Marblestone Mansion, Book 3 Read online

  In the light of a small lantern in the back room, Mr. Goodwin counted the coins on a table, while Hannish and Claymore watched.

  “Why have we so many bank robberies in America, and they have only a few in the Kingdom?” Hannish whispered.

  “The Kingdom has not had a gold rush,” Claymore quietly answered. “Those who rob are mostly men who could not lay claim to a vein of gold and turned to stealing it instead.”

  “Why are you whispering,” Mr. Goodwin asked aloud. “This is a strong room and these are the thickest walls in town.”

  Hannish smiled. “I forgot about that.”

  “So did I,” Claymore admitted. He watched Mr. Goodwin put the coins he had just counted in a gunnysack, mark down the amount and then go to the second safe to spin the combination lock.

  Banker Goodwin paused to thoughtfully stare off into space. “Perhaps hiding your money is best after all.” He turned the dial once more, pushed the handle down and then opened the safe door. Next, he pulled out a sack, dumped the contents on the table and sat back down.

  “What do you mean?” Claymore asked.

  “Men have learned to boil dynamite in water and skim nitroglycerin off the top. It makes short order of bank vaults these days.”

  Claymore whistled. “They are more likely to blow themselves up as not.”

  “And the bank with them,” Mr. Goodwin agreed. “That’s why I keep one safe in the outer room, where they can break a window and take it if they’ve a mind to. Let them make off with that one and blow it up somewhere other than in my bank.”

  “Or in our town,” Claymore agreed.

  “Precisely.” Mr. Goodwin began to count the coins and then thought of something else. “If I do get hit, I mean if my bank is robbed, will you bring some of this back? We’ve widows and…”

  “Aye,” said Hannish. “We’ll see no one goes hungry.”

  “That is all I ask, Gentlemen, all any banker can ask.”

  *

  With saddlebags full of paper bank notes as well as gold coins, Claymore and Hannish quietly walked their horses out of town. The half-moon offered little light, particularly where trees lined both sides of the road and both men kept a sharp eye out for thieves. Claymore even drew his pistol just in case. Later, they would both laugh at their nervousness. It was as though they were the thieves in the night.

  Once he got home, Hannish carried his saddlebags up the back stairs, quietly opened the well-concealed door and then took the gold coins all the way to the top of the spiral staircase in the hidden room. He transferred the money to sacks, took his saddlebags back downstairs, went outside and then led his horse to the corral.

  *

  In her hotel room, the duchess was fraught with indecision. Three days had passed since the train robbery and she still couldn’t choose between wanting to see the man with dangerous eyes again, and notifying the sheriff. While she loved money above all else, and a thousand dollars would help her survive in England until she could marry again, the train robber made her feel alive in a way she had never felt before.

  At last, she decided to see him just once more. She could always notify the sheriff later.

  The train robber was not her only problem, but she reasoned it would take Mr. Nelson at least a week to receive the newspaper with her picture in it, travel from San Francisco to Denver and begin his search. By then, she could easily change locations. Perhaps the small town of Castle Rock, situated between Denver and Colorado Springs, would do for her purposes. No one would ever think to look for her there. All she really needed was to be close enough to lure Hannish MacGreagor away from Marblestone.

  Charles Whitfield, husband number five, was still her biggest worry. However, according to the hotel manager, no one had come asking about a woman fitting her description and by the third day, she was convinced Charles was not looking for her. As she recalled, he was not fond of reading so much as a newspaper.

  Even so, for the most part, she kept herself hidden away in her room. Although spending money was her favorite entertainment, when the money was someone else’s that is, she refrained from spending too much of her own and bought only one new item – a hat to match the outfit she intended to wear to dinner.

  CHAPTER 5

  The afternoon session in Judge Mitchel’s court had been unusually intriguing and quite unexpectedly so. What everyone assumed was a simple case, turned out to have more layers than an onion, and ended with a woman confessing to a crime no one guessed she was guilty of – forgery.

  Ownership of the house in which she lived was in dispute, for her brother claimed their deceased father left it to him. His sister swore he left the house to her…until she confessed to forging her father’s signature on the deed the day after he died. She did it, she claimed because her brother was, “taken in by the evil gambling bug.”

  Judge Mitchel could certainly see her point, but the law was the law. He set the sentencing for the next week, let her go on home and dismissed the court. He went back to his chambers, pulled three law books off the shelves and read until Glenn said goodnight. Once his secretary was gone, Judge Mitchel closed the books and folded his arms. There was no need to read the laws; he already knew what he was going to do.

  He thought about getting a haircut and he thought about going home, but the truth was, he didn’t really want to do either. He just had a haircut two days before and at home, Prescot would take off his shoes, put on his slippers and hand him the newspaper. Then dinner would be served, he would read a book, which Prescot would put away when he was finished, and…

  Nicholas sighed. He took off his judge’s robe, put on his jacket, grabbed his hat off the hook and walked out. He was halfway down the grand courthouse staircase when he spotted McKenna starting up. He quickly kissed her on the forehead, just as he always did in the evenings. “Sweetheart, what are you doing here?”

