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Guy’s smile returned with its full force. “No, he damned well hasn’t.”
“Guy,” she said, glancing around to see if anyone had heard him curse.
He patted her hand as they climbed the hotel’s steps.
“Don’t worry, Adele. I’ll behave,” he promised.
Adele hoped, not for the first time, that it would be a promise he would keep.
chapter twenty-two ADELE
That evening, Adele stood just inside the door of the Colorado Grand Hotel’s magnificent ballroom, greeting her guests with the deep satisfaction of knowing that all her hard work had finally paid off.
The ballroom—which she had convinced Guy should be a subtle antique gold and creamy white, rather than the more ostentatious bright gold and cobalt blue he had envisioned—was filled with huge arrangements of white lilies grown especially for the event that perfumed the air. Crystal chandeliers shone with thoroughly modern electrical lights, showing off the colors of the ladies’ ball gowns to great effect. At the top of the room, the orchestra sat ready on the stage, the music for the dances, which Adele had personally selected, on their stands.
Everything was perfect, every question answered, except for the most important one: Where was her husband?
Adele touched a hand to the customary white roses threaded through her dark hair along with a series of diamond pins shaped like stars, using the gesture as an excuse to cast an eye over the ballroom. Margot and James stood next to her, lending her support, even though they were merely guests themselves.
Adele had just finished saying hello to a pair of neighbors and their doe-eyed daughter when Margot said, “Oh, look! There are Aunt Jeanette and Uncle Benjamin!”
The warning gave Adele just enough time to steel herself as Mama and Papa made a beeline for her.
“You look very well, my dear,” said Papa with a smile.
Adele leaned down to kiss her father’s cheek and thought, Goodness, how frail you look.
“I am pleased you felt well enough to attend, Papa,” she said.
“I would not have missed Guy’s celebration for the world,” said her father.
“Where is Guy?” asked Mama, looking about in an exaggerated fashion. “Shouldn’t he be with you, greeting his guests?”
“They are our guests, Mama. And he had a matter to attend to, but—” Her words fell away as she heard her husband’s laugh echo down the hallway. A moment later, he appeared around the corner, red-cheeked and merry, strolling toward her with a radiant Miss Barnes in white silk smiling on his arm.
“Here he is now,” she said, fighting to keep the relief—and something else—out of her voice.
“Isn’t that kind of Guy to pay particular attention to Miss Barnes upon her debut,” said Margot. “I remember how nervous I was before my coming-out ball.”
“Darling,” she greeted her husband with a smile painted on her lips.
“Adele,” said Guy, his voice a little louder than it should be, “there you are. I was looking for you.”
“I have been here all evening, receiving our guests as I said I would,” she said, an edge entering her voice.
“Everything is beautiful, Mrs. Whitley. Although I do worry about dancing too close to the lilies.” Miss Barnes flicked the skirts of her white dress. “The pollen would leave terrible stains on my dress.”
“You needn’t fear. The tips of the stamens have all been removed,” said Adele. Could the young woman look around this ballroom and really believe Adele wouldn’t have thought of a detail like that?
“See, there is nothing to worry you, Miss Barnes,” said Guy, turning to bestow upon the girl a satisfied smile. “Everything has been thought of.”
Adele fought the urge to remind him that she had thought of everything. Instead, she said, “I am very glad you approve, my dear. It is nine o’clock. Shall I give the signal that the dancing should begin?”
“The dancing!” exclaimed Guy, clapping his gloved hands together in front of him and rubbing them together. “Of course, of course. We mustn’t forget the dancing.”
She flicked her hand to the Colorado Grand’s manager, who had been hovering as he awaited instructions. The man nodded and then slowly walked to the front of the room, where he spoke to the leader of the orchestra. The leader lifted his bow, and at once, the first strains rang out over the chatter.
Adele watched Mrs. Barnes and the Belgian ambassador take the center of the floor and begin the first waltz.
