by Teresa Rae
He laughs. “You done dress slow.”
“I guess I did, but now I need to get to work.” I give him a hug. “I will see you later.”
When I walk into the dining room, James immediately puts out his pipe before standing. I frown at the pipe, and he smiles impishly. Samuel also stands but with an air of self-importance. His top lip rises slightly as though snarling like a wolf. I smile sweetly at both of them.
“Good morning, James and Mr. Blair. I trust you slept well.” I say, walking to James. I kiss him.
“Good morning, my dearest,” he returns the kiss before we all take our seats. “I slept exceptionally well, thank you.”
Samuel frowns deeply. “I’m sure you did,” he grumbles under his breath.
I turn my attentions to him. “Mr. Blair, you are rather quick to tarnish my reputation.”
“Miss Harris, it is not your reputation I wish to tarnish. My nephew has had the unfortunate fortune of being born to less than ideal breading stock. A man such as he cannot be expected to behave with any sort of self-control.”
“Says the man who consorts with prostitutes,” I snap.
He shrugs his shoulders. “I am a fallen man. I do not attempt to hide this fact. However, my nephew professes to be something he is not.”
“And what is that?”
He smirks as though he knows something I don’t. “You should ask him?”
“I believe Uncle Samuel is referring to the fact that my mother was an octoroon,” James says with a wave of the hand.
“Really?” I pretend awe. “That must be the reason you are so very handsome. I have heard they are considered among the most beautiful women in the world.”
Samuel’s eyes become venomous. “My brother was an idiot and went and fell in love with one of them, and now you are making the same mistake!”
“I don’t understand?” I know exactly what he is talking about, but I go along with it.
“James’s mother was a nigger,” he venomously spits the words. “Oh, she passed for white because her father was white, but her mother was a nigger which made her a nigger and James one, too. Why do you think my brother came west? He wanted to be somewhere where his nigger son could live like a white man. If you need proof, just look at James’s other uncle. Gabe is no white man. James is not what he pretends to be!”
“He is not pretending to be anything. He is just minding his own business and living his life. If anyone is pretending to be something they are not, it is you. You pretend you’re rich, but you’re actually in debt. You pretend you’re important, but you live a lazy, worthless life. You hold tightly onto your racism so you can try to raise yourself above other people. The problems you have with black people do not have anything to do with them – they have everything to do with you.”
“So, the rumors are true! You are actually planning to marry the mutt!” Samuel’s lips pull back into a snarl. “If you go through with this, I will tell everyone the truth! You will both be the laughing stock of the city! If the citizens of Virginia City knew the truth about James, they would shun him and his claims would be transferred to George O’Malley.”
James sucks in a breath of air. He’s worried about losing his fortune and my reputation.
“Do you think anyone will actually believe you?” I laugh merrily. “You’re a drunkard who socializes with prostitutes and gambles away your nephew’s fortune. Why would they believe you? Besides, Colonel Blair’s skin is lighter than yours. One glance at Emily and John Blair’s portrait and no one would ever believe you. Emily had lighter skin, hair, and eyes than your brother. If you allege Colonel Blair is a mulatto, it would be assumed the black linage came from your side of the family, not his mother’s. This would hurt your own reputation.”
“Rose and Gabe will collaborate with me!” he yells.
“We don’t know what you be talkin’ about,” Rose says from the doorway. “Massa James’s mother done been a true southern belle. I should know; I done serve her for many years.”
“And I have proof.” Gabe holds up portrait of a gorgeous woman with dark hair and blue eyes. “James’s white heritage is more secure than your own.”
Samuel glares at the painting. “Emily’s light eyes and skin prove nothing! People will listen to me!”
“Not with me as Colonel Blair’s wife,” I say. “Can you just imagine your nephew’s blond-haired, blue-eyed children? Just seeing Colonel Blair and me together will solidify his whiteness in the mentality of Virginia City. You can say whatever you wish. In fact, I hope you do because someone will have you committed as a raving lunatic. Furthermore, if the mining claims were transferred to George O’Malley, you would no longer benefit from them. Only a fool would do such a thing, and you do not strike me as a fool.”
