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insult.”
    “Fascinating, hmmm?” Case shook his head. Turning to Lord Peyton, he smiled, “Alec, I’ve heard my daughter described in many ways, but fascinating, now that’s a new one. Gentlemen … let me show you to your rooms.”
    They walked through a large portal in the adobe wall wide enough to accommodate a wagon. Case explained a Spanish patron, or cattleman, built the house several decades before. The high wall surrounding the placitas was similar to the curtain wall on a castle. Within were the main house, a small building housing the laundry, storerooms for supplies, and two small guesthouses.
    “This way,” said Case, “in case of Indian attack, the vital supplies could be protected along with the occupants. Very effective against siege of any sort.”
    He went on to explain that when the New Mexico territory became part of the United States, many of the Spanish land grants were confiscated and sold to American citizens. He had bought the Ladder J from the widow of the previous American owner.
    The front of the main house had a covered porch; shallow steps led up to the shaded porch and entry doors. The posts were topped with carved corbels. These supported the exposed vigas, long beams supporting the second story and the flat roof. The upper levels stepped up from the main level. Large multipaned windows were topped with brightly painted wood lintels. The heavily carved front doors opened through thick adobe walls.
    “The building material seems very strong,” Hawke noted.
    “Basically, it’s just mud and straw formed into bricks,” explained Case. “But for this climate you can’t do any better. The adobe soaks up the heat of the day without letting it into the house, and at night stays amazingly comfortable.”
    They entered a large central room with high ceilings. A fireplace took up a portion of the back wall; its thick wood mantle ran between the two French doors on either side of the fireplace.
    “Your house reminds me of the homes I saw in India,” said Hawke, looking around the large room, “designed for maximum air movement. Fascinating.”
    Case pointed out the curving staircase along the far wall, the doorway leading to the kitchen and the bathing areas. He said baths could be sent to their rooms if they preferred. Through the French doors, he showed them an enclosed patio. Against the back wall of the patio was an ornate stepped adobe wall with a small garden gate. A covered seating area with a rounded kiva-style fireplace completed the area. Case pointed to his study and said he would meet them after they had a chance to rest and clean up.
    “Candelario!”
    A small boy hurried in from the kitchen.
    “Please help these gentlemen with their bags and show them to their rooms.”
    The young boy smiled at the two strangers, reached down, and struggled to lift one of the bags.
    “Here laddie,” laughed Alec, “you show us our rooms. I think we can manage our own bags.”
    The bedrooms were large, with corner fireplaces and tall French doors opening to balconies overlooking the center patio. Two older boys had brought up a tub and water for his bath by the time Hawke unpacked. Easing into the hot water, he leaned back and closed his eyes, enjoying the feel of travel weary muscles relaxing in the heat of the water. His thoughts wandered to everything he had seen so far. Smiling, he congratulated himself on his good luck in making this business arrangement. It was going to be an interesting, and a lucrative, endeavor. Anxious to share his ideas with his new partner, he finished his bath and dressed.
    • • •
    Kara sat on the bed and watched Alicia twirl in front of the mirror in her new gown. The pink muslin-and-lace gown with satin ribbons billowed around her ankles.
    Alicia and Kara had not seen each other since her return from school, but had written regularly. The Roberts had been frequent visitors to the Ladder J and the Jonstons had spent much time at the Roberts’ spread