Lover's Gold (23 page)

Rays of sunlight peeped through the faded muslin curtains that hung at her window. Stifling a yawn, she rolled over, her hand groping the place beside her for Ren’s warm, solid torso. Instead she felt only the cold roughness of the muslin sheet. Bolting upright, she searched the empty room, her heart beginning to pound. Dear God, he hadn’t even said good-bye.

Elaina took a steadying breath and calmed her racing heart. Maybe she was upsetting herself for nothing. Maybe he’d just gone downstairs. Picking up her thin silk wrapper, which had fallen carelessly to the floor, she slipped it on and glanced at the bed. Her breath caught in her throat as memories of their desperate lovemaking filled her mind.

Desperate
. There was no other word. Each had known it would be the last. Each had needed the other desperately. Surely Ren would be back—at least to say good-bye. Her eyes teared at the thought of his leaving. This time would be even harder than before.

Elaina straightened the sheets, pulled up the quilt, and fluffed Ren’s pillow, inhaling the musky, manly smell that clung to the rough muslin case. What they’d shared last night was special. Ren would be back. As she picked up the second pillow, a round brass token beside a wad of bills caught her eye. Her hand trembled as she picked them up. Who could have left them there? Who had been in her room?

A wave of nausea hit her like a blow. Only Ren. Only Ren could have put them there and only for one reason. She’d worked in a house of ill fame long enough to know how a whore got paid: in brass tokens that were later redeemed for money. Unable to breathe, she clutched the cold piece of metal against her breast and sank down on the bed, her heart thundering in bitter spasms.
Dear God, don't let this be!
Her chest felt leaden. Ren Daniels, a married man, had slept with her because he thought she’d become a whore.

She curled up on the bed and sobbed uncontrollably. What should she have expected? She knew he was married, yet she’d given herself to him, let him make love to her as no one else could.

It took more than an hour for her tears to turn to anger. Twice she’d trusted him. Twice he’d wounded her to the depths of her soul. How dare he! How dare he believe her capable of something so low? In that moment Elaina McAllister swore her revenge. She’d pay him back if it took the rest of her life.

Marching to the door, her newfound hatred giving her strength, she leaned into the hall and called out for Benny Thompson, the houseboy, to send up a bath. When the tub arrived, she bathed and dressed, careful to keep her mind a dull blank. Ren Daniels did not exist for her, would never exist for her again. This time she would blot memories of their nights together forever from her mind. This time she would erase his image from her heart and soul. This time things would be different.

With a toss of the thick dark hair she’d left loose at her back, she straightened her sturdy brown muslin dress and stiffened her spine. She had better things to do than grieve over Ren Daniels. Today was moving day.

Packing what few possessions she had into a worn leather satchel Chase had loaned her, she walked down the stairs. When she reached the bottom, Chase Cameron stood waiting. He studied her face carefully, and she wondered what secrets it betrayed.

“You look as though you could use a friend,” he said softly, lightly caressing her cheek. “Would you care to join me for breakfast?” There was little privacy in the Black Garter. By now she was certain Chase knew exactly who had spent the night in her room. Her cheeks flamed at the conclusions he would draw—conclusions that were more than correct.

“Thank you, Chase. You’re right, I could use a friend.” Though part of her wanted to slip away and continue to feel sorry for herself, the other part told her to face up to her problems, solve them, forget Ren Daniels. As always, her resilient nature won out.

“You look lovely this mornin’,” Chase said. “A little tired, perhaps. But lovely just the same.” Elaina blushed, but Chase merely smiled and offered his arm. They headed through the swinging doors and off down the boardwalk lining the dirt street.

“How about the Central City Café?” he suggested. “Best sausage and biscuits in town.”

She nodded, but her stomach rolled at the thought. She knew she looked wan and pale, and her hand shook slightly as she held his arm.

“Want to tell me about it?” he asked.

She started to say no. “Ren was just a mistake I made,” she told him instead. “Unfortunately, last night I made the same mistake again.”

“Where’d you two meet?”

She took a breath to steady herself. Since he seemed genuinely concerned, she told him the story, going into as little detail as possible.

“Are you in love with him?”

She pondered the question, knowing in her heart the answer was yes. “Does it matter?” she finally replied.

