Page 57 of Silver Lining
"Not at all. Why do you ask?"
"I rapped at the door several times." Again without a by-your-leave, Livvy seated herself in one of the chairs flanking a small fireplace and brushed a strand of hair off her cheek. "I've been so busy cooking and cleaning the last few days that I haven't had an opportunity to speak to you regarding some personal and practical matters."
This was exactly the sort of comment that annoyed her most about Livvy McCord. A faint hint of criticism underscored Livvy's mention of being busy, but surely she didn't expect Philadelphia to cook for and clean up after a motley crew of cowhands?
Gracefully, Philadelphia sank to the facing chair and folded her hands in her lap. Casting her eyes down in an expression of modesty, she murmured, "If you're referring to Wally's decision to sleep in his old room and leave this lovely guest room to me, I admit I readily agreed. I've never shared a room with anyone, and we just thought, well, we decided to sleep apart until we know each other better." She had no intention of sharing her room with a man, not now or ever.
"Sleeping arrangements between a husband and wife are their private affair," Livvy said crisply. Her gaze slid from Philadelphia 's face to her waist. "We need to discuss clothing."
This was a pleasant surprise. Heavens knew her motherin-law could use some fashion advice. Even around the house, one didn't need to look indistinguishable from a servant. Before Philadelphia could decide on a tactful way to say so, Livvy was talking again.
"Although you don't look it, I figure you must be about four months along. Very soon you'll need clothing to accommodate your condition. Have you given any thought to alterations?"
Philadelphia stared, then blinked rapidly. It just didn't go away. There were long stretches when she forgot her condition, then something jolted the pregnancy back to the front of her mind. "I don't think I'm that far along."
"You must be close. Max departed for the mountains on May 30, and as I understand it, you and he …"Livvy coughed into her hand. "I'm counting from May 29." Now she frowned. "My dear, you really should stop lacing so tightly. I realize you didn't want anyone to guess, but you're safely married now, and it isn't good for the baby to lace so tightly. I'd recommend that you stop wearing a corset entirely."
"Perhaps." Again she cast her eyes toward her lap and fidgeted with her fingers.
"Meanwhile, we can begin letting out the waists on some of your dresses and ensembles and sewing up anything new you need. Gilly and I are doing some sewing for Louise; we can work on your requirements as well."
"I wouldn't dream of putting you to any trouble. Whatever alterations are necessary can be done by my seamstress." In fact, she would indeed need additional dresses, a thought that lifted her spirits somewhat.
She'd have Wally take her back to Denver for a shopping excursion.
Livvy fell silent for a full minute. "Perhaps I should remind you that Wally is not a wealthy man. Surely he's mentioned that we won't be sending many cattle to market this year."
"Oh, I'm certain we'll manage." She didn't wish to offend the famous McCord pride by mentioning that her father would pay her seamstress as he always had. And she counted on the fact that the Houser pride would ensure that her father also paid for the Denver excursion rather than subject her to the indignity of appearing in altered clothing. The Housers weren't the sort to make do.
"There's something else we need to discuss." Livvy clasped her hands in her apron lap. "I suspect you've kept to your room since you arrived because Louise has come every day to help with the cooking. Is that correct?"
"I don't wish to see or speak to that person," Philadelphia said coldly. "I won't be in the same room with an immoral creature such as she. No decent woman would."
Livvy reached across the space that separated them and took her hand. " Philadelphia . The worst thing that can happen is to have this family split down the center." She drew a deep breath. "I know everything that's happened is deeply painful to you. I certainly understand how you would focus blame on Louise.
But I beg you to rise above these feelings if you possibly can. For the sake of the family."
Withdrawing her hand, she stood abruptly and returned to the window. Staring through the lace, she watched the men striding toward the house from the barn and corrals. If she'd opened the window, she knew the air would stink of dust and scorched cowhide. Truly, she didn't know how she could endure living on a ranch. None of the outside smells were pleasant.
"The whole family will have dinner here every Sunday. For the sake of unity and harmony, I ask that you tolerate Louise for a few hours every Sunday and on holiday occasions."
After the countless concessions she had already made, expecting her to share a table with a woman no better than a whore added insult to injury. Her frown settled on Max and Wally, walking behind the cowboys toward the house. Both were flushed and tight-jawed as if they'd been arguing.
"You ask too much, Mother McCord. As a tribute to the decent women in this family, you should instruct Max to leave Low Down at home on Sundays and come to dinner alone."
"Her name is Louise," Livvy said sharply. "If I close my door to Louise, I also shut out Max, and rightly so. I would expect both of my sons to turn their backs on any person or place that does not welcome their wives. It would kill me if any of my children ever felt unwelcome in this house."
Livvy paused, clearly wanting Philadelphia to bend to her wishes. Too angry to speak, Philadelphia remained silent.
"Holding the family together depends on you. I wish that burden weren't yours to bear. I wish things were different, but they're not. If you can move ahead with your life and focus on Wally and your child instead of dwelling on past hurts and betrayals, then the McCord family has a chance to come through this intact. And if you can find it in your heart to treat Max and Louise politely if not warmly, you'll go a long way toward settling much of the gossip and scandal."
Down by the barn Max and Wally halted and turned to face each other. Philadelphia couldn't hear what they shouted, but she saw their clenched fists and braced postures. She saw the cowboys look back from the table, saw the creature and Gilly stop with bowls of food in their hands.
When she looked at the brothers again, Max and Wally were hitting and punching each other, going at it as if they were the worst of enemies.
"This breaks my heart," Livvy whispered at her side.
*
