When I Was a Little Girl: A Pair of Sweet Historical Romances

By Vanessa Carvo

The Young & Rich Widow Who Loses Her Fortune - An upper crust young Boston widow is so used to her high society lifestyle that when her fortune changes she holds onto her life as it was, for as long as possible, before taking a surprising offer to move to Colorado and become the wife of a rancher.

Walking To the Six Gun Samurai - A cowboy with a ranch in Arizona sends for a mail order bride who arrives early and not realizing that his ranch is many miles away from the railway station, she sets out walking, and halfway there meets a stranger on horseback who is dressed in an unfamiliar style and carries guns and two swords in his belt. It’s here that her life takes on many challenges and adventures and a journey into love.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Aug 15, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365330841

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When I Was a Little Girl: A Pair of Sweet Historical Romances

When I Was a Little Girl: A Pair of Sweet Historical Romances

By

Vanessa Carvo

Copyright 2016 Quietly Blessed & Loved Press

The Young & Rich Widow Who Loses Her Fortune

Synopsis: The Young & Rich Widow Who Loses Her Fortune - An upper crust young Boston widow is so used to her high society lifestyle that when her fortune changes she holds onto her life as it was, for as long as possible, before taking a surprising offer to move to Colorado and become the wife of a rancher.

Liliana turned away from the window and said, Do you know, I feel change is in the air.

Liliana, laughed Mary, you are eternally optimistic. There will be more of this dirty winter, yet, I shouldn't wonder.

No, said Liliana. I see an end to the endless gray. There is a new quality to the light. She traced her finger down the glass. A feeling of change, that is all.

What do you think, Mr. Kane? asked Mary, linking her fingers and resting her hands on her lap. Are you of the same mind as our young friend?

I have heard it observed that, no matter how advanced our sciences become, there will always be two fields which we will never be able to predict with any certainty. He held his chin his hand and smoothed his glossy mustache with the side of his thumb. And one of those, he paused to glance at Liliana and smiled at Mary, is the weather.

Mary returned the smile and said, I think that the person to be very wise. What do you say, Liliana?

But what is the other thing? Liliana asked, turning from one to the other. How can I say if it is wise or not, if I do not know the other thing?

Mayweather watched her, still tending to his mustache.

And will you not tell me? urged Liliana.

Mary laughed. Mayweather Kane! Will you stop teasing the girl.

He raised one of his dark eyebrows. I'm not sure what you mean.

The other thing! said Liliana.

Oh, I have quite forgotten that, he said.

You will remember me telling you many times, Liliana, of how Mr. Kane was terrible for making fun of us. As you can see, he is of quite the same character as he was before.

Liliana's eyes widened. Ah ha! she said. Is it affairs of the heart? That is the other thing, is it not?

Mayweather smiled. It may be. It is not a subject that much interests me.

Oh, but Mr. Kane, we are all sure you have had many romantic engagements during your time abroad.

Liliana, said Mary. That is most impolite. Mr. Kane does not want to hear about you idle gossip.

It was not only my gossip, replied Liliana.

I'm afraid to report, said Mayweather, my time abroad was filled only with business engagements and of little interest to the gossips. But you could well be correct, he said to Liliana, It is an astute observation. I suspect science will never be able to divine the affairs of the heart.

Liliana nodded in satisfaction at Mary. Thank you, Mr. Kane. It is indeed an interesting quotation. Oh, but Mary, she said suddenly, holding up a fold of the curtain in her excitement. Mr. Kane should meet my sister. Wouldn't that be perfect?

You are disturbing the furniture, said Mary. Please, sit down and converse like a civilized individual.

Liliana took a seat and said to Mayweather, Olivia is also fascinated by travel and does little else but read and research. Isn't that right, Mary?

She has other activities, said Mary. But I have to agree that Olivia is quite the bookworm.

It is a good quality, don't you think, Mr. Kane? said Liliana.

There is much to be gained from reading, Mayweather agreed.

Except I can't help but wonder, said Mary, whether reading has filled Olivia's head with rather too many ideas.

Mr. Kane, did your business ventures in The South earn you a fortune?

Please, said Mary holding up a hand, do not presume the Lilliana has not had the benefits of a good upbringing. She knows as well as you or I that her question is inappropriate.

Mayweather laughed. I do not mind in the least. If I think a question inappropriate, I choose simply not to answer it and do not take offense. But the truth is, in business much like any other game, there are times when you find yourself winning, and there are times when you do not. And as you may be aware, we are rather suffering a depression at this moment. The trick is to make the best of both eventualities.

