by Becky Lower
Elise quickened her pace as she crossed the deck floor. “I’m aware women aren’t exactly welcome at the gaming tables, but I need to be in the room if you’re going to force those two to bet my father’s horse. I’ll need to see with my own eyes everything that’s transpiring, to make certain those papers are legitimate. An exception to those stupid rules regarding the gaming room will have to be made tonight.”
James shrugged and removed his jacket, placing it around her shoulders. “As you wish, sweetheart. I agree you need to be in the room. I’ll clear the way.” She shuddered, even with the added layer of warmth provided by his jacket.
He was glad most of his dealings were with men, not women. He could read men well enough, but women remained a mystery. What had that tremor been about? Had she become cold from the wind and the water? Or had she become hot because he’d wrapped his arms around her along with his jacket?
She pivoted away from the water and faced him. “I’d like another bath first, and maybe you could buy me some cologne to wear while you wait for me. If I’m going to do this, I want to do it right.”
“Good idea. That way, even if you’re out of a man’s sight line, the scent of you will linger.” James only hoped he’d not be distracted by it, as well.
They soon parted, and James went to the little shop on board ship that catered to women, and which helped keep some of the money from the gaming tables still coming into the pockets of the riverboat owners. He opened and sniffed each variety of cologne before making his selection. It was a perfect scent for her. Mysterious, filled with scents that were hauntingly familiar yet somehow elusive. Decision made, he strode around the rest of the shop.
A sparkle of jewels caught his eye, and he took a step toward the glass counter. A ruby necklace shone like fire, beckoning to him. How would it look around Elise’s neck? The large stone in the center dipping into the valley between her swell of breasts? Certain the décolletage provided by the gown cried out for a necklace such as this one, he didn’t think twice about it, or about the exorbitant price. He even threw in matching earrings. Jewelry and perfume were just the ticket to destroy the concentration of every man in the room.
He only hoped he could maintain his. This was either the most brilliant of plans, or the absolute worst.
CHAPTER FIVE
Elise dressed carefully for their evening’s adventure. The neckline of the scarlet gown rested slightly off her shoulders, dipping in the center front of the tight-fitting bodice. A simple shrug could make the gown lose its grip and slide down her arm, exposing her breasts to an even greater view than the swell of bosom that peeked out normally. She gave the motion a few tries in the mirror. Might come in handy.
James knocked on the door between the two rooms before he slid the bolt back and opened the thin door, giving Elise barely enough time to adjust her gown. He carried a small box in his hands, and had the appearance of a man on a mission. But then, he lifted his gaze to her and came to an abrupt stop.
His dimple flashed in his cheek as he smiled. “You are beautiful. Certain to freeze the minds of several men who will be playing tonight. Let’s hope it muddles the pair who have your papers.” He crossed the room and took her in his arms, nuzzling her neck. “The cologne smells wonderful, just as I thought.”
“Yes, thank you. It is a delicious scent.” She glanced up at him, hoping he’d ravage her lips with one more of his torrid kisses before she could think about how wrong it would be. Instead, he raised the box.
“There are a few more things I picked up which are necessary to complete your outfit.” He cracked open the box to reveal a ruby necklace and matching earrings. “Let me help you.”
She lost her breath as he handed her the earrings and took the necklace from the box. “Oh, James…” To hide the threatening tears, she presented her back to him so he could close the clasp on the necklace. His breath whispered over her neck, making her skin shiver with goose flesh.
When the jewelry was secure, and her earrings were in place, she pivoted back around and adjusted the necklace, noticing how James’s gaze followed her fingers. She spent an extra moment placing the largest center stone in the valley between her breasts. Men were so easily distracted. Despite how he unsettled her, she still had the upper hand.
She lifted her gaze to James. “Can you win tonight?” Her voice came out as almost a whisper. James had told her he’d been losing at the tables this trip, so her fears were well-grounded.
