by Cora Seton
Win yawned delicately. “I understand—such a shame you’re too small an operation to accommodate your guests’ requests.”
Riley read the exchange of glances around the room and sensed a rebellion forming. She was beginning to think that Andrea’s friends might not really be so friendly. If they were looking for ways to mark down Andrea’s efforts, then the lack of a ball would provide an easy target.
Andrea’s face had clouded and Riley knew instinctively she was right. “Now, Win, you’ve gone and spoiled the surprise,” she blurted, talking over Savannah. “Of course there’ll be a ball, but it was supposed to be a secret. All of you will need to practice hard to learn the steps of the dances by Friday night.”
“I’ll be your teacher,” Avery said into the sudden silence. They’d already planned some dancing lessons, even if a ball wasn’t on the schedule.
Riley appreciated her fast thinking. She refused to let Savannah down.
Andrea broke into a huge smile. “What an incredible surprise. Savvy must have planned it.” She nearly crushed Savannah with another hug.
“Up to your rooms,” Nora said in her schoolteacher voice. Just in time, too. Savannah looked ready to snap. “Get changed and we’ll be by to help shortly.”
Mrs. Wood undertook to lead them up to their rooms, leaving Riley and her friends alone in the parlor when the chattering women were gone.
“A ball? The day before the wedding? Are you out of your mind?” Nora hissed as soon as the coast was clear.
“How are you going to pull it off?” Savannah demanded.
“I have no idea. But I know who might. Maud. I’ll call her right now.”
Savannah handed her the cell phone. When Maud picked up, Riley didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “I need to throw a ball on Friday.”
“I’m on it,” Maud said gaily. “Leave everything to me.”
Chapter Fourteen
‡
WHEN BOONE PUSHED open the door to Thayer’s Jewelers, he was pleased to see he was the only customer. He’d noticed a lot of changes since he’d been home and here was another one. Instead of the crusty old man who used to work here when he was a kid, a young woman he recognized stood behind the counter.
“Rose Bellingham? Is that you?”
“It’s Rose Johnson now. I married Cab.” She smiled and shook Boone’s hand when he offered it. “Good to see you again. It’s been a long time.”
“It sure has.” Rose was a few years younger than him. Boone couldn’t believe she was grown up enough to be married. Or that Cab Johnson was the sheriff now. It used to be Cab’s father.
“Can I help you with something?”
“I’m looking for a ring,” he said. “Should have bought it weeks ago.”
“Let’s find you a good one, then.” She came around the counter and led him to a glass case displaying engagement rings. Boone looked them over and quickly became discouraged. He wasn’t sure how to pick the right one.
“Maybe I should bring her in.”
“Some women like that. Others like to be surprised,” Rose told him. “Tell me about your bride.”
“I think you know her. Riley Eaton?”
Rose broke into a smile. “The Russells introduced us and Mia’s helping her throw that wedding at Westfield. The one for her friend’s cousin. Congratulations.”
“Thanks. So do you know what kind of a ring she’d like?”
“Something old-fashioned, I’d say. If I remember correctly, engagement rings weren’t really the thing during the actual Regency, but Riley will want one, I’m sure.” She bent over the case. “Take a look at these.” She pulled three rings out in quick succession.
One of them immediately caught Boone’s attention and he picked it up. Like Rose said, it was old-fashioned and delicate. Its diamond wasn’t large, but he knew without a doubt it was the one.
“I’ll take it.”
Rose smiled. “That was fast.” She held it in her palm when he handed it to her and a faraway expression came over her face. After a moment she grew serious. “Boone, I know this is going to seem like a strange question, but is something going on between you two that you need to work out before you give her this?”
Boone laughed in disbelief. “What are you, psychic?”
Rose shrugged. “Kind of.”
“Now that you mention it, there is something. Is Mia here? I hoped she could help me.”
“Let me go get her.”
