Quicksilver Passion (111 page)

But the half-breed Cheyenne was something else. She lived for the day that he would finally hear about his daughter and come to Denver. Maybe he would even leave that white girl he loved. Certainly the white girl didn’t love him the way she did. Too bad the child had not been a son. No warrior could look with disfavor on a woman who had given him a son.

Waanibe.
Singing Wind. It was the Duchess’s own language. She loved the child only because she was Iron Knife’s and because someday he might return for the two of them. When he did, Waanibe would be pretty and well mannered, know how to dress and talk the way high-born white girls did. She would dangle his daughter as bait to keep him. In the meantime, the Palace was running up great profits. The Duchess turned and stared at the big black safe on the floor behind her desk. Money was power and she never intended to be without either again. Nothing in the world mattered to her as much as her priceless jewelry and the money in her safe. Except the big Cheyenne half-breed she had seduced.

She looked down at her bracelets and smiled, thinking she deserved to buy herself some new bauble with all the money coming in. The Palace ran the most crooked card games in town. The drinks were watered and the whores were the most beautiful anywhere in Colorado Territory. In short, the Palace catered to any and every weakness of men—if they had enough money to pay for it.

She must keep the new governess away from all that. Miss Jones looked a prim sort and the Duchess didn’t want her to quit. She wanted Miss Jones to look after her lover’s child and leave the Duchess free to make money. Maybe if when Iron Knife finally came, if he didn’t want his child, she would just give Wannie away. There must be some family out there who wanted a child. Maybe the Duchess could bribe Iron Knife with all that money in her safe to stay with her. That hope was what made it all worthwhile.

Silver leaned over the adorable child.
Wannie, we’re going to be great friends.” She remembered something and smiled at the memory.
Here, let me give you a treasure.” She took the chubby little hand, kissed the palm, and solemnly folded Waanibe’s fingers over it.
That’s for you to put in your pocket ’til you need it.”

The child looked at her clenched fist and chortled with delight.
Silvery’s treasure. Better than Mama’s rings.” She put her hand in her dress pocket.
Keep it forever.”

No, dear, just keep it ’til you need it.” She hugged the small body close to hers.
Now you show me your toys and I’ll read you a story book.”

Silver was content, if not blissfully happy, she thought as the toddler grabbed her hand and led her back to the nursery. She was needed here by this lonely little girl; never mind that the Duchess looked as if she’d have no qualms about stealing pennies out of a dead man’s pockets. Never mind that the Palace had a terrible reputation. Her responsibility was to Waanibe now and she could close the door on her own past and start life anew.

But late that night, she lay awake, hugging her pillow to her and thinking of Cherokee. Her bedside lamp burned as usual and there was a sturdy lock on her door. All she had of her old life was the silver shoes tucked safely under her bed, but soon she would save enough to redeem the bracelet Cherokee had given her.

What would happen tomorrow or next week or next year didn’t seem to matter anymore. For the moment, she was safe and secure and she was needed. There had been no letters from Cherokee, so she had given up hope tht he might still return to Buckskin Joe. And if he did, she wouldn’t want his pity. Only one time had he made love to her, but it was imprinted in her memory, so she could relive it over and over again. And as she slept, she dreamed that he returned and things were as they had been before and he loved and wanted her.

He came into her room when it was late and very quiet and there was no need for explanation. It seemed as though she had seen him only that afternoon.

You don’t know how I’ve waited for this,” he gasped as he pulled the lace away from her breasts so he could reach them with his greedy mouth.

Teach me about love,” she whispered. He swung her up in his arms and carried her to the big bed, her lace underwear twisted about her waist.

He crouched above her, looking down at her.
Before I finish with you, sweet darlin’, you are going to know all about love, about how much a man can care for a woman.” He bent his dark head and kissed the corners of her mouth and then his mouth went to her breasts.