Quicksilver Passion (155 page)

Cherokee started walking again, but his whole attention was on the voice that grew louder as they approached.

’Tis the last rose of summer left blooming alone, all her lovely companions are faded and gone . . .”

Silver’s favorite song and Shawn O’Bannion’s, too. In fact, it had been one of the most popular songs of the War.

Keso guided him and stopped him, announcing they were across the street from the Duchess’s Palace.
Are you all right, boss?”

Cherokee couldn’t answer, he felt so overcome as the singing continued.

I’ll not leave you, lone one, to pine on the stem. Where the lovely are sleeping, go sleep thou with them
...”

Silver
. It couldn’t be anyone but Silver. Of all the people he hadn’t expected to find in Denver was the girl he loved. Buy why not? A beautiful star like her would naturally gravitate toward a rich, boomtown to open a new saloon.

He managed to get control of himself.
Keso, is the saloon named for a woman?”

Sure.”

What’s she like?”

The Duchess? A real looker! Men always turn when she goes by.”

It had to be Silver, all right.

Boss, she ain’t for you.”

Keso, did I say she was? I was just curious, that’s all.”

She’s got plenty of money, I reckon, and this big saloon. Something else, boss. She’s got a kid who looks part Indian.”

Cherokee thought his heart would stop.
How—how old is this child?”

I donno. A little girl. I’ve seen them on the street sometimes, but more likely the kid’s with her governess.

Cherokee did a quick mental calculation.
Could the little girl be about three years old, you think?”