9 Ways to Fall in Love

by Caroline Clemmons

  If Toulson ever touched her again, he was a dead man.

  * * *

  The next morning, Charity knocked on Helen’s door, but there was no answer. She didn’t want to knock louder and wake up the other hotel patrons, so she knocked on Gil’s door.

  Gil answered within a minute, his hair still tousled from sleeping, and stubble on his chin. “Good morning, my sweet Charity.” He finished tying his robe belt.

  Charity almost forgot what she was going to say—she’d never been any one’s sweet Charity. Oh yes, Helen. That’s why she needed to talk to him.

  “Helen doesn’t appear to be in her room. Have you seen her?”

  “Why don’t you come in?” He stood back and opened the door wider. Charity entered his room and he shut the door. “I figure either she’s still asleep or she’s having a rendezvous with Patrick. Would you like a cup of coffee?”

  “Yes, I would, and you’re probably right about Helen.” She accepted the coffee and waved off the sugar. “I thought she might’ve slept in, but I’m sure she’s too excited for that since she’s been so anxious to meet with her fiancé.”

  Gil sat next to her and patted her arm. “I’m afraid that I didn’t believe her story about Patrick, but he doesn’t look like a love-’em and leave-’em sort of fellow to me. What do you think?”

  What did she think? Gil actually wanted to know what she thought? “I’d really didn’t believe her either. I didn’t believe her until yesterday afternoon when I took her shopping.”

  She sipped her coffee, remembering Helen’s assessment of music and love. “Gil, do you like music?”

  “I’m an aficionado of the classics, but I have to say I love a good waltz. I’d especially love a good waltz if you’re the one I was dancing with.”

  Charity thought a moment. “Do you think we could have music now?”

  “I guess I could hum a tune.” He held her free hand. “But every time I look at you I hear the sweet strains of Brahms.”

  She laughed. “Not Beethoven?”

  There was a knock on the door. “Room service. You have a message.”

  Gil opened the door and took the note. He opened it nonchalantly, but when he read it, frowned and stared at the paper

  “What is it, Gil?”

  “Do you know Dayton Wardell?”

  “Yes, Burke’s had some dealings with him. Not pleasant ones, either.”

  “He also wants to buy out the silent partner who owns half of Lexie’s and Helen’s mine.” He handed the note to Charity.

  It was from Dayton Wardell—he was holding Helen hostage for the sum of fifty thousand dollars. “We better tell Patrick right away.”

  “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll dress. The buggy is still rented, we just have to pick it up from the livery.”

  Charity returned to her room. Gil was a gentleman in every way, but while his words were calm, his eyes that normally sparkled with good humor had a glint of steel. Even though she had never seen him in any sort of physical action, she felt confident that he’d help her get Helen back.

  Within the hour, Gil had dressed, and fetched the buggy, and they were on their way out of town.

  Charity wanted to know more about Dayton Wardell. “Do you think Helen’s life is in danger?”

  “He’s been trying to get that mine for over three years now. I didn’t think he was violent, but money can change a man.”

  “So you’ve known him a long time?”

  “Long enough. We had a little poker game in Denver and he wanted to know about the Silverton mine. Next thing you know, he was at the mine wanting to know who the silent partner was.”

  “And who is the silent partner?”

  “Me. I’m Gillespie Campbell, Lexie’s and Helen’s uncle.” He turned into the Gold Hill Hotel driveway. “I suppose you’re mad at me for not being honest with you.”

  Charity was too astounded to be angry, but he was a rich man, not a rambling gambling man like he’d led her to believe. The latter, she might have a chance with. The rich man, she’d be filling the holes in her soul with a lot of music and remembering what could’ve been.

  She veiled her expression and used her poker voice. “No, it makes no difference to me. We’ve had a pleasant time and I’ve enjoyed knowing you.”

  “That’s good, because I intend to marry you.”

  That put a whole new flavor on things. Charity was so shocked she had no idea what to do or think.

