The Enchanted Land by Jude Deveraux

got loose in my kitchen. What are you two doing in here, sparkin’ in my kitchen before the sun’s even up?”
    Cook’s querulous voice broke the spell. Morgan was embarrassed and looked down at the floor, but none of it seemed to have affected Seth.
    “Good morning, Cook. We were making noise so you’d get up. We knew that if you got up, you’d bring sunshine with you.”
    “Go on with you.” Cook tried to hide it, but Seth’s flattery obviously pleased her.
    “Look.” Morgan pointed to the floor, at the first, tiny sunbeam. It lay at Cook’s feet. “Seth’s right, Carolyn. You have brought the sun.”
    The young couple passed the day riding and exploring Seth’s boyhood haunts. It was a day of easy companionship and warm good humor.
    By the time they arrived back at the Colter house, Seth and Morgan were good friends.
    “Morgan, I had a wonderful time today. Thank you.”
    She smiled brilliantly. “So did I, Seth.”
    He moved closer, but she shouted for him to catch her, and ran toward the house.
    Nora heard their laughter before she saw them. To her delight, she saw them race past the parlor window, both laughing. She turned to Cynthia Ferguson and said in what she hoped was a smug voice, “It looks as if my son and new daughter had an enjoyable ride.”
    She put down her teacup and rose to go to the door to greet Seth and Morgan. But before she could get to the door, Austine was there. Nora turned and smiled at Cynthia, who was sitting so calmly with her two admirers, Nora’s daughters. The girls were almost fawning over the coldly beautiful Cynthia.
    As Nora closed the parlor door behind her, she heard Austine’s excited, breathless voice telling Seth and Morgan, “It’s Cynthia Ferguson. She’s come to pay her respects to you. I don’t think she really believes you eloped. She says she just can’t imagine the two of you together.”
    “Hush, Austine.” Nora looked carefully at Morgan. Morgan’s face was just slightly sunburned, and it made her eyes radiant. And her hair! Nora hadn’t imagined Morgan could have so much of it. Her daughter-in-law was very close to being beautiful. She looked as if she had just left her lover’s arms. Nora truly hoped this was the case.
    Seth also had an unusual glow about him. He was smiling now, not that awful, patronizing leer he had so often, but a smile of real joy.
    “I must change. I can’t very well greet Cynthia in a riding habit and with my hair like this.”
    “I’ll help you, but we must hurry. Cynthia has already been waiting for half an hour.” Austine took Morgan’s arm.
    “Yes. Morgan should go right in,” said Nora.
    “But, Nora, at least let me tie my hair back.”
    “No, dear, I definitely do not think you should tie your hair back. If Miss Cynthia Ferguson can appear unannounced, then she must be prepared to view her hostess and host”—she glanced up at Seth—“in whatever state she finds them.”
    She started toward the parlor door with Morgan, but Seth took Nora’s arm and whispered to her, “What are you up to?”
    Nora looked at her son with widened eyes. “I declare, I have no idea what you mean.”
    “Morgan, Cynthia has come to see you.” Eleanor called, awe in her tone. Wasn’t Cynthia Ferguson a renowned beauty? And here she was, making a long drive just to pay her respects to Morgan.
    “Hello, Cynthia.” Morgan couldn’t help but feel somewhat intimidated by Cynthia’s presence.
    “Why, you dear little thing, what an … interesting dress.” She languidly extended her hand. Morgan wondered wryly whether she was expected to kiss it. “Sit here by me.” Cynthia patted the love seat. Then she turned her eyes to Seth. “Hello, Seth. Your mother tells me you’ve been out riding. Isn’t it a little cool for riding?”
    Seth smiled warmly at Cynthia. “There are things to help warm a man.” He looked meaningfully at Morgan.
    Morgan had to hold her laughter. There was an awkward silence in the