"How deep is the river?"
"'Bout three foot in the middle, but it's deeper now from snow melt."
Nick pointed out what looked like a slatted wooden box placed under a small waterfall. "That's my fish trap," he told her. "The trout swim in, and, unless they're real small, can't get out."
How clever, she thought, looking at him in admiration. "Do you eat fish often?"
"On Fridays. Miz Carter says it's a Boston custom. But it's sure been a change for a beef-lovin' man."
"I can imagine." She laughed. "Although we usually have codfish, and they're caught in the ocean. She glanced around. "What kind of trees are these?"
"They're Aspens. Wait until you see them in the fall. The leaves turn yellow, and it looks like the sky hereabouts is filled with gold."
"Sounds lovely."
"This is the children's favorite place." Nick reined in Freckles next to a large pool formed by a crescent-shaped dam of rocks, reaching halfway across the twenty-foot wide river. The still pool contrasted with the swiftly flowing water around it, inviting Elizabeth to hitch up her skirts and wade.
"John swam in this pool when he was a boy, but Miz Carter didn't think it was safe enough for the children, so we added more rocks between the pool and the fast water."
"They must turn blue with cold."
"It's better in the summertime when it's hot outside. Swimming is refreshing then. Sometimes even Miz Carter takes her shoes off and puts her feet in the water."
So Pamela gave in to temptation. Elizabeth grinned at the thought. "Do the girls swim too?"
"Yes, Miz Carter lets them swim in their shifts."
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow at that. "What do you men wear?"
Laughter glinted in his green eyes, and he slanted her a mischievous grin. "Since Miz Carter came here to live, we swim in old pants cut off at the knees."
Warmth crept up her cheeks. Bad enough thinking about a bare-chested Nick swimming in the pool without thinking of him naked!
She nudged Belle with her heels, urging her ahead. Freckles caught up to her, but Elizabeth ignored Nick.
As she became absorbed in the scenery, she forgot her embarrassing feelings. The overwhelming grandeur of the surroundings through which they rode entranced Elizabeth. Montana's beauty filled her until she could barely think; she could only be part of it with every breath she inhaled.
She could understand how different the beauty of the countryside could be from the city, but the sky... How could the same sky over Boston look so much bluer in Montana? In Boston, she'd never even looked up except for the occasional glance to see if rain threatened.
Almost involuntarily, she murmured, "The sky is the most glorious blue I've ever seen."
He must have heard the quiet words. "I used to think there couldn't be a more beautiful blue in all the world."
The sound of his voice pulled Elizabeth into the awareness of his presence. She sent him a curious glance. "What changed your mind?"
He flushed, although his green gaze remained steady on her. "I saw your eyes."
His cheeks reddened further, and he glanced down at the neck of his horse.
Elizabeth's dreamy state vanished. One part of her mind skittered away from his attraction to her, but another part felt moved by the appreciative look he'd given her and the lovely simplicity of his compliment.
And she couldn't help thinking how beautiful his eyes were. She even liked how his freckles stood out on his skin when he flushed. But before these thoughts could go any further, the first part of her mind won out. His words had broken Montana's spell, and she had to resist the urge to gallop away.
"I'm ready to return." She didn't look to see his reaction. Would there be a closed-off look in the green eyes that just a moment ago had been so vulnerable?
She kicked Belle into a trot. A bird flew out of a nearby bush, startling the horse.
Belle shied away.
Elizabeth sawed at the reins.
Nick wheeled Freckles around, leaned over, and caught Belle's bridle. "Whoa, girl. That's just a little ole bird. It's not goin' to hurt you."
The horse slowed to a walk.
"You all right, Miss Hamilton?"
"I'm fine, thank you," she said, embarrassed that he had to rescue her. "I have her under control. You can let go."
He dropped the bridle, but petted Belle, soothing her. Reining in Freckles, Nick allowed Elizabeth to precede him back to the ranch.
With his compliment, Nick had destroyed the peace of her ride and aroused uncomfortable sensations within her. She'd really have to watch these absurd reactions she had toward him. Shaking her head, she kneed Belle forward, careful not to glance back in Nick's direction.
