The Enchanted Land Read online

  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