  “I was hopin’ you might take me to dinner.”

  He stared at her in disbelief. “I’ve not forgotten anything, have I? Is this a special occasion?”

  “Nay.” She smiled and then glanced around to make certain they were alone. The lobby of the courthouse was a fairly small room with a private door leading to the Sherriff’s office. It had little in the way of decoration, except for an American flag with 45 stars, a Colorado State flag and three chairs. “The truth be told, Nicholas, I miss you.”

  Nicholas could not believe his ears. “What?”

  “We are seldom alone, we never talk about anything important and…I miss you.” She turned and sat down on the steps. “This is not how I imagined marriage to be.”

  He was so taken aback, he hardly knew what to do. At length, he sat down beside her. “McKenna, I miss you too.”

  She was just as surprised. “You do?”

  “Very much.”

  “What happened to us? I thought we were happy in the beginnin’.”

  “So did I? I was hoping you would let me take you on vacation somewhere, just the two of us.”

  “Could we? I would adore it.” She suddenly giggled. “Will you take me to Cripple Creek? I long to see all the excitement and Hannish refuses to take me.”

  He wrinkled his brow. “Cripple Creek? I hadn’t thought of that.”

  “Or at least Colorado City.”

  At that, he frowned. “McKenna, half of Colorado City is drunk and…”

  “Husband, you do not understand. For my entire married life, which has only been a few months I grant you, I have not been allowed to make any but the least important decisions. I would have liked choosin’ my own house.”

  At that confession, he was completely shocked. “I thought you liked it. You bought the furniture and you decorated it.”

  “What was I to do, live with bare walls and sleep on the floor?” She closed her eyes and leaned her head against his arm. “I don’t even like the decorations. I just chose somethin’, anythin’ that would do. I have been so very miserable and I didn’t have my husband to talk to. I love
Prescot and Millie, but sometimes they smother me.”

  As soon as he put his arm around her, she scooted closer. “I thought I was the only one feeling smothered.”

  “There, you see, we don’t talk the way a man and wife should.”

  “No we don’t. We are afraid they will hear us.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder and sighed. “What are we to do?”

  He lifted her chin with his fingertips, passionately kissed her and then said, “We will do whatever it takes to find our own happiness.”

  Again, she rested her head on his shoulder. “Nicholas, are you displeased with me?”

  “Displeased?”

  “You know what I mean…at night, when we…”

  He closed his eyes. “Is that what you thought? I thought…I convinced myself you did not want me to touch you.”

  At that, she lifted her head and looked him in the eye. “Why would you think that?”

  He drew in a deep breath and slowly let it out. “It seems ridiculous now, but I wasn’t sure you love me the way I love you.”

  “Oh, Nicholas, I do love you. I have loved you since the day I saw you with Chester. ‘Twas when I finally understood what a good and kind lad you truly are. It’s just that…”

  “What?” He smiled and pulled her close again.

  “Can we buy a new bed? You have slept on your side for years and it is soft and comfortable, but my side is…well, ‘tis lumpy. I wake in pain.”

  “So that’s what it is. Of course we can, and you must always tell me these things. My wife and child are to have the very best. Promise you will tell me in the future.”

  “I promise.” She felt so safe and warm in his arms, she never wanted to move. “What are we to do about the house?”

  “Well, we can’t hang your brother and we cannot give it back, but we can make it our home. Suppose we start over. We have the money from the old house and we can sell what we don’t want.”

  “Money is not the problem.”

  “It is for me.”

  She leaned back and looked into his eyes again. “Hannish gave that money to us, to spend however we want.”

  “Did he? My love, only your name was on the envelope.”

  “But he meant it for both of us…I am certain he did.”

  “Perhaps…he cannot spell my name.”

  She closed her eyes and went back into his arms. “How thoughtless I have been.”

  “As have I. I say we put his money away for our children and live on my salary. I make enough to keep us comfortable and I feel obliged to support my own wife and family.”

  “‘Tis a splendid idea, Mr. Mitchel.” She quickly kissed his lips and let him help her stand up. “Feed me. Your wife and son, or daughter, are starved.”

  “With pleasure, my love.”

  It was a grand moment, but he was so happy, he forgot to notice – Nicholas opened the door for his wife.

  *

  The hour was late enough for him to have arrived and when the duchess began her descent down the hotel’s grand staircase, she wore a white blouse and a green skirt, with a jacket to match her skirt. The green velvet hat was neither flamboyant, nor overly conservative, with a white silk ribbon tied in a large bow on one side.

  The duchess paused halfway down the stairs and looked around. Only three men were seated in the lobby and she recognized none of them. She took two more steps down and had a horrible thought. Suppose the man with dangerous eyes decided not to come?

  Seated near the door in case he needed to escape, Jedediah Tanner pretended not to be aware of the beautiful woman descending the stairs. Instead, he waited to see what the other two men were up to. When two women entered the front door and the two men rose to greet them, Jedediah took a relieved breath. He finally looked at the duchess, stood up and smiled as he made his approach.

