Chapter Twelve

Shiloh's hand found Adam's, and they each clasped the other tightly as if reminding each other to remain calm.

"Will, this is Mr. Cartwright, the architect chosen for the new courthouse, and his wife," said Mayor Teschemacher. He looked from Will to Adam, noticing an absence of cordiality in their demeanor.

Will spoke first. "Mayor, Adam and I know each other from college."

"Well then, old friends."

"And Miss Whitney…oh, excuse me," said Will. "It's Mrs. Cartwright now, isn't it? We know each other from her college days. Miss Peterson knows both of them as well."

"You'll be working closely again then," said the mayor.

"No, Mayor. Mr. Slater will be handling the permits and licensing. I'll be available if the builder has questions," explained Adam.

"Well, ladies and gentlemen, if you'll excuse me, I should say hello to the other guests before dinner." Bowing, the mayor left their company, and at the same time, Adam took Shiloh's arm, both turning their backs on Will and Natalie.

"How rude of them," hissed Natalie.

Will patted her hand. "Calm down, my dear. The evening is still young. Now remember, we're not here to cause Isabella any embarrassment. What we want to do is goad Adam into taking some physical action. Once he does, his popularity won't last long. There, you see, he's left her with Mrs. Teschemacher again. Why don't you go see if you can make him uncomfortable?"

Halfway across the room, Adam told his new partner in a low voice, "Robert, we may have a problem."

"Oh, what's this about?"

"It's a long story, but Will and I are not friends. As a matter of fact, someone looking from the outside in would call us enemies." Adam smiled and nodded as a couple walked by.

"This is serious, Adam," said Robert, leaning in. "It wouldn't be good for the chief architect of the city courthouse and the city attorney to be at odds."

"That's why you need to represent this project at the mayor's office. I'll deal with the builder."

Robert smiled and nodded at another passerby. "Before the night is out, Adam, I want to know the whole story."

"Shiloh needs to be part of the conversation."

"Why?"

Adam looked at Robert from under his brow. "You need to hear it from her, so it won't seem one-sided; not from Will or me. She's what it's all about."

"Adam, it's nice to see you," said Natalie, wrapping her arm around his. "I do hope Shiloh can keep things civil tonight. I don't think the ladies here would appreciate the fact that she attacked me in the streets of Virginia City."

Adam gently removed Natalie's hand from his arm. "Any accusations you make about that can be easily disputed. You didn't exactly leave any friends behind in Virginia City."

"That might be true, but it can't be verified tonight. First impressions, you know."

"Natalie, you need to be careful. I can hold Shiloh in check, but that doesn't mean I will." He began to walk away and turned back. "Next time, I just might let her feed you a mud pie."

"Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please." The crowd quieted down and all eyes turned toward the mayor's wife and the piano. "Mrs. Cartwright has graciously agreed to sing for us tonight." A low muttering began spreading through the room. "Now, before you start thinking that you have to endure a pitiful performance let me introduce her as if she were performing on stage. I give you Isabella Whitney." The crowd perked up, talking excitedly as Shiloh positioned herself on the bench.

"I'll be singing a fairly new arrangement of an old song. This was performed for the first time several months ago at the new opera house in Virginia City. The accompaniment was originally stringed instruments. I'll attempt to do it justice with the piano."

Robert and Evelyn found Adam and stood next to him, Evelyn leaning in to whisper, "This is a treat."

Shiloh began to play the guitar notes along with a delicate bass line, lightly touching the keys. Her voice was soft and sultry as were her eyes fixed on Adam. As she sang, the music slowly became more intricate until she reached the break where she played all the parts, her fingers gliding over the keys in a succession of runs, harmony and melody. Adam lowered his head, gazing up at her, his chest filled with pride and the deep desire she aroused within him.

Robert and Evelyn, each standing on either side of Adam, leaned slightly forward, both glancing up at his face, and then smiling at each other.

Shiloh reached the verse the chorus would have sung, and singing alone she filled the room with a perfect blend of voice and music, dropping to the lightness of the guitar line, playing the individual notes again and singing the last verse in a soft, wispy voice, coming to a quiet, elegant conclusion.

The attendees smiled, politely clapped and whispered their approvals.

Will moved his attention from Shiloh to Adam and back, his lip unknowingly curled.

Natalie saw him; saw the loathing on his face as he looked at Adam and the obsession as he looked at her. As long as she's alive, he'll never be mine. Taking a flute of champagne from the tray being served in the room, Natalie headed toward the piano, but Will caught her movement out of the corner of his eye and swiftly intercepted her, taking her out of the room and down a hall. "Don't you dare," he spat through clenched teeth. "If you do anything to embarrass her here, I'll leave you standing on the docks."

Natalie's answering smile was more like a scowl. "You wouldn't. You need me."

"Natalie, let me make one thing perfectly clear. You provide me with the same commodity I can get from a common whore off the wharf. Your advantage is a guarantee of cleanliness. Nothing more."

Natalie's breaths rattled in her chest and her chin quivered, not from the need to cry, but from barely controlled rage. She straightened, set her jaw, and stormed to the front door, asking the butler to send for a carriage to take her home. Yes, she would go to their home, and both of them would eventually calm down. He needed her, if only to be his eyes and ears. She would no longer give him anything else so willingly.

The banquet itself was surprisingly pleasant for Adam and Shiloh. She held the attention of the women and Adam, the attention of the men. Will only drifted in and out of conversations, barely paying attention as he watched Shiloh, glowering as he saw how Adam doted on her, their quiet whispers and winks, his gentle caresses of her arms and shoulders, and her loving glances back, promising him a pleasant end to the night. In one evening, Adam won the confidence of the mayor and his peers along with the admiration of the women, and Shiloh's talent and grace would be a subject of discussion for months to come. They had become San Francisco's favorite couple.