Page 17 of The Enchanted Land

Nora walked to the love seat to stand by Morgan. “Well, I’m glad you had a good time.” She ostentatiously removed a leaf from Morgan’s hair, studying it for a second before placing it on the table.

Cynthia spoke. “Riding horses around in the woods is not my idea of a good time.” She looked at Morgan’s dishevelment with open contempt. “It’s a little too dirty for me.”

Seth and Morgan immediately exchanged looks and then laughed aloud. Just the day before, Seth had mentioned that ladies did not like to get dirty. Morgan had replied that she was not a lady. The exchange of laughter over what was obviously a lovers’ joke made for another embarrassing silence.

Nora, reassured that Morgan could handle herself with Cynthia, gathered her daughters and left.

When Nora left, Seth was the first to speak. “Cynthia, may I say that you look lovely, as always.”

Cynthia tittered. “Why, Seth, dear, you may say it as often as you like. You know … no matter how many times you have said it, I still love to hear it.” She turned slightly toward Morgan to make sure she heard every word. “Morgan, has Seth told you what old friends we are?” Her voice had a cutting edge.

Morgan returned the sweet smile with one of her own. She reached over and patted Cynthia’s hand. “My dear Cynthia, you shouldn’t consider yourself such anoldfriend.”

Cynthia’s features hardened and her eyes blazed. They both turned at a sound from Seth. He was choking on a cookie. “Excuse me, ladies.” He struggled to regain his composure. “Won’t you stay for dinner, Cynthia?” There was laughter just beneath his voice. Or was there? Cynthia could not be sure.

“No, I must be going.” Cynthia rose, as did Seth and Morgan. Suddenly, Cynthia’s face brightened. She purred. “What I really came for was to kiss the groom.” She moved very close to Seth and placed a lace-covered hand on his chest. She turned her head toward Morgan. “You don’t mind … do you, dear?”

Without waiting for an answer, her arms slid up and around Seth’s neck in what Morgan knew was a much-practiced gesture. Cynthia pulled Seth’s mouth to hers, her body melting to meet his as his arms encircled her. Morgan turned away.

“Well, I must say, Seth, you haven’t changed.” Cynthia then turned to Morgan, as if startled to find her there. “I reallymustbe going. You’ll visit me before too long, won’t you?” She addressed this to Seth, but then turned slowly to Morgan. “And you must come, too, of course.”

Seth moved to Morgan and put his arm around her shoulders. “My wife would love to come visit, on one of our return trips from New Mexico.”

“New Mexico! I thought a … wife would change your mind about that desolate place.”

“No, my little wife is just as anxious to go to New Mexico as I am.”

Morgan smiled at Cynthia and extended her hand, very aware of Seth’s arm around her. “You must come again. Do you know your way out? But of course you do.” Morgan’s voice held a trace of venom.

Cynthia turned and left, nearly slamming the door behind her. Morgan stood and stared at the door, seething with rage. How dare Cynthia! She was totally unaware that Seth had drawn back from her and was now grinning broadly.

“Be careful. That door is made of wood and your look just might set it on fire.”

She turned on him. “And just what are you grinning about? You certainly enjoyed her visit!” Morgan mimicked holding a teacup, her little finger extended. In a falsetto voice, she said, “Didn’t Seth tell you we wereveryold andverydear friends?” Morgan’s anger mounted. “And then, ‘May I kiss the groom?’ It looked to me as though she had donethatseveral times.”

Seth’s laughter rang through the room. “Calm down, little one. You’ll make me think you are jealous!”

“Jealous!” Her voice grew more calm. “I’m not jealous—I just don’t like being insulted. She had no right to insult me.”

Seth moved close to her and pulled her to him. “Were you insulted? You noticed that she looked familiar with kissing. Were you that interested?”

“No.” She was still very angry. “It looked like she was familiar with kissingyou.”

“So you were interested.”

“No… I…”

“I told you that any time you were interested in trying out kissing—or anything else for that matter—I’m ready.”

“Seth, you promised.”

“I promised I wouldn’t force you, but I didn’t promise I wouldn’t try to persuade you.”

Her anger was slowly receding. How she had hated seeing him kiss Cynthia!

She tilted her head back, and molded her body to his as he started to kiss her.

“Oh, excuse me.” Nora had quietly entered the room, and Morgan quickly moved to free herself from Seth’s arms. Seth refused to remove them, holding her tightly to him.

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