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  “But Susan is Amy’s closest friend,” Kathleen interjected before she had time to think.

  “I like to think my daughter is open-minded and fair. It would not surprise me if the two of you get along famously. We must just wait and see.”

  “It would be nice to have a close friend to exchange confidences with.”

  “My door is always open, Kathleen, but I agree that you need someone closer to your own age.”

  “Won’t I do, Kathy?” Ted offered.

  Both women laughed at him. “Now, Ted, I just can’t see myself asking your opinion of hairstyles and dresses and petticoats,” Kathleen retorted with a giggle.

  Dinner that evening was much more pleasant for Kathleen. Susan was seated across from her and chatted in a friendly manner with her. Ted was devoted as ever, but Kathleen thought she noticed his attention wandering quite often toward Susan, who blushed prettily each time she caught him watching her. Mary and Barbara kept up lively conversation and alternated at artfully steering William’s comments away from business. Amy retained her haughty attitude, but everyone ignored her jibes and enjoyed the meal.

  Afterward, they all gathered in the parlor. Susan commented thoughtfully, “If Reed were here we could have a double game of whist.”

  “We can all play euchre instead,” William suggested.

  “Kathleen probably doesn’t know how to play it, Father,” Amy put in.

  “I learn quickly, Amy dear. It can’t be any more difficult than learning poker. That, too, is an American card game, but I enjoy it.”

  “Ladies don’t play poker in Savannah, cousin,” Amy retorted snidely.

  “Such a pity! Men do know how to enjoy life, don’t they?” Kathleen said with an affected sigh. Then brightening, she said, ”Oh! By the way, did I mention that Kate O’Reilly is going to sell me a horse?”

  “She raises mostly Arabians, doesn’t she?” Barbara inquired.

  “Yes, but this one is special!” Kathleen told them, her face alight with joy. “She is going to sell me her palomino as soon as I break him.”

  “Kathleen!” they all chorused, and then everyone was trying to talk at once.

  “He’s dangerous, dear!” Barbara said fearfully.

  “He’s definitely not a lady’s horse,” William was heard to say.

  “Who will you find to break him?” Ted asked.

  “Does that mean you won’t be exercising Titan anymore?” Susan questioned.

  “He’s a beautiful horse, Kathleen,” Mary supplied.

  “Reed wanted him! He was going to break him and buy him. He’s Reed’s horse! He won’t like it one bit if he comes home to find you own him. But I am forgetting that you have to break him first, and everyone around has already tried and failed. You won’t find anyone who will be able to do it. You are lucky, really, for I doubt you’ve ever seen Reed in a temper. It’s bad enough you are riding Titan without his permission, which he would never give if he were here,” Amy predicted.

  Kathleen smiled wryly at Amy’s remarks. “Please! Please!” She held up her hands for silence. “One question at a time! First, he’s a fabulous horse and I want him. I’m sure I can handle him. Reed already has Titan. He has not been able to break the palomino yet, and cannot begrudge me if I manage where he has failed. I shall break him myself. I have already begun this very afternoon. All that aside, Captain Taylor’s temper will not keep me from having that horse!”

  “You’ll be hurt!” Susan burst out, her gray eyes wide with worry.

  “Kathleen, please. Be satisfied with a gentler animal,” William counseled. Even Barbara wore a concerned frown.

  Mary rose and stood beside Kathleen, her arm about her shoulders. “Let the girl be. She has ridden Titan today, a feat none of us would dare to try. If she says she can gentle the palomino, I believe her. As far as Reed is concerned, Kathleen is right. He already has a fine Arabian and should not be greedy.” Changing the subject, she said, “Let’s play cards. Ted, Barbara, and I will play with Kathleen and teach her the game. Amy, Susan, and William can either join in a seven-handed game or start one of their own. The winners get a double serving of that delicious chocolate fudge cake the cook has baked this afternoon.”

  Chapter 14

  THE next morning early found Kathleen again at Emerald Hill. Once more she practiced whistling for Zeus, and found him responding favorably to her. He pranced and whinnied and begged for treats while she talked and sang, cajoled and laughed at his antics. He stood quietly, allowing her to pet and stroke him at will. She led him around the paddock for a while and finally tied him to a post to see what he would do. At first he was annoyed and tried to pull loose, but as he heard Kathleen’s gentle voice, he calmed down and accepted the situation and his sugary reward.

