Page 28 of The Pursuit of Elena Bradford

28

“Andy!”

That was what Gloria always called him, even though he told her he hated his name shortened. “But it’s my special pet name for you,” she would say.

He stared at her now, not sure he could believe his eyes. Where was Zachary? He thought they had married months ago. He had just shrugged off some of the hurt of her betrayal and now here she was.

She lifted her skirts and rushed up the steps and out onto the veranda where he still stood frozen. “I just knew you would be the first person I saw when I got here. That you would somehow sense I was coming and be watching for me.” Her face lit up as she grabbed his hands.

He didn’t pull his hands away, but he wanted to. “Where’s Zachary?”

“Oh, him.” She gave his hands an irritated shake. “Let’s not spoil this moment talking about him.”

He did free his hands then and shoved them in his pockets. “I thought you got married.”

She gave him the fetching smile that had always gotten him to agree to whatever she wanted in the past. But this was no longer the past.

“Don’t look so glum, Andy. Marriages don’t have to be forever. Not when they weren’t meant to be. We were the ones meant to be forever.” She put her hand through his elbow. “Come. Help carry my things to my room.” She snuggled up close against his side and whispered, “Unless you want to get married right away so we can share a room.”

His head was spinning. Gloria had always affected him this way, pushing him to do whatever she wanted. He’d never tried to resist, and he didn’t now. He took his hands out of his pockets and walked with her down the steps to the carriage where the driver waited.

“Be a darling and pay the driver.” She motioned toward the man before she picked up a hatbox.

He felt as though he’d stepped back in time as he reached into his pocket and did as she said. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? Gloria by his side. They were to have married almost a year ago. Except she had married someone else. A storm of emotions swept in and knocked him off-kilter. A storm named Gloria.

He thought about how pleasant it had been with Elena among the hollyhocks moments ago. Even when they were talking about Vanessa, there was an underlying calm, a feeling that somehow everything would work out all right. With Gloria chattering in his ear, he wondered if that kind of peace was now lost to him forever.

It didn’t have to be. He could tell her to get someone else to carry her luggage. He could walk away. But did he want to? He had planned to spend the rest of his life pleasing her. Had that changed?

One thing he was sure had not changed was that she would make a scene if he did walk away. That would be an entertaining spectacle for those watching from the veranda. He glanced up at the men along the railing. Even a few women had deserted their seats to see what was happening. They weren’t even pretending to hide their curiosity.

The talk of the day would be this new woman showing up to claim him. Not that he had been paired with anyone else here. Not yet. Again, Elena came to mind. She had said she might hunt him in the gardens next. Would she now, after she heard about Gloria?

“Please don’t dawdle so, Andy. The travel here was exhausting. I need to freshen up before you show me around.” She gave him the hatbox. “I know we will have such a good time together here.”

He took the box and then picked up a bag. Servants would carry her trunk to whatever room she was given. For certain, that was not going to be his room. He needed time to think. Time away from her.

“How did you know I was here? Did Grandfather tell you?”

“Don’t be silly, dear. Your grandfather would not tell me to take shelter if the sky was falling. Or your mother either. They have always tried to keep us apart. You know that.” She pulled a long face. “I can’t imagine why they can’t see how perfectly matched we are.”

“Then how did you know where I was?”

She handed him another small case before she led the way up the steps. “Our friends have been keeping me informed about your sad state. Melancholy, they said. They were quite upset with me.” She turned to pat his cheek. “But I’m here to make it up to you. It will all be wonderful.”

“And Zachary?”

She frowned and stomped her foot. “I told you I didn’t want to talk about him. It was perfectly awful what he did. Enticing me away from you.”

He didn’t say anything more then. Just followed along behind her, feeling all the eyes watching them. Even the couples along the paths toward the spring had stopped to watch. Gloria held her head high. He couldn’t see her face, but he had no doubt she was smiling and enjoying being the center of attention.

She was very aware of her beauty. Nothing at all like that beautiful girl who had died the night before. Vanessa had arrived at the Springs without fanfare. She had come to the ball in that Cinderella dress seeming to have no awareness of the entrance she was making.

Gloria wouldn’t be like that whenever Dr. Graham arranged a new ball. She would expect admiration and would get it. She was stunningly flamboyant in her beauty. He didn’t have to check to know every man within sight had their gazes glued to her. Every one except him.

He stared down at the steps as he followed her. He just felt tired, as if the melancholy that had lifted in the last few days was settling back down on him. He wished he could move over into the shadows again and let life pass him by.

At the top of the steps, he did look around. He was glad not to see Elena.

General Dawson was hurrying toward them. “Andrew.”

Gloria gave the old man a dismissive look and went on into the hotel.

Andrew balanced Gloria’s bags and stopped to speak to him. “Good morning, General. How are you today?” The man looked better than he had last night after the mystery woman died in his arms.