He blinked and cleared his throat. “Yes, sweetheart, I can win. I’ve only been waiting for the right opportunity to do so. The duo who have your saddlebag had to cheat to win a few hands early on. I allowed the cheating to happen since I wanted them to think they were on a lucky streak. I’m not the only one at the table who’s been toying with them. They have been increasing their wagers each time we play, and have lost a few big hands already this afternoon to another player. They’re nearly out of money. It’s now time to strike.” His glance slid over her slowly. “But if I win, the horse’s papers will belong to me. What are you willing to offer to make them your own?”
Her cheeks flamed at his slow perusal. “First, you have to win the pot. Then, we’ll discuss your payment.” She gulped, and her stomach twisted. Or danced. She couldn’t decide which. Her thoughts went to the shared door between their rooms and how he’d been the one to lock it last night. If he won, what was she willing to give him? Would she be the one to crack open that door? Not a chance.
“Thank you for your grand show of faith in me.” One side of his mouth canted upward. “You want your father’s papers back, and I want to assist you in your endeavor. But, on the off chance that I should lose, I hope you’ll grab what is yours and jump overboard.” James grinned at her. “You’ll lose the chance to apprehend those men when we arrive in New Orleans, but you’ll have what you came on board for.”
Her thoughts scattered, as if they were small boats being tossed about on the open seas. If James lost the game, she could grab the papers and, even in a long, flowing gown, outrun the Confederate pair until she got to the quarterdeck. She’d jump, and risk having her expensive gown weigh her down in the water.
And if James won? She should jump as well, since she was becoming quite comfortable with having him around. And she would have to come up with some sort of payment, which she didn’t even want to consider. But she was certain she still hadn’t pried from him the whole story behind the other woman, the one who was responsible for him becoming a riverboat gambler. Or, for that matter, why a man from the north would join the Confederate cause. She had a burning curiosity about him. For the first time in a long time, she couldn’t read a man, and it drove her crazy.
It was only a couple more days until they docked in New Orleans, where her brothers would be waiting to escort her to safety and to apprehend the thieves. A couple more days to spend James’s money. A couple more days to enjoy his kisses, to taste his combination of tobacco, sandalwood and musk. To see if he’d continue to lock the door between their rooms. Against her better judgment, she would stay on board as long as she could resist him. He intrigued her, and the stakes had never been higher.
• ♥ •
James’s heartbeat raced and his hands began to sweat as he entered the gaming room with Elise on his arm. He needed to calm down, to remember his training from his stint in the military, to put on a show of bravado for both Elise’s benefit, and to bluff the two men, Clay and Cody, into thinking he had a winning hand. He needed to act as if escorting a woman into a gaming hall was nothing out of the ordinary.
As if he was unaffected by the deep scarlet gown she wore, by her bare shoulders and the promising swell of her gorgeous breasts. As if he was already familiar with the temptations of the flesh that lay beneath the lovely gown.
The ruby necklace was the perfect complement to her lovely neckline and had almost brought him to his knees once already when he placed it around the long column of her neck. He had taken an extra moment to brush the
pad of his thumb over her delicate skin. How could he not?
Their scheme had been to hope the other men at the table would be distracted, but it wouldn’t do for James, himself, to be. He needed all his cunning to play out this important game. He’d had high stakes many times before, and won. But tonight, if he lost, so did Elise.
Her father’s business would suffer if those papers were lost, and as much as he admired her bravado in following the pair with the saddlebag, he had to admit it had been a foolhardy notion, at best. And now, she’d roped him into helping her further.
Instead of this showdown, she should have been content to wait until they arrived in New Orleans. If she had four big Indian brothers who would be on shore when they docked, there would be no problem arresting these men and getting the papers back. But Elise couldn’t wait and play a cat-and-mouse game for the few days it took to get to New Orleans. He suspected patience wasn’t one of her virtues.
