Turner's Vision

by Suzanne Ferrell

  The Gibsons would be here. He wondered who else would make an appearance.

  Earlier, he’d scouted the tavern and surrounding area, looking for hiding places and possible escape routes. The brick building stood three stories high, with rooms upstairs for overnight guests of the working girls. The original owner kept a back staircase for those individuals who wished to leave discreetly, but it had been sealed over since then, leaving him no escape route, which worried him some.

  While he was busy making plans for the night, Micah had Kelly watching the outside of Claudia’s town house for any comings or goings. He wasn’t fool enough to believe she was giving up her investigation. She could no more stay away from this mystery than he could stay away from her.

  There was a strong pull between them. His feelings and visions of danger were usually reserved for those friends and family members to whom he was closest. When he’d seen the expression on her face in the carriage last night, the same vision he’d had of Claudia several months before flashed through his mind again. It was accompanied by a sense of danger, and the more time he spent with her, the stronger that feeling became.

  A sense of danger wasn’t the only feeling he was having about this chameleon of a woman. The comparison amused him.

  Chameleon was a very appropriate name. She changed not only her disguises, but also every nuance of her person with every situation in which she found herself. When she’d shaken out her hair last night and looked up at him with mischief dancing in her eyes, he decided then he was going to have her. If he hadn’t been caught off guard by his desire for her, he would’ve gladly choked her for putting herself and the boy at risk last night. She didn’t know it, but their futures were connected. He didn’t like it one bit that she was jeopardizing that future with her antics.

  His thoughts sobered quickly as a young man entered the room.

  Stephen.

  The shock of seeing him here was quickly replaced by a good dose of cynicism.

  Why should it surprise him that his half-brother would be mixed up in this mess? It had been years since he’d seen him, but he would’ve known him anywhere. In those years he’d grown into a likeness of himself. Stephen had the same blond hair and above-average height, although stockier. The only physical difference were his eyes—Stephen’s were the same shade of ice blue as Micah’s stepmother, Julia. He wondered if on closer examination, they had the same cold, calculating glint to them.

  Stephen sat at a table on the opposite side of the room, also partially covered in shadows. Micah watched as he signaled for drinks.

  Earlier in the day Micah convinced the owner it was in his best interest to let his man work as the barkeep. Simon set a bottle and five glasses in front of his brother. Stephen poured himself a drink. He drank it quickly, refilling his glass just as the door opened to admit two more players in this mystery.

  Jonathan Gibson strode into the room, confident in his power, while his brother David hovered in his shadow. They sat in the two chairs at Stephen’s left.

  As the three men at the table exchanged words and drinks, the door to the tavern opened again. This time a short, lean man of oriental descent entered the room. Glancing around to take in all the room’s occupants, he moved to the table where the men were seated. He refused the drink Stephen offered him. This was a very cautious man.

  The four men talked in hushed tones, occasionally looking around the room and at the door. Micah slumped down in his chair, with his head almost lying on the table. From a distance anyone looking at him would see only a one eyed sailor sleeping in a drunken stupor.

  After about half an hour, the door opened once more. The man entering looked more nervous than his fellow conspirators. The banker walked over to the table. He took the last seat, accepting a glass of liquor.

  The conversation resumed and Stephen signaled for another bottle. Micah watched in horror as the woman brought out the drink. She wore a skintight corset, cut so low and so tight her normally small breasts bulged out the top.

  Micah looked up into and nearly groaned. She’d painted her face like any doxy he’d seen on the streets of Washington and Denver. He watched as she leaned over, whispering something in Stephen’s ear, nearly pushing her breasts into his face. Suddenly, his brother pulled her onto his lap, kissing her behind the ear. From where he sat, Micah saw the look of sheer panic cross her face.

  I should let her get herself out of his mess. Instead, he pushed himself out of his seat.

  The man who looked like a softer version of Micah lifted the hem of her dress, his hand groping at her shapely legs.

