The Warning in Gold

How could that happen?

I turned sharply toward the woman beside me.

Delia still had her arm linked through mine.

She wore a pale yellow dress that made her complexion look luminous and her expression gentle.

But at that moment, her eyes were fixed on Adrian Prescott.

My heartbeat stumbled.

"Delia."

My voice sounded tighter than I intended. "What are you staring at so intently?"

She startled, and color climbed her throat.

She lowered her lashes. "Nothing. I was only thinking that Major Prescott looks impressive in his dress uniform."

Before I could question her further, a shadow fell across the table.

"Evelyn."

Adrian had approached without my noticing.

He still wore the formal uniform from the homecoming ceremony, and it held him at the same disciplined bearing he'd carried onto the parade ground that morning.

But concern pressed between his brows.

"Why are you so pale? Are you feeling sick?"

I managed a smile.

"I'm fine. The fireplaces are too warm, and the room feels stuffy."

He touched my forehead. His palm was warm and dry. "You're covered in sweat."

I reassured him quietly.

"I'm truly fine. Tonight is about you, and everyone is watching. Don't spend the whole gala hovering over me."

Adrian still wanted to argue, but one of the officers beside him approached with a glass and laughed.

"Prescott, you're not even married yet, and you're already clinging to her in front of the entire regiment?"

Several officers nearby joined the teasing.

Adrian turned and glared at them, helpless, though the back of his neck had gone red.

He lowered his voice. "Sit for a while. If you feel worse, call me immediately."

I nodded and watched him return to the head table.

As he turned away, I caught Delia's gaze following his back until he sat down, and only then did she withdraw her eyes.

Too quickly. I was seated beside her and had seen everything.

It was admiration, and longing, and the private hunger I'd once caught on my own face in the mirror.

A chill crawled up my back.

After Adrian left, I took several slow breaths and spoke as casually as I could.

"Delia, you said you hoped to meet someone tonight. There are plenty of eligible men here. Has anyone caught your attention? I can introduce you."

She set down her glass and refused to look at me.

"Evelyn, don't tease me. I can't choose someone that casually..."

"Then who interests you?"

I kept my tone affectionate. "There's Congressman Hale's son, Senator Whitcomb's nephew, and..."

"Evelyn."

Delia caught my sleeve and shook it lightly.

"Please stop asking. I know my own heart. If there is someone suitable, I'll tell you."

She lowered her head and twisted her napkin, her voice barely audible.

"It just isn't time yet."

Something twisted low in my chest and refused to let go.

She admitted that she wanted someone but refused to name him.

She said the time hadn't come.

Yet the way she looked at Adrian was unmistakably the way a woman looked at the man she loved.

I lifted my wine and took one cold sip, but it didn't touch the nausea rising in me.

The golden warning was real.

Which meant her attempt to trap Adrian was real too.