He patted her hand where it rested on his arm. “No, I guess it doesn’t. Not really.” They walked a little farther, then stopped in front of the café.

“Elaina, you know how fond I am of you.” He lifted her chin so her eyes would meet his. “If there’s anything I can do to help, don’t hesitate to ask.”

She smiled at him tremulously. “Thank you, Chase. I appreciate everything you’ve done, really I do. I don’t know how I’ll ever be able to repay you.”

As he held open the door, her skirts brushed against his brown serge trousers. “I’m sure I’ll think of somethin’,” he teased.

As always, he made her smile.

Ren stuffed his wrinkled shirt into his satchel and buttoned the cuffs on the clean white shirt he’d just put on. His mind seemed fuzzy, distracted. He’d replayed the scene with Elaina over and over and each time felt the same gut-wrenching pain he’d felt earlier this morning, when he’d closed the door to her room.

For the first time in years, Ren was unsure what course of action to take.

Should he leave Elaina with Chase Cameron, to continue a life that was worse than degrading? Or should he drag her back to San Francisco and force her to lead a respectable life? What was best for Elaina? Surely being a whore in Central City held the least possibilities for happiness.

Ren released an uncertain sigh and tucked his shirttail into his breeches. He regretted, not for the first time, leaving the brass token beneath her pillow. But some jealous demon had wanted her to suffer just as he did. Wanted her to feel the hurt and pain he felt every time he thought of her with another man.

Striding purposefully, he headed for the door, his satchel slung over his shoulder. Deciding to put some food in his stomach while he took some time to think, he headed down the stairs and along the street to the Central City Café.

He found the place bulging at the seams with prospectors, merchants, and cowhands, all clamoring noisily, banging tin coffee cups, and clanking metal flatware against thick white porcelain plates. If booming business was any indication of the quality of the food, the café’s reputation was well deserved.

Seating himself at a small table near the back of the café, Ren hung his black hat on the back of his chair, then ordered coffee, biscuits, and gravy from a skinny, flat-chested girl who looked no more than fifteen. She smiled brightly, and he decided the smile made her look almost pretty.

As he sipped the coffee she brought him, he glanced around the room. It took only an instant to spot Chase Cameron’s blond head. Then he caught sight of Elaina’s tawny eyes, glittering with anger and locked with his. Her jaw was set stubbornly, her cheeks flushed with rage. Beneath her simple high-necked dress, her bosom heaved with the force of a bellows, and all he could think of was kissing her again.

Leaving her plate half full, she shoved back her chair and marched toward him, her shoulders straight and proud, her eyes snapping fire. He thought she’d never looked more beautiful. Out of the comer of his eye he caught sight of Chase Cameron leaning back in his chair, his mouth curved in a lazy, amused smile.

“You!” Elaina choked out, as she stood before him. “You’re the most vile, the most despicable—”

“Surely you can do better than that,” he said.

“Get out of Central City.” Her slender hands rested on her hips; her chin jutted defiantly. “Leave me alone. Don’t ever come near me again.”

Ren came to his feet. He’d known she’d be upset about the money, but he’d expected her to be contrite, not angry.

“It’s a free country, Elaina. I’ll go where I want, when I want. You ought to know that by now.” His eyes ran the length of her, taking in the swell of her breasts, the tiny waist he could span with his hands.

Elaina felt her anger seethe to overwhelming porportions. Through the blur of miners surrounding her, her vision narrowed till she saw no other person in the room. Ren stood over her, regarding her like some distant acquaintance rather than the woman he’d made love to for most of the night.

Clenching her teeth, Elaina drew back her hand and slapped him hard across the face, the resounding crack muffled by the din in the room. But the rosy imprint of her hand left notice of the deed.

Ren’s pale eyes narrowed into slits, and a muscle bunched in his jaw. He grabbed her arm and pulled her against him.

“I probably deserved that,” he told her. “But don’t ever try it again.”

She could feel the strength of his hand circling her wrist. “You don’t scare me. You’re nothing but a cheap, womanizing—”

“Don’t push your luck, Elaina.” His grip tightened on her wrist.

