Page 36 of Beyond Montana's Sky
Pamela Carter tilted her head. “Have you hidden Maggie’s Gypsy caravan?”
Edith’s smile was rueful. “If we thought doing so would make a difference. In a small town like this, someone is bound to mention that wagon to my relatives. Then they’ll become curious. Probably pry and make up something scandalous.” She grimaced, thinking of the Gypsy caravan. “Well, even more scandalous.”
Elizabeth shrugged and set her cup and saucer on a nearby side table. “At least, we’re warned.” She held up her hands as if framing a signpost. “Haughty people coming our way. If necessary, Pamela and I can run interference. After all, we’re from the same social circles, even if a little out of date. I am acquainted with some of your relatives. At one time, they almost were mine.”
Pamela linked arms with Elizabeth. “Or, in my case, a lot out of date.”
“Speaking of weddings—” Elizabeth lifted her teacup in Miss Taylor’s direction “—when are you marrying that handsome doctor of yours?”
Her cheeks growing pink, the dressmaker glanced over at Elsie, sitting on the other couch and chattering with Cora Collier. She looked back toward Edith and sighed. “Between the flurry of gowns commissioned for Maggie’s wedding and everything we made for the Harvest Festival, I haven’t even been able tothinkabout my own wedding. I told Angus that after yours—” she lifted her teacup in Maggie’s direction “—I’m closing down the shop and sleep for a week. Only then will I start planning my own wedding.”
Maggie chuckled. “Sounds like a springtime ceremony. Late spring, that is, after the rainy months.”
Constance gave Maggie a smile of camaraderie. “Of course, ours won’t be nearly as lavish as yours. I know exactly what my dress will look like. I purchased the fabric and trim years ago in Italy. Although I haven’t done anything about actually making it.”
I’ll miss their wedding ceremony.Seems the closer the time came to leave for Boston, the more Edith realized what she’d leave behind in Sweetwater Springs. The initial decision had seemed so clear.You hadn’t met Cai Driscoll then.
Pamela set down her plate of cake and cookies. “I’m sure you’re anxious to return to a more active social scene.”
“And theshopping,” Elizabeth said on a sigh, of obvious longing. “I envy you that! You’ll have to let us know what new shops you’ve found to patronize—ones that will ship to Montana.”
Startled, Edith looked at her. She hadn’t expected Pamela and Elizabeth to want to correspond. In spite of addressing them by their given names, the three weren’t close.
Pamela chuckled. “You look so surprised, Edith. Did you think we wouldn’t be interested in your doings in Boston?”
“You might even run into Laurence and his wife Eugenia.” Elizabeth frowned. “However, I probably should warn you about my sister-in-law.”
Edith searched her memory for Eugenia Hamilton and vaguely recalled a petite, dark-haired woman with a slight overbite.
“Not that you’d need warning.” Elizabeth waved an airy dismissal. “You’re so self-assured in social situations. It’s just that Eugenia has…well, a tendency to say cutting things in the most airy and sweet way. Sometimes, it’s hard to see the knife under her words. My brother certainly didn’t. I can’t tell from his letters if that’s still the same. For his sake, I hope so. Otherwise, he’ll be most unhappy in his marriage.”
Edith wrinkled her nose. “I have a cousin who does the same. I’ll be on the lookout for your sister-in-law.”
Elizabeth glanced at Pamela, and sudden tears came to her blue eyes. “In many ways, I owe Eugenia a debt of gratitude. If she hadn’t made me so miserable, I wouldn’t have accepted Pamela’s invitation to leave Boston to live with her. Before, such an idea would have been unthinkable.”
“I know what you mean,” Edith murmured. “If my husband were still alive, I wouldn’t be here.”
“The same for me regarding my first husband,” Samantha disclosed. “And living with Juan Carlos’s family was intolerable.”
“I fled Chicago—” Constance set down her teacup hard enough for the bottom to clink against the saucer “—because the man I thought to marry abruptly married someone else. I went to Europe first and ended in Sweetwater Springs because my father lived here.”
“I was driving to Sweetwater Springs with my late husband.” Maggie glanced around with a furtive look and lowered her voice. “Although I’m not sorry I arrived without him.”
“No, you arrived with Caleb and Charlotte.” Samantha’s cornflower blue eyes twinkled. “A much better exchange.”
They all chuckled.
“How odd.” Edith looked around their little circle. “None of us were born in Sweetwater Springs. None of us came here because wewantedto up and move to Montana.”
The others laughed.
“If I’d stayed in Boston—” Elizabeth placed a hand on her chest. “I never would have met my husband. Fallen in love again and learned a second love can be just as rich and meaningful as a first love—more so in many ways. I wouldn’t have my daughter—the joy of my life.” Love illuminated her countenance, making her even more beautiful.
Edith nodded, thinking of Ben.Indeed, the joy of my life.I’m moving to Boston for him.She took a sip of tea.Could I find a man there—experience a richer, more meaningful love? Is that even possible?She refused to think of a certain rancher.
Elizabeth’s gaze swept the room and returned to settle on Edith. “After Pamela left Boston, I only had one close friend and real confidante. Of course, other, more distant, friends and even more acquaintances.” She smiled and leaned sideways to touch shoulders with Samantha. “I’ve made many dear friendships here. My life has so much meaning.” She let out a slow sigh. “I’m richly blessed.”
A lump rose in Edith’s throat. She’d held herself aloof from these women, even though Elizabeth and Pamela were her social equals. Well, by Boston standards,almosther social equals. After all, the Livingstons took great pride in being a branch of the Cabots—the top-tiered family in Massachusetts. Too many times, Aunt Agatha had drummed that fact into her.
