The Outlaw's Kiss (an Old West Romance) (Wild West Brides) (4 page)

Father had taken to calling him my cowboy-fiancé,
which caused me all manner of embarrassment, even as a private joke.

“Mr. Masterson,” my father said. “I thought we’d
agreed that Clara and I would be staying away from town, on our claim. Why have
we stopped here? There’s such a great mess that I’m not sure I can handle this
myself, much less subject my daughter to it.”

Eli sucked on two of his teeth. “I was thinking
about that, Mr. James, and I’m not sure that’s the best idea. Itan and his band
won’t give you any trouble, but I can’t say the same for the rest of the Sioux.”

They looked at one another for a moment. “I don’t
know,” Father said. “This seems –”

“What’s this? New load of grist for the mill?” A
man shouted from a balcony overhanging the street. “Did you ask me for
permission to bring those, what are they?” He squinted at us. “Limber-livered yankees?”

“Miss and Mr. James, meet Al Swearengen. Closest
thing to a boss the little town of Deadwood’s got.” Eli pursed his lips and
turned to us. “Best watch yourself around him,” he said quietly. “Mr.
Swearengen, how does the morning treat you? These two, yes, will be joining
your camp, though I expect they’d like to join as little of it as possible.”

The round-bellied man who wore only long johns and
dark trousers grunted a laugh and smoothed his mustache. “Give me a minute,” he
said. “I’ll be down. Bring them in. No one’s about just yet to offend the lady,
or to excite the old man.” With that, he disappeared into what I assumed were
his chambers.

“Do we really need to deal with that ruffian?”
Father hopped down off the wagon, following Eli’s lead. I climbed out of the
back and went along. “And Clara, I’d really like it if you’d stay back there.
We’ve no idea what’s going to be lurking in that...
brothel
.” He said
the word like it was poison.

I pursed my lips. “Father, I’m going to be living
here as well. And that Mr. Swearengen said there was nothing scandalous
happening at present, so I don’t see the problem.”

“She’s right,” Eli said. “Just like with Itan. The
best way to avoid trouble is to at least pretend like it don’t bother you. But
as to what Al said. Al Swearengen says a lot of things. A whole lot of them.
But if you stay aright with him, he’s not the type to stab you in the back, or
the guts as the case may be. But never,
never
, cross him. Do you both
understand me?”

Father chewed the end of his mustache and nodded.
“Is he some sort of criminal? Gang boss?”

Eli shook his head. “No, he’s just the smartest
damned person in this camp. As soon as gold was found in the hills, he took a
fortune up here and started building. The Gem, where we’re headed now, was
first. Come on, he’s also not the type to keep waiting for too long.”

Pushing through the door of the Gem Theater and
Saloon, I took a step back in time. It was, as Mr. Swearengen said, devoid of
life, except for two women. One of them had gray streaks starting at her
temples, and wore a modest cotton gown in the same high-necked style as mine.
She had stern hazel eyes and a tightly bowed mouth that didn’t seem very apt to
start joking.

The other was a younger woman, stunningly
beautiful, and adorned in a pair of stockings that seemed to be held together
by threads. She knelt on the floor, pushing a broom through a puddle. Both of
them stopped and watched when we entered, though their mouths didn’t fall open
until they saw me.

“Now there’s an unsoiled flower if I ever saw one,
Miss Gretchen,” the younger woman said. “The Hell’s she doin’ here?”

“That’s enough Tammy,” the older woman clicked her
teeth. “I’m sure the lady has some business here or she wouldn’t have come in.
Though, miss?” She turned to me and raised her voice. “I’d watch your hem.
There’s a bit of, ah, well, mess on the floor there. You might want to avoid
it.”

“Oh, thank you,” I muttered as I stepped around
the foul looking liquid she mentioned and hiked my dress up high enough to step
over anything particularly horrifying. Miss Gretchen took a sip from a short
glass of what I assumed was some kind of whiskey, pursed her lips and nodded.

From upstairs, a great crashing sound erupted, and
then a rattling. Finally Mr. Swearengen emerged, pulling the straps on his
suspenders into place and donning a remarkably urbane overcoat.

