AllFreeNovel
Share Us
"Now for a hat," Mrs. Lewis said, looking over her inventory of bonnets prominently displayed on shelves behind the counter.
Prudence surveyed them herself and found not one she felt suitable for her journey. They were either overly decorated with fanciful stuff or plain as the day they were made. And of course, she couldn't go around bareheaded.
Mrs. Lewis tapped her puckered lips with her finger while sizing up the situation. "You need something special, yet practical."
Prudence tended to agree with her.
"I've got it," Mrs. Lewis cried, hastily disappearing behind the gray curtain that separated the back rooms from the store. She emerged in minutes, a huge smile on her face and the perfect bonnet in her hand.
Prudence beamed when Mrs. Lewis handed it to her.
"It's you, dear," Mrs. Lewis insisted. "Different and ever so beautiful."
Beautiful? Yes, that was what she had said. Prudence had heard it clearly. Mrs. Lewis had suggested that Prudence was beautiful.
"I told Mr. Lewis that only a special woman could wear that hat. Mind you, it's nothing fancy, but the strawberry-blond color of the straw and the pale pink of the silk scarf running around it and down through the sides to tie under your chin . . . well, it just takes perfect coloring to wear it. And you have that coloring. The red in your hair will just burst out and the creamy complexion of your face will radiate a pinkish glow. Yes, it's perfect, absolutely perfect for you."
Prudence was speechless, an odd occurrence for her.
"Why don't you just slip back into my private quarters and switch to that darling light gray skirt and white blouse you bought. The hat would look wonderful with it, and I even think I have a short cape in gray that would match the skirt."
Prudence felt like a young girl buying her first party dress. She took a quick peek to see what Zac was about and found him still busy with Mr. Lewis.
"Would the outfit be appropriate for travel on the steamboat?" Prudence asked, not wishing to embarrass Zac by wearing ill-suited clothing.
Mrs. Lewis shook her head and smiled. "My dear, there isn't much that is and isn't appropriate out here. We make do with what we must. As long as one is clean and respectful, one has nothing to fear. Now come with me. I think your hair needs some changing. You wear it pulled back much too severely for one so young and pretty."
Pretty. The woman had called her pretty. Prudence followed Mrs. Lewis willingly, feeling each step she took transformed her from a plain moth into a beautiful butterfly.
Zac finished with his order. Mr. Lewis promised he'd have it delivered to the steamboat with time to spare. It had taken longer than he had expected, but every time he had glanced around the store, keeping Prudence in sight, he had seen she was busy with women's things. He was glad she had kept herself occupied. But now that he was ready to leave, he couldn't find her. Zac didn't think she would have left the store without telling him. He didn't know why, couldn't explain it even to himself, but he felt her more attached to him. Not dependent. Prudence would never be totally dependent on anyone. No, it was as if she was accepting him as a husband; strange as the idea was, she appeared somewhat satisfied with the notion.
He found himself liking the notion of her accepting him. She was a lady and often reminded him that he was no gentleman, a status she placed much importance on. But was she finding that importance misplaced? Was the unruly West opening her mind? Was it making her see reality and not just the confines of the cultured society to which she was accustomed?
He hoped so, since beneath that refined façade lurked a woman he intended to get to know on more intimate terms. Terms he had every right to insist upon, since she was his wife. But he had a gut feeling she was going to be quite put out by the decision he had reached concerning their marriage.
Zac smiled. Hell, he needed a wife. He owned a big spread, and he wanted a large brood of children to fill the house he had built. Wasn't that why he had built it? And he'd never be able to teach kids the proper manners that Prudence could. With her obstinate nature and his strength . . . damn, they'd grow into little commanding giants.
He laughed at the idea, though he doubted Prudence would. Actually, it didn't matter what she thought. He held the key that would secure their marriage, and when the time was right, he'd use it. For now, though, he needed time alone with her. Here in the West. Not in Boston.
"Looking for the missus?" Mr. Lewis asked, bringing Zac's attention back to the important fact that Prudence wasn't anywhere to be seen.
