Read Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2) Online

Authors: Ruth Hartzler

Tags: #christian, #grace, #indiana, #westerns, #genre fiction, #frontier and pioneer, #christian westerns

Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2) (6 page)

BOOK: Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2)
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Olivia looked up and smiled, nodding
to let him know that it was okay to leave. She then indicated the
seat opposite her. A maid leaned forward to pour the two ladies tea
before Olivia dismissed her as well. “So, my dear, how was your
picnic?”

Without sitting down, Rosamund sighed
and shook her head. “You would not believe how he treated me!” she
whined, throwing up her hands like a helpless child.


Whatever do you mean?”
Olivia asked, unconvinced that her son would have been so overly
rude. Cody could be a bit hard-headed at times when he thought his
heart was leading him in the right direction, but he had always
been a gentleman.

Rosamund paced back and forth briefly,
her eyes darting between the floor and Olivia. “It certainly seemed
as though he had no desire to be there. He looked so bored and
upset the entire time. I do not think our plan worked, not even a
little bit.”


Well then, that means we
need to come up with another,” Olivia said, sighing as she bit her
lower lip and racked her brain for ideas. “But please, sit and
drink tea with me,” she said, extending her hand toward the chair
one more time.

Rosamund did as asked, but once she
was seated, she did not seem to care much for the tea. After a sip,
she slid the cup back onto the table, causing it to spin slightly
until it came to a stop of its own volition. Olivia watched
silently, more focused on how to fix their current predicament than
how to fix the woman’s damaged ego.

Minutes later, Olivia was still void
of ideas, slowly going through the motions in her mind. Leaning
forward in her chair, she stared at Rosamund intently as she took a
long sip from her tea. Steam billowed from the cup that she held
firmly in her hands. Looking down at it for some time, she watched
the steam carefully as it slowly rose toward the ceiling, but what
caught her eye had nothing to do with her tea or its steam. Rather,
it was the chandelier that stood out.


I did consider that we
were going to have to start over with our plans,” Rosamund said,
“but it took us long enough to think of a way to get him to even
entertain the idea of a marriage arrangement. Now that it has
failed, how can we possibly talk him into something like that
again? Perhaps if he wasn’t so enthralled with that maid…” she
said, her voice trailing off as she sat back down and hid her face
behind a teacup. It felt like ages before she spoke again, but when
she put her tea back down on the table, the words finally came. “I
have a feeling that the maid might be a bigger problem than we had
initially thought.”


Hmm.” Olivia was still
piecing things together, trying to make sense of the threads of a
scheme slowly forming in her mind. Maybe Rosamund was right. They
needed to figure out a way to change how Cody felt about Misty, but
what options were left? “Well, that could certainly be the case,
but if so, then we need to think of something else
quickly.”


Yes, but what can we do to
get her out of the picture? It doesn’t seem to matter that she’s
nothing but a lowly scullery maid or what have you,” Rosamund said,
her voice gradually getting louder the longer she spoke.

Olivia leaned back in her chair,
crossing her arms over her chest. She glanced back over at Rosamund
and smiled. If Cody was able to see that Misty just did not fit in
with their way of life, then maybe he would actually understand,
and that was what mattered to her; because at the end of the day,
Olivia wanted nothing more than to see her son happy. “We need to
show him that she will never be a suitable wife. Once he accepts
that, his heart will be yours for the taking.”

Rosamund walked over toward the
fireplace and looked at the collection of photographs that lined
the mantle above it. Looking back at Olivia only briefly, she
chuckled as she studied the images. “Do you truly think that there
might be a picture of Cody with me up here one day?”

Olivia swallowed the lump that was
forming her throat, but said nothing. To be honest, she really did
not have an answer. It was definitely possible, but her son wasn’t
the average, typical man. He was strong-willed. “I think anything
is possible, dear, but probable is another matter
entirely.”