“Now, I wasn’t paying attention when Eli
introduced you two earlier. What might I call you?” He had an accent that was
difficult to place. It certainly wasn’t anything like Eli’s, but the refinement
in his voice carried a dishonest note, as though he had practiced a great deal
to have such a sound. “Oh, how rude. Yes, yes, of course. I’m the owner of this
establishment, and long-time Deadwood resident. Or maybe I was the first one.
Hard to remember as the years trot past.” He walked his fingers over the bar
top, and pulled back his teeth in a silent laugh. “Any rate, I’m Elbert
Swearengen, but I can’t think of the last time anyone called me that. I go by
‘Al’. My family’s from Iowa, but I’ve moved around, hence the slightly curious
way of speaking.”

“Elbert,” my father said, extending his hand,
“glad to meet you. My daughter and I – oh, right – I’m Jefferson and this is my
daughter Clara. I’m the part-owner of the James financial institution in New
York.”

“Jefferson James.” Al leaned forward on top of his
bar. “I’ve heard the name. And I’ve heard you were coming. Are we needing a
place to lay our weary heads?”

Something about his mannerism was strange, but he
didn’t seem menacing. At least until his gaze moved to me where it lingered for
a moment before Father cleared his throat and got the man’s attention once
again.

“We were going to stay out of town at the gold
claim, but I –”

“No,” Al said without a second’s hesitation. “The
Sioux will split you from stomach to throat in half a second. If you’re staying
in my territory, you’re staying in town. I don’t much care for our sheriff, but
he keeps things orderly. And more than that, there’s no raiding parties. You
two will be safe as long as you’re in town.”

Father nodded. “Yes, but you see we haven’t made
any such plans. I had made arrangements to stay at the inn between town and the
hills until we had our supplies, at which point –”

“No.” Mr. Swearengen waved his hand. “You can’t.
You’re not understanding. I’ll not allow it.”

“You can’t control where I stay!” Father scoffed.
“Who do you think you are?”

At the same time, both Eli and Mr. Swearengen
cocked their eyes. Eli pulled my father to the side. “Look, he might be brusque,
but he’s right. I can keep Itan and his group away, but there are thousands of
other bands out there waiting for someone to get too brash. There’s no reason
to risk yourself that way, nor to risk Clara.”

“But...but this town is full of filth! This isn’t
a place fit for her!” Father gnawed heavily on his mustache.

“Well, put it to you this way, friend. If you stay
out there for one night, and make it to breakfast, call yourself lucky,” Mr.
Swearengen’s voice was smooth, but insistent. “If you make it two, you might be
a man who should be playing poker instead of panning for gold. But, as luck
would have it, you don’t have to stay anywhere near the center of the camp.
Something just came open recently. Very nice place on the outskirts.”

“I... a what?”

“A house,” Al replied. “On the outskirts of town.
Built by a man for himself and his wife before he took a fall from somewhere
high, or so the story goes. I think his claim just failed and he pitched
himself from a mountain.” He shrugged with curious ease and took a sip of
coffee.

“The wife’s gone off back to Connecticut I think
they were from. And as it happens, I took over the title. As the town expands
the house will be in the middle of city bustle, but for now, it’s in a fine
position from which to observe the wailing of the apes in the camp’s heart
while being safely away from the realities of life in a mining camp.”

He had a way of speaking that was smooth and
rambling, but each time he made a point he arched the thick, black eyebrows
that sat atop his restless eyes. He never looked at a person for more than a
few seconds before surveying the room. I dismissed that as prudent caution, all
things considered.

Father paused a moment and swallowed hard. “Can we
see the place at least? And I’m sorry Mr. Swearengen –”

“Al.”

“Yes, I’m sorry Al, but I’m not sure how you want
me to remit payment. I haven’t got anything with me presently. I supposed I
could get a note of credit drawn on my bank if you wish.”

I had never seen my father so cowed. Perhaps
‘cowed’ isn’t the right word. Everything Swearengen said made sense, and from
what Eli said, the man
did
have a great deal of influence, so maybe it
was best to avoid crossing him straight away. I grabbed his lapel. “Father,” I
said, “he’s being very generous in offering us this house. I’m sure a man of
his character wouldn’t offer us anything less than fitting. Isn’t that right,
Mr. Swearengen?”

