by Bobbi Smith
Chance stifled a sigh. The last thing he felt like doing was going out on the social circuit.
"I'll save you a dance," Bethany promised aggressively, wondering why he wasn't responding to her as openly as she'd hoped he would and then realizing that it was probably because his mother was there with them. Tonight, she vowed to herself . . . tonight. . . .
Her blue eyes met his dark ones, telling him without words all she wanted him to know. Feeling cramped by Agatha, she made her excuses. "I really do have to rush off, but I'll look forward to being with you tonight . . ." Her double entendre was clear to Chance, but luckily Agatha missed it.
"It was nice of you to come by, Bethany." Agatha was glad that the young woman was finally leaving so that she and Chance could resume their discussion.
Chance gallantly escorted Bethany to the door, rather pleased that she was leaving so soon. But before he could open it for her, she brazenly linked her arms around his neck and pulled him down for a hot kiss. Never one to deny himself a pleasurable endeavor, he kissed her back. It had, after all, been a long time since he'd been with a woman. The cloud of her heavy perfume surrounded him and with it came the memory of the heated nights they'd spent together. A spark of physical response flared within him, and the evening ahead suddenly seemed somehow less tedious to him.
"I'll be counting the hours," Bethany responded breathlessly, and then gracefully exited with one last look of open longing cast his way.
Having just closed the door, Chance was walking slowly back toward the parlor, musing on the promise of the night to come, when Agatha stepped out into the hall.
"Bethany's gone?"
"Yes."
"Good."
"Good?" Her answer surprised him, and he arched one dark brow in question.
"Yes, good. She's a wonderful girl, and I'd certainly have no objections should you decide to marry her at some time in the future, but right now there's no time for you to involve yourself with a woman. You have to see about Douglas."
Chance groaned inwardly. For a moment, he'd forgotten all about his errant brother. "Ah, yes, Douglas."
"Yes, Douglas." Agatha gave him a strained look as she moved past him and disappeared into the study, leaving him to follow.
"Once you read his letter, you'll understand why I'm so concerned about him," she was saying as he entered the room. "Here, read it for yourself." She picked up the single sheet of paper and held it out to him. "It came almost two months ago, and I haven't heard from him since . . ."
Chance took the letter from his mother. He had not expected to find anything really upsetting in the short note, but as he read through it, a troubled frown furrowed his brow.
"Mother—
I am in a dangerous situation here in the territory. I've struck a rich vein of gold in my mine, but there are people out here who would kill to get their hands on it. I am desperate for help from someone I know I can trust implicitly. Has Chance returned from his voyage yet? Send him to me as soon as he returns. I'm enclosing a map that shows the location of the mine. Tell him to guard it with his life. When Chance gets to Phoenix, have him look up an old tracker named Burr. He knows the mountains where the mine is located and can bring him to me. Tell Chance to talk to no one but Burr in town as my life depends upon it.
Your loving son,
Douglas"
When Chance looked up again, his dark eyes were clouded with worry.
"Now do you understand why I've been so upset?" she pressed, glad to see that he was finally beginning to grasp the seriousness of the situation.
"Where's the map?"
"I've kept it locked in the drawer . . ." Agatha unlocked the center desk drawer and withdrew the vitally important sketch of the mountainous region east of Phoenix. "God only knows what's happened to him since he sent it." She handed him the map and then asked anxiously, "You are going to go, aren't you?"
Chance's expression grew decidedly grim as he read the letter a second time. "Yes, I'm going and, from the sound of things, the sooner the better."
Relief flooded through Agatha at his announcement. "Thank heaven. How soon can you be ready?"
"I've got to see to the ship and finalize those business affairs before I leave," he said thoughtfully, trying to calculate just how much time it would take to get everything in order. "If the negotiations go smoothly . . . two days."
"Good. It's been so long, and I've been so frightened for Douglas."
