Lover's Gold (20 page)

“Well, your friend certainly has good taste,” she told him with just a hint of sarcasm. “The dress is lovely.”

“It’s yours, Elaina. We’ll call it a bonus to sweeten our deal.”

“Why, I couldn’t possibly . . . It’s far too expensive and I—I . . .”

“Please, I insist. The gown wouldn’t look nearly as lovely on someone else.” Chase allowed his gaze to assess the slender woman seated across from him. Even with his eye for beauty, the girl had surprised him. Her hair was the color of rich dark coffee sprinkled generously with ruby highlights. Her lips were full and her cheeks pink. As slender as she was, she had a more than ample bosom, and the dress did little to disguise the fact. Her breasts seemed ready to spill over into Chase’s eagerly waiting hands. He felt an itch to have her stronger than he had felt in some time.

Most women fell into his bed without the slightest effort. This one seemed impervious to his charms. She was polite, a good conversationalist, and certainly pleasant to look at, but he sensed she did not desire him, and it piqued his interest. There was nothing Chase liked better than a challenge.

On the pretense of a headache, Elaina retired to her room a little early. She had enjoyed the meal and Chase Cameron’s company, but the events of the day had worn her out. As she crawled under the covers in a fresh cotton nightdress she’d found waiting on the bed, her thoughts began to wander.

Though her escort for the evening was certainly a handsome man, with fine features, curly blond hair, and smiling eyes, she thought of a man whose eyes were pale, the color of the sky on a too-hot day. Hard eyes, vague and distant, until they lighted with warmth and passion. Where was Ren now? What was he doing? Had his memory returned? Was he laughing at her, thinking what a fool she’d made of herself, or was he missing her as she missed him? An ache wrapped itself around her heart, and a hard lump closed her throat.

How she missed him. How she loved him. It was foolish to deny it. She’d been in love with Ren Daniels since she was ten years old. There might be other men in her life—who knew what life held in store?—but there would never be another love. Not for her. She’d given him her heart the night she’d given him her body.

Hot tears rolled down her cheeks. She had to stop crying every time she thought of him. Had to forget him. But how? A sob escaped as she thought of his marriage, only a week away. If she really loved him she would wish him happiness with Melissa Stanhope, but she could not. Maybe she didn’t love him at all. She tried unsuccessfully to convince herself as she drifted into a fitful sleep.

The morning train for Denver and on to Central City left right on schedule. Chase Cameron, charming as usual, escorted her to a seat in the first class section. It certainly beat the accommodations she’d had on her trip from Keyserville. Plush velvet seats, brass lamps, heavy draperies over the windows and elegantly garbed men and women who conversed pleasantly while sipping refreshments: lemonade, fruit juice, or something stronger for the gentlemen. She was dressed once more in her now clean and pressed, gray traveling suit, but her hair she’d left loose, to curl down her back. Chase told her it sparkled with rubies when she wore it like that.

The train ride through the Rockies was spectacular. Shear walls of granite thousands of feet above a raging river had been blasted away, leaving a narrow ledge just wide enough for the train to pass. There were tunnels through solid rock, and snow bridges—covered tunnels in areas of heavy snowfall to keep the tracks clear in winter. Chase had answered all her questions and explained about the town they were going to.

Central City was a center for gold mining—just the word “mining” sent a shiver of dread down her spine. But Central City, he assured her, had all the modem conveniences. It was just a little rowdy, he said.

“I hope you really can sing,” he teased lightly, and she grimaced at the thought. She was no songbird, but she could carry a tune better than most. She’d do her best—at least until she could save enough money to make her way west again. As soon as she reached Central City, she would wire Ada Lowery of her whereabouts. She knew her friend would be worried when Elaina didn’t arrive at her destination.

“Well, Elaina, here we are.” The noise from the Black Garter echoed through the open windows out into the street. They’d stopped only once on the way from the train station, to send Ada a wire.

Chase pushed open the swinging doors and the plinkety-plink of a cheap piano tinkled above the din of voices. Elaina’s heart pounded. Through the haze of smoke hovering above the tables, she could barely make out the wide, curtained stage at the far end of the room. Women in brightly colored dresses—purple, red, orange, and canary yellow—well above their knees, smiled at drunken miners. One man slapped a blond woman’s bottom, and she giggled delightedly. Another cupped the full breast of a dark-skinned, raven-haired girl. Elaina’s heart sank. How could she have let Chase Cameron talk her into this? The place was even worse than the White Elephant! Sensing her nervousness, Chase extended his arm.

