Lover's Gold (29 page)

Elaina stiffened at his reference to the Stanhope dinner party. They’d been in San Francisco only a short time, but word of the mine and her ownership of half a fortune in gold had earned her carte blanche in society—and an invitation to dinner from Jacob Stanhope. Jacob had invited Chase and “the intriguing lady who owns the mine,” and Elaina was going one way or another.

“You look beautiful,” he soothed. His hazel eyes sparkled with mischief, but his hands felt warm, and she knew he meant the compliment. The forest green silk gown she wore, the loveliest she’d ever owned, was trimmed in gold to match her eyes. Its square-cut neckline showed a daring amount of cleavage, while the waist fit snugly and the skirt, narrow over the hips, swept up in back to drape in soft folds to the floor. Gold embroidered poppy leaves lay next to her skin on the bodice and glittered in golden rows on the skirt.

“You’ll steal the heart of every man in the room—even your friend, Daniels, though I have no doubt you’ve already done that, even if he won’t admit it. ”

“Chase, you are incorrigible,” she teased, but her smile was sad. She wished his words were true, wished she could hear Ren say them. Then, thinking of Carolina Williams, she wondered if they’d be true if he did.

“Are you sure you want to go through with this?” Chase asked.

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Though she lifted her chin convincingly, inside she wasn’t so sure.

Chase drew Elaina’s fingers to his lips and kissed them softly. He knew Jacob Stanhope intimately, had been his friend for years. The older man had earned his fortune the hard way—working the docks. Chase had met him on the Barbary Coast when he was a younger man and Jacob was a rounder who spent many an hour and many a dollar at Chase’s Silver Ingot Saloon. Chase always ran the prettiest women in the city, and Jacob appreciated a comely wench.

Both men’s wealth had grown—Jacob’s beyond all bounds. But he never forgot his early years, never forgot his friends. Tonight was no exception. It was Jacob’s birthday. He would only admit to being sixty, but Chase figured him for at least sixty-five. When Jacob heard Chase was in town, escorting the wealthy young woman who was already the talk of the city, he’d insisted they come. Chase knew Elaina well enough to know she wouldn’t refuse the invitation.

He offered her his arm, and her slim fingers tightened over the sleeve of his black cutaway coat.

“You know, Chase, I believe I’ve neglected to tell you how handsome you look this evening.”

He was formally dressed, with a crisp white shirt beneath his black cutaway. He knew the suit fit perfectly; he used only the finest tailors. The cut flattered his wide shoulders and lean waist, and he wondered how Elaina McAllister found it so easy to resist his usually overpowering charms. Most of the women he knew, including those who took care of his needs when he finished squiring Elaina around, were more than eager to fill his bed. Maybe her aloofness was what attracted him to her.

“Why, thank you, ma’am,” he teased, accepting her compliment and hoping she meant it. He intended to lure her to his bed sooner or later, but he wanted her willing. Tonight she’d see Daniels, escorting his fiancée, Melissa Stanhope. After Elaina’s run-in with Carolina Williams, the sight of Ren with Melissa ought to make Elaina good and mad. Maybe it would be just the shove she needed to wind up beneath him. Chase relished the thought.

The Stanhope Mansion on Nob Hill overlooked the city like a great walled fortress. Its three-story brick and mortar facade was softened only by the white wooden columns that supported the roof of the massive veranda. Chase’s sleek black open carriage rolled up the gravel drive, the hooves of his matched black horses crunching on the pebbles. They reined up beneath the covered veranda, and a young valet opened the carriage door. Elaina’s hand trembled slightly as she accepted the young man’s assistance from the carriage.

Clinging to Chase’s arm, she took the four steps up to the huge white front door. The beveled-glass window, as if hinting at the gaiety inside, sparkled in dazzling colors, illuminated by the crystal chandelier in the foyer. Elaina enjoyed the soft tinkle of the prisms as the breeze followed her inside.

“Chase, my boy! Welcome. Welcome.” Jacob Stanhope greeted them.

“Happy birthday, Jacob,” Chase replied, handing Jacob a bottle of fine old scotch.

Jacob accepted the bottle, winked, and slapped Chase on the back. “And this must be the lovely Miss McAllister.” He held up the scotch while his glance flicked over Elaina. “Chase, you always were a man of exceptionally good taste.”