  “You don’t have to decide right now. We haven’t known each other very long, and I’m sure you have a lot of questions.”

  “I love music.” It was a silly thing to say but the only thing she could think of.

  “We’re here—time to tell Patrick the news.” He parked the buggy and escorted her into the hotel.

  Patrick was already up and about. Gil handed him the note. His face turned red and he glowered at the note. Charity thought it might burst into flames.

  “That son-of-a-bitch Wardell.” Patrick crumpled the paper and threw it across the room. “Burke took care of that low-life bastard once and now he’s at it again.”

  Gil looked puzzled so Charity explained, “Wardell had a habit of skinning the wrong people. The Pinkertons asked Burke to cook up a scheme to skin the skinner, which he did, and Wardell spent three years in prison. Helen tells me that he’s their housekeeper’s beau, so they’ve seen him around, although Helen says she doesn’t know him well. You can be assured that he holds a grudge against Burke, though.”

  “We need a plan,” Patrick said, looking a little less belligerent. “Breakfast is ordered so let’s go into the dining room, and discuss our options—the first one being me blowing his brains out.”

  “Good idea,” said Gil. “At least, the breakfast part. It might be a goodly amount of time before we get a chance to eat again. It’s always best to go to war on a full stomach.”

  * * *

  “This is it.” Lexie hated to see their trip end, even if finding Patrick had been, and still was, her top priority. No private car had been available for the last leg of the trip into Virginia City and she already missed Burke’s lovemaking. The harsh truth was, they’d probably never make love again, and as soon as she contacted his brother, she’d likely never see him again.

  As they disembarked from the train, a sense of gloom settled in her heart. “I almost hope we don’t find Patrick here.” She hadn’t realized she’d said it aloud until Burke nodded.

  “You’ll be leaving, then?”

  “I have to be in Pennsylvania before August first, and I need to prepare for my new job—clothes, books, lesson plans, and that sort of thing. It’ll take me a week at my parents’ home in DC to get ready.”

  “You could stay. We didn’t stop at the college back in Colorado Springs—you might get a professorship there.”

  Might, but every time she went out of her house, she’d be looking for Burke. No, it was best just to cut her losses and leave.

  He paid the porter, who recommended they stay at the Silver Queen. “Have the trunks delivered there, and we’ll be along shortly.”

  She missed the old Burke, the one who tipped exorbitantly and hired street urchins to steal her money. This Burke looked and acted like a somber businessman—still handsome as sin, but not at all outrageous.

  “Think they play vingt-et-un here?” she asked as they entered the hotel. It was an elegant place, the perfect location for a gaming room full of men with money to burn.

  “Likely do.” He didn’t even glance at the saloon, but proceeded directly to the hotel registration desk. “Adjoining rooms, please.”

  “You’re in luck—room twenty-five is available. Third floor.”

  “We’ll take it.” He signed his name, and since it was a two-room suite, didn’t bother with the marriage story.

  It saddened her that he wasn’t even interested in poker. He hadn’t looked around for any big fish to skin or children to entertain, and he didn’t harass her about her ledger book. They pas
sed right by a pathetic-looking street whore and he hadn’t even given her money for a year’s worth of boarding school.

  He escorted her to their rooms. “You might as well rest and freshen up. I’ll ask around about Patrick, then if you’re up to it we’ll have dinner downstairs in the dining room. If not, I’ll have a meal send up for you.”

  “I’m not tired. I’d like to go with you.”

  “It would be better if I went myself. I’ll be back in an hour.”

  He left the room and took her heart with him. Somehow, she had to win him back. But for what? She planned to leave him once things were settled between Patrick and Helen, but her mind was muddled. She’d always been so logical but now, as the saying went, she wanted her cake and wanted to eat it, too.

