The Confidential Life of Eugenia Cooper (32 page)

“All right, then,” Gennie said. “I’ll invite you upstairs, but I warn you I’ve charge of a ten-year-old girl. I don’t want her to overhear something she doesn’t need to know about.”

“I’d say it’s too late for that,” a woman in a blue dress said. Several others snickered.

Without bothering to respond, Gennie led the women upstairs. The group stepped into the hotel room she shared with Charlotte, and Sam quickly slipped out.

As soon as Charlotte had been given a book to read, Gennie addressed the group. “I’m willing to listen,” she said, “but please understand I am just the governess.”

And only a temporary one, at that.

“Then I’ll get right to the point,” Mary Stegman said. “If Daniel Beck doesn’t do right by you, then we’ve got a serious problem in Leadville.”

“Mrs. Stegman,” Gennie said carefully, “any action Mr. Beck does or does not take will hardly affect the city of Leadville.” She stopped to turn her attention to each of the women in turn before continuing. “I am his employee, nothing more. I’m certainly not looking to capture him for a husband.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Charlotte take notice. “If you’ll excuse me, I’d like to get back to doing my job.”

“I’m not satisfied that this has been handled properly,” said a woman in a green summer frock and matching hat. “I saw her walk inside looking faint. How do we know she’s not, well,
you know
?”

Gennie recoiled in horror at the woman’s insinuations. “I demand an apology,” she said. “You’re not only making an unsubstantiated accusation, but you are doing so in a public forum. Were I back home in New York, you would certainly be hearing from my lawyers.”

A twitter of laughter rippled across the well-dressed crowd.

“You know what you are?” Gennie continued, her anger building. “You’re a bunch of bullies. Neither Daniel nor I have done anything wrong, unless perhaps you would fault us both for caring for Charlotte too much.”

“‘Daniel,’ is it?” someone toward the back said.

“Of course she’s on a first-name basis with the man,” another said. “After all, they’re—”

“Hush now,” Mrs. Stegman said, “and mind there’s an innocent child present.”

Having heard her name, Charlotte set the book aside and came to stand by Gennie. “Is Papa in trouble?”

Gennie gathered the girl into her arms. “No. Your papa’s a good man who is doing the right thing.”

“Why don’t we let him decide that.” Mrs. Stegman said.

“Decide what?” Gennie asked.

“Let him decide if he will do the right thing.” The older woman’s eyes narrowed. “Is there a reason you wouldn’t want to come with us to pay a visit to Mr. Beck and settle this once and for all?”

“If it will end this silly situation, then yes, I’ll come.” She squeezed Charlotte’s hand. “You stay and finish your book, and I’ll have Sam come back and stay with you.”

In no time, Gennie found herself in a wagon with half a dozen smirking women. Along the way to the Beck mine, their party was joined by a handful of men, some of whom she recognized, who appeared even less happy to be in the parade than she.

By the time the wagon rolled to a stop in front of the mine, Gennie had begun to wonder whether agreeing to come here with them was a good idea after all.

“Uh-oh.” Hiram looked out the window of the mine’s small front office, then back at Daniel. “I knew the women were on the warpath, but I didn’t expect they’d come all the way out here.” He paused. “And they’ve got Miss Cooper with them.”

“They do?” Daniel stalked to the window, then bit back the choice words he longed to say. “Well, it had to come to this, I suppose. Go and let them in.”

Hiram barely managed to sidestep the stampede as the doors opened. Calico and cross looks seemed the order of the day, though Miss Cooper did her best to stand away from the crowd. That is, until Ira’s wife took her by the elbow and thrust her forward.

“Mr. Beck, I trust you know why we’ve come to see you today.”

Daniel looked past the riled-up females to the five or six shamefaced men leaning against the back wall. “Ira, you letting your wife speak for you today?” he called.

“I reckon I’ll wait my turn,” the other man responded.

“Fair enough.” Daniel nodded to Mrs. Stegman. “ To answer your question, ma’am, I figure I’m going to hear about it anyway, so why don’t you tell me why you’re here.”

“I’m here because you’ve violated a sacred oath, Mr. Beck.” Mrs. Stegman’s voice rose an octave as she said his name. “And as such I…no,
we
demand you right this wrong and make this girl an honest woman.”

