Texas Proud (Vincente 2) by Constance O'Banyon

Author:Constance O'Banyon [O'Banyon, Constance]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Historical, Romance, Fiction, 19th Century, American West, Western, Adult, Adventure, Action, TEXAS PROUD, Noble Vincente, Middle Brother, Texas, Revenage, Father, Murdered, Memory, Foolish Heart, Past Love, Feminine Wiles, Line Between, Love & Hate, Smoldering Anger, Flames Of Desire, Vincente Siblings, Relationship, Firearm
ISBN: 9781477839461
Google: XXYNnwEACAAJ
Goodreads: 206866
Publisher: Montlake Romance; Reprint Edition
Published: 2013-09-26T04:00:00+00:00

The gleeful sounds of music and laughter blended to welcome the people of Madragon County to the Harvest Dance, the social event of the year. The dance was a tradition that had sprung forth the first year the town had been established in 1844. Of course, there had been no dance during the war years because it had been considered unpatriotic to celebrate while young men were dying in a confrontation so far away from home.

The dance was held in the old town hall, and the joyous sounds drifted down the empty streets of Tascosa Springs. There was hardly a man, woman or child in the whole county who was not attending the festivities tonight.

Many of the women had saved all year to buy a new frock for the occasion. Young, unmarried females waited with anticipation for this night so they could flirt and dance with the gentlemen of their choice. Gentlemen in suits mingled easily with cowboys wearing boots and Western finery.

Rachel arrived with her sister and brother-inlaw in their town carriage. The minute Whit's feet touched the ground his mouth thinned into a smile and he merged with the crowd, shaking hands, slapping backs, inquiring about family members campaigning.

Delia dutifully followed, looking bored and unhappy. She'd always hated this affair and she still did, much preferring the elegant balls and soirees of Austin society.

Whit's hand clamped on Delia's arm, steering her forward, while his eyes were riveted on Rachel. He made Rachel feel uneasy. Why did he keep staring at her? she wondered, hanging back, hugging the shadows. She was suddenly overwhelmed by melancholy and was reluctant to enter the hall. She thought about all the men who had been killed in the war. Those absent had faces and names-they had been her friends and neighbors. She prayed there would be no Yankees present, no blue uniforms, no enemies.

Glancing in the window at her sister, she could read boredom etched on Delia's face. Rachel threw off her sadness, knowing that her sister needed her. Rachel noticed that the hall had been skillfully decorated with streamers, colorful lanterns and lace hangings. The ladies' quilting circle had done themselves proud. She'd probably belong to the quilting circle when she was an old spinster, she thought whimsically.

For a moment, as Rachel's gaze swept over the crowd, she paused at the top of the three short steps that would take her into the room. She had no way of knowing that her entrance had drawn every eye in her direction and that she had eclipsed every other female in the building. Her off-the-shoulder blue velvet gown flared over a wide hoop, accenting her tiny waist. Her red-gold hair spilled down her back, making her skin appear creamy and smooth. She moved down the steps and walked toward her sister, still unaware that every eye followed her.

Greeting friends as she passed, Rachel went directly to Delia. "Smile," she whispered. "You are always preaching to me about helping Whit's image. Shouldn't you take your own advice?"

Delia looked at her archly.

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