The Cowboy's Lady

Chapter 32 Summer Solstice

Kim and Jenny were excited as the other girls helped them into their new dresses. "Finally I don't have to wear black!" Jenny said.

"Mom still has to for another year," Kim said.

"I'm going to wear red when Davey passes," Emeleth said airily.

"You're such a big fat liar!" Amanda responded smiling at her sister.

"We have lots still to do today for the party," Jenna said. "The menfolk are already turning the spit and roasting the pig."

"That pig was huge!" Stephanie said. "I'm already exhausted from all the work I've done this morning."

"Everyone has been hard at work," Jenna said, "even the house staff has been busy keeping you all supplied with hot water for your baths this afternoon."

"Did you get a bath Em?" Amanda asked.

"Yes I did, Davey shared his."

"We didn't need to hear that," Stephanie teased. "I'm so excited, I'm going to dance all night."

"Are you wearing shoes Em?" Amanda asked.

"Definitely not and no silly bloomers either."

"I've never seen you in bloomers Em," Kim said. "You didn't have them any on when we changed in the tack room."

"And you never will," Emeleth said with a wicked smile then laughed.

"Does David know," Kim asked.

"I showed him once and he never complained."

"You are so bad Em," Stephanie said.

"Bad to the bone," Amanda teased.

"And I plan to wear my new off the shoulder white blouse and my tan and black stripped skirt, the one with the thick leather belt and a large apron for when I'm serving." Emeleth smiled deviously at her companions.

"You plan on serving?" Stephanie asked.

"Yes, it will be fun. Davey will be cutting the meat and I'll be right next to him."

"Pestering him no doubt," Pat teased, "sometimes you are so obvious Em."

"It's fun to tease Davey."

"With that blouse of your's you drive him crazy," Amanda said.

"You got to flaunt it sometimes," Emeleth said primly.

"He'll notice the decolletage unless he's blind," Pat added.

Family members who had planned to come to the event had bagan to arrive two days earlier and they were assigned rooms in the huge and until now mostly empty manor house. There were also small cabins dispersed through the many gardens and lawns. These too were now occupied and the Marquess was in residence in his castle. The village had been included this year and were excited to be part of the ancient 'pagan' festival. Each family was encouraged to bring something to pass but the meat would be provided by the Viscount and his family. A huge bonfire was set up in the middle of the main lawn and that would be set after sunset.

"Who is staying with your father?" Emeleth asked.

"Constance, they have been together since Jere's mother's died," David said.

"Are they lover's?" Emeleth asked, "She is about a third of his age."

"I believe so. She has a house in London my father has given her."

"Do you have any women you are keeping and not telling me?"

"Just one, I'm having trouble recalling her name..." David looked pensive lifted his left hand touching his chin. "Em or Emeleth I believe. Would you like to meet her?"