A Perfect Mistress by Barbara Mack Page B

listened to the sound of the horse clip-clopping down the street. She didn’t know what to say, so she pinned the cameo to her dress and buttoned the valise back up, which was awfully thin for something that held all her worldly goods. Jackson finally broke the silence.
    “I’m glad I rented the gig. I wanted to talk to you alone, and I didn’t want to discuss any of this in front of Mrs. Ferguson and her sister. I f we wanted any privacy, leaving the house was our only option.”
    Sophie giggled. “I expected one of them to trip and come tumbling into the room any second. If someone had given the door a good push, Mrs. Ferguson would have lost her nose.”
    “I have to leave tomorrow.”
    The words fell starkly between them, and Sophie lost her smile.
    “I don’t have any choice in the matter, Sophie. I received a message that my sisters have been coming around and interfering in the running of the farm.” Jackson stared straight ahead. “The man I hired to help me run the place is worried that they’re starting up trouble again, and I can’t have that.”
    He stopped the horse right in the middle of the street, and turned to face her.
    “I want you to come with me, Sophie.”
    Sophie opened her mouth to speak, but Jackson held up a hand and her words stuttered to a halt . “Wait. Let me get this out.” His words were rushed and he couldn’t seem to meet her eyes. “You have a place to stay, that is true, but I can provide better. I can take care of you , Sophie . I’ll buy you new clothes, give you an allowance, and draw up papers that give you a settlement when you leave. I promise that if you don’t like it there, I’ll make arrangements for you to come back to the city and live comfortably. ”
    Jackson leaned forward and grasped her hands. Sophie didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want him to leave. “I’ve become very fond of you, my dear,” he said in a husky voice. “Please tell me you will come.”
    “I will.” The words seemed to pop out of their own volition. She’d meant to say no. Hadn’t she? She opened her mouth to take it back, but the effect of her words on Jackson were so astounding that she just couldn’t do it. A wide smile lit his face, and he leaned forward to brush his mouth over hers, no matter that they were in the middle of the street with passersby gawking at them. His lips clung to hers, and Sophie kissed him back without reservation.
    I did that , she thought dazedly as he kissed her. Just saying that I will live with him at his farm made him the happiest I’ve ever seen him. Surely he cares for me. Then she stopped thinking at all while his mouth ravished hers thoroughly. When he drew his head away, Sophie was flushed and her heart beat in her chest like a big brass drum. She couldn’t take it back now. She couldn’t take the smile from his face. Besides… she didn’t really want him to leave her behind.
    “You’ve made me the happiest man imaginable. I promise you won’t regret it, Sophie.”
    Sophie hoped that it was so, and she hoped even more that he wouldn’t regret it.
    The afternoon was a whirlwind of activity. Once Jackson had her answer, he wasted no time in making the arrangements. He retrieved his wa gon, bought supplies and what seemed lik e a mountain of clothing for Sophie . She protested, but he would brook no argument; Sophie found herself wearing a smart new outfit in no time at all and had a new nightgown and hairbrush in her valise , with t he promise that the rest of the items would be sent on to her at Jackson’s farm in short order.
    Then they were off to break the news to Mrs. Ferguson and Bonita. Sophie cried when Mrs. Ferguson and Bonita hugged her, one right behind the other, and told her that she was always welcome in their home. They extracted a promise from her that she would write at least once a month.
    “You’re sure this is what you want?” Nancy Ferguson asked quietly, looking intently into her eyes. Sophie assured