Tears of Gold (40 page)

“Well,” Nicholas interrupted, “now you’re showing some sense.”

“If she’d have me, I’d wed her tomorrow. But she’s never led me to believe that she cared for me in that way. I’m just a friend to her, someone she can depend upon, something she’s had too few of I’d say. You know her brother died? That she’s been left alone to care for his son?”

“Yes, I heard,” Nicholas replied. “But I wouldn’t worry too much about Mara O’Flynn. Her brother must have left her a fortune, although for some people it’s never enough. And so now she’s after your money and your pity.”

“You’re entitled to your opinion, but don’t make the same mistake your father made, Nicholas, and turn your back on someone before they are given the chance to explain themselves.”

“I’ll remember your words, Swede,” Nicholas said lightly. “So you’ll not be coming with me?”

“No, I don’t think so. Besides, what could I do? I never was welcomed with open arms at Beaumarais, and when they catch sight of your casual ways, I will never be invited inside. Reckon I’ll just keep an eye on things around here. Maybe you’d even care to invest some of your money in a business with me?” he speculated, a hopeful look in his blue eyes as he offered the partnership to the Creole.

Nicholas smiled. “I’d like that, but only as a silent partner, I can’t quite see myself as a storekeeper.”

“Good as done!” the Swede laughed, holding out his hand. “Let’s drink to our new partnership. When you return, I’ll own half of the town,” the Swede boasted. Then he eyed Nicholas suspiciously. “You are planning to return, aren’t you?”

“I’ll be back, Swede, if just to make sure you’re not swindling me out of my fair share,” Nicholas told him as he raised his glass in a toast to his longtime friend.

“When are you planning on sailing?” the Swede asked.

“Day after tomorrow. There’s a ship leaving for New York via New Orleans, I’ll sail on her. That’ll give me time to take care of our business and enjoy one last night in San Francisco,” Nicholas said. “Let’s make it a night we’re not likely to forget.”

Chapter 10

Mara walked slowly along the hallway of the Parker House as she searched for the number of the Swede’s room. She had debated upon the propriety of calling on him in his hotel, but since time was short, she had decided to seek him out in order to bid him farewell and thank him for his kindness. She couldn’t just leave San Francisco without saying good-bye to him.

Mara stopped before his door, pausing briefly before knocking. She hadn’t long to wait. The door was opened quickly by the Swede, a broad smile lighting his kindly face as he recognized his visitor.

“Mara!” he said as he opened the door wider. “Come in, please. This is certainly an honor.”

Mara stepped inside hesitantly. “I could come back at a later time if I’ve inconvenienced you?” she asked as she eyed his unbuttoned vest, his ruffled shirtfront showing beneath.

The Swede’s broad face flushed in embarrassment. “Please, don’t go. I was just dressing,” he explained, “I’m sorry the place is in such disorder.”

“I know you’re probably going out to dine, so I won’t keep you. I just wanted to say good-bye,” Mara told him.

“Good-bye?” the Swede repeated.

“I’ve decided to leave San Francisco. In fact, there is a ship leaving this evening that I’ve booked passage on. This time next year we should be settled in London. It’s where I belong, Swede, not out here,” Mara explained.

The Swede managed a shaky smile. “I’ll miss you, Mara. Are you sure you want to leave? I’m going to make my home here in San Francisco, and…well, I thought we could at least be friends.”

Mara smiled sadly. “I would have liked that, Swede, but things don’t always turn out the way you’d wish them to.”

“You’re not leaving San Francisco because you’re frightened of someone, are you?” the Swede demanded belligerently. “That French gambler hasn’t been bothering you again, has he? If he has, I’ll twist his fingers so he never shuffles another deck of cards as long as he lives.” Mara knew it was no idle threat.

“No,” Mara lied, for what good would it do to get the Swede involved in this. It really didn’t matter now. “I want to leave, and this way there won’t be any trouble, either with Jacques or Molly. It really is for the best,” Mara told him gently. “Now I really must go.”

The Swede nodded, a look of disappointment that he could not hide darkening his blue eyes. “I hope you find what you’re looking for, Mara, and you know I wish you happiness.”

“I know, Swede, and thank you for remaining my friend in spite of certain things you know about me,” Mara told him, smiling warmly as she stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek.

The Swede’s muscular arms slid around her as she would have stepped away from him, and lowering his head, he touched her mouth with a kiss. It was sweet and sad, for they both knew that nothing would come of it.

But to Nicholas, standing with blackened brow in the opened doorway, there was nothing innocent about it. It looked like a kiss of passion.

“Excuse me, but I did knock,” he said in a cold voice as the Swede released Mara. “I had no idea you’d already started your evening’s entertainment, Swede,” Nicholas said as his green eyes ran insolently over Mara’s flushed face. “You should have a most enjoyable evening, Swede, for I can swear from personal knowledge that she’ll be worth every penny you pay her.”

