The Independent Bride: Mail Order Bride (Boulder Brides Book 2) by Dean Natalie & Hart Eveline

Author:Dean, Natalie & Hart, Eveline [Dean, Natalie]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Kenzo Publishing
Published: 2017-11-12T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Lizbeth and Hannah both crowded in close to examine their faces in the mirror and to correct any flaws in their hairstyles. “Are you sure I should wear my bonnet so high on my head?” worried Lizbeth.

“Oh yes. Then you let these curls hang down, just so. Now show me what you do with the parasol.”

Lizbeth opened the frilly accessory, twirled it a few times, then balanced it over her head, so the parasol half covered her face. From the other side, she smiled coquettishly and partially bowed her head.

“That was perfect. You are a natural. Walk with controlled steps, so you don’t destroy the bustle. It would be a disaster if it slipped sideways.”

“And I would appear very strange, like one of those monstrosities in the traveling circus.” She practiced her parade around the room, pulling back her skirts with one hand while holding the parasol in the other.

“Short steps, Lizbeth, not long ones. You’re not behind a plow.”

“Oh, is it really necessary to look so proper?” asked Lizbeth in exasperation.

“Yes. Everybody who is somebody is going to be there. We have officers from Camp Collins and company people from Denver. There will be cattle ranchers, property owners of every type, and investors in new business. Oh yes, my dear. It’s imperative to look proper. The only way to make money is to impress those who have money.”

“The way you have impressed Mr. Parks?”

“I would say he is quite the gentleman worth impressing. You would do well to mingle with the cattle ranchers yourself.”

“I don’t wish to. This festival is a fund-raiser for the town. It was organized by the teachers – your friends. My friends. The people who raised me up to learn how to read and write and do my numbers. The people who sheltered me. I’m attending for them, for the community. I’m not abandoning them.”

“I’m not abandoning them, either.”

“You are if you plan to live as a rich cattleman’s wife. You’ll be here once a month for supplies and mingle your riches with those who already have wealth. You won’t be a part of us, Hannah. You’ll be a part of them.”

“Hannah, please understand. I love Jeremy Parks.”

“Only if you understand that the one I choose to love is not in compliance with your wishes, either.”

They strode out the door together, arm in arm, their steps matching. They caught up with Jeremy who was waiting at the Palace doors and continued up the street to the far edge of town. There, picnic tables had been set up in a scattered fashion to form a large square in the middle of a well-grazed pasture. A hastily built pavilion of stone and scrap lumber marked the center spot. Occasionally, someone would appear on the pavilion with a bullhorn to make an announcement, but it was generally turned over to skilled and not so skillful entertainers

“Tell me, Mr. Parks,” said Lizbeth, twirling her parasol the way she had practiced. “Why is it that you never accompany Miss

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.