The seven seat dining table was set for royalty and buzzed with conversation. I could not enjoy the fine food or the elegant company, because my thoughts rested on him.
“Mrs. Galtero?” said a deep voice.
I blinked and turned to my dinner partner.
The mayor’s uncle raised an eyebrow.
“I apologize. What did you say?” I asked.
“I was asking you about the weather?”
“Of course you were. I am enjoying the California weather very much.”
He nodded. “Good. It must be such a change from New York. I practiced law there a few years back. Did not enjoy the weather.”
I smiled politely, my attention focused on the rich male laugh that traveled from the end of the table.
Carlos leaned toward Miss Nelson at his side, amused and his gaze captivated.
He did not bother to glance my way. Did he change his mind about her attempted entrapment? Would she be my replacement? I tried not to let the knot in my chest tighten. He had let me go. The coldness in his gaze earlier indicated my freedom; yet, the tightness did not loosen.
Miss Nelson giggled.
Her cackle made my organs burn. I scoffed at myself. We had a deal. I would leave, and he would be free to proceed into any other relationship. I got exactly what I wanted. I shook my head and turned to my right. “What kind of law do you practice?” I asked the older gentleman, trying to distract myself from odd reactions in my body.
The man’s eyes brightened. “I practice all forms of law. Currently, land acts and disputes. I handle large purchases of property. I have the most lavish acquisition in my briefcase now. I will go to the capitol within the month. This new filing will be historic for this town and its citizens.”
“How interesting.” I said, my eyes darting to the opposite end of the table.
Our host stood with his wine glass, interrupting all conversations. “I would like to thank you all for such stimulating company. Now that our meal has concluded, I am inviting the men to my study for some port, cigars, and business discussions. The womenfolk can go…gossip about the menfolk.”
The party laughed.
I stifled a groan. Each gender followed a host. All four of us made our way to the parlor. The room, just like the rest of the home, spoke of wealth with Oriental rugs, lavish paintings, and porcelain vases. Gas sconces on the wall lit the room in soft gold. We all took a seat on the green velvet upholstered sitting area across a roaring fireplace.
“Mrs. Galtero, it is so lovely of you to have joined us. We have become well-acquainted with your father,” said our hostess.
“Thank you for the invitation, Mrs. Nelson. I appreciate it.” I smiled, watching her daughter eye me from head to toe.
Mrs. Nelson placed a hand against her chest. “It was a pleasure to have you. I would like to formally invite you to our sewing circle.”
I smiled timidly. “Thank you, however, I plan to return to New York soon.”
The women all exchanged a look.
Mrs. Nelson’s face furrowed. “My, are you going on a honeymoon?”
I shook my head. “No, I will be returning to New York on my own.” I knew that if our agreement was made public, Carlos and his family would be humiliated. He had honored his word, and the least I could do was help his reputation. I took a deep breath. “Carlos has decided I am not suited to be his bride. I am not up to his standards. He is looking for someone less…me.”
Her furrow turned into a smile. “That is splendid news. Your father was correct.”
I looked at her with raised brows.
“You are a hero in our circle,” she continued.
The women in the room nodded.
Mrs Nelson giggled. “How you walked up the aisle in a mourning dress. I wished I could have witnessed it. You are so brave. We all heard your father ‘surprised’ you with a betrothal. You poor girl. To be forced to marry into that sordid family. Dreadful.”
I held in a scoff. Were they not trying to marry their daughter into this sordid family? “I am going back home. Our marriage will be annulled, so all is well.” My words burned like acid in my stomach. I needed to distance myself from this coast, and everything would then fall into place.
“And your in-laws? What do they say about their son walking away from the marriage?”
“They will not be back for a full month. I will leave a letter thanking them for their kindness and hospitality. They are truly an admirable family, all of them.”
“They are not in residence? That is news. The maid did not elaborate on where the family was when we arrived with our invite. We assumed they were by the sea.” She rang a bell, summoning a servant. “Tell him to come at once. We are ready.”
