Page 8 of The Pursuit of Elena Bradford

8

Andrew Harper stood against the wall in the shadows. He didn’t want to be here. Not here watching the dancers. Not here at Graham Springs. But he couldn’t say no to his grandfather. He had never been able to say no to him. Even if he had, Grandfather Scott would have run roughshod over his no, and Andrew would have still ended up at the Springs, where the party went into the night and the waters were supposed to heal whatever ailed a person.

He could use some healing, but he had no confidence that drinking mineral spring water or bathing in it would help him. The healing he truly needed had nothing to do with the health of his body.

Dust did make him cough. Always had. A sickly child, he had often had the croup that made breathing a struggle at times. His three brothers, all much older than him, had been strong and hardy. They could have spent the night outside in a blizzard and suffered no more than a red nose from the cold. By the time Andrew was seven, the brothers had all left home to seek their fortunes. Brave, strong, ready for adventure.

Andrew was not strong or adventuresome. His mother coddled him. His father, disdainful of a son who failed to show the Harper strength, gave Andrew over to her as the useless last child born to him.

More than once, his father accused his mother of bearing another man’s child. He only said it when he’d had too many drinks, but the words landed like coals of fire on Andrew’s heart. Little wonder that his father’s death when Andrew was ten caused him more relief than grief. Something that left a stain of shame. If he had been a son such as his brothers, then he might have felt cleansing sorrow.

Since the older brothers had long since moved on to their own lives, he and his mother had gone to live with her father. His grandfather had not coddled Andrew. He had pushed him to do more, to be more, but with love and acceptance of his failings. He became the loving father Andrew needed.

That was why Andrew had no way of refusing to come to Graham Springs when Grandfather Scott said he must. For his health, he claimed, but Andrew knew his underlying aim. Grandfather thought if he came to the Springs, Dr. Graham would have Andrew dancing, hiking, shooting, playing yard games, and regaining his appetite for food and fun. Most of all, though he didn’t say it out loud, Grandfather was sure Andrew would meet someone new to take his mind off Gloria.

But Gloria was a barb in his heart that couldn’t be softened by games or the smiles of other women, no matter how lovely they were as they swirled around the dance floor. When some of the ladies gave him hopeful looks, he kept his eyes away from theirs.

A few times, he caught sight of the two young women he’d met on the stagecoach. Shed of their grieving black, they were dressed much like every other woman there. The rosy pink suited the youngest, a mere girl, who practically sparkled with the joy of the dance. The older sister looked lovely in a dress the rich blue of an evening sky. Like her sister, she had no lack of partners, but her smile appeared to be more practiced, as if the same as learning the steps of the dance, she had learned the socially correct expressions.

He would surely be the same were he to step out on the floor with one of the ladies. But instead, he clung to the shadows and wished to be in his room with one of the books he had brought along. Even better would be back on his grandfather’s horse farm planting a new flower garden to attract the bees and birds. The gardens were the only place he could find a measure of peace after Gloria.

He pushed aside thoughts of Gloria. He would put in the expected time here at the Springs. He would eat the fine food and gain a few pounds. Perhaps the waters would ease his problem with dust. For certain, no superfluous dust would be floating in the air in this beautiful place with servants to scrub it clean every day.

“Why aren’t you out there on the dance floor?” Dr. Graham demanded in his overlarge voice. Dr. Graham had a zest for life that he insisted everyone around him share.

“I’m enjoying the sight of all the dancers.” Andrew forced a smile.

“Observing, are you?” The doctor frowned. “That will not do. You must join in, get your feet moving.”

“The ladies already have an abundance of willing partners.”

“And you should be one of them.” Dr. Graham poked his finger at him. “Men twice your age are out there courting the ladies’ favors.”

“And stumbling along, stepping on their toes.” Andrew backed away from the doctor, who laughed.

“True enough. Age can make us less fleet of foot. But I’m thinking you might be more adept with your dancing moves.” Dr. Graham looked around. “This song is winding down. Step out and choose a lady to make her smile.”

“They all look to be smiling already.” Andrew made no move to leave his spot in the shadows.

“Ah, but they will beam brighter when a handsome young man such as yourself begs a dance from them.” Dr. Graham studied the dancers. “There is a lively young dancer.” He motioned toward the young sister who had come on the stagecoach with Andrew. “Her smile is contagious, don’t you think?”

Andrew watched the girl dance past them. “She is very pretty. And very young.”

“A dance is not a marriage proposal, Andrew. And you are very young too.”

“Not so young at twenty-six.”

Again the doctor laughed. “That sounds very young to me. Just the cusp of life. But if you fear her youth, you can choose her sister. She seems to be gliding along with that artist friend of yours.”

“He’s not my friend exactly.” Andrew felt the need to make that clear. “I just met him on the stagecoach.”

“So you said, and that he was the man who answered the need of the moment with your runaway horses.”

“Yes.” Andrew glanced out at Frazier. “I see you didn’t send him away.”

“Why would I do that?” The doctor stroked his beard. “A man ready to risk life and limb to keep others safe. Plus, the painting he offered was fine enough to earn him a chance. The ladies will be entertained by his good looks and talents.”

“With the bonus of a willing dancing partner.” Andrew managed an easier smile this time. “That’s better than me.”

“He is a hired hand. You are a guest. But I did promise your grandfather I would see that you had a good time.” The doctor gripped Andrew’s upper arm and urged him toward the dance floor. “Dancing with a lovely lady is a good time. I can attest to that from my many years of life. It is good exercise. It makes a lady happy. Moving to the rhythm of music can make you happy.”

“It has in the past.” He wanted to jerk away from the man, but he didn’t.

“And it will again. Maybe tonight. Maybe next week. And whether it happens now or then or later, a man doesn’t want to get out of practice.”