Rose returned a minute later with Mia, who beamed when she spotted Boone. “Mia told me the good news. Congratulations!”
“Thank you. Here’s the thing…” Boone explained the predicament he was in and the wedding they were supposed to have, as Fulsom had dictated it. “So how can we have a Regency wedding without having a Regency wedding? Riley will wear a fancy gown either way, right? So will her bridesmaids. Is there something I can wear that’s modern but fits the bill?”
“I think so.” Mia nodded.
“What about decorations?”
“We can walk the line between modern and old-fashioned. When is it?”
“June first.”
To her credit, Mia didn’t bat an eye. “At Westfield?”
“Yes. Outside, like I said.”
“We’ll get it done,” she said.
“Just like that?”
“Just like that. One non-Regency Regency wedding coming right up. But I’ll need something from you.”
“Name it.”
“I’m helping out with Savannah’s cousin’s wedding, too, and she’s got so many guests they won’t fit in the great room at Westfield.”
“Hold it outside.”
“She wants a roof over her head. I’m thinking about the barn.”
Boone made a face. “It’s a mess. Hasn’t been used in years.”
“Better get cracking if it’s going to be ready on time.” She smiled sweetly at him. “I’ll knock ten percent off my bill for your wedding if you get it done.”
“Deal.”
THEIR GUESTS SEEMED to enjoy the carriage ride Riley had arranged for them. Split between the Russells’ barouche and the older town coach, they’d ridden around the countryside on a tour much like the one James and Maud had given her and her friends when they first arrived at Westfield. The two young men James had sent to drive them were enthusiastic and willing to go wherever Riley directed them.
When they arrived home, Riley was surprised to see James ride up on a handsome bay gelding. She ushered the guests inside, where Avery met them with more snacks, and ducked back outside to talk to him. “How’s Maud holding up?” she asked him. “I shouldn’t have dumped the preparations for a ball into her lap the way I did.”
“Don’t you worry about a thing; I haven’t come to scold you. I came to check on you and the young bucks driving my carriages,” James said. “Maud’s already arranged for music and food and is hiring help to prepare the ballroom. She’ll phone later to discuss dances, and she’ll make sure the men can execute them perfectly. She said she’d send her dance instructor over to you ladies, too.”
“Who did she—”
“I must go,” James said. “Lots to be done, but I’ll be back tomorrow. Try to enjoy your guests, my dear.” He turned his horse and was off before she could voice the rest of her questions. She wondered who Maud had found to partner the women in the dances. She supposed they’d take whomever they could get. Back inside, she found their guests perched around the drawing room sampling the trays of snacks Avery had set out before them. Judging from their lively conversation, they were having a good time.
Riley caught up with Avery in the hallway outside the kitchen. “I think we might pull this off.”
“Of course we will. Failure isn’t an option.”
“How’s Savannah holding up?”
“I’m fine,” Savannah said, coming up behind them, “but I could really use a glass of wine. Shoot me if I ever become as obsessed as those women with redecorating my master bedroom.”
“Is that their latest topic?” Avery said. “Before that it was hiring good help.” She disappeared into the kitchen.
“And before that it was how to know if your manicurist is judging you,” Riley said.
“Savannah!” Andrea’s plaintive trill betrayed her anxiety at being left alone with her friends.
“Time to save her from the piranhas,” Savannah said. “Again.”
“You’re a good cousin,” Riley told her.
“I keep telling myself that.” She took the delicate wine glass Avery returned to give her, downed its contents and handed it back. “Wish me luck.”
“Good luck,” Riley and Avery echoed.
“Maybe Boone’s got it right,” Avery said. “Those wealthy women don’t look all that happy. Maybe simplicity and sustainability really is the answer.”
“Bite your tongue,” Riley said.
