Fortune's Flames (17 page)

Inside, Maren was scolding Beth, “You shouldn’t have mentioned Eric to him. Jared hates him. He blames Eric for all of our problems.”

“Then perhaps you should listen to your fiancé.”

“Jared isn’t my fiancé.”

“Oh, but he is, dear friend. Why not be happy about it? He’s the best thing I’ve seen besides Bart. Go after him, Maren,” she coaxed.

“Are you sure to have to leave in the morning? Couldn’t you persuade your father to let you stay
with me for a few days? I desperately need a friendly ear.”

“Papa let me stay at Lady Luck?” Beth laughed.

“Perhaps in two million years,” Maren added, and they both laughed.

“Papa’s probably afraid I’d see him there with one of his sugar-teats. Maybe I should tell him I know all about his fooling around so he’ll stop pretending with me and dashing my plans to protect his secrets. When I come back in two weeks, I’ll find some way to sneak a night or two with you. I won’t show my face downstairs, but I’d love to get a glimpse of the action. It must be exciting.”

After Maren told her she could observe from behind a drapery, Beth asked in a whisper, “Do men really take women to private rooms upstairs to play around for a few hours?”

“We don’t allow any prostitutes there, but a man sometimes brings his sweetheart or mistress for a rendezvous. As to what goes on while they have the room rented, we can only guess.”

“I’ll bet Papa used to rent one of those rooms regularly. But, he might be leery of playing around at Lady Luck since you took over. Do you know any of the men who use the rooms?”

“Even if I did, Miss Nosy, I couldn’t tell you or anyone.”

“Just imagine, hours alone with your true love… If Bart were home, I’d let him rent one all night. Maybe for two nights straight.”

“Lilibeth Payne, whatever am I going to do with you?”

“Let me stand with you when you marry Jared Morgan on January first. Darn it, Maren, if this war continues, you’ll have married your second fiancé before my first one returns. If I could get a letter to Bart, I’d warn him to get home before I find me another man—such as Jared Morgan if you foolishly reject him.”

When Maren returned to Jared’s side, she was grinning playfully. He questioned her behavior, but she refused to explain it. “I’m starving, partner. Let’s hurry back so we can eat before we open. From the look of things, it’s going to be hectic tonight. I hope so; I owe a big debt to some persistent rogue.”

“Agree to marry me and you won’t have to worry about repaying it.”

Maren glanced at him and smiled provocatively. “It’s certainly a mighty tempting offer, Mr. Morgan. I will promise you one thing; I’ll give you an answer before you sail. That way, if I say yes, you won’t be searching for a wife in every port you visit.”

“You’re tempting me to sail at this very moment just to get your answer.”

“Please don’t. I need a little more time to decide. And if I were to say yes, would you remember you have a fiancée waiting for you no matter where you sailed or how long you’re gone?” she probed coquettishly.

“Would it make you happy to know I haven’t been
out with another woman since I met you?”

“You’re a clever rake, Captain Hawk, but I won’t fall for that ruse. How could you see another woman at sea? Do you normally carry women aboard your ship?”

Jared halted their progress and faced her. “Let me put it another way, my fetching siren; I haven’t wanted to see another woman since I met you, nor have I thought about one.”

“You flatter me, sir,” she murmured in a heavy Southern drawl.

Grinning, he replied, “No flattery intended, ma’am. I’m afraid I’ve met an all-consuming vixen who doesn’t know when she’s licked.”

Maren suggestively licked her lips; then she fluttered her lashes mischievously. “Oh, sir, but I do. And I must confess that I find it most intriguing… and stimulating.”

“Maren James, have you been drinking in the middle of the day?”

Again she affected a heavy Southern accent. “Little ol’ me, Captain Hawk? Why shame on you for thinking such wicked thoughts about me.” When Jared eyed her humorously, she grinned and explained, “I just feel particularly good today. I needed to spend time with a friend, and Beth is my best friend. I guess I’ve been a little lonely since I returned, sort of feeling sorry for myself. But if you dare tell that to Mary and Dan, I’ll deny every word I’ve said.”

“It’s only natural for you to feel low, Maren,
considering all you’ve faced since your return,” he said tenderly.

Maren’s gaze lingered on his, and she responded to his gentleness. “You constantly amaze me, Jared Morgan. Thank you.”

