Page 8 (2/2)
"Less hectic to ride, I iine," said Madelaine in spite of herself
"I wouldn’t say that," Sherman whispered as he bent down to wrap her in his ar her warht ahead When he moved back, he said impishly, "Isn’t there any other land you would like to inspect, with the prospect ofan offer to purchase? I would have to escort you to advise you and negotiate for you, wouldn’t I? I could not allow you to venture abroad without suitable protection I would be reree to that" He bent again, andthe thick knot of hair at the nape of her neck aside, kissed her just under her ear "Where you kiss e ht, alhts, and when she did, she strtiggled to voice theood notion, on its own; never mind the chance for privacy it offers us If you know of any property I e to see it for myself," she said quite seriously "I am in earnest, Tecumseh I want to purchase some land here"
"So far speculation has been very profitable, at least in this area" He nodded, doing his best to fall into his role as banker "All the West is going to be valuable, soress finally co the East Coast with the West, then land here will appreciate dramatically, but that will not happen until there is a railroad Not even a good wagon road would help as the railroad would But a wagon road would be better than nothing," he said, letting his rancor show "Politicians! They cannot think beyond the next election There is no sense in their reluctance to authorize the railroad other than their usual daraph link with the Mississippi only bej,s the question, but it is typical of Congress to settle for halfas they keep California isolated, it will have little to attract investors beyond the gold fields, and that is not invest as there is no land connection but trails across the continent Only when goods and people may cross quickly and comfortably will the Pacific cos, bringing the Occident and Orient together as no gang of Chinese laborers and cooks can do now Until that time, it will be the last point of escape for the dreamers and scoundrels who seek their own private paradise, and attehted political chicanery to refuse to unite East and
West by rail, I ama; not even those who live here understand it" He folded his arms, his shirtsleeves suddenly too little protection for the encroaching fog "I will getrove of trees, listening to the sounds around her, the rustlings and flutters that reminded her that there were other occupants of the copse, an their day when the sun went down--just as she would do if she did not line the soles of her shoes with her native earth It was cool enough to be unpleasant, and she was relieved when Sherman came and held up her nip-waisted coat for her as she slid her ar-o’-mutton sleeves He rested his hands on her shoulders as he stood behind her, then slid theive this up?" he htly as his handsmore than a head taller then Madelaine He stopped his rapt exploration abruptly "Ime in the first place?" She avoided any hint of accusation in her mild rebuke, but she could not shake off the sadness that swept through her at the realization that she would have to leave San Francisco and Sher
"Both," said Sher down into her violet eyes as if he wanted to meet her in combat "I am not a man who loves easily, and I am… possessed by you What is it about you? You are more of a mystery than this place" His countenance was stern, his brows draard "Had I thought I would be so… so wholly in your thrall, I would never have begun with you"
"Bien perdu, bien connu," said Madelaine, hoping to conceal the sting she felt from his harsh words
"But you are not well lost; that is the trouble I do not need to lose you to know you, Madelaine" He surrounded her with his arh on hers He strained to press theether, then broke away froe"
"So you have said from the first," Madelaine reminded him, as much to assure him that she still understood his requirements of her as to lessen his defensiveness "And I have never protested your devotion to your family I will not do so now"
"I meant it I -fingered hands "I treasure you as I have never treasured another woman, and ently "I have no wish to bring you pain"
He released her andunderfoot His voice was low and his words came quickly "But you will, and that is the proble that can be done about it now: you are too deeply fixed in my soul for that Oh, it is no fault of yours; you have been honorable from the first, if that is a word I may use for our adultery Never have you asked, or hinted, that you want me to leave my wife: it is just as well, no o you must, you will leave a wound in one…" He stared down at the ground as if to read soht "I have never known anyone who has so completely won me as you have"