He held her eyes. “I don’t think your mother would care to have you going to dinner with me.”
“I do what I want.”
“I’ll bet you do.”
“Then will you come?”
“You sure?”
“I happen to find older men very attractive. And it’s time someone in this family made up for what Mother did to you years ago. That railroad thing wasn’t anything you could control, I’m sure. It wasn’t your fault, and now we’re linked to the UP anyway, so where is the harm? You can pick me up at our house at seven.”
He laughed. “You actually want me to come to the Kirkland mansion to pick up their young daughter for dinner?”
“Of course. Mother will die.”
The thought of Bea Kirkland’s fury brought a feeling of wonderful vengeance to Red’s soul. If this young woman was the innocent she should be, he would not consider wooing one of Kirk’s daughters; but he could already see this one had already been soiled. Courting Bea Kirkland’s daughter would be more fun and bring him more satisfaction than he had achieved when he finally put Kirkland Lumber out of business.
“All right,” he told her. “I’ll be there. I just hope I’m not met at the door with a shotgun.”
Elly laughed coyly, glancing at Chad, aware he was watching her. She loved making someone as handsome as Chad just a little bit jealous. He deserved to hurt a little, just as she hurt at the thought of Chad’s taking to Irene’s bed again. Besides, she was perfectly aware that Chad Jacobs had other women on his coattails. What was good for the goose was good for the gander. She wanted all of them to hurt—Chad, Irene, John, her mother, all of them. She held Red McKinley’s eyes. What a fine fit her mother would be in if she married him. Perhaps she could win her way to the altar with this man. He was wealthy on his own, and, after all, her mother had been after her to “settle down.”
“I look forward to tomorrow then,” she told Red. “It will be fun, I promise you.”
His eyes fell to her bosom. “I look forward to it myself.”
They danced past Irene, and Elly gave her a scathing, haughty look. Irene watched in surprise, wondering what her sister was up to. Elly hardly gave her the time of day anymore, never seemed to have time to visit either Irene or little David. She was gaining a questionable reputation, and no one in the family seemed able to control her.
Irene turned away. She had long ago given up trying to have a normal relationship with Elly, and had given up trying to understand anything she did. She excused herself from Chad and Gould and continued her search for Ramon, who was now considered an important part of Denver’s “upper crust.” There was a time when it would have been unheard of to have a man of Mexican blood at such a function, but Ramon had more than proven his intelligence and his right to be included in major decisions that affected Denver.
Still, unlike others who reached the privileged plateau of the wealthy, Ramon had remained the same kind, sincere, caring person he had always been. Irene saw him only occasionally, running into him at meetings, seldom having a chance to talk at length. Always the old feelings were there, hidden deep in their hearts. They no longer discussed their past. Irene was aware Anna had still not given him children, and she felt sorry for the woman, sure it must break her heart that she had not conceived.
She finally spotted him through the crowd. He wore a dark, silk suit and white ruffled shirt with a black string tie. As always, he looked stunningly handsome, his skin glowing bronze against the white shirt, his black, slightly wavy hair cut neatly around the collar. Women stared at him and made a point to talk to him, even though he was Mexican, but Irene knew that Ramon would never take advantage of his looks and money the way Chad did. She forced back the madly destructive thoughts that always came when she looked at him.
He saw her then, and as always, their eyes held in that special, secret feeling they shared. He gave her a warm, welcoming smile as she came closer and asked where Anna was.
“Some women whisked her away from me to talk about some church functions,” he told her, his dark eyes moving over her. “You are looking beautiful, as always.”
“Thank you,” she answered, blushing a little. “And you are looking very handsome.” This time it was Ramon who smiled bashfully. “I came to ask you a favor,” she told him.
“Anything for you. You know that.”
“Good. I’m starting a drive to raise money and collect food and clothes for the underprivileged. We’ve had so many coloreds come to Denver, and the railroad and mining has attracted a lot of Italians and Chinese. They’re being horribly discriminated against, Ramon, cut off from the rest of society, and the district around Hop Alley and along Wazee Street is in terrible shape. I want to get people interested in cleaning it up and helping those people. We need schools that can teach colored children and help the foreigners learn our language and customs. I thought maybe you would have some ideas to help me on the project. You certainly understand discrimination.”
He frowned. “Very well, but I am surprised your mother lets you get involved with the so-called underclass.”
“She hates it,” Irene answered with a smile.
He broke into a wider grin. “Ah, then I will definitely help you.”
Irene laughed. “I thought that would win you over. Actually, I think the only reason Mother and Chad both let me go my own way is because they know better than to argue with me about it. Besides, it keeps me from sticking my nose into K-E too deeply and finding out the crooked deals they’re up to.”
“That I do not doubt.” He scanned the crowd beyond her, noticing Chad was watching them. He sobered, holding Chad’s eyes for a moment. His hatred for the man had not changed, and he knew without asking that Irene was still not totally happy. Men like Chad Jacobs never really changed. They only pretended. “Maybe your husband would not like the idea of us working together again. We have not really joined forces since the university was built.”
“My husband has no say in it. He knows when it comes to things like this, I make my own decisions.”
