Lover's Gold (27 page)

“Is that all?” He sounded relieved. “I never expected you to stay and work the mine. We’ll settle on a fair compensation for the boys and me, since we’ll be taking on the majority of the responsibilities, but that’ll still leave more than enough for you to go anywhere in the world you want. The gold in that sack belongs to you.”

He looked down at her sternly, a fatherly expression on his face. “I’ve seen you singing over at the saloon. There’s enough gold in that one pouch so you don’t ever need to go back. And, I might add, your daddy’d skin me alive if I let you go back in there when you didn’t have to.”

Elaina felt giddy with happiness. “I’m through with saloons forever!”

“What kind of talk is that, coming from the star of our show?” Chase Cameron removed his fawn-colored hat as he stuck his blond head through the door.

“Chase!” Elaina leapt to her feet and rushed to him as he stepped through the doorway. She hugged him excitedly. “Chase, the most wonderful thing has happened. Richard and I struck it rich!”

Chase cocked a brow, his gaze unreadable. He glanced at Marley. “That true, Marley?”

“Darned right, it’s true. This little lady’s one of the richest women in the state.”

Chase smiled lazily. “Well, I guess this calls for a celebration. I’ll buy you both the best steak dinner in Central City. Then tomorrow I’ll accompany Miss McAllister to San Francisco. That is where you were headed, isn’t it, Elaina?”

Elaina wasn’t certain, but she thought she caught a hint of sarcasm in his voice. “Yes, Chase, it is. I wasn’t planning on leaving quite so soon, but if you’re willing to escort me, then I’m certainly going to take advantage of your generosity.”

“I have some business on the Coast. But it would be my pleasure to escort you, even if I didn’t. Now, about that dinner. I’ll stop by the Washoe Club and reserve a table. Would half an hour be too soon?”

“Fine,” Richard Marley said.

“Perfect,” Elaina agreed, her enthusiasm bubbling to the surface again. She’d wear the daringly low-cut gown Chase had given her that first night in Cheyenne. Richard might think it a bit unseemly, but she had little else that was suitable. Besides, she was a woman of wealth now. She could do exactly as she pleased.

“I’ll see you tonight, Duchess,” Richard Marley teased.

Chase eyed the little man oddly, but said nothing.

“I can hardly wait!” Elaina told them. After closing the door behind the two men, she dashed to her tiny bedroom. A narrow oak chest held what few dresses she’d been able to purchase since her arrival. When she reached San Francisco she would order dresses by the score.

If the mine was as rich in gold as Richard Marley said, she’d be accepted into San Francisco society without so much as a qualm. She’d attend parties, socials, do all the things every girl dreamed of. For the first time, she purposely thought of Ren. Though she loved him with all her heart, he hadn’t loved her enough to marry her. No, he was too concerned with his ambitions, his social position— and Melissa Stanhope’s fortune. Well, now she had her own fortune. She couldn’t wait to see the look on Ren’s face when he found out.

Chapter 19

S
AN
F
RANCISCO WAS
all Elaina expected. Soft ocean breezes, grand vistas, blue water, and skies that were bluer still.

They’d arrived five days ago amid a hoopla of newspaper headlines and speeches of welcome. A brass band had played at the train station to honor San Francisco’s newest celebrity. To Elaina, it was like something out of a dream.

As Chase’s insistence, she had taken an elegant suite of rooms at the Palace Hotel. He’d been, as usual, solicitous, helping her get settled and escorting her through myriad stores to order the latest in fashions and accessories. It was obvious Chase knew his way around the finer ladies’ apparel shops.

Elaina spent money shamelessly, immersing herself in her newfound wealth, enjoying all the luxuries she’d never experienced, and trying desperately to keep her mind off Ren Daniels.

It was a losing battle.

From the moment the train pulled into the station, she’d thought of little else. Even while she clung to Chase’s arm as he showed her the sights, she thought of Ren and wondered if she’d made the right decision in coming to San Francisco.

Tonight Chase was escorting her to her first real ball. She’d received countless invitations since she arrived, her reputation as a woman of wealth and the story of the fabulous Golden Duchess Mine having preceded her to town.

Through a light drizzle, Chase’s carriage rolled up before an impressive two-story brick building, and the driver jumped from his perch to open the door. Chase climbed out ahead of her, circled her waist with his hands, and lifted her down. They entered the foyer of the Lick House, a prestigious establishment famous for its fabulous parties, and stood beneath gilded sconces that bathed the guests in candlelight. Every San Franciscan cherished an invitation to a Lick House ball.

