Hadleigh

Evylynn's POV:

Hadleigh had been a lifesaver the last few weeks. Though she was terrified whenever Theo was around. Because of this, he'd made himself scarce when she was over. I'd also swallowed my pride and asked Margorie for help. Marjorie seemed to really like Hadleigh, while she still only barely tolerated me. Which was fine, there was only one person that had an opinion on me that mattered and that was Theo. Haddy wasn't sure if she planned on coming to the party or not, but I think the gypsies fascinated her. In the week before the party, they began arriving. Their trailers are parked in the fields near the houses. Their fires lit late into the night and laughing and hollering could also be heard late into the night. They ate all as one big family, each contributing something else. Haddy was infatuated with some of their foods, claiming she could stuff her face with them day and night and never tire of the taste. I think she craved freedom from social constraints. She'd been forced since she was young to uphold an image and to be a certain way. Women weren't to be heard in my uncle's house. I watched as Haddy grew slightly comfortable with Margie, then with the others. The party was looming though and she'd yet to meet Henry, Andrew, the rest of the gang and most importantly Augustus. I think the prospect of that was what was keeping her an arm's length away from this party

*The day of the party*

"Miss Taylor?" Mrs. Poe said as she knocked on the door to what had become my office, I looked up at her surprised. I'd lost track of time I thought as she stated that the guests were beginning to arrive. I stood quickly and rushed to Theodore's bedroom. In my bedroom, I corrected myself. Theo was nowhere to be seen in the room or the large walk-in closet, I looked next in the bathroom next door. He was there, shaving his beautiful face, his shirt draped over a chair and his pants unbuttoned. He was gorgeous, I thought as I entered the room. He made eye contact with me for a brief moment before focusing back on his face in the mirror.

"There you are," He smirked.

"I've been busy," I responded.

"Hadleigh is downstairs seeing to everything."

"She came?!"

"Yes," he responded not smiling. He hadn't done much of that in the last few weeks unless we were alone. I had a feeling that this party was the turning point of something, but every time I tried to talk about it he rebuffed me and told me it was nothing to worry about. I smiled a bit at him before turning to leave the room and get ready myself. My dress was black and fit tightly around my body. It showed off more than I'd ever been willing to before, but Haddy insisted that it was perfect for the event after speaking with some of the girls from the gypsy camp and seeing what they were wearing. I sighed as I looked at it, it was beautiful but the dress nearly scared me. He hadn't seen it yet, and that prospect excited me. We hadn't been together in nearly a week because we'd both been so busy. The need was turning into a constant itch between my shoulders and a burning heat between my hips every time I saw him. Maybe tonight we'd end that streak. I leaned down to latch the belt to my hose when the door opened. I was in nothing but my underclothes. The room was quiet as he looked at me, taking in every inch at his leisure. He leaned against the door frame with the door wide open. I was frozen in place as I watched his eyes.

*Theodore's POV*

She was leaned over in the same way she had been when I'd first seen her like this. I tried to control my breathing as I watched her. She was frozen staring at me. The only difference from the first night to now was that she was wearing black this night as opposed to the white under-things she wore the first night. I didn't move from the door as I buttoned my shirt, I didn't break eye contact as I smirked at her. She was everything I wanted and needed, especially after a week of not being together, but now was not the time. Gus had called and he was on his way. I finished buttoning my shirt as she straightened and made her way to me slowly as if gauging my reaction.

"You look delicious," I uttered when she was within arms reach. A blush graced her face, I loved all of her looks but her skin blushing was my favorite. I began tieing my tie. Not breaking eye contact with her. "Don't leave the house tonight," I uttered, watching her face grow confused.

"There are a few people Gus is doing business with and I don't trust them." I said quietly.

"That's the purpose of this party? Business?" She said, annoyance growing in her tone.

"That's the purpose of every party love, but this party, in particular, is to distract Gus from the time of year it is."

"She died during this time of year hadn't she?" She responded, knowing enough about Genevieve to know she had died years before. I sighed.

"Yes, but do not speak of her to Gus or Georgie."

"You said you didn't trust these men he's doing business with?" She asked, not missing that part of the conversation.

"Only because I don't know them. They owe us a debt, we're wanting it repaid. They'll be discussing that. I will be present for that part of the meeting. If you can't find me don't come looking. I'll find you once it's done."

"Ok." She said, a small amount of fear in her eyes, but she trusted me. We were doing this to find the men that had taken her, it had taken far too long to bring this situation to a close. I could hardly sleep at night knowing they hadn't been dealt with yet. She leaned up to kiss me then turned back to her dress. If you could call it a dress, it was closer to a strip of cloth with beads hanging off it. The true gypsy style I thought as I shook my head and turned from the door. I'd be taking that off of her later, and I'd be slicing anyone's eyes that lingered for too long on her.

*Hadleigh's POV*

I was not terrified of these people I thought, coaching myself. I'd probably said it a million times, but I was still nervous for the evening. These were dangerous people after all, I thought as I straightened a vase in the middle of one of the many tables that had been placed around the ballroom. How neat was that? This place had a ballroom! I smiled at the flowers. The details soothed me I thought as I turned to look at the beautiful room. How Evylynn had gotten fresh flowers in the middle of winter was beyond me. I heard a car pull up, and walked to one of the second-floor balconies, looking down at the Bentley. A handsome man stepped out of the car. His eyes turned up at me, he was beyond handsome but had one of the sternest faces I'd seen. He looked up at me, having felt my eyes on him I assumed. Our eyes met and he just stared, not smiling, no acknowledgment nothing. He just took a puff off of his cigarette and turned back to the Bentley. Two other men joined him from inside the car, this must be Augustus, I thought as I turned and headed back inside. Missing him looking back up at me.

The party was a hit, everyone was dancing, drinking and smoking. Everyone but me. I had danced a few times but I was slightly overwhelmed by the people on the dance floor so I'd taken a seat at one of the tables. A waiter walked over offering me a flute of champagne. I accepted it, the first and only of the night. I never drank more than one drink. I'd never been permitted to drink more. I tipped my head back and drank the whole thing. How very gusto of me I giggled quietly. Turning to look for Evylynn in the crowd. She'd been dancing with someone the last time I'd seen her. I looked around the room for her or Margorie, finding only Evylynn who was making her way across the room towards Theodore who stood with who I could only assume was his close relatives. I hadn't yet been introduced. I sighed looking down at my fingers as they twisted one of the napkins. I didn't fit in with these people just as I hadn't with the people at the parties my parents threw. I stood, fighting the tears and walked to the closest balcony. I slipped outside, not noticing several pairs of blue eyes that followed me out.