When they reached the barn, Nick dismounted and reached to help her down. His strong hands circled her waist, and a shiver of pleasure coursed through her body. Suddenly, she had trouble ignoring him.
"Thank you," she murmured before turning toward the house.
#
Nick watched her retreat, chiding himself for being a fool. He'd enjoyed being in Elizabeth's presence, watching her face as she fell under the spell of Montana's beauty. While he'd basked in the pleasure of her reaction, he'd lowered his guard. He hadn't meant to say anything, but it had slipped out. Now upset with his familiarity toward her, she might never trust herself alone with him again.
His stomach had knotted the entire ride home. He hadn't known what to do or say to make the situation right, so he'd said nothing. He cursed his inexperience with women. Being good with horses just wasn't the same as expertise with ladies. Besides, any knowledge he had about western women probably wouldn't apply to a high-society beauty like Elizabeth.
Nick let out a sigh. Hell. I shouldn’t be mooning after her anyway. He took hold of the horses' reins and led them toward the barn. And even though he told himself not to think of her, as his hands busied with unsaddling and grooming the horses, his thoughts returned to the look on her face as she rode beside him under the deep-blue Montana sky.
#
Once inside the house, Elizabeth searched for Pamela. She found her in the kitchen discussing the party menu with Annie.
Pamela glanced up when she came through the door. "There you are. Did you enjoy yourself?"
"Yes, but I'm feeling a little stiff. It's been a long time since I've ridden. I'll probably be sore later."
Pamela's smile commiserated. "I feel that way when I haven't ridden enough. Taking a bath helps. Yours is ready in your room. I'll send Dawn up with hot water. After you bathe, you'd better rest before the party. When it's time to dress, I'll send Dawn to wake you."
"But won't you need her help with dressing?"
Pamela blushed, then laughed. "Actually John's become quite an expert lady's maid. He sure can pull my corset strings tight."
Elizabeth read between the lines of what her friend was saying. "But your hair," she teased. "Don't tell me John is as good at putting hairpins in as he is at taking them out."
Pamela hugged Elizabeth and whispered in her ear, "Beth, you wretch. Only you'd dare have a conversation like this with me. It's a good thing Annie doesn't speak English very well."
Elizabeth laughed and left the kitchen. As soon as she reached the solitude of her room she wanted to think about the ride she'd taken. But Dawn walked in right behind her with the hot water, so she concentrated instead on the enjoyment of soaking her stiff muscles. After she'd bathed and lay down to rest, she expected to stay awake and think, but ended up falling asleep.
A soft knock woke Elizabeth. Dawn entered, carrying a tray with a cup of tea. She moved across the room and handed the tray to Elizabeth.
"Thank you." Elizabeth sipped the tea, directing Dawn to lay out her undergarments. "Would you please bring me my jewel case?"
Dawn took the case out of the bottom of the wardrobe and handed it to her. Elizabeth turned the key in the lock, opened the top, and lifted each piece of jewelry out, spreading them on the blanket in front of her.
She'd brought all her jewelry with her, even the coral bead necklace and gold locket from her childhood.
She debated whether to wear her pearls or her diamonds. Her mother's delicate diamond necklace had matching tear-shaped diamond earrings. They were Elizabeth's favorite pieces, and she wore them far more often than she'd worn the more ornate Hamilton diamonds, now in Genia's possession.
As Elizabeth hesitated between the two sets, her throat tightened with sadness. She rubbed the pearl necklace between her fingers, savoring the memories evoked from the silken beads. She knew if she stayed in Montana she'd rarely wear such elaborate jewelry.
Tonight however, she was the guest of honor, so she dropped the pearls into their silk pouch and picked up the diamond necklace. The waning light from the windows sparkled across the stones. I’ll wear this.
That decision made, Elizabeth scooped up the rest of her jewelry and replaced them in the jewel box. She pulled Richard's locket over her head, carefully set the necklace in the corner of the box, then closed the lid.
Elizabeth slid out of bed and placed the diamonds on the dressing table. She gestured for Dawn to begin helping her dress.
Dawn carried over Elizabeth's best silk chemise and drawers, both decorated with punchwork embroidery and edged with lace, and helped her into them.
