Demanding Satisfaction [Bride Train 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (11 page)

“Is that so?” Rosa’s scowl had turned crafty. “I couldn’t sleep last night so George and I went for a stroll. We saw a light in your bedroom. There were two shadows on the shade before the room went dark. You sure Max isn’t interested in you?”

“Max might not be interested, but his identical twin brother, Sam, is,” said Lily. She turned to Sophie, who was sputtering. “It’s best that our small group knows Max has a twin. None of us will speak of it, or anything else they heard, outside this room.” Lily winked at the other women. “I would like to hear more.”

Sophie groaned dramatically. She leaned forward and tossed her crisp white apron over her face.

“Sounds like you found yourself some adventure without leaving Tanner’s Ford,” said Rosa drily.

* * * *

Sophie’s face and ears burned like the fires of hell were already licking at her. But these were her friends. She’d given them encouragement before they married, and commiserated when they muttered about their husbands. They would keep her secrets.

“Did he kiss you?” asked Lily. “You know, there’s kissing, and there’s
kissing.
Ambrose is such a good kisser—”

“Lily!” Sophie rolled her eyes.

“When you’re my age, you have to find it when you can.” Though Lily pretended to be a prim lady, her eyes twinkled with merriment.

“It will help that you’re a widow and have had a man’s hands on you,” said Sarah seriously. “But I would think a woman gets jumpy if she’s not been touched in years. Almost like being a virgin again.”

Sarah had been touched far too much before Gabe and Luke rescued her. Sophie’s experience was different. Amos’s touch had been gentle, almost hesitant. Sometimes she almost screamed in frustration when he left her bed, needing something and not knowing what it was. She’d learned a lot since then. Until last night it was all in her imagination or with her own hands. Thinking about it made her want more. She had to change the subject, fast. She looked around the room.

“Where did you get that lovely cabinet?” She pointed at the delicate-looking piece. The others looked over. The wood shone, highly polished and smooth. It matched the chair Sophie sat in, with its thin, carved legs.

“Paddy O’Keefe isn’t a carpenter as much as a cabinet maker,” said Lily. “He does such beautiful work. Walt’s hired him to build a library for him and, as a surprise for the new Mrs. Chamberlain, some elegant furniture. He’s teaching Billy and Daniel MacDougal.”

“Daniel?” asked Sarah.

“Those boys are thick as thieves,” said Lily. “Paddy saw some carving Daniel had done after seeing Ranger’s work. Seems the boy has a real talent. Gillis said he’d be better off living in town for the winter since there’d be little for him to do. He’ll be staying with Paddy after the snow flies.”

“Florence said little Emma pesters him,” said Molly. “She’s almost eight, but she’s already told her mother she’s going to marry Daniel and Billy.”

“She might change her mind after she sees what’s available out East,” added Sarah. “Her grandmother insists Emma will go to an Eastern ladies’ college, just like Jessie did.”

“I can’t see Ranger letting that little girl out of his sight,” said Sophie. “With her beautiful golden-red hair and violet eyes, she’ll have men falling all over her.”

“That’s why Ross MacDougal’s teaching her how to protect herself,” said Lily. “He’s doing the same for Bridie and Meggie Redmond, and Mary’s daughter, Ruthie. The sheriff’s helping him and learning a few things at the same time.”

“Good!” blurted Sarah to Sophie. “You might want to have a few lessons yourself.”

“No time,” said Lily. “Sophie’s got to leave tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” Sophie’s mind raced with all she had to do.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” asked Lily. “You’ve hidden your femininity for years. Can you accept having men wanting you, and touching you?”

Sophie could see her friends’ concern. But she had to do this, even if it was just to prove to herself that she could. Sam’s touch had ignited her. She wanted more, but he and Max were wrapped up in catching Smythe and Isaac. She was determined to do her part to get rid of Isaac forever so she could explore what she wanted from her life.

Of course she didn’t want strangers touching her, but it was something she had to do. So she’d put on a brave front like all the other women had done at some point in their lives.