  She was surprised to see how remarkable the rest of his face was without a kerchief covering the lower part. He was clean shaven, wore a fine black suit, well shined boots and a tall round hat. Had she not known better, she might have mistaken him for a well-bred gentleman.

  Jedediah reached out and was pleased when she put her hand in his. As soon as she stepped down to the lobby floor, he wrapped her hand around his arm. “Hungry?”

  “Exceedingly.”

  “So am I.”

  Instead of eating in the Deadwood Hotel’s dining room, he walked her down the street to the impressive ten-story Brown Palace Hotel. He was careful to protect her by walking on the side nearest the street, lest a run-away horse threatened to trample her. He heard somewhere that women liked that practice, and the beauty on his arm seemed to take notice.

  He paused until the uniformed doorman let them in, and then watched her reaction to the atrium. The spacious open-air room was eight stories tall with a stained-glass skylight in the ceiling. Fine art hung on the walls, a talented pianist filled the room with classical music and several of the guests had gathered to listen.

  Any other time, the duchess would have welcomed the admiring gazes she was getting from the other men in the room. However, she had her hand wrapped around the arm of the man with dangerous eyes and when he covered her hand with his, there was something so deliriously thrilling in his touch, she could see no other man.

  She tried to concentrate on what the women were wearing. These were obviously the upper class of Denver, among whom she clearly belonged if she were staying. Had she known where he was taking her, she might have chosen to wear something a little more expensive looking. Oh well, she wasn’t staying, so it didn’t really matter.

  At length, Jedediah guided her into a regal looking dining room that had enough gold and silver utensils, knobs, candleholders and picture frames to be more than extraordinary. He was immediately recognized, and led to a relatively secluded table by the host. Jedediah remained standing while the duchess was seated, and then took the chair opposite her.

  “Good evening, Mr. Tanner,” said the waiter who seemed to instantly appear. “Your favorite roast beef is on the menu tonight. What shall I bring for the lady?”

  “She will have the same,” Jedediah said without asking her.

  Unaccustomed to his boldness, the duchess waited for the waiter to walk away and watched Jedediah’s glorious eyes. “What would you have done if I objected to roast beef?”

  He slowly smiled. “I carry a loaded pistol for just such occasions.”

  She liked him and her smile soon matched his. “I am Caroline Griffith.”

  “I know. You have been reading as many newspapers as you can get your hands on, and you bought that hat yesterday at Matilda’s hat shop just down the street. You really should get out more. There are many fascinating things to see in Denver.”

  She wasn’t sure she liked the idea that he’d been watching her, but at least he was honest about it. “You leave me at a disadvantage, Mr. Tanner, for I know little about you.”

  “You know far more than anyone else.”

  “And if I tell, you carry a loaded pistol for just such occasions?”

  He looked into her eyes for a long moment. “I won’t have to use it. You are not here because you cannot resist my charms; you are here because you are curious.”

  Just in time, the waiter brought a glass of scotch for him and sweet wine for her, which gave her a moment to think. “You should not so quickly discount your charms,” she managed to say finally. Her remark garnered a second smile from him, but she was a bit troubled. While she found his manners impeccable, she had not expected intelligence as well. This one would not easily be fooled. She sipped her wine and made certain the waiter was well away before she asked, “Who does the waiter think you are?”

  “He knows me as Jedediah Tanner, hardworking gold miner. I’ve decided to give up that life, however, and find a new occupation.”

  “What sort of occupation?”

  “I have not yet decided. What do you do?”

  “I travel mostly. I have seen the ocean on both side
s of this country and now I am deciding where to go next. Have you a suggestion?”

  “That is why you read newspapers?”

  “Can you think of a better way to decide?”

  “Not off hand. Are you from England?”

  She found it interesting that Jedediah watched her every move, as though he was uncertain of his table manners. When she removed her napkin, unfolded it and placed it in her lap, he did the same. Apparently, he was not as polished as he pretended. “Originally, though I have not seen it for a very long time. And you?”

  “Kansas. I am an American, tried and true.”

  “Have you seen much of Colorado Springs?”

  He winked. “They have a very fine bank there.”

  Twice, while the evening was still young, he nearly made her laugh out loud. She rather liked sharing his secret and very much liked the way he so offhandedly joked about it.

  “Tell me about your husband,” he asked.

  She noticed the waiter coming back and remained quiet while he served them. She couldn’t remember a time when she had been served so quickly in a restaurant, and the roast beef did indeed smell divine. “It was a boring marriage. I adored him, as any wife should, but he worked far too much. It killed him finally.”

  “What kind of work?” he asked, cutting his meat and then savoring the first bite.

  “Shipping. I never really understood all of it, but it had something to do with getting cargo from one place to another by ship. Mostly, he sailed to Seattle and then on to Alaska. They are having a gold rush, you know.”

  “So I have heard. Where did you live?”

  “San Francisco. Have you ever been there?”

  “No. Your husband must have been quite wealthy.”

  “Perhaps, but two ships went down and nearly wiped him out. It happens, I suppose.”