Wildblossom (27 page)

Her heart hurt all the time, especially when she sighed, but Shelby knew Ben was right about one thing. Tonight was special, and nothing would be gained by ruining it with more of her fretting about Vivian or brooding about Geoff's absence.

"God's foot!" Titus cried, appearing at the edge of the room. "Don't you two look magnificent! Ah, darling Shelby, if only your parents could see you tonight! How proud they'd be. You're just as beautiful as your mother, and I must tell you I always believed she was the most stunning female in all the world!"

"You are terribly dear, Mr. Pym." She gave the little Cornishman a kiss on his ruddy cheek. "Every woman at the Irma Hotel will envy me for being with you two handsome men."

It was a night to remember, largely because Ben, Titus, and Shelby had not looked so splendid since arriving in Wyoming. By reminding the men that they should have proper suits for church and other occasions, Shelby had been able to persuade them to purchase clothing for tonight's gala party. They both wore single-breasted dark suits with bow ties, striped vests, and pocket watches. Shelby had also talked them into buying warm Ulster coats, which looked handsome enough to serve the occasion, but would also keep them warm through the long winter. Freshly barbered and smelling of bay rum, they were ready for a night of celebration.

Shelby did a little pirouette to show off her own gown. Fashioned of pale yellow silk that accentuated the striking cinnamon of her hair, it featured a deep neckline inlaid with lace, and more lace decorating the sleeves. A sash of ivory silk encircled Shelby's tiny waist, in contrast to the pouf of her bodice. Her hair was upswept, her cheeks were rosy with excitement, and the four-stranded pearl dog collar that gleamed round her neck was her only jewelry.

"You sure we could afford all this finery?" Ben mumbled as he held up his niece's new fur-lined cape.

Shelby fastened the closure at her neck, reached for her matching fox-fur muff, and gave him a patient smile. "You know full well that we have a tidy sum in the bank, thanks to Geoff. I don't intend to squander it, but all three of us should have a set of good clothes for special occasions."

"You had plenty at home, as I recall, but were too stubborn to bring 'em," he grumbled.

"Perhaps I've grown up a bit since then."

Titus gave Ben a nudge in the ribs. "Be glad for that, and stop acting like a parsimonious old
bachelor!"

"Hey! I'm not that old yet! I'll get married some day!"

Titus and Shelby rolled their eyes at each other, then burst out laughing. With that, they all went outside, got into the leather-topped buggy, and set out for Cody.

"Too bad we don't have snow," Ben observed as the chill crept around them. "The sleigh would be a lot faster on a cold night like this."

Still, excitement helped to keep the trio warm, and the journey up the South Fork Road went quickly. The sky was deep blue, rose-tinted where it met the great mountains to the west, but by the time they reached Cody, darkness had fallen and snowflakes fluttered down as if Buffalo Bill had ordered them for decoration.

Dozens of buggies and even motor cars were lined around the Irma Hotel's location on the corner of Sheridan Avenue. The sprawling sandstone building truly was the town's crowning jewel—more magnificent than the population could support, yet in keeping with Buffalo Bill's image of himself. There were no other structures in sight when one stood in front of the hotel, with the moonlit mountains providing a backdrop.

"He'll never see a profit," Ben remarked as they drew closer. Lights blazed in every window, people crowded the veranda that nearly wrapped around the hotel, and more guests stood on the second-floor porch that opened off the corner suite upstairs.

"I heard there's a telephone in every room," Titus marveled.

"Well, I think Colonel Cody was simply wonderful to do this for the town," Shelby said, "and I for one think that eventually the Irma
will
turn a profit! More and more tourists are traveling to Yellowstone Park."

"Cody's building a lodge at the eastern entrance to the park, too," Ben revealed. "Calling it Pahaska Inn." He broke off at the sight of a fetching young lady, smiling at him from the hotel steps. "Hey, why're we wasting time? Let's join the party!"