He frowns, mulling my words around in his mind.
“Miss Harris, I fear we have gotten off on the wrong foot,” he says, feigning repentance. “It is not my purpose to cause strife.”
I put a beauty queen smile on my lips. “That is good news because I am famished.”
Samuel crossly picks up his fork and tears into his meal. I’ve won, for now. Apparent from the concentration on his face, the man isn’t taking my victory lightly. He is already plotting his next move. Gabe and Rose both take seats in the room, watching the vile man.
I turn my head and find James staring at me. I don’t know what his problem is. Ignoring him, I pick up my own fork and break apart a biscuit covered in sausage gravy. I put a forkful of the fattening food in my mouth, worried about how tight my corset is going to be if I keep eating this way.
“I have business to attend to in town,” Samuel says, putting down his fork. He rises to his feet and strides out of the room without a backward glance.
With the despicable man’s sudden departure, I want to make some snide comment about Samuel to James. I bite my tongue. He has to know his uncle is a dreadful human being; anyone with half a brain knows that. However, he has a family attachment I must respect. I go on eating my breakfast, wishing for some healthy shredded wheat while eating Rose’s delicious food.
I nearly jump when James’s hand rests on my knee under the table. I give him a dirty look and immediately push it away. He smiles faintly as his hand returns to my knee.
“James, kindly remove your hand,” I demand.
“Rebecca, I did not think it was possible, but my love for you deepens and grows each day.”
“Then send Samuel away,” I plead.
“James, I agree. You need to send that man away!” Gabe gets to his feet.
Rose adds, “He ain’t up to no good!”
“I will after the wedding.” Colonel Blair continues to hold his hand on my knee.
“You shouldn’t wait,” I tell him.
He shakes his head. “Samuel is my father’s brother. I will show him respect, even if he does not deserve it.”
* * *
“Miss Harris, Colonel Blair!” Julia hurries to greet us as Gabe stops the carriage. “I barely slept a wink. We received Colonel Blair’s message you were coming to visit this morning.”
James walks around the carriage and helps me down.
“Mrs. Whitaker, you may be the first to congratulate us,” he says with a smile. “Miss Harris has agreed to become my wife. We wish to be married tomorrow.”
Julia squeals, then dashes to her husband and drags him away from the conversation he was having with an elderly couple. She tells him, “Mr. Whitaker, Colonel Blair and Miss Harris are engaged! They are to be married tomorrow.”
The Bishop smiles while offering Colonel Blair his hand. “Congratulations, Colonel Blair.”
“Thank you, Bishop Whitaker. We would like you to perform the service,” Colonel Blair immediately gets down to business.
“It would be my pleasure.” The Bishop is clearly happy to marry us, probably to keep us from living in sin.
As Julia happily chats to me about my upcoming wedding, I turn and catch Gabe’s eye. He simply nods,
and I know he’s right. Even though I know it will bring me misery in the end, I have to save Colonel Blair. The idea of these three men and Clara forever walking the earth in misery is utterly appalling. I have fallen in love with Colonel Blair and will do anything to save him, including marry him.
After our short visit to the Whitakers, we continue into downtown to tie up a few loose ends.
“I am rather enjoying our engagement,” James says, taking my hands in his. “It is nice to travel without a chaperone.”
“What are our plans?” I ask, moving the hair out of his face.
“After we organize our wedding clothes, we will return to the Mansion for lunch before making a visit to the mine.” He mischievously smiles before kissing my neck.
“Why do we need to go to the mine?” I ask, hoping to divert his attention.
