A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

Leo had wished to speak with Jessica but he knew the situation between Nathan Hunter and George Leroy could get serious if left uninterrupted. He found the two men in a heated argument.

―May I ask what the problem is? Leo quickly intervened before Nathan threw the first punch. Leo ignored the onlookers who had crowded the parlor. He was well aware that fifteen guests watched them.

―I'm sorry, Leo, Nathan apologized as he cooled down.

―I let my emotions get the best of me. I didn't intend to cause a scene.

―You really should be more careful when you're inviting people to your dinner parties, George remarked.

Leo turned to George. One look at George's date notified him of the problem. George had brought Linda Hunter despite Leo's request for him not to. Linda had married Nathan three years ago but was recently discovered in an a.d.u.l.terous relationship with George. Upon discovering his wife's infidelity, Nathan divorced her, and there had been tension between him and George ever since.

―May I speak with you gentlemen in private? As private as possible considering the many guests. Leo led them out of the parlor and onto the veranda where there was a secluded spot. The three men stood silently for a moment as Leo thought of how to begin. Finally, he said, I can appreciate the sensitivity of this issue. He turned to George. Mr. Leroy, I specifically asked you not to bring Linda here tonight.

―I know you did, Mr. Monroe, the twenty-three-year-old man replied. She assumed I was with another woman, and in order to reassure her that I wasn't, I had to bring her. She's insecure. I can understand her feelings.

―What would either one of you know about insecurity? Nathan spat. ―She was my wife and both of you dismissed the marital vows.

―If you had treated her better, she wouldn't have sought comfort in my arms, George argued.

―I treated her just fine!

―You constantly put work first. A woman needs to be appreciated.

―Please, gentlemen,‖ Leo intervened, aware that their emotions were running high. Mr. Hunter, you are having dinner in the dining room with me. Mr. Leroy, please eat out here with your date. In the meantime, please find separate rooms to be in. I am sorry but this is the best I can do given the circ.u.mstances. George turned to Nathan. Will, you be dancing tonight?

―No. You know very well that I came alone, Nathan pointedly responded.

―I will be in the entertainment room, George told Leo before he left to go back into the house. Leo breathed a sigh of relief. I'm sorry, Nathan. I did tell Mr. Leroy to come alone or bring someone else. I had to invite him because he's Conrad's son and my uncle does business with Conrad on a regular basis.

―I don't fault you for this, Nathan assured him. Geoffrey announced that it was time to eat. Leo was relieved that the emergencies from earlier had finally been resolved.

―Which seat would you like at the table? he asked Nathan as they went into the house. He wasn't sure if Nathan felt like sitting close to him and Jessica since engagement parties and weddings were most likely upsetting to him with his own heartache still fresh.

―Since I'm the best man, I suppose I should sit across from Jessica. You'll be at the head of the table and she'll sit at your right, correct? Nathan asked.

―Yes. That's the plan. Do you feel up to being my best man?

―As long as George isn't at the altar on Saturday, I'll be

fine.

―There's no danger of that. George is sitting in the back

of the church.

―I hope that Jessica is good for you.

―I don't see why she won't be.

―Well, good luck.

Only the immediate family and friends of the bride and groom were seated at the dining table. The rest of the guests were outside. Leo had to hire additional servers for the event but he wanted to make everyone comfortable so it was worth the expense. The wedding and reception on Saturday would be even more elaborate. His uncle was paying the bill for that event since Mr. Allen went bankrupt. Since no one knew of his bankruptcy but a select few, Jessica was spared the humiliation of people knowing her father couldn't pay for the wedding.

Leo supposed that most men in his economic class would be dismayed to marry a woman who came into the marriage without a cent to her name, but he had secretly entertained romantic notions for Jessica since her family moved to town when he was fourteen. Though he knew Brad very well, he never got up the nerve to have more than a two-sentence conversation with his sister. Usually, he managed to tell her hello and asked her how she was doing or what she thought of the weather. He was too nervous to figure out what else to say. She was beautiful.

He often stole glances her way when they attended the same dinner parties. They usually sat on opposites sides of the room. It seemed that the more he saw her, he more beautiful she got. He supposed other men didn't find her as attractive as he did, but they weren't in love with her either. She was shy, so it was no wonder that more men hadn't taken notice of her.

Before the dinner, he stood up and gave the official engagement announcement. Then he sat down as the guests started eating. He couldn't help but notice that Jessica wore a black dress. It was the same dress she wore at her mother's funeral. He wondered why she chose that particular dress to wear when he had seen her in more festive colors in the past. He dismissed his questions and tried to think of something she might find interesting to discuss.

Currently, she was quietly eating her meal. Her father sat next to her on her right. Her brother, who was the groomsman, sat next to Nathan on the opposite side of the table. They talked about automobiles. Leo had recently acquired an interest in motorized transportation, so he had to fight the urge to join the conversation.

Instead, he turned to Jessica. He cleared his throat before he began to speak. Do you wish to discuss the issue that was on your mind earlier?

She seemed to be surprised he spoke to her. She glanced at her father who looked over at her. Perhaps later,‖ she replied, barely looking at him. He cut another piece of his steak as he tried to think of another topic. I heard you enjoy going to the beach.

―Yes, she responded