Felicity made an exasperated noise. "This," she said, making a gesture to indicate the pictures, "is not an 'announcement'!"
Henry shrugged apologetically. "I wanted everyone to see what a clever girl you are."
"Oh, far more than clever, Henry," a male voice said from the doorway. "The word 'genius' was bandied about rather freely at the last meeting of the Photographic Society."
Felicity turned to see Alex Evans escorting a middle-aged woman into the room.
"You remember Alex, don't you, Felicity?" Henry said.
Felicity forced herself to maintain her composure. "Yes, of course," she replied with a polite smile, giving the gentleman her hand. "So nice to see you again."
"And this is his wife, Elizabeth," Henry added.
When everyone had greeted everyone else, Evans turned to Felicity. "I perceive that you do not approve of your grandfather's surprise."
Felicity was not quite certain exactly what her feelings were on the matter. "I just wish he had consulted me," she said, giving Maxwell a sharp look, which he ignored. "This is really the first time my work has been shown publicly, and I just realized that I feel very uneasy about it."
"But you agreed to let Alex show your pictures at the Exposition," Henry pointed out. "Many thousands of people will see them there."
"But I won't be standing in the room with them," Felicity replied. She had also realized that she considered her work a very private matter, and she was beginning to feel somewhat exposed.
Henry patted her arm reassuringly. "I'm sorry to have upset you, my dear, but there's no need to be concerned. Everyone will love your pictures." There was no time for her to respond. More guests had arrived, and Isabel bustled into the room in a flurry of pink ruffles, looking as if she might faint for real. Felicity had to go to her rescue.
As she stood in the receiving line, Felicity met and greeted the guests with only half of her attention. The rest of it was focused on the photographs hanging around the room and the memories those photographs conjured. Joshua and the men, posing stiffly. Joshua and the rambling house that she loved. Joshua overriding Candace's objections and forcing her to have her picture made. Joshua and Felicity in their wedding clothes, trying not to laugh as Cody made the exposure. And Joshua alone, with desire shining in his eyes. How could she stand having strangers gawking over these private mementos?
And gawk they did. Everyone, it seemed, had come with no other purpose in mind but to examine her pictures. And one corner in particular was drawing more than usual attention. Finally, Felicity could stand the suspense no longer, and she left the receiving line to find out which picture had caused such a stir.
The group clustered there parted as she approached, creating an aisle between herself and the photograph in question. The next moment, Felicity found herself face-to-face with Joshua Logan, the man she loved with every fiber of her being. The man who had broken her heart. Anger and pain surged through her even as she acknowledged that she would give ten years of her life if he would just walk into the room at that moment.
"Oh, my," one woman was saying, "if any man ever looked at me like that, I'd simply die."
"But think what you'd be missing," another woman chided wickedly, causing a ripple of laughter among the group.
"Who on earth is he, my dear?" Elizabeth Evans asked Felicity.
"He's my husband," Felicity said defiantly, unable to suppress her churning emotions. Yes, she would give ten years and more to be in his arms once again. Longing shafted through her with aching swiftness. All the hurt and anger she had felt melted down into an empty pool of loneliness in the heat of his paper gaze.
"Was this picture taken before or after you married, Mrs. Logan?" the woman who had threatened to die inquired.
Felicity thought the question impertinent and rude, but she smiled with saccharine sweetness. "It was taken the day he first made love to me," she replied, momentarily forgetting to conduct herself like a perfect lady.
The woman gasped and her face turned an unbecoming shade of purple, but Felicity acted as if she did not notice. "Do you have any other questions?" she asked innocently.
The woman beat a hasty retreat, but the rest of the group closed in around Felicity. They all had questions, but none of them were rude. They wanted to know things like how long she had studied photography and who had taught her, and they had dozens of questions about the subjects of her photographs. Felicity turned her back on Joshua's picture and concentrated on the answers in an attempt to blot out the memories of her husband.
"You simply must do a portrait of me," Elizabeth Evans said later when some of the furor had died down. The two women had stopped to examine one of the portraits of Blanche Delano.
"But I don't have any of my equipment with me," Felicity protested, thinking what a wonderful subject Mrs. Evans would make. Felicity had often regretted not bringing her camera to Philadelphia since she would have loved to have a portrait of her grandfather, too. Perhaps if she took photographs here, they could help erase the memories these other pictures evoked.
"Nonsense," Elizabeth insisted. "Alex has a dozen cameras at home. He probably hasn't touched half of them in ten years. He even has a room set up for doing all those mysterious things that must be done in darkness. You're more than welcome to use any and all of it. Isn't that right, Alex?" she asked her husband, who had just joined them.
"Only if she promises to give me some pointers in plate making," he qualified.
Felicity protested that he probably did not need any pointers, but he insisted that he did.
Elizabeth interrupted their discussion. "What's this I hear about Alex wanting to put your pictures into the Photograpy Pavilion?"
Felicity found herself blushing at the reminder of the honor Mr. Evans had bestowed upon her. "Your husband thinks my work is good enough…"
"Of course it's good enough. That's not the problem. I just don't think the Photography Pavilion is the place for it. There will be over ten thousand pictures on display in that building. Your work would never get the attention it deserves among so many. Felicity," Elizabeth said, leaning close as if confiding something urgent, "there's also going to be a Women's Pavilion at the Exposition, where the accomplishments of women will be displayed. May we hang your pictures there? They're bound to get more attention…"
"Wait a minute!" Alex protested, but both women ignored him.
Felicity was considering what Elizabeth had said. She was right; with over ten thousand pictures being displayed, hers would be lost. For a moment she thought that might not be a bad idea. But Elizabeth wasn't finished with her arguments.
"You'll be the only woman photographer represented, Felicity. You owe it to all women everywhere to be recognized particularly for your ability. Someday you're going to be famous, and in becoming so, you will help other women enter the field, too."
As much as Felicity's nature rebelled at the thought of being singled out in such a way, and as much as she doubted Elizabeth's prediction about her future fame, she had to agree with her new friend's reasoning. If she could help other women, she should do so. "You're right. I think I would prefer my work to be exhibited in the Women's Pavilion."
Alex groaned dramatically as Elizabeth flashed him a victorious smile.
Felicity was just about to apologize to him when a familiar face appeared over his shoulder.
"Mr. Gordon!" she exclaimed.
Asa Gordon excused himself for interrupting, but the Evanses did not seem to mind, especially when they saw how happy Felicity was to see him. Elizabeth was eager to withdraw with her triumph, and she led a disgruntled Alex away. Felicity took both of Asa's hands in hers and had to fight the urge to fling her arms around his neck. The sight of him reminded her of home and good times, back when she and Joshua had been together.