Wild Silver

by Iris Johansen

  “I have keys to every stateroom on the Rose, and you’ll remember this particular stateroom used to be mine.” He pocketed the key. “And will be again. Come along. I saw Nicholas disappear into the pilot house, but we can’t count on him staying there long.” His gaze ran over her. “Not with a pretty lady like you waiting for him.”

  “I’d rather stay here than go with you,” Silver said bluntly.

  “But you’re not going with me,” Bassinger said. “I’m staying on the Rose and you’re going to escape. That is what you want, isn’t it?”

  “Yes,” she said cautiously. “But why would you want to help me?”

  “I don’t want to help you. But I do want to deprive Savron of something he values. Now, do you want to get away from him or not?”

  “Of course.” Naturally she wanted to get away from him, she told herself. There was nothing for her here, and she could accomplish a great deal if she returned to the circus and Etaine. The reluctance she felt was evidence only of the dangerous sway Nicholas was beginning to have over her feelings. She started forward briskly, passing Bassinger as she went out on deck. “How do I get off the boat without being seen by Nicholas? The gangplank is in clear view from the pilot house.”

  “It’s all arranged. I took the precaution of going ashore and contacting a few of my employees. They’ll give you any assistance you need.” He drew a file out of his pocket and deliberately broke the lock from the inside before shutting the door. “Go down to the boiler deck by the rear stairs. There will be two men in a rowboat off the stern. They’ll row you upstream, around the bend and out of sight. I’ve given them some money for you to facilitate your flight.” He bowed. “Good-bye, Miss Delaney. I was hoping to become much better acquainted with you, but one must accept these little disappointments in life.”

  Silver hesitated uneasily. Bassinger was gazing at her with that tight, empty smile, his cold eyes reptilian, and he was far too pleased with himself. There was something that wasn’t right. Yet it was perfectly in character for Bassinger to want to hurt Nicholas in any way he could. Perhaps she was being too suspicious.

  She turned away. “Good-bye.”

  “No thank-you?” Bassinger asked silkily.

  She glanced back over her shoulder and slowly shook her head. “I believe I’ll wait to see if there’s something to be thankful for.”

  Then she was gone, hurrying toward the back stairs which led to the boiler deck.

  “Face it, Nicky, there’s no sign of her,” Valentin said quietly. “We’ve queried everyone on the wharfs, searched the streets inquired at the livery stables. You even rode twenty miles north to see if she had taken off on foot.” He leaned against the rail and looked out at the moonlit river. “If she’s still in Memphis, she’s found a damned good hiding place.”

  “I don’t think she is in Memphis,” Nicholas said tersely. “She’s more accustomed to wild country than cities. She grew up in a hell of a lot more dangerous land than this. The farther away from the Rose she traveled, the more secure she’d feel.”

  “Then you think she’s somewhere in the forest or on the road?”

  “I don’t know,” Nicholas said wearily. “I can only guess what Silver would do. I’m going to ride out and try the main road going south to make sure she didn’t go that way. Mikhail is making a round of the taverns on the wharf to see if he can pick up any information.”

  “You need to rest, Nicky.” Valentin gazed at him worriedly. Nicholas had not slept for nearly forty-eight hours, and he looked it. His skin was drawn tightly over the broad bones of his cheeks, and dark circles were imprinted beneath his eyes. “Wouldn’t tomorrow do as well? It’s after midnight.”

  “I must find her tonight. The Rose is leaving Memphis at dawn tomorrow.”

  Valentin’s eyes widened. “You’re giving up the search?”

  “Don’t be a fool. Of course I’m not giving up.” Nicholas paused. “God, I’m sorry, Valentin. I guess I am tired.” He rubbed the bunched muscles at the back of his neck to relieve the tension. “Since I can’t find her, I’ll have to try to guess her destination, then reach it before she does. We’ll take the boat back upriver to St. Louis.”

  “Mrs. Alford’s Academy?”

  Nicholas shook his head. “The circus. When we first took her, she appeared to be most worried that she couldn’t get back to the circus. She told me later that she has friends there. It would be natural for her to go to them for help.”

