Surrender at Orchard Rest by Hope Denney, Linda Au Read Free Book Online Page B

ride like that.
    “We barreled up the hill to the Buchanan place. The house was in sight, and we passed all the outbuildings. We were a sight, too, all covered in scum from the pond, dirt from the fields, and sweating for all we were worth. Suddenly, when we passed the stables, a horse came flying out past us. It was flying so fast that it tore all the sod off the lawn in two solid lines all the way up to the house. We were both ill because whoever was going to win had seen us coming from the stables and was cheating by joining in at the last minute. The horse beat us both by several yards.
    “I was getting ready to say just what I thought of it all when the rider dismounted and I saw she was wearing skirts. This girl started laughing and asked if she had won anything. I told her no because I thought that I was on the winning end of things after all. She pulled off her bonnet and long, curling blond hair fell down around her shoulders. The sight of her was the only time I’ve ever been struck dumb. I invited myself to supper that night and she gave me every bit as good as she got when I recovered my power of speech. I like a feisty girl like Fairlee. Feistiness just makes the good times fun and the bad times entertaining.”
    “It’s a thrilling way to meet the girl you’re going to marry, Joseph, but how did it take so long to meet Fairlee when the Buchanans are such close neighbors?” asked Victoria.
    “Evelyn Buchanan is Mr. Buchanan’s second wife. He was a widower when they married, and Fairlee spent most of her young years in school,” said Joseph. “She has opinions about everything. She’s splendid to talk with.”
    “They argue a good bit, too,” said Somerset, “but I can’t deny that seems to be a large part of the attraction. Do you think she’ll stay this time, Joseph? Did she hint in any of your correspondences?”
    “I intend to convince her to stay this time. I’d like to be settled.”
    “So would I,” added Victoria.
    “There aren’t many men left to marry,” acknowledged Joseph. “Those who made it home aren’t healthy either, so you wouldn’t want to marry them. I think girls do well to take their time and be picky choosing because you don’t know what you’re getting in a man who came from the army.”
    Somerset studied Victoria’s youthful features. She was pretty with her clear white skin and long dark curls. She had inherited their mother’s red full lips and high cheekbones. She was slender but round. She had become quieter and more sensitive since the war, particularly after the violence of Wilson’s raid, but she was eager to make more friends and find her place in life. Warren was her child, although few in Century Grove acknowledged it, and it handicapped her chances of finding a husband. Somerset hoped that Sawyer would be willing to let Victoria and Warren live with them when married. He played big brother to Victoria, chatting with her while he waited for Somerset most evenings, and took Warren on frequent horseback rides and carved toys for him, so she felt optimistic. Somerset believed getting them both away from Blanche’s overreaching style of motherhood would help them grow the most.
    Joseph clapped his hands.
    “Buchanan’s Loft is just ahead and Fairlee is only minutes away from me.”
    Buchanan’s Loft sat at the top of the hill they were ascending. It was the oldest house in Century Grove and one of the smallest. Somerset, completely entranced with the unique touches of her own home, felt that the Greek revival plantation lacked a good deal of charm. It was in need of repairs. Mr. Buchanan had lost more money during the war than any of their neighbors during the war. She knew Joseph hoped to help turn things around for them after he and Fairlee married.
    She pulled up to the house. There were only two hired servants left at the Loft so Somerset climbed down over the wheel of the wagon and secured Hector to the hitching post. She gave a hand to