Chapter Thirty
The day of the officer’s ball passed in a blur. Brie and I went downtown to Philippe’s shop for fittings, and then made a stop for manicures and pedicures before returning home that afternoon. She’d decided to get ready at my house, and then we’d all leave for the ball together. We bathed early, before the guys returned from another meeting with their unit. Everett and Philippe showed up at the house around 5:30 so they could “fuss, take pictures and see us off,” as Everett had put it.
“Knock, knock, may I come in?” Everett called around my door.
“Yes, we’re both decent. Help me decide what to do with my hair.” I’d helped Brie curl hers, and it fell loosely in red ringlets down her back. We both sat wrapped in our bathrobes, with our makeup perfect, waiting to put our dresses on. Banton and John had just returned, and were in their rooms getting ready.
“I’m thinking, darlin’, that dress calls for a delicate neck and soft, simple hair. So let’s pull it back in a French twist.”
“Oh, I don’t know…” I wasn’t much on severe hairstyles or buns.
“Do you trust me? Tonight, we need nothing distracting from your beautiful face radiating out from that beautiful dress.”
“Okay, do your stuff.” I smiled at him in the mirror. Ten minutes later, he had my hair tamed into a beautifully sleek mass around the back of my head. He was so right it was a little agitating. He helped both of us slip into our gowns, and we turned to look at each other. Brie’s dress had such a romantic look to it. It swirled around her body, and then draped into full shredded ruffles in the back. The back of the dress dipped down daringly low, and framed her curls on her bare back. The blue in the dress made her eyes look like they sparkled.
Everett and I looked at each other and smiled. John would be lucky to breathe after seeing her. They both turned to look at me as Philippe came through the door, and walked over to zip me up in the back. Everett just shook his head back and forth as Brie smiled.
“What?” I asked him.
“You look like a porcelain doll, ma petit. Look.” He pointed to the full length mirror on the wall. As I remembered, I had cleavage. The sweetheart neckline of the dress wrapped my chest into perfection. The fabric of the dress seemed to swirl tightly around my waist, and then flow out from my hips, draping down to the ground. I had to admit, I looked stunning. The color made my face glow, and made my dark eyes pop. Philippe brought out white elbow length gloves, and then held a box out for me to open.
“What is this?” I wondered, lifting the lid.
“Banton called me a couple of days ago, and asked that I coordinate with a jeweler to pick the perfect jewelry for your dress, and spare no expense.” He smiled as I gasped. Nestled inside was a black velvet choker, with large ruby pendant surrounded by diamonds and pearls made to lie just on the collar bone. There were matching ruby earrings; the set had a vintage feel to it.
“Banton bought these for me?” I asked, amazed once again at his extravagance.
“Yes, he did, bless his romantic soul,” Everett sighed.
“Oh, why are all the good ones taken?” Philippe exclaimed, draping the necklace around my neck.
“Okay, ladies, Mr. Philippe and I are going downstairs and station ourselves with cameras in the entry hall. You ladies make your entrances, Gabriella first, so we can snap the pictures we want!”
“We follow your orders,” I answered, suddenly nervous.
Brie went down first, and I waited a couple of minutes, and then descended. Banton stood at the foot of the stairs, utterly handsome in his dress whites, waiting on my descent and smiling. I felt silly as the flashes from Philippe’s camera flicked in the background.
“Chandler,” Banton whispered my name like a prayer, his gazed fixed on me.
“Pass inspection?” I asked, taking the satin shoulder wrap from Everett that matched the dress.
“You take my breath away,” he whispered in my ear.
Banton placed his hand at the small of my back, and ushered me through the door. I stopped, and turned to smile up at him. “Banton, the jewelry is so beautiful. You shouldn’t have, but I just adore it. It looks antique!”
“The jewels suit you, Chandler. They are stunning on you.” He gently brushed his fingers across the delicate stone at the hollow of my neck, and then bent to place a kiss there.
“Come on, you can make out in the limo!” John shouted at us from the driveway.