The servant nodded and stepped out.
I could not wait to be rid of this night. These people were odd and self-absorbed. A clear example of how money did not equate to class.
“My darling.” Father entered the room a few minutes later, cigar in hand. “I am delighted you brought excellent news.”
His face made my stomach squeeze. I had avoided him throughout the dinner, hoping he would ignore me. “Father.”
He nodded at the women before turning to me. “Carlos mentioned you will travel back to the East. I knew you would find a way out of a situation you were not keen to be in.”
I took a tattered breath. Carlos’ acknowledgement of my plans made it finally feel real. I was going home. “And how did you know that, Father?”
“Because you are my daughter.”
I scoffed. He was practically a stranger. He knew nothing about me. “Yes. I will be traveling soon. And not to worry, the price you received for me will not need to be repaid.”
He huffed. “That was a pittance for what I gave them.”
“And what did you give?” I asked, wishing I could wipe his smug smile off his face.
He puffed his cigar and shrugged. “I offered respectability through your marriage,” he said, taking the seat next to me.
My hands fisted on my lap. I stood, not willing to start a fight I did not care to win. They were all irrelevant to me and the Galteros. “I believe it is time for me to say goodnight. Thank you, Mrs. Nelson, for the hospitality.”
“Not yet,” Father spoke. “We are moving forward with the plan tonight.”
“What plan?” I asked, feeling annoyed that my departure would be delayed.
He smiled, rising. “I have formed an alliance with the Mayor and some invested businessmen. When Mexico ceded their lands to us, the government honored land acts and allowed the Mexicans to stay.” He looked from one side to the other, enjoying the full attention. “However, many ranchos could not prove ownership of the lands and were rightly forced to relinquish. I believe that El Ocaso was never truly questioned properly.”
I squeezed my fists tighter, my nails digging into my palm. “Is that why there is a lawyer here? Are you planning on taking the Galtero family to court? They are not thieves; that land has been theirs for generations!”
“That doesn’t really matter. They are stumping our growth. They will not sell, so we will do what needs to be done,” he said with a chuckle.
“That is stealing!” I said, anger bubbling through me.
“No, that is progress,” said Mrs. Nelson. “They refused to reason, so now, on behalf of our nation, we will own it.”
My breath came in fast huffs; my body tensed. “That is the key, is it not? You take it and make more wealth for yourself. I am not an idiot. I can see that you could not care less for the nation. It is your pockets that you are looking to fill. You are all sordid thieves,and I will not stand by!”
“You cannot stop progress.” Father raised his voice, his chest out. “See how this country became more affluent once the Indians were stored away from the fruitful lands they were not tending? The same will be with the ranchos. El Ocaso needs to end.”
“Stored? You are horrible,” I said, anger flowing through me.
“Yes,” piped Miss Nelson. “Perhaps they will be placed somewhere else.”
“Really? Maybe a farm with rolling hills? Perhaps the same place your pets go when they run away from home? Spare me your ridiculous opinion.” My heart raced.
Mrs. Nelson stood. “The corrected land survey will be presented to the appropriate departments, and all will be as it was meant to,” she said with her nose in the air. “Mr. Stanford. This is not the response we were expecting from her. Control your daughter.”
“You forged the survey?” I accused, watching a grin appear on her cold face.
Father turned in his seat to face me, his hand running through his hair. “I do not understand you, Meredith. Why are you upset? Especially now that your marriage will be annulled. You should be happy I will have more wealth to lavish upon you and your sister with.”
I laughed. “You would do no such thing because you no longer need us. And I would rather starve!”
He scoffed, then smiled. “So dramatic, like your mother. She was such a headache. My new wife will be an immense improvement,” he said, glancing at Miss Nelson who blushed.
I wanted to gag. “That is disturbing. I—”
The sound of a fight broke through the door. We all stood and raced toward the noise, stumbling through the hallway.
“Carlos!” I screamed as we entered the study.