Mercury's Rise (Silver Rush 04) Read Free

cousin to the one he’d provided at their introduction. On hearing her name, he’d done a visible double-take, then stared with increasingly narrowed eyes, before finally offering her a stiff short bow. She had held her breath, to see if he would add anything damning, such as “You are that harlot who runs the saloon on Harrison and State streets!” He didn’t, but for that moment, it seemed as if he knew her, or knew of her, and not in a positive way. Inez had racked her mind, but could not recall having seen him in the Silver Queen Saloon. When he said nothing after his bow, she had decided to let it pass.
    Realizing her musings had taken her mid-explanation from the conversation, she added belatedly, “What with all his various undertakings and his many investments in Leadville, Mr. Stannert decided it was best for us to remain in the city year-round. To keep an eye on things.”
    “Leadville is a hard place for a gentlewoman,” Pace remarked, glancing at his own wife.
    Inez smiled tightly. A sudden flash of memory from the previous week: her reflection in the Silver Queen Saloon’s dressing room mirror, hair in place, evening gown a rustle of satin and silk, diamonds glistening at her neck, brandy goblet on the washstand, and pocket pistol tucked safely in a hidden pocket. Her regular Saturday night visitors waiting across the hall for her to appear and for the late-night high-stakes poker games to begin.
    “You are staying at the Mountain Springs House for the rest of the summer season, then? Are you intending to take the waters?” The wife’s question could scarcely be heard over the creaks of the coach, the squeaks of horse tracings, and the clatter of hooves.
    “Miss Carothers and I are staying in the area for a short while. I imagine we will sample the mineral springs while we are there.” Inez started to say more, then stopped.
    No need to explain her personal business to these people. No need to tell them that she was on her way to see her sister Harmony and her own son William, whom she had not seen since the previous August. Definitely no need to explain that the reason her husband, Mark Stannert, was not in the coach beside her was because she had threatened to put a bullet through him if he were to accompany her to Manitou.

Chapter Two
Leadville
    Inez’s nightmare had begun eight days before the trip to Manitou. Memories of that early morning still burned like acid through her waking hours and her restless dreams. She had said her good-byes to Reverend Justice Sands at the Malta station, a few miles from Leadville.
    The train waited, prepared to carry former president and Civil War general Ulysses S. Grant and his entourage onto the next stop of his Colorado tour. Darkness still shrouded the sky while Grant, his family, and others descended from their carriages and buggies. In the sheltered interior of the hired hack, Inez and the reverend exchanged one long kiss and lovers’ promises and counterpromises.
    “Less than a month, and I’ll be back,” he said.
    She’d closed her eyes, focusing on his voice, his touch as he traced the line of her cheek.
    He continued, “I would not leave you now, but I promised the General—”
    She placed a finger on his lips, stopping his words. “Justice Sands, you made a promise. You must honor it. No need to worry about me. The worst is over. What else can happen? I’ll be here, waiting for your letters and your return.”
    Weeks ago, Grant had asked that Reverend Sands accompany him on his much-publicized Colorado tour. Such a request from his former commander-in-chief and supporter could not be refused.
    Reverend Sands took her hand in his own, kissed her fingers. “Still, all the trouble of the past days, and now, your home is gone. Burned to the ground. I don’t like leaving you to deal with all this alone.”
    “Nonsense.” She forced herself to speak lightly, glad that the dark interior hid the yearning that she was certain showed on her face.