The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 48

“Actually, I hoped to invite Señora Ellis for a ride.” Alexander indicated the carriage. “Perhaps we might enjoy the refreshments when we return.”

“While that is a fine idea,” Eunice said with a frown, her hands on her generous hips, “without a chaperone, it is highly improper. I don’t see room in that fancy rig for the three of us.”

Natalie had no desire to ride with Alexander, especially in the heat of the day, but if it afforded her even one hour away from her cousin, it would be worth the discomfort. “Cousin Eunice, you needn’t worry. Señor Lopez has visited at Rose Hill for over a year. If anyone cared about the impropriety of our friendship, it is long past.”

Eunice’s brow went up. “Why, I am surprised to hear you say such a thing, Natalie Ellis. Just because you are a widow does not mean—”

“I will get my hat, Señor,” Natalie said, leaving her cousin openmouthed.

She hurried inside, not because she was eager to be alone with the Tejano, but because she could not bear another moment in the presence of her cousin. Reaching the entrance to her bedroom, she thought she heard someone in the adjoining sitting room.

“Carolina, is that you?”

Silence met her. Perhaps it was the rose-scented breeze coming from the open window, stirring the curtains. She removed a forest-green bonnet from the bureau and tied it beneath her chin. Surveying her reflection in the long mirror, she was satisfied with her appearance. It wasn’t as though she hoped to gain the admiration of Alexander.

Memories of primping for a certain colonel brought a flush to her cheeks. One of his men informed Moses that Colonel Maish had been called away to Austin. The void the colonel’s absence left on the plantation—and in her—was more than a little surprising, being that he’d only spent two days with them making the repairs after the storm.

Descending the back stairs, she alerted Harriet to her plans, kissed Samuel’s sticky face—he scowled when she mentioned her escort was Alexander—and proceeded to the foyer, where she heard Eunice regaling Alexander with more stories. She was tempted to delay her entrance onto the porch, but the sooner they took their drive, the sooner she could return. She’d promised the women they would continue their reading lessons before supper, much to everyone’s delight.

“Shall we go, Señor?” She breezed through the open doorway. Eunice sat on one of the wicker chairs while Alexander leaned against the porch rail.

“Indeed.” He extended his arm. When she placed her hand on it, he turned a pleasant smile to Eunice. “You may be assured, dear woman, I will take fine care of your cousin. You need not worry.”

Eunice fluttered her lashes. “I trust you, Señor.”

Alexander helped Natalie into the carriage, climbed in on the opposite side, and took up the reins. “I know a shady spot near the creek not far from here.”

Natalie nodded, vaguely wondering how he was so familiar with Rose Hill lands. The pastures where his cattle grazed were in the opposite direction. But simply getting away from Eunice had her willing to go to the frontier if it meant she didn’t have to listen to her cousin’s prattling.

“Your cousin is an … unusual woman,” he said. When he lifted his brow, she couldn’t help but chuckle.

“That is a polite way to put it.” She sighed, looking out over the countryside. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d simply ridden through the plantation for enjoyment. Alexander steered the horse down a path she had never noticed before. “I must say, this is nice, taking a drive purely for pleasure.”

“Ah, that is what I hoped to hear.”

A few minutes later, he guided the horse off the little-used road to a shady glen. The creek gurgled nearby, although the wild grasses were in need of a good rain shower.

He helped her down then retrieved a blanket from beneath the seat. “I thought we could rest in the shade of the trees.” He offered his arm once again.

They walked the short distance, and he spread the blanket on the ground.

Natalie settled on it, keeping her skirt over her feet. “How did you know about this place? I’ve lived at Rose Hill six years, but I don’t believe I’ve ever seen it.”

He sat beside her, looking slightly out of place in his neat vest and tie. An image flitted across her mind—Colonel Maish working one end of the two-man saw with his coat removed and his shirtsleeves rolled to his elbows. Far more often than she cared to admit, she’d created reasons to go near the barn the day he helped Moses cut up the fallen tree, mesmerized by the play of muscles across the colonel’s back and arms.

“I mistakenly took this road one afternoon when I was trying to return to the pastures.” He smiled. “I thought that day how nice it would be to bring you here.”

While she appreciated his kindness, she did not want to encourage him. “Señor—”

“Alexander. Please.”

She inclined her head. “Alexander, I hope you understand that I am grateful for our business partnership … as well as our friendship.”

“Ah, Natalie.” His eyes roamed her face with more familiarity than she cared for. “Surely you must know I desire more than friendship. As I told your cousin, I wanted us to court properly, but I have changed my mind.”

“You have?”

“Yes.” He positioned himself to face her. “I do not wish to court. I wish to marry you. We have known each other over a year now. That’s enough time to keep tongues from wagging, as you Americans say. Natalie Ellis, do me the honor of becoming my wife.”

She stared at him, fearful of what might come out of her mouth if she opened it. Had she known this was what he intended when he invited her for a drive, she would have declined. There were so many reasons to say no …

“I … I can’t—”

“Please.” He grasped her hand and put it to