Comanche Haven (The Loflin Legacy: Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

afraid
that’s not possible.” Swallowing hard, the host lifted his chin
another inch. Finding a point to stare at over Seth’s right
shoulder, Alfred set his mouth in a thin line.
    “ Why may I ask is that?”
Celia imitated Alfred’s haughty expression. Oh, yes, today was
certainly one for confrontations . Celia took in the fact all eyes in the dining hall
were on them and the patrons had grown hushed. Small town gossip,
Celia mused. This little standoff would be fodder for the local
gossips for days to come.
    Seth broke the silence. “Alfred.” He
drew the man’s name out on his tongue. “I believe the young lady
asked you a question.”
    Celia liked the way his voice resounded
with authority. His challenge was clear. She appreciated his
support. Apparently, no one was backing down.
    Alfred’s nose wrinkled
briefly with disdain. He never met her eyes as he uttered his next
words with dry contempt. “Madam, I’m afraid this establishment has
a policy of not serving Indians .”
    They may as well have been vermin.
Vermin always needed removing, Celia mused. With the blood, pumping
in her ears Celia’s eyebrows flew up in exasperation. “Of all the
nerve…” She made a show of fanning her face in
agitation.
    Alfred actually flinched, and then gave
every indication he would run given half a chance head
start.
    Celia clamped her hands on her hips and
stood up as straight as possible. “I suppose you’ve never heard of
the Taylor-Bryant Treaty of 1856?”
    Their reluctant host opened his mouth,
but then shut it again.
    Armed with her most proper
English, Celia pounced. “Would you like me to contact the Fort and
have the Major explain the finer points of the treaty to you?”
Another beat passed as she tapped her slender booted foot. “I’m
sure the Fort commander would be happy to enlighten you on your
obligations and responsibilities as it pertains to Indians like us. Don’t
you agree, Broken Horse?”
    “ Indeed.” Her cousin’s deep
voice resounded with finality.
    Alfred flinched when Broken Horse
leaned in. “Show us to a table.”
    Satisfied, Celia folded her gloved
hands and waited. Having to keep the smirk off her lips was
difficult. Alfred’s gaze ran right and then left as if seeking
assistance. He tugged viciously at his starched white collar.
Staring imploringly at Seth and then Claudette before dropping his
eyes to the menus on the sideboard, Alfred swallowed hard. He
desperately searched the hall for another employee, but none
appeared.
    It didn’t escape Celia’s
cool gaze the host’s pallor had grown even whiter than
before. Good !
    Finally, without anyone coming to his
aid, Alfred admitted defeat by unhooking the velvet rope from its
brass pole and ushering them in.
    Claudette took Broken Horse’s arm and
preceded Celia and Seth to their table. “Well, that was exciting,”
she said to the room at large. “We’ll have to eat out more often,
won’t we Seth?”
    The cool glance Seth gave her rolled
off like water. Was she oblivious to what had transpired? Celia
glanced at Broken Horse but gained no idea as to his opinion of her
statement. Unwilling to offer any affirmation to Claudette’s
babbling, Celia concentrated on arranging her suit in the tiny
wooden chair and remained quiet.
    After the waiter took their drink
orders, Broken Horse leaned close to Celia. “You realize there is
no such treaty.”
    Unable to contain the genuine
satisfaction she felt at having gained a small victory for her
“kind”, Celia gave him a wicked grin before answering. “Really?
Well, wherever did I get that silly notion then?” She shook her
head gently as her words dripped with the warm southern belle
dialect she’d mimicked so many times back east. She batted her
eyelashes dramatically for her cousin while the corners of her
mouth curled upward in a triumphant little smile. Broken Horse and
Claudette’s laughter floated around them as Celia placed the napkin
primly in her lap and