The Gamble by Spencer Lavyrle

Author:Spencer, Lavyrle [Spencer, Lavyrle]
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Tags: Historical
ISBN: 9780006477150
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: 2000-04-17T07:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER

14

If people thought it strange that one of the local saloon owners went to the railway station to see the local milliner off to a temperance tea at the governor’s mansion, nobody said a word. After all, the newly orphaned Collinson boy was with them, and everyone knew they had taken him under their wing.

Willy was wearing his proudest possession: a pair of brand-new indigo-blue Levi Strauss britches with orange stitching and copper rivets—“just like the cowboys wear!”—as Willy had pointed out proudly when he came running into the store to model them for Agatha. “An’, no suspenders, neither!”

“No suspenders!” She had turned him in a circle and duly admired him.

“Nope! Cuz they’re choke-barreled.”

Agatha and Violet had both laughed. “They’re what?”

“Choke-barreled. That’s what Scotty says the cowboys call ‘em. Skinny-legged... see?”

He stood now at the station, seeing Agatha off in his choke-barreled blue denim pants, looking healthy and robust. His brown boots already had hundreds of scuffs, but his nails were clean, he had gained weight, and he no longer scratched.

Agatha, too, looked stunning. She had made herself a brand-new dress for the occasion, a gorgeous creation of tangerine faille. The jacket sported dolman sleeves, with a collar and trimmings of brown velvet. This summer’s Godey’s dictated that no dress should be made of only one material, so she’d chosen a deeper melon-colored taffeta for the underskirt, and a stiffer silk faille for the sheath-fronted overskirt: handkerchief-styled—pointed in the front, with cascading rear draperies. At her throat billowed an ivory lace jabot of silk stockinet. Her outfit was completed by a tilted gable bonnet of melon and russet, forming a pointed arch over her face.

Watching her bid good-bye to Willy, Scott Gandy admired not only her dress, but the way its colors complemented the red highlights of her hair, which was coiled into a French twist up the back of her head. He admired, too, her pale green eyes with their mink-dark lashes, her apricot skin, and her fine-turned jawline, which he had liked from the moment he saw it. And her attractive mouth, smiling gamely, though he suspected she wasn’t so anxious to go, now that the last minute had come.

“How long’ll you be gone, Gussie?” Willy held both her hands and looked up angelically. Scott had combed the boy’s hair with extra care that morning—and, for the first time, used a tad of Macassar oil. It gleamed brightly in the sun.

“Just overnight. Now you do as I said and help Violet sweep up before closing.”

“I will.”

Gandy watched her gloved hands adjust Willy’s shirt collar, then brush something off his cheek. “And teeth, nails, and ears tonight at bedtime—promise?”

Willy’s face skewed in disgust and he scuffled his feet. “Aw... I promise.”

“I’ll ask Scott when I get back.” She touched the tip of Willy’s nose to soften the warning. “Now you be a good boy and I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Bye, Gussie.” He came at her with open arms.

“Good-bye, sweetheart.” She bent forward in the constricting skirts and Willy kissed her flush on the mouth.

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