Demanding Satisfaction [Bride Train 9] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) (13 page)

Sam barked a laugh. “Ross MacDougal almost split Smythe’s head with one of his bigger knives for that. A few of the men were convincing him to leave town at the time.” Sam smiled in obvious satisfaction. “They were very convincing. So much so that Smythe wants revenge on everyone in Tanner’s Ford.”

“Smythe travelled back and forth around the right time,” continued Max. “He was up to his eyeballs with Orville Rivers, who rumors say traded in women and children.”

Max motioned for Sam to be quiet as Josh thought. Their younger brother was big and often slow moving, but his brain was sharp. He could match things together to find a pattern that made no sense to Max’s logic but once pointed out seemed obvious.

“How’s Judge Stickley fit into this?”

“He doesn’t, since he was here some time before the trail of branded women reached Montana Territory. Also, from what we can piece together, Isaac is at least five foot nine, which makes Stickley a few inches too short. But the new man is the right size. Since you’re the only one who’s seen him, you get the job of watching him.”

Josh grunted in reply. He took Sam’s shirt, the one he’d used to dry himself, and put it on, daring Sam with his eyes to say anything. But Sam leaned a shoulder against the wall, stuck his thumbs in his pockets, and began whistling through his teeth as if he was bored.

“Tell Josh what we found out about Stickley,” said Max.

“He was counting on using Eudora Jennet’s money to fund his election,” replied Sam. “She wants to live in Helena as the wife of a judge, not in a small town with a near-broke banker. She can’t divorce her husband without losing everything, so she tried to kill him off.” Sam put his hand over his heart and gave Josh a stricken expression. “She hired Joe Sheldrake to dry-gulch her husband!”

“It didn’t work,” added Max, ignoring Sam’s dramatics. “Though there’s no proof, we think he did the same. They deserve each other.”

Josh kicked off his boots. He bent as if to sit on the bed, remembered he was filthy, and stripped off his pants. The bed creaked as he sat. “I’m going to have the first decent sleep in far too long. Don’t wake me until morning.”

“Hey, it’s my turn to sleep in the bed,” complained Sam halfheartedly.

“Leave him be,” ordered Max. “He’s earned a rest and we’ve got to meet Hames.”

“I heard the man’s as friendly as a spaniel, and about as smart,” said Josh.

“Don’t count on it,” replied Max. “Like his suit, it could be camouflage. Remember, he was the last one to speak with Rivers. He says the mayor admitted to a number of crimes, including having the Sinclair family murdered and Molly taken.”

“But it was Smythe who bought the ranch from the Sinclairs,” added Sam. “He wanted to make himself into one of those English cattle barons.” He smirked.

“Smythe comes from English railroad money, but that didn’t mean anything to the upper class,” explained Max. “He went to the same schools as the sons of lords and earls, but the others wouldn’t accept him.”

“He get revenge?” asked Josh.

Max nodded abruptly. “He went after their younger sisters. One of them killed herself in shame at being ruined. Smythe’s father was quietly given a choice of shipping him to America or Australia, or having his business destroyed. Since the younger brother had a head for business instead of gambling and drinking, dear papa threw his eldest to the wolves. With, I may add, what we would call a fortune.”

“But he lost his home and any chance to grind the ones who caused it into the dust,” said Josh, nodding thoughtfully.

“He lived the high life and made influential friends when he got here. But like many, he was swindled by the railroads. He managed to keep it quiet as he’d bought the shares through others. He headed West to make a new fortune in mining, adding the railroad barons to his list for revenge.”

“And when he found three men speaking in the same high-class accent as those who made his father send him away, he went after them with everything,” said Sam. “Pity Smythe didn’t know Langford was far better at cards. He lost almost everything and swore he’d destroy them no matter what it took. He almost had an apoplexy when he heard they’d renamed the ranch the Double Diamond because it reminds everyone how they won it from him.”

“He get his revenge yet?”

“He tried,” said Max drily, “but it’s difficult when Jessie Elliott, the only daughter of one of the richest, most powerful families around, marries your target.”

“Where did he get the money to rebuild?”