“Cultivated, sensible beauty is far better than
beauty alone. My ladies possess a great deal of the latter, but very little of
the former. I suppose that’s why they’re here. The lady,” he said as he took my
hand and raised it to his lips, “is correct. It’s a fine house, built by a
wealthy man who died. It’s also the only one available on such short notice. As
for requiring a note of credit, we’ll just say that should you fail to meet
your payments, I know where you live.”

He replaced my hand on the bar top and placed his
upon mine. His palm was cool and dry, surprising given the heat. With a gaze of
stone, he set his eyes on my father, and clenched his jaw. Then he let out a
riotous laugh, though again, his eyes didn’t smile.

“Yes, I see.” Father pursed his lips.

“I’m just giving you a runaround. But your name is
good enough for me. I expect you shan’t have a problem making payments of
twenty-five dollars a week, payable on a Monday? I generally ask for payments
on Wednesdays to allow time for my clients to sell their gold, or whatever else
it is they have to offer, and get it to our remote little camp, but in your
case, I don’t think you’re here to get rich.”

Father stiffened. “Why I’m here is none of your
business. Though if it weren’t to get rich I don’t know what would quite be the
point.”

Mr. Swearengen raised his eyebrows, but remained
silent.

“Any rate,” he said slowly. “My assistant will
fetch the key. I’ll keep the title here unless you decide you wish to buy
outright, though I’d like to get to know you first. Make sure you
fit in
with the town.” With those words his eyes fell to me and he retook my hand from
the bar. I suddenly wished I’d worn my gloves. The chill of his palm was
unnerving and his dead gaze made my soul shudder.

“Miss Gretchen,” he didn’t take his eyes off mine,
not for a second. “Could you please bring this fine gentleman the key for that
house on the edge of town? What did you say your name was, ma’am?” I could
imagine him being related to a serpent.

Eli stirred beside me, but no matter how badly I
wanted, I couldn’t look away from the man holding my hand. “I should go, Mr.
Swearengen,” I said in a voice barely above a whisper. “My father, he –”

“If you need anything, come to me first, and the
sheriff second. He has a badge but I have power.” He took a breath and pulled
me close, whispering in my ear. “If
anyone
causes problems, tell me
about it. This isn’t a good place for someone like you. Come to me, do you
understand? I can do things no one else in this hellhole can.”

“Okay, Al, that’s about enough of terrifying the
lady.” Eli stepped up and yanked my hand away from Swearengen’s grasp. “There’s
no reason for all of that. She’s not for you to try and ply your trade with.
Head back to the coach, I’ll be out shortly,” he said.

My heart pounded as I followed father out of the
saloon and back to the coach. Back inside, I heard Mr. Swearengen loudly protest
that he had no foul intentions with me as he was a happily married man. From
the audible snort, I think Eli wasn’t quite convinced.

As promised, Eli emerged with a grin.

“Well, I’m glad that went relatively well. And now
you’ve met one of the two men who make this place work. The other, Sheriff
Bullock, I’m sure will be along shortly. He tends to appear to make himself
known to new residents.”

*

T
he house was a very well built two-story affair.
Upon looking around for the first time, there were more rooms than either father
or I expected, given the surroundings. The front of the building had a nice
porch with two chairs already set upon it, and inside was a dining area, a
sitting room and three bedrooms. All of them fully furnished, which struck me
as a bit curious, but I was so tired from the ride and everything else that
when Eli offered to move my things for me I’m not ashamed to admit I took him
up on it and sat on one of the rocking chairs to watch and rest my feet.

“That should just about do it,” Eli grunted as he
deposited the last of our wardrobes inside the door of Father’s and my new
abode. “Nice place, all said. Maybe Swearengen wasn’t completely dishonest
about it. Anyways, I’ve got to see to the others and get gone in the morning.”
Eli wiped the sweat from his forehead with a handkerchief and pulled a comb out
of his back pocket to smooth his hair before replacing his hat.

“Will you be back?” I asked, suddenly realizing I
took for granted that he would. “I don’t think I’d like it if I didn’t see you
again.”

It came out a bit more anguished than I wanted,
but he was too kind to make small of me.

“Of course,” he said. “I’m not taking those folks
all the way to Oregon. I’m responsible for getting them to Independence Rock, a
few days’ ride from here. I hand them over to another guide who leads them the
rest of the way. After that,” he took my hand and tilted his head back so I
could see the pale blue of his eyes reflecting the sky. “After that, Miss
James, I’ll be back.”