  Panicked, Claudia let out a squeal of protest.

  The one-eyed sailor hobbled from the corner over to the table, weaving precariously as he came nearer the men. Just as he started to pass Claudia and the man holding her captive, the disgusting sailor reached out and yanked her from the drunk’s hands. The glasses on the table slid to the floor, and the younger man was left to decide which he wanted to save—the bottle of whiskey or Claudia.

  The bottle won.

  “Aye, missy. What’cha mean, taking someone afor me?” The man’s breath reeked of alcohol and garlic, while his clothes were enough to cause the people around them to move away. “You’se promised to me fer the night, and I don’t be sharin’.”

  “I never…” Claudia began to protest, then she saw the steel colored eye without the patch. A deep sense of relief spread through her. She decided to play along with her rescuer. “I never was planning to make you share, Otis. I promise.”

  Micah lifted her onto his shoulder, her rump hiding his face from the men at the table. He carried her out the back door and up the stairs, the men’s laughter following them out.

  “Put me down.” Claudia hissed in his ear.

  Micah didn’t answer her. He carried her down the hall into the first unlocked room he came to. He kicked open the door and walked over to the bed, throwing her on top of the questionably clean cover. Without further comment and ignoring her protesting grunts, he closed the door. He placed the only chair up under the knob to lock everyone out.

  Micah lifted the patch from his eye and the hat from his head. With his panther like grace, he slowly walked to the bed—a cat stalking its prey. As he approached, he unbuttoned the dark wool coat, his hands mesmerizing her.

  “Micah, what are you doing?” Claudia’s voice escaped in a whisper. She looked up from his hands to the shadows of his face.

  “You wanted to excite a man, my dear.” He took another step closer. “Well you have. I warned you that any further involvement in this affair could be dangerous. But you wouldn’t listen.” He removed his coat, tossing it on the foot of the bed. As she watched he reached for the hem of his sweater and pulled it over his head, followed by the cotton shirt beneath, revealing a well-muscled chest with dark hair covering his golden skin.

  Claudia had never seen a naked man’s chest. She was surprised by the puckered brown nipples that stared out from under the mat of hair.

  Without realizing it, her tongue darted out to moisten her suddenly parched lips. Her eyes followed the hair from his chest downward as it formed a line, ending just above the waist of his pants.

  “You wanted to play this game.” Micah continued, walking to the edge of the bed. “I guess I’ll just have to show you how dangerous it can be for a lady to dress like a harlot and work in a tavern.”

  His hand reached out to touch her hair, snapping Claudia back to reality. She bolted around the bed toward the door. Micah reached it at the same time, clamping her back up against him with one solid arm, while the other hand covered her mouth.

  “I want you to understand one thing, my dear,” he whispered into her ear, his warm breath sending a blinding heat through to her core. “You are not leaving this room until morning. We’ve no idea how long their meeting will take place, and I don’t intend for anyone but myself to touch you.”

  For emphasis, he moved his hand up to cup one rounded breast. Claudia’s b
reath caught in her throat, strange sensations coursing through her. Not only was Micah’s hand making her feel hot and cold at the same time, but the proof of his desire pressed against her behind.

  “Can you tell how much I want you?” His voice sent more shivers down her spine. Micah pulled her back to the bed. “Are you happy, knowing how excited I am by seeing you in your little disguise?” He turned her around, pulling her up into his arms, locking her breasts against his warm chest. “Is this what you wanted to happen?”

  “No.” Claudia shook her head.

  “Isn’t it?” Micah lowered his head, kissing her with both the anger and desire she’d worked up in him. He pulled her closer, bending her backward. His lips softened slightly as he stroked her lips with his tongue, coaxing her to open them to him.

  Hesitantly, Claudia parted her lips, melting further into him. His tongue swept in, igniting her to her very soul. Her arms came up to rest momentarily on his then moved upward, allowing her fingers to thread through his blond hair.