Elizabeth chose her favorite "A La Spirite" corset and had Dawn pull the laces as tightly as possible. The familiar pressing sensation against her ribs gave her some reminiscing thoughts to how loosely she'd been tying her stays in the last few days. Maybe she wouldn't be able to wear her diamonds very often in this primitive place, but wearing a loose corset meant she'd at least be able to breathe!
She stepped into several silk taffeta petticoats that fitted her figure at the hips and finished at the bottom with layered ruffles. The petticoats boasted row after row of hand embroidery added by Josie's clever fingers. Elizabeth loved the rustling sound taffeta made when she walked. It always made her feel more elegant than when she wore plain silk or linen petticoats.
Lastly, she donned the horsehair bustle, designed to add fullness to the back of her dress. She'd not worn one for the last few days. At least this bustle wasn't as big as the ones she'd worn a few years ago. She'd never liked the cage-like bustle with steel springs. Thank goodness, the fashion had changed to smaller ones.
Dawn helped her into the two-piece, peacock-blue silk dress. Then she buttoned her up.
Elizabeth slid her hands over the skirt, which fitted snugly over her hips, falling into a slight train banded with peacock blue velvet. The bottom of the polonaise fitted over the top of her skirt in a velvet-edged vee. The long sleeves, slightly puffed at the shoulders, ended at her wrists in velvet points. She twitched the Belgian lace of the lowcut neck, showing an expanse of bosom, which, while proper in Boston, might shock Pamela's friends.
Elizabeth giggled at the thought, earning a look of surprise from Dawn, and seated herself in the chair in front of the dressing table.
Dawn fastened the diamond necklace while Elizabeth screwed the earrings to her ears. The girl gathered most of Elizabeth's hair in an intricately braided knot.
A knock sounded. Pamela pushed open the door and entered the room.
Wearing a claret-colored velvet dress that wasn't cut as low as Elizabeth's, her friend sparkled with the garnet necklace, earrings and bracelet which Elizabeth remembered as once belonging to Pamela's mother.
"You look beautiful," Elizabeth told her.
Pamela smiled. "You know I was never a beauty. You're the one who truly looks lovely. You'll cast the rest of us in the shade."
Elizabeth sent her a reassuring smile. "Pamela, you glow with love and that's beautiful."
Pamela blushed.
"What's more," Elizabeth added in a playful tone, "I'll bet John's already told you so."
Pamela smiled and changed the subject. "We're both wearing our mothers' necklaces. Remember when we were children, and we'd spy on our parents when they held a party?"
"I used to sit on top of the steps to catch glimpses of them until Nanny sent me to bed."
"Me, too. How beautiful my mama looked. I couldn't wait until I was old enough to dress up and go to parties." Pamela sighed. "Now it's we who are grown up and wearing their jewelry. Don't you wish they could be here tonight?"
Elizabeth echoed her sigh. "Wouldn't that be wonderful? And our fathers too... at least your father is still alive and can visit you."
"Yes, though he's only done so once. Maybe in the next few years he'll come again."
Dawn used the curling iron to position loose curls around Elizabeth's face and falling from underneath a knot of hair pinned high on the back of her head. In satisfaction, Elizabeth watched her reflection in the looking glass. Josie couldn't have done it better.
"I just wanted to check up on you," Pamela said. "I'm going downstairs. Our guests should be arriving soon." She frowned. "We'll be one short. Sweetwater Springs has another eligible bachelor that I wanted you to meet, Wyatt Thompson. He owns a ranch on the other side of town. He sent word that his daughter's ill, and he won't be able to make it."
Elizabeth pretended to pout. "I'll just have to make do with Mr. Livingston."
"I'm sure you'll do very well with him." With one finger, Pamela tapped Elizabeth's shoulder. "I'll see you downstairs."
"I'll join you in a few minutes."
As Dawn put the finishing touches to her hair, Elizabeth dusted her face with rice powder so she'd have the desired pale complexion.
The girl draped a white lace shawl around Elizabeth's shoulders. "Pretty," she said with her first smile for Elizabeth.
The compliment touched her. "Thank you, Dawn. You did a wonderful job."