“You don’t have to be afraid, Elaina. You’re with me.”

She clung to him as if he were saving her life and let him lead her across the room.

A tall, buxom red-haired woman wearing a yellow and black lace dress and a long black feather in her hair turned as they walked up. Chase smiled at her warmly. Elaina wondered if the woman was another of Chase’s friends.

“Delsey,” he began, “I’d like you to meet a frienda mine.”

Elaina cringed at his use of the word “friend.” From the comer of her eye she glimpsed a sign near the stage: “We’re looking for a star. Apply Delsey Stevens.”

“This is Miss—”

“Starr,” Elaina interrupted, daring Chase Cameron to contradict her. “Lainey Starr.” If she was going to act the part of a saloon girl, she might as well sound like one.

He smiled indulgently. “This is Miss Starr.”

“Pleased to meet you, Miss Starr,” Delsey said.

“Why don’t you show Miss Starr up to her room?” Again he smiled. “Delsey will see you’re settled. You can stay here at the saloon until you find more suitable lodgings— unless you’d prefer to stay here permanently?”

“No! No, thank you. I’ll find a place as soon as I’m able.”

“You can start workin’ with Mike, the piano player, this afternoon. I’ll expect to hear a song from you tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night? But that’s too soon!” She looked at him pleadingly.

He grinned wryly. “I’ve got great faith in you, Miss Starr. Besides, I’m dyin’ to see your legs.”

She laughed in spite of herself. “All right, Mr. Cameron, at least one song by tomorrow night.”

Delsey escorted her upstairs and down a long, narrow hall. Unlike the White Elephant, the Black Garter had more going on than just drinking. A rotund middle-aged man, foul-smelling with whiskey, pushed open one of the narrow crib doors. A slender young woman no more than fifteen sprawled naked on the rumpled bed.

“Bye, Howie,” she called after the fat man. “See ya next week.” The man buttoned his shirt and smoothed his hair as he passed Elaina in the hall. His glance took in her out-of-place clothing, and Elaina wished she could crawl in a hole. Her cheeks burned furiously, and she wanted to strangle Chase Cameron with her bare hands. How could he have brought her to work in a house of ill repute?

Elaina’s room was far more spacious than the ones she’d passed in the hall. She glanced at the wide bed and swallowed hard. Delsey seemed to read her thoughts. “Where you from, Miss Starr?”

“I—I’m from Pennsylvania.”

“You ever sang in a place like this?”

“No . . . no, I haven’t. Someone stole my purse, and I left my clothes on the train and . . . It’s a long story. I’m sure you wouldn’t want to hear my hard luck tale.”

Delsey surprised her. “Don’t you worry, Miss Starr. Mr. Cameron won’t force you to do nothin’ you don’t want to. He’s basically a fair man. A bit of a rounder, always an eye for a pretty woman, but not a mean man. This is just a business to him. Long as he’s here, ain’t nothin’ gonna happen to you—leastwise not unless you want it to. Can’t say for sure ’bout what’ll happen after he leaves. Central City’s a rough town. Most of us girls who don’t turn tricks got us a protector. Big Willie Jenkins is mine, I’m proud to say. You’d do well to find a man a yer own.”

Elaina smiled a little uncertainly. “Thanks, Delsey. I hope we get to be friends.” She didn’t know if the woman’s words were a comfort or a warning, but she liked her honesty.

Delsey smiled, too. “I think yer gonna be all right, Miss Starr.”

“Please, call me . . . Lainey.”

“Lainey. I like that. If there’s anything you need, just holler. I’m right down the hall.”

Elaina nodded as Delsey left the room. She wondered what had possessed her to change her name. It was probably just as well. She didn’t plan to be here long, but it certainly wouldn’t do her reputation any good if this little episode should be discovered. She allowed herself a small smile as she imagined the look on Ren Daniel’s face if he ever found out. After all, he would soon belong to one of San Francisco’s most prominent families. She wondered how his dear Melissa would take to discovering she was sharing her life with a man who’d bedded a common saloon girl.

She sighed at the thought. Who was she kidding? Elaina McAllister wasn’t the first girl Ren Daniels had taken to his bed. He’d had plenty of practice, of that she was sure. She wondered if she’d chosen the name “Lainey” because that was what Ren always called her. Probably not. But she wasn’t really sure.