The song ended, and the dancers started off the floor to find the next round of partners. Dr. Graham let go of Andrew and stepped out in front of Frazier and Miss Bradford. Frazier smiled, gave the lady a little bow, and went his way before the doctor led the woman over to Andrew. It appeared Andrew was going to dance whether he wanted to or not.

He hadn’t been on a dance floor since Gloria was in his arms. A year. What a long time to dwell in sorrow. He pushed a smile out on his face. This young woman had no part in his pain. Besides, the good doctor meant for Andrew to dance whether he wanted to or not. So, dance he must.

Andrew Harper smiled when Dr. Graham ushered Elena over to him, but it looked a little forced. Perhaps the same as hers. But a lady didn’t let her smile fade no matter how tired she was of dancing or how her feet might hurt. A pretend smile was better than a frown.

She rather doubted Dr. Graham allowed anyone to frown for long in his presence. He appeared to be determined all enjoy themselves or ... A sincere smile came to her lips as she tried to imagine the penalty of pretending happiness in this garden of wonders.

She might be packed on the next stagecoach away from here. She might have to turn in her dancing shoes. She might be forced to dance every song with the old gentleman who had stepped on her toes more than once. General Dawson. She could remember his name. He had told her at least three times while regaling her with stories of his army days.

Nothing at all like dancing with Mr. Frazier. With him, she seemed to be floating on air. Nothing had been forced about his smiles or hers as he stared into her eyes and talked of paint colors and brushstrokes, one artist to another.

She did hope she would have the chance of another dance with him if the music kept playing, but she might claim the vapors if the general headed her way. A laugh bubbled up inside her at the thought of placing the back of her hand against her forehead and swooning. She must make sure a chair was near to hand.

“You seem amused about something, Miss Bradford.” Mr. Harper leaned a little away from her as he capably moved her into the dance. “I hope it’s not my lack of footwork skill. I confess to being out of practice.”

“Oh no.” Elena brought her thoughts back to her dance partner.

While somewhat withdrawn, he had been exceedingly nice during their stagecoach ride. He had either slept or pretended to most of the way except, of course, when they appeared headed for disaster after the horses panicked. Even then, he hadn’t seemed overly concerned, assuring everyone the horses would tire and stop. At the time, she hadn’t been sure if he actually believed they would come to no harm or if he simply hadn’t cared. She thought now about Ivy being so sure sadness was afflicting him more than illness.

He continued to look at her now as if waiting for her to say more. Why not tell the truth? “I was thinking about how I might feign exhaustion if a certain gentleman asks me to dance again.”

“Mr. Frazier?” He sounded surprised.

“Not at all. Mr. Frazier has the same grace as you.” That should reassure him that she hadn’t been laughing at his dancing skill. “But one of my earlier partners must have stepped on my toes six times and my dress hem once. I do hope it is not ripped.” Her cheeks warmed as she mentioned her dress. That wasn’t proper conversation with a man she barely knew.

His polite smile changed to one that lightened the blue of his eyes. “It sounds as if your reluctance has merit.”

“I shouldn’t have mentioned it though. He seemed a nice man and eager for the pleasure of the dance.”

“I shall hope that, should I get to the age of General Dawson, I will be sensible enough to not subject my clumsy feet to any unfortunate ladies. With age comes wisdom, I’m told. But perhaps not to those loving to dance.”

Elena flinched. “Now I am truly embarrassed. And contrite that you have guessed the gentleman about whom I spoke such unflattering words.” She lowered her gaze.

He laughed. “I have been watching the dancers. I didn’t need your testimony to know that the general should have given up dancing years ago, but he is an interesting character. I’m sure he told you all about his army heroics.”

“You know him?” She looked back up at him. With the energy of the dance, his cheeks had gained a little color. The smile on his lips and in his eyes turned his somber face pleasant and made her realize he was better looking than she had thought. Perhaps not as vibrant as Mr. Frazier, who the same as demanded one notice his good looks, but very nice-looking all the same.

“He is an acquaintance of my grandfather’s.”

“Then please don’t share my ill-advised words. I would not want to injure General Dawson’s feelings.”

“I doubt you could. He’s a tough old bird, but worry not. Your honest appraisal is the same as forgotten.”

“Thank you. In the future, you can be sure I will attempt to be kinder in my words.”

“Sometimes it is kinder to be truthful than to continue a lie.” His smile faded then. He looked as he had in the coach, withdrawn and wishing to be alone.

Elena kept her smile as the music ended and they walked toward the edge of the dance floor.

“Thank you for the pleasure of the dance.”

While his polite words seemed to lack conviction, she thought it had little to do with her and more with whatever memory his thoughts of lies had brought to mind. She searched for a response that might bring back some of the ease they’d shared while dancing.

“I think Dr. Graham must have insisted you choose me for a partner, but since my toes were quite safe, I am glad he did so.”

When she gave him her best smile, he seemed to come away from whatever gloom had enveloped him. He leaned closer and spoke in a near whisper. “Don’t look now, but I think the general is coming your way.”

She laughed. “I fear it is no doubt my due for my unkind thoughts. However, I do think after the day my sister and I have had, with an early rising and a runaway stagecoach and dancing until the midnight hour, that we can slip away quietly into the night.”

He looked out at the other dancers beginning to partner up again. “I’m not sure you will talk your sister into going.”

“Do they dance all the night long here?”

“I’m not sure. This is my first visit, but I think, as you say, that we both can slip away without shame after such an eventful day. So, good evening. I will look forward to seeing you again.” Then with a nod, he turned and headed toward the stairs, away from the ballroom.

Elena didn’t make as good an escape and could not avoid another round on the dance floor with General Dawson, who really wasn’t so bad. But before that could be repeated, she found Ivy, paid no attention to her dismay at leaving, and led her back to their room.