When late Sunday afternoon arrived, Jarrod drove the buggy into town to collect his clients and guests. "It was very kind of your mother to invite us to dinner," Mrs. Neville said as Jarrod brought the buggy to a halt in front of the Barkley house. She waited until the lawyer hurried around the buggy to help her down. "My husband always said the Barkley hospitality was unmatched in all California."
"Considering how generous Carl was, that is quite a compliment," Jarrod said. He turned to offer his hand to Mrs. Neville's sister, Miss Prudence Farnin, but the quiet woman had already stepped to the ground. "It was a loss to all of Stockton when Carl died this summer."
"Please, Mr. Barkley—Jarrod—I find I am tired of words of condolences," Mrs. Neville said, brushing at her skirt. She lifted her gaze, determination shining in her brown eyes. "I am quite determined not to let my husband's death bury me before my time. I shall always love him, miss him, of course but life does go on."
"Mrs. Neville, you do realize that such a bold statement does add to the gossips' ammunition," Jarrod told her, offering his arm.
She shook her head, making her silky black curls bounce as she put her hand on his arm. "That ridiculous notion that I killed my husband? I am determined not to let it bother me any more than it already has. You know those gossips were jealous I'd married him when none of them managed to catch him. They'll soon find something else to occupy them."
"In the meantime, it would be best not to antagonize them," Jarrod told her as he escorted her in. He glanced over his shoulder at Miss Farnin. "Surely you agree, Miss Farnin."
"Sarah has a mind of her own, and nothing I say can persuade her to do anything she does not wish to do," Miss Farnin responded, in an accent just as thick as her sister's though infinitely icier. "Surely, you realized this yourself, Mr. Barkley."
The trio crossed the threshold. Silas was on hand to take their wraps and hats. "Thank you, Silas," Jarrod thanked, noting how both of the women avoided even looking at the cook/butler. "This way, ladies."
Victoria rose as they walked into the room, making the silk rustle as she moved. "Mrs. Neville, Miss Farnin, I'm so pleased you could join us this evening," she said, holding her hand out. "I hope you had a pleasant journey here."
Awkwardly, Mrs. Neville extended her hand to shake Victoria's. "It was highly enjoyable, Mrs. Barkley," she said. "Thank you for your invitation. I've been confined at home a great deal since my husband's death, so I'm delighted to be visiting once again."
Gesturing for them to be seated, Victoria returned to her chair. "My daughter and other sons are still dressing, but they should be down soon," she said. "May I offer you something to drink before dinner?"
"Thank you."
Carrying the small glasses of claret to their guests, Jarrod glanced between them and cleared his throat. "I ran into Mrs. Wilson while I was in town, Mother. She sends her regards and insists you must come see her soon," he said, introducing a neutral topic. "She hinted at having exciting news to impart."
"Really? I can't imagine what it could be," Victoria said with interest. "After all, her last daughter was married this spring...unless—"
"Speculation will only lead to trouble, Mother," Jarrod reminded with a chuckle. Doors opened and closed and then laughter drifted from the staircase. "It sounds like the rest of our dinner party is on their way down."
Arm in arm, laughing over something that Gene was trying to defend, Audra and Natalie entered the room. "Mrs. Neville, Miss Farnin, may I introduce my sister Audra, my younger brother Eugene," Jarrod said. "And a guest of ours, Miss Natalie Ward. My other brothers, Nick and Heath will be along soon, I'm sure."
"A pleasure," Mrs. Neville acknowledged, nodding slightly. Miss Farnin repeated the gesture but said nothing.
"Welcome to our ranch," Audra said graciously. She pulled Natalie to the sofa where they both sat. "Gene, get us something to drink."
"Alright, alright, bossy," Gene responded.
Audra stuck her tongue out at her brother in response to that. Mrs. Neville and Miss Farnin looked appalled at their behavior. "Have you ever seen such misbehaved children?" Jarrod asked with a laugh. "You'd never know Gene there is a college student, would you?"
"Children, sir, are supposed to be seen and not heard," Miss Farnin remarked coolly, her accent obvious. "I doubt your siblings could manage even that."
Victoria's eyebrows went up at the blunt statement but before she could for a response, someone else did for her. "I suppose you had the extreme misfortune of being passed on to a mammy when you were a misbehaving child," Natalie said, mimicking the southern accent as flawlessly as she ever did. "That would be the only successful way for any child to not be not heard."
Miss Farnin's eyes narrowed. "Are you mocking me, Miss Ward?"
"Of course she isn't, Miss Farnin. Natalie's family is from Georgia originally, though she spent the majority of her time in Boston and in San Francisco," Jarrod said swiftly in an effort to avoid a confrontation. He sent a pointed look at Natalie, who looked unrepentant.
"From Georgia? Why, imagine meeting someone from home way out here, Prudence" Mrs. Neville exclaimed. "You must tell us who your family is, Miss Ward. Perhaps we share some acquaintance."
Accepting a glass from Gene, Natalie offered a smile. "Perhaps you are, and perhaps we are even related," she said, the accent vanishing as quickly as it had come. "Not a far fetched thought when you think of how many cousins married each other to keep the blood pure."
