CHAPTER TWENTY

"Girls please!" Peyton cried as he pried Samantha away from Edith Edelton. "I can't believe how popular I've become."

"Peyton darling get this trash away from me," Edith whimpered.

"You said I was to be your date Peyton!" Samantha yelled. "What about me?" Samantha's hair had fallen down and hung wildly all the way down her back like a thick, dark, curtain, her eyes were wild with rage.

"Peyton Denardo wouldn't go out with the likes of you," Edith answered for him. "You hang around with servant girls. I guess that is where you learned this behavior."

"You leave Nellie out of this," Samantha hissed.

"Apparently the scullery maid is better behaved than you are," said Peyton. "At least she isn't making a spectacle of herself. I can't help but be flattered though. It's difficult having almost every women I meet, vie for my affections."

"What is going on here?" The hotel manager demanded. "You kids get out of here! You obviously do not know how to conduct yourselves in a ballroom. Take your riff raff outside."

"Do you know how I am?" Peyton retorted.

"You're not trying to pull that again?" Eugene sighed.

"Shut up Eugene," sneered Peyton. "You're a nothing without me!" He turned to the manager. "I'm a Denardo, and my family has booked your presidential suite for the entire summer. I will not be told to leave."

"I'm sorry Mr. Denardo," the manager said, realizing he was probably going to be out of a job tomorrow.

"Peyton," Edith croaked. "She hurt me."

Edith Edelton was one of those people who had skin that would turn red if you looked at it cross-eyed. None of the punches that the girls had thrown had been much at all, but since her skin was so sensitive, her arms were red.

"Apologize Samantha," Peyton commanded.

"You didn't really buy her those earrings?" Edith whined.

"He did," Samantha said haughtily. "I have the papers at home. Taking you to some floosey dance doesn't say I love you. It says you make a suitable cheap date. Four caret diamonds say I love you."

"You're despicable and cheap Samantha!" Edith bellowed.

"Peyton," his mother said. "I can't believe that you would even consider calling on this filth! These country girls are nowhere near our league. I knew from the moment we arrived in this wretched town that you would not find a bride here. I think you should try New York City."

"I'm from New York City," Samantha growled.

Nellie had noticed that Eddie had disappeared. As much as she would have loved to continue watching the drama, she knew she had to find him and tell him the truth. She began to search for him.

"Mother," Peyton said sternly. "I know that you might not agree, but I have found the girl I love and want to marry here in Mount Bedford. I was planning on asking her after the fireworks, but I think that now I have the proper attention that a Denardo deserves, I think I will ask her now."

Samantha's heart began to shake, her stomach did somersaults. She was the one he wanted to see the fireworks with. Tonight she would get her redemption against nasty old Edith.

Peyton took a swig of champagne, milking ever minute that he had the room's attention. "The woman I love is worthy enough to bear the Denardo name," he announced. "She will know and realize her place as my wife, and she will obey me as well as belong to me. She will also be worthy enough to bear me my sons. As many sons as I want!" He turned to Edith Edelton who was still strewn on the floor.

"Edith," he said. "You will marry me. We'll have a December wedding, before the holidays."

Edith burst into tears and nodded stupidly, and then got up only to fall into Peyton's arms.

"Peyton," Samantha begged. "Please. I'm the woman you want. I will make you so happy. I will obey you in every way, and I can bear you many sons! I'm stronger than Edith and smarter, prettier, and wealthier!"

"I've got enough wealth for an army," Peyton replied. "Samantha with your off the wall outrageous political ideas you are much too outspoken for a lady. I would not want my children inheriting such an unbecoming trait. Plus lord knows about your family name, you don't even have parents."

Samantha picked up a full flute of champagne and heaved it at his face. She went stomping out of the ballroom with Eugene, Ida, Maude, Grandmary, and The Admiral all following.

Nellie had met up again with Eddie out in the lobby. He was cagey about why he had left, but Nellie was about to find out.

"Let's go out on the porch," he suggested. "It's an absolutely gorgeous evening, plus I don't like the stuffiness of the ballroom."

Samantha needed to get far away from Peyton, as far away as possible. She stomped out onto the front porch. The fresh air was bound to help her. Twilight was beginning to settle in, the dreadfully hot sun was gone, and the sky was rich in hues of pinks and lavenders. She caught sight of Nellie and Eddie at the far end of the porch. Nellie was sitting on the porch railing, Eddie's coat was around her shoulders.

She knew she had to stop Nellie before she said something stupid such telling Eddie her real name. So far Samantha's night had been a blow. She was not going to lose the satisfaction of getting even with Eddie. For all Samantha knew perhaps Peyton chose Edith over her because of Grandmary's strict rules, stemmed from Eddie's big mouth.

She began to make a beeline towards them, with her entourage following.

Eddie Ryland had told Nellie that he had something very important to tell her, and that he would die if he didn't tell her now. To Nellie's shock and awe Eddie sunk down in front of her, onto one knee, and pulled a small blue velvet box out of his pocket.

"Helene Fitzgerald," he said shakily. "Will you marry me?"