He bent to brush her hand with his lips, lingering for just a moment. Elaina could feel the strength of his hands and for an instant was taken aback. She hadn’t expected him to be a man of such presence. Dressed formally in black, his masculine figure left no doubt as to his once overwhelming magnetism. She still felt its pull, though he looked to be well past his sixtieth year.

“I’m pleased to meet you, Mr. Stanhope. Chase has told me a great deal about you.”

“Call me Jacob, my dear. And don’t you dare believe a word this rogue says.”

She smiled up at him, beginning to understand why Ren felt so close to him, and wishing she didn’t. He had an easy, likable manner that captured her attention completely. It was not until their conversation ended that she had trouble controlling her gaze, wanting desperately to catch a glimpse of the tall blue-eyed man who was certain to be near.

Just then a lanky red-haired young man with a small, brightly smiling woman in tow swept into the foyer.

“Chase Cameron, Elaina McAllister,” Jacob said, “may I present Tommy Daniels and his fiancée, Carrie Salzburg.” Elaina knew her stunned expression matched Tommy’s perfectly. Forgetting everything but her joy at seeing him after all these years, she took a step forward and felt his arms go around her in the same instant.

“Is it really you, Lainey?” he whispered, ignoring the stares of those around them.

She stepped away, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Oh, Tommy, you look wonderful.”

“And you, Lainey, you’re beautiful, just as Ren said.” She blushed a little, her heartbeat quickening at Tommy’s words—Ren’s words. “And this is your fiancée?” she asked, changing the subject. She wondered just how much Ren had told Tommy and felt her cheeks flame.

Tommy reached proudly for Carrie’s hand. “Yes. Carrie and I will marry in the fall.” He smiled at the small girl lovingly. Her copper-blond hair was swept off her shoulders revealing a slender, graceful neck. Her round green eyes watched Tommy with obvious adoration.

“Elaina was my best friend when we were young,” he explained to Jacob. “She saved my life and Ren’s, too. Dug us out of a coal mine when she was just ten years old.” Jacob Stanhope looked at her oddly, but said nothing. “Tommy, please,” Elaina said, “that was a long time ago. I’m sure Jacob and Carrie aren’t interested in our recollections.”

“Oh, but that’s not true,” Carrie said. “Tommy’s been telling me about you for years. I’m so glad I finally got to meet you.”

“Why don’t we go into the salon for some refreshments?” Jacob instructed, and the group moved away from the door. Elaina was happy for the chance to head the conversation

in another direction, away from any reference to her association with Ren. She already liked Carrie Salzburg. She could see how much the couple loved each other and was happy for them.

A gentlemen’s bar had been set up in the salon, and a black-clad waiter was serving fine French champagne.

“So far so good,” Chase teased with a lazy smile, “but the moment of truth has yet to arrive.”

“Must you always be so infuriating?” Elaina retorted, knowing Chase was not far wrong in his assessment of the situation. Her unruly eyes scanned the room, but so far neither Ren nor Melissa had appeared. Jacob returned to the foyer to continue greeting his guests.

The Stanhope residence was just as impressive inside as out. A huge stained-glass dome rose out of the fifteen-foot ceiling in the salon. The walls were covered in fine rose silk, the massive windows draped with heavy burgundy velvet. Thick Persian carpets covered gleaming hardwood floors parqueted in intricate patterns. The furniture of dark mahogany was upholstered in silks of light and dark rose.

No wonder Ren Daniels had been unwilling to marry her, Elaina mused with a flash of jealousy. Here was wealth and position beyond anything she had ever dreamed. Wealth and position Ren would soon be part of. She set her chin determinedly. She had her own money now and soon would occupy her own position in society.

“Just as soon as you’re settled,” Tommy was saying, “you’ll have to join us for supper.”

“Thank you, Tommy. That would be lovely.” She smiled to herself, imagining just how pleased Ren would be at the news. Of course she would find some reason not to attend, but she’d have loved to see the look on Ren’s face when Tommy announced his plans. It was obvious Tommy knew little of his brother’s relationship with her, and she was grateful for Ren’s discretion.

They talked only a few minutes more, the dinner party having turned into quite an affair. There were at least fifty people in attendance, which gave her some measure of anonymity. Accepting a second glass of champagne from Chase in an attempt to calm her nerves, she turned just in time to find Ren staring at her, his blue eyes wide with surprise. For an instant she thought they warmed with pleasure; then a slow, tight smile curved one comer of his mouth. A tiny, pale, fragile-looking blonde clung to his arm, but she kept her eyes cast downward, unwilling, it seemed, to meet Ren’s piercing look.

