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that topped the first floor verandah. Pushing the curtains aside, she opened it and stepped outside.
The sun had dropped behind a western peak of the surrounding mountains, its last rays outlined the
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 139
ridge in a halo of streaming light. The air had grown cooler, and a soft breeze fanned her cheeks
with a refreshing caress.
Taking deep breaths, she began to stroll aimlessly. She turned a rounded corner and saw other
buildings. A large one looked like a stable and a long one, lined with windows, a dormitory. There
were smaller structures, she guessed for storage or perhaps dwellings for married servants. All of
these buildings were scattered behind the big house, and painted a dull brown, so they blended in
with the landscape. She wondered just how many people lived in this hidden cove.
No wonder her father liked it here. This place and that dismal little Chandler City were his
private kingdom. Here he was undisputed king, but she certainly didn't want to be his captive
princess.
She started back toward her room, wondering if she'd have trouble finding the right door. Then
she remembered the pink curtains. She passed an opened window covered by heavy red drapes and
heard voices.
She recognized her father's. "I haven't seen her for some time, but she seems changed to
me--tense and unhappy. How did she impress you, Amanda?"
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 140
"She's not her usually cheerful self, but that's to be expected after all she's been through,
Thaddeus." That was definitely Miss Pritchard, and on a first name basis with her father!
"I really don't know how to handle this. Do you think she'll talk to you?"
"In time, perhaps."
"I can't thank you enough for all--"
So, her father had set "Amanda" to spy on her! Did he really think she would confide in that
dried-up old spinster. Miss Pritchard would probably drop dead from an attack of the vapors if she
did.
Victoria hurried back to her room. After a moment of indecision, she went to the closet and
began to carefully examine the pitiful assortment of dresses. She'd show them. She'd show them all,
even that arrogant Thomas Hawkins. Tonight she'd go to dinner dressed to the nines.
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 141
Chapter Seven
The servant who opened the door wore a black suit and a white shirt. Hawk and Jack had
bathed and borrowed clean shirts, but Hawk knew they looked woefully out of place in this elegant
house where the servants dressed better than they did. He fought an impulse to head back to the
bunk house. Of course, he couldn't turn his back on T. J. Chandler until he'd been paid.
They were ushered into a parlor bigger than Hawk's whole house. Chandler introduced them to
his pale clerk, Dinsdale, and to a stiff woman named Miss Pritchard.
"We'll go into dinner as soon as Victoria arrives," Chandler said.
"Perhaps I should go up and see about her?" Miss Pritchard offered.
"She had the maid to help her dress. I'm sure she'll be...."
Movement at the doorway caught everyone's attention. Victoria floated into the room wearing a
sky blue, silk dress with bared shoulders, a stiff bustle, and rows and rows of pleated ruffles. Her
hair had been pulled back on either side and fluffed on top so that it looked like an upswept hairdo.
She was the most beautiful, most untouchable woman Hawk had ever seen.
She smiled regally. "Oh, have I kept you waiting?"
The Silver Heiress Sarah Winn 142
Her father stepped forward, took her hand and lightly kissed the tops of her fingers. "You look
wonderfully refreshed, sweetheart. Shall we go into the dining room."
He draped her arm over his. Mr. Dinsdale jumped to his feet and extended his arm to Miss
Pritchard. As the two couples led the way out of the room, Jack extended his arm to Hawk. Hawk
jabbed it with his elbow and shot Jack a warning look.
Hawk had never seen such a big table. The six of them sat around one end leaving more than
half of the thing empty. Two servants immediately moved around them, ladling thin soup into
shallow bowls in front of them. Hawk watched Victoria, who sat across from him, to see which of
the several spoons she picked up. Thank God, Jack did the same thing.
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