Author's Note: I have once already referenced a well-known actor for a character – a younger Jeremey Piven as Adam Cohen. For Vice President Cabot Burwell I am going to do it again – I see him as David Ogden Stiers – both as Congressman Sam Greene from the North and South Book I & II mini-serious, as well as the great TV series Mash. He played Major Charles Emerson Winchester III, a Boston aristocrat who found himself in Korea.

Chapter Fifty-Four

Heath Barkley swelled with pride and confidence as he escorted Sharon down the grand stairs of Charles Crocker's imposing ballroom at Telegraph Hill. Charles, after taking Wells Fargo to great banking heights went into railroads. In addition to the elaborate city mansion, he had a summer house north of the city, with unapparelled views of the Pacific Ocean.

When they had arrived at the top of the staircase the butler, dressed in white tie and tails, announced their names in stentorian tones. As they walked down the stairs, he noted with pleasure at how many discreet glances were being given to their entrance.

His pleasure was short lived though, as they arrived at the receiving line. It was done by rank, and the first person made Heath want to snarl. He did remind himself that the man was the lowest rank in the receiving line.

"It is our bride!" Marcus Snell took Sharon's hand and bowed deeply, giving Heath a bare nod of his head. "You were so beautiful at your wedding, but now you take my breath away in the ballroom. Sharon you are a woman extortionary! Heath I am ever so envious and impressed at how you managed to woo such a treasure."

Heath found himself feeling all those jealous feelings he had felt with the Lt. Governor at his wedding, as he fawned over his wife. He worked hard to remind himself that punching the Lt Governor out in the receiving line would be bad form. Luckily for Heath, Mary Stoneman, the Governor's wife took control of the situation.

"Heath it is lovely to see you again. George and I felt bad about missing the wedding. I have heard that the reception was dazzling." Mary hugged Heath before she turned to Sharon. "I am Mary, and of course you figured out George. We are old family friends and were so pleased to hear about Heath's marriage." She took the time to present Sharon to her husband, as Heath looked on with pleasure.

"A bride? You are just recently married?" Sharon was doing her best to maintain her composure when she heard an imposing voice. She turned and saw a tall man with balding blonde hair, pale blue eyes, and refined features. He was over six feet tall – as tall as Nick at least, and his bearing and clothes reminded her of the English aristocrats who would visit the castle. Sharon knew this was the Vice President, and she felt frozen in place.

"Sharon it is lovely to have you at our party. As Mary explained" Governor Stoneman went on to introduce himself before he turned to the Vice President. "Cabot Burwell, may I introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Heath Barkley? As you have inferred they are recently married."

"I am pleased to meet you both, and Heath" Cabot Burwell turned to face him "I am looking forward to talking with you." Even as the man was saying that, he had taken Sharon's gloved hand and was kissing. "Congratulations on your wedding. I can only imagine what a beautiful bride you were, seeing how dazzling you are here."

"Your Excellency" Sharon inclined her head, using the term of address that the Duchess had taught her daughters when a man's rank was unknown. It was an honor, but suitably vague at the same time. "My husband and I are pleased to be here tonight." She was doing her best to control her Irish accent, but it only went so far.

"Mrs. Barkley, are you Irish? I have travelled extensively in Europe and have relatives in Great Britain." Cabot Burwell asked, his slight protruding pale blue eyes focused on her.

"Yes I am. My family is from the southwest of Dublin; Kilkenny, which is a very old medieval town. The main castle dates from 1195 and was built by the Normans." Sharon smiled with pride as she made the statement. Yes, she was proud of her town, but she also knew by now that Americans were overly impressed by run down ruins if they were old.

"I have heard many wonderful things about the town. Unfortunately, I did not have the time to visit when I was there." Cabot Burwell announced, be he smiled with pleasure at Sharon. "I know my hometown has not been as welcoming to Irish immigrants as it should have been, which is too bad. The Irish I have known are hardworking and upright. I will add, Mrs. Barkley, that if they looked like you, it would have been a different story."

"My people have come to America for the same reason everyone else has – a chance at a better life." Sharon tilted her head as she looked the Vice President directly in the eye. She noticed that he rose to the challenge and slightly inclined his head as he winked at her. Sharon wanted to giggle at how obvious the man was in his interactions.