Chance gave his mother a quick smile, wanting to reassure her and cover his own doubts. "I wouldn't worry too much. You should know by now that Doug has always had a way of making things sound more exciting than they really are. I'm sure when I get to Phoenix, I'll find out he's just fine. You'll see."
"I hope so, Chancellor, I hope so," Agatha said softly. She wanted to believe his assurances with all her heart, but she felt perhaps this time her youngest son had gotten himself into something far more complicated and far more dangerous than any of them could imagine.
Chance's concern for his brother was foremost in his thoughts. The ominous tone of Doug's letter troubled him, and, though he tried to pretend that he was in the best of spirits for his mother's sake, he was preoccupied and worried. Bethany was the farthest thing from his mind as they arrived at the Richardsons'.
They were late, and the music and dancing had already started when they entered the stately three-story mansion. After escorting Agatha to join her lady friends, Chance got a bourbon from the bar in the study and then returned to the ballroom. The welcome he received from his many friends was warm and cordial, and he slowly circled the room, renewing old acquaintances.
"Chance, how are you? It's good to have you back." Rodney Allenton, a longtime friend, was pleased to see that he'd returned. Though he was the same age as Chance, Rod's thinning blond hair, slim build, and glasses gave him a studious appearance and made him seem several years older.
"It's good to be back, Rod," he told him as they shook hands. "I missed Boston and everyone . . ."
Chance let his gaze drift around the room as they talked and caught sight of Bethany and another young woman across the room. The deep rose-colored gown she wore out set off her striking blond beauty. His mother's earlier comment about a possible marriage to Bethany drifted through his thoughts, and Chance acknowledged vaguely to himself that a man could do far worse.
Still, despite the fact that his mother had been prodding him for some time now to marry and start a family, Chance had no real interest in marriage. He had loved many women, but he had never been in love with any of them. His relationships with females had always been ones of mutual benefit and enjoyment with no commitment, and he'd liked it that way.
Rod noticed his distraction and, following the direction of his gaze, remarked knowingly, "Ah, the lovely Bethany . . ." She's been seeing Peter Stanhope regularly for several months now, you know."
"Are they engaged yet?" Chance inquired easily, wondering if she'd come to him earlier that day while being promised to another man. Knowing Bethany, he certainly wouldn't have put it past her.
"Not yet, but I understand Stanhope's quite serious about her . . . just like every other man in the room," Rod drawled, knowing that many had tried to win Bethany, but none had succeeded. As he was watching Bethany, he saw her glance in their direction, say something to her friend, and start across the dance floor in their direction.
"Chance, darling, I'm so glad you finally got here," Bethany said as she sought him out. "I do believe this dance was ours?"
Chance fought to keep from smiling as he handed Rod his glass. "If you'll excuse me, Rod?"
Rod watched with ill-concealed astonishment as Chance guided Bethany out onto the dance floor, and he wondered why Chance always seemed to end up with the most beautiful women. It couldn't be because of his good looks and fantastic fortune, Rod thought cynically, but with a smile.
Bethany was ecstatic as Chance waltzed her around the crowded room. She felt as if all eyes were upon them, and s
he gloried in it. She knew they made the perfect couple, and now all she had to do was to convince Chance of it. She couldn't believe that everything was going so perfectly! The night, her dress, the music, Chance . . . she could hardly wait to get him outside in the garden so she could show him just how much she had missed him.
Chance was glad that he'd found Bethany at a moment when she hadn't been surrounded by a dozen or so ardent suitors, for he'd wanted to have his dance with her and be done with it. He was in no mood for romance tonight. He just wanted to make his appearance with his mother and then get back home to take care of business. Though he recognized that Bethany moved in perfect rhythm with his expert lead, he didn't care, and when the music ended, he was all too glad to escort her from the floor.
"Would you like to rejoin Regina?" Chance asked, nodding to where Bethany's friend still stood by the refreshment table.
After the heaven of being in his arms, the last thing Bethany wanted to do was to go back to her girlfriend.
