Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage Agreement\Cowgirl for Keeps\The Lawman's Redemption\Captive on the High Seas (63 page)

Chapter Sixteen

M
ary had never witnessed anything as opulent as the Jackson mansion. Everything seemed to be plated in gold, or perhaps even encased in solid gold—from the wall fixtures, to the furnishings, to the scrollwork in the floors they walked upon. Despite her family's newfound wealth, she'd never dreamed of being in a place so fine. Joseph had begun construction on a family home for them all to live in, but he'd said from the outset that they would not be spoiled by their wealth. As Mary ran her hand along the balustrade, she was grateful for her brother's sensibilities.

She entered the ballroom, where Jasper and Emma Jane sat upon a raised dais, like two overstuffed, unhappy dolls. People mingled but mostly ignored the newlyweds.

They were only here for the prestige of attending a party at the Jackson mansion, a traitorous voice inside her said. Not one of them approved of the goings-on, and had Jasper been worth less money, they all would have snubbed Jasper and his new bride. At least the girls would no longer be unkind to Emma Jane's face.

Still, as she passed by a group of giggling, whispering girls, Mary couldn't help wonder if this was the worst fate. She marched right up to where Emma Jane and Jasper sat.

Mindful of Mrs. Logan's eyes on her, Mary said simply, “I pray for God's abundant blessings on your marriage.”

Emma Jane nodded slowly, her eyes filled with tears. Had anyone wished her friend well?

“Thank you,” Jasper responded. “You've been a good friend to us, and you'll always be welcome in my home.”

He sent a glare in the direction of Mrs. Logan, almost as if he defied her to disagree. The best thing to come of this mockery was that at least Emma Jane would finally be out from under her mother's thumb.

“Thank you.” Mary tried not to let her eyes fill with tears, but Emma Jane noticed her struggle. She leaned forward and hugged her.

“You are a true friend, and I am grateful for you.”

The room around them stilled, and Mary knew that others had taken notice.

“Pay them no mind,” Emma Jane whispered. “I'm Mrs. Jasper Jackson now. They can say all they want, but when the dust settles, they'll be begging for invitations to our home. If they're not kind to my friends, they won't be welcome.”

There was no meanness in Emma Jane's voice, only strength. Some of the weight fell off Mary's shoulders. Emma Jane was going to be all right. Mary gave Emma Jane another hug. Funny how just a few days before, Mary was assuring Emma Jane that she would be using her influence to make sure none of the girls snubbed her. The tables had turned.

“Thank you for being my friend.”

Mary stepped away, making room for other well-wishers to have a chance to greet the bride and groom. None came forward but instead stood gawking. Mary had no doubt that they would come around eventually. At first because they longed for the prestige of being associated with one of the wealthiest families in town, but then they'd see what a good heart Emma Jane had.

She walked toward the refreshments, intent on finding something to drink. As she walked, she looked around the room for Will. He wasn't in the ballroom, but a crush of people were still arriving. Apparently, none were willing to miss the chance to attend a reception at the Jackson mansion.

Mr. Jackson stood by the door, and Mary couldn't help but go to him to thank him for his hospitality. He was most likely doing his best to make the most of a bad situation.

“Hello, Mr. Jackson. I'm Mary Stone, and I—”

Suddenly, the impropriety of her actions struck her. She was used to reaching out to others in church, but this was high society, and things were done differently.

“Miss Stone, of course.” He smiled at her. “Thank you for being such a good friend to my son.”

She stared at him. Emma Jane had just thanked her for her friendship, but weren't all of the parents thinking her the enemy?

“You're welcome?” She raised an eyebrow, not sure how else she was supposed to respond.

“Jasper told me of your role in helping save his life. Our family is indebted to you. If there is ever anything you need, I am your servant.”

“Well, sir, I didn't do it alone.”

Mr. Jackson's smiled broadened. “Of course not. I've known and respected Will for years. There's no finer man on this earth than Will Lawson. I can't tell you how grateful I am to have him in my son's life. Still, Jasper spoke highly of you, and I respect my son's good opinion.”

