The Enchanted Land

  For miles, Morgan kept turning to look back to see if she could still see the house.

  “Santa Fe is not what you have been used to in Kentucky, but it is a pretty little town, and Mrs. Sanchez is a magician with a needle. I just show her a picture, and she can make a copy of the gown.” Lena did not seem to notice Morgan’s silence. “Of course, now that they’ve discovered gold in California, everything is changing. I heard that they’re opening a stage line all the way from St. Louis to San Francisco. Already, more and more goods are coming into Santa Fe as the traders stop here on their way to the coast.”

  Lena continued talking as they rode.

  It was nearly sundown when they reached the town. The buildings were like Seth’s ranch house, made of adobe with long poles protruding from under the roofs. There were few stores, but the town seemed busy as the people moved around under the broad porches.

  Lena led them to the hotel. The room was large and comfortable. Lena ordered a bath for Morgan as she left to get Mrs. Sanchez and some of her own clothes, which she always kept in town at Mrs. Sanchez’s house.

  Morgan was luxuriating in the hot tub when they returned. Mrs. Sanchez was a stout woman, dressed in black. “Here she is,” said Lena. “She’ll take your measurements and start on some clothes. Here, dry off so we can get busy.” Morgan smiled as she took the towel from Lena. She was getting used to the way Lena ordered everyone around.

  Lena gasped as Morgan stood up. “My brother told me you were beautiful under your ugly clothes, but he could not have known how much of the truth he spoke!” Quickly, Mrs. Sanchez took Morgan’s measurements. Then she and Lena discussed Morgan’s new clothes. After the seamstress left, a waiter brought their dinner. Lena went to her own room, and Morgan sank into the empty bed. It was the first time in weeks she had slept without Seth’s arms around her, and she had to exercise control to keep from crying herself to sleep.

  By midmorning of the next day, Mrs. Sanchez returned with a completed dress. Morgan looked at the woman’s red-rimmed eyes, and she knew she had worked on it all night.

  As Morgan slipped on the dress and then looked into the full-length mirror, her spirits lifted. The dress was beautiful. It was a brilliant blue, the color of her eyes, and it fit her curves perfectly.

  Lena was watching her in the mirror. “It is strange what a beautiful gown will do for a woman.”

  “Lena, it is beautiful. I’ve never had a dress like this before. Do you think Seth will like it?”

  “A woman in love! How very tiresome they can be. Of course, he will like it, and the women will hate you.”

  Morgan smiled at her own reflection.

  “Now we will fix your hair, and soon we will be ready to show Santa Fe its newest citizen.”

  An hour later, Morgan stood before the mirror again, hardly recognizing herself. The mirror told her she was beautiful, and she held her head high. She laughed.

  “What amuses you?”

  “I was thinking about an old girlfriend of Seth’s. Cynthia thought she was going to marry Seth. I wish I could see her now.”

  Lena laughed also. “I knew there was more to you than what I first saw scattering feed for the chickens. You would like to show off in front of your husband’s admirer, would you?” Her eyes danced mischievously. “I think we could take a trip to a certain store in Santa Fe before dinner. You might find something to interest you there.”

  On their way from the hotel to the store, people turned to stare. Lena was attired in a maroon dress with thin bands of ruby-red trim. Morgan began to enjoy the way the people looked at them, and as they reached the store, she realized she was happy she had come to Santa Fe.

  “Good afternoon, Marilyn. We came to see some yardgoods. My friend would like to have some shirts made for her husband.”

  At the mention of Marilyn’s name, Morgan knew who the woman was. She was pretty, and her figure was generous, but Morgan guessed that in a few years she would be fat. This was Marilyn Wilson, the woman some people thought Seth might marry.

  “Yes,” Morgan said, “I would like some very fine cotton and silk, if you have it.” She looked at Lena and acted as if she were suppressing laughter. “I will need several yards of each. You see, I’m very new at this and my husband is … a very large man.” She gave an embarrassed laugh. “You know how it is, I’m sure, Mrs….?”

  “Miss Wilson.”