“Bastard!” she finished. “If it hadn’t been for me, you’d be dead!” Instantly she regretted the words. Just the thought of his dying left her with a sickening knot in the pit of her stomach. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

Ren released his hold, and his look softened. “Why not? It’s true, isn’t it? I haven’t forgotten, Elaina, I promise you. I’ll be leaving on the afternoon train. My offer is still open if you want to make a new life for yourself in San Francisco.” He glanced toward Chase Cameron who watched them both with amusement, and Elaina a bit protectively, it seemed. “But if this is what you really want, I won’t make any more trouble for you.”

She swallowed hard, a little ashamed of the dark red welt she’d left across his cheek. “I wish things were different,” she told him softly, thinking of the wife he’d left behind and feeling the sting of tears, “but they aren’t.” She steeled herself. “Good-bye, Ren.”

Ren watched the gentle sway of her hips as she walked back toward her table and Chase Cameron. The skinny serving girl arrived with his biscuits and gravy, but the sight of the food only sickened him. He left a coin on the table, settled his hat back on, and walked out the door.

“Feel better?” Chase pulled out her chair and guided her into her seat.

Tears threatened, but she held them at bay. Looking down at her half-full plate, she felt the bile rise in her throat.

“Come on,” he said, reading her pale expression. “I think you’ve had enough fun for one day.” He stood up, tossed a coin on the table, and helped her from her chair.

“I just want to be alone for a while.”

“Not a chance. Today’s moving day. We’re going to turn that little room of yours into a palace.”

She smiled up at him, shaking her head. “I don’t need a palace, Chase. Just a little place I can call my own. But you’re right. Moving will keep my mind off . . . other things.”

“Good girl.” He patted her hand. They moved along the streets of Central City, threading their way through the throng of men, horses, and wagons. Some of the wagons were filled with ore, some with brightly colored cloth, sacks of flour, tins of coffee, and others with building materials— brick and mortar, smooth round stones for chimneys.

Breathing the fresh, high mountain air revived her lagging spirits. The day was warm and bright. Just a few wispy clouds made patterns above the towering mountains that surrounded the city. Grateful for the distractions, Elaina barely noticed the gentle tug at her sleeve.

“Miss McAllister? Is that you?” A scruffy prospector, bearded, his overalls tom and dirty, hands gnarled and callused, looked at her from beneath his shaggy brown hair. She watched his sad brown eyes and wondered how the man knew her real name.

“What is it you want?”

Chase Cameron stiffened protectively. “Here, take this,” he handed the miner a coin, “and leave the lady alone.” The man handed the money back, ignoring Chase and speaking instead to her. “I don’t want a handout. I’m looking for a grubstake, Miss McAllister. I’m Richard Marley. I used to work for your father.”

Elaina sucked in a breath. “Mr. Marley, of course. I’m sorry, I didn’t recognize you.”

“I don’t look much like I used to, but times have been tough for me lately. I left Pennsylvania about a year ago, determined to get my wife and sons away before the damned coal dust killed them.” He dropped his gaze to the dirt street.

“I lost Elizabeth about six months ago. Some kind of fever. The boys are still with me, Peter and Benjamin, but our money’s run out. When I saw you, I thought maybe my prayers had been answered.” He straightened, some of his former pride returning to remind her of the man he used to be—proud, determined, loyal. One of the smartest, hardest-working men in the mine, he’d been made foreman before he was twenty-five. All the other miners had respected him, but he always vowed someday he’d go west and make his own way.

“Mr. Marley, if I could do anything to help you, I’d be more than willing, but you see—”

“I’ve found it this time, Miss McAllister. I’m so close I can smell it. I wouldn’t be asking you to stake me if I wasn’t sure I’d be able to pay you back. You stake me for six months, and we’ll be partners, fifty-fifty, in anything I find in the mine.”

Elaina closed her eyes, wanting to help an old friend, but knowing the price she would pay—more long nights of singing in the Black Garter. More lewd remarks, more bruises on her bottom from the men’s rough pinches as she made her way through the saloon. More loneliness in a town where she knew almost no one. And more weeks of Chase Cameron’s kind but purposeful advances.

“There’s no use discussing this further, Mr. Marley,” Chase was saying. “Miss McAllister is not in a position to help you. I am, but if I helped every miner who asked me for a grubstake, I wouldn’t be for long. We wish you the best of luck, Mr. Marley. Now if you’ll excuse us . . .” He tugged at Elaina’s arm to lead her away.