Page 100 of The Enchanted Land

“If you’ll come this way, sir.”

Seth followed the butler into a room of golds and rusts. He stared at the man coming toward him. He’d seen Theron once before, but had paid little attention to him. He was incredibly handsome, smooth and blond. His features and trim physique were almost too perfect.

“Mr. Colter, I believe.”

Seth was surprised at Theron’s use of his name.

“Oh, yes, Mr. Colter, I know who you are. In fact, I’ve followed your adventures all over the gold fields. I must commend you for your wisdom in buying land here. I believe you are on your way to becoming a very wealthy man.”

“You have the upper hand, Mr. Shaw. I know nothing about you.”

“Won’t you have a seat, please? Anyone who has lived with Morgan has heard of the great and wonderful Seth Colter.” Theron’s voice had a slight sarcastic edge to it.

Theron walked to an oak cabinet against the wall. The front of it was carved in a high relief. It was very old. He pulled a knob, and the front lowered into a shelf, held in place by delicate chains. “Could I get you something to drink, Mr. Colter? A brandy, perhaps?”

Seth nodded and Theron handed him a large crystal snifter of brandy. They both paused and savored it.

“Now, what can I do for you on this beautiful afternoon?” Theron’s eyes were cold. This was the man Morgan had cried for, had been ready to die for. Seth Colter had taken her devotion lightly, had flung it in her face, used it against her.

“I’d like to see my wife.”

Theron put his glass down and walked to the window, hands clasped behind him. He must control his anger. This… Kentucky lout walked in here and demanded to see his wife. Where the hell had he been when she needed him? He hadn’t even been with her when the baby was born. Little Adam! He probably didn’t even know he had a son. He certainly didn’t deserve Adam. Theron breathed deeply and turned back to Seth.

“Mr. Colter, it is my opinion that you have lost all right to your wife.”

Seth toyed with the brandy glass. He smiled up at Theron, a cold smile. “As you say, that is your opinion. What is between my wife and me is our business alone.”

He certainly was cool. “Morgan has been my close friend for some time now, and what concerns her concerns me. I believe you have lost your priority in her life.”

Seth frowned into the glass. “You are right, Mr. Shaw. I’ve been so wrong. I’ve done some horrible things to Morgan. I’d like to start again. I’d like to say some things to her that I should have said a long time ago. A great deal of our trouble is the result of plain misunderstanding.”

“Oh, so the long-lost lover has come to his senses at last and now rushes to his little bride’s side. Well, Colter, you are too late. Nearly two years too late. Morgan’s gone.”

Seth was on his feet. “Gone? Where is she?”

“Did you think she’d stay here and wait patiently for two years while you made up your mind whether you wanted her or not?”

Seth sat down, heavily, clumsily, setting the brandy snifter on the table next to him. His voice was quiet. “Everything is my fault. I have always had such a temper. I am thirty-five years old, and still I’ve never learned to control it. I’ve never loved a woman before, not the way I fell in love with Morgan. I couldn’t stand it when I thought she didn’t return my love. I didn’t think—I just flew into a rage.

“You mentioned my investments. I made those for Morgan. I decided some time ago that I loved her no matter what she’d done, even if shehadworked in a … brothel. Even if she was your mistress. I decided I didn’t care, that if she could be bought, then I would buy her. I set about making money.

“Today I found out what a fool I had been, what I had done to Morgan. She should hate me. I know she must, and I deserve it. But I still love her.”

He looked up at Theron, standing by the window. “I want to make it up to her. No matter how long it takes, I want to prove to her that I do love her.” He looked down at the floor again. The room was silent.

Theron took a seat across from Seth. “Morgan left here not long after your,ah… visit.”

Seth moved uncomfortably, not meeting Theron’s eyes.

“She says she hates you, and she has reason to, but I believe she needs you. She is living now at her father’s ranch, the Three Crowns.”

Seth looked up. “Yes. I know the place.”

“She is living there with a sort of foster cousin—the son of her father’s partner, a very pleasant young man—of whom I believe Morgan is growing increasingly fond.”

Seth watched Theron intently.

“If you want her, I’d suggest you go quickly.”

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