(From Chapter 12)

While Diana's appearance was mesmerizing, Cleo's left the invited guests stunned. Silver River had not been exposed to alternative lifestyles, although there were rumors about at least two people who chose to live on the outskirts of town. Silver River had never seen a dashing, handsome woman in a tuxedo with a lady on her arm.

Jonathan was smug. The evening was not going to be such a bore after all. Not with the new neighbors in attendance. Actually, he had been pleasantly surprised that Cleo Damien had accepted the invitation at all. Gathering himself, he strode to the couple and formerly introduced himself. There was an icy glare in Cleo's eyes that made him a bit uncomfortable.

"Very glad you could join us on such short notice and I apologize for that. Good help is difficult to find around here."

Cleo could have sworn her host was talking to her, but he had not taken his eyes off Diana since he had started speaking.

"It was very gracious to invite us, Mr. Anzalone, considering you don't know us at
all." Cleo said.

"Thank you for the invitation," Diana smiled charmingly at Jonathan as he took her hand and lifted it to his lips. Cleo wanted to vomit.

"Please," Jonathan made a sweeping gesture that encompassed the entire room. "Take this as an opportunity to meet a few of your neighbors. Make yourselves at home." He motioned for the music to begin again. "May I have this dance, Ms. Renoir?" Jonathan asked with a low bow that pissed Cleo off more. 

Diana looked at Cleo and she nodded, knowing Diana would kill her if she refused.

"Oh, forgive me. I suppose I should have asked permission from Ms. Damien. You play the part of the man, is that correct?"

Cleo did not miss the warning in Diana's eyes. She bit her tongue. A little.

"It has been some time since I have participated in anything as entertaining and deceptive as theater, Mr. Anzalone. Diana may dance with whomever she pleases. We both know that she will leave these festivities with me. Don't we?"

Someone overheard the exchange and laughed out loud. Jonathan turned a bright shade of red as he offered his arm to Diana and they floated away.

Cleo stared daggers into Jonathan's back as he swept Diana around the room. There was a tug at Cleo's sleeve. She looked down to see Nathan looking up at her. 
"Well, you clean up rather nicely there, Anzalone."

"So do you." Nathan paused as he watched the dark expression on Cleo's face. "You want a drink?"

Cleo looked down at him. 

"You are the perfect host, Anzalone. Lead the way."

The evening passed. Cleo stood in a corner alone as the party went on around her. A few of the men started over to introduce themselves, but they were intercepted by their wives. She noticed that Diana was in an animated conversation with the Finimore sisters and at one point after that, Diana was being introduced to someone by Ophelia Anzalone. Cleo swore under her breath. After a while the women had encircled Diana like a group of school kids around a puppy. Cleo was ready to leave. 
Jonathan Anzalone stopped her as she crossed the floor to gather Diana and make a gracious exit. 

"Ah!" Jonathan oozed. "Your timing is perfect, Ms. Damien. It is customary at these gatherings that the newest members of the community lead the waltz."

"That's very charming, Mr. Anzalone. Is this the real invitation? The one that is supposed to humiliate us in front of your friends and the rest of the community?" Cleo challenged heatedly.

"I have no idea what you're talking about," Jonathan smiled.

Diana looked at Cleo quizzically as she grabbed Diana's hand. She thought they were going to dance until she realized that Cleo was headed for the door. 

"You promised," Diana reminded her under her breath. Once again, the musicians stopped playing. All eyes were on the couple. It was obvious Jonathan was enjoying the display. After a pause, Cleo nodded toward the musicians. They started the waltz again. 

Cleo delicately swept Diana into her arms. Several of the guests gasped in shock as the two women danced a graceful, elegant waltz around the floor. When the song ended Cleo gently spun Diana out to her side, still holding her hand, and with a bow and a curtsey it was done.

There was amazed silence. Even Nathan was standing there with his mouth open. He had never witnessed anything so beautiful. Suddenly in the silence, there was applause. It was Ophelia Anzalone. She was smiling. The applause picked up and carried around the room until it was thunderous. Cleo and Diana bowed and curtsied again.

"Can we go home now?" Cleo asked, all but begging Diana under her breath.

"No," Diana answered. Suddenly, she kissed Cleo full on the lips for much longer than Cleo, in her surprise, felt was necessary. "Now we can go."

Hand in hand, the two women left the ballroom with a furious Jonathan Anzalone looking after.
 

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