The Enchanted Land Read online

  Without hesitation, she answered simply, “Trahern House.”

  Seth continued smiling at her. “I like your honesty. It’s unusual in a woman.”

  “Unusual in the women you’ve known, maybe, but I assure you there are things besides men that are important to some of us!”

  Seth laughed loudly, his whole body shaking with merriment. Morgan moved from within the circle of his arms and repressed an urge to slap his smirking face. Her mother had been right! It was impossible to carry on an intelligent conversation with a man. They were always so sure that you, a woman, were an inferior being. She turned and ran toward the house, her strides filled with anger.

  Before she had reached the house, Seth had her by the arm.

  “Now wait a minute, Morgan!” His voice was stern. “Think about what you said and answer me this question: How many of the unmarried women you have met in the last two years cared about anything except getting a husband? And how many mothers with marriageable daughters cared about anything except getting that daughter married?” He paused a few seconds and then continued in a lower voice. “When women change their attitudes toward men, see a man as something besides a prize to be won, then, and only then, will men change their attitudes toward women!”

  Morgan looked at the ground. He was right. Most women were like Cynthia Ferguson and Seth’s sisters. She looked up at Seth and smiled. “You’re right. But I’m different!”

  A teasing look was in Seth’s eyes. His voice was low, almost a whisper as he moved his face very near hers. “I can see you don’t care about frivolous things … but what about men? I think maybe you haven’t had a chance to learn about that.” His lips moved to her ear and his breath was soft and warm. “Any time you want to find out about men, let me know. I’d be happy to help you in your … explorations.”

  His huge body made Morgan nervous. She quickly moved from him and ran for the safety of the house.

  Chapter Three

  “MORGAN.” Seth’s voice was close to her ear. “Get dressed and let’s go. It’s nearly sunup.” He paused and looked at her drowsy face. “Better yet, don’t get dressed. I like you that way.”

  Morgan opened her eyes and smiled up at him. His voice, his always-teasing manner, and his open, generous smile were becoming very familiar to her. They had been married only four days, and had known one another for only five, but already the sight of him was familiar. She wondered how she could ever have been afraid of men. Seth was reasonable, kind, and considerate. The next year would be a pleasant one if their friendship continued to grow.

  “Well?”

  “I’m getting up.” She went into the adjoining dressing room and quickly put on the large green riding habit that had once been Jennifer’s. Her hair was still flowing down her back as she returned to the bedroom and crossed to the mirror. She started brushing it in preparation of pulling it back into its tight little knot at the nape of her neck.

  “Don’t.” Seth’s voice startled her as his large hand loosely clasped her wrist. “Leave it down. I like to see it.” She opened her mouth to protest, but he placed two warm fingers over her lips. “Don’t give me a lecture about how your hair doesn’t matter. Just leave it loose. Please.”

  Morgan didn’t want to start the day with an argument, so she dropped her hands and left her hair to curl softly past her waist. As they left the room to tiptoe downstairs to the kitchen, she could still feel Seth’s fingers on her lips.

  “It’s even earlier than I thought, if Cook, that old tiger, isn’t up,” Seth whispered as they entered the large, still-dark kitchen.

  “She was very nice to me when I was in here yesterday afternoon, preparing the picnic basket.”

  “Nice? Cook nice to a lady? She doesn’t think a lady is worth a handful of salt.”

  “Maybe she doesn’t consider me a lady. After all, I was cooking. I don’t believe cooking is a ladylike occupation.”

  “Oh, yes. I had forgotten that my little wife cooks. I don’t guess there is a lady in five counties that can cook. Wife!”

  Morgan was startled at his exclamation.

  “Where’s my breakfast?”

  Morgan bristled at his tone. “I cook only when I want to. No man commands me to do anything.”

  Seth groaned and turned his eyes upward. “Oh God! Am I going to be cursed with a year of this? A woman without a sense of humor? If I tell her hair is pretty, she tells me it is none of my business. If I tell her I need food, she tells me she doesn’t take orders. Tell me, Lord, what is this poor man to do?” Seth tilted his head down slightly till he could see Morgan out of one eye. She had her hand over her mouth, trying to hide her smile.

  Thus encouraged, Seth returned to his prayer. “What’s that? You think the lass needs some persuasion? A what? A kiss? Ah, yes, that could bring her ’round. Thanks, Lord.”

  Seth bent toward Morgan, who now stood staring at him, eyes wide. “Seth—”

  “You heard Him. I have nothing to do with it.” He began walking purposefully toward her.

  Morgan ran quickly to the other side of the big oak table. “Seth … don’t.” As she went to one side of the table and as he pursued her, they both began to laugh.

  “I have orders to kiss the cook—to gentle her into making my breakfast.” His smile was infectious.

  “I’ll make breakfast. I don’t need persuasion,” Morgan said between peals of laughter.

  “Enough of this play, lass.” Seth leaped up and bounded across the top of the table toward Morgan. She stopped where she was, stunned by the sight of his massive body leaping with such agility.

  Before she had regained her senses, his arms were around her. “Now,” he began, still laughing. But as his lips moved towards her, all at once both of them were serious.

  “What is this? Sounds like the old bull got loose in my kitchen. What are you two doing in here, sparkin’ in my kitchen before the sun’s even up?”

  Cook’s querulous voice broke the spell. Morgan was embarrassed and looked down at the floor, but none of it seemed to have affected Seth.

  “Good morning, Cook. We were making noise so you’d get up. We knew that if you got up, you’d bring sunshine with you.”

  “Go on with you.” Cook tried to hide it, but Seth’s flattery obviously pleased her.

  “Look.” Morgan pointed to the floor, at the first, tiny sunbeam. It lay at Cook’s feet. “Seth’s right, Carolyn. You have brought the sun.”

  The young couple passed the day riding and exploring Seth’s boyhood haunts. It was a day of easy companionship and warm good humor.

  By the time they arrived back at the Colter house, Seth and Morgan were good friends.

  “Morgan, I had a wonderful time today. Thank you.”

  She smiled brilliantly. “So did I, Seth.”

  He moved closer, but she shouted for him to catch her, and ran toward the house.

  Nora heard their laughter before she saw them. To her delight, she saw them race past the parlor window, both laughing. She turned to Cynthia Ferguson and said in what she hoped was a smug voice, “It looks as if my son and new daughter had an enjoyable ride.”

  She put down her teacup and rose to go to the door to greet Seth and Morgan. But before she could get to the door, Austine was there. Nora turned and smiled at Cynthia, who was sitting so calmly with her two admirers, Nora’s daughters. The girls were almost fawning over the coldly beautiful Cynthia.

  As Nora closed the parlor door behind her, she heard Austine’s excited, breathless voice telling Seth and Morgan, “It’s Cynthia Ferguson. She’s come to pay her respects to you. I don’t think she really believes you eloped. She says she just can’t imagine the two of you together.”

  “Hush, Austine.” Nora looked carefully at Morgan. Morgan’s face was just slightly sunburned, and it made her eyes radiant. And her hair! Nora hadn’t imagined Morgan could have so much of it. Her daughter-in-law was very close to being beautiful. She looked as if she had just left her lover’s arms. N