She laughed at his honesty.
“I’ve been known to sweep a lady off her feetwith a mean waltz though.”
Just a few feet from the entrance, someonestepped from the shadows, startling Jessica half out of her wits,making her screech.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here? Atryst in the pale moonlight?”
Jessica didn’t know, who the spiteful femalewas. She could tell from the stiffening of Bryan’s arm, that he wasput off by the intrusion. The woman’s jealously seeped from everypore, and the vehement tone of her voice clearly attested, that shemay have some legitimate claim on the man at her side.
Jessica slipped her hand from his arm. Thewoman looked and smelled of money. The strongest aroma, however,was from the excess of alcohol she apparently had consumed. She wasextremely attractive, as her long golden blond tresses swayed fromher drunkenness. There was a hardness about her. Her green eyeswere not soft, and resonated hatred.
The last thing she wanted, was to get caughtup in a scene with a woman obviously out of control.
“I think you misunderstand. If you’re theSenator’s date, I apologize for keeping him from you.”
“Oh, how proper you are. Isn’t she darling?”She spewed, as she stumbled forward.
“Angela enough!” The Senator barked.
The woman snickered, ignoring his outburst.“In case Bryan forgot to mention during your little interlude, I amfar from just a date. I’m his fiancé, and you are treading whereothers fear to dare.”
The Senator stepped forward, but Jessicareached for his arm and snapped him backward, surprising both heand his fiancé.
“And, who may I ask, dares to threatenme?”
“Darling, you wouldn’t need to ask, if youtraveled in my circle. But since you don’t, I’ll not waste mybreath.”
“That’s quite enough, Angela.” The Senatorbellowed. He turned, bowed slightly towards Jessica, and steppedaway. He grabbed the woman by her elbow with a vice-like grip,snarling through gritted teeth. “I think you’ve embarrassedyourself enough for the evening and owe Mrs. Wilton anapology.”
Jessica piped in quickly, as she entwined herfingers in front of her.
“No need, Senator. You see she’s right. Idon’t travel in her circle, and would never lower my standards todo so.”
His fiancé teetered against his side andharrumphed loudly.
“Really? I think not, missy. My riches speakvolumes.”
Her remark did not discourage Jessica and shesimply shrugged.
“That’s where you’re wrong. There’s no priceon class. It can’t be bought. Even with new money like yours. Iwould never offer someone like you my time, or my friendship. Yousee dar-ling, you’ll never have the pedigree, style, and grace Iwas born into.”
The Senator chuckled loudly, and it madeJessica smile warmly.
“So, if you’ll excuse me,” she directed herattention to the Senator, as though the woman at his side neverexisted. “I’ll see you first thing Monday morning.”
When she gazed at the woman, still swaying athis side, her mouth was agape from the slap down she had justreceived.
“Perhaps, we’ll meet again under moresobering circumstances.”
“Bitch!” The Senator’s fiancé screamed, asshe departed.
“You know what?” She heard him reply. “Eachday I become more aware of your imperfections, and I don’t likewhat I see. I’ve had just about enough of your antics andoutbursts. Grab a cab. I’m done with you.”
When Jessica entered through the doubleFrench doors, she stepped to the side and shielded herself behindthe curtains. She felt bad for the Senator, and somewhat afraid ofwhat his inebriated fiancé might do. She watched and listened, asthey drew even closer.
“Bryan, wait!” His fiancé called after him.“Please, darling, wait. Don’t leave like this.” She caught up tohim, pulling at his arm, forcing him to face her. “Stop!Please!”
He huffed heavily. “Angela, you’ve gone toofar, too many times. What we once had, is gone. I can’t do thisanymore.”