Shelby went into the Irma Hotel on Titus's arm, happy, smiling, and beautiful... yet constantly aware of the space in her heart that had ached since the day Geoff had returned to England. Occasions like this one should have helped her to forget, but instead Shelby found herself missing him more. They had discussed Buffalo Bill and the progress of his hotel many times, and everything that she saw tonight she wanted to share with him.

"Our friend Geoff would have enjoyed this occasion," Titus murmured, knowing it was better to bring it out in the open. Perhaps that would help her to have fun without him.

Shelby blinked. There was a lump in her throat, preventing words, and all she could do was nod over and over again.

"I understand more than you know, darling girl." He patted her, kissed her cheek, and took her cape. "Go on in there and watch all the men drop at your feet."

She glanced down at herself, coloring, then back at Titus. "Daddy would thank you for taking care of me this way, Mr. Pym. Uncle Ben means well, but—"

"Don't I know all about him! I've been trying to tame that lad since he was no higher than my elbow." He saw that she was shy about moving among the guests alone, perhaps because so many people were staring at her already, so Titus led the way. "Let's find ourselves a glass of champagne."

The Irma Hotel was more impressive than Shelby had dreamed. The lobby was spacious and well-appointed, with a paneled desk that spanned one wall, and stylish wallpaper decorated with framed paintings of Buffalo Bill and some of his colorful friends. Staring at Shelby from high on the far wall were the stuffed heads of animals that appeared to be elk. The lobby was crowded with people, but in the middle of the room, she saw a large circular ottoman upholstered in tufted leather occupied by five elderly guests.

Some people greeted her, but clearly few recognized her in a gown rather than a split skirt and boots.

The band was playing "A Bird in a Gilded Cage." Shelby peeked into the huge dining room and saw that Ben was there, dancing with the fetching girl from the porch steps. In the barroom, gaslights shone in the mirrors backing the bar given to Cody by Queen Victoria, and there were grand billiard tables as well.

"Here's your champagne, dear," Titus said, touching her elbow. "I hear that Cody himself is about to speak to the guests from the bottom of the stairs. Shall we go and listen?"

She was excited by this news. The day he'd arrived at the depot, the crowd had been so huge that Shelby hadn't been able to get near, even though Cody was a friend of her family. Besides, Vivian had needed to start home early... and Shelby had felt awkward about mentioning her acquaintance with the famous Buffalo Bill Cody. The differences between her luck and Vivian's were beginning to become apparent to her, and there was no use rubbing salt in the wounds.

Still, approaching the staircase, Shelby wished Viv could be there—and be able to enjoy this sort of party like the truly fine woman she was. Why couldn't Vivian have the sort of life she herself took for granted?

Cody stopped partway down the stairs, flanked by his daughters: Irma, for whom the hotel was named, and Arta. Both were quite pretty and fashionably dressed. Colonel Cody appeared to be in good spirits, but perhaps a bit tired, a reminder that he was nearing sixty and kept a grueling schedule. His long hair was white now, as were his goatee and mustache, but he retained an air of dignity and magnetism. Shelby had read in the newspaper about the late-October death of Arta's husband, Horton Boal. Boal had committed suicide in a Sheridan hotel owned by his father-in-law, and Shelby decided that the family was bearing up well under their tragedy.

The band struck up "Hail to the Chief," but Buffalo Bill soon begged for quiet. After introducing his daughters and the hotel manager and staff, he orated, "To those who ask how I would like to be remembered, I now reply that I should like to be known as a pioneer and a developer of civilization, rather than simply as a scout and a showman. I love the Bighorn Basin with all my being. Homecomings like this one are the great red-letter days of my life, and I swear to you, my dear friends, that I intend to make the Irma Hotel the talk of the West!" Cody paused, then added, "Tonight, I also am honored to announce the engagement of my lovely daughter, Irma, to Lieutenant Clarence Stott, who is stationed at Fort Mackenzie, Sheridan, Wyoming. This truly is a red-letter day for the Cody family!"

The crowd roared in response, their cheers filling the building, and the band struck up "Hail to the Chief"' again. When the ceremonial portion of the evening was ended, Buffalo Bill encouraged all his guests to celebrate. Shelby and Titus were about to turn back toward the lobby when Irma Cody came to the bottom step and called softly, "Does anyone know if a Miss Shelby Matthews is present tonight?"

