Page 3 of The Enchanted Land

“And I don’t blame William at all for refusing to give him the money for that place of his. Where is it?”

“New Mexico, I believe the territory is called.”

Morgan nearly jumped. She considered what she had heard: Seth Colter needed money and he had a place in New Mexico.

Seth was talking to Cynthia now, and a wave of anger crossed Morgan. He was looking down at Cynthia with a sort of mocking expression, as if he were amused by her.

As Morgan studied Seth’s face, she felt eyes on her and looked to see Cynthia staring at her. Seth, following Cynthia’s gaze, turned to look at Morgan. He looked at her thoroughly, seeming to look at every part of her. He smiled slightly, but showed no real interest in her.

“Morgan, you dear thing, sitting all alone here in the shadows. No one can even see you. Has anyone asked you to dance yet?” Cynthia obviously wanted to show Seth the difference between her own popular self and this rather plain girl in the ill-fitting dress.

“No,” said Morgan timidly, “I haven’t danced. But then, we haven’t been here very long.” She felt she had to save some pride. Why did that man have to keepstaringat her? Why did she feel so warm under his gaze?

Cynthia’s eyes darted from Morgan to Seth. She seemed to enjoy Morgan’s obvious embarrassment. “Seth, dearest, why don’t you dance with our little Morgan?”

“No—” Morgan began, looking up at the man who seemed to be enjoying her confusion.

“Seth, I promised the next dance to Paul Davis, and if you could just keep Morgan company, I’ll come right back to you.” Her lashes fluttered, and she gazed up at him with promise in her eyes. Morgan’s mouth tightened as she realized that Cynthia thought her thoroughly safe company. She’d be no threat to Cynthia!

Seth Colter looked down at the young woman that Cynthia was pushing at him. Poor Cynthia, he thought, just like my sisters. She thinks that if she flutters her lashes at a man and he dances with her twice, then the next step is an engagement.

Somehow, this Morgan interested him. She kept her eyes lowered, and he looked at the top of her head. He saw hair that was both blond and brown, not evenly mixed, but streaked, with parts very light and parts the color of dry piñon needles. He could tell very little about her body under that horrible brown bag of a dress, but he knew she was small. He doubted she reached five feet.

Seth knew Cynthia considered Morgan no temptation. Certainly the girl knew it too. She wasn’t pretty—or was she? He wondered how she would look with her long pale hair loose, cascading across her shoulders and down her back, with no clothes on.

Seth assured Cynthia that he would very much like to dance with Morgan. Doubt crossed Cynthia’s face, but only for a moment.

“But would you please introduce us first?” he said.

The introduction completed. Morgan extended her hand and found it totally engulfed by his. His hand was warm, the palm calloused and hard.

“I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Miss Wakefield.” His eyes smiled. He showed much more interest in her than he had a few minutes before. He turned to Cynthia. “Please excuse us. A waltz has begun, and I am interested in knowing how Miss Wakefield came by a first name like Morgan.” He led Morgan to the dance floor. She could feel the warmth of his body through his coat sleeve.

He took her in his arms and they began to dance. She was glad now that Aunt Lacey had arranged for her dancing lessons. She wanted to glide, to enjoy herself, but she remembered the job that had to be done.

“Mr. Colter, I heard it mentioned that you have a place in New Mexico.”

He paused before answering. What game was she playing? “Yes, I do … a small cattle ranch.”

How to go on? How do you lead up to asking a total stranger to marry you? “My father lived in New Mexico for a number of years. I was born there.” When he didn’t reply, she said, “His name was Charles Wakefield.”

He tilted his head. “I’ve heard of your father. A very wealthy man, with a large spread just south of Albuquerque.”

She looked straight into his eyes and said it plainly. “Yes, a very wealthy man.”

He laughed aloud. He thought he saw her game. He knew her father had died within the year. She probably was an heiress. Since she couldn’t flirt with looks, like Cynthia, she was going to dangle her money as bait. It was incredible what a woman would do to get a husband.

Morgan took a deep breath. “I shall be honest, Mr. Colter. I’d like to make a business deal with you. As you say, my father was a very wealthy man. And now he has left that money to me, on a condition.

“In compliance with that condition,” she continued, “I’d like to offer you a job. It would be no more than a job,” she emphasized. “The job would last one year, you would not have to leave your ranch in New Mexico, and I would pay you twenty-five thousand dollars for your services during that year.”

He was about to speak when the music stopped. They both looked up to see Cynthia rapidly making her way toward them. She doesn’t waste any time, thought Morgan.

“Miss Wakefield,” he said, taking her arm, “your job interests me. Shall we go somewhere where we can talk?”

Much to Cynthia’s chagrin, Seth led Morgan away. Of course, he couldn’t have seen me coming or he would never have turned his back, thought Cynthia. Yet there was just a seed of doubt.

“Cynthia! What a lovely dress!” someone called. Cynthia turned to accept the compliment and missed seeing Seth lead Morgan into the garden.

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