“You can’t keep doing this,” she said gently. The silence was deafening.
“It’s the only place I want to be.” He told her. Red Wolf rose. Put is mug down as he walked to her chair. Putting both hands on her face, he drew it to him and lightly brushed her lips with his. He pulled back and looked into her eyes.
“This is all I see, awake or asleep and the only place I want to be.” He told her quietly, lovingly caressed her face with his fingers, taking in every small detail and left her.
It was a tug on her heart she did not want. The house came alive shortly after. Carl and Jake came in for the usual breakfast meeting. Elizabeth had decided while waiting for them, finishing her coffee, that it was time to move on. The Doubly T needed to be more. Time, to put plans into action that would take the Double T, into the next century.
Elizabeth outlined her ideas to them both. Neither seemed much surprised. Elizabeth wanted to expand the horse and herd bloodlines. She wanted breeding programmes that took the best of the Indian horse mustangs, mixed with the very best Europe and the Arabs had to offer.
She wanted to bring the best beef and sheep stock from Scotland and Ireland and build a new breed of cow and sheep. One that would feed a nation. She told Jake of her encounter with the herdsman and his family and to expect him. Both Jake and Carl told her, it would not be easy to achieve her vision.
“We don’t do easy.” She reminded them. They both smiled. She was right.
Sunday, Caroline, Kate and their parents came to dinner. Blue was also invited. He’d dressed western style for this meeting and pulled his hair back. Elizabeth spent most of the day showing Kate’s parents just how well established both the Double T and Blue’s involvement was.
As the tour finished she stopped by a building going up in the rear pasture. Mr. Cane asked after its purpose and remarked on its wonderful view. Elizabeth took the opportunity to inform them of Blues new home.
“Actually, Mr. Cane this is to be the new home of the man who is to head our horse bloodline programme. We are expanding in to specialities. We will be bringing in new bloodlines from Europe and the East. Our stock will be the finest in the world and its manager will become world famous I’ve no doubt. Blue will be heading up this project. He is our new Bloodstock Manager. I have never seen a more gifted horseman.”
Elizabeth turned and looked at Blue. “Well, congratulations Blue.” Mr. Cane held out his hand to him. “Thank you Mr. Cane.” Blue responded. Kate beamed.
Elizabeth continued the tour and after dinner. Blue asked Mr. Cane to join him and the men left the ladies in the parlour. They were gone for nearly an hour. Kate was becoming more agitated as the time moved on. When they finally came back, both men were very serious.
“May I speak with you and Kate, Elizabeth in private?” Elizabeth took them into her office. Mr. Cane lost no time is putting his concerns to them. “Well Kate, Blue has asked me for your hand.” Kate looked both elated and concerned.
“Elizabeth, do you support this,” he asked her pointedly.
Elizabeth did not hesitate. “Mr. Cane, Blue is a good man, he came to me seeking my advice on this matter and he tried very hard to persuade Kate that her affections were misplaced. Kate would not have it. She was very sure, and he loves her very much.” She told him.
“But do you support it.” He asked her.
Elizabeth took a moment. “I support him, Mr. Cane. He’s my man and will never be anything else and if Kate marries him, her life may have some complications, that they will have to overcome, but one of them, will never be, somewhere they belong.” She told him. Mr. Cane thought for a moment.
“And financially?” he asked her.
“Blue is paid for what he does here, and it will represent his worth to us and as the business grows and profits do, so will he.”
He appeared to mull that over. “Do you want to marry him Kate?” her father asked her. “More than anything father.” Mr. Cane nodded his head and suggested it was time they join the others.
On entering the parlour Elizabeth offered a smile of encouragement to Blue and took her seat. As Mr. Cane came in Blue stepped forward. Kate walked over to him and took his hand. Mr. Cane went to his wife and took hers.
“It seems my dear, that we have lost a daughter and gained a son Mrs. Cane.” He told her smiling.
Mrs. Cane initially not sure, saw the delight on her daughter’s face, it was all she needed and stepped forward towards Blue.
“Welcome to the family.” She told him and hugged him. Blue stiffly let her.
Caroline started clapping and Kate and Elizabeth joined in.
Their excitement drew the staff and Elizabeth informed them of the good news. Elizabeth asked them to break open several bottles of champagne and ask the hands that were at home to come in and join the celebration.
The party, for that is what it turned into, went well into the night.
Elizabeth took all of the next week to outline her ideas for the Double T in more detail. She sent cables to the best blood stock leaders of Europe for the Horses. Contacts London’s stock exchange and ordered Scottish and Irish hardy breads to be sent over. Made enquiries and spent a lot of Trelawney money. She talked over her plans for the horses with both Red Wolf and Running Elk.
The Mustang would be essential to the blood line and Elizabeth wanted the Indians to have ownership of it. The three of them decided what breeds to bring out and try.
Elizabeth remembered seeing Spanish and Arabian horses do some marvellous things back East and had talked extensively with their owners after seeing several shows.