“You rented a limo?” I wondered, peering up at him.
“How else were we going to haul all this fabric to New Orleans?” John laughed as he tucked excess dress in around Brie before climbing into the seat after her. Banton helped me into the seat opposite them, and we were off. Everett and Mr. Philippe stood on the porch waving like the servants in Cinderella. They were totally endearing, for a couple of ancient vampires.
I was thoroughly entertained all the way to the base. Banton could hardly keep his hands off me, and I loved the feeling. I watched John curiously, he was having trouble concentrating on anything besides gazing at Brie. She seemed to be oblivious to what an effect she had on him. Banton noticed too, and smirked at me several times as we watched them together.
I gathered by their jovial conversation all was forgiven between Banton and John, and I was relieved. We finally pulled up to the old historic meetinghouse where the ball was being held. John helped Brie out first, and Banton and I followed. The outside of the place had huge stone steps and large columns leading into a wide veranda, and we could see dancers already swirling inside through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Uniformed officers met us at the door, and took our wraps and handbags.
John and Banton introduced us to several of the commanders and their wives as we passed through the receiving line, and then left us to go and get drinks from the bar.
“I felt a bit silly with all of the formality of our gowns, but now I see why Philippe picked them,” Brie whispered, both of us surveying the room. Anything less formal and we would have been out of place. I’d never seen so many beautiful people in one place before.
A stately, mature looking officer and his wife approached us while we wondered at the crowd. “Miss Collins, isn’t it? I’m Commander Andrew Singleton, and this is my wife, Mary. You’re Banton Gastaneau’s fiancée, am I right?”
“Um, yes sir. I am. It’s so nice to meet you, I think I’ve heard your voice before on my answering machine. This is Miss Gabriella Adams, John Calder’s girlfriend.
“How do you do?” Brie addressed the commander and his wife.
Banton and John returned with our drinks, handing them to us. Banton turned to greet Commander Singleton. The men began to visit as Mrs. Singleton talked to Brie and me.
“You girls have beautiful dresses on, some of Philippe’s?” she inquired, smiling.
“Why, yes, how did you know?” I was amazed she knew where the dresses came from.
“I can always tell when the young ladies attending our formals are wearing off the rack gowns, and when they come in originals. Here in Louisiana, if you want a gown to make a statement, you go to Philippe.”
“May I have this dance, Miss Collins?” Banton set our drinks down on the table, and bowed formally, holding his hand out to mine.
“I’d be honored, kind sir.” I smiled at his handsome face as he twirled me out on the dance floor.
We swayed and swirled to a waltz tempo.
He whispered down into my ear, nuzzling my neck. “I never asked you if you could dance, you are incredible.”
“Dance team, remember? I learned the basics. Where did you learn to dance like this?” I asked, amazed at his gracefulness.
“Two sisters, remember?” he mimicked my tone. “And I will have to thank them, I’ve never appreciated knowing how until this moment, with you. I think everyone is staring at us.” We glanced around the room. Several people, especially some of the other women, watched us as we swirled gracefully in the center of the dance floor.
“I t
hink they are jealous. I’m dancing with the most handsome man here. You are absolutely the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen in uniform.” I gazed into his eyes, and for the thousandth time, couldn’t believe he was mine.
“Oh, sweetheart, you have it so backward.” He smiled. “They are all jealous of you. You are the most beautiful woman here. I meant it, earlier, when I said you take my breath away. It almost hurts my heart to look at you.” His eyes burned down into mine, and I wanted to be alone with him so badly.
We continued to dance to the next dance, a slow love song, necessitating his taking me closely into his arms. He placed slow, deliberate kisses on my bare shoulders, cradling my hand close to his body. His thumb traced the fabric of my dress across my shoulder blades in the back, as he whispered into my ear. “I’m sorry I didn’t think…we needed our own limo on the ride back. It’s going to be a little crowded.” He kissed my neck just under my ear, and I shivered. John and Brie danced close by, and I figured they were having about the same conversation; he held her as closely as he could to his own body.