Startled, Shelby raised her hand amidst the crush. "I am she!"

Irma gave her a sweet smile. "My father has wondered how you and your uncle have fared on your ranch. Won't the two of you come up to his suite and speak to him?"

Titus promised to send Ben along, and moments later Shelby found herself with a Cody daughter on either side. Buffalo Bill had already climbed the stairs, deep in conversation with his friend, Dr. Powell. Shelby couldn't help wondering about the whereabouts of Cody's wife, Louisa, and why no one mentioned her in speeches about the virtues of their family. Were the rumors of divorce true?

What was the use of fame and genius and wealth if one couldn't enjoy it with a loving mate? How sad that Colonel Cody didn't have a wife by his side, laughing with him, holding his arm, and worrying over his wellbeing. Again Shelby felt that familiar stab of yearning for Geoff.

Where was he tonight? She scarcely dared consider the possibility that he might have married Lady Clementine Beech by now... but it was hard not to remember the words she had written to her fiancé:
Mummy longs to begin planning a Christmas wedding...

"How long have you been living out here?" Irma asked.

"Oh, a long time! At least, it seems like a very long time. I came here from Deadwood in April." She gave both women a smile that was rich with complex emotions. "So much has happened to me since then." It occurred to Shelby that she must guard her tongue, for the Cody sisters' hearts were in very different places. Irma was newly betrothed, while Arta's husband had just killed himself with chloroform, leaving her with two children to raise alone.

Fortunately, Shelby didn't have to make conversation with both women when they reached Colonel Cody's suite. Arta wandered off into another room, and Irma happily soliloquized about her impending nuptials.

The corner rooms Cody had reserved for his own use were handsome. There was a private parlor, two bedrooms, and a bath and closet, all crowded with stylish oak furnishings. As downstairs, there were many portraits of Buffalo Bill on the walls. Since her father seemed to be otherwise occupied at the moment, Irma suggested that Shelby look around. "Everyone wants to speak to him, and he is happy to oblige," she explained.

Shelby decided to go into the bedroom an explore the porch that was constructed upon the veranda roof. There was a great corner window opening onto the wide makeshift balcony, the edge of which was marked only by a low-railed fence. It was a perfect spot to escape the stifling crowds that filled the hotel, and Shelby stepped out into the frigid air and inhaled deeply. The fledgling town of Cody was spread below, silvered by moonlight and dusted with snowflakes. Most of the homes were dark, since nearly everyone had come to the party.

"Too bad Geoffrey Weston had to go back to England," a kindly voice said from behind her. "I miss him, too."

"Oh!" Shelby pressed a hand to her heart, whirling.

"I didn't know anyone else was out here!" In the shadowy light she recognized Jacob Schwoob and felt a throb remembering the happy afternoon she and Geoff had spent at the Cody Trading Company.

"I didn't mean to frighten you, Shelby, but you looked so lonely, and I thought I could guess the reason."

"You could? Were my feelings for Geoff that obvious?"

Jakie Schwoob gave her an indulgent smile, then took off his wire-rimmed spectacles and polished them as he spoke. "I know that the two of you denied any romance the day you came into my store, but as time passed, I saw more and more of Geoff, and he stopped trying to hide his feelings for you."

Shelby's heart was pounding hard and her legs felt weak. "I—I'm getting cold. Could we go inside?"

He took her elbow to help her through the tall window, and in the glow of the gaslights, Schwoob looked more benevolent than ever. "I just think you ought to know that Geoff loves you. Everything he bought, from the gramophone to the bicycles to the piano, was a way for him to express that love."

She was so numb it seemed the voice was coming to her through gauze. "Piano?"

"It's finally arriving this week," Jakie said, beaming. "Geoff ordered it the same day he took the bicycles home."

She wanted so badly to believe him, but was afraid to let herself. "I know that Geoff was fond of me, but if it were more than that, wouldn't he have tried to find a way to be with me?"