The girl nodded, then glided from the room.
Elizabeth sat a little longer to collect her thoughts. Aside from Genia's disastrous party, it had been a long time since she'd experienced anxiousness before a social occasion. She explored the feeling for a moment, rolling the idea around in her mind as though she tasted a new wine.
An excited nervousness actually.... She rather liked it, although it also saddened her.
When did I lose my eager anticipation for life?
Those feelings must have died with Richard, and in the greater losses of the time she'd never noticed the lack.
"Now you're becoming melancholy," she scolded herself. "It's a party, you're supposed to be happy." She stood, arranged her skirts, and glanced one more time in the looking glass. Then she walked resolutely out the door and down the stairs.
CHAPTER TEN
From the doorway to the parlor, Elizabeth could see John and Pamela seated on the sofa. John, clad in a brown broadcloth jacket and trousers with a tan vest and lighter tan shirt, looked the way she remembered him in Boston. How quickly she'd gotten used to seeing him in his working clothes.
John rose to his feet when Elizabeth entered the room, an appreciative smile on his face. "Elizabeth, I'm going to have every available man for miles haunting my doorstep, hoping to catch a glimpse of you," he teased. "It's a good thing my men won't see you, I'd never get a lick of work out of them. But I can't answer for Nick's reaction. Perhaps we should keep him away."
"Nick?" Elizabeth echoed, disconcerted by the idea of the handsome cowboy attending the party. "Will he be here?"
"Of course," John told her, looking at his wife for confirmation. "Didn't Pamela tell you?"
"I guess I never thought to mention it. I only told her about the invited guests."
Nick walked in at that moment, and Elizabeth caught her breath. She'd seen him wearing a suit in Boston, but even though he wore the same suit tonight, somehow, he looked different. Maybe he fit the surroundings better, or maybe her awareness of him had changed. She slid her thoughts away from that disturbing idea.
Nick greeted Pamela and John, then turned to Elizabeth. "You look lovely, Miss Hamilton." Their eyes met, and again Elizabeth experienced that tingling down her spine that always happened in his pr
esence.
"See, Elizabeth, I told you how it would be." John laughed. "I'll be stumbling over all your admirers."
"I saw some of the others arriving," Nick told Pamela in an apparent attempt to change the subject. "They should be here any minute."
Elizabeth's discomfort about Nick's unexpected presence vanished with his appearance, replaced by an odd excitement. His compliment had been so polished, without a trace of his usual shyness. With amusement, she wondered if he'd practiced it beforehand.
The appearance of the Carters' nearest neighbors, the Addison's, interrupted her thoughts. The schoolteacher, Harriet Stanton, and the mercantile storeowners, Frank and Hortense Cobb, arrived together. The Cobbs stopped to talk to John, while Miss Stanton approached Pamela.
"Miss Stanton, how nice of you to come," Pamela greeted her.
"I'm so happy you invited me."
"This is my friend from Boston, Miss Elizabeth Hamilton. Elizabeth, this is the children's teacher, Miss Harriet Stanton."
The two women smiled and nodded to each other. Petite and pretty, Miss Stanton's gray eyes and light brown hair showed to advantage in her green calico gown patterned with gray feathers. Fastened at her neck, a round gold pin shone in the candlelight. Elizabeth immediately thought of her as a modest young lady.
"I'm delighted to meet you, Miss Stanton. You're quite a favorite with Mark and Sara."
"They're such dear children. But as for me being a favorite ... when they talk to me at school, it's Nick who holds that position." She looked around the room. "There he is now." Her eyes lit up, and her body quivered with eagerness. "Excuse me. There's something I must ask him." She lifted her hand to wave at him. "Oh, Nick." Apparently, without a further thought for Pamela and Elizabeth, Miss Stanton made a beeline for him.
The joyful note she'd heard in the woman's voice caused Elizabeth to revise her opinion of the teacher. Not so demure after all. She glanced at Pamela to see her reaction to Miss Stanton's impolite behavior.
Pamela gazed at Miss Stanton and Nick, a speculative gleam in her eyes.
Wild Montana Sky (The Montana Sky Series) Page 10