“I’m only worried that someone will recognize me and ruin things,” she said.

“When we’re finished with you, no one will connect you with the sober, modest hotelkeeper known as Mrs. Sophie McLeod,” said Lily. “Let your hair down, raise your skirts, expose the tops of your breasts, and no man will look at your face.”

“What name should she use?” asked Rosa.

Lily tapped her chin as she thought. “What about Queenie? Sophie speaks far better than most working girls, and she holds herself like a queen.” She nodded when Sophie shook her head to deny it. “You hold your head up and back straight. That means you’ve not been beaten down. That strength will attract certain kinds of men.”

“Some because they like a strong woman, and some because they want to put you in your place,” said Rosa quietly.

“Ruby will keep Sophie as safe as possible,” said Lily.

“You’re going to do what?”

Sophie winced at the near shriek that came out of Victoria Adams’s mouth. She would understand the situation. Her mother and sister had been mistresses, kept by wealthy men and treated as property.

“I’m going to Ruby’s Saloon in Bannack City to work as a dance girl. It’s the only way we can flush out Mr. Isaac.”

Victoria looked at Beth Elliot. Twin faces of horror turned back. Lily, sitting in the corner quietly, said nothing. It was her parlor, and her plan, but she was letting Sophie explain.

“Oh, Sophie, you can’t be serious.” Victoria bit her lip, frowning in worry. “The man is a monster, far worse than Frederick Smythe.”

“I agree that Mr. Isaac is a monster,” said Sophie. “That’s why we need to stop him. My part will be to flush him out.”

“You have no idea what it’s like to force yourself to smile and laugh at strangers,” said Victoria quietly. “To pretend their bodies and mouths don’t stink, or that their touch doesn’t make your skin crawl.” She shook her head, biting her lip. “I remember hearing my mother and sister laugh in the evening as if life was wonderful because that’s what their man wanted to hear. The next morning they’d need witch hazel for their bruises.” She held up her hand before Sophie could say that Miss Ruby would protect her. “Not that you are going to be harmed on purpose, but drunk men grab a woman too hard. Are you willing to put up with that?”

Sophie saw Beth rest her hand protectively on her daughter, sleeping on her shoulder after feeding. She dropped her eyes before anyone would see her look of longing. Sophie was about four years older, yet Beth had three husbands, two healthy children, and a home filled with love. Sophie didn’t know what she wanted to do with the rest of her life, but at least she was finally taking charge of it.

“What are you going to do about the hotel while you’re gone?” asked Victoria.

“Sarah will live there, which means Gabe, Luke, and Oz will insist on doing everything that might cause her the least bit of strain.”

They would do it because Sarah was in the family way. So were Victoria, Kate McInnes, and if the smug look on Cole Taylor’s face was a hint, Casey. Amelia MacDougal had the seven-month-old twins to contend with and Jessie Langford had recently produced a daughter.

“There shouldn’t be much work,” continued Sophie. “Few travel this late in the year.”

“What can I do to help?” asked Beth. “I know you invited me here for a reason.”

“As an artist, you’ve got a good eye,” said Lily, finally entering the conversation.

“I don’t want anyone to recognize me,” explained Sophie. “I want you to show me how to change the way I look. I’ll be letting down my hair and lowering the bodice of my dress, but I’m sure you have other suggestions on how I can disguise myself.”

“Stand up so I can get a good look at you.” Beth tilted her head when Sophie followed her direction. “If you don’t mind, could you let your hair down and remove your dress?”

“Goodness, Sophie, what lovely hair you have!” said Victoria a few moments later. She ran her hands through the strands to remove Sophie’s tight braiding. “No one would recognize you with it down.”

“Especially with a touch of paint to enhance her cheekbones, eyes, and lips,” said Lily. She pointed to the waiting gowns. “I think the periwinkle is best. It will go well with your brown hair and eyes.” Her lip twitched. “It’s also cut rather low, to emphasize your bosom. Not that it needs any emphasis,” she added.

