The Enchanted Land Read online

  “You know French cooking?” Theron obviously thought this was too much to hope for.

  “Yes. I studied for some time with a French master chef.”

  He smiled, and his face resembled a Greek god’s. “We are going to get along splendidly.”

  Their talk was about food and cooking for the rest of the meal. Morgan had time to notice the gleaming white tablecloth, the blue-and-white Limoges china, the silver accessories, and the blue-and-white carnations floating in a silver bowl.

  “Jarvis, we will have coffee in the conservatory.”

  Morgan took Theron’s arm as he led her through an archway at the end of the living room. The room was half of a dome with rounded panes of glass set in strips of dark wood. It was filled with lush greenery and orchids of every color. In the middle of the room stood a white marble statue of the classical Greek man, his body perfect. It could easily be a statue of Theron. Morgan turned toward him.

  “I see you notice the resemblance. I found it in Greece.” He turned away to stare at a cattelya orchid. Morgan realized he was embarrassed at the apparent vanity in having a statue so like himself.

  “You were going to explain my future to me today?”

  “Yes.” He was relieved to have the subject changed. “I have already told you that I am an importer of fine art objects. I have lived and worked in New York most of my life, but when I heard gold had been discovered here, I knew there would be a need for my business. When men discover gold, their wives need ways to spend it. First, they have their husbands build them enormous houses, and then they fill them up. That is where I come in. I supply things for them to buy—lovely, beautiful, expensive things. I also make suggestions as to what to buy. Unfortunately, money is not often accompanied by good taste.”

  Morgan sipped her coffee. “Where do I fit into this?”

  “In Europe or in New York, my job would pose no problem. There, people understand me. But here! This new gold takes a farmer or laborer and makes him a millionaire overnight. With all his new-found wealth, he is still ignorant. He dresses his fat, sweating wife in purple satin and thinks she is a lady—he thinks every man wants her.” He paused. “I’m sorry, I am getting too emotional about this.

  “I have learned that I need a companion, a woman to assist me when I talk to these ignorant people. Alone, I seem threatening. Also, the husbands are more likely to go along with their wives’ extravagances when a beautiful young woman is in the room.”

  “Is this what you want me for? Your assistant?”

  “Yes,” he said simply.

  “But I don’t understand. Why did you have to buy someone from a brothel? You could hire someone.”

  “You make it sound very simple, but it is not. You have not caught the gold fever. You haven’t seen what it does to people. The women who come here come with their husbands or fathers, and they don’t want jobs—they want to spend their days in the sun shaking little pans of rocks. It’s very difficult to hire anyone for a steady job these days. Besides, as you see, I cannot bear ugliness. Farmers’ daughters rarely appeal to me.

  “I had an assistant for a while, but she left me for one of those loud drunkards who had a few hundred dollars’ worth of gold dust in his dirty pockets.” His voice held contempt.

  “I don’t usually attend such things as Madame Nicole’s human auction. But a friend of mine, Mr. Leon Thomas, remarked on the resemblance between the two of us, and I was intrigued. Madame Nicole offered me an invitation. I buy things for a living … beautiful things. And when I saw you, I made an offer.”

  “But you can’t buy people!”

  “Please!” He lifted his hand in protest. “Let’s not go into that again. Madame Nicole said your husband was dead and that you are alone. I need an assistant and you need a home. Couldn’t we just call this an intelligent business arrangement?”

  “A business arrangement?” Morgan whispered. Tears came to her eyes as she recalled saying those same words to Seth, less than a year ago.

  “Excuse me. I believe I’ve said something wrong again.”

  “No, it’s not you. It’s an old memory, but still very fresh in my mind. I have not gotten over my husband’s death yet. Sometimes I am afraid I never will.”

  There was an embarrassed silence.

  “As I was saying, you could work for me and learn my business and stay with me until your purchase price is paid. You will have every luxury.”

  She considered this for a moment. She could go back to New Mexico to her father’s ranch. She knew that under the circumstances, she would qualify to inherit the estate. But what would she do alone on a ranch? Perhaps it would be better to work for a living.

  “What is included in this business arrangement of yours besides decorating?”

  He smiled at her, looking so much like the marble statue. “If you mean do I plan to become your lover, the answer is no. Though you are beautiful, you do not interest me in that way.”

  A sudden memory of her mother’s chef, Jean-Paul, came to her. She understood, and returned his smile. Madame Nicole had indeed done her a favor. “Yes, I’ll accept your job.”

  “Good! Now we can start to work. Jeannette says the clothes you brought with you are atrocious. I can imagine Madame Nicole’s taste.” He shuddered delicately. “Since we are so much alike in coloring, I know what colors suit you best—rich, bright, vibrant colors.”

  “That’s just what my mother-in-law said. No pinks or beiges for Morgan—reds and blues and blacks.”

  Theron put her arm through his and patted her hand. “We’re going to make a team, you and I. We’ll be talked about everywhere. Look.” He paused before a full-length mirror and she was startled again at the similarity between them. Streaked blond hair, gently curling … brilliant blue eyes … the same full lips. “Of course, I’m probably old enough to be your father, but I somehow doubt that I am.” His eyes twinkled and she laughed.

  “I think we’re going to enjoy our partnership.”

  The following weeks were almost a fairy tale. Theron was a pleasant companion and a wonderful observer of people. Together, they laughed at the posturings of the nouveaux riches. Theron’s impeccable taste enhanced Morgan’s beauty. Soon she was a celebrity in San Francisco. Heads turned toward them wherever they went. There were constant invitations.

  Men encouraged their wives to hire Theron to help them spend their wealth. Many times Theron had to rescue Morgan from the grasp of a too-ardent husband.

  Jessy sent Morgan an invitation to lunch with her at a fashionable new tea shop. It was one of the few times Morgan had ever been anywhere in San Francisco without Theron.

  Jessy and Morgan hugged one another, glad to be together again. Morgan noticed that Jessy’s cheap taffeta dress was frayed and stained, but the happiness in her eyes overshadowed any money problems.

  “He’s been havin’ some bad luck in the gold fields lately. Made too many bad investments.”

  “But you are happy, Jessy? That’s what matters.”

  “Oh, sure. Me and Tom still get along swell. I got me a new lover on the side, too. Now don’t look so shocked, Morgan. I’m not like you. I never could love one man at a time. Tell me about you. I was upset when those two girls told me what kind of man Madame Nicole sold you to. Maybe you got a lover by now too?”

  Morgan laughed. “Jessy, I need you around all the time. Sometimes my mind gets lost for days in Louis XIV furniture and French enamels. You always seem to know just what you want.”

  “I do know that furniture, no matter how pretty it may be, is no replacement for a man. Now answer my question—you got a lover yet?”

  Morgan was serious. “There’s only been one man in my life and that’s all I want. No one will ever replace Seth. Jessy, don’t look at me like I’m crazy. I am happy, as happy as I can be without Seth. Theron and I are friends. He is good to me and I enjoy decorating.”

  “You’re right, I do think you’re crazy. But as long as you’re happy, that’s all that