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And you re dodging the question. How about we take a spin out
on the dance floor and give them a run for their money?
Who?
You know who.
She took a healthy swig of her punch. I m afraid that wouldn t be
a very good idea. I have strict instructions to stay away from you.
Aren t you ever tired of being a good girl, Melinda?
She reached for another glass.
Yes, I am. When she finished the second, she felt an unfamiliar
sense of lightness. Yes, Jesse, I am tired of being so good.
70 Angela Claire
Jesse looked around. Where s Ginny tonight?
The Wilsons took her overnight. Annie said I was young and
should enjoy myself. This is my first dance, you know.
No, I didn t. Not much cause for dances in the orphanage?
She laughed, rather loudly if the glance Jesse gave Jake and
Regina was any indication. No, not much dancing in the orphanage. I
imagine Regina Winthrop has seen her share of dances, though.
Well, maybe so, but it looks like she s trying to make this one
memorable. If she s let our boss out of her clutches for two seconds
tonight I d be surprised.
The observation caused Melinda to reach for another glass of the
hard punch. She d only gotten a swig or two in before Jesse pulled it
away from her. He took her hand instead and led her out to the dance
floor. I think you ve had enough of that, Miss Melinda. He pulled
her close and began to dance, coaxing her rather effortlessly into the
steps. Hmm, what a nice rhythm you have, honey, he whispered in
her ear. You re a natural.
I am? The thought pleased her, but somehow she wasn t sure
she was thinking too clearly. The warmth of Jesse s big lean body, so
like Jake s, was soothing, but not exciting like it was when Jake had
held her this close. Jake, she thought miserably, who was sidling up to
perfect Miss Regina right at this very moment.
You are, Melinda, a real natural, yes, ma am. I bet I could teach
you just about anything and you d catch on real quick, wouldn t
you?
You re not teaching her anything, Whelan. It was soft-spoken,
but firm, and right at her elbow. Jake was there, pulling her away
from Jesse before either of them had a chance to resist.
Jesse laughed. I thought you were busy with Regina.
I don t want to make a scene in here, Whelan, because it s
Melinda who d suffer. But I expect you don t care much about that,
busy as you are trying to make Miss Winthrop jealous.
Heart of Stone 71
Look, boss, if you want to dance with Melinda, just say so.
Looked to me like it was Regina you wanted to get cozy with, but I
expect that was just a ruse, huh?
Melinda wasn t quite following this. They were speaking so low,
almost as if they were having a regular conversation. She wandered
back to the refreshment table and poured another glass of punch. She
did manage to get it all down this time before someone took it out of
her hand. This time it was Jake, Jesse nowhere to be seen.
Why don t you come show me what a good dancer you are,
Melinda? Or is it just Jesse you can find the rhythm with?
He pulled her out on the floor before she could respond, and the
reward of being in his arms was enough to quiet whatever response
she may have given. This was a slow dance, just perfect, and she
pressed against him eagerly. It was a second before he put some space
between them again, but he looked down at her intently for a minute
before looking away, waving to a nearby dancing couple.
After a turn or two around the floor, Jake asked, How much
punch did that bastard Whelan give you?
He didn t give me any, Jake. He kept taking it away from me,
same as you. He did ask me if I was tired of being good, though.
I just bet he did.
I am, Jake. I m so tired of being good.
You are good, Melinda. You re a good girl. The way you take
care of Ginny. You re a good person.
Somehow, this was not what she wanted to hear tonight. What
about me? Who ll take care of me?
He froze in the dance steps for just a second, and then continued
to lead her around the dance floor smoothly. You ll be with Ginny
and me for as long as we can get you to stay, then I expect you ll
marry and have children of your own.
No, I won t. I can t.
72 Angela Claire
You ve had too much to drink, honey, is all. That s the punch
talking. Of course you ll marry. As pretty as you are, any man would
be happy to have you.
But not you? There, she d said it. She wasn t sorry, even though
she knew she couldn t ever marry this man anyway, not if he got
down on his knees and proposed right now. No, she couldn t ever risk
it.
No, not me. I ve told you that.
Oh, of course. But you can marry somebody like Regina
Winthrop. She felt like she was going to cry, and for a second, he
looked panicked. They stopped dancing.
We should leave, he said.
Just as well, considering the fool she d just made of herself.
Maybe what they said about the Irish and drinking was true after all.
Great, just another curse hanging over her head.
He was shepherding her towards the door, stopping only to say a
few polite goodbyes, when Regina and her father stopped them.
Dance isn t nearly over, Jake. Where you going?
Jake nodded to them.
We ve got to head on back, pick up Ginny. Mr. Winthrop.
Regina.
Lou, please.
Lou.
And look here, Regina still wants one more dance. Go on, little
girl, give it one more whirl with this big fella. I ll wait with this
missy. Go on.
Looking pained but resigned, Jake let himself be led out to the
dance floor one last time.
When she was alone with Winthrop, he said, Come on, girl. Let s
go on out to the wagon and wait till they re done. That way you and
Jake can get on your way faster like.
Heart of Stone 73
Melinda nodded, turning away from the sight of Regina in Jake s
arms, and let herself be led outside. The air had a distinct chill in it,
and she shivered.
You cold, girl? he asked.
A little. For all everybody referred to him as an old man,
Winthrop looked pretty hardy to her, and big. In fact, he was
crowding her a little as he clutched her elbow and steered her to the
wagon.
Don t worry none. I m sure Jake will keep you warm tonight.
The casual observation halted her, but Winthrop tugged at her
elbow until they were moving again and then at the wagon. Before
she knew what was happening, he had pushed her up against the cold
wood. Now, see here, girl. I know a whore when I see one. And I got
nothing against whores.
To her disgust, he put one meaty hand on her waist. She tried to
shrug away out of his hold, but he was having none of it.
No, I like whores just fine. As long as they know their place. So
you best not be forgetting your place and getting any grand ideas
about Jake Stone. He s taken.
Between the hard punch and Winthrop s suffocating hold,
Melinda felt faint, even though she most definitely was not the
fainting type. Regaining herself, she pushed with both hands against
his chest, hard, and he staggered back.
You have no call to speak to me like that, Mr. Winthrop.
What s going on here? Jake called it out even as he approached,
and she climbed into the wagon.
Nothing. Just a little misunderstanding.
Winthrop tipped his hat. Night, Jake. Then he was gone.
When they were underway in the wagon, Jake asked, Did
Winthrop give you any trouble? When I saw he d taken you outside, I
came as fast as I could.
74 Angela Claire
I m not a delicate little flower, Jake. You don t have to shield me
from anything. Least of all insults. I m a bastard and an orphan. And
Irish to top it all off.
He s the bastard. Damn it, did he insult you?
Forget it.
They were driving away into the dark now, and she rested her
head on his broad shoulder, not caring if anyone they left behind
could see it.
We ll stop at the Wilson s first, pick up Ginny, and maybe,
depending on how you re feeling, we may have you stay at Annie s
tonight.
Why do we have to go to the Wilson s, Jake? Ginny will be
sound asleep already, and Annie said she d keep her till morning.
He looked at her askance.
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