They made her keep her back to the cheval glass as they dressed her. She would keep her stout boots, necessary to protect her toes from half-drunk men trying to dance.

“Nothing goes below your waist but stockings and boots,” said Lily.

“It saves time,” said Beth. “Up go your skirts and in he goes. All you need is a wall, a table, a chair, or…”

Beth laughed when Sophie gasped at her words. She hoped they thought she was scandalized instead of eager for the experience.

“Sophie won’t be lifting her skirts,” said Lily, giving Beth a stern look to tell her to behave. “But a woman walks differently when her thighs rub together. Especially if they’re damp.” She raised a challenging eyebrow.

The married women chuckled at Sophie’s flaming face. She’d been the one to help Victoria and Beth, and most of the other wives, when they married. Now it was her turn to feel flustered. She put on the dress, noting that her nipples almost popped out, then removed her drawers. She crumpled them and set them aside. They were damp from excitement. She had to close her eyes while Lily applied face paint. Then she was guided to the long mirror. Her pussy warmed as she walked, just as Lily had said.

“What do you think?”

Sophie opened her eyes. A voluptuous woman dressed in a provocative blue dress looked back. She glanced down, then lifted a hand to cover her breast. So did the wicked woman in the mirror.

“Oh, my.” She straightened her back while leaning slightly forward, making her breasts strain against the fabric’s edge. She lowered her eyelids like a coquette. No one would ever think this scandalous woman could be Mrs. Amos McLeod.

“Watch yourself move,” said Lily.

At first she moved stiffly, uncertain if her breasts would fall out.

“Think of whatever it was Mr. Gibson did to you last night,” suggested Lily. “Watch what happens to the wanton woman in the mirror.”

Immediately Sophie saw a vision of Sam’s blond hair between her thighs as he licked and sucked her eager flesh. She watched a red flush rise from the hollow between her breasts. It travelled up her chest and throat before blooming on her face.

“Ooh,” said Beth eagerly, “you’ve got something to tell. It’s plain I’ve not been to town often enough. Isn’t Mr. Gibson the Pinkerton detective?”

“Sophie McLeod, have you been naughty?” asked Victoria with a smile.

“Now walk as if you’re enticing your man to do even more,” said Lily.

The hips of the woman in the mirror swayed as she walked. Her relaxed shoulders moved so that her breasts quivered. She could almost see Sam’s face between them.

“That’s how to attract men,” said Victoria. “My mother tried to teach me to do that, but I refused.” Her own face pinked up. “I’ve since found it useful.”

“I bet you have,” replied Beth with a wink.

“You need enough of a swagger to say you know how to play on a bed, but with a hint that you want to learn more,” said Lily. “Capture their interest, yet hold them back. If you’re too easy to touch they won’t appreciate you.”

“But I’ll only be dancing.”

“That is the plan,” said Lily. Her smile faded. “But when men drink around loose women, things change. You’ll have to be prepared for the worst.”

“The worst?”

“You’ll likely be pawed. You may even be forced upstairs.”

“No!” Victoria stood up. “We can’t ask Sophie to do that. There has to be a way—”

“Not without the chance that Mr. Isaac will be gone by the time we can make another plan,” said Lily firmly. Victoria finally nodded her agreement and sank back on her chair.

“I said I’d do it,” said Sophie. Her tight throat made her words come out higher than normal. “None of you had much say in your life. I am making this choice, for myself. I asked for adventure and I will have it.” She faltered for a moment before taking a deep breath and continuing. “If I have to bed a man to capture this beast, then I will.”

“It could be far worse,” said Lily solemnly. “Sarah has a brand on her hip. You could end up with one as well.”

Sophie hated pain and burns were the worst. But if these women could endure, so could she. She swallowed hard and lifted her head.

“If I’m branded while bringing justice, I will wear it with pride.”

“Buford Hames will meet me behind the Golden Nugget in an hour,” said Max to Sam after closing the door to their hotel room. “I want you backing me up. He thinks I want news on Smythe’s dirty dealings.”