Part 16 (1/2)

”It isn't the same thing.”

”Isn't it? Well, you needn't worry anyway. Mr. McKinley is not that sort of man.”

”You are naive.”

”Perhaps.” She rose to her feet. ”But as long as he wishes to take lessons and is diligent in his practice, I shall continue with his instruction.”

”If it is income you need - ”

”My income is none of your concern.” There was no disguising her anger now. He had to see it in her eyes and the stiffness of her posture.

Harrison stood. ”I'm sorry.” There was nothing apologetic in either his tone or his expression. ”I did not mean to offend.”

”I must ask you to excuse me, Mr. Carter. It is time I put dinner in the oven.”

”Of course.” He set his hat back on his head. ”I shall see you on Sat.u.r.day evening.”

She forced herself to say, ”Thank you for dropping by.”

Now that was a lie if ever she'd spoken one.

TWENTY-ONE.

”This was a mistake,” Gwen whispered to her reflection in the mirror.

”Balderdash,” Cleo said from the bedroom doorway. ”You'll turn all the men's heads tonight. Those senators won't know what hit 'em once they lay eyes on you.”

Gwen turned to face her sister. ”That isn't why I'm going.”

”Land sakes, Gwennie. It doesn't hurt to use what you've got. Didn't G.o.d make you this way? Both smart and and pretty. Pretty as sunrise on the prairie, that's what you are, and nothing you do is going to change that.” pretty. Pretty as sunrise on the prairie, that's what you are, and nothing you do is going to change that.”

Gwen swallowed a sigh. Better she drop the subject than argue with Cleo. She would never win. Her sister could be as stubborn as the day was long.

”I'll go hitch the horse to the buggy. You should've accepted Morgan's offer to come for you. Then neither one of us would have to take care of Shakespeare when you get back. It's likely to be mighty late.”

”Mr. McKinley has other guests to see to without worrying about me. I've unhitched my horse from the buggy late at night before. I'm not helpless, you know.”

”Yep. I know.”

As soon as her sister left the room, Gwen sank onto the stool before the dressing table and ma.s.saged her temples with the tips of her fingers. Her head was beginning to throb. Perhaps she should send Cleo with her regrets. She could crawl into bed with a cup of tea and a good book and forget about making small talk with strangers.

But of course she couldn't do that. She had an election to win, and that meant being polite and glad-handing one and all.

”At least Mr. Carter won't be there.”

Thinking of the man brought a frown. Look how he'd reacted to the piano lessons. Just imagine how upset he would be once he learned she'd attended a dinner party at Morgan McKinley's home. He'd be livid.

Poor Susannah Carter. Gwen didn't doubt that Harrison's wife would bear the brunt of his ill temper. He seemed that type of man. The dictatorial sort who believed women should stay in their place, be seen but not heard, right along with his children.

Which made her wonder why he'd backed her for mayor.

Harrison Carter was also a good reminder of why she'd chosen to remain unmarried. She would rather enter old age as a spinster than allow herself to be joined to a husband who might treat her as a possession. And maybe as mayor, she would help others realize that women were not second-cla.s.s citizens, that their thoughts and opinions had value.

Her confidence and resolve restored, she rose from the stool, checked her appearance one last time, then turned and picked up her wrap from the foot of the bed. It was time to leave, lest she be late. Gwen hated to be late.

Morgan saw William Rudyard's eyes widen and heard the older gentleman's intake of breath, and he knew Gwen had arrived. He turned toward the parlor doorway.

There she was, a vision in a pale-blue gown the same shade as her eyes, the bodice and skirt accented with white Venetian lace. Her upswept hair was dressed with pearls to match the simple strand of the same that encircled her throat.

”Excuse me, Senator.”

Morgan crossed the room, no doubt smiling like a complete fool. He couldn't help it. The world seemed a brighter and better place when he was near Gwen. He hadn't seen her since his lesson, and the days had dragged by from then until now.

”Good evening, Miss Arlington. I'm glad you could come.”

Her smile was polite but slightly guarded. ”Good evening.”

”Come with me.” He offered the crook of his arm. ”I want to introduce you to Senator Rudyard and his friends.”

”Meeting them is why you invited me, is it not?”

That might be her reason for coming, but it wasn't his reason for inviting her. That had only been his excuse, a way to get her to agree to come, a reason for him to spend an evening with her, to offer her his arm and have her accept it, the way she did now.

He escorted her across the room filled with guests and stopped in front of William. ”Senator, may I present Miss Gwen Arlington. Miss Arlington, this is Senator Rudyard.”

”It's a pleasure to meet you, sir.” Gwen offered her hand.

William took it. ”The pleasure is all mine.” He studied her with an a.s.sessing gaze before releasing her hand. Then he looked at Morgan. ”I can see why you're worried about winning the election. This young woman is made of sterner stuff. I can feel it in her handshake and see it in her eyes.”

”Indeed,” Morgan answered.

”Are you enjoying your stay in Bethlehem Springs?” Gwen asked the senator.

”We are. Morgan here is a fine host. Yesterday we drove up to the site of his new health resort. I had no idea it would be so impressive. I venture to say it will be a boon for your town and for all of Idaho. Have you been up there, Miss Arlington?”

”Yes. Mr. McKinley was kind enough to give me a tour of the building site. Like you, I was surprised and impressed.”

William leaned closer to Gwen. ”Then I expect you will want to lend your support to its timely completion.”

Morgan placed his fingers against the small of Gwen's back. ”Billy, you are dangerously close to talking politics before we have dined. I'm going to rescue Miss Arlington. She has yet to meet my other guests.”

William winked at Gwen. ”We shall talk more of this, my good woman.”

As had been the case three weeks earlier at the Carter home, Gwen knew most of the people at the table, including Nathan Patterson and his wife. They had been present at the Carters' dinner party as well, and the commissioner would be as unhappy with them as he would be with her when he learned of their attendance tonight.