  “Well, yes, you will learn in a short time, I am sure.” Morgan patted Marilyn’s hand. “Let me introduce myself. I am Mrs. Seth Colter. My husband and I have just journeyed all the way from Kentucky, and I find his wardrobe sorely depleted.” Morgan walked to the counter, piled with bolts of fabric, pretending to be unaware of the woman’s astonished stare.

  Marilyn fairly exploded. “Seth!”

  Morgan whirled to face her, her blue eyes wide in innocence. “Do you know my husband? But of course you would. My dear Seth is such a rogue, is he not? Why, even back home I sometimes had trouble with other women. Of course, Seth and I have been engaged practically since we were children.”

  “Engaged! You mean all the time he’s been out here, he was engaged to you?”

  “But of course. Didn’t he mention me to you?” Morgan gave her a look of sympathy. “I’m so sorry, my dear. Seth has always been such a tease. I hope he hasn’t caused you any distress? Lena, I think we should make our purchases some other time.” She paused again to pat Marilyn’s hand. “Why don’t you come out to the ranch sometime for a visit? We’d love to have you.”

  Outside the store, Lena and Morgan walked together in silence for a while.

  “Morgan, I am glad you and I are friends, because I would certainly hate to have you for an enemy.”

  Morgan smiled. She had only been protecting what was hers.

  Chapter Ten

  THE Montoya ranch was enormous. The main house itself could have housed a small army. In fact, the shape of the house suggested that it had been made to hold off an attack. The house enclosed all four sides of a large garden and courtyard.

  Everywhere there were servants. There were always men working in the garden, and every room had one or two women cleaning and polishing. Lena had introduced Morgan to two young girls whose sole job it would be to take care of Morgan. Morgan soon found that she liked being pampered.

  The party would start in a short time. Lena had already gone downstairs to stand beside her brother as they greeted their guests. Morgan had not seen Joaquín yet and had, in fact, given him very little thought.

  Seth had not come yet.

  “Señora Colter, he will be here soon. You are so beautiful that he will be very sorry he took so long.”

  “Thank you, Margarita.”

  The dress was of shimmering red silk. It was cut low in front and exposed Morgan’s creamy shoulders. She was not used to the tight restrictions of the laced corset, but she liked the way it pushed her breasts above the restraining fabric. Her golden hair was piled on top of her head, with great masses of curls cascading down her back.

  There was a knock, and Morgan, expecting Seth, eagerly stepped toward the door as Margarita opened it. Her face fell as she saw it was Joaquín.

  “My beautiful little Morgan, is your old friend such an unwelcome sight after all we have shared together?”

  She smiled at him and took his extended hands. “No, Joaquín. I am glad to see you. It’s just that I expected Seth.”

  “He was always lucky with beautiful women.” Morgan missed the slight edge to his voice and the passing look of hatred that fired his eyes.

  “But let me look at you.” Still holding her hands, he appraised her every curve until she felt the blood rising to her face. “I knew you were beautiful, but I did not realize how beautiful.” He dropped her hands and reached into his inside coat pocket. “Lena told me what you were wearing, and she thought I might lend you some of the Montoya jewels.” He opened a small leather case to expose a sparkling chain of sapphires surrounded by tiny diamonds. There were ea
rrings to match.

  “Joaquín, they’re beautiful! But I couldn’t wear them.”

  “Why not? They are not a gift, only a loan for one night. Surely you would not turn down a loan between friends? If you would like, think of them as coming from my sister. I am merely her messenger.”

  Morgan laughed. “Joaquín, I believe you could charm butter into cream with just your words.”

  Joaquín smiled, his eyes devouring her. “I wish that were so, because there are some things I would like to have. Seth is a lucky man.”

  There was an embarrassed silence until Morgan broke it by asking the maid to help her with the jewels. Joaquín took them from her instead, and as he fastened them around her lovely neck, Morgan had the distinct impression that he was about to kiss her. Somehow the moments she spent with Joaquín always became awkward. She wished Seth would hurry.

  “There! They are nearly as lovely as you are.”

