a few more paces to reply, and when he didn’t, she said, “Aren’t you a supporter, Mr. Bates?”
He turned his gaze on her, and the heat of it made her forget the thinness of her cape. “You know I am.”
“Then what . . . ? Do you mean that David isn’t?”
He smiled mirthlessly. “Far be it from me to speak ill of your fiancé, Miss Miles.”
Was he serious? “But he allowed Anna to go to Washington to demonstrate.”
“Against his better judgment, and he had no idea she’d be arrested, much less end up in that workhouse.”
She hadn’t really discussed the matter with David, so she had no idea if Gideon was right. Except that Gideon didn’t lie, or so he claimed. “How do I know you aren’t just trying to change my opinion of David?”
He smiled at that. “Could I?”
Honestly, he was so infuriating. “Absolutely not.” Her opinion of David could hardly get any lower.
“I was afraid of that. I guess I’ll just have to rely on David to do it.”
At least he’d given her a subject with which she could disagree with David to begin their estrangement. “What if I told David the things you say about him?”
“Go right ahead. In fact, I think he’d be happy for an excuse to tell you that he doesn’t want you involved in any more demonstrations.”
He really was infuriating. And hopefully right. She couldn’t wait to bring up the subject with David.
“Aren’t you going to argue with me?” he asked when she didn’t reply. Did he sound disappointed?
“What would be the point? Like most men, you assume you’re right, and no amount of argument will convince you otherwise.”
“You have a low opinion of most men.”