The Degradation of Shelby Ann by Emma Cole

Chapter Three

Shelby

Of course the powder room was as opulent as the rest of the building, done up with fabric walls and honest-to-goodness fainting couches. And an attendant. I thought the woman was waiting in line and flushed yet again when she asked if I needed assistance.

I quickly muttered "No, thank you" and scurried off into the nearest water closet. The whirring of a discreet fan was barely noticeable above the faint strains of some classical music coming from the ceiling. A playlist to accompany doing your business. My thought nearly prompted a hysterical giggle at the over-the-top accoutrement.

There was no point in not using the facilities while I was in there, so I quickly handled that and took a few calming breaths before stepping out to wash my hands. Only to find the tittering blondes from the dining room on a blush-colored settee with their heads close together. The attendant had a hand towel over her arm and was stationed at the sink, giving me the perfect reason to ignore the women. The tension might have all been in my head, but the instant the water was shut off, they proved my instincts correct, raising their voices enough to carry to where I was hurriedly drying my hands.

“Didn’t Cindy Jenkins have that same set of chocolate diamonds on at the fundraiser the other night? I’m appalled that Dirk would ask for them back just to loan them out.”

Until they mentioned Dirk, I'd nearly sighed in relief that they weren't talking about me. Then I put two and two together, my heart hurting that he'd been on a date when he'd told me he had a business function to attend. Tonight was supposed to make up for him not being around in over a week. The diamonds I'd mistaken for topaz were a gift, or so I'd thought.

My sorrow-filled gaze went to the jewelry, a shade or two darker than my amber eyes. It was set off perfectly by my lightly tanned complexion and deep auburn hair, more red than brown, and as the impact settled, I felt a tingle in my pixie nose, heralding the tears that would soon follow the telltale sensation.

I didn't want to have to walk past them; they’d obviously only come in here to rile me up. But staying here while the attendant stared at me in pity wasn't palatable either. Not to mention I still had to deal with Dirk.

Told you to run before you got hurt. Stupid girl.

"Shut up!" I hissed at the voice, unintentionally speaking aloud. The occupants of the room didn't know I was talking to myself though, and as the blondes rose from their perch like the harpies they were, the attendant backed out of range.

"Oh, the gauche little hillbilly has a temper too!" The one that had spoken before tutted to her friend in mock outrage. "What would poor Cindy think, how would she feel, to know you were wearing her jewelry?"

The other answered her while I stared at their reflections in the mirror, refusing to turn around just yet. I'd have thought this was rehearsed from how well they parried back and forth, but I probably wasn't the first woman they'd done this to.

"Oh, Stacey dear, I'm positive she'd faint dead away if she knew her intended's mistress had them." The indents in my flesh, hidden by the dress, burned with shame. I'd let that man mark me and enjoyed it, and I was to be his mistress? My implosion was only briefly halted by her next remark. "Lord Almighty, the girl doesn't even know how to order properly. Why the devil he would bring her in public...well, I just haven't the foggiest. Besides, that south-in-the-mouth accent is appalling! He could at least train her up before parading her about."

As they talked to each other while making sure to keep from directly addressing me, my fury grew.

Hillbilly, huh? Show them, girly, then tell that rich bastard to eat shit.

There was no arguing with the voice. I was in full agreement. The bane of my existence, fucking bottles of Evian sat in a decorative bowl filled with ice, but mixed in were a few green bottles Irecognized. The diner I waitressed at carried them because the owner loved to collect the empties for her projects.

The twats made more digs, deigning to ask me directly if I knew what sparkling water was, while I pulled one out and broke the seal. Their gales of laughter, induced when I tightened the lid back up after the carbonation hissed a bit, had them slightly bent over, not paying attention at all.

Dumb bitches,the voice crowed in glee.

Yes, yes, they were. Several firm shakes preceded my spin, then the lid was removed as the bottle top was leveled at their coiffed tresses and powered faces.

Their laughter turned to shrieks as the water spewed at them, steadily eating through their carefully made up faces and soaking their dresses. Their makeup held out okay for the most part, but they still looked like little drowned dollies when I was through.