The open honesty of Mr. Jackson filled Mary with hope. Not all of Leadville society had the same prejudices and intolerance. Emma Jane would do well in this family. Once again, Mary was genuinely happy that there was good in her friends' unfortunate circumstances.

Flora and a group of girls started in the direction of the refreshments but spotted Mary and stopped. They turned directly around and went the other way.

“Pay them no mind. Flora Montgomery has been chasing my son for years. She's merely taking out her frustration at being thwarted.”

Mary swallowed. “I'm afraid it's more complicated than that.”

The sympathy on the man's face was almost too much to bear. “Ah, yes, your sister's regrettable situation. Her actions have no bearing on your character, and those who would believe otherwise are not worthy of your regard.”

If only others had similar convictions. Besides, Mr. Jackson didn't know the full story. Still, his support meant that her family would be able to move past the scandal of her sister's actions.

He looked at her intently. “I meant what I said about there being anything I could do. I know Jasper intends to help in the matter, and while I would prefer my son act in the interest of his safety, I can't argue. If any of my resources can aid in your sister's recovery, please, come to me.”

How could her prayers have been answered more perfectly? True, she did not have her sister returned safely, but she did have the backing of the most important person in town. And she knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that if there was assistance Mr. Jackson could give, he would. The situation, while still dismal, didn't look as hopeless.

“Thank you.” She smiled at him, then looked around. “I'm sorry to be rude, but have you seen Will? I'd like to find out what he has planned for Rose's recovery.”

Mr. Jackson didn't look at all offended. Rather, an affectionate look filled his face. “Of course you're anxious for her. I shouldn't have kept you. But I am glad you stopped to talk to me so I could offer my support.”

He stopped, looking past her, then back at her. “That's odd. Jasper seems to have disappeared, as well.”

A groan slipped from Mr. Jackson's lips. “He's handling this the best he can, poor fellow. Emma Jane's just as good as any of the others chasing him, so he might as well settle for her. Still, I need to find him before his mother gets upset. If I see Will, I'll tell him you're looking for him.”

As Mr. Jackson departed, Mary knew exactly where both Will and Jasper had gotten themselves off to. They'd gone to find Rose without her. She straightened her back. They weren't going to lose her that easily.

She'd leave this sorry excuse for a party, find her sister and then make her life right.

* * *

For a man who thought he was above the law, Ben Perry wasn't taking any chances. Two members of The Perry Gang stood in front of The Pink Petticoat, their hands so casually upon their holstered guns, only a trained eye would notice that they were on high alert. Even with his hat pulled low over his eyes, Will wouldn't get past them. He recognized the one on the left as Colt—nicknamed as such because he knew how to use one. More important, Colt was the kind of guy to shoot first and ask questions later. Actually, Colt probably never asked questions. The man was deadlier than a kicked-over rattlesnake nest, and there wasn't a lawman in the state who'd go after him.

Will hung back in the shadows, watching as the two men examined every man who walked into the saloon. When they stopped to frisk a well-heeled gentleman, another armed man stepped out of the shadows of the door. They weren't just guarding the door; they had enough backup to signal they expected trouble.

At least he'd managed to give Mary and Jasper the slip. Mary would have been too hotheaded to understand the danger. Jasper didn't need the trouble, either.

He turned back, looking for an alleyway that would give him access to the back of the notorious house. Back in '76, when he'd taken down the Mahoney brothers, he'd slipped in through a coal chute.

The alley reeked of vomit, human excrement and something else so unpleasant Will wasn't sure he wanted to put a name to it even if he could. He tripped over a passed-out figure that moaned softly as his body made contact.

As Will bent to make sure the person wasn't too badly injured, he caught the flash of a knife.

“Begging your pardon, sir,” Will said with a tip of his hat. “Just wanted to be sure I didn't hurt you with my careless misstep.”

The figure grunted, and Will moved on.

No, this was no place for a lady.