"Actually, I'm a little warm, and I wondered if you'd come outside with me for a while?" Bethany gazed up at him. She didn't care if Peter Stanhope was waiting for her. She didn't care about anything but being alone with Chance. Clinging to his arm, she made certain to press the side of her bosom against him as he escorted her through the French doors and out into the black velvet night.
Alone with Chance beneath the stars, Bethany was determined to use the moment to her fullest advantage. She wanted him badly.
"I've missed you, Chance, more than you'll ever know," she confessed when they paused near the center of the flowering garden.
Chance was preoccupied with worries about Doug, but alone here with Bethany in the moon light he could appreciate her loveliness. She did look ravishing tonight, he admitted to himself. Her hair was drawn up away from her face, emphasizing the finely boned structure of her lovely features. Her gown complemented the flawlessness of her fair complexion, and its off-the-shoulder style set off the gracefulness of her neck and shoulders, while showcasing the sensuous swell of her ample breasts above the low-cut décolletage. The only jewelry Bethany had worn was a necklace—a large, single diamond on a fine gold chain that nestled provocatively in the sweetness of her enticing cleavage.
"You look lovely tonight."
"I'm glad," she said huskily. "I wanted to look beautiful . . . for you."
Chance read the invitation in her tone and in her eyes and didn't hesitate a moment longer to take her in his arms and kiss her. When Bethany melted against him, meeting him willingly in that heated exchange, he pulled her closer and deepened the kiss.
"It's been a long time," he said, drawing briefly away to look down at her.
"Too long." Bethany looped her arms about his neck and drew him back to her, kissing him hungrily, holding nothing back and letting him know by her undisguised desire that she wanted him.
Chance understood her unspoken invitation, and he forgot about his brother for a minute as he took her up on it, caressing the fullness of her curves. A gasp of excitement escaped her at the passion his touch ignited. He was everything she'd ever wanted, and soon he would be hers! Bethany hadn't wanted to end the embrace, but the sound of another couple drawing near forced them apart.
Chance wondered why he felt slightly relieved to have been interrupted. He supposed it was because he knew there was no time for him to become involved right now.
"We'd better go back inside," Chance said after the other couple had moved away.
"I know you're right, it wouldn't do to be out here too long, but . . ."
The look she gave him was so enticing that he couldn't resist one last kiss. The embrace was a torrid one, and when they finally returned to the party, Bethany's cheeks were still flushed with desire.
"There you are!" Peter declared a bit hostilely as he approached her and Chance. "I've been looking everywhere for you."
"Chance and I just stepped outside for a few minutes," Bethany told him mildly. "You two know each other, don't you?"
"We've met," he replied tersely.
"Peter, it's good to see you again. If you'll both excuse me now? I see some other friends I haven't had the opportunity to speak with yet."
Bethany was a little put out that he was leaving her so quickly, but there was little she could do about it. "Of course," she said graciously, giving him her best smile, "and again, thank you for the dance."
As the music began again, Peter claimed her for the dance, and she was forced to pretend to be having a good time while she surreptitiously watched Chance from a distance. The evening seemed to drag on, and to her disappointment she found no opportunity to be with Chance again. Much later she finally managed a few moments away from Peter, and Regina seemed to appear at her side from out of nowhere.
"Did you hear the news?"
"What news?" Bethany asked, more than a little bored. Regina was one to carry tales, and she was certain that whatever it was she had to say would not be important to her.
"About Chance . . ."
"What about Chance?" She turned on her, anxious to learn what it was she had heard.
"He's leaving the day after tomorrow for Arizona."
"Leaving? For Arizona?!" She was dumbstruck. "But why?"
"I don't know all the details, but Mrs. Broderick told my mother earlier this evening that Douglas is out in Arizona and needs Chance's help."
"I don't believe it! He just got back!" Bethany was filled with outrage over the thought of him leaving again. "I've got to talk to him . . ."
