Louise Gouge - Cowgirl for Keeps

Garrick stopped. “Do you mean...?” He clamped his mouth shut and resumed walking.

Rosamond could guess what he’d started to say. “Yep.” Her teachers at the academy would have apoplexy over her quick return to Western slang. Yet something about Garrick made her want to do just that. Right away, her conscience smote her. Deliberately irritating a person wasn’t the way to show God’s love. “The cowhands are off today, so it’s up to us to hitch the team to the wagon and saddle the horses.”

“Brilliant.” His tone suggested something entirely different.

“Capital.” Percy picked up his pace. “It’s been a while since I saddled a horse. I relish the challenge.”

In spite of one reluctant student and another entirely too enthusiastic helper, Rosamond managed the affair without a catastrophe. Soon she was driving the wagon up the lane, while the men rode along beside her. She occasionally glanced at Garrick and noticed him gazing at the distant mountains or watching migrating geese flying above them. Judging from his placid facade, he seemed to be enjoying himself for the moment.

Despite their disappointment over Beryl leaving them, her sisters helped load the wagon. Even Garrick pitched in with heavier items, impressing Rosamond with his strength. With servants to do everything for him, how could he be so strong?

Soon they were traveling back to Four Stones. Beryl sat beside Rosamond on the driver’s bench, but she’d tied her mare to the wagon...a good sign. Her willingness to ride might be the first step toward restoring her courage.

Riding close to the wagon, Percy chatted with Beryl over the clatter of the wheels. A stranger looking on might assume they’d known each other all their lives. So far, Rosamond hadn’t heard a word of disagreement between them. They liked the same books, the same music, the same pastimes. What an agreeable marriage they could have. Too bad Garrick couldn’t hide his disapproval. Did he hold some power over his cousin to prevent this romance?

The valets returned to Four Stones in time to help Garrick and Percy move the trunk and luggage to the bedroom. Consuela helped Beryl unpack, and Rita planned a hearty meal for everyone rather than taking the evening off. All four servants appeared to be energized by a jolly mood, and a hint of romance sparked between Rita and Roberts. Percy and Beryl still had eyes only for each other. Rosamond couldn’t help but long for a romance, too, but with so much work for her school and the hotel, she’d have no time for such an indulgence. Or so she tried to convince herself.

* * *

“That will do, Roberts.” In the mirror, Garrick admired his cravat, which his man had tied with expert precision. Yet for some reason, he felt irritated at being fussed over despite having been dressed by a valet since leaving the nursery.

“Very good, sir.” Roberts never revealed emotion while doing his job, although yesterday Garrick had seen him smile constantly as he talked with Rita in the kitchen.

When everyone left for church yesterday morning, he’d not been pleased to see the valets and the female servants going south while the Northam family traveled north. But, after all, it was the servants’ day off. He couldn’t insist that Roberts attend the same church.

“Your portfolio, sir.” Roberts handed the folder to Garrick.

“Thank you.” He unfastened the clasp and thumbed through the architectural drafts to refresh his memory. All was in order. “I won’t need you until after dinner. This afternoon I’m meeting the minister in town, so I’ll require something appropriate for the occasion.”

“Yes, sir.” Roberts coughed softly into his fist, as he did when he wished to speak.

“Yes?”

“Would it be permissible for me to assist Mrs. Northam in her garden this morning?”

Pleased by his valet’s thoughtfulness, Garrick nodded. “That’s fine.”

The smile that spread across Roberts’s face extinguished that pleasure. Rita would no doubt be working with them.

Garrick had no time to ponder the matter. He must meet Rosamond in Colonel Northam’s office in a few minutes. That thought instantly improved his disposition. Despite her coolness toward him, he’d missed her at breakfast. Or maybe he simply wanted to decipher that coolness and possibly overcome it. He wouldn’t succeed with the hotel unless he gained her favor.

As he walked down the hallway to the front staircase, he heard girlish giggles coming through the closed door of her bedroom. Giggles just like his sister’s. How would Rosamond and Helena get on? Would they like each other? But they’d never meet, so he shrugged off the thought. Another thought took its place. Rosamond and Beryl were obviously in the midst of a hen party. Would Rosamond even bother to keep their nine o’clock appointment?

Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Reverend Thomas, referencing Spurgeon’s sermon, reminded the congregation that this Scripture verse was a command from the Lord. Garrick must demonstrate God’s love to the young lady by thinking well of her rather than assuming some fault on her part. After all, her care for her friend indicated a nurturing spirit, as did her desire to establish an upper school in this wilderness. In any event, he must work with her, so he’d do well to develop a positive outlook.

As instructed, he made the Colonel’s office his own, spreading out his carefully made plans on the large exquisite oak desk. He’d worked with an architect in London before coming to America and knew exactly what to build. Uncle insisted he spare no expense, but of course Garrick wouldn’t misuse his generosity.

“Good morning.” Rosamond entered the room carrying a tray laden with beverages and fruit tarts.

Garrick’s heart seemed to stop. Her gown was the color of daffodils, a shade of yellow few ladies wore well, yet it warmed her complexion to a lovely glow. How beautiful she was, especially when she smiled. Even her eyes shone with enthusiasm, a good sign this meeting would go well.

His heart hammering with this unexpected admiration for her, he stood and walked around the desk. “Permit me?” He took the tray and set it on a side table. Should he compliment her? Tell her she was beautiful? No, of course not. This was a business meeting, not a party. “I don’t suppose this is tea?” Oh, bother. That surely sounded like a complaint.

She laughed. He sighed with relief.

“If you recall—” she poured steaming black coffee from the elegant porcelain pot into matching cups “—our two countries don’t share a good history in regards to tea.”

“No, but—” the twinkle in her eyes alerted him that she meant the remark to be humorous “—if I’m not mistaken, the relationship between our governments has changed considerably since 1773. After the passing of more than a century, surely we’ve managed to persuade you as to the superiority of tea over coffee.”

She handed him a cup, leaving him to add his own cream and sugar. He added considerable amounts of both to minimize the brew’s bitter taste.

“I’ll admit an occasional cup of tea makes a nice change. Many Americans prefer it.” She took a sip and eyed him over the porcelain rim. “In my opinion, nothing beats coffee to help get the day going.”

“Ah, well. To each his own. Or her own.” This was hardly a matter to argue over. “I brought some gifts for your parents but haven’t yet presented them. Among them is a tin of Earl Grey tea, which has become a favorite among—” he started to say “the British aristocracy,” but an inner voice stopped him “—many of my friends.”

“I heard of Earl Grey tea at finishing school.” She appeared to pucker away a smile. “You know the earl, of course?”