Chase squeezed her hand reassuringly and excused himself for a moment to check their cloaks.

Elaina fidgeted nervously, watching several couples eye her with speculation. She wondered what secrets they whispered behind their hands.

“Hello, Duchess.” The deep, familiar voice, speaking softly from a few feet away, spun her around.

A hand went to her throat at the mere sight of him. In a single sweeping glance, she took in his dark skin, his broad shoulders and narrow hips, the familiar lines and angles of his face, and her heart began to pound. She had never seen him dressed in such finery, and the dashing picture he presented set her blood on fire.

“Ren,” she said a little breathlessly, “I—I didn’t expect you to be here.”

“Why not? Did you consider Dan Morgan too merciless a fellow for such frivolous pastimes?”

She smiled a bit nervously. “Something like that, I guess.”

“I came to see you.” His light eyes caressed her, spoke volumes without words.

When he stepped toward her, it was all she could do not to rush into his arms.

“You’re looking lovely,” he said, his voice a little husky, “but then, you always do.” He lifted her hand in his long brown fingers and brushed it gently against his lips. “Your new status suits you perfectly. You look as though you were bom to royalty.”

She felt the warmth of his lips, and a tiny tremor shook her hand. “Thank you,” she whispered softly, barely able to make her voice work.

“Where’s . . . your escort?”

“Chase? He went to check our wraps. And your fiancée? Or is it ‘wife’?”

“My fiancée isn’t feeling well. I was forced to attend without her. I heard you’d be here. I thought it might give us a chance to talk.”

Elaina allowed herself a moment to assess him, giving her heart a chance to slow. She felt a tiny rivulet of perspiration trickle between her breasts. Ren was dressed elegantly in a black cutaway coat and breeches. Only the toes of his fine-grained black leather shoes, polished to a mirror sheen, flashed beneath the bottoms of his beautifully tailored trousers. She had never seen him in formal attire and wouldn’t have expected him to look quite so at ease in the clothes. But then, how could it have been otherwise? A man like Jacob Stanhope would wish only the best for his daughter.

“What is there to talk about? I’m here to start a new life—just as you once suggested. You already have a life here, and it doesn’t include me.”

“Well,” Chase Cameron drawled, “I see you’ve discovered the duchess.” Strolling up beside her, he captured her hand possessively. “It seems all of San Francisco’s at her feet. You’ll have to stand in line, Daniels.”

Ren stiffened. “Where do you stand, Chase? I’ve never known you to wait long for a lady.”

“I assure you, our mutual friend is worth it—but then, you know that already.”

“Chase, please,” Elaina broke in.

“That’s quite all right, Miss McAllister,” Ren said formally. “I’m used to your friend’s lack of charm. I hope you two enjoy yourselves; I know I’m going to.” Excusing himself with a curt nod, he turned and walked away.

Barely able to still her trembling hands, Elaina watched until his broad-shouldered frame disappeared through the doorway into the ballroom. She hadn’t expected to see him. He’d been right in his assessment: She did have trouble imagining the handsome gunman she’d known as Dan Morgan attending a formal ball. She wished she’d been better prepared and vowed not to let it happen again.

“Shall we go, Duchess?” Chase extended a black-coated arm. He looked exceedingly handsome this evening with his blond hair curling above his stiff white collar and his hazel eyes dancing with mischief.

“Must you persist in calling me that, Chase? It makes me feel ridiculous.”

“Why not? Everyone in the city is calling you that, though not always to your face.” Chase glanced at the beautiful woman on his arm. In a gown of beaded gold satin, with her thick coffee-brown hair piled in charming ringlets atop her head, she was easily the most beautiful woman in the room. The gown dipped low, baring her creamy shoulders and slender, arching neck. She looked elegant, regal. And indeed she was.

The story of the fabulous Golden Duchess had spread like wildfire throughout the city. Even before Elaina arrived, she was being touted as “the duchess.” So far, none of the newspapers had mentioned her singing career as Lainey Starr or made any reference to the Black Garter Saloon, but Chase was sure sooner or later they would. He didn’t really think it would matter. Her wealth ensured her position in society, and her aura of mystery would only be enhanced by rumors of her slightly shady past.