  “It’s over three hundred miles back to St. Louis. That’s a terrible trip for a woman alone. Do you think she’ll be able to make it safely?”

  Nicholas’s hands tightened on the rail. That was the question he’d been asking himself. “She’ll make it.”

  Valentin looked away from Nicholas to gaze at the glowing lanterns hanging by the gangplank. “You could forget about trying to find her. She’s not going to tell you where Dominic Delaney is, Nicky.”

  Nicholas didn’t answer.

  “But then, that’s not the reason you tore Memphis apart looking for her, is it?” Valentin asked softly. “Delaney might have started all this, but he’s not the crux of the matter now.”

  “I’ll find Silver and then go after her uncle,” Nicholas said grimly. “I’ll have them both.”

  “But if you have to kill Delaney, you may find that Silver will object to your plans for her. Perhaps to the extent of sticking her little knife in you.” Valentin paused. “You’re going to have to decide which is most important to you.”

  “First I have to find her.” Nicholas turned away. “I’m going to get something to eat and then ride out. I’ve told Mikhail if he learns anything to come to your cabin with the information. I’ll check with you when I come back.”

  “Very well.” Valentin gazed after him until he disappeared into the saloon. Slowly he turned and rested his arms on the rail, staring thoughtfully into the dark water. The situation in which Nicholas was embroiled was no longer amusing, and Valentin was beginning to feel uneasy. Nicholas’s passion for Silver was rapidly becoming an obsession and seemed to contain the seeds of tragedy.

  He knew Nicholas had little trust in women. Who could blame him with a bitch like Natalya for a mother? And Silver was even more wary than Nicholas and every bit as wild. Perhaps it would be better if Nicholas searched in vain for her.

  “Good evening, Count Marinov, no news of Miss Delaney?”

  Valentin turned to see Lee Bassinger strolling toward him. “Not yet.”

  Bassinger smiled. “Nicholas must be truly worried by now. I feel called upon to render assistance.”

  “Assistance?”

  “I’m well known in this city. I’m going ashore to see if I can obtain information from my manager here on the wharf. He has his ear to the ground and perhaps he’ll know someone who has seen her.”

  “I’m sure Nicholas will appreciate your concern,” Valentin said dryly. What was the bastard up to? Bassinger had lounged around the Rose for the last two days observing all their efforts with that meaningless smile. Now, out of nowhere, he had decided to help. “But he thinks Silver may have left Memphis and gone back north. The Rose leaves for St. Louis at dawn.”

  Bassinger’s smile stayed in place. “Perhaps Nicholas is wrong. I’ll endeavor to find out for him.” He put on his high silk hat, pulled on his kidskin gloves, and turned toward the gangplank. “I’ll be back shortly.”

  “What do you mean, she’s not here?” Bassinger’s light green eyes were narrowed with rage. “I told you to hold her here in this warehouse until I came.”

  The two men standing before him exchanged uneasy glances. Then the taller of the two took a deep breath and burst out, “She got away from us.”

  “What!” A flush of rage mantled Bassinger’s cheeks. “You fools! How could she get away? There were two of you.”

  “She damn near killed me,” the shorter one, who had a scraggly beard, said testily. “She kicked me in the balls and pushed Steve here into the river. Then sh
e took off running and was gone before we knew it.”

  Bassinger’s palm cracked against the bearded cheek of the man called Landon. “I may kill you myself.” Bassinger’s eyes were blazing with fury. “How long ago, Landon?”

  Landon’s hand went to his cheek and his face turned ugly. If the crazy son of a bitch didn’t pay so good, he’d—

  “How long?” Bassinger demanded impatiently.

  “Only an hour or so after we took her,” admitted the taller man, called Steve by Landon. “We went ashore upriver just like you said and told her we’d take her someplace safe to hide. She didn’t want to come with us, so we tried to scare her a little.” He went on defensively. “It’s not our fault. She was suspicious from the time she got into the rowboat.”

  “Not your fault?” Bassinger began to curse viciously. “Why didn’t you come to me with this information?”

  “You told us to stay away from the Rose and from you,” Landon said quickly.

