Forever by Your Side (Willamette Brides #3) - Tracie Peterson Page 0,6
heard.” Connie shook her head. “Men are the ones who seek a mate. Women always have the feeling of being stalked like a prized turkey.”
“You might be surprised to know that most women enjoy that sensation. They want very much to be pursued. That’s why they dress in elaborate outfits. They fancy up their hair and lower their necklines.”
Connie looked away, feeling her cheeks redden. It was embarrassing to think that Tom noticed such things.
The driver pulled to a stop along the curb, and Tom gave a heavy sigh. “I’ll fetch Sallyanne. I’m sure her hair will be a great deal fussier and her neckline much lower than yours.”
After a few minutes, Tom and Sallyanne finally emerged. Another young woman followed them. Connie tried to place the young lady but wasn’t successful.
“Oh, Connie dear. I’m so happy to see you. It’s been ages and ages since we had a nice long talk,” Sallyanne declared as Tom assisted her into the carriage. “This is my cousin April. I invited her to come with us. My folks will join us later at the ball.”
Sallyanne was resplendent in lavender tulle and taffeta. And just as Tom had suspected, her gown was cut quite low, as was the fashion. Connie thought back to what Tom had said about women being beautiful executioners in Worth gowns.
April was next to climb aboard, taking her place beside Sallyanne. She was a delicate-looking young lady gowned in a bustled fashion that looked much too mature for her age. She couldn’t have been older than sixteen, which was soon confirmed by Sallyanne.
“This is April’s first big outing since her debut last month in New York. Isn’t she pretty?”
“Quite. You’re both beautiful. April, I’m pleased to make your acquaintance. I’m Constance Browning, but everyone calls me Connie.”
The younger woman gave a meek smile. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Sallyanne, that gown is quite, um, fashionable.”
“It’s my new Worth gown,” she said, beaming. “I believe it will capture the attention of every man there. Mama says I should be far more aggressive at seeking a husband. I am almost twenty, after all.”
Connie saw Tom’s eyebrow raise in his I told you so expression. She nearly burst out laughing.
“It definitely suits you, Sallyanne.”
Tom jumped up and took the remaining space beside Connie. He smelled of heady spiced cologne. Connie smiled. It reminded her of her uncle Dean’s choice of scents. Perhaps Tom had even asked for her uncle’s suggestion.
By the time they reached the party, Sallyanne had divulged all the household secrets, shared gossip about the neighborhood, and mentioned several new hats that she’d ordered. April answered a few of Connie’s questions about New York, and then Connie shared their plans for Oregon, which shocked both Sallyanne and April’s delicate sensibilities.
When they reached their destination, Tom helped April and Sallyanne from the carriage. Sallyanne waved to friends and dragged April off to meet them. Tom swung back around and helped Connie just before her slippered foot touched the carriage step.
“Are you ready to concede I was right about the husband hunting?” he asked, grinning.
“Well, I knew about the husband hunting. I just didn’t know that it made men nervous. That’s an entirely different side of things that I never considered.”
“Men aren’t always looking to marry, you know.”
“Oh, I do.” She took hold of Tom’s offered arm. “That’s why we get along so well. You aren’t looking for a wife, and I’m not looking for a husband. It makes us the perfect team.”
She parted company with Tom shortly after they were announced to the partygoers. Connie found herself gravitating toward the older ladies, while Tom found a gathering of older men. From time to time they each danced with a variety of partners.
The dancing went on until nine o’clock, when a cold supper was furnished along with copious amounts of champagne. Connie, having never been a drinker, declined every offered flute of sparkling drink and sought instead to enjoy the iced lemonade. At supper, she joined a conversation with several senators’ wives when she’d have preferred to talk politics with their husbands. The ladies, in contrast, discussed ill children, new draperies, and the complications of finding and keeping good staff.
Connie was bored nearly to the point of falling asleep when the orchestra began to play again, and the dancing started back up. Since Sallyanne’s father and mother had arrived, Connie felt free to call it an evening, but Tom seemed particularly engrossed in conversation with one of the congressmen in attendance.