Chapter 24
Mandie eyed herself in the mirror after dressing for the family’s simple church service, in the main room of the Balfour home.
She’d donned her blue dress—one of the nicer ones she’d brought with her, though not the very nicest. The extra flounces around the waist on this one concealed her rounding middle better than the others.
She would need to tell James, Robert, and Thomas about her condition soon. If she stayed.
With a sigh, she turned away from the mirror. The past two days since the wagon accident, Enoch had retreated into himself again, even more than after the kiss. This reminded her too much of the brooding shadow he’d been when she first arrived.
If he wouldn’t let her in, should she simply leave? She would stay and fight for him if it would help.
But she’d already fought through his defenses twice. The idea of having to do it again felt exhausting. And would he pull back every time the threat of danger touched their lives?
She couldn’t… She just couldn’t fight to keep her heart intact and heal his if he never joined the battle on her side.
If only Bea were here, with her gentle wisdom and knack for soothing ruffled feathers.
Mandie sighed and opened the door of her bed chamber.
Voices drifted from the main room, and she followed the sound to where the Balfour men sat in the main room, Bibles in hand.
Thomas looked up and smiled as she entered. “Ah, Mandie. You’re looking pretty in your Sunday finery.”
She returned his smile, appreciating his kindness even as her gaze drifted to Enoch.
He sat stiffly in his chair, his eyes fixed on the pages of his Bible. The shadows under them spoke of a restless night, and her heart ached. But she couldn’t fix what he wouldn’t acknowledge was broken.
“Thank you.” She settled onto the sofa beside Thomas, smoothing her skirts. “So, who is leading the service today?”
“I thought I might read the scripture, if no one objects,” James said. “And perhaps Robert could lead us in a hymn or two, and Thomas can read the sermon.”
Robert nodded. “I’d be happy to. Any requests?”
As the brothers discussed the order of the service, Mandie let her mind wander. She couldn’t help but steal glances at Enoch, hoping to catch his eye, to see some hint of the warmth and connection they’d shared before. But he kept his gaze turned away from her.
Finally, James cleared his throat and opened his Bible. “Shall we begin?”
The others murmured their assent, and James started to read, his rich baritone filling the room.
Mandie tried to focus on the familiar words, to let them soothe her heart. But her thoughts kept circling back to Enoch, to the chasm that had opened between them once again.
As the service passed, she had to pull her mind back to the teaching over and over, like a stubborn horse struggling against the lead rope.
At last, James led them in a closing prayer. It didn’t escape her notice that none of them had suggested Enoch take part in the proceedings. Maybe they thought it better to leave the bear alone instead of poking it. But maybe a reminder of God’s faithfulness would be good for him.
Of course, she knew better than to attempt to be another’s conscience. She couldn’t manage to keep herself free of sin, so she’d best let God handle Enoch. If You could see fit to help him trust You instead of taking the weight for everyone else on his shoulders, that would be good, Lord.
When James said “amen,” Mandie echoed it along with the others.
Silence settled for a moment, then Thomas cleared his throat. “I had a thought. Since we don’t have to work, why don’t we do something special this afternoon? A fun pastime to lift our spirits.”
Robert raised an eyebrow. “What did you have in mind?”
A mischievous twinkle entered Thomas’s eyes. “We haven’t had a proper dance in ages. And I happen to know that Robert here is a fine hand with the violin.”
Mandie widened her eyes. “You play, Robert? I had no idea.” The prospect of music and dancing released some of the heaviness in her chest.
Robert ducked his head, a hint of color rising to his cheeks. “It’s been a while, but I could manage a few tunes.” He glanced around at his brothers.
James grinned. “I think it’s a capital idea. We could all use a bit of cheer.” He turned to Enoch, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. “What say you? A dance this fine Sunday afternoon?”
Enoch’s jaw tightened. For a long moment, he didn’t respond, his gaze fixed on some distant point. Then, slowly, he nodded. “I have no objection.”
It wasn’t exactly a ringing affirmative, but Mandie would take it. The chance to dance, to perhaps coax a smile from Enoch’s stern face, sent a flutter of anticipation through her middle.
“It’s settled.” Thomas stood. “We’ll spruce ourselves up a bit and reconvene in, say, an hour’s time?”
The others murmured in agreement and began to disperse to their respective rooms to prepare.
With a sigh, she retreated to her bedchamber and opened her trunk. She fingered the fine fabrics.
She had to lift out the other dresses to reach her best—the deep emerald green gown she’d worn to the Savannah Cotillion last Christmas.
The rich color set off her dark hair and eyes, and the cut flattered her figure without being immodest. She had no idea why she would have wasted precious trunk space packing something so impractical for frontier life, but at least she would feel beautiful and confident as she twirled across the makeshift dance floor.
She’d brought a few other accessories also—two necklaces, several pairs of gloves, and hairpins and combs.
She laid the dress on the bed and set about freshening up, pinning her hair into a becoming arrangement of curls. By the time she slipped into the gown and managed to fasten the tiny buttons up the back, she felt more like herself than she had in days.