He met her eyes again, feeling the pain in his gut at the thought of Chad Jacobs making love to her. But he had no room for jealousy. He had Anna, and he was happy.
“Well, then, I will help however I can.”
“I know you’re a busy man, Ramon. I just thought maybe you could put a little pressure on your workers and your business associates to donate whatever they can. I’m going to gather some K-E people together for the same thing, as well as speak at the various churches in hopes of raising public interest—and money.”
“And I will talk to my priest about it. The Catholic church has always been very generous to the poor. In fact, they have already been doing a few things to help the Hop Alley area.”
“I know, and I’m grateful. I could talk all night about my feelings about this. I’ve hated prejudice ever since my mother started talking against Indians and Mex—” She caught herself, reddening slightly.
Ramon smiled bitterly. “You can say it. I am well aware of your mother’s attitude toward my people. I am also aware that I would not be at this party if I were not already a rich man. I am Denver’s token example of how even a Mexican man can be successful in this city if he is willing to work hard.”
Her eyes misted. “Well, you are a fine example, for any race. I’m so proud of what you’ve done, Ramon.”
“Well, I had some excellent incentives, all given me by your mother.”
Irene smiled. “I wonder if she realizes how much she has helped you.”
Ramon laughed, and Chad watched, his old fears returning. He was already frustrated by having to sneak around to grab his extra thrills as he could, while Elly had the time of her life sleeping with every willing man in Denver. Irene had become more satisfying in bed, but she was his wife, and she did not understand his baser wicked needs. He continued to crave the satisfaction he attained from conquering and pleasing other women, while at the same time he could not bear the tho
ught of Irene even looking at another man.
Was she having whoring thoughts this moment for Ramon? He told himself he must always stay in control. Their relationship had become bearable, almost happy. He was even beginning to believe little David just might be his own son. He didn’t dare let his imagination about Irene with another man get the better of him, or he would ruin everything he had gained.
The orchestra played another waltz, and Chad excused himself from his conversation and headed straight for Irene. A dance was a good excuse to get her away from Ramon. He came closer, holding Ramon’s eyes, and Ramon turned to face him while Irene watched with a rushing heart.
“Well, Ramon, I’ve seen you here and there quite a bit since last we, uh, talked,” Chad said. “A man of your importance has trouble keeping a low profile. Even so, I haven’t had the chance to actually speak to you.” He sipped on his wine, the only form of alcohol he allowed himself to drink. “Perhaps after these five or six years since then we can shake hands again.” He put on a smile, but his eyes held a warning. “I owe you much more than a handshake, but I’m willing to show you I’m not a man to hold grudges.” He put out his hand. “In fact, you were probably right in your opinion that day, but things have changed considerably.” He looked at Irene. “Haven’t they, Irene?”
Irene held his eyes. “Yes,” she answered. “You two may end up working together again sometime. I would like to see you back on good terms.”
Ramon grasped Chad’s hand, each man squeezing hard, testing each other out.
“I suppose I do owe you something for your support when I was getting started.” Ramon told him. “I am willing to put the past behind us. I am glad to know things are better between you two now.”
“I suppose you are,” Chad answered. The clasp lasted longer than normal, and for a moment Irene thought one of them was going to lose control. Chad finally let go, moving an arm around Irene. “I trust that this time around you aren’t going to oppose statehood for Colorado, are you?” he asked Ramon.
Ramon held his eyes boldly. “No. After all, I have no more land to fight for, do I? Most of the Mexicans have been chased out of southern Colorado, by land-hungry cattle barons, one whose name I will not mention.”
Chad grinned slightly. “Times change, Ramon. Times change. It’s called progress. Most of the Indians understand it now, except for a few renegade Sioux in the north.” He touched Ramon’s arm. “But you’re a wealthy businessman now. You understand those things.” He held Irene a little closer. “Now, what does my wife have up her sleeve this time? Seems like whenever she talks for very long with you, you both end up on some project together.”
Ramon glanced at Irene, who answered for him. “I want Ramon to help me create interest in more donations to help the Hop Alley district. I’ll be talking to all the important businessmen about it, not just Ramon.”
“Well, now, I know how involved you get in those projects, Irene,” Chad answered, putting on a broad smile. “But I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to start it right now, since I’m thinking of taking you to Europe this summer.”
Irene looked at him in surprise. “This summer?”
He gave her a wink. “Yes. I’ve been promising you that trip since the day we got married. We got cheated out of it because of that damn flood, and we’ve been trying to go ever since.” He set his wineglass on an empty tray and kept a firm arm around her, deliberately urging her out to the dance floor and away from Ramon, who stood watching with renewed hatred. He was well aware Chad was deliberately flaunting his marital rights in front of him. He tore his eyes from Irene and turned to Anna then, who was coming toward him from across the dance floor.
“Ramon, what is it?” she asked. “You look upset.”
He looked down at his beautiful wife, who had wept many tears over the fact that she had still not given him a child. He loved her dearly. Instantly the animosity and anger left his eyes. “Nothing,” he told her. “Dance with me, will you?” He urged her out to join the others, making sure to keep his eyes from Irene.
