Stone Dreaming Woman

by Lael R. Neill

“Don’t worry about Jenny. She’s in the capable hands of the law,” he replied, smiling wryly.

  Richard waved as they set off down the lane.

  “How much do you remember about your train ride in?” Shane asked after they had turned off the main road.

  “Just trees and snow. Constable Bernard and I were talking, and since our conversation was in French, I had to pay attention.”

  He chuckled. “Laurence is somewhat provincial, isn’t he? He still insists on speaking French with me. Well, the trail along the right of way isn’t much. The way we’re going is quicker, and it’ll be steep until we pick up the railroad tracks.”

  “Were Laurence’s people voyageurs too?”

  “No. Huguenots. It seems France is good at running people out, doesn’t it?”

  “No worse than England, although my family didn’t have to emigrate. The Westons came to the Carolinas on a royal land grant in the late 1600s. My Brisbane ancestor, though, was a British officer who came during the Revolution. He was wounded too badly to serve any longer or to make it home on his own, so he stayed. The family tradition says he lost a leg. Eventually he recovered, went to work as a clerk at an import house, and married the boss’s daughter. Supposedly they lived happily ever after—at least they had eleven surviving children, and they did become very rich.”

  “So you’re English, then?”

  “Basically, yes. But both halves of my family have been here so long we could be anything.” She relaxed and went with Fleur’s steady gait, raising up in the stirrups and leaning forward to help the mare climb. Suddenly Shane’s hand came out in a hushing gesture and he pointed upslope to their left. A shy whitetail buck, antlers only velvet knobs, peered out from the brush. Since he was upwind, he could not decide what they were. He flinched and jumped as he tried to catch their scent. Finally Midnight stamped an impatient forehoof and tossed his head, and the buck broke upslope in huge leaps.

  “He’s beautiful!” she breathed. “We see does all the time, but rarely bucks.”

  “You’ll see more, come fall, when they’re in rut. And in all probability we’ll run across more before tomorrow.” He touched his heels to Midnight’s flanks, and the tall gelding resumed his implacable, steady climb. She enjoyed the green, earthy scent as sunshine penetrated to the forest floor.

  “This forest is so wonderful,” she remarked at length.

  “That’s one of the reasons I like my job. I get to be outside on days like this. Then, on the other hand, I have to be out on nasty days like the one when The Girls tried to run away and Midnight got tangled up in the wire.” The trail dipped momentarily into a clearing. A few minutes later the trees thinned out and they headed up what looked like a game trail.

  “We’re going to take a side trip here,” he informed her. “We’re about three miles from the top now. I think you’ll like the view. You can see all the way down the Elk River.” They climbed up a rocky, sparse hillside, then broke out onto a glacier-scarred promontory. She involuntarily caught her breath. To the north and west were more forested, rolling hills. To the east, though, a green-carpeted valley spread below them, containing at its depth a river like a ribbon of molten silver that had melted its way down.

  “This is called Overlook Point. See that line cabin over there? Sometimes I stay there when I ride rounds.” Her gaze followed his finger. A tiny shack was just visible through the trees. Then a piercing cry made her look up. Two eagles were riding the air currents. “They mate for life. I’ve seen that pair before, but I haven’t found their aerie yet.”

  “They’re magnificent,” she whispered, unwilling to disturb the sound of the wind. “This is such a beautiful place. How did you ever discover it?”

  “Oh, just exploring, a long time ago. Remember, I’ve lived around here all my life. Sometimes I stop here just to think.” She looked from Shane to the eagles again. They were circling in a thermal, seeming to defy gravity by climbing without moving their wings. Only the attitude of a few primary feathers determined their direction.

  “How free they are, not stuck to the earth with petty daily pursuits like us.”

  “Oh, they have their petty daily pursuits too. Somewhere they have a couple of hungry children to feed, and that’s serious business, whether you’re an eagle or a human. Maybe they don’t have to go to receptions for the Governor, but they still have their worries.”

  “Is this a duty visit for you, then?”

  “No, not completely. I wanted to take you to something really grand—at least grand by our standards. Besides, Angus said nobody would notice me for looking at you.”

  “You don’t believe all of Angus’s blarney, do you?”