Ren Daniels had been in San Francisco less than a week when he wired Keyserville. He sent the wire to Ada Lowery, just in case Chuck Dawson was reading Elaina’s mail. There was little he’d put past the man. Ren told Ada to tell Elaina he was coming back to talk to her. He’d be there in two weeks.

He was going back to explain about his engagement, try to make her understand and forgive him for what had happened, but mostly he was going back to take her away from Keyserville—one way or another. He had lots of friends in San Francisco. He’d make certain she had a good job, a nice place to live, a fresh start. She could take Ada Lowery with her if that was what she wanted. He told himself he’d just help her get settled; then he’d leave her alone. He wouldn’t go near her once he was married. He’d make contact only occasionally, as a friend, just to be sure there was nothing she needed.

It was the only part of his plan he wasn’t sure of.

When it came to Elaina McAllister, he wasn’t certain just how much willpower he had.

He received an answer to his wire the next day. He was in his front parlor with Jacob and Melissa Stanhope when the telegram arrived. He paid the slim-faced messenger and tore open the envelope: “Elaina not here. Dawson tried to force marriage. Had some trouble. Working in Central City, Colorado. Good luck, Ada.”

Ren read and reread the wire, wondering what the ominous words “had some trouble” could mean—and what in God’s name Elaina was doing in Central City.

“Something wrong, son?” No matter how old Ren got, Jacob still thought of him as a boy.

“Yes, I’m afraid there is. I’ve been meaning to discuss this with you, Jacob, but somehow the time just hasn’t been right.” He looked at Melissa’s pale face and knew this was not the right time either, but he had no choice.

“A friend of mine is in trouble. Someone who once saved my life.” He looked at Tommy, who eyed him intently. “Both our lives,” he corrected. “Tommy’s once and mine twice.” He met Jacob’s unwavering gray-eyed gaze. Jacob was a big man, tall, with shoulders well-muscled from years of hard work. Only a slight paunch and a receding hairline betrayed his advancing age.

“We’ve never repaid that debt,” Ren told him. “Now this person needs help. I have no choice but to do all I can.”

“But what about our wedding, Ren? Papa’s already postponed it once. How long will you be gone this time?” Her golden hair glistened, and her wide blue eyes looked at him anxiously.

He wished she stirred his blood as Elaina did. Her words spoke concern, but the relief on her face made him wonder at her thoughts.

“I’ll be back before the wedding.” He smiled at her and touched her cheek. “This time I promise I won’t forget.” She pulled away with a slight tremor. As always when they were together, he sensed her fear of him and wondered at the wisdom of their union. What would happen on their wedding night? How could someone so delicate possibly appease his lusty appetite? He could well understand Jacob’s desire to see some sturdier stock in the family.

“Is there anything we can do to help?” Jacob wanted to know. Ren had told both Jacob and Melissa about the shooting incident in Keyserville, but little else. He’d never discussed his reason for going east in the first place, and Jacob hadn’t pressed him. Melissa didn’t really care.

“No, thank you, Jacob,” Ren said. “This is something I have to do alone.”

“Wait just a minute,” Tommy broke in. “I’m going with you. I owe Ela . . . this person, too.”

“Sorry, little brother. Someone’s got to mind the business— and the ranch. I’ve been away far too long as it is.”

“But, Ren—”

“Tommy, you know I’m right. You’ve got to stay here. I’ll wire you as soon as I get to . . . wherever I end up. This time I’ll keep in touch.”

“You’re certain there is no way I can help?” Jacob pressed.

Ren knew Jacob would put any amount of money, any amount of manpower, at his disposal. Jacob had absolute faith and unwavering trust in him, and that was one of the reasons Ren Daniels would go through with a wedding

neither he nor Melissa really wanted. “Thanks, Jacob. I appreciate the offer, but no. There’s nothing you can do.”

Tommy Daniels studied the hard planes of his brother’s face, the blue eyes dark with repressed anger. Pulling the telegram from Ren’s hand, he read the words “had some trouble . . . Central City.” It made no sense at all.

Tommy watched the careful control Ren exerted, his expression a taut mask. Melissa Stanhope recoiled from his touch as he escorted her to the door.

Tommy wished he could talk his brother out of this senseless marriage. Ren deserved more than a woman who would only tolerate him in her bed out of a sense of duty. It wasn’t that Melissa didn’t like Ren, or that she wasn’t a sweet girl. It was just that she was shy and afraid and too frail to handle a forceful, demanding man like Ren. Melissa needed a gentle lover, someone who would hold her hand and coo sweet nothings in her ear. A man who would lie beside her for days before exercising his husbandly rights.