The Sword Read Online Free Page A

they grinned.
    Finally Flora saw the absurdity of the conversation and giggled a little in spite of herself. “I think—no, I know that was the silliest argument I’ve ever had with a person.”
    “Let’s hope all our arguments turn out to be silly, and then we’ll laugh at them afterward,” Jeb said. He squeezed her handthe tiniest bit. Men, of course, did not wear gloves during dancing or dining. She was very aware of the heat of his hand, of how it swallowed hers, of the way he very gently touched her back, but she could still sense the power, the vitality of him.
    “All of them?” she asked. “So we are to have arguments, then?”
    “It was meant to be,” he said, now quietly. “All of it. You, me, this night, this dance was meant to be.”
    She searched his face and found none of the usual frivolity there. He looked thoughtful. “What do you mean, Lieutenant?” she asked softly. “How can that be?”
    He searched her face for long moments. “I have always believed that God prepares a man for one certain woman. And He prepares that woman for him.”
    “That is a very deep theological concept, Lieutenant Stuart,” she said, trying to restore some lightness to the curious turn the conversation had taken. “So how would this woman know which man was fated to be her husband?”
    Sensing her slight withdrawal, Jeb answered, “All you have to do is take a look at Eve. There she was. There he was. She knew right away that God had made them to be together.”
    “Your logic is flawed, sir. She had no other choice to make.”
    He made a slight shrug, although it didn’t affect the grace of his dancing. “You’re probably right, ma’am. Logic isn’t my strong point. Dancing, however, is. And may I say that you are one of the finest dancers of any lady I’ve ever seen.”
    “Thank you, Lieutenant. You are a very skilled dancer yourself.”
    “Thank you, ma’am! I love music, and I love dancing,” he said enthusiastically. “I’m afraid I have no skill in music, except for a keen enjoyment of it. Do you play an instrument or perhaps sing, Miss Cooke?”
    “I play the piano, and even some guitar, and I enjoy both very much. I do sing, although not as well as some. But like you, sir, I do enjoy all good music.”
    “And waltzing,” he added. “By any chance, may I claim the rest of your waltzes tonight, Miss Cooke?”
    “It would be considered very impolite for us to monopolize each other, you a newly arrived single gentleman, and an officer, and me, the daughter of the commander of the post,” she considered. “But I don’t think either of us shall be ostracized too much. Yes, Lieutenant Stuart, you may have the waltz for the rest of the night.”
    “How about all of the dances for the rest of the night?” he asked impishly.
    “That would be entirely too scandalous. The waltzes are enough. And you, sir, do not tell me how ‘it is meant to be.’ I’ve already pointed out the flaw in that theorem.”
    There were several more waltzes during the ball. In general, Flora felt neither Lieutenant Stuart nor she was considered to be acting in a rude manner—except by Gerald Small, who continued to try to monopolize her—but the fact that she and the lieutenant danced together so much was certainly noted. She was certain Jeb Stuart commanded attention wherever he went and with whatever he did. And of course, as Flora was the commanding officer’s daughter, her actions were of interest to the entire fort and the little town.
    Toward the end of the evening, Gerald Small began dancing with a pretty blond girl whom Flora did not know, and he kept casting triumphant, slightly mean glances at Flora. She barely noticed and was sure she missed some.
    As it happened, the last dance of the night was a waltz. At the end, Lieutenant Stuart escorted Flora back to her father. They exchanged greetings, and Jeb said, “Sir, I have found out that Miss Cooke has quite a reputation as an expert equestrian, so I