Silver Lining (27 page)

Taking Wally's arm, she collected herself and lifted her head. Together they descended the staircase.

At the bottom of the stairs, Gilly's daughter, Sunshine, ran out of the parlor—the girl never seemed to walk—and threw her arms around Philadelphia 's waist.

"You look so pretty, Aunt Philadelphia! Are you feeling better this week?"

Gently she removed the child's arms. "Darling, you mustn't embrace me like that; you'll crush my skirts."

The careless child was witless enough to look confused. "But Aunt Louise likes it when I hug her."

"As we can all observe, Low Down lacks beauty and style, and her skirts are as ugly as she is. No one would notice if the material was wrinkled, not even her. Women of Low Down's ilk don't care about appearances."

A man cleared his throat, and when she looked up, Max and Low Down were standing in the foyer watching. Max stared at her with a flat, unreadable gaze. An infuriating half-smile curved the creature's lips, but bright pink blazed on her cheeks. So what if the creature had overheard her comments, Philadelphia thought with satisfaction. She hadn't spoken a word that wasn't true.

As if to prove Philadelphia 's remarks, Low Down knelt with no thought for wrinkling her plain, unattractive skirt, then she opened her arms and smiled at Sunshine. "I do like hugs. And your aunt Philadelphia is correct that I don't care diddly how I look. Never have."

Sunshine danced across the foyer and wrapped her arms around Low Down's neck. "Oh, you smell good. Like apple cider."

The creature laughed, a husky sound that belonged in a smoky saloon. The vulgarity of it grated across Philadelphia 's nerve endings. "I used the last of the apples to make pies. I imagine that's what you're smelling." The creature glanced at Max and nodded at Wally standing silently at Philadelphia 's side before she took Sunshine's hand. "Let's go to the kitchen and see if your grandma needs any help."

Apple cider, indeed. Philadelphia moved forward and demurely lowered her eyelids as Wally shook hands with Max. But she stood close enough that Max couldn't help inhaling the fragrance of rosewater and the rose petal sachet tucked inside her corset.

"Hello, Philadelphia ."

"Good morning, Max."

Today they would begin to establish the habits that would govern their behavior toward each other for now and all time.

"Are you feeling well?" A lack of expression concealed the tumult of emotion he must be experiencing, exactly as she was.

"Yes, thank you," she murmured. Wally moved closer and placed a proprietary hand against the small of her back. "And you?"

"Quite well, thank you."

The banality of the exchange deadened her mind. Was this how it would be? Dull, meaningless politeness? Never before had they gazed at each other and found themselves at a loss for words. She let him see her despairing stare at his mouth, then she touched the tip of her tongue to her upper lip. They had to pretend now, but she had forgotten nothing, nothing at all.

Still Max's expression didn't change, but his shoulders stiffened and he closed his hand into a fist around something in his pocket.

"I'm going to speak to Howard Houser tomorrow," Wally said, "and insist that lie lift the ridiculous ban on accepting your hands' money."

A flash of anger knit Max's eyebrows. "I appreciate your concern, but you're wasting your breath. Stay out of it, Wally."

" Philadelphia and I don't think this is fair treatment. We should put the past behind us."

Max gave her a narrowed look of speculation, and she felt her skin tingle and her stomach spun into a slow roll. His gaze dropped to her waist before sliding away.

She released a breath she'd unconsciously been holding. Next to Max, Wally was but a pallid shadow.

Where Max stood immovable as a rock, her husband was like a malleable child.

"Dave's out back, waiting to show you two his new saddle," Gilly called with a smile, walking toward them from the kitchen. "Hello, Philadelphia , you're looking well today."

To her dismay, the men moved toward the door. "How long before we eat?" Wally asked Gilly. Wally had promised to stay by Philadelphia 's side, but the frantic signals she sent him sailed past his thick head.

He would hear about this later.

"About twenty minutes." When the door closed behind the men, Gilly wiped her hands in the folds of her apron while Philadelphia tried to recall when last she had seen Gilly or Livvy without the ubiquitous apron. "Would you like to join us women in the kitchen?"

