Page 59 of Beyond Montana's Sky
Elizabeth Sanders’s sister-in-law.Edith’s interest sharpened. Eugenia Hamilton appeared about five or six years younger than herself, which would make her about ten or so years younger than her husband. “Mrs. Hamilton, I’m delighted to meet you.”
Mrs. Hamilton gracefully arranged her skirt. “I’ve heard you know my sister-in-law, Mrs. Nicholas Sanders.”
Edith had to smile, knowing how seldom Elizabeth Sanders was formally addressed as such, and she’d never heard Nick calledNicholas. She couldn’t resist. “I do know Nick and Elizabeth. Quite well, actually. Their adorable daughter, too. Why, at a tea party not long before I left, Elizabethtoldme to be on the watch for you.”Warned me to watch out for you.
Eugenia Hamilton preened. “I am considered thepremierhostess in our social set. My husband and I are having a ball on Friday evening, and I’d like you to attend. You won’t mind the late notice, will you?” She eyed Edith’s navy silk and lace outfit. “You do have a suitable gown?”
No, only unsuitable ones.“I had most of my clothes made in Boston and shipped to Montana. Of course, I’ve done a flurry of shopping since I’ve arrived.”
“Wonderful. I know my dear husband will be anxious to speak to you about his sister, whom he misses. I don’t understand why Elizabeth opted to stay in Montana. If she had to choose that young cowboy to marry—although I will say he’s quite attractive—why not return to civilization?”
Edith couldn’t imagine Nick and Elizabeth anyplace else. Boston wasn’t the city for cowboys. “Sweetwater Springs has its own appeal. I’m quite surprised to find I miss the place.”
Eugenia Hamilton sniffed. “What could you possibly miss about Montana?”
So many things and people….The thought surprised her with a nostalgic ache, but Edith let none of her feelings show on her face. “The beauty of the natural surroundings.”
Mrs. Hamilton wrinkled her pert nose.
“The wide arch of the sky, clear and vivid blue.” Edith almost sank into dreamlike memories and tried to put them into words. “On a moonless night, the sky is like black velvet, with a swath of diamonds scattered across the expanse. When the full moon gleams bright, the beaming, milky-pale light contrasts with dark shadows. The sunsets are so stunning, sometimes it seems as if the sky’s on fire, streaked with orange and gold and pink. Dawn is mauve and gray and misty pink—”
“Dawn,” Mrs. Hamilton scoffed. “Don’t tell me you were ever up and outside at dawn.”
The censure underlying the woman’s sweet tone brought Edith out of her reverie.No wonder Elizabeth Hamilton fled to Sweetwater Springs to avoid her sister-in-law.
Edith had never approved of Elizabeth’s marriage to Nick Sanders, although the couple seemed more than happy.A wealthy, upper-class lady did not belong with a lowly cowboy, successful rancher or not.
A memory of Cai’s wide smile and laughing blue eyes came to her, accompanied by an ache of loss.I understand much better now how a Montana cowboy can charm his way into your heart.
If you let him, which, of course, she refused to do.
Edith promptly squashed the vision of Cai and flashed Mrs. Hamilton a polite, empty smile. “Up at dawn….” She shrugged. “Not often. But sometimes.”
Taking a sip of her tea, Edith covertly glanced at the clock on the mantle, wondering how many more minutes she had to endure this vapid tea party. She couldn’t help thinking about the warmth of the last one she’d attended in Sweetwater Springs. How she and her friends joked and laughed…. She felt a pang of missing them, of remembering past interactions with nostalgia.
I didn’t value my friends when I had their company. I thought myself above most of them.
Shame coursed through her.
Once, Edith had only wanted to belong in Boston’s social circles. She’d been terrified of revealing theplebian—as Aunt Agatha said—origins of her mother and her lowly Western upbringing, sure her aunt’s predictions of social disgrace were all too true and likely to occur from the least little slip. She’d made herself into the perfect debutante, the perfect wife and mother.Or so I thought.
Now, if her relatives and the women at this tea party were an example, Edith saw upper-class society with fresh eyes—Western eyes. She disliked the petty power struggles for social position, the shallow conversation, the love of gossip about another’s misfortune—without any attempts to reach out a helping hand.
To think I tried so hard to fit in here—to the point where I lost myself.
This group is just a small representative sample, she consoled herself.As I attend other activities, I’ll soon discover convivial people. We’ll speak of art and artists, vacations to the continent and the lure of exploring other lands, cathedrals and grand architecture, great writers….She sighed.
I just have to find them.
* * *
Cai waited to go to town until the earliest time Edith’s letter could have arrived in Sweetwater Springs. He forced himself to wait an additional three days, picking one that was cold but sunny. AvoidingMormor’sknowing eyes, he mumbled an excuse to leave the ranch for town to place a catalogue order and lit out.
He’d sure be a lovelorn fool if no letter waited.Then what will I do?He could hardly keep going to town every few days. Sooner or later—probably sooner—the Andersons would notice that the man who rarely went to Sweetwater Springs now was practically taking up residence in town.
I’ll never hear the end of it.In addition, winter would soon descend with a vengeance, keeping him confined to the ranch.
What if Edith never writes?All he could do was trust she’d keep her word.