  “Oh, señora! They are really beautiful on you. Your husband will know you are the most beautiful woman in all of Nuevo Mexico!”

  “Do you really think so, Margarita? I hope he likes me.”

  “Likes you?” Joaquín smiled. He had heard from Lena how they had clung to one another in parting. He himself had seen only the way they had acted on the trip to New Mexico. As he looked at Morgan, breath-taking in the silken gown, he ached to take her in his arms. “Morgan, little one, no man will be able to resist you at all tonight. If that husband of yours does not fall at your feet, I will shoot him myself.” Joaquín’s roaring laughter at his own comment caused Morgan to look at him curiously.

  “Since your husband does not seem to be here yet, may I have the honor of escorting you downstairs?”

  She really wanted to wait for Seth, but since Joaquín had been so nice about the jewels, she took his extended arm and they went downstairs to the party.

  “Morgan! There are so many people here who want to meet you.” Lena lowered her voice. “There are going to be a lot of women here who will hate you.” She laughed at Morgan’s startled expression. “Seth has been the most eligible bachelor around here for years. He and Joaquín have been pursued by every woman with a marriageable daughter within two hundred miles of Santa Fe.” She touched Morgan’s silk dress. “Isn’t silk nicer than chicken feed?” They laughed together.

  Lena had been right in telling Morgan that she would feel hatred from some of the women. Morgan felt that some of the people had come only to see her, to judge Seth Colter’s new wife. As she shook hands with seemingly endless numbers of people, she overheard remarks from all sides.

  “No wonder Colter waited so long. He was holding out for the best.”

  “Of course, if I had allowed my Katherine to dress like that, she would have had several men around her, but I prefer modesty and a certain respectability.”

  Morgan turned at this remark, obviously intended for her hearing. She saw an overweight matron glaring at her. Close behind the woman was a tall, thin girl with protruding teeth and a sharp nose. Morgan smiled at the girl and remembered herself, shy at a ball, less than a year ago. That had been the most fortunate night of her life. She had met Seth that night. She looked again toward the door for the thousandth time.

  “You don’t look as if you are having a very good time.”

  She smiled at Joaquín. “I just wish Seth were here. I hope nothing has happened at the ranch.”

  “You are the talk of everyone here tonight. There isn’t a woman at my house now who wouldn’t sell her soul to be as beautiful as you are. Yet you stand here and worry about problems on the ranch. Smile, sweet Morgan. Laugh and enjoy yourself. Come, dance with me, and let’s give them more to talk about.”

  “You’re right, Joaquín. I’ll have to stop worrying.”

  Joaquín led her onto the dance floor, and Morgan was again glad her Aunt Lacey had arranged for dancing lessons.

  “Who would have thought you could be so beautiful? There is a woman making her way toward us who has the most incredible look of hatred directed right at you.”

  Morgan turned to see Marilyn Wilson staring at her. She was escorted by a slim man with a pencil-thin mustache. He seemed almost as young as Morgan.

  “Why, Mrs. Colter! What a pleasant surprise.”

  “Hello, Miss Wilson. Are you enjoying Lena and Joaquín’s party?”

  “Oh, yes.” She looked up at her partner and then at Joaquín. “But I would have thought a bride would be dancing with her husband.” She smiled. “At least for the first few weeks.”

  Morgan smiled back sweetly. “My husband was detained tonight, but it is nice to be a bride, don’t you agree, Miss Wilson? Oh—pardon me. Of course, you wouldn’t know, would you? Joaquín, could we get some champagne? I seem to be suddenly very thirsty.”

  At the long table set against the wall, Joaquín gave Morgan a glass of chilled champagne. “You are deadly to your enemies, are you not?”

  “Oh, yes, I guess,” Morgan was distracted as she glanced toward the door again.

  “Come little one, I am not used to women who find me boring.”

  “Oh, Joaquín, it’s not you; I’m just worried about Seth.”

  “Come walk with me in the garden. The fountain is lovely in the moonlight.”

  She looked at him apprehensively.

  “I promise not to molest you or even to kiss your lips.”