“What’s that about going to Europe this summer?” Irene was asking Chad. “I have a lot of plans, Chad.”
“Then change them. We owe ourselves this trip, Irene. I don’t usually interfere with your activities, but I really wish this time you would hold off on any plans. We agreed a long time ago the trip would do us good, remember?” He had to get her away again, away from Ramon!
“What about all the work ahead of us in getting statehood for Colorado?”
“That’s just the point. How long are we going to let things like that stop us? There comes a time when you just have to do it, Irene. Wouldn’t you like to see London, the old castles of France and Spain? Wouldn’t you like to see Paris? Rome? Athens?”
It sounded wonderful, but how could she make a man like Chad understand she would rather go to the mountains than to Europe? He was trying to surprise her, wasn’t he? And this marriage needed all the repair work they could give it. She didn’t want to abandon her project, but she could always resume her responsibilities when she returned. They had talked about Europe for so many years. “Can we see the mountains of Switzerland?”
“Whatever you want.”
“And can we take David with us? We could take his nanny along to watch him while we go sight-seeing. I don’t want to leave him for that long, Chad. I’d get so lonely for him that I wouldn’t enjoy myself.”
“Then he’ll come with us. Besides, I would miss him, too.” He whisked her around the dance floor, feeling smug about charming her into the trip and away from Ramon.
Irene glanced at Ramon as he and Anna passed them on the dance floor. She could go to his office and talk to him tomorrow. Maybe he could get a few things started without her. She had to keep her priorities, and her first priority was to continue to work at a happy marriage. She would go to Europe.
“Looks like your little sister is up to no good,” Chad told her then, watching Elly with Red McKinley.
Irene glanced at them. “You never know what Elly is up to.”
Chad smiled. “How true.” He would ask her himself when he met her later that night.
Chapter Thirty-five
July 1874
Bea looked across the breakfast table at Elly, who still sat in her robe, her hair a tumble. “You know we always dress before eating,” she chided, signaling Esther to pour her more coffee. “You should be dressed and ready to go to the office.”
Elly shrugged. “I don’t feel like it today.”
“Because you got home so late last night?”
Elly met her mother’s eyes squarely. “I’m almost twenty-five years old, Mother! What I do is my business.”
Bea drew in her breath, totally exasperated with her youngest daughter. “Dating Red McKinley is all our business!” She set down her fork. “I want to know once and for all what you’re up to, Elly. Why do you insist on continuing to see that man?”
Elly held her chin proudly. “I can see whoever I want. Red is a very nice man, and I happen to love him, and he loves me.”
“You’re causing gossip all over Denver! If this continues, I’ll be forced to keep you out of K-E. I don’t like your associating with someone who would destroy this company if he could! You’ll lose the job and prestige you have here, as well as the generous amount of money I pay you!”
Elly rolled her eyes. “Mother, Red McKinley is a wealthy man in his own right. Why do you think everyone lives and breathes for K-E? Go ahead and kick me out. There is still the inheritance. Father would never leave any of us out of that. In the meantime, Red couldn’t care less about this company. You don’t have to fret that he can do you any damage. You know better. K-E is much too powerful.” She sipped some orange juice. “Red simply enjoys my company. I make him happy. He isn’t after anything, and if I marry him, I’ll lead just as comfortable a life as I do as a Kirkland.”
“Marry him! You’ve actually talked of marrying?”
Elly leaned back i
n her chair. “Yes,” she answered coldly. “You’re the one who has been after me to settle down, don’t forget.”
“With someone like Tommy Slade, or perhaps someone in politics—”
“Oh, Mother, you can’t pick our mates like you choose which stock to invest in. We’re dealing with people here, not figures. I swear, you don’t know the difference. At any rate, I have a feeling Red is going to pop the question any time. Just think of the juicy news it would make for the gossip columns.” She smiled smugly at the look on her mother’s face. “It might even show what generous people you and Father are—allowing their daughter to marry their arch-enemy. It would be a sign of peacemaking.”
“At heart Red McKinley is still nothing but a crude drifter who just happened to get lucky. He never did one damn thing to earn what he has! Your father and I struggled to build K-E, while Red just came here to borrow off your father and try to make it the easy way! He hates us, Elly. You know that! Why are you doing this?”
“I told you. I love him. Besides, we’d better get married,” she said flippantly. “I’ve already been to bed with him. He’s amazingly agile and virile for his age. Tell me, Mother, is Father still that romantic and energetic?”
Elly watched her mother’s face grow beet red, watched the anger come into those dark eyes. She enjoyed it immensely. She knew good and well her mother had probably not been with a man in years, and she wondered if the woman had ever enjoyed sex.
“Do you really hate us that much, Elly,” Bea asked, “that you would shame us so?”
Esther quickly and quietly left the room. She had never liked Elly. She hoped the girl did marry and leave the Kirkland mansion.
Elly’s eyes narrowed as they bore into her mother’s. “Yes,” she answered with deliberate emphasis. “All my life you have scolded me, insulted me, compared me to Irene. Father is even worse. Irene has always been his pet. He hardly knows I exist. All my life I’ve come in second, Mother. I’ve struggled for your attention and tried to please you, and now I don’t care any more.”
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