  All morning Kathleen worked with him, leading him, stroking him, making him respond to her commands, tying and untying him. Near lunchtime, Kate came out of the house to watch. “He is already starting to trust ye. What is next, Kathleen?” she wanted to know.

  “Next we remove the halter and put on a bridle. Then comes the saddle blanket. I want to accomplish both yet this afternoon.”

  “Ye’d better give him a rest and come in for lunch. Ye’ll both be better off for the break.”

  The afternoon grew hot and humid as Kathleen worked diligently with Zeus. He balked at the bridle with its bit, trying unsuccessfully to spit the hateful metal from his mouth. He stomped and jerked and protested loudly, but made no move to harm Kathleen. Kathleen was firm but gentle, refusing to give an inch. She let him stew for a while tied to a post and sat on the nearest rail, alternately ignoring and comforting him. At last he gave in and stood quietly. Hoping she wasn’t rushing things too much, Kathleen got the saddle blanket. Approaching him slowly, she eased the blanket onto his back. Zeus rolled his eyes, flattened his ears, and as Kathleen stepped hastily aside, he bucked the blanket off.

  “No, Zeus! Behave!” she commanded him in an unyielding tone. Again and again the scene repeated itself until Kathleen thought she would scream. At long last Zeus decided that the blanket would reappear each time he threw it off, that it was a useless battle. The nasty thing was here to stay. Tired and dusty, Kathleen nevertheless untied Zeus from his post and spent the next hour leading him, blanket and all, about the paddock. Finally, at four o’clock, she stabled him, brushed and fed him, and called it a day.

  “Tomorrow the saddle,” Kathleen told Kate tiredly.

  “But tonight the dinner party in yer honor,” Kate reminded her.

  “Oh, no! I almost forgot! I’m so tired I could sleep for a month!” Kathleen grimaced.

  “Well ye can’t, so ye’d best hurry back there and get cleaned up. My, ye’re a sight, ye are! If ye hurry, ye might find time for a quick nap to take the edge off. It wouldn’t do for the guest of honor to fall asleep over her soup! Ha!” Kate started into the house, then turned and said, “Oh, Kathleen. I suppose yer Aunt Barbara would appreciate if ye took special care with yer appearance tonight as ye’ll be introduced to several eligible young bachelors this evening.” She grinned.

  “But, Kate! You’d be surprised to learn that Barbara would much prefer that I charm Reed and save her dear Amy from a tearful marriage!”

  “Is that a fact?” Kate was amused. “How droll!”

  “Aye, but I’ll charm the others while I’m about it just for the practice and to bolster my own ego,” Kathleen said with a sly wink.

  “That’s me girl! I’ll enjoy watching ye take Amy down a peg or two!” Kate proclaimed proudly.

  After a leisurely bath and a short nap, Kathleen felt restored once more. She dressed carefully in a copper satin gown with loosely ruffled sleeves that came to her elbows and trimmed with cream colored lace. It was in the latest style, with an empire waist and smooth folds to the floor. The neckline was daringly low and her firm, full breasts rose high in the bodice, a tempting sight to any man. As she went downstairs to join the others in the reception room, she looked beautiful
and felt confident.

  As Kate had predicted, there were several good-looking young swains to whom she was introduced. They nearly fell over themselves dancing attendance on her all evening. None could seem to keep his eyes off her bosom or face for long, undecided as to which was more enticing. From time to time, Kathleen would catch Kate’s eye and both were hard put not to burst into gales of laughter. Many times Kathleen had to hide her face behind her delicate lace fan.

  All through dinner, seated between two likeable but boyish young men, Kathleen silently thanked Mrs. Bosley from her old English boarding school for teaching her to appear to be listening when she wasn’t the least bit interested. After dinner the men repaired to the library for cigars and brandy, and the ladies took coffee in the parlor.

  “Which of them do you like best, Kathleen? They are all enchanted by you. You are so beautiful!” Susan observed generously.

  “I’ve only just met them, so I really can’t say as yet, Susan,” Kathleen replied. “Besides, I think you are too modest. Many times I noticed them looking in your direction with wistful expressions. You look lovely in that yellow dress. It contrasts so nicely with your dark hair, and sets off your gray eyes. You are a very attractive girl, Susan. Don’t sell yourself short.”