EARLY THE NEXT morning, Boone stood with the rest of the men in the great room at the Russell’s house, with Maud acting as hostess and her extremely beautiful niece, Angelina, standing beside her. Behind them stood several other women who ranged from a thirty-something soccer mom type to a crony of Maud’s who wore a polyester pantsuit. Boone could tell the men were wondering why they had been brought to Coldfield. “Boys, this is Maud Russell. She’ll explain today’s assignment. But first, let me make it clear that this one is non-negotiable. If you fail, you’re out. It’s that simple.”
The men exchanged curious glances as Maud stepped forward. As always, her clothing suited the early 1800s. “Gentlemen, thank you for coming today. I have a wonderful surprise for you.” She paused dramatically and Boone braced himself. “You have been invited to a ball Friday night. A grand ball the likes of which hasn’t been seen in decades in this part of the world.”
“If ever,” Jericho whispered to Boone.
“Excuse me, ma’am. A ball?” Greg asked.
“That’s right. Surely you’ve heard of them.”
“Um… yes, but—”
“Good. First things first. A seamstress will arrive in about an hour to measure you for your ball attire, but meanwhile, you gentlemen must learn to dance. I’ve been too long in the provinces to imagine you know anything about it.”
More than one man shot Boone a confused and then pleading look, but Boone remained impassive as Maud paired the men up with female partners. Boone, Jericho, Clay and Walker joined them to make a long line. The women stood several feet away in a parallel one. He’d hoped the dances would be easy, but he quickly found out they weren’t. He and Jericho crashed head-on during one particularly lively dance. They weren’t the only ones. The men, who’d all mastered specialized equipment as well as scads of highly technical information and tactics during their service, were little accustomed to formal dancing, except for Harris Wentworth, who’d evidently taken lessons as a boy.
Once they saw how seriously Boone and his friends were treating the lesson, the recruits stopped complaining and buckled down to learn. There was some subtle vying for the chance to pair off with Angelina, but the dance instructor must have been used to that and allowed none of the men to get the upper hand.
As for the men, Boone was happy to see that apart from some consternation at the difficulty of mastering the formal steps, they betrayed no impatience with the activity. He’d judged his candidates well. They were professionals acting in a professional manner.
By the time they left the Russells’ place, after a delicious dinner of roast lamb and duck a l’orange, however, the men couldn’t contain their curiosity.
“Are you ever going to explain what that was all about?” Greg said as they milled around outside the bunkhouse.
“That was about tactics,” Boone said, loudly enough for all the men to hear. “See that house?” He pointed to the warm lights emanating from the manor up on top of its rise of ground. “It’s full of women. We’re going to take it by storm, but we won’t launch a direct assault. Instead, we’ll lure its inhabitants out before we pounce.”
“How are we going to do that?” Harris asked.
“And more importantly, why?” Greg added.
“By attending Maud Russell’s ball and dancing with them. Look around. What’s missing in this community?”
“Houses,” Greg said.
“Food,” Harris said.
“Women,” Angus roared. The others laughed.
“That’s right.” Boone turned toward the manor again. “Our community needs women. Tomorrow we launch a successful campaign to win some.”
Angus led a cheer that split the night. Boone wondered if Riley had heard and if she knew what was coming for her.
“I WOULD HAVE thought a ball gown would be more opulent,” Win said, holding out the skirts of her new dress and craning her neck to see the full effect.
“This is an extremely opulent gown by Regency standards,” Alice Reed said through a mouthful of pins.
“And we’re extremely grateful you were able to find us all gowns at such short notice,” Riley rushed to say to the seamstress. Thank goodness Regan had recommended her on their first visit to the Hall. The young woman had turned out to be very accomplished.
“I do look attractive in this,” Win said. She turned around and looked back over her shoulder at the large pedestal mirror Riley had positioned in the parlor for their final fittings.
“I didn’t have to look very far,” Alice said. “I have a whole carriage house full of period dresses. Chance Creek doesn’t host enough costume parties to keep up with me.”
“I heard you design clothes for the re-enactments in the summer.”