Voices and the tuning of Robert’s violin drifted from the main room as she emerged. She paused in the doorway, taking in the scene.
The furniture had been pushed back to the walls, leaving a wide expanse of floor for dancing. Robert stood near the fireplace, violin tucked under his chin as he tested the strings. James and Thomas had changed into suits, and they chatted animatedly as they waited for the festivities to begin.
But it was Enoch who drew her gaze like a lodestone. He stood apart from the others, his broad shoulders filling out his black jacket, underneath it a crisp white shirt and dark trousers. And his face...
She blinked, her breath catching in her throat. He had shaved, the clean lines of his jaw and chin on full display. The effect highlighted the chiseled planes of his features and the startling blue of his eyes.
He looked younger, more vulnerable somehow. And devastatingly handsome.
She’d always known this fact about him. But seeing him like this, polished and gentlemanly, sent a flutter through her middle that had nothing to do with the baby.
As if sensing her stare, he glanced up. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the rest of the room faded away. Something flickered in his blue gaze—surprise, appreciation, perhaps even a flash of the longing she felt.
But then he blinked and the shutters fell, his expression smoothing into the now-familiar mask of detachment.
Thomas let out a whoop, shattering the moment. “There she is, the belle of the ball. Mandie, you look stunning.”
Heat rushed to her cheeks as the others turned to her. She smoothed a hand over her skirts. “Thank you, Thomas. You all look quite dashing yourselves.”
“Indeed we do.” James flashed a grin. “And now that our guest of honor has arrived, I believe it’s time for some music. Robert, if you please?”
With a nod, Robert lifted his bow and drew it across the strings in a lively tune. The rollicking notes filled the room, chasing away the lingering shadows.
Thomas stepped forward and sketched a bow before Mandie. “May I have this first dance?”
She managed a smile, placing her fingers in his. “Of course.” She’d forgotten gloves. She’d not worn them at all since arriving at the ranch, but a formal occasion such as this should have prompted her memory. They were already dancing though, so she pushed the lack from her thoughts.
He swept her into the center of the room, arranging their hands in the proper positions. As they began to move to the music, Mandie let the familiar steps and cheerful tune wash over her, pushing down the riot of emotions Enoch’s gaze had stirred.
The first dance ended, and James claimed her hand for the next, his easy smile and sure steps a welcome distraction. But even as she laughed and twirled, she couldn’t help but be aware of Enoch watching from the sidelines, his expression unreadable.
After a lively reel with Robert—while Thomas sang the words and clapped the beat in the absence of the violin—Mandie could barely breathe from all the movement and laughter. She fanned her face with one hand, grinning at the brothers. “I may need to sit the next one out to catch my breath.”
“Nonsense.” Thomas winked at her. “You’re the guest of honor, remember? We can’t have you wilting in the corner.”
“In that case...” She turned to Enoch, meeting his gaze with a boldness she didn’t quite feel. “Lord Balfour, would you do me the honor of this dance?”
For a moment, he simply stared at her, something warring in his eyes. Then, at last, he inclined his head. “As you wish, Mrs. Beaumont.”
He stepped forward and took her hand, his fingers warm and callused against her own. A shiver raced up her arm, and her pulse stuttered as he drew her close. Maybe this was why she’d forgotten her gloves.
Robert struck up a slower tune, the gentle strains of a waltz. Enoch’s hand settled at her waist, the heat of his touch searing through the satin of her gown. She placed her other hand on his shoulder, letting herself enjoy the solid strength of him beneath the fine fabric.
As they began to move, everything else fell away. The music faded to a distant hum, the room blurring at the edges until there was only Enoch—the warmth of his hold, the sureness of his lead, the intensity of his gaze locked on hers.
She was floating, her feet barely skimming the floor as he guided her through the turns and sways. The heat of his hand on her waist sent tingles racing along her nerve endings, and she leaned into his touch, her body craving more.
For a few blissful minutes, the chasm between them disappeared, bridged by the gentle swell of the music and the way their bodies moved as one.
All too soon, the final notes faded away. Enoch’s steps slowed and stilled, though he made no move to release her.
She stared up at him, her breath coming fast and shallow.
His eyes burned into hers, dark with an emotion she couldn’t name. His gaze dropped to her lips, and for a wild, reckless moment, he looked like he might kiss her right there in the middle of the room with his brothers watching.
Her lips parted, a silent invitation. She swayed towards him, her body acting of its own volition.
The sound of a wagon outside shattered the moment like a stone through glass.
Enoch blinked, his hands falling away from her as he stepped back. The shutters slammed down over his expression once more.
“Someone’s coming.” James strode to the door.
Mandie’s heart sank as the spell between her and Enoch dissolved completely.
He turned away from her, his jaw set in that familiar, rigid line, and moved toward the window.
James cracked the front door enough to see out. “Looks like...there’s a man and woman. And another man on horseback.”
The fine hairs on Mandie’s neck prickled, and she hurried to the window beside Enoch. As she peered out at the approaching wagon, her blood turned to ice.
“My parents.” The words fell from her lips in a breathless whisper.
And behind them, mounted on a sleek bay gelding, rode Clayton Beaumont.