Chapter Twenty-One
Nate looked at himself in the mirror, awkwardly tugging at his cravat.
It was better than wearing a bow tie; that was something Nate had never gotten used to.
It felt like he was being hanged, walking around with his throat constricted.
How anyone thought a decorative neck was attractive had to have been stuck in an asylum for most of their natural life.
It was only going to be for a few hours, but Nate wanted it to come off immediately. He shuffled about, feeling his smart shoes press down on his toes. Maybe he should’ve gotten the next size up; he was going to have uncomfortable feet for the next few weeks.
He was beginning to regret doing this. He couldn’t tell his wife that he didn’t really want to go, and this was for her, but he’d said that he would go this time, and he couldn’t back out of it now.
He hated social events, and he knew everyone would be talking to him about work, and he wouldn’t be able to relax.
But Rachel had wanted to go, and Isabelle had made it sound like it would be perfect for her, so Nate had hope it wouldn’t be as disastrous as he thought.
Maybe Isabelle and Jack were right. This would be a way for Rachel to be properly introduced to the rest of the townspeople. They would be welcoming, albeit nosy, and Rachel would feel less lonely. It was nice that Isabelle wanted to integrate Rachel into the town properly.
Nate just wished it wasn’t at his expense.
A knock at the door got his attention, and Nate turned away from the mirror with a sigh. That was likely Isabelle and Jack. Both of them were planning to escort Nate and Rachel to the dance as if they expected the two of them to run away as soon as nobody was looking.
Nate certainly would, at any rate.
However, this was for his wife. And it was only fair to be at her side.
Rachel wasn’t as confident as she made herself out to be.
She needed someone with her, and Nate wanted that to be him.
That had surprised him, and he didn’t know what to think about that.
This was his wife, yes, but there was something else.
Nate wasn’t sure what was going on with him.
Maybe it was because he felt a little protective of Rachel. She was stronger than she looked, but there were parts of her that were fragile, and he wanted to be sure she would be safe. Especially after Vane accosted her on the way from Isabelle’s home.
Nate wasn’t about to let his wife get kidnapped and forced into a life of servitude. The thought of losing her sent him into a panic, and Nate was disquieted by that.
They didn’t know each other well, and the way he felt now wasn't something he was used to. Nate thought he was closed off from everyone.
How could someone he barely knew and spent more time snapping at than talking to sneak past his defenses and make him feel the same as if Isabelle were in trouble? Nate’s head was hurting trying to figure it out.
The knocking sounded again, and Nate realized he hadn’t moved anywhere. Sighing, he headed toward the door.
“Coming! I’m coming!”
He opened the door to Isabelle and Jack, who both looked splendid. Jack was wearing his best suit, freshly shaved and no longer smelling like horses, while Isabelle had a pale pink dress that fitted her figure perfectly. Nate couldn’t help but smile at his sister.
“You still know how to scrub up well, my dear sister.”
“Oh, stop it.” Isabelle swatted him with her hand as she entered the house. She shivered. “I wish it was getting warmer. The weather is what is putting me off at the moment.”
“Why don’t they have the dance when it’s warmer, then?”
“Then it wouldn’t be called the Winter Supper and Dance, would it?” Isabelle rolled her eyes. “Don’t ask such a silly question.”
Raising his eyebrows, Nate looked his sister up and down.
“Maybe you should put more clothes on? A dress with a shawl is not necessarily a good idea in the snow.”
Isabelle huffed.
“There’s nothing wrong with what I’m wearing. At least it looks stylish.”
“I’d prefer stylish over comfort right now,” Jack muttered, tugging at his cravat. “I feel like I’m on my way to the gallows.”
“Oh, stop moaning,” Isabelle groaned before turning to Jack. “Where’s Rachel? Is she still coming?”
“She’s coming. She’s just getting dressed.”
“What does she think of the dress we picked out for her?”
Nate was about to say that Rachel was delighted with it, but then a movement on the stairs made all three of them turn.
Nate was sure his jaw hit the floor when he saw Rachel, coming down carefully with a handle on the banister.
The dress fit her like a glove. Her hair was piled up on her head, away from her swanlike neck and delicate features.
She looked gorgeous.
Rachel blushed and hovered on the stairs, twisting her fingers together.
“Is… do you think this is okay?” she asked. “I’ve done what I can…”
“You look beautiful!” Isabelle gushed, moving toward the stairs, her eyes wide with wonder. “That dress is perfect on you.”
“You definitely know how to scrub up well,” Jack agreed with a nod. “Isabelle has very good taste.”
Jack’s wife shot a look over her shoulder at him at the remark. Then she held out a hand to Rachel.
“Come along. Let’s go introduce the town to you. You’ll be the belle of the ball, I just know it.”
Nate saw Rachel’s smile waver, and knew she wasn’t too keen on that. He knew it had to be about the dance. She wanted to go, but she was scared. He couldn’t blame her for that. He was the same way.
But he’d said he would take her, and Rachel wanted to go despite her reservations. They would have to get on with it.
Rachel cast him a shy glance and a tiny smile. The sight of it made Nate’s heart turn over and it squeezed, making him almost forget to breathe.
“Do I look all right?” she asked in a whisper.
“You look… great.” Nate cleared his throat, unable to say ‘beautiful’. It felt like Isabelle was looking at him expectantly, probably hoping that his compliment would be better. “I think you’ll be absolutely fine.”
Something flickered behind her eyes, and her cheeks flushed. She bit her lip and glanced away. Isabelle squeezed her hand.
“You don’t have to worry about anything, Rachel. We’ll be there, and we’ll look after you.” She shot Nate a pointed look. “I know my brother will certainly do that.”
“He’s very good at looking after people,” Jack added with a chuckle. “If you give him half a chance, he won’t let you out of his sight.”
Nate glared at him before turning back to Rachel. She was still chewing her bottom lip, watching him expectantly. Taking a deep breath, he held out his arm.
“Shall we, Mrs. Calloway?”
She stared at him for a moment longer. Then she returned his smile with a tiny one of her own and slipped her arm through his.
“I think we shall, Mr. Calloway.”
Nate felt his chest swell. He realized that he wanted everyone to see Rachel on his arm, to know that she was his wife.
He might need to get a few drinks in him to get his head on straight.