"The last time I saw him he was headed toward the study, but I don't know if he's still there. His mother said that they were leaving the ball early tonight."
"Thanks, Regina . . ." Bethany rushed off, giving no thought at all to Peter. Only Chance mattered to her. She found him in the study as Regina had said, and luckily he was alone.
"Chance . . . I just heard the most dreadful news . . ." She stepped inside the room and shut the door behind her.
Chance looked up in surprise at the unexpected interruption, and he asked quickly, "What is it, Bethany? What's wrong?"
"I just heard that you were going to leave again. Is it true?"
"I'm afraid so," he answered. "I'll be leaving for Phoenix in the Arizona Territory shortly."
"I can't believe you didn't tell me yourself! After all we've meant to each other . . . after what we shared in the garden earlier?"
Chance's expression hardened. "My brother needs me, Bethany."
"Damn your brother!" Her temper exploded. She was not used to being frustrated. She was used to getting her own way. "Don't you know how long I've waited for you to come home?"
"There are no promises between us, Bethany, and I hardly think you cooled your heels while I was gone."
"I had to do something to keep from going crazy while I was waiting for you," she quickly defended herself. "Besides, that doesn't matter now that you're here. I need you, Chance, just as much as your brother does. Stay with me . . ." She was ready to offer him anything to keep him with her, but the door opened behind her, ending the opportunity.
"Chance? Oh, sorry . . . " It was Rod who came into the room.
"It's all right, Rod. What is it?"
"Your mother was looking for you. She said to tell you that she's ready to leave."
Chance started to follow Rod from the room, but Bethany stopped him.
"Chance?"
"I have to go, Bethany." He said no more, but strode straight from the room.
Bethany remained behind, fuming. She was glad that Rod shut the door behind them because, as soon as it closed, she picked a glass paperweight off the desk and threw it across the room with all her might. It didn't shatter, but it really didn't matter. Bethany felt better for just having thrown it.
Damn Chance Broderick and his sense of family honor! So his brother was more important to him than she was, was he? she thought in fury. Well, just as soon as he got back, she was going to change all that!
Chapter Two
Burr left his place at the bar and cautiously made his way toward the man sitting at the table in the back of McKinnie's Saloon. It was unusual for anyone to be asking about him, and he wondered just what it was the stranger wanted. His expression guarded, he approached the dark-haired man.
Burr considered himself a good judge of character, and he quickly sized up the newcomer. He figured the man to be in his late twenties and used to an active outdoor life, for he was tan and ruggedly fit. Burr knew he was not from the territory, though, for he was dressed as a gentleman and his tailored clothing was too stylishly cut to be from out here.
"I understand you've been looking for me," Burr challenged without hostility.
"If your name's Burr, I have been," Chance replied, eyeing the buckskin-clad man who'd come to stand before him.
"It is," he replied curtly.
Burr was slightly built with gray-streaked shaggy hair. An untamed, grizzled beard framed a face with a tanned, leathery complexion that Chance knew had come from years of living in the elements. The hard, blue-eyed gaze that openly returned his probing stare reflected a keen intelligence.
"Then I'd like to talk with you a few minutes if you've got the time. My name's Chance Broderick." Chance came to his feet and extended his hand in friendship to the one man his brother considered trustworthy. "Please sit down. Would you like a drink?"
"A beer," Burr said as he shook his hand and then sat down as Chance called for the barkeep to bring the drink. He studied him openly and wondered if there was any connection between him and the young Broderick he knew up in the mountains. As dangerous as the times were, though, he said nothing about the possible connection for the time being. "You're from back East." It was a statement more than a question.
"Yes, I'm from Boston," Chance replied as he paid for the tankard of beer the bartender brought to the table.
Burr took a long, deep draft from the mug then glanced up at Chance again, a measuring, almost dangerous look in his eyes. There was a hard edge to his voice when he finally asked, "So, why are you looking for me? What do you want."