Another slow song followed, and it sent chills up my spine. A lady stepped to the microphone, and crooned my favorite Lena Horne tune, “The Very Thought of You.”
“I love this song. Actually, I love anything Lena Horne sang,” I sighed. Banton looked down at me, a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth, and his dimple peeked at me.
“What?” I asked, wondering what amused him.
“I just never cease to be amazed at you, your interests. How many twenty-two year olds know who Lena Horne was, know how to refinish floors, know the words to every Elvis Presley song? I think that’s part of the reason why I’m so fascinated by you.” His eyes smoldered as he gazed down at my neckline.
I giggled. “You’re just fascinated with my new cleavage.”
He put his lips close to my ear, tickling me as he whispered, “You caught me! I’ve been meaning to ask you all night, how many layers do you have on under that dress?”
“You’ll find out soon enough,” I promised him, barely containing my excitement at being alone with him.
As the song ended, a rather large officer tapped Banton on the shoulder. “I don’t believe I’ve had the honor of meeting your young lady, Gastaneau.”
Banton’s posture stiffened and I could sense he didn’t care for this man. I was getting pretty good at being able to read Banton’s reactions. “Chandler, I’d like to introduce Commander Reed. Commander, may I present my fiancée, Miss Chandler Collins.”
Commander Reed took my hand and bowed over it. “Miss Collins, may I have the pleasure of the next dance?” His head bobbed a little, and he seemed unsteady on his feet, like he’d had too much to drink. I knew enough of military protocol to know I shouldn’t turn him down. I glanced back at Banton’s guarded expression and then smiled and opened my arms to him. “Commander?”
He took me in his arms, too close for my comfort zone, and led me back onto the dance floor. It was another waltz, and he was having a terrible time keeping up, tripping several times on the hem of my dress and stumbling into me. He seemed pleased with himself whenever his body brushed too closely to mine, and I became unbearably uncomfortable. He managed to work us through the crowd on the dance floor, to the back of the room. I fought to see Banton through the crowd.
Commander Reed’s breath reeked of alcohol, suffocating me as he spoke.
“Miss Collins, you are the prettiest one here tonight.” He leered down at my breasts. I was abruptly self-conscious of my new cleavage.
“I’m sure you are exaggerating.” I smiled, and made what I thought was an appropriate response.
“No, it seems really unfair Gastaneau would have you all to himself.” He reached his hand clumsily up to my neck and brushed the back of his hand across my bare skin, just above the neckline of my dress. I pulled away and made an excuse.
“I think I’d better be getting back to Banton, I seem to have lost him.” I turned as he grabbed my arm and pulled me back into him. He grasped at my waist way below my waistline and missed, grabbing my hips roughly with his hands, pulling me into his body. I heard a roar behind me.
“Take your hands off, Reed, or I’ll do it for you,” Banton gritted between his teeth, his glare tearing through the man.
“Now there’s no need to get all rowdy, Gastaneau, we’re all civilized people here…Well, some of us, anyway,” Reed slurred, rocking back on his heels. “I was just taking her out for a test drive, that’s all. I thought she might prefer somebody more normal.” He leered down at me.
Banton reached out and took my arm roughly, pulling me behind him out of the way. He then lunged at the Commander’s smug face. I grabbed at Banton’s arm, trying to pull him back to me. It was like trying to move a brick column.
“Banton, don’t. It’s not worth it. Please!” I pleaded with him as several couples had stopped to stare at us. “Banton?”
Thankfully, John pushed through the crowd to us, and grabbed Banton around the shoulders, and whispered into his ear, “Not now, brother. Not now, come on, be smart. This is what he wants, so he can put you on report. Get a handle on it, come on!” John finally got Banton to turn and look at him. “Come take a walk with me, brother.” He led Banton back across the dance floor with one hand, while he put his hand low on my back, escorting me as well. I was frightened at Banton’s half-crazed expression. At that point, I knew the party was over for us. We met Brie’s worried gaze at the far side of the dance floor, and she followed us out to the foyer. John requested our things and we hastily retreated to our limo.
