Because of George. There would be a great hole in his life without them. He didn’t know it yet. How could he with his brothers acting like a houseful of babies? But they’d be gone in ten or fifteen years. Then he’d realize what he’d missed.
George had been almost dancing with excitement all evening. Okay, George never danced with excitement. He probably never would. He was too down-to-earth for that, but he was obviously excited about something. She could see it in his eyes. If she had had any doubts, they were erased when he gave Zac permission to sleep out with Salty.
“I don’t want Salty to get so comfortable that somebody could sneak up on him,” he explained to Rose. “With Zac about, it’s doubtful he’ll get any sleep at all.”
With everyone gone, including the dogs, Salty slept away from the house to prevent a surprise attack.
George and Rose retired to their bedroom to get ready for bed. George’s excitement continued to grow even though he made no attempt to make love to her. She hoped he wasn’t coming down with a fever. She only had a few days left while it would be safe to make love, and she wanted to spend every night in George’s arms.
She put on one of the nightgowns she’d bought in Austin, the one with the yellow ribbon, and sat brushing her hair until it glistened, its rich mahogany hues highlighted by pure ebony. In the dim light her hair looked especially dark and rich. She was glad.
She wanted to look her best for George.
“You through with that mirror?” George asked, a trace of impatience in his voice. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think we were getting ready to go to a ball.”
“I’ve never gone to a ball.”
She was sorry after she’d said it. It upset George.
“But I’m sure I’ll go to hundreds when you’re the richest cattleman in Texas.”
“You deserve to have some fun,” George said. He knelt next to her chair until she could look straight into his eyes. “You shouldn’t be stuck out here working from dawn to dusk, your beauty fading away with no one to appreciate it.”
Rose leaned over and kissed George’s upturned lips. “I hope my looks aren’t fading quite that fast. I don’t want to turn into a hag before I’m twenty-one.” She put her finger on George’s lips when he tried to interrupt. “But I don’t care as long as you’re with me. I’m not sure I’d like going to a ball. I’d hate to embarrass you.”
“You couldn’t embarrass me.”
“I would like to go to New Orleans, however. Zac has piqued my curiosity.”
George looked more serious than ever.
“I don’t know why you married me. I can’t give you any of the things you deserve.”
“I don’t know either,” she said, hoping to lighten his mood. “I deserve a big house in New Orleans with servants and wrought-iron balconies, balls every night, jewels and gowns, and rank upon rank of adoring lovers.” She sighed in mock distress. “You can’t imagine how disappointed I am that your cows are only going to make you moderately rich.”
“I’m serious,” George said, a smile cracking his face.
“So am I. I don’t give a damn, if I may borrow a phrase from Monty, about balls and jewels and servants as long as you love me.”
“Then I don’t suppose you’ll want this.”
She didn’t know what he was talking about until she glanced down at his open hand. Nestled in the deep cup of his palm was a ring set with a golden stone.
She gasped.
“Where did you get this?”
“I found it hanging on a mesquite bush.”
“Don’t be absurd. It’s just that it looks exactly like the…”
“…like the ring you saw in McGrath and Hayden’s window.”
Rose nodded.
“That’s because it’s the same ring. I had Jeff buy it on his way back from King’s ranch.”
“But it was so expensive.”
“That doesn’t matter—”
“I know it’s depressingly unromantic and ungrateful of me, but it does matter. You wouldn’t spend the family’s money. How did you pay for it?”
George looked uncomfortable. She hated to ruin his fun, but she had to know.
“Tell me. Please.”
“I sold my sword.”
Rose was stunned. To a man who had fought in the war, no memento was as cherished as his side arms. Her father would have died before he parted with his.
But George had sold his sword to give her a wedding ring.
She felt like crying from pure happiness. The silly man, didn’t he realize this meant he loved her at least as much as his family? Didn’t he realize she would save and scrimp, for the rest of her life if necessary, to buy his sword back for him?