  Slowly, Micah’s kiss gentled. He lifted his lips, whispering against hers, “Isn’t this what you wanted?”

  “Yes,” she whispered.

  Suddenly, he released her. Reaching down, he picked up his stinky sweater, tossed it over near the door then grabbed his warm cotton shirt and yanked it over her head. She was so stunned by his abrupt actions, she couldn’t protest as he thrust first one of her arms, then the other into the shirt sleeves. Micah lifted her up and laid her gently on the bed. Then he climbed in behind her, pulling his coat up over them both, wrapping his arms around her.

  “Micah?” Claudia whispered out of her dazed fog.

  “What?” His voice sounded raspy in her ears.

  “Is that all there is?”

  “Tonight, that is all there is for us. This bed probably hasn’t been cleaned in years, little one. When I make love to you, it will be on a clean bed. Now go to sleep.”

  Claudia held herself stiffly while she listened to the rhythm of his breathing. After a few minutes, the heat from Micah’s body seeped through to warm and relax her. Her last thoughts before sleep were that Micah said when he made love to her, not if.

  She fell asleep with a smile on her face, and Micah’s hand on her breast.

  * * * * *

  A slight tap on the door brought Micah fully awake. Easing himself away from Claudia’s warm body, he covered her with the coat. For a moment, he stood looking down at the sleeping woman. He brushed the riotous rust colored curls back from her face, his hand lingering against the smoothness of her cheek. The tap came again, summoning him to the door.

  “Simon?”

  “It’s me, sir.”

  Micah opened the door to allow the man into the room, then braced the chair once more against the knob. He motioned for Simon Smith, a Pinkerton agent posing as the tavern’s bartender last night to join him over by the window, away from the bed.

  “What time is it?” Micah whispered.

  “An hour before dawn, sir. The meeting broke up about an hour ago. I waited until I was sure no one was still watching before I came up the stairs.” He handed Micah a bundle of clothes. Looking over at the bed, a small smile lit his features. “She sure took you by surprise sir, didn’t she?”

  “You could say that.” Micah opened the bundle to find the black pants and sweater he’d left with Simon earlier the day before. He slipped the sweater over his head. “I would like to know what you think you were doing, allowing her to dress up like that and serve tables last night.”

  “Sir, I was as surprised as you were to see her come strolling from the back room. It was supposed to be Dolly serving those men. That was definitely Dolly’s dress she was wearing. Somehow, she must’ve convinced her to trade places for the night.” He watched the sleeping woman while Micah slipped off the obnoxious smelling pants and donned the clean ones. “For one so small, she has more guts than some men I know.”

  “More guts than sense, that’s for sure. Did you happen to find something for her to wear out of here?”

  “There’s a skirt and cape one of the girls gave me. What are you planning to do with her? She’ll just keep getting into trouble if you let her flounder out there on her own.”

  “I know.” Micah gazed at the woman curled up on the bed. She was as determined about uncovering this plot as a dog digging at a bone.

  He was going to have to keep her under closer watch, starting today.

  A deep sigh escaped him. She wouldn’t be happy about his plan. No, sparks were bound to fly when she found out. “Let’s get her up and out of here before dawn breaks. It’ll cause quite a lot of talk if her neighbors see her coming home at this hour.”

  “Your man Kelly’s got the carriage waiting outside.”

  “Good.” He let Simon out the door, barring it once more.

  Leaning over Claudia’s face, he gently pressed his lips to hers. “Time to wake up,” he whispered lightly against her lips. He was rewarded by a smile and two dusky, warm, brown eyes opening in sleepy confusion. “We’ve got to get you home before your neighbors wake up.”

  He helped her sit up, then pulled the skirt over her head. Finally awake, Claudia stood to fix the skirt around her waist as best she could.

  Whomever Simon had borrowed it from was a few sizes larger in the middle than she. Micah shook out the cape and tied it around her neck, pulling it closed around her.