  “That wasn’t blarney. You just wait. You’ll be the belle of the ball.”

  “I’ve never been that in my life. I think too much, and I say what I think far too often.”

  “Be prepared to say it in French, then. The Governor is Québécois. But we’d best be on our way. It’s close to noon, and you and Marie will need some primping time once we’re there.” He turned Midnight back down the trail toward the railroad right of way.

  “How close are we, then?”

  “We’ve come within a mile of half way. But the last part isn’t nearly as interesting. All it does is follow the railroad tracks, and for the most part it’s straight.”

  “But it’s still an adventure for me. I’ve never been any closer to the woods than Central Park…” She was cut off by a gesture from Shane. He pointed to a creek bank downstream to their right, where a small brown creature was drinking.

  “Mink,” he whispered. Suddenly there was a bright splash, and the mink dashed off with a struggling trout in its jaws.

  “There’s supper,” Jenny whispered with a silent laugh.

  “He has his table to set, too.”

  “You make all these animals seem so human!”

  “Well, basically we all have the same worries. It’s just that animals are so much more direct. If Midnight felt like kicking someone, he’d do it. On the other hand, if I felt like kicking someone, I’d probably just make a nasty remark.”

  “I swear, you have the whole world figured out.”

  He gave her a slight smile. “Not you, Jenny. Not ever. There are a lot of things about you I’ll never understand, but that’s why women are interesting.”

  Their conversation drifted on like the creek they followed. The way became much easier after they intersected the railroad tracks. A wagon road ran parallel to the roadbed, and in its width they were able to ride side by side. Before she knew it, they were in River Bend. She remembered the railroad station that reminded her of a pagoda, and the long row of warehouses directly opposite. But now that she rode through the streets, she realized the city was larger than it looked from the train.

  “This really is a good-sized town. I hadn’t realized that before,” she remarked.

  “Almost fifteen thousand people. By train you only see the northwest corner.” It seemed the entire town was draped in red-and-white bunting, and flags flew everywhere. He let Midnight walk unguided beside Fleur while he took his holster off his crossover belt and dropped the revolver into his saddlebag. At Richard’s he automatically hung the gun, belt and all, on the coat rack by the door before he did anything else.

  “I have to do this before I get to Bob’s house,” he explained. “His girls all want to hug me the minute I dismount, even though they’ve been told time and again never to touch anyone wearing a sidearm. Of course Bob indulges them, but I don’t blame him. They’re real charmers.”

  “I think you probably indulge them a bit, too, don’t you?”

  “Well, I tell them stories and draw pictures for them sometimes, and now and then I let them ride Midnight.”

  “No wonder they’re fond of you.”

  “Bob has been my boss for better than six years now, and I’m at his house every few weeks. I’ve seen the younger two, Frances and Jacqueline, grow up. Elise was already quite the little
lady when I first met Bob.”

  “You said she’s eleven?”

  “I think so. I try to keep track, but I really can’t remember whose birthday is which.” He turned through a maze of streets into what appeared to be an older, gracious section of River Bend. They climbed a slight rise, and he indicated a white-columned brick house with a dignified porte cochère. Rose beds flanked the wide drive, with a profusion of riotously colored pansies at the foot of each bush. They stopped by the coach door and, just as Shane helped Jenny down, three little girls streamed from the house. They all laughed and chattered at once, at least one in French at any given time. Shane squatted down, while they instantly smothered him in hugs and damp kisses.

  “Shane!”

  “Maman! Shane is here! He has a pretty lady with him!”

  “Will you tell us a story?”

  “Can we ride Midnight later?”

  “Draw us a picture, please?”

  “Are you staying with us, then?”

  “Girls! Girls! Let the poor man catch his breath!” The source of the voice was an auburn-haired woman in a brown dress. Shane rose with Jacqueline on one arm, Frances on the other, and Elise with an arm about his waist. “Vraiment, Shane, you spoil them so!”

  “Hello, Marie. I see the girls are in grand form. How are you and Bob?” As the girls settled down, Jenny realized, to her amusement, that Marie and Bob had managed to produce a blonde, a brunette, and a redhead.

