Free With Autumn's Return (Westward Winds Book #3): A Novel by Amanda Cabot

Yellow. The woman smiled, obviously gratified by Elizabeth’s approval. She wouldn’t be so happy when she heard the rest. “Mr. Nordling’s defense of Adam Bennett was indeed a matter of principle. I think one of the finest things our country’s founding fathers did was ensure that everyone is entitled to a defense.” Yellow’s eyes widened. Clearly, she had not expected that. “I’m not condoning what Mr. Bennett did, and I doubt Mr. Nordling was, either,” Elizabeth said, watching both women’s expressions, “but I do applaud the fact that Mr. Nordling upheld the principles of the Sixth Amendment.”
    “I never thought of it that way,” Purple admitted.
    Though Yellow’s lips thinned, she said nothing, and Elizabeth suspected that the conversation would resume as soon as she left.
    “I saw you talking to those ladies,” Gwen said when Elizabeth joined her. “They didn’t look too happy with whatever you were saying.”
    Two dances later, Elizabeth learned just how unhappy they were when she passed by Purple and Yellow on her way to the punch bowl.
    “I wouldn’t have expected it of Madame Charlotte’s sister,” Purple said. “Charlotte is such a sweet lady, but Elizabeth . . .” She paused, searching for a word. “She’s not womanly. Look at the way she argued with us. She was acting just like a man.”
    Yellow nodded. “One thing’s for certain. Even if I were on my deathbed, I wouldn’t go to her.”
    Elizabeth gritted her teeth. Miriam had organized this party to introduce her to the community and help her attract patients. Instead, Elizabeth had alienated at least two potential patients. And to think she’d done it in defense of Jason Nordling!
    “Everyone seems to be having a good time.” Miriam appeared at Elizabeth’s side, a half-filled cup of punch in her hand.
    “It’s the loveliest party I’ve ever attended.” Particularly if Elizabeth forgot about the way she’d offended Yellow and Purple.
    “That must mean no one pinched your cheeks.”
    “No one even tried.” Fortunately. Of course, Purple and Yellow might have had other ideas, less friendly ones than a pinch on the cheeks. Elizabeth and Miriam spoke of trivia for a few minutes until a waiter collected their now-empty cups and murmured something to Miriam.
    “It’s almost dinnertime,” Elizabeth’s hostess said. “Mama wants Richard and me to lead the procession, but first . . .” Miriam’s eyes lit. “Ah, there you are, Jason.” Her smile snagged him as surely as a lasso. When he was standing at her side, Miriam smiled again. “Would you escort Elizabeth in to dinner? I’ve seated you next to her.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned toward her husband and led the way to the dining room.
    Jason’s lips twisted in what appeared to be an ironic smile as he bent his elbow and offered his arm to Elizabeth. Though Elizabeth expected him to follow Miriam and Richard, he held back, letting others precede them. Bending his head slightly, as if he were confiding a secret, he said, “It appears you’re going to have even more of the pleasure of my company than you had anticipated.”
    Once again, they were playing the happy guest game. Elizabeth matched Jason’s smile with one of her own, a smile dripping with simulated sweetness. “Fortunately, my mother taught me how to be polite.”
    His eyebrows arched. “If you were being polite the day we met, I’d hate to see you when you’re rude. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a tongue-lashing.”
    “I wasn’t being rude,” she countered. Surely she hadn’t been. Elizabeth thought back, trying to recall what she had said. Surely she had done nothing to deepen the pain or discomfort or whatever it was she had seen in his eyes that day. “I was simply being honest. You riled me, Mr. Nordling.” And he was on his way to doing it again. Those arched eyebrows were designed to make her feel insignificant. Elizabeth knew it. That was the same