He isn’t easily sidetracked. He traces my face with his gloved fingers. “Gabe insists on it. Moreover, it is customary for couples to disclose their banking information before marriage. I have the necessary documentation at home, but it shows only a portion of my total wealth. I want to be completely truthful with you and to do so we must go to the mine.”
* * *
Carefully carrying my wedding dress, I walk out of the kitchen. Clara, Ida, and Rose oohed and aahed when they saw the breathtaking French gown and petite, white slippers. If I have to get married at eighteen, at least I’m doing it in style. James assured Mrs. Strickland that only the best would do, and he was willing to pay for the best. It is a little unsettling to know how truly expensive the gown was, but there was no arguing with James on the matter.
I stop outside the dining room when I hear Samuel’s voice. “James, she is a very pretty girl, but what do you know about her?”
“This is not about Miss Harris,” James answers. “You have lost my trust. I can no longer allow you to stay in the house. You can sleep in one of the empty cabins.”
“You are going to make me live like a slave for trying to have a little fun?” asks Samuel.
“If you have somewhere better to live, feel free to leave. I was serious about leaving my workers alone.”
“And then there is the matter of the attack on Miss Harris,” Gabe interjects. “You should be grateful she did not report you to the sheriff.”
“Do not talk to me, nigger!” Samuel shouts. His voice cracks, exposing a hidden fear of Gabe. “John should have sold you…”
“You know perfectly well I was never one of John’s slaves,” Gabe responds calmly. “My sister and I were born free. However, let us return to the topic at hand, you are in debt to James and me a large sum of money for the horses you have gambled away. You continually assert that you will earn off this debt, but you have yet to lift a finger. How do you propose to pay your debt?”
“I’m not paying you a thing!” Samuel snarls. “I have more right to those mines than you!”
“You have spent your inheritance,” James says evenly. “Gabe and my father bought the mines. You have no claim to them.”
“And you will make things right with us,” Gabe adds.
Samuel laughs mockingly. “I do not have any money.”
“No, but you will find work to remedy this.”
Samuel laughs louder. “I do not have the time to work.”
“Your attitude leaves us with no choice,” James interjects. “You may stay in one of the cabins, until tomorrow, and then you will leave to look for work. Know that you are unwelcome here until the debt is paid. I pray, for your sake, that you find your place in the world. However, I must put the safety of our workers and my future wife first.
“You cannot do this!” Samuel screams.
“If you would prefer, we could take legal recourse,” Gabe says.
I hear glass breaking as a large item is knocked over. Samuel storms out of the Mansion. He stops and glares at me with murderous eyes.
“There you are,” James says as he steps between me and Samuel. Gabe lumbers into the doorway. Samuel looks at them and immediately leaves, swearing under his breath.
“You need to send him away, sooner.” I take James’s hand. “I’m afraid of what he’ll do.”
“I cannot throw just the man out the night before my wedding.” He squeezes my hand. “Do not worry. I will not let him hurt you.”
“It’s not me I’m worried about,” I reply.
* * *
I can’t believe the sheer number of men working in James and Gabe’s mines. A rainbow of people and places are represented. The one thing they all have in common is a deep respect for James. They politely lift their hats to me and greet him as we pass on horseback. At the entrance, where I met Samuel’s ghost in the future, James gets off the horse and helps me down. He passes me a handkerchief to cover my face with.
“For the dust,” he tells me as he leads me into the mine. Gabe follows closely behind.
The charred frames have been replaced, and the mine is once again working at full capacity, proving that life goes on. We spend several hours in the mine. Gabe and James check on the workings of the mining operations while they show me around and explain the mining process. During the course of the tour, I take off my cloak, finding it unbearably hot beneath the surface.
“It’s a wonder everyone doesn’t have pneumonia,” I say aloud.
“Several of the men do,” Gabe responds. “The contrast of the cold air outside with the hot mines is not good for their health.”
I watch James talking to one of his overseers. “What is the real reason you wanted me to tour the mine?” I whisper to Gabe.
