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“A lot, yes,” I said, feeling traitorous for saying so. When had I mentioned that to Lena? I must have said something about it at some point. What else had I forgotten I’d said to her?
Delphia crossed her arms over her chest, glaring at Lena. “It’s a very good manuscript. In fact, James says he thinks it will be the talk of New York.”
Had I said that? Regardless, I liked the momentary uncertainty on Lena’s face.
“Oh, that’s funny,” Lena said. “I always think of writers as someone with an actual published novel.” The woman could spar with the best of them.
“Let’s sit outside on the porch,” Addie said. “We can have a cool drink, Miss Masters, if you’re thirsty for something other than our very English tea.”
“I wouldn’t mind something cold,” Lena said. “The train was hot and dusty.”
“You poor thing,” Quinn said. “I’ll have some lemonade and cookies sent out to you.”
The four of us traipsed down the hallway and out to the screened porch. The warmth of the day pushed against my face, as if we’d opened an oven door. We all settled around a low table in chairs with cushions. The yard, for once, was empty of children. Only a few croquet mallets remained scattered around the grass.
“Do you read?” Delphia asked Lena. “Books? Magazines? What’re you interested in?”
“I’m not much for reading. I prefer parties and dancing. I’m an accomplished dancer, aren’t I, darling?”
“Yes, very much so.” This was true. I’d first noticed her at the party because of her dancing. She’d been doing the Charleston with a young man and laughing. I’d been drawn to the joyousness of her movements.
“Not very much for books?” Delphia asked. “James’s wife not interested in books? What a strange match you are.”
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Addie’s foot tap Delphia’s. A warning to be nice, I thought. I needed one too.
“We have loads in common,” Lena said. “Loads and loads.” This was said with more aggression than the words suggested. “You don’t yet know me but you’ll see as time goes on that James and I are perfectly matched. A love match, as they say in England.”
“Really? Like what?” Delphia sat up straighter and stared at her guest. The glint of a warrior shone in her eyes. To her, Lena was a threat to her beloved sister, therefore she was ready for a battle.
Lena looked over at me, the left side of her mouth curling upward for a moment, reminding me of a rabid dog I’d seen once as a child. Her voice was sharp and flinty when she said, “I had no idea both of Fiona’s baby sisters were so knowledgeable about you, darling. What other secrets do they know about you?”
“James’s love of books is hardly a secret,” Delphia said.
Next to her sister on the love seat, Addie picked up her glass of lemonade, the sides of which were dripping with condensation. For a split second, I thought she might hurl the whole thing either on her sister or Lena, I couldn’t decide which. Instead, she took a dainty sip while looking directly at Lena. Sizing her up, I thought. She might not be as outspoken as Delphia but nonetheless, she saw the truth about people. Could she see the good in Lena as I had? Her zest and thirst for life?
An image of my pale and listless mother came to me. She reminded me of a pillow that had lost its stuffing, leaving only the thin cover. She was not like the women here; she’d had no idea how to fight for what she wanted. Mother was a victim of a love match that had turned terribly wrong in the end. Men like my father did what they wanted without concern for others. She could do nothing but watch helplessly as the life she’d thought she’d have faded into nonexistence. My mother was powerless, as was I, against my father’s demons.
“James, darling, have you told the girls about the wedding?” Lena asked.
“The wedding?” Had it been decided?
“Our wedding.” Lena laughed without mirth. “What else would I be talking about?
“I didn’t know there was anything to tell,” I said as calmly as I could. “Have you decided what you’d like?”
“Yes, you said I could decide, right?”
“Whatever you want, yes,” I said.
“Aren’t you too good?” Lena turned to Addie and Delphia.
“May I ask—why the rush?” Delphia asked without waiting for permission.
Lena’s eyes flashed but her tone remained light. “Can you blame me for wanting to get him to the altar before someone else decides to snatch him up? I’m sure I’m not the only girl who dreams of being Mrs. James West.”
“I don’t think so,” I said, avoiding Addie’s gaze.
“There might be one or two. Right under my nose.” Lena’s eyes slid toward Addie. She was a lot of things, but stupid wasn’t one of them. “I can see you’ve been busy out here on the frontier these last few weeks. Fortunately for all of us I got here when I did. I’d not realized how pretty you two were. And Addie, you must be in the market for a man yourself.”