  “That was because I didn’t want suspicion to fall on me, you idiot.” And because he’d wanted to linger and savor Savron’s frustration and worry for as long as possible before he revealed that he was in possession of what Savron wanted. He’d enjoyed these last two days enormously, thinking he held a secret power over that damn Russian, and now to find he had nothing. Nothing! “Did you search for her?”

  Both men nodded quickly.

  Of course they had searched, Bassinger realized with fury. So had Savron and his friends. The damn bitch had escaped from all of them. He whirled and strode toward the door. “I’ll make damn sure you never find work on this wharf again.” He slammed the door behind him and strode down the street.

  She was gone. The key was gone. Those stupid sons of bitches had let her get away. He had to get control of himself. He was so enraged, he couldn’t think, and he needed to plan his next move.

  Silver Delaney was gone, but Savron suspected she had returned to St. Louis, Bassinger thought. Perhaps he was right. But even if Savron didn’t find the woman, Bassinger’s best move would be to stay close to him. If one key had been lost, perhaps another could be found.

  He could see the lanterns of the Rose in the distance and quickened his steps. He would be on the Rose when it sailed for St. Louis at dawn.

  “God, you look tired.” Khadil’s pink eyes were concerned as her gaze ran over Silver’s sweat-stained, dusty and torn shirtwaist and skirt. “And those clothes look as if they’ve been dragged through bramble bushes.”

  “They have.” Silver sat down on Khadil’s brass-studded leather trunk, trying to ignore the weariness that plagued every muscle. “Among other shrubbery. I’ve been traveling for nearly two weeks, most of it on foot. How is Etaine?”

  “Well.” Khadil’s expression was reproachful. “But she was worried when you didn’t come. Sebastien even went to your school but they would tell him nothing except that you had gone on a short trip.”

  So Mrs. Alford had believed the note Nicholas had sent, Silver thought. Well, it should have come as no surprise. The woman had always regarded Indian women only one step above prostitutes. No, it wasn’t surprise she was feeling, but the same depression that had been nagging at her since the moment she had been released from the stateroom by Bassinger. It had followed her like an annoying shadow on the long, hard trip from Memphis and was still with her now. But it had nothing to do with her leaving Nicholas, she assured herself quickly. She had her life to live and she must not be beguiled by Nicholas Savron. She moved her shoulders, unconsciously trying to shrug off the thought of him. Why did memories of Nicholas persist when she would probably never see him again?

  “It was impossible for me to leave a message when I suddenly had to leave the academy,” Silver explained. “Where is Etaine now?”

  “Performing. She should be through soon. I will go and tell her you are here.” Khadil stood up. “You will need a bath and a change of clothes. I’ll get Sebastien to bring you some hot water and you’ll find my hairbrush in that chest. I don’t think my clothes would fit you, you’re much taller than I am. I’ll see if Fatima has something that will do.” She smiled shyly. “It is good that you have come back to us, Silver. We have missed you.”

  Silver’s throat tightened. “I’ve missed you too.”

  The albino’s smile was wide with pleasure as she left the tent.

  Silver gazed at the flame flickering in the lantern on the crude table a few feet away. They had missed her. They cared about her. This was where she belonged, not as the woman of a man who cared nothing for her once she had left his bed. She had been right to leave Nicholas and come back to the people who found worth in her.

  She rose quickly, lifted the lid of Khadil’s chest, and located the hairbrush. She would keep herself busy repairing the ravages of the trail until Etaine was free to come to her, and would not give one more thought to Nicholas. She began to run the bristles of the brush slowly through her long hair, her gaze once more on the golden flames of the lantern. How beautifully it shimmered in the darkness of the tent, like a burst of golden sunlight, like Nicholas’s hair beneath the chandeliers in the Grand Saloon.…

  Etaine’s laughter pealed out as soon as she caught sight of Silver. “You look like one of the caliph’s dancing daughters in Fatima’s act.” She clapped her hands in delight. “I like this costume much better than that ugly uniform. You should wear it all the time.”

  “I’m afraid Fatima wouldn’t appreciate my appropriating her costume on a permanent basis,” Silver said dryly, glancing down at herself. The filmy scarlet skirt and matching short-sleeve velvet jacket were very comfortable and she was beginning to think Eastern women must be more sensible than she had dreamed if they had eliminated the wearing of undergarments. Still, the extremely low square neck of the jacket was far from practical and seemed purposely designed to lift and frame a woman’s breasts for the delectation of the onlooker. “She made it clear she wanted it back.”