Amid appraising looks and speculative glances, Chase ushered her into the ballroom. A ten-piece orchestra, dressed formally in black, was seated at one end of the room. The dance floor, of black and white marble tiles, was already crowded with couples whirling to the strains of a waltz.

Without hesitation, Chase led her onto the floor. Elaina could feel his hand at her waist and appreciated his quiet assurance as they dipped and swayed to the music. Though she tried to immerse herself in the rhythm, her gaze kept straying to Ren. With an air of nonchalance she found infuriating, he leaned against the wall, a buxom redhead clinging to his arm. The heated way the woman’s startling green eyes looked up at him made Elaina’s own eyes green with jealousy. Just how many women did he have? Was the city full of women he’d bedded? This one certainly eyed him as if she knew him well—intimately, in fact.

“Do I detect the green-eyed monster?” Chase teased, and she forced her gaze to his face.

“Why, whatever do you mean, Chase?” she replied, her voice dripping with false sincerity.

He grinned broadly. “Just so you won’t be at a disadvantage, the lady you keep eyein’ with such daggers is Ren’s mistress, Carolina Williams. At least she was. I’m not quite certain of the lady’s current status.”

“Mistress! He has a fiancée
and
a mistress?” The whole thing seemed incredible. How could he? And how could she have been foolish enough to believe he felt anything more than lust for her—and perhaps a sense of obligation. Suddenly she wanted to cry.

“Dozens of admirers are waiting to dance with you,” Chase said. “Are you ready to face them?”

She tossed her head and squared her shoulders. “I’m the duchess, am I not? Of course I’m ready.”

Chase whirled her toward the edge of the dance floor and lightly kissed her cheek. “That’s my girl.”

His girl. Dear God how she wished she were! Exceedingly thoughtful and considerate, Chase was always there when she needed a friend. She wondered why he put up with her when he knew how she felt about Ren, knew what had transpired between them. Feeling a slight blush creep up her cheeks, she looked up just in time to find Ren’s light blue eyes looking back at her.

“May I have the pleasure of this dance?”

“I’m afraid I need a breath of—”

Before she could finish, he clutched her waist, gripped her wrist, and whirled her onto the floor. “Damn you, Lainey. I just want to talk to you.”

“Mr. Daniels,” she said, feeling her anger flare. “There is nothing left to say between us. You have more than your share of ladies. Must you keep half the women in the city in your bed in order to satisfy your brutish appetites?” She missed a step in her fury, and on pretense of steadying her, he pulled her closer—too close to be proper, especially for a man who would soon be marrying.

“Just exactly what is that supposed to mean?” he said. “I’m sure you wouldn’t know. Now please return me to my escort.”

“I’ll return you when I’m damn good and ready. You ought to know that by now, Elaina.”

She clenched her teeth. “You, sir, are
not
a gentleman.” That brought the flash of a grin. “I never told you I was.”

“You are the most infuriating—”

“And you, my dear duchess, are beautiful, even when you’re angry.”

The heat of his hand warmed her waist while his gaze drifted to the swell of her breast above the low neckline of her gown. In spite of herself, she began to warm to his charm.

“I suppose you
did
warn me about not being a gentleman,” she finally admitted, doing her best to look angelic. “But there were times I could have sworn one lurked in there somewhere.”

This time he laughed aloud, the rich timbre of his voice sending a tremor across her flesh. He sidestepped deftly, missing a gangly youth dancing with a matronly gray-haired woman, and both dancers turned to look at them.

“How does it feel to be the queen of the ball?”

Not the queen,” she replied, “merely a duchess.” Another quick smile. “Yes, a duchess. The Duchess of Carbon County. I wonder what the folks in Keyserville will say about you now?”

“God only knows. But at least I’ll be able to repay my debts.”

“Yes. You’ll be able to set the McAllister name right. Isn’t that what you’ve always wanted?”

His eyes raked her again, and she felt the heat of the room growing to immense proportions. “It’s what my mother always wanted. Somehow it doesn’t seem all that important to me anymore.”

He whirled her unerringly, the feeling heady as the music of the waltz filled the magnificent ballroom. She wished they could dance forever. Biting her lip as her gaze fixed on the fullness of his mouth, she wished she could taste those lips, feel their masculine firmness just one more time. Then she glanced toward the buxom redhead who stood pouting at the far end of the room. She watched Ren possessively, and Elaina felt a surge of temper.