  Kelly waited just outside the tavern door with an unmarked carriage. As soon as Micah and Claudia were inside, he started the team from the dock toward the bridge to Washington. The lurching vehicle caused Claudia to fall into Micah’s solid frame. He braced his arm around her shoulders, securing her to his side.

  She looked up at him to say thank you, but the words died on her lips. Confusion filled her eyes.

  He was just as confused. He didn’t know whether to kiss her, take her over his knees like a spoiled child, or comfort her and tell her everything would be all right. He gave into the last.

  “Just relax. The way Kelly drives, you’ll be bouncing all around otherwise.” His grip loosened a little, his fingers idly stroking her arm. “Henderson should be shot for letting you out last night.”

  “Henderson doesn’t control what I do, Micah. He may be the closest thing I have to family, but he is still my employee, not my father.”

  She tried again to pull away. This time he released her just as Kelly turned a corner. Once more she was thrown into him. He looked down at her as if to say I told you so.

  “Why don’t you tell your driver to slow down?” she grumbled against his side.

  “Because, my dear, I wish to get you home before dawn if at all possible. Your reputation is already suffering because of last night’s escapade. There is no reason to add more damage to it than necessary.”

  “Hang my reputation. At my age, a bad reputation is better than none at all.” She smiled at her own humor. “Why should you care about my reputation? It’s mine after all, not yours.”

  “I have my reasons. Soon I will explain them to you.”

  “Does it have to do with the case?” Her anger forgotten, her face filled with growing excitement.

  “In a roundabout way.”

  “How?”

  “I will explain it to you later today. In the meantime, fix your hair. We’re turning onto your street.”

  Henderson met them at the front door, opening it before they could use the knocker. Micah followed Claudia into the house, and before she could head him off, he lifted her in his arms, taking the stairs to the next landing.

  “Micah, what are you doing? Put me down!” Claudia raised her arms to push herself out of his hold, but to no avail. “This is my home, and I will not have you manhandling me in such a fashion.”

  “Which room is hers, Henderson?” Micah paused to let the servant pass him and indicate Claudia’s bedroom. Henderson pointed to the one on the right at the top of the stairs.

  Claudia shot them both her most indignant look.


  “Do you have a key to it?” Micah asked, following Henderson down the hall.

  “I have keys to all the rooms.”

  “Good.” Micah walked into Claudia’s room and dropped her in the center of the large, mahogany bed. Turning, he followed Henderson out, closing the door behind them.

  A dazed Claudia stared at their backs. The door closed. The quiet click of the key in the door brought her to her senses. She flew at the door in a rage, pounding on it with her fists, kicking at it with her feet.

  “Damn you, Micah Turner! You can’t lock me in my own room, in my own house. I won’t stand for it! Henderson, let me out of here. I’ll never forgive you for this. Do you hear me? I won’t forgive either one of you.” She jiggled the brass handle. Giving the door one last solid kick, she stomped back to the bed in a huff.

  “You’re just like every other man.” She threw a pillow at the door. “Think you can order me around just because I’m a woman. You’re not my father or my brother, you know. You’re not even my husband, Micah. You can’t get away with this!” Realizing she was getting nowhere with this tirade, she settled herself down to think.

  Somehow she had to get out of her room. Then she was going back to that tavern to prove to Micah Turner that she was a force to be reckoned with. He had to be going back there, she just knew it. Why else would he lock her up without an explanation? He must have seen or heard something last night, and didn’t want to share the information with her. He might be bigger and stronger than her, but she was clever.

  When the boys awakened, she’d get one of them to pick the lock for her. She knew Adam could do it. And when she was out, she would have him teach her how to do it. Never, never would she be locked in or out again.

  Humming to herself, she walked into the tiled bathroom, and set about filling the porcelain tub with water. One thing her father had done right in all the years he ruled her life was install the new indoor plumbing. Today, she would enjoy soaking in the hot water.