Author's Note: For a visual on Adam Cohen, Google Jeremy Piven as Mr. Selfridge, and then subtract five-ten years.
Author's Second Note: The Story of Sleeping Beauty had existed in Europe since the Seventeenth Century. The Brothers Grimm copied the story from an orally transmitted version of French folklore that was first written down in 1697 by Charles Perrault.
Chapter Twelve
Sarah took advantage of a break in the conversation to excuse herself, with the need to freshen up. She wondered why she'd even bothered about waiting for a break in the conversation, because the women didn't even notice her. They were all too busy talking about some baby deer up in Leadville; she knew enough to know that it was one of the gold mining towns, but couldn't understand the fascination with the deer. It didn't help that all the remarks were directed over her head in a low voice, so Sarah couldn't hear the whole conversation.
She and Heath had dined with the Tabor's, as a precursor to their grand ball. Heath had been gratified to receive the invitation, as it would give him the chance to talk to Horace Tabor one on one. Sarah had wondered where Priscilla was, even as she felt a thrill of pleasure, about what she'd taken from Hester's house earlier that day. Finally she had financial security in her own right; something she'd never experienced before, even at the height of her father's success.
The dinner had been stressful, since Sarah knew that so far she'd not made a good impression on Denver society. Tonight was important to Heath, so she'd chosen her dress with care, a pale pink watered silk with cream colored Chantilly lace decorated with pale pink silk roses and seed pearls. The lace was soft and fluttery as she moved, and provided a perfect frame for her wedding pearls around her neck. It was a dress her mother had picked out, all feminine and delicate. It had never been a favorite of Sarah's, but knew that Heath would admire the frock.
Heath and she were the youngest couple at the dinner of sixteen, but the meal had been endurable even as the ten courses had been too long and too much food. After though, when the men went off for brandy and cigars she was left with seven women old enough to be her mother or grandmother. They all wore dark colored silk ball gowns, and magnificent parues of precious stones and diamonds.
The ladies all barely gave her a nod of recognition, as they gathered around Augusta Tabor, who was clearly the queen. Normally Sarah would be relieved not to be the center of attention, but now she wondered if it was a snub of Heath. That Horace and Augusta Tabor were major players in Denver was clear, and Sarah felt like she was in over her head with this social outing.
Leaving the Drawing Room, she headed into the main hall and turned right, hoping to find some place quiet. Sarah ran into a paneled wall with gilt trim and some ghastly tapestry of a wild boar being slaughtered with spears. Over to the left she saw a red velvet curtain and moved it aside, hoping that it would lead to an alcove or a window. Instead she saw a small staircase, set into the wall, and not caring where it led she climbed it quickly.
When she reached the top she stepped into a sitting room of sorts, a minstrel's gallery that over looked the ballroom. Sarah looked down and saw the servants setting up, as the orchestra members were arranging chairs. She turned from the balcony to look at the room, heavily decorated with red velvet and more tapestries depicting hunting scenes.
Each one depicted a grand hunt and killing of various wild animals; she discerned that each work was first rate. The quality of the weaving and fabric were clearly expensive; the subject matter though more suitable for a man's library than a public area. Sarah wondered if Horace had bought them and told Augusta to display them. As she thought about Augusta though, maybe she had bought the tasteless but expensive tapestries.
In the far corner was a chaise lounge, upholstered in red velvet and decorated with several pillows of silk and satin. Sarah had no desire to go back to the ladies, and sure that Heath would be a while talking to Horace, moved to the chaise. She stretched out against the back and the cushions, not caring that she was crushing the bustle of her dress. For the first time since she'd found the money she relaxed and fell asleep.
"Well now I never expected to find Sleeping Beauty at the Tabor Mansion." A man's deep timbre voice woke Sarah up with a start, and she sat up quickly not caring that the movement pulled her decollate low. She also didn't know that her hair was softly mussed, and that, along with the neckline skimming the tops of the rosy tips of her breasts made her look incredibly desirable.
"Oh, ah I." Sarah was aghast that she'd been caught sleeping, even as she noticed the desire in the man's sea green eyes. He was medium built, similar to Heath, but with dark hair and a well-trimmed beard and mustache. His clothes were finely tailored; she was sure they were from London or Europe and he wore them with an assurance that was palatable.
It was his eyes though that really captured her attention. They were large and luminous – the kind of eyes that hid nothing – and right now all they showed was desire and lust. Sarah tried to recall the last time she'd been looked at in that way; her husband looked at her with love and kindness but she'd never seen open emotion in his eyes like she was seeing in this man's. A person would know everything this man was experiencing, with nothing hidden.