  Maybe she needed to make a balance sheet of their time together, listing all of the fun times and good times on one side and all the reasons why they shouldn’t be together on the other side. She dug out the ledger book and a pencil from her handbag, and flipped to the blank pages in the back. She made a list:

  Burke’s good traits

  Trustworthy

  Generous

  Handsome

  Compassionate

  Loyal

  Altruistic

  He had more good traits but that would do for now. She made a column on the other side of the page:

  Burke’s character flaws:

  No regard for money

  She tapped her pencil on the ledger book thinking... And thinking. She realized she had forgotten something in the good traits column and wrote, “entertaining.” Maybe she’d think of something else to put in the character flaws column later.

  Stashing the ledger book back in her handbag, she retrieved her brush. Burke was right, she should freshen up. In fact, she’d call up the maid and see if she could help her with a fancy hairdo.

  By the time Burke returned, her hair was twisted up in an elegant French knot, her new corset was laced as tight as the maid could get it, and she had put on her best green dress, the one she’d purchased in Manitou Springs, and for effect she wore the beautiful emerald necklace Burke had given her.

  He hadn’t come to her room to tell her he was back, but instead went straight to his room. After he’d rattled around in there a while, she decided he wasn’t going to come see her until dinner time. Lexie had other plans.

  She entered without knocking, and with boldness she’d never known before, walked right up to him, wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him right on the mouth. “Did you miss me?”

  Of all the things she could have said, that was probably the stupidest. He didn’t seem to mind, though, and kissed her back as passionately as if he had never been so standoffish. But then he pushed her away.

  “It’s time for dinner.” He held out his arm. “Let’s go down to the dining room.”

  His demeanor was cool but his kiss was hot. Lexie didn’t know what to think, but she knew she wanted to make the most of every minute she had left with him.

  She placed her hand on his forearm like a proper lady. “I’d love to.”

  They entered the dining room, and while Burke was speaking with the maître d’, her gaze wandered around the room. She gasped when she saw, four tables in, Miss Templeton, Mr. Smith, and... and Patrick.

  Lexie tapped vigorously on Burke’s arm. “Look who’s here!” She hurried to their table, dodging waiters on the way.

  “Patrick!” He and Burke did bear a strong resemblance to each other. She’d mistaken Burke for Patrick as had many others. Standing side-by-side, she could easily see the differences, but from afar, they looked very similar.

  He and Mr. Smith stood, neither smiling, both of their faces wrought with worry. No one said a word, so Lexie said, “I’m glad to see you. You’re marrying my sister, of course.”

  Mr. Smith bowed slightly, Miss Templeton nodded her greeting, and Patrick said, “I have some bad news. Helen’s missing.”

  “Helen? She’s not missing—she’s at home in Silverton.”

  Charity cleared her throat and pressed her forefinger to her temple as if she had a headache. “No, she’s been with me for days now, but she was missing this morning when I went to her room to bring her to breakfast. Not long after that, Gil received a message from Dayton Wardell. He’s holding her hostage and demanding a considerable ransom.”

  Lexie was stunned. Angry. Worried. All at the same time. But before she could collect her wits to say a word, the maître d’ and Burke came over. Burke shook hands with Mr. Smith and his brother, patting Patrick on the shoulder.

  The maître d’ said to Mr. Smith, “Would you like a table for five?”

  “Yes we would, please.” He stood and held Charity’s chair while she stood. Once they were settled at a larger table, Burke ordered for Lexie and himself, then glared at Charity.

  “You mean to tell me that Helen was with you all along?”

  “I’m afraid so.” She bit her lip and looked down. “And there’s something else, something Gil and Patrick don’t know.”

  They all waited for her to tell the rest.

  “You have to get Patrick to your mother’s house by August first, or your inheritance goes to charity. Well, I’m the Charity. My plan was to find Patrick before you did and send him and Helen to Mexico to get married.”

  Burke grinned for the first time all day. “Ah, so when I asked you if you had a big fish on the line, it was me?”

  She smiled back. “Yep, it was you.”

  Lexie was really puzzled then. Charity tried to skin Burke and he thought it was funny? Most people would’ve been furious.