Jared was not embarrassed in the least by his show of emotion, and realizing that, he knew how deeply Maren had affected him. Since he could be this open and relaxed with her, his feelings for her were special. That discovery pleased him. He smiled. “I should be the one to thank you, Maren, for entering my life at the perfect moment.”

They seemed totally absorbed in each other until a carriage clattered by and startled them. They laughed and then continued their walk homeward. Fragrant flowers bloomed all around them as the hot sun lowered, allowing the heat of the day to cool. The sky was changing from intense blue to tranquil gray, and not a cloud was to be seen. As dusk approached, the trees became a darker green and the shadows became longer and longer. Despite the festive occasion, most people were dining at this hour, so the streets were quiet. It was a pleasant time of day, calm and relaxing.

“I liked Beth.”

Jared’s words broke into Maren’s dreamy state. “We’ve been best friends since childhood. She’s a very special person. We can tell each other anything, everything. I just hope Bart makes it through this damnable war alive. It would crush her to lose him.”

“Like it crushed you to lose Daniel Redford?” he
asked, before he could stop himself. “I’m sorry; I shouldn’t have said that.”

Maren looked directly at him. “Before me, have you ever loved anyone? Not desired, but truly loved her?”

Jared feared the point she was about to make, but he answered honestly, “No, Maren, I haven’t.”

“Neither have I, Jared,” she confessed, then left him standing on the front steps of Lady Luck.

It was thirty minutes before closing time when the trouble struck. Maren and Jared had eaten a quick meal in the kitchen with Mary, then they’d gone their separate ways to bathe and dress for the evening. After mingling with the patrons, Jared had joined one table of card players and Maren had joined another. A party mood filled the rooms that night, and the pirated wine and champagne flowed steadily. When Mary Malone carried some refreshments to the stablemen, a scowling man sneaked through the back door. Suddenly a jeering voice came from behind Maren. “You cheating anybody tonight, my fancy tart? You boys watch her good ‘cause she’s got quick and sneaky hands. She uses that pretty face and lovely mouth to distract you while she cheats you,” he accused, trailing his sweaty fingers over Maren’s cheek and lips.

Maren rose and faced the troublemaker, staring at him coldly. “You were forbidden to come here again, sir. Get out.”

The room had fallen silent the moment the supposedly drunken man had spoken his first insulting words. But his speech wasn’t slurred, and he was steady-handed. When the instantaneous silence alerted Jared to a problem, he quickly excused himself and hurried to Maren’s side.

By this time, the offensive man was saying, “We didn’t have any cheating or trouble when Dan Myers was running this place. Why don’t you take your fancy gowns and cheap ways and leave us men in peace? This ain’t no place for the likes of you. Cheating gets people killed.”

Maren grasped Jared’s hand and squeezed it to signal him to remain silent. “You are mistaken, sir,” she declared. “We didn’t have any trouble until you showed up, and we only have it when you do show up. If you cannot accept my ownership, then I suggest you find another gambling establishment to frequent. I, for one, do not like your manner or your presence. Everyone was having a wonderful time until you spoiled the fun. It’s awfully strange that you’re the only sore loser I’ve played against. Ned, Harry, show this…gentleman out.”

“You little bitch, you’ll be sorry for cheating me and embarrassing me. Come on, everybody,” he shouted, “let’s get out of here. Let this bitch go under. She can’t cheat us and prosper.”

Jared seized the man by the front of his vest and yanked him close to his rage-flushed face. Between gritted teeth, he warned, “Unless you have proof of your accusation, don’t speak it aloud. And if you ever
insult Miss Maren again, I’ll stuff your words down your miserable throat. Now, get out of here, you sorry bastard, and don’t ever step foot in here.”

The man was frightened, but he jerked himself free of Jared’s loosened grip. “You can’t talk to me like that. This doesn’t concern you, Morgan.”

“Oh, yes, it does. I’m half-owner of this place, and it’s an honest one. If you have a problem with Miss James, then you also have one with me. She’s never cheated anyone; she doesn’t need to. She’s one of the best players I’ve seen.” Jared glanced around the room as he said, “Most of you knew Cameron James; surely you realize his daughter is just like him: honest to a fault. Like Maren said, anybody who dislikes gambling in a place run by a female should go elsewhere. I’ve given her full authority to handle Lady Luck as she sees best.”

