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Authors: Cherie Shaw
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with them. Texas will be on the way anyway, and as Ricardo knows much about
cattle, and ‘rancheros’, as he refers to ranches, he is willing to see that
property of mine, then give me his opinion.”
“Oh, Uncle Claude, that is good news!” Olivia
exclaimed, “Maria hadn’t mentioned it to me, so I didn’t know. Possibly she
thought I already knew.”
“Yes, well I just spoke to them about this today, and
they both readily agreed to the trip. So we’ll plan on reserving a room in New York for them at the same place we will be staying for a few days. However, I have a
townhouse in that city also, so after a few days we will be moving there until
time for our departure for the west. Of course Maria and Ricardo will be with
us there also.” Claude paused then continued, “Also our new friend, Mr.
Wakefield,” Claude paused and looked at Olivia for her reaction to the name.
“Oh?” She asked, and looked away, not wanting her
uncle to see her interest.
“Oh, yes,” Claude continued seriously,, “My……valet,
Logan, will no longer be my valet, as I feel there will be no need for one on
this journey west. Ricardo has informed me that this will be a very difficult trip,
but otherwise most scenic and enjoyable. They do have a rail service for part
of the way, and then we will be traveling by stagecoach for at least two weeks,
or more, stopping at inns along the way, or small hotels, whatever accommodations
we can find.”
Olivia glanced questioningly back at her uncle, just
as the door to her suite flew open, and Maria stepped out into the hallway,
then put her hands on her ample hips and declared to Claude, “Señor Beckford,
tell the señorita what she wants to hear, or I will!” She stated emphatically.
Claude laughed lightly, “Of course Maria.” Then
turning to Olivia, he said. “Of course, young Logan will no longer be my valet,
though he will be traveling with us to the ranch in Texas, as our guide, then
he will go on to Wyoming, to his home there.”
“Oh really, you two.” Olivia huffed, “I certainly
couldn’t care less.” Then she proudly walked into her stateroom, and closed
the door, as Claude smiled brightly. He liked that young chap, Logan
Wakefield. Yes, he did.
The weeks flew by, and then one gray, damp and rainy
day, the liner pulled into the impressive vast New York harbor, with its
countless ships, with sky-high riggings, docked there. The Manhattan skyline
was breathtaking as they stood watching the shoreline come closer into view. Before
they knew it, they had left the dock behind, and were riding in a shiny black
carriage, with the driver pointing out all the sights of the city as they rode
along. The baggage had yet to be unloaded from the ship, and would be delivered
to their hotel later.
They hadn’t seen Henry Birch quietly join the crowd of
travelers, getting himself lost in their midst as the crowd left the ship, then
he had quickly hailed a cab, and instructed the driver to follow the carriage
that had just pulled away, he told him that he’d been traveling with relatives,
and forgotten to ask where they were staying. He figured the driver didn’t
believe him though, but he couldn’t care less. Henry wouldn’t be staying at
their hotel anyway, as that would be too risky, but he would keep tabs on the
good Lord Beckford and his niece. She wouldn’t get away from him this time,
but he was patient, though his funds were running low. Maybe he’d find a card
game to sit in on, win some traveling expense money. There was always a way.
The streets, soggy with rain, were nevertheless a welcome
sight, as Olivia and Claude rode in the one-horse carriage along Fifth-Avenue,
to one of the finest hotels of New York City. As the driver reined in, he quickly
retrieved a huge umbrella from beneath his seat, and then after alighting from
his perch on the front of the
with them. Texas will be on the way anyway, and as Ricardo knows much about
cattle, and ‘rancheros’, as he refers to ranches, he is willing to see that
property of mine, then give me his opinion.”
“Oh, Uncle Claude, that is good news!” Olivia
exclaimed, “Maria hadn’t mentioned it to me, so I didn’t know. Possibly she
thought I already knew.”
“Yes, well I just spoke to them about this today, and
they both readily agreed to the trip. So we’ll plan on reserving a room in New York for them at the same place we will be staying for a few days. However, I have a
townhouse in that city also, so after a few days we will be moving there until
time for our departure for the west. Of course Maria and Ricardo will be with
us there also.” Claude paused then continued, “Also our new friend, Mr.
Wakefield,” Claude paused and looked at Olivia for her reaction to the name.
“Oh?” She asked, and looked away, not wanting her
uncle to see her interest.
“Oh, yes,” Claude continued seriously,, “My……valet,
Logan, will no longer be my valet, as I feel there will be no need for one on
this journey west. Ricardo has informed me that this will be a very difficult trip,
but otherwise most scenic and enjoyable. They do have a rail service for part
of the way, and then we will be traveling by stagecoach for at least two weeks,
or more, stopping at inns along the way, or small hotels, whatever accommodations
we can find.”
Olivia glanced questioningly back at her uncle, just
as the door to her suite flew open, and Maria stepped out into the hallway,
then put her hands on her ample hips and declared to Claude, “Señor Beckford,
tell the señorita what she wants to hear, or I will!” She stated emphatically.
Claude laughed lightly, “Of course Maria.” Then
turning to Olivia, he said. “Of course, young Logan will no longer be my valet,
though he will be traveling with us to the ranch in Texas, as our guide, then
he will go on to Wyoming, to his home there.”
“Oh really, you two.” Olivia huffed, “I certainly
couldn’t care less.” Then she proudly walked into her stateroom, and closed
the door, as Claude smiled brightly. He liked that young chap, Logan
Wakefield. Yes, he did.
The weeks flew by, and then one gray, damp and rainy
day, the liner pulled into the impressive vast New York harbor, with its
countless ships, with sky-high riggings, docked there. The Manhattan skyline
was breathtaking as they stood watching the shoreline come closer into view. Before
they knew it, they had left the dock behind, and were riding in a shiny black
carriage, with the driver pointing out all the sights of the city as they rode
along. The baggage had yet to be unloaded from the ship, and would be delivered
to their hotel later.
They hadn’t seen Henry Birch quietly join the crowd of
travelers, getting himself lost in their midst as the crowd left the ship, then
he had quickly hailed a cab, and instructed the driver to follow the carriage
that had just pulled away, he told him that he’d been traveling with relatives,
and forgotten to ask where they were staying. He figured the driver didn’t
believe him though, but he couldn’t care less. Henry wouldn’t be staying at
their hotel anyway, as that would be too risky, but he would keep tabs on the
good Lord Beckford and his niece. She wouldn’t get away from him this time,
but he was patient, though his funds were running low. Maybe he’d find a card
game to sit in on, win some traveling expense money. There was always a way.
The streets, soggy with rain, were nevertheless a welcome
sight, as Olivia and Claude rode in the one-horse carriage along Fifth-Avenue,
to one of the finest hotels of New York City. As the driver reined in, he quickly
retrieved a huge umbrella from beneath his seat, and then after alighting from
his perch on the front of the
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