At Mara’s gasp of disbelief and the Swede’s look of outraged confusion, Nicholas smiled and said, “Didn’t she tell you we’d been lovers? A pity. You really should remember to try and tell the truth, my sweet. I guess I won’t be seeing you at Delmonico’s later,” he said to the Swede. With a pitying glance, he left the room, closing the door firmly behind him.

Mara bit her trembling lip, her eyes full of pain and longing as she stared at the closed door. The Swede took her arm and turned her around to face him, staring down kindly at her mortified face.

“I’m so sorry, Mara. I didn’t know it had been that serious between you and Nicholas. I knew there was more to your relationship than either of you told me, but I had no idea…” he let his voice trail off lamely.

“As far as Nicholas was concerned, there never was very much to it,” Mara said bitterly, her voice muffled by the Swede’s chest as he comforted her. “I’m a fool to still be in love with him, but I can’t seem to help myself, Swede,” Mara confided hopelessly. “I love him so much I ache with longing, and I know I’m just tormenting myself because he’ll never return my love. He loathes me.”

The Swede shook his head. “I don’t understand Nicholas. He’s never acted quite this way before. It’s that damned Creole pride,” the Swede said savagely. “I think he doesn’t hate you as much as he’d like you to believe, Mara, and that’s why he’s so angry. Maybe he’s even jealous of us. You confuse him, and he doesn’t like that. Maybe if you two had more time together, to really get to know each other, you might be able to start fresh. But you don’t have any more time,” the Swede sighed, “for you’re headed to London and he’s going back to New Orleans.”

Mara stared at the Swede. It stunned her to know that Nicholas was leaving San Francisco as well. She’d accepted the fact that she’d never see Nicholas again once she’d left San Francisco, but somehow it comforted her to know that she could at least imagine him here in the city, picturing him in familiar places, among people she knew.

“He was my first lover, Swede, and he knows that. He knows I’m not what he tried to make you believe just now. Well, he’ll never know of my love now, and maybe one day I’ll be able to forget him,” Mara said. She looked at the Swede and managed a slight smile. “Good-bye, Swede.”

Mara hurried back to the boardinghouse, hoping Jamie would have Paddy dressed and ready to leave for the ship without much delay. She pulled off her bonnet and gloves as she entered the hall and called out into the cold silence.

“Jenny? I’m back. I hope we have time for a cup of tea before we have to leave. I’m sorry it took longer than I thought, and—” Mara broke off as she walked into the dining room and found the dinner dishes still crowding the table.

“Miss O’Flynn?” a hesitant voice spoke behind Mara’s back.

Mara spun around, her heart pounding at the suddenness of the sound. “You gave me a fright, Gordie! Where is everyone? It’s so quiet in here.”

Gordie’s lower lip quivered and a huge tear fell as he sniffed. “Upstairs. A man hurt my mama. Took Paddy too. He was real mean. He made everyone cry, and kicked Jamie real hard. I been hiding on the stairs waiting. Mama told me to watch for you, Miss O’Flynn,” Gordie confided importantly.

Mara’s eyes widened in horror as she listened. With a groan of despair she ran past Gordie and up the stairs to Jenny’s room. She could hear crying and voices coming from within.

Mara pushed open the door and stood staring in disbelief at the small group of people huddled together protectively, her eyes quickly taking in the dishevelment of both Jamie and Jenny, who was rocking a hiccupping Peter on her lap, tears still streaking his chubby face.

“Oh, my God,” Mara spoke beneath her breath as she gazed in stricken fascination at Jenny’s swollen right eye and bruised lip, then at Jamie who was holding her arm at an awkward angle, her eyelids partially closed in pain.

“Mara!” Jenny cried out as she became aware of Mara’s cloaked figure standing in the doorway. “Thank God you’ve come back!”

Mara walked slowly into the room, Gordie shooting past her as he entered the room and rushed to Jenny. Paul was standing on the other side of the chair, like a soldier at attention.

Mara glanced between the two women with a feeling of dread, knowing already what she would hear.

“They came in here and asked for Paddy,” Jenny said huskily. “I recognized them from the time before, only this time the Swede wasn’t here to stop them.”

Jamie began to wail, cradling her arm to her chest as she rocked back and forth. “Took Paddy, they did. They took Master Paddy, and him kickin’ and screamin’ bloody murder all the while, till suddenly he was quiet. What did they do to him, what did they do to him?” she cried. “’Tis that she-divil’s fault. Never did trust her. May her soul be damned to hell for what she’s done!” Jamie cursed as she began to sob.

“We tried to stop them, Mara,” Jenny added with a frustrated look that caused her to wince in pain. “I’m sorry, if only there’d been someone here, but I’ve lost so many guests. With spring here, they’re all back at the mines, and the ones still here never stay in at night. We just couldn’t stop those two men. What do they want?”

