Saratoga Sunrise by Christine Wenger Read Free Book Online

smelling, salty, bubbling water, she prayed that the healthy waters would help her leg.
    They left the building and walked through a long covered walkway with open sides and elaborate woodwork, their shoes clicking against the brick floor. Smiling a greeting to other patrons, they enjoyed the sweet morning air perfumed with the scent of roses and new cut grass. The leaves of the stately elms swayed in the slight breeze. It was going to be a beautiful summer day–a glorious day for a picnic.
    Sara took a deep breath. Every nerve in her body tingled with anticipation of riding Seawind and asking Jack Summers to picnic with her.
     "Shall we go for our mineral bath now?"
    "Aunt Trixie, would you mind if I skip the bath this morning and go right to the stables? I'd like to check on Seawind."
    Her aunt smiled and raised an eyebrow. "I understand, dear, but I'll bet my new corset that Seawind isn't all you're checking on."
    Sara laughed. "Aunt Trixie, your language!"
    She laughed. "I was young once. You run along and pick up Clara along the way. Remember what your father said about a chaperone." She kissed Sara on the check and squeezed her hand. Turning to the carriage driver, she said. "Johnson, hail me another carriage, please, and then take Sara to Clara's house."
    "Yes, ma'am, Miss Beatrix," Johnson said, hurrying off.
    "Thanks so much, Aunt Trixie," Sara said.
     "You just run along and enjoy the day. Don't wear yourself out, dear.” Aunt Trixie tugged at a glove. “Why don't you invite Mr. Summers to the ball at the Union this Saturday?"
    "I couldn't!"
    "Why not?"
    "Because he...I..."
    "Because he's a groom?"
    "No, Aunt Trixie. You know that I don't care about that."
    "Then what is it, dear?"
    "It's because I'm betrothed."
    "Oh, yes. I must have forgotten." Her aunt tapped her French fan against the palm of her hand. "What are you going to do about that particular problem?"
    She should have never let her father push her into an engagement with Montague Fordice. Some day, she’ll get enough nerve to stand up to him, to stand up for herself.
    "As soon as the time is right, I'll tell both Daddy and Monty. I'll tell them both...soon."
    “Don’t delay too long, dear.” Aunt Trixie's carriage arrived, pulled to a stop and Johnson helped her in. She waved back at Sara and called, "Have a wonderful day."
    Sara blew her a kiss. "You, too. And thank you!"
    She watched the departing carriage for a while. What would she have done without her aunt these past months? After the accident, Aunt Trixie had been like a shelter in a storm to Sara and her father. She had mended their hearts with exquisite stitches.
    Wistfully, Sara wished she possessed one ounce of her aunt's confidence and gumption. If she did, she'd immediately inform her father that she didn't wish to marry Montague.
     "Ready, Miss Sara?"
    "Yes, Johnson. To Clara's house."
    "Yes, Miss Sara."
    A half-hour later when they arrived at Clara's, Johnson found that Clara wasn't home. Sara's disappointment knew no bounds. Clara's mother walked over to the carriage and explained to Sara that she was working at the United States Hotel this very minute, filling in for someone who had taken ill, and wouldn't be home until quite late.
    "Shall I drive you back to the hotel, Miss Sara?"
    "I suppose so."
    Sara settled herself in the carriage. Her gaze wandered to the picnic basket that Chef Morris prepared. She had such a wonderful day planned, and now she couldn't go.
    Could she?
    "Johnson, take me to the stables, please."
    "Umm...ah...I shouldn't, Miss Sara. Please now Miss Sara, don't ask me to take you there without Miss Clara or Miss Beatrix. Them stables is no place for a young lady like yourself. No, miss. Not at all."
    "Johnson, I'll be fine. I am meeting someone there, and you will be waiting for me, so what can happen? I desperately need to check on Seawind."
    His brown eyes grew wide, and he shook his head. "I don't know, Miss Sara. If somethin' happened, Mr. Bond would