Elizabeth cabled her Aunt and asked her to contact them for her. It was decided to have both stallions and mares. The mix of both sexes improved the breeding possibilities. It was a programme that would take years, the benefits spoke for themselves. Not only would it establish the Double T as a leader in providing good breeding stock, it strengthened the bond with the land and its people for years to come.
For the last of the meetings of the horse breeding programmes, Elizabeth had requested the Mayor to join them. Both Red Wolf and Running Elk were surprised to see him sitting at the table when they came in. Both acknowledged him and sat down. Elizabeth got straight to the point.
“Mayor, you’re our legal man and I need you to draw something up for me.” She told him.
“Of course, Elizabeth, how can I be of help?”
She took a deep breath. “The Double T are starting a breeding programme of horses based on the Indian Mustang. Both Red Wolf and Running Elk will oversee this programme with mainly Indian manpower and Blue will run it. I want to legalise the partnership.” She told him.
Mayor Green paled. “Err Elizabeth you know Indians cannot own land, or property.”
“Yes, yes Mayor Green I know that, so I am proposing we do this…” She told them what she’d been working so hard on. “I want Red Wolf, Running Elk and Dull Knife legally adopted by the Trelawney name.”
Elizabeth waited for objections from both Red Wolf and Running Elk. She looked at them both, saw no objection so carried on. “Then, I want the Indian Nation on Trelawney Land established as a company in its own right under the Trelawney Corporation. Then I want a shell company from that set up to own the land on which they live and lastly, I want a second shell company listed from the land ownership corp, to own the horse bloodline and breeding programme on the Double T. The Partners will be myself, Red Trelawney, RE Trelawney and DK Trelawney and Blue Trelawney.”
The Mayor saw the reasoning and thought it might work. He leaned forward.
“Ok Elizabeth, it might not stand up in Court now but who knows what the future holds. I’ll try it.” He told her. Elizabeth smiled and handed over her notes and wishes that she had painstakingly put together the night before.
She turned to both Red Wolf and Running Elk.
“Do you both agree?” Running Elk looked at his brother who was looking at her. He turned back to Elizabeth.
“Will
this mean, we, the tribe will legally in the white man’s world, own the land we live on?” he asked her.
She nodded. “It will. That’s my hope yes. And if not now, then in years to come when the world changes it will.”
Running Elk came close to tears.
“Father will want to see you,” he whispered. Elizabeth nodded.
“Well if that is all?” Mayor Green questioned.
“Yes thank you.” Elizabeth responded and held out her hand to him.
“I’ll bring the papers over next week. All of you will need to sign them.” He put his hand out for Red Wolf to take. He did. Followed by Running Elk. Elizabeth saw Mayor Green to the door. He took with him a hamper of goods as well as Elizabeth’s gratitude.
Elizabeth came back to the table and asked Anna to serve dinner. Both men were very quiet. When finished she thanked the staff and withdrew back to the parlour. Running Elk followed her in and said his goodbyes at the door.
“I will need to let father know, he will want to see you.” He reminded her.
“I know but when it’s done would be better.” She told him. Running Elk nodded and headed for the door, he paused at the entrance and looked at his brother who returned his stare.
Running Elk nodded at an unspoken statement and left.
Elizabeth was standing by the picture window when Red Wolf came in from the dining room.
“I never get tired of looking at it.” She told him.
He came and stood next to her. “It would seem to be your week for miracles,” he told her.
Elizabeth turned to him. “You know better than that.” And walked to the fireplace and sat down.
“I can never offer you so much in return.” He told her standing by the fire.
“Your family gave me everything when I needed it. I’m not asking you to.”
“No. And that’s the problem. You don’t ask anything of me.” Elizabeth turned in her chair to face him.
“Please don’t do this.” He approached her and knelt before her. From his waistcoat pocket he pulled a small parcel. Handing it to her.
Elizabeth took it and opened it. Inside were two things. A nugget of raw gold and an uncut diamond. Elizabeth was speechless. She looked at him.
“I would have had it made into a ring or something but..” He told her apologetically, it was Elizabeth’s turn to now be close to tears. “It’s your birthday tomorrow. I have not forgotten. Both came from our land.” He told her.
“They’re beautiful, thank you.” Elizabeth’s emotions were raging. She found it hard to look at him and he knew it. He withdrew and sat opposite her. She wanted to thank him properly but feared the consequences. He knew that too.
“You did a wonderful thing today Esa, father will inform the tribe and they will want to give thanks to his daughter. You give him much to be proud of. I wish I could do the same.”
Elizabeth frowned. “You have done everything he’s asked of you.”
Red Wolf smiled. “Then why, do I not feel like it.”
“We do what we have to.” She reminded him. Red Wolf fell back in his chair.
“Dam it Elizabeth. I’m not sure how long I can keep this up. I’ve had enough of what we have to do.”
She had never heard him speak so damming of his duty. “You do not mean that. Father loves you very much, he wants you to lead the tribe well.”
“I know. I know.” He told her irritated, rubbing his hand over his face. “I’m just not sure I want to.”
Elizabeth got up and called to Anna for some coffee. Although she had the feeling that she could do with something stronger. She didn’t trust herself. Elizabeth returned to her seat and Anna followed her in with the coffee.
