Mystic Mountains

had never felt so inadequate. "That 's it, I'm not going," she blurted, swirling to run to her bedroom door.
    Tiger was too quick for her. Grabbing her arm he said softly, "And why, pray, did you make this decision? You look beautiful." 
    It was the stark truth. Tiger couldn't believe the transformation. He'd never seen the pure line of her throat and upper breasts before, and the short puff of the sleeves showed off her slender arms. She was the picture of femininity, angelic, yet invitingly sensuous.
    "You don 't have to lie." She stared at his boots as if she found them of great interest.
    Tiger shook her arm gently. "You should know by now that I never lie." He glanced around at the others. "She looks a fetching picture, does she not, Thelma? Dougal?" 
    Dougal, who'd just entered the kitchen, stood by the door, a strange expression on his face. He looked dumbstruck. Tiger felt sorry for the man; more than sorry, at the open longing in Dougal's eyes.
    Thelma went to him and patted his arm. He said something low to her, and she squeezed his hand.
    "Yes, a picture," Dougal finally agreed, his voice strained. He coughed and swallowed. "You'll be the envy of all the women, Bella, that's for sure."
    "Come, 'tis time to go." Tiger motioned to Isabella. "No time for second thoughts. I'm not about to let all those lessons go to waste. Don't wait up for us," he turned to tell the others as he ushered Isabella ahead of him. She hesitated briefly near Dougal, smiling at him, and he gave her a small nod before she went out.
    As they went down the path she was acutely aware of Tiger's hand at her elbow. Suddenly shy, Isabella was certain she 'd never get through this night. "This evening will be a disaster," she murmured.
    He laughed. "Only if you let it be. Where 's your spirit, woman? This is your chance to prove you're as good as every other female in this godforsaken place. You'll outshine most of them. You have naught to be ashamed of."
    Isabel la glanced up at him. Heavens—now she had his high opinion to live up to. What if she let him down? Then not only would she be humiliated, but she'd have his scorn on top of all else. She caught sight of the four wheeled buggy parked outside the gate, a splendid white horse in the shafts, and all other thoughts fled.
    "Where did that come from?" She lifted a hand to point, her throat suddenly dry.
    "Do you like it? I reckoned that for your first ball you deserved something better than the old wagon pulled by the gelding. Come on, up you get."
    Before she could say another word he placed his hands on her waist and with easy grace lifted her. Isabella had to put her hands on his shoulders to steady herself before she could sit back on the padded leather seat. Her heart hammer ed as she looked everywhere but into his eyes.
    "If it rains or the wind blows up we have the hood for protection. And we don 't want the dust along the road spoiling your delightful gown, do we?" He looked up to where pink and red streaks colored the sky and a few puffy clouds billowed. "Though by the looks of it the Governor has a mighty fine night for his ball."
    "So that 's where Dougal went. To fetch this rig." She ran a hand wonderingly over the polished seat and leather bindings.
    "Aye. Now, let 's go to the party, eh?" He grinned as he took up the reins and clicked his tongue. "'Tis a good thing the night is fine, Bella, else your fancy hair arrangement would get spoiled. Did I mention it looks grand piled up like that?"
    "No." She put a hand self-consciously to the curls over her ear.
    The cockatoos s quawked as the rig bowled past. The well-known scenery and wildlife took on a feeling of unreality, as if they were moving into a strange new territory.
    Tiger took them along Macquarie Street, past the Rum Hospital. So called, he 'd said, because the Governor contracted the head surgeon and two men of business to build it with the right to import spirits instead of taking payment in cash.
    Isabella gasped when Government House came into view. Darkness was falling and the brightly lit house reminded her of a story her mother told her long ago about a princess who'd lived in a tower made of glass.
    Of course she 'd seen the grand mansion from a distance, but tonight it added to the dreamlike quality of everything. Like a child receiving a surprise gift, she smiled and clapped her hands together in pleasure as they neared the gardens. Guards stood to attention, their weapons perched on their