Rosamund sighed, gently placing the
photograph that she held back onto the mantle. She then turned and
locked eyes with Olivia. “So, now that we know what we have to do,
how do we go about doing it? How do you convince a man that his
future wife is not suitable?”

Olivia laughed briefly, but then
turned serious. “Well, for starters, you never tell a man such a
thing! Instead, we need to show it to him.”


And how do we do that?”
Rosamund asked, running a hand over her hair.

Olivia looked back up at the
chandelier. It was beautiful and opulent, but that wasn’t why it
kept pulling her attention to it. “I have the answer. We should
throw a ball.”

Rosamund turned toward her and paused,
her face twisting with confusion. “A ball? What good would that
do?”


Have you ever seen a maid
go to a ball as anything other than a servant? It would be like
dropping a fish onto land and watching it squirm and flop,” Olivia
said, confident that such a plan would work.


Oh, I see,” Rosamund said,
her eyes narrowing. “Yes, that would surely work. Surely that will
be enough to show your son what sort of woman she is.”

Olivia sipped her tea before
elaborating on her plan. “I cannot say with certainty that it will
work, but once Cody sees how graceless and out of place the maid is
amongst our guests, he will realize she is inappropriate. The
question that we are left with, however, is whether or not you
should be in attendance.”

Almost immediately, Rosamund’s happy
demeanor evaporated, sending a palpable tension into the air. “Why
shouldn’t I be invited?”

Olivia wasn’t sure that Rosamund would
be able to keep her wits about her if things didn’t go as planned.
I’m not saying you won’t be invited. I was just curious if it might
be a hindrance instead of a benefit.”


If you think that I will
cause a scene, I promise you that will not be the case. I shall do
exactly as you tell me to. I admit that I might speak without
thinking on occasion, but if this ball is our last chance, then I
shall do my best to make sure it comes to a suitable
conclusion.”

Olivia nodded. “Well then, you shall
help me keep an eye on her, and if need be, we can help the little
maid stand out a bit more than usual among those who will look down
on her as we do. All it will take is one outburst or rude comment,
and then I shall be able to use it against her. My son might still
defy my wishes, but I cannot imagine that the maid is worth so much
to him already.”

 

 

Chapter 9

“Please Indiana, You do not need to do
this!” Misty protested as she was herded down the street. She tried
to think up an excuse, and excuse to escape this
situation.


No arguing, Misty.”
Indiana stubbornly squared her shoulders as she regarded her friend
with a kind smile. “This is going to be my gift to you. You are
going to be the most stunning woman at the ball. Mr. Mills will be
absolutely speechless when he see you.”


I really don’t think he
cares much about this sort of thing,” Misty countered as she was
led down the busy street. Cody was a practical man. While he had
not spoken as such, she could tell he would just as soon miss the
ball. He only planned to go by social obligation, though he did
seem pleased that she was formally invited to attend.


I doubt he does. Most men
really aren’t ones for fashion and dresses.” Indiana nodded
agreeably as they made their way down the busy street. Her eyes
glimmered with that girlish mischief that Misty was all too
familiar with. “Nevertheless, it does not stop them from
appreciating our efforts.”

Misty sighed in defeat. “You’ve
already done so much for me.” Still she knew that resistance was
futile, but still, she needed to try. A ball gown was an unsightly
amount of money, at least to a maid, especially in a place where
there was not likely to be a ball every weekend to make use of it.
“I shall feel terrible if I let you buy such a thing for
me.”


Which is why it’s going to
be your wedding gift,” Indiana stated cheerfully.


We are not even officially
engaged!”


You will be when he sees
you at the ball!” Indiana was practically beaming with
excitement.

Misty struggled to find the right
words to argue her case without hurting Indiana’s feelings. They
were friends, but at the same time Indiana had been under her care
for years. Maids do not normally receive such gifts from former
employers. And Misty had never owned a gown in her life.


Good!” Indiana said,
taking Misty’s silence as acceptance as they hurried along. “Now
that we have finally settled that, we had better get the fabric and
rush to a seamstress.”