"Oh, please don't be embarrassed. I completely sympathize with anyone who wants to fall asleep at the Tabor's." His reassurance was delivered in a jesting tone, and Sarah thought it nice not to be scolded or made to feel bad for what she'd done. As she moved to sit up Sarah noticed how far down the gown's neckline had dipped. Even as she quickly pulled the garment up Sarah was aware that the man was following her actions with his eyes.
"What do you know about the Tabor's? And who are you?" Sarah had discovered that the best defense was a strong offense, and she didn't like how this man was looking at her. She was also bothered that his bold stare was arousing emotions in her that she shouldn't be feeling. However before she could give him a chance to respond she heard music and the butler's voice coming from the ball room.
Not caring about the state of her dress or hair she rushed over to the carved railing, to look at the scene below. The ball room was almost full, even as people were still coming down the stairs, the livered butler announcing their names in a loud stentorian voice.
"The ball has started?" Sarah felt panic over take her, as she realized how long she must have slept. She was also concerned about Heath, and what he must be thinking of her being gone.
"Over three quarters of an hour ago, but people will still be arriving for another half hour or so. There were numerous supper parties before, so the arrival time is generous." The man answered as his eyes roamed up and down her body, almost caressing her form. "Did you have the unfortunate fate of dining with the Tabor's?" His smile was knowing, even as it made his eyes crinkle at the corners, in jest. Sarah had to wonder at how he could read her so easily, even as she seemed to know what he was thinking.
"Why do you say unfortunate?" Sarah wasn't ready to give this way too good looking and self-assured man the satisfaction of being right. He regarded her once again, with eyes that were undressing her, making her breath come hot and fast.
"Augusta's idea of good conversation to tell everyone that she was related to President Franklin Pierce while Horace only cares about politics and his interests in Leadville." He smirked as he made the statement, making her wonder yet again about the Leadville reference. "So did you make it to the main course before Franklin came up? Or during the soup?" The man questioned in an amused tone; it was so different to talk to a man who wasn't serious all the time.
"Yes my husband and I had dinner with the Tabor's." She felt the need, not sure why, to establish that she had a husband; even if she didn't know where he was. Before she could say anything more she heard the butler announce a name that caused her to rush back to the railing of the minstrels' gallery. Mr. & Mrs. Nicholas Barkley
Sarah watched Priscilla and Nick come down the grand staircase; her brother-in-law, in black-tie walked with a commanding air to him. He was clearly a man in full, knowing his worth and importance in the world. However, it was her sister-in-law who captured and held her attention, Priscilla's hand tucked in Nick's elbow.
Priscilla wore a pale blue silk dress, embroidered with gold thread and ornamented with white lace. The gown showcased the jewels that adorned her body. A sapphire and diamond necklace cascaded over her neck and front of her gown. An elaborate stomacher brooch caught up, in the front, the over skirt that was bustled back. The sapphires and diamonds – all set in the same rosette pattern – graced the bracelets that covered Priscilla's white kid gloves, as well as her earrings and hair pins.
She had seen those jewels before in a painting, but had not thought they really existed. It surprised her that not only were they real, but Priscilla had been given them to wear. It didn't help that her sister-in-law's dark gold hair and blue eyes were beautifully accented by the dazzling deep blue stones. Her heart constricted, and her shoulders sagged as she watched Priscilla walk down the grand staircase with a social assurance that matched Nick's.
"Are you all right?" He came up next to her, and put his hands on her shoulders. Sarah started to stiffen but then realized that there was only tenderness in his touch. There was so much she wished she could share with him; he would understand she was sure. However she was a married woman and needed to behave accordingly.
"Yes, I am fine." Sarah moved away from the man, even as she kept on watching Priscilla and Nick sashay their way through the ballroom. Her sister-in-law's social assurance would make Sarah's mother smile with approval. Further, Sarah noted how Nick stayed close to Priscilla, carefully escorting her through the receiving line. Nick then flagged a waiter down and procured two glasses of champagne, one of which he handed to Priscilla; they toasted each other with a loving look before drinking.
Her thoughts were broken into by the voice – she'd never heard a voice that was deep but melodious at the same time. It was like a caress, Sarah admitted to herself, even as it was a caress she should not appreciate or want.
"Well I would disagree with you about that statement, and clearly there is something about that couple that doesn't sit well with you. Would you like to talk about it?" The man led her over to a brocaded covered armchair that he helped her sit down on. He then sat down on the other arm chair, with just a small table between them. "I think it would help if I introduce myself – Adam Cohen. I own the Riverpoint Department Store and know a great deal about women and also how to keep confidences." He offered his hand, and Sarah took it gingerly, intrigued at his introduction.