The repulsive man scoffed, “You’re just defending her because she lives upstairs with you an—”

Jared’s blazing eyes burned away the remainder of the man’s crude words. “You’d best leave before I’m riled,” he threatened coldly. “I’ve killed men for lesser offenses than you’ve committed tonight.”

The man began to back away. “I’m leaving, but you ain’t heard the last of me. I’m going to the law about this place. Ain’t nobody going to cheat Howard Heath and get away with it.”

Jared challenged, “Prove you’ve been cheated and I’ll pay you three times your loss. The same goes for any patron here. Miss James is one of the most honest people I know, just like her father Cameron. That’s why I went into business with him, and with her.”

Dan joined them and, grasping Heath’s arm, escorted him outside. When he returned, he said, “I think this war has been too hard on Mister Heath. He’s about lost everything he owns, and his wife ran off with another man. Of course that doesn’t excuse his bad behavior, but it does explain it. I’ll keep him out of here for you.”

After everyone had gone and Mary had turned in, Jared poured himself and Maren a glass of wine, and they sat down at one of the red-clothed tables. Nearly all of the lamps and candles had been extinguished, and those still lit made only a soft glow. It was quiet inside and outside the gambling house, and the room where they sat suddenly seemed very large.

Jared watched Maren stare into her wine, and he wondered what she was thinking. He murmured, “I’m sorry about the trouble tonight.” Then he touched his glass to hers and said, “To peace and independence.”

Maren met his mellow gaze and replied, “No, to Jared Morgan.” She brought her glass to his. “I appreciate what you said and did tonight. I’m sure you realized I’ve had trouble with that man before. Mary told me how he probably got in.” She repeated the housekeeper’s explanation, then added, “Actually, this interruption was a good thing. It showed us that a determined person can sneak inside. We must take better precautions. One night, it could be a thief.”

“Something is up, Maren. He wasn’t drunk or
stupid or suffering.”

“I know, Jared, and he wasn’t the other time either. He’s out to cause trouble, and I don’t know why or for whom. Yet…”

When she shrugged and halted, Jared stated, “I hope you realize he isn’t doing it for me, Maren.”

“If there’s one thing I know about you, Jared Morgan, it’s that you’re not a man to hire another to settle your problems.” She smiled. “Well, at least your ownership and the fact that you’re living here are in the open. Now we have to learn if it makes a difference to anyone.”

“Besides Eric,” he declared rashly, then added, “I’m sorry. It slipped out. You make me lose control of my tongue and my wits.”

She stood and said teasingly, “Little ol’ me make you lose self-control? Don’t exaggerate or I might try to do it more often.” Her mood waxed serious as she added, “Thanks again, Jared. Good night. About ten in the morning?”

“For what?” he asked confusedly.

“To meet with Papa’s lawyer to go over our papers and terms. Then, we can go to the bank so you can take possession of your money.”

“You sure you want to handle all that tomorrow?”

“I think we both need to know where we stand, don’t you?”

Jared rose and looked down into her upturned face. His fingers lightly drifted over her parted lips. “I suppose you’re right,” he concurred. Taking her hand, he guided her to the steps. “You go on and I’ll
douse the remaining candles.”

Maren hesitated indecisively. She wanted to embrace him, to kiss him, but she feared what that would lead to. Was she ready to follow Beth’sadvice? Mary’s advice? Her own desires?

Jared gently pulled her into his arms and murmured, “No matter how much we want each other, Maren, tonight’s not the right time. But I would like to hold you for a moment and kiss you good night.”

“I would like that very much,” she bravely told him.

Jared gently cupped her face between his hands and gazed into it for what seemed like a long time. Slowly he leaned forward and kissed each of her eyes closed. His lips brushed her forehead, the tip of her nose, and her cheek. Then they attempted to cover every inch of her face before drifting over her neck and ears. Abruptly and tightly he embraced her.

Maren felt his rigid body tremble, and she could hear his ragged respiration. He had pressed her head to his chest and was holding it there with one hand. The other, at her waist, kept her locked against him. Her eyes shut, Maren listened to his thundering heartbeat, thrilled by her effect on him. She was very aware of the sturdiness of his body, his compelling shape and size, his manly smell, his sensitivity. His hands had the strength to crush her, but they gently caressed her, inflaming her. Many impressions and images flooded her enraptured mind, and she warmed to each of them. She savored this heady contact with him, and nestled closer.