When we were safely away from the dance, Banton’s expression began to relax, and he seemed more like himself. He took me into his arms and held me closely, whispering into my ear, “Andie, I’m sorry I lost it. I just couldn’t stand his putting his hands on you; I wanted to break his neck.”
“Don’t sweat it, brother. So did I, and I don’t have the temper issues like you do. That son-of-a-bitch had something coming I wish we could have given him right there.” I’d never heard John swear like that before, and it startled me. He glanced up at me. “Andie, are you okay? He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“No, I’m fine. He just made me uncomfortable, that’s all. I’m really fine.” I looked up at Banton to reassure him.
Brie spoke then. “Why don’t we go somewhere quiet, and get a bite to eat, since it’s early? I will enjoy the present company much better than that crowd, anyway.”
John looked questioningly at Banton, and he nodded, and tapped on the glass that separated us from the driver. “Take us to Arnaud’s, please.” The driver nodded, and turned a corner.
We rode on in silence for several blocks. I watched Banton carefully as he gazed out the side window of the limo. After a few minutes, he turned back to me, and seemed to be totally calm. I squeezed his hand, letting him know how proud I was of his control.
The café in the French Quarter where Banton took us had an intimate atmosphere, and was not crowded, so we were almost the only ones there. A small jazz band played in the background, and it seemed to soothe everyone’s mood. We all finally relaxed and began to enjoy the evening.
“So, what kind of bachelor party are we throwing you, my brother? Are we going out with a bang, Navy style?” John grinned lopsidedly at Banton.
“Only if we get to have just as much fun at the bachelorette party…” Brie smiled knowingly over at me.
“Uh, I’m thinking we’d all better party together that night. I don’t think I could stand being away from these two beautiful ladies, and I definitely don’t want to go through the torture of not knowing what they might be up to,” Banton teased, smiling down at me.
“That is definitely all right with me. I think just an elegant dinner party at the house with all of our attendants and close friends. That’s my idea of the perfect evening, anyway,” I stated, beaming at all of them.
“No way are you cooking for all of us. You do that too much already. That needs
to be your night, and Banton’s,” John stated vehemently.
Banton broke in then. “We’ll hire a caterer, and a bartender, and do it right. Chandler won’t do a thing but be her charming self, and enjoy her own party.” He placed his arm around my shoulders, and caressed my bare arm.
“Oh, Banton, that’s not necessary. It would be so expensive, and it won’t be any trouble for me to…”
“Chandler, let me spend money on you, all right?” He began to sound agitated, but then checked himself. “Oh, John, remember Hillary?” He raised an eyebrow at John.
“Oh, brother, don’t remind me. High maintenance B….” He rolled his eyes.
“Who is Hillary?” I turned to Banton. I’d never heard him mention a former girlfriend.
“Remember I told you I hadn’t dated anyone since I got out of active duty?”
I nodded.
“Well, Hillary was the last girl I dated. Her uncle was a commander on base, and he set us up. We were together for a short while, and she was…demanding, to say the least. Nothing was ever good enough for her. You are the total opposite of her, Chandler. You never ask for anything, even when you need to.” He brushed a kiss across my lips. “So let me do some things for you.”
“Okay, okay. I’m just used to watching a tight budget, that’s all. My mother raised me to be conservative with money.”
Suddenly, my stomach rolled over and I began to get dizzy, as a cold sweat broke out across my forehead. I took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
“Chandler, do you feel all right?” Brie asked me from across the table.
“Sweetheart, you’re pale – are you sick?” Banton asked, placing the back of his hand against my cheek.
“I think I just need some fresh air. Maybe it’s something I ate, and this dress is so tight.” I looked up at Banton, and he helped me up from the chair, and ushered me out the side door of the restaurant.
Southern Comfort: Chandler's Story (The Southern Series Book 1) Page 33