  Mr. Smith cleared his throat. “While we’re all baring our souls, I’ll confess to a minor deception myself.” He made eye contact with Lexie. “I’m your uncle, Gillespie Campbell.”

  “I knew it! Those eyes—they’re just like Papa’s, although you don’t look much like him in any other way.” But why was he here? And why was he so tender with Miss Templeton?

  “He’s fifteen years older than I, and he’s never been much of a traveler. I left home at the first opportunity—about the time you were born—and have been on the road since. I made a lot of money gambling, and invested it along the way.”

  “In stocks?”

  “Yes, and in mines. I was the owner of your mine until I signed half over to you girls.”

  “So you’re the silent partner who owns the other half?”

  “Nope. Sold it to a bright young man who has big plans.”

  Patrick tapped his fingers on the table. “I don’t know about the ‘bright young man’ part, but that’s me. I’m your silent partner.”

  “You think that has anything to do with Helen’s abduction? Mr. Wardell wanted our mine, and I think he even had title to some shares for a while.”

  “Gil sold a quarter to me and a quarter to Wardell, and I won his quarter in a poker game. So yes, I think the mine has everything to do with Wardell’s misdeeds.”

  “A blatant error on my part,” Gil interjected. “That’s why I sent Patrick after him. I’ve known Patrick for probably five years and I knew he could beat Wardell in any square game, and out-smart him in any crooked game. And sure enough, within a week, Patrick owned Wardell’s share.”

  Burke clapped his brother on the shoulder. “Good man.” Then he said, “So what are you all doing sitting here?”

  His brother grimaced. “We’re to wait here for the next message, telling us what to do.”

  “I’m not much of a waiting man,” Burke growled. “Tell you what. You four stay here like you’re supposed to so you don’t rouse Wardell’s suspicion, and I’ll take a walk around town.”

  “That would be ‘you three’ because I’m going, too,” Lexie said.

  “No, you’re not.”

  “I am.”

  Charity laughed. “Burke, I think you’ve been skinned after all.”

  * * *

  Burke wolfed his food down, but he noted that Lexie hardly ate a thing. Wheth
er her appetite suffered because she worried about her missing sister, or her corset was laced too tightly, he didn’t know, but suspected both.

  “If you’re going with me, you should change to a walking dress.” He called the waiter over to box up her food. “You can eat in your room.”

  After he and Gil traded room information, he took Lexie upstairs. Their rooms were on the third floor—Gil, Charity, and the missing Helen had rooms on the second floor.

  Against his better judgment, Burke followed Lexie into her room to help her change clothes. “You’re beautiful in that dress, but it’s not practical for tracking scoundrels. I figured since your corset was so tight, you would need me to help you out of it.”

  He also reckoned she’d throw his butt out.

  “Thanks.” She turned her back to him. “You can start with my necklace.” And after he undid the clasp she said, “And stop with my drawers.”

  It didn’t take much of a suggestion from her to heat his blood, especially since his body was already on alert because of the danger Wardell posed. “Darlin’, if we get down to your drawers, we’re not gonna be looking for your sister anytime soon.”

  “Afterward, then.”

  He began unfastening the many tiny dress buttons, each one driving him a little more crazy with desire for her. Why he tortured himself, he didn’t know. He’d always lived in the day, enjoying whatever that day brought. It was a good way to live, and he wished he could ignore Lexie’s impending departure. It seemed more like abandonment, and it colored the little time they had left together.

  “It’s a promise.” He pulled off her dress and went to work on the corset laces. “Do we have to take the whole thing off or should I just loosen it?”

  “Just loosen—quite a bit.” She held the bedpost to steady herself while he worked. “I’ll wear my old dress and shoes.”

  “And your derringer.” Burke didn’t care what she wore, he still wanted to taste her all over. But first, there was the matter of Helen and Wardell. He finished with Lexie’s laces, then helped her dress and even buttoned her shoes. There was a first time for everything.