Mara couldn’t believe this was happening. Molly had sent Jacques and the Count to kidnap her own son, holding him for ransom. They had beaten two defenseless women who had never harmed anyone. “There’s going to be the devil to pay for this,” Mara said in a hard voice, her eyes glowing with a murderous rage. “Are you all right?” she asked abruptly.

“A little shaken up, but I’ll be all right,” Jenny reassured her. Then, with a worried look at the older woman, she added, “But I think they broke Jamie’s arm, Mara.”

Mara nodded and walked over to where Jamie was sitting, staring at the floor as she continued to mumble Paddy’s name. Mara knelt down before her, looking into her reddened eyes. “I’ll find him, Jamie. I swear this on Brendan’s grave. I’ll bring Paddy back safely to you.”

Jamie sniffed and glanced up, staring deeply into Mara’s hardened eyes as a look of relief began to settle on her haggard face. “You will get Master Paddy back? You’ll get him away from her?” she asked, then nodded as if reassured by what she saw in Mara’s face.

“I’ll be back soon. I’m going to get a doctor first. His office is close-by,” Mara said as she started to go. “You’ll be safe now. They have what they want.”

“B-but, Mara,” Jenny called after her disappearing figure, “shouldn’t we call the authorities? Get the Swede, he’ll help us. Mara! Come back!” she cried, but Mara was gone.

Finding the doctor in his office, Mara sent him to Jenny’s boardinghouse and now stood across from Molly’s house. Finally satisfied that all was quiet, she ran across the street and into the blackness of the alley beside the house. Slipping around to the back of the house Mara stumbled over discarded boards and rotting garbage as she searched for the entrance to the back staircase.

She held her breath as she opened the door and peered up into the darkness of the stairwell, the stale air rushing over her as she stepped inside. Barely making a sound, Mara slowly climbed higher into the house, catching her breath in panic when a rat ran across her foot. She forced herself to keep going higher, taking each step one at a time until she stood before the door that opened into the room she had escaped from only the day before.

Taking a deep breath, Mara opened it carefully and slid inside. She frowned, realizing they might not be here. Walking faster now, she crossed the room, pausing at the door to Molly’s boudoir as she listened for voices. She could hear nothing. It was too quiet. Pulling out her derringer, Mara pushed open the door, noticing for the first time the splintered wood around the door knob as she looked inside. Molly’s bedchamber was dark and chilly.

Mara’s hand fell to her side as she looked around helplessly. The house was deserted. They hadn’t brought Paddy back here. She’d been so certain she could rescue him. It had never entered her head that they might take him somewhere else.

“Nobody’s here,” the voice seemed to shout from the darkness behind her, causing Mara to scream in fright as she whirled around to face the sound.

“Who are you? Where is Paddy? What have you done with him?” Mara demanded.

“Dunno who you’re talking about, but I saw you crossing the street from my window and recognized you,” the voice continued. Then a match was struck, and Mara blinked as one of the oil lamps was lit and the owner of the voice was revealed.

Ellen stood silently staring at Mara across the room. Then, a smile curving her mouth, she said, “I did hear them talking about taking the little boy to a warehouse down on the docks.”

Mara’s shoulders sagged wearily as she was overcome with feelings both of relief and apprehension. Now she had an idea of where he was being held, but she also knew she couldn’t possibly rescue him without assistance.

“Did you hear the name of the warehouse?” Mara asked hopefully, thinking of the rows and rows of plain wooden buildings lining the waterfront.

But Ellen shook her head. “You was nice to me, that’s why I’m telling you what they said. Anyway, I hate her—
Miss
Velazquez,” Ellen said bitterly. Then she added, a pleased expression lighting her lackluster eyes, “Did hear one of them say something about putting him in a keg of nails if he started causing trouble.”

With a quick thanks to the pitiful creature Mara hurried from the house and out into the fresh air, taking deep breaths as she ran toward Portsmouth Square. She had to find the Swede. He would help her; he would save Paddy. As Mara reached the plaza and heard the raucous, discordant music blaring out from the gaming halls as the beckoning lights streamed out onto the square, she remembered Nicholas’s last biting words when he’d misinterpreted her farewell to the Swede earlier that evening.

Nicholas had said he guessed he wouldn’t be seeing the Swede at Delmonico’s later. That was where she’d find him, Mara thought in elation as she walked on past the Parker House and left the plaza, hurrying down Merchant Street to Montgomery and Delmonico’s restaurant.

The restaurant was as crowded with diners as the last time she’d dined there. She glanced around nervously but could see no sign of the Swede, or of Nicholas. With a frustrated sigh she turned around and was about to leave when she saw a waiter placing a bottle of champagne in a silver cooler of packed ice and walked over to him with desperate determination.

“Have you seen a large man with blond hair? He’s called the Swede and I need to find him. It’s of the utmost importance,” Mara told him.

The waiter carefully wiped his hands on a linen towel and eyed her with a supercilious look as he disdainfully informed her that he had no knowledge of the gentleman in question. Mara ground her teeth as he haughtily turned his back on her and continued with his careful preparations.