"I see you are surprised? Intrigued? Lovely, because I like women who have curiosity and drive; which I think you do." Adam took her hand, clad in a white kid glove, and brought it up to his lips. Sarah could almost swear that she felt the pressure of those lips. "I deal with women all day, and understand what matters to them. A woman who comes shopping for a dress is always looking for more than something to wear. She is looking for hope, promise, a wish fulfilled; I hear a great deal as you can imagine." He smiled with kindness and humor, a combination that she had never encountered before.
Sarah was shocked too, at his expressed sentiment, about what women wanted when they shopped. It was one of the philosophies of her business, and something she always tried to get her mother to understand. That this man – a stranger – shared the same idea was almost too much for her to take in, unsettled as she was. It also came to her though that maybe he could help her understand where she was in her life.
"The couple is my brother-in-law and his wife. She is wearing a set of jewels that I've only seen in a portrait of my mother-in-law and her late husband on the second floor landing of the main house, at the family ranch." Sarah stopped, not sure what to say next, since her mind was a jumble of thoughts and emotions.
"Does your mother-in-law not like you? Do you not like her?" Adam was still holding her hand, and he squeezed it gently, causing her to look up at him. Suddenly she was lost in his eyes, which only showed care and concern. Sarah couldn't remember the last time anyone had cared about her feelings, and she felt her defenses starting to crack.
"My husband and I have our own house; my brother-in-law and his wife live with my mother-in-law. My relationship with my mother-in-law in cordial, but not close in nature, as my husband likes to keep space between himself and his family." Sarah couldn't think of any other way to express the situation, with Heath, her, and his family. Heath was happy to go along with his family, provided it met up with what he personally wanted. He never consulted Sarah, just expecting her to fall in with his plans, even as she never knew what they really were.
"Well it sounds to me that you have the better arrangement, having your own house. Living with in-laws is not always pleasant. As far as the jewelry, in my opinion your sister-in-law is too young to wear all that; it overshadows her completely." Adam offered, letting his other hand envelope the one he was already holding.
"I imagine though that your brother-in-law likes to let everyone know just how successful he is, and draping his wife in jewels not only says that, but also lets the other men know that she is all his." Adam's lips – full and generous – twitched with suppressed laughter at his comment. Sarah found herself joining in, without meaning too, because he had accurately summed up Nick's personality.
"You've met my brother-in-law?" She was curious as to how he could know Nick, since the man looked like a complete city dweller. Sarah knew that Heath and Nick had been attending various male only events, but her understanding was that they all related to mining or ranching. Adam Cohen looked like the man who would only care about cows because of the quality of leather they provided.
"No, and I don't need to either. He is rather of a type, slightly on the younger side, and in his case all hat and all cattle." He referenced the saying about fake cowboys, but Sarah nodded her head. Nick was a true cowboy, and had the cattle to back him up.
"What about your sister-in-law is bothering?" Adam switched subjects, and Sarah became aware that he was still holding he hand. It was unseemly, and she gently moved it away, on the pretext of looking in her reticule. His eyes though showed that he knew exactly what she was doing, and why.
"Oh, it is not Priscilla herself. She is kind, sweet, and caring." Sarah rushed to explain, belatedly realizing that she'd come across as jealous of her sister-in-law. "It isn't her per se, but rather how happy she is with her life. She is involved in the ranch, and our community, and everyone adores her. Priscilla has found her calling, and I admire that." She finished, knowing it sounded rather lame, but she'd never articulated these thoughts before. In truth Sarah had not even thought of them until after the conversation in the parlor car on the trip over.
"So it sounds like her life is easy, and she is content?" Adam asked, tilting his head and she noticed how closely he was watching her. He truly wanted to hear what she had to say, and Sarah wished it didn't make her as happy as it did.
"Yes, that is it. She is content." Sarah made the admission in a low voice, not liking the wave of sadness that came over her.
"And you are clearly not content with your life." Adam said it as a statement, not a question. She was all set to refute him, but he spoke before she could. "I can tell that you are not content because that is what you are concentrating in with your sister-in-law. Not her clothes, or jewels; oh yes you mentioned the sapphires but only as what they symbolized – family unity. No, something is not right in your life, even if you don't know what it is." He finished, giving her a knowing look and kind smile.
"Just a little over five years ago my entire world turned upside down and it ruined my life. My mother and I had to start all over again." Sarah found herself telling the story of her father, and almost cried when Adam didn't turn away with horror, to try to blame her for money he'd lost. She'd been set upon several times in St. Louis, before they left, by families who'd been left destitute by what her father had done. It was suddenly so easy to tell Adam of those incidents; events she'd never talked about before.
"My mother and I came west, even as I was still in shock, which lasted for almost three years. I've made decisions during that time that I am now starting to wonder if they were the right ones." She stopped to take a breath, realizing that she'd rushed out her story. Sarah had never shared so much with someone as she was doing with Adam – a man she didn't know, and yet felt a spiritual connection with.