“I think it is best if you know about the Blair family fortune, lest Samuel is not stopped,” he answers.
“But what good will it do? If I don’t stop Samuel, he will inherit everything,” I object.
“James is not naïve. He has been putting away the gold ore, only publically claiming the silver. Only a handful of us know how truly wealthy he is.”
“You mean, he and you are,” I interject.
He smiles sadly. “Yes, our fortunes are one and the same, as is our future.”
“Are we ready to go?” James rejoins us, raising an eyebrow to Gabe.
“Yes, we will want to go as we have another stop to make before nightfall.”
* * *
“What are you going to do with all this?” I ask in amazement as I look around the cavern filled with gold bars.
“It is our rainy day fund,” James explains, picking up one of the heavy bars. “Unlike the other mines, Gabe and I held on to our gold and have hidden it away. Not even Samuel knows about this stash.”
“What if someone were to find all this?” I ask, blinking my eyes to make sure they’re not playing tricks on me. The gold is still there.
“The cavern is impossible for an outsider to find, and the massive iron doors will keep out anyone but James and me,” Gabe says.
“And now you,” James interrupts. “Remember the combination we told you.”
I shake my head. “I don’t want to be responsible for…”
He smiles as he takes my hand as he interrupts, “I know. That is why we gave you the combination.”
* * *
Everyone has come out to support the charity concert. Piper’s Opera House is filled to capacity with people from all walks of life. John and Louise MacKay sit in their regular box, surrounded by other prominent members of society. Miners, their wives, and even women from the red-district fill the rest of the theater. Backstage, I peek behind the curtain as the entire audience claps in appreciation for the Episcopalian organist. The performances have been incredible. There has been a magic act, dramatic monologs, vocal performances, and everything in between.
Mr. Piper walks onto the stage. “There is one final performance this evening. I have been assured by Colonel James Blair that the following performance is both spectacular and exceptionally rare. It will become even rarer. Tomorrow, Miss Harris will become Colonel Blair’s bride. In her first and only professional pe
rformance, allow me to introduce Miss Rebecca Harris.”
There is scattered applause as the audience cranes their necks to get a better look of me. I don’t let it bother me as I double check the string James replaced on the violin. I then attack a piece by Beethoven. My fingers slide up and down the strings. I am racing through a run when a loud noise, followed by two gunshots making me jump. I was too busy playing the violin to see what happened. Pandemonium ensues. Women scream. Men jump to their feet. James instantly joins me on stage. He protectively shields me from the audience
“Are you hurt?” he demands, inspecting me.
“What has happened?” I question.
He doesn’t answer other than to put his fingers through a large hole in my sleeve. His face fills with fury.
“Miss Harris!” Julia charges onto the stage.
“He missed her,” James says, not relinquishing his protective stance.
“Praise the Lord!” she exclaims with relief before embracing me.
“James, what is going on?” I demand from Julia’s arms.
“George O’Malley just tried to kill you. Samuel made a deal with him, promising to share the mines if he killed you.” Rosanna appears next to me. She points to my sleeve. “A few more inches and he would have succeeded.”
“The damn fool!” exclaims John MacKay as he joins us. “Trying to settle claim disputes with force is never a good idea!”
“Does Mr. O’Malley need medical care?” Julia asks.
John shakes his head. “George O’Malley is dead. He only had the time to get the one shot off before James made good on his threat.”
“John, I prefer not to discuss this in the presence of ladies,” James silences him. “I’m taking Rebecca home.”
I am greatly disturbed that a man just lost his life but also relieved that a man so bent on hurting James won’t be able to hurt him anymore. It’s hard enough trying to keep him safe from Samuel. Furthermore, I worry about finishing the concert because so many people paid good money to see me perform.
“Do you think I need to finish my song?” I ask.
“The people got more than their money’s worth.” James sternly takes my hand as he gestures to a large crowd surrounding what can only be George O’Malley’s body. “We are going home.”