  “Bob and I couldn’t be better. Then this must be your young lady.”

  “Forgive me for not introducing you sooner, but I’ve been a bit occupied. Marie, may I present Doctor Jennifer Weston. Jenny, this is Mrs. Marie Shepherd.”

  “How do you do, Doctor Weston. It’s such a pleasure to meet you finally! Come here, Jacqueline, before you muss Shane’s coat. He has told us so much about you. Frances, take your thumb out of your mouth. You’re no longer a baby.” Any response would have been lost in the deluge of little girls and the simultaneous deluge of words. Murmuring a polite reply, Jenny shooed Jacqueline into the house ahead of her as they followed Marie. Elise’s reward for decorous behavior was Shane’s arm about her shoulders as they went inside.

  “I trust you had a pleasant journey from Elk Gap, Doctor Weston?”

  “Yes, quite, thank you.”

  “It is so lovely this time of year, non? Sunny, but neither too warm nor too cool. And you must wish to refresh yourself. I will have Juliette show you to your room.” A thin, middle-aged woman in a white apron over a black dress stepped from nowhere. “Juliette, please have Doctor Weston’s things brought in, and please show her to her room now. I know she needs to rest after such a long ride, poor child.”

  “Oui, Madame,” Juliette replied. “This way, Doctor Weston.”

  Jenny smiled at Shane, still mired in little girls, and followed the maid upstairs. A younger maid, carrying the bundle from Fleur’s saddlebags, followed a few yards behind them. Juliette opened the door to a lovely, well-appointed corner room with marble-topped furniture and rose-garlanded wallpaper similar to Jenny’s room back home in Parkfield. She felt the cloak of New York manners fall back upon her as she looked at her reflection in the triptych mirror above the vanity table and undid her scarf.

  “Juliette, could you please have someone touch up my gown? It’s bound to be wrinkled after I carried it in my saddlebag for so long.” She indicated the bundle on the bed. Juliette untied it and unfolded Jenny’s favorite ball gown: forest green silk damask, with an empire waist and a graceful, narrow skirt with a back placket. The neckline had been cut to echo the shape of her grandmother’s pearl-and-diamond necklace, and the top was heavily embroidered along the floral pattern of the damask with deep green silk, crystals, and seed pearls. The edges of the cap sleeves had been cut to follow the roses in the damask and a band of pearl-crusted lace below the bustline hinted at an empire waist. From beneath it hung a divided overskirt with a gathered train. The overskirt consisted of three panels of sheer, diaphanous, pearlescent silk in teal, embroidered around the Moorish-scalloped edges with deep green that matched the dress. Two panels on either side fell straight, perhaps two inches shy of the hem of the skirt, divided down the front and back, while the third had been gathered only across the back and formed the pointed, ornate court train. Though the train had been constructed to be detachable, a button-on wrist loop caught it up for dancing.

  Jenny had not thought to need a ball gown in Elk Gap. The sole reason this one had gone into her trunk was that she did not want to risk leaving such a horrifyingly expensive designer original in Arlington. Early this morning she had packed it carefully, interspersing her nightclothes and extra underthings in the folds. Juliette picked up the dress and expertly shook it out.

  “It is not too mussed, Mam’selle, but I will have it pressed. Ah! How lovely! Silk, is it not?” Her English was even more heavily accented than Marie’s.

  “Yes, it is. It’s my favorite ball gown. It’s from the House of Genesse in Paris. They have a New York branch now, you know.”

  “I will caution Adrienne to take extra care and use only a lightly warm iron. Do you require anything else, then, Mam’selle?”

  “Not now, thank you. I’d like to wash up and rest for a while.” Juliette left, assuring Jenny that if she wanted anything, she need only ring. Jenny poured tepid water from the ewer into the basin on the washstand. It was pleasantly perfumed and slipped soothingly over her skin, and the linen towel smelled of fresh air and sunshine. She patted her face and arms dry, then undressed and sponged herself all over. It felt refreshing, even though the ride had not been overly warm. When she put on her matching teal silk underclothes and went over to look in the mirror again, she noticed the sun had colored her cheeks a delicate pink. As long as her nose was not red she would not worry, although Aunt Eleanor would certainly have scolded her severely for risking her complexion.