She didn't know the first thing about kitchens, nor did she have the slightest notion how to prepare a meal. This was no oversight; she didn't wish to know. Most particularly, she was unwilling to provide an opportunity for Livvy to make her feel inadequate or useless. Livvy McCord might believe a woman's place was in the kitchen, but true ladies decidedly did not. And finally, the creature was in the kitchen.

"I prefer to wait in the parlor," she said pleasantly. "Perhaps you'd care to join me?" A bit of company would be welcome.

"I'd enjoy that I'm sure, but I'm in the midst of filling the salt cellars." Gilly gave her a smile and a shrug, then returned down the hallway toward the kitchen.

Shocked by Gilly's casual dismissal, Philadelphia did not move for a long moment. She stood excluded and abandoned in the chilly foyer with teeth and hands clenched. Finally she spun in a furious swirl of taffeta and marched into the parlor, where she occupied the time until dinner by counting the days until she could escape from here.

Dinner, of course, was precisely the ordeal she had expected. First, in an aggravating breech of convention, Sunshine was permitted to dine with the adults. Worse, the child chattered incessantly and no one ordered her to be silent; it was enough to give one a headache. The men talked politics and cattle and the weather. Livvy and Gilly discussed the clothing they were sewing for the creature. The creature spoke only once. She answered yes when Gilly inquired if she still intended to drive to Gilly's home after dinner for a dress fitting.

As for herself, Philadelphia finally abandoned any effort to introduce refined topics and concentrated on setting a silent example of grace, delicacy, and good manners. Occasionally she lifted her lashes to peek down the table at Max, hoping that he noted the vast contrast between good breeding and Low Down's boorish manners. Twice she caught Max staring at her, and she smiled inside her mouth.

Although she never glanced at Low Down or acknowledged her presence, she was very aware of the creature. From the corner of her eye, she noticed a deferential expression when the creature gazed at her betters. Which was as it should be. It gave great satisfaction to know Low Down understood she didn't belong among superior decent company. She was a misfit, an abomination.

After dinner the men stepped outside to smoke their vile cigars, and Low Down immediately jumped up and collected several dessert plates before she left for the kitchen. The creature's transparent desire to flee was gratifying and raised a flush of righteous triumph to Philadelphia 's brow.

"I declare," Gilly commented, watching Sunshine skip toward the kitchen. "That child dotes on Louise."

She cast Philadelphia a guilty look and hastily added, "and you, too, of course. Sunshine says she wants to be as beautiful as her aunt Philadelphia when she grows up."

"I've always had a way with children," she admitted with a modest smile. In the past, this response had contained little real meaning, but now it did as she abruptly recalled her pregnancy and her smile faded.

"When I was as far along as you, I was already wearing loose clothing," Gilly commented. "Mama thought I was surely going to have twins," she added with a smile.

Livvy raised her coffee cup, and her eyes sharpened. "Did I overhear Wally say he intends to speak to your father about driving off Max's hands?"

She was not going to allow herself to be drawn into a discussion of Max's punishment. Instead she lowered her voice and leaned forward, imparting a confidence. "Wally doesn't know this, but I believe Daddy intends to extend a job offer tomorrow."

"Do you think Wally will accept the offer?" Livvy inquired.

"Of course he will."

Pushing up from the table, Livvy carried her coffee cup to the dining room window. In the ensuing silence, Philadelphia overheard Low Down and Sunshine laughing in the kitchen.

"In some ways, Wally will make a more successful banker than Max would have," Livvy said eventually.

She frowned at the men smoking outside, their backs to the wind. "Wally isn't as quick at ciphering, but he'll be more comfortable working for someone else. Max needs to be his own boss."

"Wally isn't as tied to the land as Max is," Gilly offered after a minute. "Since he hasn't built on his parcel, he wouldn't have to divide his time between ranching and banking. We could split his herd between our hands and the hands at the main ranch … "

"Was this your idea or is it your father's belief that he can turn anyone named McCord into a banker?"

Livvy put the question without turning around.

As usual, Livvy didn't display the deference she should have toward a Houser. Philadelphia 's grandfather had founded Fort Houser , her father was its most prominent citizen, and until Livvy McCord's son had betrayed her, Philadelphia Houser had served as society's reigning belle. Truly, her mother-in-law was an infuriating woman.

