Diamonds and Dreams Read Free Page B

I’m just plain weary of it. I want
to belong someplace. This is such a purty little village,
and I am part English, so it’s right for me to be here. And
Big, if I do get away with my plan and convince the
villagers that the duke is our friend, we won’t ever get sent away.
We’ll have found a place where we can fit in and be happy for the
rest of our days.”
    Big almost choked on the compassion he felt
for her. A place where we can fit in. He wondered if that
would ever happen for her. “Goldie,” he whispered, “I—”
    He broke off at the sound of hoofbeats.
Looking up, he saw Dane Hutchins cantering toward them upon a fine
horse. “My, but we’re having some grand company this morning,
aren’t we?” he asked sarcastically. “Here comes God.”
    “Miss Mae,” Dane greeted her as he reined in
his horse.
    Big stared up at the overweight man. “What
the hell do you want, Hutchins?”
    Dane kept his gaze on Goldie. “Inform your
uncle I am here.”
    “You got an appointment?” she asked,
shielding her eyes from the glare of the sun as she peered up at
him. “I heard English folks always make appointments before
comin’ to visit. Y’see, I had this friend named Mildred Fickle.
Mildred knew everything about—”
    “Cease!” Dane thundered.
    “Now wait just a damn blasted minute!” Big
responded. “Don’t you talk to Goldie that way! You—”
    “We don’t say cease in America,”
Goldie decided to tell Dane. “Well, maybe some folks do, but most
of us just say shut up . ‘Course, even if you told me to shut
up, I wouldn’t. I’d shut up if I knew I was bein’ ugly to you, but
I haven’t said anything to have to shut up over, so—”
    “Where is your uncle?” Dane asked, his tone
suddenly much less strident. He reached up to his snowy neckcloth,
touching the glittering stickpin there, then smiled at Goldie.
    Big scowled. The man was strange—angry one
second, and sweetness itself the next. Very odd. “Asa is sleeping,
if it’s any of your business. Now what do you want?”
    Dane ignored Big altogether. “Your uncle’s
behavior in the pub last night has come to my attention, my sweet.
There are people here who are not inclined to accept the three of
you among them.”
    “You’re not real popular around here
either,” Goldie dared to inform him. “And I’m not your sweet
anything.”
    At the slight stir of the breeze, Dane
hurried to smooth his hair. “Is my hair mussed?” he asked
worriedly.
    Big and Goldie frowned at each other,
neither of them answering, then looked back up at Dane.
    “Why are you staring at me like that?” he
asked. “Is there something wrong with me?” He brushed at his coat
sleeves and gave his hair another pat. “Do you have any idea who I am?”
    “Do you have any idea how little we care?”
Big countered, his question making Goldie giggle.
    “I have the power to make you care very
much,” Dane answered coolly, fondling his stickpin again.
    “Look, Mr. Hutchins, we know you’re the
estate boss,” Goldie said. “You live in the duke house, dress in
fancy clothes, ride that fine horse...but you’re not the
duke, y’know, and we don’t have to treat you like you are.”
    “Do not ever say that to me again.”
    Goldie stared at the fat, middle-aged man.
She decided he had mean eyes and a cruel mouth. His extreme
calmness made her feel slightly nervous.
    “It has come to my attention,” Dane said,
licking his bottom lip, “that you are going to attempt to bring
back Lord Tremayne. Is there any truth to this, my sweet?”
    “She’s not your sweet!” Big exploded. “And
you—”
    “Answer me,” Dane commanded Goldie.
    “Yeah, I’m bringin’ him back.”
    Another gust of wind swept through the yard,
causing Dane to glower. “I must return to the house. I don’t like
wind. I don’t like dust either.”
    “Why do you live in the duke’s house?” Big
asked.
    Dane turned and looked at the mansion in the
distance. “I wish the roses