  Etaine laughed again and ran across the tent into Silver’s arms, hugging her with all her strength. “You look better in it than she does. You look beautiful. Oh, Silver, I’ve missed you so.”

  Silver’s arms tightened around the child’s slight body. Etaine didn’t seem any thinner, and her color was good. “Well, I’m here now. You haven’t had any more attacks?”

  Etaine shook her head. “I’ve been fine. Maybe I’m growing out of it, as you said I might.” She sat down on Khadil’s pallet beside Silver and nestled into the curve of her arm, her short white-gold curls shimmering against Silver’s flame-colored bodice. “I was worried about you. I thought perhaps my father—” She broke off and was silent a moment before continuing haltingly. “I wondered if you’d had an accident.”

  What the child meant was that she had been afraid that Monteith had found a way of getting rid of Silver.

  “No, I had to go away for a while, but I’m back now and everything is going to be better.”

  “Is it?” Etaine’s voice was wistful. “I hope so.” She brightened. “Anyway, I’m glad you came back before we left St. Louis.”

  Silver stiffened. “You’re leaving?”

  “I think so. For the last week my father has been talking about it. He says the Americans don’t appreciate the circus as Europeans do and—”

  “He’s taking the circus to Europe?” Silver interrupted, startled. “When?”

  Etaine shrugged. “He didn’t say. I can’t ask; it wouldn’t do any good.” She was silent a moment before whispering, “I don’t want to leave you, Silver. Sometimes I think of being far away from you and I get so scared. While you’re here I always believe everything will turn out fine, that I’ll get well.”

  “You will get well,” Silver said fiercely. “And you won’t leave me. I’ll find a way to keep you here in America.”

  Etaine tilted her head and looked at Silver, and for a moment the child’s eyes had the weary sadness of a woman in her twilight years. “I don’t believe he’ll let me stay, no matter wh
at you do. I’ve been thinking a lot lately and I know now what he wants of me.”

  Silver frowned. “What?”

  “Death,” Etaine said simply. “He wants me to die.”

  Silver shivered and her arm tightened convulsively around Etaine’s thin shoulders. “You could be wrong.”

  “No.” Etaine’s clear gaze met her own. “He hates me. I don’t know why, but he does. Sometimes when he looks at me I know he’s thinking that he wishes I were already dead.”

  Silver did not try to dissuade or convince her that a father would not harm his child. Monteith was capable of anything in her opinion, and Etaine’s instincts were probably correct. The child possessed a wisdom far beyond her years and suffering had honed that wisdom. If it were true that Monteith’s neglect and cruelty toward Etaine was more malevolent than merely callous, then it would be safer for her to be on guard. She could only offer comfort at this juncture. “I’ve never lied to you, have I, Etaine?”

  “No.”

  “Then listen carefully to me. I promise you I’ll take you away from him to a place where you’ll be safe and well,” Silver said softly. “I vow it on the grave of Rising Star. Do you believe me?”

  “I believe you will try.” Etaine smiled gravely. “You mustn’t feel sad if you can’t help me, Silver. I’ve been very happy. I have wonderful friends and my life has been good.”

  Dear God, the child was speaking as if her death were inevitable, Silver realized with a thrill of panic. She forced herself to smile. “It will be better.” She gave Etaine an affectionate hug. “Now run along and let me sleep. I’m very tired. We’ll talk more in the morning.”

  “Yes, Etaine, it’s time you went to bed.” The deep voice was smooth and mellow as dark honey in spite of its clipped British accent. “Bid your friend goodnight and go to our tent.”

  Monteith. Silver drew a deep breath and braced herself. Then she turned and gazed at the man standing in the doorway of the tent.

  Monteith was as beautiful in his own way as his daughter. He possessed the same white-gold hair, fine-boned grace, and handsome features. Of only medium height, his royal carriage made every inch impressive. He must have been in his early forties, but his smooth, fair skin was unlined and he appeared curiously ageless.