"Now that you mention it, there is a resemblance between you three," Victoria said, glancing between Natalie and Mrs. Neville. They both had dark hair, though Mrs. Neville's eyes were brown while Natalie's a sparkling blue. "I wouldn't be surprised if there was some family connection."
"You're not here alone, are you, Miss Ward?" Miss Farnin asked. "Did your family leave you here?"
"I did come alone," Natalie responded as Gene sat next to her on settee. "My brothers are currently in Boston and could not come west at this time."
"How can this be?" Miss Farnin asked pointedly. "Who was your companion?"
Visibly, Natalie became tense. "I had no companion, Miss Farnin."
Miss Farnin's expression became appalled. "Surely a gentleman would not allow his sister to make such a journey alone. And you say you come from the south? I would have expected better, though Mr. Barkley did say your family had spent most of their time in Boston."
"My brother was not aware I would be making this journey, so such condemnation of his character is erroneous and offensive."
"Goodness, did you run away from home, Miss Ward? Isn't it the duty of a sister to obey the male members of her family in all things? And I must assume he is not aware of the shocking length of your hair. What were you thinking in doing such a thing?"
Though by this point everyone in the room was on edge, Gene and Audra both snickered at that. "If it is a sister's responsibility to obey her brother, Audra has failed miserably at it," the young man declared. He dodged the slap Audra tried to send his way. He dodged the slap Audra tried to send his way.
"What is Gene trying to insult our sister about this time?" Nick asked as he strode in. "Mrs. Neville, Miss Farnin, welcome."
With the arrival of Nick and Heath, any confrontation Miss Farnin had been trying to egg on was abandoned. Conversation was kept light over the meal, which Silas served. Again, Jarrod took note of the aversion his two guests had of looking at the man. Hardly surprising, given their southern background but not a welcome observation.
After dinner, Victoria began to regret she hadn't planned something specific to entertain their guests. Every suggestion brought forth some protest from one or the other Victoria began to regret she hadn't planned something specific to entertain their guests. Every suggestion brought forth some protest from one or the other. Mrs. Neville declined playing a game of cards, citing it as tedious. Miss Farnin protested her dislike of singing, and seemed determined to needle Natalie into an argument.
At her wits end, Victoria suggested dancing. Before Miss Farnin could object to that, Gene latched onto the scheme and asked Natalie to dance. While Victoria played the piano, Audra danced with Heath while Natalie and Gene partnered and Jarrod asked Mrs. Neville and Jarrod asked Mrs. Neville.
"You what?"
Nick enraged shout and the shatter of a glass brought the impromptu dance to a halt. "You heard me quite clearly, I believe," Miss Farnin said smugly. "Why should I be ashamed of my contributions to the war effort? The soldiers in prison needed succour as much as any other person, however much they deserved to be where they were."
Heath's expression lost all merriment and Natalie looked sick. Nick's face became beet red as he fought to control his temper. "Forgive me, Mother," he said, uncurling his fingers. Shards of glass fell to the floor. "Can I interest you in a game of billiards, Heath It's been far too long since I've taken your money."
For a moment, it seemed as though Heath wouldn't rise to the challenge. "Only because I took your money last time," he finally said. "I'll play you, Nick. Excuse us."
The two men left the room. Raising her eyebrow, Victoria faced Miss Farnin, who looked victorious. "Is there some kind of problem?" Mrs. Neville asked, breaking the silence.
"You couldn't have known this, but Heath spent the last months of the war in a southern prison," Jarrod told her. "Carterson, to be exact."
"Oh, that poor man! No wonder he reacted so badly."
"Poor? Sarah, surely you remember we stopped by Carterson when we were traveling west," her sister said sharply. "A more well run place I never did see. Why, it was horrible hearing those lies the Yankees spread about it. The prerogative of the winning side, I suppose, is to slander the losers."
Victoria's hands crashed down the keys of the piano. "Prudence! Remember where we are!" Sarah Neville exclaimed. Without waiting for her sister to respond, she turned to Jarrod. "Jarrod, I do believe it would be best if you were to return us to Stockton before my sister offends anyone else."
"I would agree, Mrs. Neville," Victoria agreed evenly. "Thank you for coming tonight."
She didn't miss the way Natalie seemed to be leaning against Gene. Audra glared fiercely at their two guests as they moved past her. Jarrod sent an apologetic look at his mother as he hurried after the women. Silas hastily collected the hats and wraps for the women.
As soon as the front door closed, Victoria collapsed into a chair with a sigh. "I'm so sorry, Mrs. Barkley," Natalie said immediately. "Earlier, I let my tongue run away with me. If I hadn't, perhaps Miss Farnin would not have spoken so hatefully."
"You had nothing to do with her attitude, Natalie," Gene protested. He squeezed her fingers. "She was looking for a fight the moment she knew you came from the south but lived in the north."
"Some people just won't let the war end," Audra said, a note of condemnation in her voice. "It's been years now. The South should she still be angry?"
"Feelings ran high during the war," Victoria said softly. She shook her head with a rueful sigh. "It would be foolish to think such feelings vanished the instant the war was declared over."
Natalie stepped away from Gene, untangling her fingers from his. "Please excuse me," she said. "I think I would like some time to myself."
"Of course. Goodnight, Natalie."
The black haired girl hurried from the room. "She's going to have nightmares again tonight, isn't she?" Audra asked, turning to her mother.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Heath does too."