"I do appreciate you being willing to interrupt your honeymoon to come to dinner with me." Cabot looked at Heath, before he turned his gaze back to Sharon. "I am flattered." The unspoken words – that if she had been married to the man – well Sharon would not have been allowed out of the bedroom.

"My husband had read about your work on labor reform, for factory workers and has been very impressed. He is looking forward to talking to you about labor reform for all workers, including miners." Sharon moved against Heath and smiled up at him adoringly as she made the comment. She was a bride after all, and this was her honeymoon, such as it was.

"Egads, not only are you beautiful but intelligent also!" Cabot declared in surprise, as people close by turned to look at him. "Heath, I know about your work for miners and have been impressed. Now that I know you married such an amazing woman I am taken aback." He bowed, and then turned to the next person in line.

"How do you know about the Vice President's labor reforms?" Heath was still annoyed about the attention Sharon had received from Marcus and the Vice President. Now to hear that she not only knew about the man's labor reform but saw how they tied into the mine workers' safety issues he was pushing for – he felt that yet again she had him off-balance.

"When I was out looking for a dress, I heard people talking." Sharon left it at that, not wanting to let on the true story. She was slightly shaking at meeting the Vice President, and the man's reaction to her. When she had been at the castle in Ireland, they had been some sons of noble visitors who thought the young female staff were fair game. Luckily the older staff took care of the maids and protected them.

There had been one man in Ireland, who had treated her honorably, and she treasured the memories. Heath had, while they were courting the first time had been a gentleman. Sharon did not count Paul, as it was just an arrangement. Not until she had come Stockton had she had male admirers who saw her as charming and desirable. She knew that the Vice President had a wife, but also knew that in some social circles that was not an issue to a liaison – both for the husband and wife.

"So, our invitation tonight was the talk of the town?" Heath asked with a rueful smile. He wondered why he had even bothered with the Congressional Quarterly – he could have just as easily gone to one of several gentleman's clubs he belonged to as a Barkley. Heath said as much to Sharon, which made her laugh.

It was forty-five minutes later, and Heath was not laughing. He was in fact standing against a hard decorative pilaster in the grand salon, feeling aggrieved. A footman had brought him champagne, and then another glass; Heath was sure the man felt bad for how he was all by himself.

The cause of his annoyance was not the Lt. Governor, but rather the Vice President of the United States. Sharon – his wife- was standing right next to the Vice President, along with several important society ladies and the Lt. Governor. Heath watched as she laughed at something the man said, as she tossed her head.

The Vice President, after the receiving line, had totally ignored him, while fawning over his wife. Heath knew that he should be pleased that Sharon was such a social success. No, he told himself, what bothered him was that the Vice President had asked him to dinner. He now knew it was for political reasons, but it did not put Heath off. Mining reform was not going to come easy, and his mother's comment "you catch more flies with honey than vinegar" had rung in his ears.

"Brother Heath" his annoyance only increased when he saw the person addressing him.

"Uncle Samuel, it has been a while." Heath inclined his head to the dandified old man. His evening clothes were beautifully tailored, his studs and cufflinks ruby, while his caveat was a bright red silk. His goatee was finely trimmed, and Heath knew the man looked every inch a plutocrat of the first rank.

"I have to tell you, that the second time around, you have chosen well." Uncle Samuel raised his champagne glass in the direction of Sharon. "You have brought the belle to the ball." As he made the comment his eyes gleamed, and Heath groaned inwardly. Good god is every man in love with my wife, Heath ground his teeth as he had the thought.

"Why are you standing here with an unpleasant countenance, Brother Heath?" Uncle Samuel had noted the young man's face and had a fairly good idea at what was causing it all. They were on their honeymoon, and Sharon should have been busy in Heath's bedroom, and not laughing at the Vice President's comments.

"My understanding is that the Vice President requested my presence at this dinner to talk about labor and mining reform." Heath tried to keep the snarl out of his voice, as he finished the champagne.

