Its doors were thrown open this night to host a military ball. The red, white, and blue of the Union flag, prominently displayed, echoed the colors in the bunting that draped the bandstand where musicians from Fort Gibson played. Officers in full dress uniform whirled their partners in an ever-moving circle around the dance floor. As far as Adam Clark was concerned, none of the ladies in attendance was as lovely as the woman he held in his arms, none more alluring even though the necklines of their gowns dipped daringly low. The illusion of décolleté was there in Diane's blue satin gown, but a sheer lace netting of silver and blue threads discreetly covered the swell of her breasts and the bareness of her shoulders, culminating in a high-ruffed collar of satin at the throat. "You do realize that I am the envy of every man here," he said, needing to have her look at him. "Is that right?" she murmured, her lips curving. "A smile. I finally coaxed one from you." "I haven't been very good company tonight, have I?