  Susan’s eyes took on a gleam of gratitude. “I hope we can be very good friends, Kathleen. I like you.”

  “I’d like that more than I can tell you,” Kathleen responded warmly.

  The men joined the ladies a short time later, and the older persons gathered at one end of the parlor while the younger set grouped around the piano for a songfest. By the end of the evening, Kathleen was beseiged with pleas to escort her to the races the next afternoon. To each she replied that she had already promised to go with Ted, but perhaps another time.

  It was apparent to all that Kathleen was well on her way to becoming the new and undisputed belle of Savannah, and Amy was livid. After everyone had departed, Amy approached Kathleen and said spitefully, “You realize, of course, that you’ve nearly disgraced us all with that disgusting display of bosom tonight. That is the only reason the men were attracted to you. They are not used to ladies who reveal themselves so boldly. We are more discreet in Georgia, Kathleen.”

  Kathleen turned on her cousin with wickedly glittering green eyes. “It pays to be discreet when you have so little to display,” she baited, looking pointedly at Amy’s shapely, but less mature bust.

  Ted smothered a burst of laughter as his sister stormed up the stairs.

  Early the next morning Kathleen rode Titan to Emerald Hill. By nine o’clock she had rehearsed Zeus in all he had previously learned. She returned from the stable with a saddle. Ever so gently she eased it onto his back and stepped away to view his reaction. Surprisingly, all he did was turn to look at her. She stroked his fine neck and spoke reassuringly to him. Then she proceeded to tighten the cinch and adjust the stirrups. Taking the reins, she then led him around the paddock. Gaining courage, she unlatched the gate and led him out. They walked together down the lane and part of the way across the field and back again. Putting him into the paddock once more, Kathleen removed the saddle. She let Zeus run a bit, then whistled for him. When he came to her she saddled him again, this time with swift sure movements, and led him about for a few minutes. She repeated the procedure twice again to assure herself of his acceptance, then, pleased with her morning’s work‚ she exercised Titan for a while and returned to Chimera to prepare for the races.

  As much as Kathleen had looked forward to watching the races, she saw very little of them. There were at least a score of young men grouped around her wanting attention, hanging on her every word. All the men she had met the previous evening were there, as well as more of Ted’s friends and acquaintances. They clustered about like bees to honey, and as the afternoon wore on, Kathleen was fast becoming irritated. Out of all of them, only one really caught her eye. He was introduced as Gerard Ainsley. He was tall, slim, blond, a little older than the others, and more mature. Kathleen guessed him to be around twenty-two. Ted told her his father owned the bank in Savannah. When they were introduced, he kissed her hand, holding it slightly longer than was necessary, and gazed deeply at her through liquid brown eyes. Then he stepped to the edge of her throng of admirers and only now and then directed some comment to her in his deep voice. Every so often, Kathleen would glance up and catch him eyeing her as a cat does a mouse hole. Of all her would-be suitors, he alone intrigued her.

  Sunday morning found Kathleen seated next to Amy in the First Presbyterian Church of Savannah on Church Street in the Baker family pew. The pastor delivered a rather dull sermon, droning on in a monotone which nearly lulled Kathleen to sleep. Following an unhurried carriage ride back to Chimera, they dined sumptuously on fried chicken and dumplings, which left them all comfortably full and sleepy.

  Rather than succumb to the urge for a nap as the others did, Kathleen donned her breeches, saddled Titan, and rode to Kate’s. She alerted her grandmother that she was going to attempt to ride Zeus, and headed for the paddock, Kate hurrying along after her. From the stable she brought the saddle, bridle, and blanket. Zeus cantered up at her whistle. Tying him to the post, she saddled him. She walked him about the paddock for a few minutes, then led him back to the fence where she climbed the first two rails and eased herself into the saddle. There she sat holding her breath, waiting for Zeus to throw her from his back. The golden horse skittered sideways a few steps and shook his head about, but as Kathleen’s voice came down to him, he calmed considerably. She dismounted, waited a few seconds and mounted again, this time from the ground. Her landing in the saddle was not nearly as gentle as her mount from the rail. She stroked his neck as he pranced about. This procedure was repeated until Zeus stood perfectly still with her on his back.