"Brother Heath, he does want to talk to you" Uncle Samuel knew that Heath had come far with his social skills, but clearly there were some nuances he had missed. "At these types of affairs, one does not discuss serious matters while the ladies are present." He noticed that Heath was looking at him now, and not at his wife.

"The conversation he wants to have with you, will happen after dinner, when we adjourn for cigars and brandy." Uncle Samuel stated as he looked over at Sharon. "The Vice President will be even more receptive because of your wife. You have already risen in his estimate, because of her."

Uncle Samuel in fact was also very impressed that Heath had chosen so well. Sharon was beautiful, knew how to dress, and from what he could see was both book and socially smart. The man knew both Sarah and Adam socially, and he still could not imagine at Heath and Sarah ever being married.

"You need to stop glowering and come with me. I want to introduce you to" Uncle Samuel started to talk about a perspective business deal. Heath knew that the dandified old man was right; Jarrod had once said that Uncle Samuel was the most astute person he had ever met.

Sharon was glad when the bell for dinner was announced, wanting a respite from Cabot Burwell's attention. As soon as the receiving line was done, he had made a beeline to her, with Marcus Snell not too far behind. Heath was off fetching champagne for her, which left her alone. Sarah's words rang in her mind, and she stiffened her spine, even as she hoped the words were not prophecy about her evening.

She had found herself one of several society ladies – all well dressed in jewels that showed off their husband's success – talking to the Vice President. Sharon had no problem discerning that everyone but her were much younger women married to older men. She recalled Adam's comment about the Vice President being a ladies' man.

The Duchess had taught her daughters – and therefore Sharon – that a woman's duty at a social event was to be light and entertaining. Sharon silently chuckled, as she listened to some of the comments the other ladies were making. Her private opinion was that it was good thing they were beautiful, because otherwise they were idiots.

Cabot Burwell would tell stories of his successes in labor reform, and the ladies would all fawn admiringly. Sharon made it a point to fawn just enough to be respectable before she drew him out on why he had done what he had. She was glad that Heath had told her about his efforts for labor reform for miners. At the end of the day workers want a decent wage and safe conditions no matter what the work.

The fact that she was talking to a well-educated, successful man on his terms took her aback. Until she had come to Stockton, only the man in Ireland and Heath had respected her mind. Sharon was having a hard time fathoming at how she, a poor Irish emigrant, had made it to this place.

Heath walked up to Sharon, willing himself to walk nonchalantly, even as he wanted to stride forward. One of the things he hated about San Francisco society was how he felt on display. His parentage had been copiously discussed for several years after he arrived in the valley. Heath knew that his divorce and Simon's arrival had only reawakened the gossip. He now hoped that being married to Sharon, who seemed to charm every man she met, well at least the hens would all have something else to talk about.

"Sharon" Heath put his arm around her shoulders, and kissed her cheek, before he turned to Cabot Burwell. "I hope you will understand, but I am looking forward to having dinner with my bride." He almost smirked as he made the comment. Heath had seen right away what kind of man the Vice President was; he would be friends with him as far as what it took to get reform. Beyond that, Cabot Burwell, in spite of his blue blood, was lecherous at best, and a cad at worst.

"I completely understand." Cabot gave him a knowing wink, before going on. "I am looking forward to our conversation later." He bowed, and left to find Mary Stoneman, who was his escort for dinner.

"Are you looking forward to having dinner with me?" Sharon recalled what Sarah had told her, about the experience in Denver. She knew that Heath would have deserted her as fast tonight, as he had Sarah all those years ago.

Giggling inwardly, she thought about Sarah's comment, that she would find a charming man to take care of her. Instead, she had left Heath to fend for himself, while she spent time with the Vice President. Earlier she had seen Heath standing against the pilaster, with a sour expression and glass of champagne.

Sharon knew the evening had not gone as he had thought, with her being the belle of the ball. However, she had been very impressed with how he had dealt with the Vice President. Heath in his well-tailored clothes, gold studs and cuff links, with his muscled build was very masculine.

She was not happy at the friseur of excitement she had felt, as her husband had put his arm around her. Further, how he had talked to the Vice President – well a small part of her wondered what it would be like to have a husband in the biblical sense like Heath.