Without a word, I dropped the bottle into the marble sink then shoved past them and out the door, only marginally noticing the attendant trying to contain her horror-laced mirth in the corner.

Employees rushed into the restroom behind me, the opening and closing of the door letting bursts of outrage trickle through before cutting them off again. I fully expected to be detained and kicked out, but I made it back to the table unscathed. Dirk rose from his chair in welcome, coming around to help me, and when I saw the sparkle of mischief in his eyes, I lost the will to fuel my fury. The hurt was still there, but I'd already embarrassed us both enough, so I decided on the spot to break up with him in private.

The voice hissed that I was a weak, besotted fool, but I ignored it. I was weak and besotted over the man helping me take my seat. I couldn't help it. It felt like I'd die inside when we parted ways for good, and even a little forestalling of the inevitable kept me from immediately cracking in two. I knew this was the part that the evil sea witch pontificates about, but I didn't care. I just wanted him for however long I could keep my self-respect buried as deep as it'd go. I wasn't a princess that would get to marry the prince, even if it meant leaving behind all that I knew to pursue my happily ever after. No, I was the girl from a podunk little town, and I'd take what I could get and live off the memories and what ifs. So I let Dirk push my chair in and pretended all was right with the world.

As soon as we were both seated, the restroom attendant appeared behind Dirk and gathered the women's belongings. When she passed by our table, she gave me a surreptitious wink, instantly making me feel a bit better about the whole debacle of a night. I could do this. I just had to get through dinner, and then...I didn't want to think about that part. But I didn't have to because Dirk was trying to get my attention.

"Want to tell me what happened with Stacy and Maria? I was worried I'd have to brave the women's room if you didn't come back shortly." My blush probably said it all, but I just shrugged, not interested in rehashing their barbs just yet. His face fell, but he carried on. "I hope you're alright and they didn't do anything, but I know that's unlikely. Whatever happened, they deserved it, I'm sure." Then, Dirk changed the subject, letting me know he'd ordered already, and despite my not expecting him to let it go so easily, he dropped the matter.

* * *

Imanaged to clear most of the courses, that were served in tiny portions on fine china, despite my jittery stomach. The food was just that good, and dessert was divine. I did indeed have wine, and not a soul gave me a side-eye about it. We were finishing off the bottle before heading upstairs when Dirk abruptly stood. Before I could set my glass down and prepare to get up, Dirk pulled up the legs of his pants and kneeled, right there on the floor next to me.

My chair made the slightest of squeaks when I jolted back in surprise, but it only gave the man on one knee the access to reach for my empty hand. I swore my heart rate tripled then stuttered in the confines of my chest when he pulled a little black box from his jacket pocket.

With a megawatt smile exposing his ultra-bright veneers, Dirk fumbled the lid open with one long-fingered hand. My own trembled in his grasp as I took in the clear stone in a round setting, surrounded by a circle of tiny gems that matched the ones I already wore.

"Shelby Ann, darling, will you do me the honor of being my wife?" My eyes flicked up to lock on his, but I could only find a mixture of nervous excitement in them. There was no hint of deception; this wasn't a joke.

Don't you fucking dare, girly. Did you forget about Cindy what's-her-face?No, I hadn't, but what if those women were doing what mean girls did? Could I ruin my future? His? Could I embarrass him like that? No, I couldn't. In front of his peers, he was asking me to be his, forever. It would be my name in the papers, our picture above it. I'd be Mrs. Winston Hamilton III. There was no way I was prematurely giving that up, not when my heart, among other things, craved him, loved him, with an obsessiveness I couldn't fight. So I told that voice to shut up. After all, I’d be asking about the women's taunts, and if he had stepped out on me, well, I could always break it off.

"Shelby? Is something wrong?" Dirk's smile had tightened at the corners while I argued with myself. People were staring, and I swore I could see nervous sweat beading along his hairline. It was cool in here despite the Georgian evening heat outside, so that wasn't to blame. Realizing I was wandering off in my head again, I put the man out of his misery and all but launched at him from my chair. Propriety be damned!