He took his seat, wiped his hands on his trousers, and breathed deeply to slow his heart rate. He doffed his hat to the gentlemen as they took their seats, and brushed back the errant lock of hair that perpetually fell over his brow before replacing the hat. The brim acted as blinders did for a horse. He needed no distractions, from Elise or from anyone else, if he was to win this game of Five-Card Draw.
Fortunately, he’d played with these men enough so he could pick up on their cues. And Clay, at least, had already proven to be a cheat. He’d bear watching.
Another man joined the table this evening, as well—a Mr. Flynn. James had played with him a bit the previous evening, and had been impressed by him. He could easily become a fly in the soup this evening.
“Flynn, nice to see you again.” James nodded to the finely attired man already seated with Clay and Cody. “Gentlemen, are we ready to get to tonight’s action?” His voice did not betray his case of nerves, sounding smooth and deep as a crowd of men gathered around the table to observe the play. And to ogle Elise, if James wasn’t mistaken.
Clay and Cody glanced at one another. Clay grinned. “This is only the start of tonight’s action. Maybe by the end of the night, your lady friend will want to change her allegiance to some of the biggest landholders in Texas, which is what we’ll be when we win the pot.”
“You’ll need to win some money, first. As I recall, you lost a heavy bet at the close of last evening.” James’s flippant reply annoyed the men. He hoped they would start off betting big, just to prove him wrong. The sooner this game came to an end, the better.
James snuck a glance at Elise from under his hat. She’d flushed at Clay’s comment but bit back a retort. Instead, she set her lips in a straight line and moved from James’s side to circle behind Clay and Cody, her fan cooling the flush from her cheeks.
Cody swiveled in his seat to glare at her. “You can’t stand here. I know your game.”
“What game might that be?” Elise asked, her eyes wide with innocence.
“You’ll be giving signals to him,” Cody’s head bobbed toward James. “About the cards in our hands. No cheating will be allowed.”
James cleared his throat and his gaze focused on Elise. He nodded for her to return to his side. Then, his gaze speared Clay, the suspected cheat in the room. “I agree. Anyone caught cheating will be dismissed from the game. Shall I deal?”
Clay’s face flushed, and he ran his hand over his sleeve. James grinned.
He cracked open a new deck of cards, allowed the players to inspect it and then split the deck, rifling them in a shuffle. Their glossy navy backsides with the diamond-shaped pattern were a blur as James expertly shuffled the deck four more times.
Clay and Cody stared at the cards as they were tossed about, mesmerized. James catalogued their looks. They were eager to play, which meant they’d make hasty moves. Hopefully, really bad ones. Mr. Flynn was another story, but his gaze was riveted on Elise instead of the cards. Perhaps he’d make a hasty move, as well.
“I assume we’ll play Five-Card Draw again tonight?” James held the deck in his hands, poised and ready to deal.
Clay cackled and glanced at Cody. “Why not? We’ve won just about every game of Five-Card Draw we played with you so far. Tonight will be no exception.”
James’s gaze flickered over the pair, and then Mr. Flynn, who nodded his agreement. “Let the games begin then, gentlemen.” He expertly shuffled the deck one more time and then began laying down cards to each player.
CHAPTER SIX
Elise had taken a deep breath as she entered the gaming room on James’s arm. This was yet another new experience for her. The gorgeous ruby necklace sparkled. Her hair was swept up, as befit her formal attire. Besides, with the earring pendants James had also purchased, an updo showed the baubles off to their best advantage. James took his seat at the table and she surveyed the room, memorizing every detail so she could regale her sisters-in-law when she got back home. Six tables were set up in the gaming hall and were filling up with men eager for an evening’s entertainment.
At James’s table, there were three other men already seated. The air was filled with the scent of tobacco and the piano man in the corner of the room tickled the keys softly. James quickly introduced her to the three men before Elise left James’s side and stood at the small mahogany bar at the edge of the room.
Unlike the red velvet so predominate in the grand saloon, this room’s coloring was a masculine deep green. Silk draperies closed off the outside distractions. Heavy gold roping held the window treatments in place. Plush oriental carpeting in shades of green, brown and tan covered the floor. With a glass of wine in her hand, she let her gaze wander from one of James’s opponents to the next.
