Ecstasy's Promise (Historical Romance) by Constance O'Banyon Page B

his mouth was full and he could not speak. "Good. Then you can take me and my granddaughter, Victoria." Dan swallowed slowly. "You would not mind, would you?" Mammaw asked.
    "No, of course not," Dan said, with a sinking feeling.
    "Good. It will be a good chance to have everyone meet Victoria, and you can introduce her to the young people."
    "Sure, I would be glad to," he said without enthusiasm. Dan finished his stew and left quickly, afraid he would encounter Mammaw's homely granddaughter. He rode over to Rio del Lobo under a cloud of gloom. He found Edward at the corral watching the vaqueros breaking horses.
    "What is wrong with you?" Edward asked; "Did you lose a patient?"
    "No, I got myself in a damned fix."
    "How is that?"
    "I got myself trapped into taking Mammaw's homely granddaughter to the picnic Saturday."
    Edward laughed and slapped him on the back. "Do not worry, my friend, there will be another picnic."
    "Can you imagine what it is going to be like for me?" Dan asked sulkily. "Mammaw wants me to introduce her to the young people, as she put it. I am going to be stuck with her all evening. You have got to promise me you will dance with her a few times to let me off the hook."
    Edward smiled. "Why not! I have not done any charity work this week. But not a few times, my friend. Only once."
    "I am not looking forward to it, Edward; I can tell you that."
    "Cheer up, Dan. Just look at it as doing a favor for Mammaw."
    "Yeah, that is easy for you to say. And don't you laugh at me."
    "No, not me. This is a serious matter. It will probably ruin your reputation with the young ladies."
    "Damn it, Edward, it is nothing to joke about."
    "You are right. Come on, I want to show you some cattle I just received from England."
    Dan jammed his hands into his pockets. "I don't want to see your damned cows. Take me up to the house and pour me a large drink of brandy. I need it."

 
    8
     
    Alice Anderson finished buttoning up the back of her granddaughter's new gown. It was soft, lilac cotton, with tiny puffed sleeves. It fit snugly about Victoria's waist, and flared out about her. It was a simple gown; the only adornment was a dark-lavender velvet ribbon about the waist. Victoria looked into the mirror. "Consuelo is really quite talented as a seamstress."
    "Indeed, she is," her grandmother said.
    Victoria looked at her reflection critically. "The salve you gave me for my complexion seems to have gotten rid of that awful tan."
    "You look lovely, child. Why do you seem so nervous?"
    "I am a little frightened of meeting so many new people, I suppose," Victoria told her.
    Her grandmother smiled. "You need not worry about that. Just be yourself and they cannot help but like you. I heard Dan drive up a moment ago. I will go downstairs and entertain him while you finish getting ready, but do not be too long," her grandmother cautioned.
    Victoria picked up the brush from her dressing table and ran it through her hair. It had grown long and curled about her face and down her back. She slipped her feet into the shoes that Manuel had crafted for her. She wished she did not feel so nervous about the picnic. Oh, well, she told herself, at least I will know Dr. Owens.
    "My, my, don't you look handsome," Mammaw greeted Dan. His brown hair was neatly groomed and he wore tan trousers and a brown shirt.
    "I am afraid I am a bit late," Dan said, smiling at her. He had already resigned himself to the fact that he was going to be stuck with Miss Farraday for the day.
    "Do not apologize. Victoria is just now ready. I hear her coming down the stairs."
    Dan stood tongue-tied before the beautiful girl who entered the room. This could not possibly be the same one he had met at the Delgados' that night. This had to be the most beautiful girl he had ever laid eyes on. She walked over to Dan and smiled, offering him her hand. He took it and tried to speak, but could only stare into her lovely face.
    "Dr. Owens, this is the first time I have had the chance to