"Yes! Yes, I'll marry you!" I cried out as I wrapped my arms around his neck, completely ignoring the ring for the moment. He returned the embrace before pulling back and pressing his lips to mine. The kiss remained chaste as the other diners and staff clapped in celebration of our newly impending nuptials.

You're going to regret this!

And I told you to shut up!

* * *

Isat there in a happy little bubble, staring at my ring and twisting my hand to and fro to catch the light, making it sparkle, while Dirk accepted backslaps and well wishes from several couples that came over to congratulate us before we escaped to our suite. Dirk held my hand the entire way, and I worried that it was a sweaty mess from my mounting apprehension. I wasn't great with confrontation, the incident in the bathroom being a one off. It took losing my temper to get that type of reaction from me.

But he didn't notice, or at least didn't act like he did, and once we were ensconced behind the sturdy door, he immediately let go and seized my lips in a probing kiss while winding his arms around me to crush my body against his. I returned his ardor full force, but the niggling questions from the bitchy duo prodded me into breaking the embrace.

As soon as he realized I was pushing against him, Dirk stepped back, radiating confusion. "Is something wrong, darling? I wasn't trying to pressure you into anything. We can wait until we're married if you'd like."

It took me a second to figure out what he meant, then it dawned on me that he was worried about wanting sex. That had bugged me before, the lack of it, but it was definitely low on my priority list at the moment.

"It's not that," I began as I edged around him to get to the sofa and settle in for the conversation. He had just started to settle down next to me when I blurted out, "Who is Cindy, and why did you give me her jewelry?" The rest of his descent was less than graceful as he plopped into the seat, but I couldn't tell if his surprise was at my knowledge or if he didn't know what I was talking about.

"Cindy who? And I told you I bought that on a whim earlier today—at the boutique your dress came from. It matched the ring so well… I don't understand what's going on here." He sounded a bit cranky, but the only indication on his face was the slight crease between his eyes where his brows pulled down.

With a sigh, I recounted what had happened in the women's room. Dirk held his tongue, but his expression went from dumbfounded to pissed enough that I considered scooting away. Finally, it lightened into amusement with a bit of pride shining from the depths of his blue eyes.

"Those women are trolls. They've been through half the men in Savannah, and it always ends with some story to excuse the break-up. In truth, no one can put up with them long enough to get serious. They're tied at the hip, and only their daddies' money and influence keep them from being permanently run out of town. I think they just returned from a trip abroad, as the fundraiser the other day was the first I've seen of them in months." He stopped like that was a good enough explanation.

But it isn't, is it?

No, and I'm working on it. Hold your damn horses!

"So, what about this Cindy? You aren't seeing her, weren't at the fundraiser with her?" I believed him about the jewelry, but the rest…

"Shelby, why did you accept my proposal if you thought I was with another woman?" At my glare, he hurried on to explain. "The only Cindy I can think of right now is Governor Jenkins' daughter, and she's a mousy little thing that didn't have a date. All I did was escort her around at my father's request, who I attended with by the way, while he talked business with the governor. It was boring as hell, but Father is hoping to get one of the state's upcoming contracts regarding shipping." My blank look had him sighing. "Imports and exports? Hamilton International, the family's shipping company? Jesus, Shelby, half the women in my circle could probably name my net worth without batting an eye, and you act like it doesn't matter."

I blushed at my forgetfulness, but…"It doesn't matter, Dirk. Not to me anyway." I shrugged at his incredulity. "I understand why you did it, but if we're really engaged," I kept on after his firm nod, "then no more escorting other women. It's embarrassing and hurts my feelings. If those women at the restaurant knew enough about me to make me a target after being out of the country, then others know as well. I can't face your circle of friends and associates with that hanging over my head. I'll be a laughingstock!"

You'll be one anyway when you use the wrong fork at your first ladies luncheon.

Didn't I tell you to shut it?

Thankfully, Dirk agreed with me. "Of course, darling. I believe we have a few months before the next function, and we'll have our engagement party a bit before that. Nina will have you whipped into shape by then for sure."

His beaming grin fell when I snapped at him, hurt lacing my voice, "Who the fuck is Nina? And could you make it any more clear that I'm not good enough like I am?"