“Well, fancy meeting you here,” Chase Cameron drawled, his lazy smile amused. “I believe you know Miss McAllister. ”

Ren nodded stiffly. “May I present my fiancée, Melissa Stanhope. Melissa, this is Chase Cameron, an old friend of your father’s.”

Though he spoke to his fiancée, his gaze remained on Elaina. The tanned skin over his cheekbones looked taut, and Elaina could read cold fury in his eyes.

“And this is Miss McAllister,” he added, “an old friend of mine.”

“I’m very happy to meet you, Miss McAllister,” Melissa said sweetly. “Everyone’s been talking about your fabulous gold mine, but Ren didn’t tell me you were a friend of his. ”

“That’s right, Miss Stanhope,” Chase cut in. “Miss McAllister is a very old friend. It seems she once saved your fiancé’s life. Dug him out of a coal mine.”

“Please, Chase, I’m sure that’s of no interest to Miss Stanhope.” Elaina pinched his arm and felt him flinch, but his grin only broadened.

“Oh, but it is,” Melissa said. “I wish I had the courage to do something like that.” Her blue eyes shone with such sincerity that Elaina wanted to cry. She’d hoped to hate the girl, hoped she would be spoiled and selfish, like Carolina Williams. She hoped Melissa would make Ren’s life miserable. Instead she seemed no more than an innocent child.

“I’m sure you have other attributes, Miss Stanhope,” she choked out, wishing she were somewhere far away. Ren was obviously furious with her, and suddenly she was furious with herself. She’d come here to make Ren squirm. Now, she would have to endure the evening without even that small consolation. Why should he be uncomfortable? His fiancée was sweet and lovely, he had a mistress who obviously welcomed him to her bed, and he was marrying into a fortune. What a fool he must think her. How could she ever have believed he’d be interested in marrying her?

As if he could read her jumbled thoughts, Ren’s hard look softened. “You’re looking well, Miss McAllister. I trust you survived that little ordeal the other night without any further mishaps.” He turned to Melissa. “Miss McAllister is also adept at doctoring. She probably saved Jimmy Lundstrom’s life the other night.”

Melissa’s eyes gleamed with admiration. “You really are amazing, Miss McAllister.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ll be happy to know that Jimmy is doing just fine,” Ren said. “He’ll be out of the hospital in a few days, thanks to you.” Ren’s voice held a slight caress that hadn’t been there before. Feeling a tremor of warmth, she steeled herself and tightened her hold on Chase’s arm.

“You’re exaggerating my small contribution,” she told Ren softly, “but I appreciate the kindness.” His gaze held hers, and she had trouble looking away. How did he always manage to seem so sincere?

“Your fiancée is lovely,” she added, changing the subject and hoping to put him on the defensive. “I’m sure you’ll both be very happy. ”

Melissa Stanhope paled. “Would you excuse me a moment?” she asked shyly. “I need to have a word with Papa.”

“Of course.” Ren released her arm, and she glided away on tiny satin slippers.

“I believe I see someone I know,” Chase added. “You two will excuse me, won’t you?”

“Chase, please,” Elaina pleaded, but he only winked and walked away.

Turning toward Ren, whose face was a mask of control, she swallowed hard. “I—I shouldn’t have come,” she said, feeling her own control slipping badly. “It was a stupid thing to do, but I . . .” She glanced toward the petite blonde standing next to Jacob Stanhope and lifted her chin. “Is Miss Williams here tonight, too? Last week she seemed reluctant to let you out of her sight.”

For the first time Ren’s smile looked sincere. “Do I detect a note of jealousy?”

“You flatter yourself, Mr. Daniels.”

“Elaina, I ended my relationship with Carolina Williams months ago, long before I met you. There was never anything between us—nothing of any value. She was a woman to care for my needs, that’s all. A man does have needs, Elaina.”

She eyed him with suspicion. “She’s no longer your mistress?”

“No.”

“Then you were telling me the truth in Central City.”

“Every word.”

Elaina felt a wave of relief far greater than she would have wished. She smiled tremulously, then glanced at Melissa and felt a jolt of pain. “You must think me a fool.” Ren answered with careful control. “No, Elaina, never a fool.” She looked beautiful tonight. All elegance and grace. Her taller than average height as well as her tawny eyes and ample bosom set her apart from every other woman in the room. He longed to pull her into his arms, whisper words of comfort, words of love.