Will turned into the back alley, where he noticed a couple of Ben's thugs standing by the back door smoking. So much for thinking he'd be able to sneak in the easy way. He sighed. Was there a way in on the other side of the building? The front and back were covered too well for him to get past.

He turned back the way he came, wondering how he could get around to the other side of the building. Surely this place had a fire escape or something. The man he'd encountered remained in a heap, but this time, Will gave him a wide berth. No sense in disturbing an already disturbed man.

When he reached the main street, he sucked in large, deep breaths, though the air here wasn't much better than in the alley. His timing couldn't have been better, for as he looked up, he spied the face of a familiar groom.

“Jasper! What are you doing here?”

Jasper stopped and looked at him. “Backing you up, of course. I can't believe you left without telling me. I thought we were in this together.”

The betrayal in his friend's eyes almost made Will feel bad for leaving Jasper behind. But as gunshots rang out from the direction of the front door of the saloon, Will's conscience cleared.

“Ben's got all of the entrances covered.” Will gestured toward Colt. “With some of the best guns in the West. There's no way we're getting in.”

“So, we're just giving up?” A female voice piped up from behind Jasper.

Mary.

“At the risk of repeating myself, what are you doing here?”

Mary squared her shoulders. “Same thing as you are. My sister is in there, and I've got to save her.”

As much as Will admired her courage and loyalty, Mary had no idea the kind of people they were dealing with. Whatever her history with Ben, she'd clearly not witnessed the level of violence the man was capable of.

Will grabbed her by the shoulders and pointed her in the direction of the saloon. “Do you see that tall man by the door?”

Mary nodded slowly.

“His name is Colt. Do you know what his hobby is?”

This time, Mary shook her head.

“He collects the badges of lawmen he's killed. He's never lost a gunfight. Never.”

Despite the noise from the street around them, Will heard Mary swallow.

Will continued with his dose of reality. “Every door is covered by at least two of Ben's men, and from what I've seen, they have backup waiting in the wings. Ben is just waiting for someone to come rescue your sister, and he's got enough firepower to make sure that whoever comes doesn't come out alive.”

“That must mean she's there against her will.” Mary's plea made it sound almost simple. “Besides, they let Frank visit the other day.”

More sweet simplicity that failed to comprehend the duplicity Ben operated under.

“They let the pastor in to talk to Rose in broad daylight. I'm sure Ben knows I'm back, and he knows that I won't let his actions stand. It's me he's prepared against.”

Mary looked at him, so intently that even in the growing darkness, he could tell that she wasn't going to let him off as easily as she had in the past.

“Who are you that he would need so many guards to keep you out?”

She would never trust him again. Not if he told the truth. But of all the things his association with Ben Perry had turned him into, he wasn't about to add liar to the list.

The weight of Mary's stare increased.

“He's the best lawman this side of the Mississippi,” Jasper answered with the kind of puppy-dog pride that served only to shame Will.

“Keep your voice down,” Will hissed. “That's not a fact a man goes bragging about in this part of town.”

He swallowed the shame welling in his throat and looked at Mary. “Besides, I'm not anymore. That bank robbery Ben's responsible for? It cost me my badge.”

And a whole host of other things, but the gist would have to do. Especially since they were starting to attract attention.

“Come on. Let's head back toward a more respectable part of town. People don't stand around here jawing for as long as we've been.”

At least now Mary seemed willing to listen to him. Maybe he should have told her to begin with.

“I had no idea,” Mary said quietly. “I wish...”

Poor thing already blamed herself for her sister's troubles. Now she was probably feeling worse, given her refusal to talk to Will when he'd first come to town. Will took her by the arm and quickened his pace toward the more civilized part of town.

“It's not your fault. Even if you'd been open with me, and I'd told you about Ben, he still would have found a way to target your family's fortune. If not marrying your sister, then he'd have tried something else—robbery, kidnapping, extortion...”

Mary sniffled a little, as though she was trying to hold back tears. She'd had no idea what sort of man she'd been up against. It made him realize that as much as he'd thought he'd been helping Daisy, the other woman had never been as genuinely horrified by Ben's actions.