  Now she took up the reins. Nudging him with her toe of her boot, she urged him into a walk. He responded immediately, walking slowly, as if he realized he carried a very precious burden on his back. Patiently she taught him to answer the pressure from her knees and the guide of the reins. He learned quickly. They stopped for a while at tea time, then went right back to work. When Kathleen felt confident that he understood her directives, she let him trot, then canter, and finally the two of them were galloping around the paddock. She drew him up to the fence where Kate was watching. “I did it!” she cried out with passionate pride.

  “Was there ever any doubt in yer mind?” Kate queried in a proud voice.

  “Today,” Kathleen said truthfully. “Today I thought he would reject my weight on his back and try to throw me.”

  “Nay! The horse trusts ye. He knows ye are his friend. He trusts ye’ll do him no harm. Ye have done today what no one else has been able to do, and ye did it better. I’ve watched each day from the window and saw ye winning him over with love. He’s yers now, body and soul, and his proud spirit’s not destroyed as it may have been if he’d been broken with force.”

  “He’s a very intelligent horse, Kate. He learned so quickly!” she praised him.

  “Aye. That he did. ’Tis in the blood and the breedin’. Still, I have no doubt that Reed could have broken him in time, though not as lovingly as ye did. 'Twas a beautiful thing to watch ye! Yer grandfather would have been proud o’ ye, lass,” Kate alleged with a catch in her voice.

  By the time Kathleen stabled Titan and entered Chimera, she could see everyone seated at the dining room table. She crept quietly up the outer stairway to the veranda and slipped into her room. Washing and dressing as quickly as she could, she joined the others.

  “You almost missed dinner entirely,” Amy pointed out as a serving girl placed a steaming bowl of soup before Kathleen.

  “I’m sorry for being so late,” Kathleen apologized to the others present, “but I had a project to finish. I rode the palomino today,” she added with pride radiating from her flushed face.

  “Honestly?” Ted exclaimed in amazement. “Did he throw you?”

  “Are you all right?�
�� Barbara inquired anxiously. “You're not hurt?”

  Laughing outright in her joy, Kathleen explained, “No, he did not throw me, and I’ll be perfectly fine as soon as I come down from this cloud I’m on.”

  “Won’t Reed have a fit now!” Ted whistled softly.

  The next week flew by for Kathleen. Each day she worked with Zeus until she was satisfied enough with his performance by Thursday to stable him at Chimera. Monday was Kate’s birthday, and Mary Taylor thew a party that evening in her honor. Kathleen presented her grandmother with one of her finished paintings of the statue of Venus. Kate loved it, exclaiming over Kathleen’s talent. There were scores of people in attendance, and Kathleen met many young ladies her age and accepted several invitations to teas and galas. Kathleen was introduced to numerous people and her dance card was filled within minutes, but she chose Gerard Ainsley to escort her to dinner. The rest of the week was filled with afternoon teas and garden parties and evenings of quiet dinners at home and carriage rides about the countryside, with Gerard unobtrusive, but seemingly ever-present.

  Finally Friday arrived, and all day was spent primping and preparing for the ball Barbara and Mary had planned to officially introduce Kathleen to Savannah. Everyone of importance had been invited to Chimera, and the ballroom had been opened and decorated with flowers and greenery. Servants buzzed around all day cleaning and polishing, dusting and shining until everything sparkled. The game room behind the right staircase was aired and prepared for the gentlemen’s use, and the greenhouse beyond the ballroom was the source of countless bouquets and potted ferns. The cook evicted anyone who dared to trespass into her domain as she created delicious delights for the evening to come. The entire household was in a flurry of activity.

  Kathleen, in an effort to escape the confusion, took herself up to the third level of the house into the long-abandoned schoolroom. There Susan and Reed had learned their lessons from various governesses and tutors in years past. With her she took her small sewing basket and the green material Kate had given her. Carefully she cut the cloth, using her old riding breeches for a pattern. Next she patterned a short vest to match the trousers, and a small mask just large enough to cover her eyes and hide the curve of her cheekbones. The problem arose when she found her needles and thread too flimsy for the canvas and soft leather.