“He suddenly came into the ownership of a few mines, like the governor and his cronies.” Max nodded at Josh’s raised eyebrow. “The original owners conveniently disappeared. I expect their skeletons have been scattered by hungry animals.”

Josh stretched his mouth open in a deep yawn.

“Aw, look at that,” said Sam in a patronizing voice. “Our baby brother needs to go bye-bye. We’d better go do men’s work while he has his little nap.”

“I’ll give you a permanent nap you short little—”

“Enough!” Max grabbed Sam before one could hit the other. “Sam, switch into Josh’s old clothes. We’ve got work to do.” Sam grumbled, wrinkling his nose at the smell, but did as he told while Josh smirked. Max hustled his twin toward the door before they could get into it again.

The bed ropes squeaked as Josh pushed himself into the middle. “Don’t slam the door on your way out.”

“Couldn’t find Ross, so I figured this one would do.”

Sophie stepped back when Rosa led Nevin MacDougal, hands covering his eyes, into her parlor. Sophie wore the blue dress again, as well as face paint. Nevin was a good friend. If he could be fooled, she should be safe from discovery. Not totally safe, however.

“Open your eyes and tell me the name of the woman standing in front of you,” ordered Lily.

Nevin lifted his hands off and stared at Sophie. She attempted a sensual smile when he blinked at her. To make it more realistic she leaned slightly forward to show more bosom and swished her skirts back and forth. She even batted her eyelashes. Nevin gave her a quick glance, scowled, and set his hands on his hips.

“Is this one of your schemes, Lily? Because at first glance, I don’t know the woman.”

“Look closer,” said Lily.

Nevin flicked his eyes over her, dismissing her as beneath contempt.

“Pardon me, ma’am, but if you’re looking for a decent husband you’d be better to cover yourself a fair bit.” He pointed to her exposed bosom with his chin. “A man would enjoy that in his bed, but not if every man in town knew that his wife had a freckle on the inside of her left breast.”

Sophie looked down. There it was, just as he’d said. She, however, hadn’t noticed. Any washing she’d done was to get clean, and handled quickly, in dim light of early morning or late evening. While she’d touched her breasts for enjoyment, it was always in the dark. Heat rose to her face.

“If you can blush, then maybe you’re not as experienced as I thought.” He gave her another slow perusal. “Dieter Arnott is looking for a wife with meat on her bones. He might appreciate a bold woman.”

“I wouldn’t bed down with that butcher if he paid me a hundred pounds of sausages!” She slapped her hands over her painted lips, but it was too late.

Nevin’s eyes widened at her blast. “Sophie?” He looked at her again, calculating. One corner of his lip curved up. He chuckled. “You look damn fine, Mrs. McLeod. But you don’t have to dress like a working gal in a saloon in Virginia City to catch a husband. You’re pretty enough without it. And unlike Amelia,” he added drily, “you can cook.”

“Bannack City, actually,” replied Sophie. “At Ruby’s Saloon.” She held up a finger before he could speak again. “I’m not dressed to catch a husband. I’ll be working as a dancer named Queenie, to draw Mr. Isaac into our trap. Nothing more.”

“Isaac?” Nevin’s face changed from the open smile of a loving husband, to the cold, still warrior face of his mother’s people. He held his arms loose, as if getting ready to shoot a couple of knives down his sleeves. “You’re not going anywhere near him, Sophie.” He took a step closer and lowered his voice. The barely hidden edge of restrained violence darkened his words. “It’s up to the law to capture Isaac. Not a woman like you.” He held up his hand to stop her automatic denial. “You’re a good woman. You couldn’t act the part of a hussy well enough to fool Smythe. He owns the Golden Nugget Saloon and has bedded many women.”

“Even against their will,” added Lily. She nodded to Sophie. “Show him, my dear.”

Anger at Nevin’s easy dismissal of her burned out Sophie’s nervousness. She sauntered closer, hips swinging. She looked up at him from under her eyelashes. He cleared his throat. She ran a finger over his arm.

“Want a dance, honey? Only five dollars to hold me. Aren’t I worth it?” She leaned in his direction and slightly shimmied her shoulders.

“If you had a husband, he’d put you over his knee for showing yourself in public in that dress. Dancing with strangers would bring a far greater punishment.” Nevin barked a laugh. “You really are serious about this?”