He allowed his gaze to slide across the crowd to collide with the blue eyes of the woman in question. “An honest woman?” Daniel pretended to think as he scratched his head. “Miss Cooper, what have you been telling these ladies about me?”

Before she could respond, Mary stepped between them and pointed her finger at Daniel. “Don’t you make light of these proceedings. You’ve a serious charge leveled against you, sir.”

“A serious charge?” He shook his head. “Oh, my dear Mrs. Stegman. There’s been nothing serious about Eugenia Cooper since she moved into my home. Lest you think me wrong, ask her about her ultimatum to remove herself or my chicken.” His chuckle was carefully scripted to punctuate the jest without causing offense.

It failed miserably.

A moment later, all six women were shouting at once. Only Gennie Cooper and the men kept their silence. The commotion continued until a shrill whistle pierced the air.

In an instant, silence reigned. Ira stepped to the front of the stunned crowd.

“Daniel, while I’m not saying the ladies don’t have a point, I will admit you’ve not shown me anything other than that you’re a good man.” He studied his palms, then swung his attention back to Daniel. “You signed the same declaration we did,” he continued, “and I
thought you shared the same purpose we had in clearing Leadville of undesirables.”

“Of course I do, Ira,” Daniel said. “And in our conversation of yesterday afternoon we agreed this was an issue that had run its course and would be considered no longer. Am I mistaken in believing you’re satisfied with my explanation of the unfortunate series of events?”

Ira seemed to consider his statement. “All right, then. Ladies, I believe your work here is done.”

“But it’s not done at all,” Mrs. Stegman said. “It won’t be done until this man—”

“It’s my turn now,” Ira said firmly. “And I’d appreciate it if you’d not interrupt.” He turned to Daniel. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to consult with the rest of the committee and get back to you on what we think would be the best solution to this problem.” He paused. “I would hate to see Beck Mines suffer for what appears to be a simply repaired situation.”

“I beg your pardon?” For the first time since the females barged in, concern replaced Daniel’s irritation. “Ira, are you threatening me?”

Ira met his stare. “I don’t threaten, though I’ll tell you right now there’s a list of things you should be concerned about.”

“Such as?”

“Such as the decency proclamation we all agreed to over at the opera house. I’m just as bound by it as you,” he added. “Were I to participate in any unsavory activities, my business could be taken, just like yours.”

“Now see here. No one’s taking Beck Mines from me, so banish that thought from your heads.”

Ira shook his head. “Daniel, I’m going to give you a chance here and now to explain yourself.”

Daniel straightened his spine and narrowed his eyes. “Ira,” he said slowly, “I am a man of honor. You know this.” When Ira did not respond, Daniel began to get worried. “Ira?”

“Look,” the other man continued, “we’ve said what we came to say. Now it’s up to you to do the right thing and clear this mess up once and for all.”

“How can I do that?”

“You can start by formally answering to the committee for the charges against you, then pledging to correct them.”

Daniel looked past the men to Hiram, who stood ashen faced in the corner. “Fine. Level your charges so that I might answer them.”

“Moral laxness and contributing to the delinquency of a child,” Ira said. “I believe that about covers it.”

Daniel sagged against his desk. A glance at Hiram told him the poor man had done the same. Only Miss Cooper still stood, and from the look on her face, she was fighting mad.

“You bullies!” she said. “This is a good man. How dare you accuse him of such things?”

“He wore nothing but a sheet,” a woman from the back called out. “Saw it for myself.”

Daniel itched to ask just what a married woman was doing in a hotel in her own town in the middle of the night, but he kept his peace. Instead, he took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Will there be a trial for this, Ira, or shall you string me up without one?”

Ira appeared duly shamed at the question. “I know you’re a Godfearin’ man. I’ll take this up with the committee at the next meeting and get back to you.”

“Why wait?” one of the fellows at the back asked. “Let’s take a vote right now.”

Ira gestured to the door. “Outside, the lot of you. If we’re going to take a vote, we’ll not do it in front of Daniel.”

While the men filed out, the women remained in place, their glares divided equally between Daniel and Miss Cooper.

