Page 14 of The Enchanted Land

The joking tone left Seth’s voice. “All right, sisters, since you have chosen completely inappropriate clothing for Morgan, then you must keep these fabrics for yourselves and supply her with some more suitable garments from your own wardrobes. She will need the sturdiest fabrics you can obtain.”

Morgan could readily see that the idea of several new dresses did not displease the girls.

Austine was the first to speak. “Morgan, let’s go upstairs and we’ll go through the chifforobe.”

As the three sisters ushered Morgan upstairs, she turned a backward glance to Seth. He was looking at the pile of silks and brocade with an air of disgust. No wonder he thinks all women are silly, she thought.

Two hours later, Morgan emerged from the girls’ bedrooms, totally exhausted. She had tried on dress after dress. No matter what she tried, it was huge on her. The sisters had wanted to start immediately on taking things in, adjusting them so they fit her snugly. Morgan had considered this for only a second. She knew that Seth gave her those special glances only when she had her hair down and she sensed that she would have an easier time holding him to his promise of the morning if her dresses fit loosely. She made excuses to her sisters-in-law, saying anything she could think of to persuade them not to alter the dresses.

At the dinner table, Austine tried to enlist Seth’s help in getting Morgan to change her mind about taking in the dresses. But, much to her chagrin, Seth sided with Morgan.

“I think my little wife is right. Tight dresses with heavy corsets”—the girls’ eyes widened; they wondered how their brother knew of ladies’ corsets—“are not suitable wear for long hours in the sun, sitting on a jolting wagon seat.”

The matter seemed to be settled, and the conversation turned to other matters.

After dinner, the family retired to the drawing room. As they began to occupy themselves, a groom came in to tell Seth and William that Susan was about to foal.

Seth was on his feet in seconds. “No, Pa, this is mine. You stay and enjoy your brandy.” He looked at Morgan and hesitated, but only for a second. “Come on.”

Her face showed her joy as she took his hand and they went quickly and silently to the barn.

The mare, Susan, was lying down in the sweet-smelling straw, her breath heavy and rapid. As Seth assisted with the already-emerging colt, Morgan held the horse’s head and soothed her, speaking quietly and evenly.

The birth was an easy one, but still the tension was great. Morgan knew Seth loved the pretty little mare, and that this colt was to be his. Seth helped the mare clean her colt and, within minutes, the little stallion was trying to stand.

Morgan and Seth stood by and watched, laughing together at the colt’s clumsiness. When the colt began to nurse, they decided it was time to leave.

As they stepped out of the warm barn into the cool night air, Morgan shivered. Without thinking, Seth put his arm around her shoulders and drew her to him, so that the sides of their bodies touched. Morgan started to draw away, but something in the casual way Seth had put his arm around her was reassuring.

“You were good with the mare.”

“Thank you.”

“I think you’ll do well in New Mexico. There are many jobs like that one.”

“I like being outside. Could we walk a few minutes before we go in?”

Without a word, he led her around the barn and toward a grove of trees. “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?”

“Yes.”

“How were my sisters this afternoon? Did their chattering bother you?”

Morgan laughed. “Yes. They seemed very upset because clothing is not my passion.”

Seth halted and swung Morgan around till she was in his arms. His voice was low. “Tell me something, Morgan. Whatisyour all-consuming passion?”

Without hesitation, she answered simply, “Trahern House.”

Seth continued smiling at her. “I like your honesty. It’s unusual in a woman.”

“Unusual in the women you’ve known, maybe, but I assure you there are things besides men that are important to some of us!”

Seth laughed loudly, his whole body shaking with merriment. Morgan moved from within the circle of his arms and repressed an urge to slap his smirking face. Her mother had been right! It was impossible to carry on an intelligent conversation with a man. They were always so sure that you, a woman, were an inferior being. She turned and ran toward the house, her strides filled with anger.

Before she had reached the house, Seth had her by the arm.

“Now wait a minute, Morgan!” His voice was stern. “Think about what you said and answer me this question: How many of the unmarried women you have met in the last two years cared aboutanythingexcept getting a husband? And how many mothers with marriageable daughters cared about anything except getting that daughter married?” He paused a few seconds and then continued in a lower voice. “When women change their attitudes toward men, see a man as something besides a prize to be won, then, and only then, will men change their attitudes toward women!”

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