"Did you deal with this all by yourself? Is your mother your only relative?" Adam inquired, as he reached over to take her hands in his. Sarah didn't fight him, just bowed her head in defeat. She went on to explain that her two older brothers, along with her mother's youngest brother had died in the war. Her father had been an only child, and his parents had been older when he'd come into their life.
"The war was a nasty business; I had relatives on both sides and in the end only the Grim Reaper won." He went to express his condolences, and Sarah found his words – or maybe it was his voice – a soothing balm to her fractured heart. His next words though brought the happiness she was starting to feel to an end.
"Have you talked to your husband about all this? I assume he knows about your father?" Adam queried; it surprised Sarah that he brought up her husband, but also admitted that it was to be expected.
"It's complicated." Sarah replied way too quickly, and then wished she could take back her statements. She sat up very straight and removed her hands from his, as she stood up to walk over to the corner, where she'd spied a mirror. Carefully she adjusted the hair pins at the back of her hair to tidy it up, and then adjusted the neckline of her gown. When her mother had completed Sarah had announced that it was too low, but her mother had said that her husband would love to see her in it.
Sarah was aware that Adam had stood up, as she did, but had stayed by the chair. Her hands shook slightly as she adjusted her hair and dress, knowing he was watching her, even if it was only her back. Sarah was horrified that she'd revealed so much about her life and marriage to this man who was really a stranger, even if her heart was saying that Adam wasn't that at all.
"So your husband was one of those decisions you are now questioning?" Adam asked when she finally turned to face him. Sarah knew that her eyes widened with fear, as it was clear this man could read her like a book. A married woman was supposed to stand by her husband no matter what, and Sarah knew that she had not done Heath that courtesy.
"Don't worry I'm not going to probe any further. Just be aware that you are not the only woman to wonder if you accepted the right proposal." Adam came over to her and bowed, holding out his arm for her take. "I think we need to go down the ballroom, where I will introduce you to some people who are much better companions than Augusta's dinner guests. I also look forward to you introducing me to your husband. A man who has the good taste and sense to marry a woman like you is one I want to know."
Sarah was relieved that Adam wasn't going to ask any more questions, so she let him lead her down to the ballroom. He procured glasses of champagne for them, and while Sarah had not drunk any of the wines with dinner, she was grateful for the golden liquid. Maybe it would help wash away the guilt she was feeling, at what she'd revealed about Heath and his family. Adam introduced her to a number of young couples, none of which noted or commented on her last name. They were fun and easy to talk to, which was a change from society in California
Instead she was just a young matron married to a man who could afford the trappings of society. She knew that if her father had not done what he'd had, her life would be this easy and pleasant. Another thought, unbidden, then came to her, that maybe the evening was easy and pleasant because of Adam? He was always by her side, and made her feel taken care of; he bantered with everyone in a carefree way and made it a point to introduce her to anyone he talked with. Her husband's arrival was a grateful reprieve from where her mind was dwelling.
Heath found her after about ten minutes, putting his arm around her and giving her a kiss on the cheek. They normally didn't go in for public displays of affection, but Sarah was feeling guilty about her confidences with Adam, so she went along. It surprised her, but pleased her to see how well Heath and Adam got along, once they'd been introduced.
The rest of the evening passed quickly, but Sarah noted how light hearted Heath was, as he enjoyed the company. She realized that since they'd come to Denver - and even before – Heath had done nothing but work on the trust and his mining reform. It had been serious work, and Priscilla's comment about Nick wanting to kick up his heels came to her. Heath might not kick up his heels like Nick did, but the man needed fun and relaxation too.
"Well I have to say that meeting you both has made my evening." Adam announced, at the end of the night, as the ball was winding down. They'd all danced, and eaten the scrumptious late supper, enjoying the good music of the orchestra. "I would like to invite you both to come to the store tomorrow, so I can give you a tour. Afterwards we can lunch in my private suite, which offers a panoramic view of the town."
"I wish I could, but I already have something scheduled. However, Sarah" Heath turned to look at her, before going on "you should really take Adam up on his offer. Just so you know, my wife is quite the business woman, and Stockton could use a mercantile establishment such as yours." Sarah heard Heath's response and was gratified that she could see Adam again, even as she knew she shouldn't be so happy.
Sarah agreed to meet Adam the next morning, with Heath's approval, before they left the Tabor house, to head back to the hotel. Heath confided that Horace was open to improvements in the mines, and thanked her for being so willing to dine with the Tabor's. Sarah listened to Heath's please comments and knew that he'd achieved what he'd wanted out of the evening. For her part Sarah didn't want to dwell on what she'd taken away from the evening.