“You too,” Ira called to the women. “I’ll not leave Daniel in the lion’s den.” With that poor attempt at humor, Ira followed the last of the females out onto the sidewalk, where a debate commenced.

“Any progress on trading in those train tickets, Hiram?” Daniel asked as he watched the animated discussion between the men and women.

“Not yet, sir.”

Daniel looked at Miss Cooper, who now slumped in a chair near the door. She seemed to be having difficulty in two areas: remaining upright and not looking out at the folks likely debating her future.

“Still feeling poorly?” he asked.

“What? No, I’m fine now,” she claimed, though she looked anything but.

“I’m sorry I’ve brought you here to be treated this way.” He shrugged. “I know they mean well. This town could use cleaning up. It’s just that I don’t take kindly to vigilantes of any kind.” He gestured toward the window. “From where I sit, I can’t tell the difference between the ones who string men from trees and the ones standing outside my office.”

“Vigilantes.” She nodded. “Yes, that’s it exactly.”

Daniel turned to his assistant. “Hiram, would you see that Miss Cooper gets back to the Clarendon without the good ladies of Leadville stringing her up with their apron strings?”

“If you don’t mind, I prefer to stay here,” the governess said.

“I do mind,” he responded with as little emotion as possible. “If you’re here, how can you be adequately supervising Charlotte?”

His comment found its mark, and a few seconds later, she allowed Hiram to lead her past the silently accusing women. Daniel busied himself at his desk, or at least kept up the pretense of it, until his door opened once more.

“We’re ready if you are,” Ira Stegman said.

Daniel looked past the men to where their womenfolk stood glaring at him from the street. “Of course,” he said, praying this time only the men would partake of the opportunity. He got his wish when Ira closed the door and only half a dozen of Leadville’s leading male citizens remained inside—one of which, Daniel noted, was the mayor. The women, no longer clustered at the door, gathered across the street.

Ira looked uncomfortable, though the others seemed to be enjoying themselves. “I thought we had a plan that would work, Daniel,” Ira said, “but it appears our wives are bound and determined to make an example out of you and Miss Cooper.”

“Then let them,” Daniel said, his temper barely holding. “Aren’t you all men? Act like it!”

“Spoken like a true bachelor,” the mayor said.

“Not for long, if things go as my wife would like,” Ira said. “A marriage appears to be the simplest solution.”

“What are you talking about?” Daniel shook his head. “Don’t tell me they plan to see Miss Cooper and me wed?” When no one answered, Daniel’s temper finally got the best of him. “Well, I won’t have it. I’ll not be made an example of. You’ve chosen the wrong man to do this to.”

Ira stepped forward. “Much as I hate this, Daniel, there’s nothing we can do. Our wives won’t rest until—”

“I don’t care,” he thundered. “Handle your wives, and I’ll handle my business. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get back to it.”

“Daniel, it’s not that simple,” the mayor said. “If you don’t agree to make this situation right, there could be all sorts of trouble.”

“What kind of trouble, Mayor? Surely you’re not going to hold me to some silly proclamation I agreed to while trying to remain awake.” He paused to search their faces. “We all know there’s no basis in law for a company to be seized because its owner has committed some act the townspeople disapprove of.”

“True, but we do have to live with these women.” The mayor looked uneasy. “There are permits. Lots of them. They come through my offices as a matter of course, and I generally don’t find fault with them. However, if I’m catching grief at home, that might make me cranky enough to take a second look at some of the paperwork coming into and going out of Beck Mines.”

Daniel could barely restrain himself. “Are you trying to blackmail me, Mayor?”

“Oh, no,” he said. “There’s plenty of that going on at my house. I certainly wouldn’t want to pass it on to you.”

A few others mumbled in agreement. Each of them, Daniel knew, was involved in the Beck Mines in some way. To ignore their demands would be equivalent to putting a Closed sign on the company’s front door.

“I’m not going to marry the woman, and that’s final,” he said. “So if that’s the only solution you see to this problem, I’ll go ahead and close the mine today.”

“Actually, Daniel,” Ira said, “I think I’ve got a solution that might work for everyone. That is, if you can get Miss Cooper to agree to it.”

“And you don’t tell our wives,” the mayor added.