  Adjusting the triptych mirror, she touched her hair. She had done it up before leaving, and she had carefully coiled the back into several large barrel curls and pinned them into place. All she would need to do would be to unpin them and touch them up later. Then, thinking of Shane and the coming evening, she reclined atop the bedspread. Perhaps she should only close her eyes, just for a moment.

  The next thing she knew, her hostess herself was knocking at the door.

  “Entrez,” Jenny responded. Marie bustled in. Now that she was not wearing her apron, Jenny detected telltale fullness in her bust and roundness in her belly. Coupling that with the high color of her cheeks and the way the sides of her hair lay, Jenny could draw only one obvious conclusion. She smiled at the thought of another little girl to climb on Shane.

  “Forgive me for waking you, but it is nearly time to dress. Juliette is bringing your gown up now. May I stay and chat with you a while? I do so want to become acquainted with the young lady who has so thoroughly captured our dear Shane’s heart.” Oh, brother, not another one, Jenny thought. But it was evident that Shane and his superior officer were close, and Marie seemed to be only a harmless, if somewhat gushy, Frenchwoman. Doubtless she meant well. Jenny rose and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.

  “Please, Madame. Stay and talk with me. I welcome the company.” Her full skirt buoyed up by what looked like a hundred petticoats, Marie sailed across the room to perch on a chair in a corner. Jenny meanwhile splashed water on her face, then proceeded to put on the rest of her underclothing, including the hated corset that Marie indulgently laced up for her.

  “You scarcely need that, you are so slender,” Marie observed, patting her own plump bosom by way of comparison. “And your French is superb. Did you learn it on the Continent?”

  “No. Actually I’ve never been abroad. Right now there is too much unrest in Europe. I had a Parisian professor in college. I learned my accent from him. You sound Parisienne yourself.”

  “I am. My family emigrated when I was twelve. Business was poor in Paris, so Papa brought us to Montreal. But Shane has told us yo
u are from New York. How did you come to be all the way up here?”

  “I’m visiting my uncle. He’s my dearest relative, and since he’s been on the Continent doing research and I’ve been away at school, I hadn’t seen him in three years.”

  “Then when will you return to New York?”

  “I’m not certain I’ll return. I may stay here,” Jenny replied, bending down to unroll her hose and slip the right stocking on. It was of deep green silk to match the gown. Marie clapped her hands in delight.

  “I do hope we can make a Canadienne of you, then!”

  Jenny smiled, bringing a dimple to the corner of her mouth. “Perhaps,” she replied.

  “Shane seems so happy when he speaks of you.”

  Oh, here comes the fishing trip, Jenny thought.

  “Believe me, Madame, it wasn’t always that way. When we met, we roundly disliked each other.”

  Marie laughed, covering her mouth coyly. “I disdained Bob at first, too. He is, after all, not French.”

  “That couldn’t have lasted too long.”

  “No. Elise was born when I was but eighteen.”

  “When is this baby due, then?” Jenny asked, steering the conversation away from Shane.

  “The middle of January. Bob so wants a boy this time. I only hope it’s well and healthy as my others have been. I am so fortunate to have three and lose none, non?”

  “You and your husband are indeed fortunate. Your girls are lovely. I understand why Shane indulges them.”

  “They do adore him. He always brings them surprises and tells them the most charming stories. And when he lets them ride his horse they talk of nothing else for days.” Jenny was listening with only half an ear as Marie rambled on, waiting for the inevitable cautious probing about her feelings toward Shane. A rebuff would not do this time; she had to be tactful but noncommittal. While Marie talked, Jenny pulled the pins from her hair and brushed out the cluster of curls in the back until they cascaded over her right shoulder.

  “As many parties and receptions as Shane has attended with us here in River Bend, this is the first time he has ever brought a guest. I believe you have taken his heart.” There it was, and not even a question, Jenny thought, only a statement that requested elaboration. She stuffed several hairpins into her mouth to avoid answering immediately and tried valiantly to dredge up a carefully ambiguous reply. But she was rescued in the nick of time. Juliette returned with her gown, then was dismissed by her mistress.