She stood straight, ignoring her clothing and face paint. “Yes, I am. I don’t have a husband, and there won’t be any men strolling into town looking for a wife before spring. We need to catch Isaac before winter sets in, and we need honey to find him.”

Nevin looked at Lily. “This is your scheme, isn’t it? But Isaac doesn’t go near women. He’s called to their rooms and arrives only after they’re stripped, blindfolded, and drugged.”

Sophie fought the nausea that made her stomach roil. Having someone like Nevin speak made it all the more real. She was going to purposefully put herself in danger. It might hurt her, but it would stop something far worse. Pain and humiliation could be overcome, as proven by the women in Tanner’s Ford. Death was permanent. She would be protected, but if she didn’t do this, more women would die. There was no choice as far as she was concerned.

“Sophie is going to be a bad girl,” explained Lily. “A man is going to insist on hiring her, and she’ll refuse. When he ups the price and she refuses a second time, and then a third, Ruby will call Mr. Isaac to convince her otherwise. We know he’s in town and is eager to be hired for some of his special work. When he comes for Sophie, we’ll have the law there to catch him. We hope you or Ross will help.”

Nevin stuck his hands on his hips, dropped his head, and muttered some words that Sophie knew were not English. He looked like he used to before Amelia married his brother Ross and turned them into a family. Ross had been known as the MacDougal Devil. Nevin came close. But that meant she would be safe if they were near.

“This isn’t a game, ladies.” He looked at Sophie but talked to Lily. “Sophie could be badly hurt, perhaps killed. Why don’t you wait for Gibson—”

“He’s gone,” interrupted Sophie. “He’s off to find some embezzling politicians or something. We don’t know when he’ll be back and we can’t wait and chance losing Isaac.”

Nevin scratched the side of his neck and sighed. “I understand, but I’m not happy about it.” He sent his hard stare at Lily. “Add this into your plans. The Tanner’s Ford ranchers are going to a meeting in Bannack City to buy some railway land.”

“Who, exactly, will be going, and when?” Lily ignored his frown, sitting regally with her hands quietly resting in her lap. Her face was calm and her back straight, as if nothing was amiss.

“One man from each ranch will be there. Trace, Ross, Ranger, Sin, Jed, Luke, Cole, and Zach. And Ben, of course, as our lawyer. We’ll be riding out in a couple of days.” He leaned back, crossing his arms and putting his weight on his heels. “You ladies are not to do anything until we get there.”

Lily tilted her head and gave a ladylike sniff which said volumes about how little she cared for his opinion. Nevin dropped his arms and stepped forward. He set his hands on the arms of her chair and leaned in, crowding her with his size, massive in comparison.

“Lily, I’m giving you fair warning. If you go off half-cocked, there will be trouble. Once the judge is finished tanning your fanny, it will be my turn.”

He stood up and backed away. Twin red spots appeared on Lily’s cheeks.

“Don’t you dare threaten me, Nevin MacDougal.” She growled like a furious lapdog, one with sharp teeth and an inflated idea of her size. “I was here when you still wore short pants, before The MacDougal hauled you down to Texas. I wasn’t afraid of your father, and you can be assured that I am not afraid of you.”

Nevin grimaced and turned away. He scratched his chin, mumbling under his breath. He gave Sophie a glare, as if she could change Lily’s mind. Sophie met him head-on and shook her head. He scowled and turned back to Lily.

“Life was simpler when women did what they were told,” he grumbled. Lily’s quiet snort was ladylike but very expressive. He sighed and shook his head, though a smile hovered around one corner of his mouth. “It’s about time Ross got out from under Amelia’s feet. He hasn’t been far from her since the twins were born, seven months ago.” His expression brightened. “And it’s time for me to take my mother and aunt and bring the elders to stay in the bunkhouse for the winter. While we’re gone Amelia can lure Gillis into bed. She’s been giving him the eye for a while, but he’s being stubbornly noble. Says she’s too petite to have children again so soon.” He winked. “Ross and I’ve been careful because Amelia wants Gillis’s baby next. Give her a day or two and she’ll have him on his back, at her mercy.”