Page 36 of Midnight Rider

“I made him the same offer. He refused. He says that he gave his word and he won’t go back on it.”

“But you don’t mind marrying him, then?”

She smiled sadly. “I love him with all my heart,” she confessed. “I have for years. Even if he can’t return my feelings, he’s fond of me. Maybe one day...” She hesitated. “Maybe there can be a child. At least one child, to inherit.”

He scowled. He didn’t say a word, but he was seeing his beautiful Eloise screaming in pain.

“I must go and plan what to take with me,” she said hurriedly, because she saw the look and misunderstood it entirely. “Thank you for letting me get my own gown, Father. I’m very grateful.”

“It’s little enough to do, girl. God knows, I’ve done almost nothing for you.” He turned back to the window. “Nothing cheap, mind. Get a gown to turn Lupe pea-green with envy.”

“Yes, sir, I shall!” She opened the door and paused. “If Eduardo comes, you’ll explain to him? I mean, without making Lupe sound like a devil?”

He chuckled. “I’ll do me best,” he murmured. “She is a devil, though.”

“I know it. But he mustn’t. His family is very important to him. I wouldn’t want to do anything to upset him.”

“From what I’ve seen of them, you may not be able to prevent it.” He glanced at her. “You’re my daughter, mind, and you have my temper. I can’t see you letting the old woman walk all over you.”

“Nor can I. Perhaps she’ll go home right after the wedding,” she said hopefully.

“Lass, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for that to happen.”

She sighed. “I know what you mean.”

* * *

THETRAINTRIPTOOKFOURDAYSeach way. Allowing for the time in transit and the visit to the dressmaker and the physician who specialized in treatment of lung diseases it was a two-week sojourn. What a wonderful luxury to ride in her father’s private railroad car, which was attached to a train bound for St. Louis, Missouri, and then transferred to a car headed east. It was fascinating to watch the porters her father employed working with such brisk efficiency to transform the car to serve all her needs. It was, Bernadette fancied, the way royalty would travel.

New York City amazed...intimidated...thrilled the two women from southwest Texas. Maria was delighted with the wedding dress Bernadette chose. It was exquisitely embroidered with white roses and covered with Belgian lace. There was a veil that fell to her hips in front and ran down to the scalloped edges of the satin train in back. The high neck was embroidered and covered with delicate lace, as were the mutton sleeves and flaring skirt. It was horribly expensive. But as her father had said, Bernadette reminded herself, she was only marrying once. And this was a gown to grace a princess.

It was fitted, altered, packed and sent to the railway station when Bernadette and Maria were ready to leave.

Meanwhile, Bernadette had seen Dr. Harold Metter, a young physician with some new ideas about the treatment of asthma that were attracting much attention in the medical community. He prescribed sedatives and had an order made up for Bernadette, along with a prescription to take home with her. The drug was an opiate, so it was imperative that she use it only when everything else failed, he instructed. He also prescribed moderate exercise and fresh air and a light diet.

Bernadette felt more confident about herself than she ever had before. She also worked up enough courage to ask the physician about the possibility of having a child. He said there was no reason she shouldn’t, even when told about her family medical history. He examined her and pronounced her quite fit enough to carry a child without endangering her life. Here, again, he had revolutionary theories, and one of them was that she must keep active right up until the birth of a child. If she would contact him by mail when she knew herself to be pregnant, he would prescribe a course of exercises to make the birth easier, as well as refer her to a prominent obstetrician in San Antonio.

Bernadette went back to Valladolid County feeling as if she were floating the whole way. She had her exquisite wedding gown and the hope of a normal life, babies and a happy marriage. All she had to do was get around the oldcondessaand the young Lupe, and win Eduardo’s heart. Buoyed by optimism, she felt she could accomplish anything. It was just a matter of planning, she told herself. And she was ready to start a campaign.

* * *

THEDRESSWASADMIREDBYHERfather and pronounced perfect. He was also surprised by the physician’s recommendations, and delighted by the prognosis. He seemed genuinely touched by the positive turns in her life.

Eduardo rode over to see her the day following her return. He looked perfectly normal until he spoke to her. He was remote, formal, so correct that he seemed a stranger.

They sat together in the living room, sipping the coffee that Maria had brought from the kitchen, and neither spoke for several minutes.

“You found a gown, I understand?” he asked finally, his stiffness tinged with anger.

“Well, yes.” She wondered at his attitude. “Didn’t Father explain to you that I wanted to choose my own gown?”

“Certainly he explained. However, my cousin Lupe was deeply offended by this shopping trip. She helped to purchase the gown for the king’s niece, and I assure you, she found a gown befitting royalty.”

She folded her hands on the lap of her pale blue dress and stared at him without backing down an inch. “I daresay she was eager to please the king,” she said with emphasis.

His eyebrows lifted. “Are you insinuating that she wouldn’t be eager to please me?”

“I don’t doubt it. But I wanted to choose my own gown.”

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