To Dream Anew Read Online Free PDF

husband.” She turned back to Portia and waited for her response.
    Portia frowned and put a handkerchief to her face. “I’m afraid my dear Ned has departed life on earth.”
    Stunned, Dianne looked to Cole, willing him to speak. “We’re sure sorry to hear that, Mrs. Langford.”
    “I blame the Grant administration,” she said, startling them all.
    “President Grant?” Faith asked.
    Portia looked at her rather hostilely. “I’m not in the habit of answering the questions of Negroes, but yes, President Grant. Had he not demonetized silver, leaving gold as the standard for banking, silver might have retained its value. Instead, so much that my dear Neddy worked for was no longer worth much of anything.”
    Dianne could not tolerate the woman’s condescending tone. “Faith is a good friend, Mrs. Langford. I would appreciate your treating her civilly.”
    Portia’s eyes narrowed, but her voice was smooth and sweet. “I do apologize. Things here in the West are simply so very different from life in the rest of the country. It’s a much less refined land, and the manners follow suit by nature of the setting.”
    Dianne’s temper was getting the better of her. She opened her mouth to retort, but Cole had already begun to speak.
    “Excuse me for askin’, but I don’t understand what role the devaluing of silver played in the death of your husband.” He pulled his horse in closer as two wild riders went barreling down the street in an obvious race.
    “My husband took his life,” Portia said, dabbing at tears. “He couldn’t bear that we were to be without financial means. Why, his poor father took to his sick bed upon hearing the news and with Neddy’s death … well, he like to have suffered an attack of his heart. He’s better now, however. I am at least blessed to report that much.”
    “I am sorry about your husband,” Dianne said, shaking her head. It was only then that she noted the young woman’s attire. A rich plum foulard draped Portia’s hourglass frame in a most stylish creation. She hardly looked the part of grieving widow, with exception to her handkerchief.
    “I came back to Bozeman to make amends with my father,” Portia said, tucking away the lace-edged cloth, along with all reference to Ned. She straightened. “The army is away from the fort. I’ve been at the hotel for the past two days, sick with a blinding headache, so I’ve had no time to find out if they’ve returned. I was just setting out for answers when I caught sight of you.”
    “We hoped to see my brother Zane, as well as celebrate Independence Day with the rest of the town,” Dianne offered in explanation of the reason for their presence. “The army rode out earlier in the spring, and we haven’t had word since. They were in pursuit of the Sioux and Cheyenne, as I understood it.”
    “What’s she doing here?” Trenton asked as he walked up alongside the wagon.
    “Trenton, I didn’t know you were here,” Dianne declared. “I thought you were busy running errands for Cole.”
    “I was,” he replied, still eyeing Portia with caution. “Where’s Ned?”
    Portia stiffened. “He’s passed on.”
    Trenton stepped closer to the woman. “What did you say?”
    “I said he’s dead.” She looked up and stared him hard in the eye. “He killed himself.”
    Trenton was notably upset, but he held back his reply and looked to Dianne. “I’m afraid there’s more bad news. That’s why I came to find you.” He held up a piece of paper for Dianne, Faith, and Cole to see. “There’s been a big battle over the mountains to the east. Along the Little Big Horn River.”
    “I didn’t have a chance to tell you,” Cole declared as Dianne eyed him accusingly. “I only heard it myself a few minutes ago, and I came right back to tell you.”
    Dianne dropped the paper, not able to read the words. “Zane?”
    Trenton shook his head. “No one knows. They weren’t in the opening battle, as you’ll see in that report.