She had the attention of all three, so she smiled sweetly as her gaze roamed from one face to the next. The Confederate pair held her primary focus since they were in possession of her father’s papers, but the other one, another fine-looking gentleman dressed similarly to James, also caught her eye. He had the look of a professional, and if James was unlucky, this man might walk out at the end of the evening owning her father’s horse. Then, what would she do? Switch her attention from James to Mr. Flynn?
As finely dressed as he appeared, she didn’t get the same jolt of excitement when his gaze roamed over her as she did with James. Mr. Flynn’s perusal made her feel as though she needed a bath. She had to cause a distraction sooner or later. The cards were dealt for the first hand, so she began moving, leisurely strolling in front of the table. Mr. Flynn kept his eyes on his cards, but the other two gazes followed her as she crossed the room, red skirts swishing.
The pot grew bigger with each hand, and soon enough, the two had lost most of their money and the younger one, Cody, dropped out of the game entirely, encouraging his brother to do the same, but Clay persisted. James had to place all his winnings so far into the middle of the table, and it still wasn’t enough to match what Mr. Flynn put up. The man either had a really good hand, or nerves of steel and was bluffing. Clay and Cody were searching their pockets for anything else Clay might throw into the pot in order to stay in the game. Elise’s frayed nerves hoped they’d soon unearth the all-important papers proving Big Mo’s heritage. This game had gone on long enough.
Elise studied Mr. Flynn, searching for a tell sign. But she couldn’t find any weakness in the man. She couldn’t tell from his expression what cards he held. She moved behind James and glanced at his cards. He was holding a straight flush. A good hand, but it could still be beaten. She placed her hand on his shoulder.
“Are you gentlemen able to meet my bid, or shall I just take the pot now?” Mr. Flynn’s lips curved upward, the only indication that he thought he’d win the round. His eyes roamed over the lone Confederate at the table.
Clay tugged out the papers from the saddlebag slung across the back of his seat. “Don’t know how much this is worth, but it’s a paper showing the ownership of a horse.” He glanced at Mr. Flynn and James for approval as the paper hovered over the pot in the middle of the ta
ble. Elise held her breath.
Mr. Flynn took the paper from Clay’s fingers, read it, and nodded. “I’ll accept the wager.” He handed the paper to James, for his perusal. He positioned it so Elise could get a good glimpse to ascertain it was, in fact, the all-important paper. The squeeze of his shoulder was their pre-determined signal he was holding the necessary document, but he had nothing more to bid, having been extravagant in the shop where he’d purchased cologne and jewelry.
James spread the fingers of one hand on the table. “I’m tapped out for the night.”
Elise squeezed his shoulder again before she leaned over the table and brushed her lips against his cheek, allowing Mr. Flynn’s gaze to roam over her décolletage. Still leaning over, she removed the earring bobs and placed them in front of James.
“These have always brought me luck,” her voice was throaty, sensual, and as she rose she noticed Mr. Flynn’s eyes were glued to her instead of to his cards. She gifted him with a smile, shifted slightly, making one side of the gown slip from her shoulder, just as she’d practiced. Mr. Flynn followed the movement of the gown with widened eyes and gulped for air. Elise took her time adjusting the gown, her gaze never leaving the man, inviting his inspection with what she hoped was a sensual smile.
James glanced up at Elise for a moment before he picked up the baubles. “Will you accept these as my wager? They’re still warm from the lady’s touch.”
Mr. Flynn nodded, finally tearing his gaze from Elise and focusing on the wagers. Clay nodded his approval as well. James added the earrings to the top of the considerable money pile and the all-important paper in the center of the table. Elise’s knees shook as she waited to see the hands revealed. All conversation in the room came to a halt. The piano player ceased his tunes. Smoke hung in the air expectantly. Elise took a shallow breath, her hand on James’s broad shoulder.