  She smiled at him, took his extended arm, and walked out through the open door with him into the moonlit garden.

  Seth entered in time to see his wife, her body clad in red silk, smiling up at Joaquin. She took his arm and they stepped into the moonlight.

  Seth’s impulse was to run after her and knock the little Spaniard down. He’d like to have seen Joaquín on the floor, blood running from his nose. Damn her! I leave her alone a minute and she runs off with someone else.

  “Seth! It’s good to see you.” Marilyn followed his eyes to the open door. She had also seen Joaquín and Morgan leave together. “Well, aren’t you going to ask an old friend to dance?”

  “Marilyn.” He had just realized she was there.

  “Seth, honey, would you like some refreshment? You look like you’ve just had a shock.”

  He allowed himself to be led to the table. After three straight shots of Joaquín’s twelve-year-old bourbon, he felt stronger.

  “Feel better now, honey?”

  “Yes, I do.” He looked at Marilyn. Her large breasts were nearly spilling over the top of her dress. In the last few months he hadn’t looked at any woman other than Morgan. After another shot of whiskey, Marilyn began to look even better to him.

  “Would you care to have this dance, Miss Wilson?” he asked sweepingly.

  Marilyn felt good being in Seth’s arms again. None of the other men she had ever had made her feel the way Seth did. Most men cared only about themselves, but when Seth made love to her, he made sure she enjoyed it, too.

  “I met your wife a few days ago.” She had his attention. “It seemed so strange to me that she was a new bride, yet running around the countryside with that Lena. You know what Lena’s like. I thought it was odd then, and here she is tonight flirting like a … like a … Well, I’m sure you understand my distress.” She cast him a sidelong glance to make sure he was listening. “And that Joaquín Montoya, of all people!” She smiled when she felt Seth’s arm muscles tighten. “Yes, everyone is talking about them, about how they keep standing in dark corners, giggling and drinking champagne together. I’m sure if I had a husband, I wouldn’t—”

  Seth dropped his arms from around her and quickly left the room, out the same door Morgan and Joaquín had used a few minutes earlier.

  A few people turned and stared, and Marilyn nearly laughed aloud with joy. Little bitch, she thought, I’ll teach her to snub me.

  The first thing Seth heard was Morgan’s laughter.

  “Well, it looks like my little wife is enjoying herself.”

  “Seth!” She ran to him and threw her arms aroun
d his waist. “I was so worried. You’re so late.”

  He disengaged her arms, holding her from him. “Yes, I can see how worried you were.”

  “Seth! For Heaven’s sake, you’re not going to be jealous, are you? Joaquín and I walked out into the garden together for a few minutes. That’s all. You are not going to spend our entire married life getting angry every time I speak to another man, are you?”

  Seth looked at Joaquín. “No,” he said quietly, “I don’t think I’ll spend all our married life getting angry, because we may have had all the married life we are going to have. Now, if you will excuse me, I believe I can find other things to occupy myself than trying to keep my wife from her lover—or is it lovers? Goodnight.”

  Seth was gone before she could react to his accusations. She started walking toward the house after Seth, but Joaquín caught her arm. “Morgan, you cannot think to pursue him after he has treated you as he has. No, you must wait for him to come to you, to apologize and to beg your forgiveness.”

  She stared at him. “I don’t understand why he should be jealous. He’s the only man I’ve ever cared about. How could he accuse me of the things he did?”

  Joaquín put a comforting arm around her shoulders. “He was wrong, and soon he will know it. He’ll come back to you and everything will be all right. Now, cheer up. A lover’s quarrel is not the end of the world. We will go back inside, dance, and show the world we do not care.”

  She jerked from his arm, not seeing the frown on his face. “But I do care. I care more than you’ll ever know. I love him more than my own life, and he must know that. I must find him.”

  Quietly, Joaquín agreed. “I will help you. We will go to my stables now, and we will find this ignorant husband of yours, and you may explain all night if you like.”

  “But, Joaquín, your guests.”

  “Pah! Lena is the one who loves parties. She will not even know I am gone, and she will be glad that your beauty is no longer there to compete with hers.”