Quicksilver Passion (48 page)

Her beauty. Always her beauty.

Bart, you know someday my beauty will fade. I wonder if you will care for me when I am wrinkled and old.”

The idea must never have occurred to him.
Let’s not even think about that,” he said eagerly.
That’s a long time away. I can’t even imagine you not being the flawless beauty you are, Silver. That’s what I love the most about you, you know.”

She knew. It was what Elmer Neeley had loved and lusted after, too. Ma had been right; she was worthless without her pretty face. Was there no man anywhere who would love her for any other reason? Who would love her when her beauty faded?

The only other person Silver ever saw and talked to was the ugly Italian whom Brett trusted more than anyone in the world. She sensed that Al pitied her, admired her spunkiness, was maybe even drawn to her. But he was loyal as a watch dog to Bart Brett. The one time she did manage to slip out the door and make it as far as the train station before Al caught up with her and returned her to the mansion, she sensed almost a shame on his part as they got inside the elegant carriage and she wept all the way back.

Al began to look a little gray, a little drawn.

You ought to see a doctor,” she said.
What would Brett do if something happened to you and there wasn’t anyone around to lick his boots, run his errands, and count his money for him?”

The ugly Italian colored.
You got no right to talk to me like that. If you were mine, I wouldn’t let you go either.”

It was then she realized that Al was in love with her; she saw it in his eyes and he saw at that moment that she had guessed his secret.

You love me, don’t you,” she said quietly.

What does it matter?” he snapped defensively.
Every man who sees you loves you.”

Not loves me,
wants
me,” Silver sighed.
There’s a difference. If you love me, Al, doesn’t it bother you that he pours liquor down my throat and forces himself on me a couple of times a night?”

He stood there, his powerful shoulders shaking, his fists clenched.
So much that I could kill him for it,” he whispered through clenched teeth.
A beauty like you should be put up on a pedestal, and adored and worshiped. If you were mine, I wouldn’t expect you to let me make love to you—not an ugly bastard like me.”