“I do. Luckily for you I have a score of British Redcoat costumes, too. I thought maybe the men in town would want to re-enact the revolution at some point, but apparently that wouldn’t be historical. There wasn’t even a Montana during Revolutionary times.” Alice waved a hand. “I think that’s silly. If they can travel in time, why can’t they travel in location? They could pretend they’re in Massachusetts for a day, couldn’t they?”
“Since I’ve placed a Regency manor in Montana, I won’t argue with your logic,” Riley said. “You do such wonderful work. Why don’t you sell your costumes on the Internet?”
“Oh, the Internet.” Alice gave an expressive shrug. “Bah.”
Win turned on her. “If you have the inventory you say you do, you could make a fortune.”
Her sudden interest in the conversation animated her features, and for the first time Riley saw the woman Win could be. She’d learned from Andrea that Win was also supposed to get married soon. She’d quit her job recently to prepare for her wedding. “It’s going to be five times more glamorous than mine will,” Andrea had said with a sigh. “I don’t know why I try to compete with her.”
“I don’t know, either,” Riley had told her. “Friendship isn’t a competition.”
Andrea had merely sent her a puzzled look.
“I’m serious,” Win went on. “All you need is to set up a storefront online. It’s so simple these days. As you make your dresses, you post photos of them. And you can take special orders—you could charge a mint for those.”
When Alice didn’t respond, Win’s impatience became all too clear. “I don’t understand you at all.”
Alice didn’t take offense. “No one does,” she said simply. Riley thought that would be the end of the conversation, but after another minute, Alice added, “I suppose it’s because I have a fortune already.”
That caught everyone’s attention.
“If you have a fortune, why are you on your knees hemming my dress?” Andrea asked.
Alice sat back. “If you had a fortune, wouldn’t you do the one thing you love the most?”
Riley was impressed with Alice’s wisdom. She hadn’t known her when they were young. She suspected she was only three or four years older than Alice, but she didn’t remember her hanging around with the other kids in town.
She quizzed the seamstress about that later while Ali
ce packed up her sewing kit and was preparing to leave. Riley detained her by the front door. “How come I never met you all those summers I spent here in Chance Creek when I was younger?”
Alice gave a private smile. “My sisters and I had an unusual childhood. We didn’t leave the ranch too much. We’re more social now.”
“I’m glad. And I understand completely what you said about sewing. If I had a fortune I’d do nothing but paint and ride.” She glanced around her. “And invite people to my Regency B&B when it opens.”
Alice gave her a sudden hug. “I’m glad you came back to Chance Creek.”
“Me, too.”
Five minutes later, Riley met up with Nora on the landing halfway up the stairs. “You look beautiful.”
Nora did. Her updo was threaded with a chain of pearls and her gown was a dark wine red that set off her complexion. Its sleeves were short and her neckline plunging, but long white gloves covered her arms past her elbows.
Nora put a hand on Riley’s arm. “You know, I haven’t said thank you.”
“For what?”
“For bringing us here—for insisting that I join you.”
“You seemed pretty set on getting back to your old life just recently.”
“I do intend to find a way back to teaching someday, but you offered me a haven here, and I’m better for it. Let’s face it; I can’t help anyone if I’m dead. I keep feeling like I should have stayed with my class, even if I did receive threats, but what if that student had followed through? My life would be over and so would his. That wouldn’t help anyone.”
“What made you finally change your mind?”
Nora looked sheepish. “Something felt different from the moment I got here, but it took me a long time to realize what it was. I was… lonely… in Baltimore after my mother passed away. I think whoever was stalking me fed on that loneliness along with my fear. I would never feel afraid like that here at Westfield. Being near you and Savannah and Avery makes me stronger.”
For the second time in short succession Riley found herself in a warm embrace. She hugged Nora back. “I’m so glad you’re here. I hope we find a way for you to stay for a long, long time.”