A seamstress?” Misty shook
her head, “Oh no. I’ve altered my fair share of dresses. I’m sure I
can take care of that much on my own.”

Indiana shook her head, “Misty, you
cannot sew a whole gown before the ball.”

Sew a whole gown? Her expression must
have revealed her confusion. Indiana nodded. “The dress shops here
do not carry ball gowns. You have to order them well in advance. As
we are pressed for time, we are going to buy the fabric and have a
seamstress make it.”

Misty’s eyes went as wide as saucers
as the situation sank in. Not only was Indiana buying her a dress,
but a custom made dress? It was hard enough to accept a gown from
her friend, but a custom made one? She could not even begin to
process it enough to protest. Should she feign illness? It was
generally against her principals to resort to such things. However,
this was becoming way too much, especially for an invitation from
the daunting and barely civil Mrs. Mills.

She opened her mouth to refuse the
gift once more, hoping to think of a reasonable excuse to offer.
Before she could think of the words, she found herself thinking of
Cody. He had promised to save the first dance for her, and he was
unable to back out so easily. In fact, he had very little to say
about the ball itself. Every shred of interest he showed in it had
been regarding the time they would spend together. Would he be
disappointed if she did not attend?

And what of Mrs. Mills? Would she be
disappointed that her son was involved with someone who backed out
of a ball? She could almost see the knowing frown on the woman’s
face, proven right about how incompatible a maid was with her
son.

Indiana. Mrs. Mills. Cody. Misty felt
a small wave of anxiety over how many people were expecting to see
her step up to this occasion. Was this the sort of responsibility
her employers felt when they attended events? Misty used to shake
her head, quietly wondering why people insisted on going to events
they had no love for. Attending because others expected to see you
there was something that never quite made sense to her. She would
certainly be slower to judge their predicament in the
future.


Misty!” Indiana peered
around the door expectantly.

Misty sighed and squared her
shoulders, making her way into the shop with as much dignity as she
could muster. If she was serious about being Cody’s bride, she was
going to have to show an entire town that she was fit to live in
his world.

And that was going to have to start
with a gown for the ball.

* * *

Misty tried not to tear up as she ran
her finger over the delicate cream colored lace that they found in
the dress shop. It had not even been unwrapped from a recent
shipment, yet when Indiana charmed the woman into looking through
her latest fabrics. Two other customers browsing the shop had shot
them envious looks.

Indiana had decided upon a shimmering
green satin, with cream lace for the hems and bodice, and small
pearl beads. Misty was overcome with the idea this was to be a
dress for her.


The lace will look
wonderful layered with the satin,” Indiana gushed as she held the
two together to show the seamstress what they had in mind. “I wish
we had more time to elaborate on it, but I think this will do
wonderfully. What do you think, Misty?”

Misty managed to nod as she admired
how the two pieces looked together. The emerald green peeked
through the lace perfectly, showing off the delicate pattern in a
way she never dared dream in a gown for herself. “I cannot thank
you enough, Indiana.”

Indiana beamed. She tapped Misty
affectionately on the arm. “Mr. Mills is going to faint clear away
when he sees you. The green will really bring out your eyes. I have
a necklace that will go with it. I shall lend it to you for the
night.”

As Misty made to speak, Indiana held
up her hand. “No more protests. You shall not talk me talk me into
changing my mind. The fabrics here were a wonderful surprise, are
they not?’ Indiana asked, changing the subject.

Misty had to laugh softly as she and
Indiana turned their attention to the dress. They talked to the
seamstress in great length about the style and cut. The dress would
be a classic, modest cut with elegant, long sleeves. While Misty
was grateful and amazed at the fact she would have her own gown,
she was not ready to plunge into the latest sleek, form-fitting
fashion. To her relief, Pioneer Town was a great deal more
conservative in fashion had been in San Francisco.

BOOK: Misty's True Love (Mail Order Brides of Pioneer Town, Book 2)
12.33Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
ads

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