“I am still somewhat in shock about it all. You have to know that I’ve seen many people die in battle and even on the home front. My daughters. My wife. But to have such a vibrant, beautiful woman die while dancing with me...” He paused a moment as if struggling to find the proper words. Words he didn’t find. “Well, it’s not something a man would ever expect or know how to prevent.”

“I don’t suppose there was anything you or anyone else could have done.”

“Of course, you are right. Still.” The general’s shoulders drooped.

“Dr. Graham says it had to be her heart.”

“Have you talked with him this morning? Has he found out anything more about her?”

“I haven’t seen him,” Andrew said. “I would assume he will discover more when he checks her room.”

“You are sure she wasn’t Judge Hasting’s daughter?”

“I am.” Andrew saw no reason to avoid that truth now.

“Interesting. Such a sweet girl. She and Miss Elena were perfect companions yesterday when we were lawn bowling.” The general looked at the door, then back at Andrew. “Have you seen Miss Elena today?”

Gloria pushed open the door in time to hear General Dawson’s question. Before Andrew could say anything, she frowned at him, again ignoring the general. “Andy, what is taking you so long?”

“I stopped to talk to General Dawson. You remember him from when he visited the farm, don’t you, Gloria?”

She pulled up some manners. “I don’t believe I do, but I was meeting so many new people then as we planned the wedding. Forgive me.”

“Quite understandable, Miss Collins. Interesting to see you here.” There was a hard edge to the general’s voice.

Gloria’s eyes flashed. She knew what the general found interesting. Her smile lacked sincerity. “Yes, so interesting to see you too.” She gave Andrew a sweet look. “Are you coming, Andy?”

“I’ll be along in a minute.” Andrew turned from her to the general. “About Elena, yes, I saw her in the garden this morning.”

Gloria huffed out a breath and let the door close behind her.

General Dawson’s face stayed impassive. “I trust she was all right?”

“Sad and puzzled about it as we all are. She was concerned about her sister.”

“The younger one wears her feelings on her sleeve.” The general smiled. “Both lovely girls.” His smile slid away as he looked at the door. “You best go on in. Miss Collins will want her luggage.”

“Yes.” Andrew shifted the cases and the hatbox to reach for the door handle.

General Dawson stepped closer to open it for him. “Just remember, son. A man is free to do what he wants until he says ‘I do.’”

“I haven’t said ‘I do.’” Andrew shoved his shoulder against the door.

“And it’s a wise man who thinks long and hard before he does.” The old man turned and went back toward the veranda.

Gloria waited inside the door. Andrew could see her foot tapping under the edge of her skirt. “What did that old codger want? And who is this Elena?”

“Not now, Gloria. Get your room so you can settle in.”

Her expression changed. “You’re going to do it for me, aren’t you?” She pushed out her lips in a little pout.

“Sorry, no. Not unless you have Grandfather’s permission to add onto his bill.” He met her stare straight on.

“Very well. I see you are holding a grudge.” She tossed her head, and a few of her honey-brown curls slipped out from her bonnet.

He watched her flounce away. Was he? Holding a grudge? Could being upset by her leaving with his best friend practically on the eve of their wedding be watered down to merely holding a grudge?

He sighed and watched her smiling at the desk clerk, no doubt charming him into a lower price or a better room. She was the same, the very same as she’d been last summer when he wanted to marry her. Demanding. Infuriating. Lovely. She hadn’t changed, but perhaps he had. Perhaps spring water actually could cure a broken heart.

Kirby Frazier stepped up beside him. He was as loaded down as Andrew with his painting supplies.

He looked over at Gloria. “Your lady friend is a looker. You should let me do a portrait of her. Of both of you together if you like.” He turned his gaze back to Andrew. “You make a great couple.”

“Who said we were a couple?” Andrew didn’t like the man’s knowing smile.

“Aren’t you? Or are you just a pack mule?”

Andrew considered dropping Gloria’s things to punch the man in the nose, but he tamped down his temper. “You’re packing plenty yourself.” Andrew nodded toward his load.

“The life of an artist. A working man.” The man looked at Gloria coming toward them. “But it can be pleasant work when I have such beautiful subjects the way I have here. Like Vanessa, poor girl. Such a shame.” As he started to move away, he said, “If you see Elena, tell her I am looking for her. You will see her, won’t you? Elena?”

Without waiting for an answer or to be introduced to Gloria, he smiled before he went on out the door.

Andrew didn’t have an answering smile. He didn’t feel much like smiling at anyone and especially not Kirby Frazier, who looked entirely too smug as though he knew more than he could.

“Who was he?” Gloria asked but didn’t wait for Andrew to answer before she asked a different question. “And who is Elena?”

“A friend.”

“A friend?” Gloria eyed him. “I don’t think I like that.”

“There’s nothing not to like.” Andrew shrugged slightly.

“I think I need to know more about this Elena.”

Andrew could tell her more he was sure she would like even less. Especially that right now Andrew wished he was in the garden with Elena instead of following Gloria like that pack mule Frazier had called him.