I am sure you excel at all games, said Liliana.

If I remember correctly, said Mary, Mr. Kane was quite the sportsman in his younger days.

Mayweather laughed and patted his stomach. But only in my younger days.

Do you know that this year we are to have a team in the national baseball league? asked Liliana. I know nothing about baseball myself, but Olivia has become the expert on the sport.

Is she indeed? said Mayweather. It is certainly a popular pastime. I saw it played often in my time abroad.

In The South? asked Mary. Is that true?

Certainly, confirmed Mayweather. They rather take to it there.

And will there be a war in The South?

Liliana, really, said Mary. I hardly think Mr. Kane wishes to discus politics with you.

Olivia says there will be a war, said Liliana.

Olivia Wright says many things.

She is quite correct, said Mayweather, because I fear that one day war will be inevitable. We must free the people in The South from the evils of colonialism, as we ourselves were saved.

By ourselves, said Liliana, nodding wisely.

Indeed, said Mayweather.

And what of the Indian troubles? Will they be over now they have been given their own reservations?

I sincerely hope so, said Mayweather. But we will have to wait to see how they honor the solemn obligations they have undertake. It is perhaps a test of their capacity to live as civilized people and obey the rule of law and democracy.

That is what people are saying, agreed Liliana.

Mr. Kane, said Mary, bringing the political debate to a close, as Liliana is so confident that spring is about to send us its golden light, I wonder whether you would accompany us to lunch. We are to eat out. The cafes are perhaps not as stimulating as you may find in The South, but Boston has improved somewhat in recent years and Ralph has agreed to meet us. I am certain he is anxious to see you again.

And we could give word to Olivia, said Liliana. Olivia could lunch with us also. Wouldn't that be perfect?

It is possible, I suppose, said Mary. What do you think, Mr. Kane?

As you ladies will no doubt appreciate, I have much to business to attend to now I have returned to the city.

Oh, really, said Liliana, slapping the arms of her chair.

Mayweather laughed. However, I am sure I can afford to spend a few hours in the company of two attractive and charming ladies.

And maybe three, said Liliana.

The ladies sat in the carriage for a while debating where to go. Mayweather gazed patiently at the snow piled up on the pavement. It was hard, and icy and streams of water ran down into the road.

Finally, they decided.

Parker's, said Liliana.

Mayweather laughed. An excellent choice.

You have been to the Parker House before? asked Liliana.

On occasions, but not for some time. I am eager to return.

In the past, said Liliana, the nation's great writers would gather at the Parker House to discuss philosophical issues of importance.

Mayweather nodded gravely.

There were very many of them, said Liliana. For example, she held out a gloved hand, ready to count out her fingers, Emerson.

Yes, said Mayweather, encouragingly.

The English one, said Liliana, extending another finger.

Mayweather looked at Mary. Charles Dickens?

And Charles Dickens, said Liliana. And many more.

I am quite sure Mr. Kane does not need a local history lesson from you. He is very well acquainted with the Parker House.

I am certainly familiar with their chocolate cream pie and keen to get reacquainted.

It took no more than fifteen minutes to reach School Street. Mayweather watched intently as the city went past.

I left not long after the fire, he said. It is much changed.

The carriage was instructed to collect Ralph from his wharf side office and they went into the hotel.

You don't see much of old man Parker these days, whispered Mary. I wonder if he is unwell.

And I don't see Olivia, said Liliana, craning her neck.

Perhaps it is no longer the fashionable rendezvous for literary enthusiasts, suggested Mayweather and Mary laughed.

We shall order, she said, I have little doubt my husband will arrive late, citing important business as the reason. However, I have no intention of denying my hunger any longer. We will have the Scrod, of course. And the rolls, she added.

They ordered Parker House Rolls with olives, celery and radishes to start and Mayweather determined that he would try the Lobster de Newberg.

How do you like our Parker House Rolls? inquired Liliana.

They are as delicious as I remember, said Mayweather.

You realize, of course, said Mary, that Liliana is not solely concerned with the whereabouts of her sister.

Liliana snapped her head back to the table from where it was wandering around the room.

Is that so, said Mayweather, removing a stone from an olive.

There is a certain Captain Roberts of the Marines, continued Mary, currently stationed in the city, who has caught our Liliana's eye. Or, she has caught his eye. Mary crunched a radish. Can you tell us which way round it is?

I do not recall informing you of any of this, said Liliana, reddening.

No, said Mary, "but I believe it is common knowledge in