“Thank you Anna. I don’t need anything else. Go home.” She smiled and left. “Do you want some?” she asked him.
“I should leave,” he told her. Elizabeth refused to be pulled into his emotional turmoil, hers was bad enough.
“I’ll say goodnight then.” She told him. Red Wolf got up and walked to the door. She called to him as he reached it.
“Thank you again for my gift. I love it.” He nodded. “I wish I could give you so much more.” He told her opening the door and walking through it.
Elizabeth held on to her gift and stared after him. She wished that too.
***
On the day of her birthday the Double T put on a party for Elizabeth. People came from all over. The towns people came out as well. Steers were butchered. and three large BBQ pits were set up on the yard. Tables, chairs and bunting were put up as well as lanterns and lights.
There was music in the evening. And an area had been cleared for dancing. Anna and the kitchen staff had worked magic and the food was wholesome and lovely. Her cake beautiful. Mr. Bell tried to talk business and Elizabeth had to remind him it was a party. Vera brought her something feminine and personal and told her to open it when alone which made them both laugh. Kate, Caroline and Mr and Mrs Cane brought her a lovely set of novels by her favourite author.
Jeb came with his sisters. Elizabeth was reminded to visit again soon. The hands and the house staff had clubbed together and purchased a new saddle for her and one of them had engraved it with the Double T crest. Elizabeth was very moved.
Running Elk, Black Dog and the braves, brought gifts from her father and White Dove and The tribe. Running Elk reminded her that Dull Knife wanted to see her. Elizabeth promised she would once the papers had been signed and reminded him that the Mayor had promised to bring them back in a couple of days.
Carl managed to find her on her own to give her his gift. Elizabeth had popped back into the house and he caught her there. Carl was a little unsure giving her something personal.
“Elizabeth.” he called to her, as she turned she realised he had something in his hand. Elizabeth smiled as Carl walked towards her. “I err, hope you like it.” He told her nervously.
Elizabeth took to box from him. It was wonderfully ornate and heavy. Inside was a silver plaque. Engraved across it, was the Trelawney crest, entwined with it, was the tribe’s emblem. It was beautiful. Elizabeth looked up.
“Carl its lovely, but it’s too much, it must have cost the earth.”
“Well actually, once the Chan family found out it was for you, I had trouble paying anything towards it. The only way I could get it was to agree that it was from both of us.” He told her.
Elizabeth shook her head. “Thank you.” Elizabeth frowned. “Why are the Chan’s not here.”
“I understand that the town organiser Mr. Bell, didn’t invite them.” He told her.
“That man is a bigot and I am coming to the conclusion that he will never change. I will have to thank them and apologise, and we will put this at the entrance of the house grounds.”
“You like it then.” He asked her not sure.
“I love it.” She told him. “It’s amazing and very thoughtful.” Elizabeth leaned forward and kissed him. It was the first time she had.
Linking arms with him they went back to the party. Elizabeth formally introduced Carl to Mr and Mrs Cane and as she left them, asked him to look after Caroline. It was clear that Mr and Mrs Cane liked him very much. Elizabeth already guessed Caroline did.
She pulled her to one side and held out the gift she’d gone in for. Showed it to her and asked if she could do something for her and told her what she needed. Caroline was happy to oblige and tucked it away.
As the night wore on, everyone stayed longer than they’d intended as with all good parties and the braves gave them all an escort home.
Mayor Green came out the following week as promised.
He brought the papers with him. Elizabeth, Red Wolf, Running Elk and Blue each signed where needed. Elizabeth would sign on Dull Knifes behalf. Carl and Jake had been asked to counter sign as witnesses. They were registered if not quite legal, but they were according to the legal requirements of the land and law and had been registered and recorded at her New York office.
E
lizabeth had effectively given up several thousand acres, should the tribe ever be able to claim it. Elizabeth thanked Mayor Green for his help and escorted him to the door. It was then he remembered the item Caroline had given him. Elizabeth thanked him again and headed up to pack for a trip to see her father. Running Elk would be staying to keep the place going along with Carl and Jake and in the morning she’d be gone.
***
She came out from breakfast to find Red Wolf waiting for her.
“Is not Black Dog taking me?” she asked him.
“No, father asked me to do it.”
Elizabeth had dressed for the journey, there was a chill in the air, as she mounted. Carl and Jake and the house staff said their goodbyes and Elizabeth confirmed her instructions for the next week and rode out.
Elizabeth set the pace. She was in no urgent rush to get there and wanted to enjoy the journey. The horses were paced from running to walking to save them and allow her to enjoy the change of season. Winter was coming. You could smell it in the air. They rode in silence for a couple hours.
At last, Elizabeth indicated that she would like to stop, rest the horses and take in the breath-taking view. She dismounted and stretched. Red Wolf passed her the water bottle and some dried food. Elizabeth took both and for a time lost herself to the beauty around her.
When she eventually turned, Red Wolf told her. “Welcome back.” Elizabeth smiled.
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