She forced herself to smile. "I can't deny that it would please me to see my husband move up in the world, but I assure you I do not dictate my father's decisions."

Gilly cast an uncomfortable glance toward her mother's rigid back, then politely shifted the focus of the conversation. "Will you accompany Wally into town?"

"I guess you didn't hear about my horrible experience last week." Blinking at brimming tears, she told Gilly about the cuts and snubs directed her way. Gilly murmured sympathetic sounds, but Livvy remained as unmoved as she had initially. Philadelphia dabbed her eyes with a scrap of lace. "It's unbelievable that this is happening to me! The scandal was supposed to be diverted; instead my good name is ruined!"

Now Livvy turned. "In view of the circumstances, your good name would have been ruined no matter how the situation was handled."

Shock widened her eyes. "You can't possibly be suggesting that I am in any way to blame!"

"Allowances can be made for the unfortunate fact that you had no mother to guide and advise you. But your father must also be aware that my son did not abuse you. Your predicament is the result of a consensual act, and, therefore, you do, of course, share responsibility for the loss of your good name, as you put it. Perhaps the scandal would be easier to bear if you acknowledged your part in causing it!"

"That is outrageous! That horrible Low Down person is to blame, not me!" Philadelphia came to her feet, her hands shaking. Heat flooded her face, and her lips trembled. "I don't know why you've turned against me. My only crime was loving Max McCord. I don't deserve any of the hideous things that happened to me, and I am in no way whatsoever at fault!" Tears swam in her eyes as she gathered her skirts and fled to her room.

She slammed the bedroom door then quietly opened it and tiptoed to the head of the stairs to eavesdrop.

"Weren't you a bit hard on her, Mama?"

"I suppose I'll have to apologize," Livvy admitted with a sigh. The aggrieved tone announced that any apology would not be sincere. "If you'd conceived before marriage—God forbid—I know you wouldn't have denied responsibility. You would have admitted to as much wrongdoing as Dave."

"You know she's spoiled. She's always been coddled and catered to, and I doubt she's ever had to face her mistakes. If she truly believes that she shares no blame, then it must hurt terribly to be treated as a pariah. And Mama, she'll never escape the taint of this scandal. Surely you can find it in your heart to pity her."

Spoiled! Coddled and catered to!

Well, so what if she was? She was a Houser, after all, not some nobody with no name or background.

Everyone knew she could have married far higher than a McCord. Who were they, after all?

"One thing is abundantly evident. Weekly gatherings are too great a strain on everyone. As much as I dislike the necessity, I think from now on we'll have a family dinner only once a month."

"She means well, Mama."

"Then why isn'tshe speaking to her father about Max? Houser would relent if Philadelphia asked him to end his vendetta."

The men returned then, and shortly afterward Gilly and Dave and Max and Low Down collected jackets, hats, and gloves, and said their good-byes. Lifting her skirts, Philadelphia moved silently to the hallway window that overlooked the front road.

After a minute the couples emerged, walking toward their respective wagons. She paid no attention to Gilly and Dave, but watched sharply as Max assisted Low Down up on the wagon seat.

And she gasped as Low Down said something, then placed her gloved palm against Max's cheek. They looked into each other's eyes, then Max laughed and tucked Low Down's skirts around her legs before he climbed into the driver's seat.

Oh, dear heaven. They were lovers.

Feeling sick inside, Philadelphia pressed a hand hard against her mouth. It had never occurred to her, not once, that Max would actually bed the creature. Naturally, she had assumed that he would remain faithful to her. Yes, he'd made that stupid promise to give Low Down a baby, but no one expected him to keep a commitment made under duress. As for her father driving off Max's hands, he had to know he deserved punishment, but surely he also understood that someday they would be together again. She had never intended to make him angry or drive him into the creature's arms. Never that.

Reeling with shock, she stumbled back to her room and fell across the bed in a storm of furious weeping. Damn him.

When Wally came upstairs, she threw herself into his arms and sobbed on his shoulder. After he had anxiously inquired over and over as to what had put her in such a state, she explained, "Your mother hates me! She said such mean things… I'm sure she didn't mean it but… Oh Wally." Easing back in his arms, she turned swimming eyes up to his face. "Will you do something for me?"