Tarnished Angel (15 page)

    Why had she not spoken her true thoughts when her father expressed his fears? A nagging voice in the back of her mind demanded that she be honest: Her silence had not merely been the product of her father's mesmerizing and well-practiced skill    in overcoming female resistance. It had also been the product of the fear had trickled down her spine as the remembered dark-eyed gaze she had struggled so desperately to avoid had again assaulted her mind. It was humiliating to admit, even to herself, that a man whose identity she did not even know had managed so thoroughly to insinuate himself in her mind. She was, even now, at a loss to understand how that unknown man had managed to instill so much conflicting emotion within her that the thought of again being in his clutches immobilized her.

    And immobilized she had been, like putty in her father's hands. As a result, she was now saddled with a bodyguard of dubious value… no,
two
bodyguards of dubious value! It was humiliating being treated like a lapdog incapable of protecting herself and incapable of making decisions that would keep her out of harm's way

    Refusing to turn to see if her bodyguard was still following at her heels, Devina made a sharp right onto Fremont Street and breathed a short sigh. A brief glance in her maid's direction revealed that Lai Hua was disturbed at her unhappiness. Refusing to allow the sweet girl another moment's concern, Devina flicked her a smile. Father had chosen well indeed in securing Lai Hua for her personal maid; but something in the back of Devina's mind refused to allow her to believe her father was totally responsible for the choice. Father was not terribly skilled at recognizing the true worth of people. His cavalier treatment of his wife had been proof of that.

    Abruptly grateful that her home was in sight, Devina ignored the unexpected shiver which ran down her spine. Well, Father had been successful in another way as well. With his softly voiced concern and speculation, he had managed to instill a modicum of doubt in her own mind as to her safety. Certainly that was the reason that even now, so close to her own home, she felt the weight of eyes following her. She would not admit even to herself that she had been pressed by such a feeling before her father had voiced his fears. Instead, she raised her chin in unspoken defiance of her own anxiety and continued boldly forward.

    A low expletive escaped Ross's lips with the ferocity of a snarl. He held the spyglass against his eyes and slid closer to the edge of the overhang on which he lay, seeking a clearer view.

    No, there was no mistaking it. Devina Dale was walking down Fremont Street, looking as self-possessed as any young woman who held the world in the palm of her hand. At her side Lai walked nervously, glancing up at her from time to time. And to her rear walked Sam Sharpe.

    
Sam Sharpe
. Ross's cheek began to tick with barely restrained fury. Sam Sharpe would do anything to fill his pockets… It was Sam
sharpe
who did most of Harvey Dale's dirty work, but today he'd been given a much more pleasant job. Hell, what man wouldn't enjoy following a woman who looked like Devina Dale?

    Ross moved his spyglass to study Sharpe more closely. Maintaining a position close behind Devina Dale, Sharpe let his half-closed eyes moved intimately over Devina Dale's feminine curves. An unknown emotion gnawed at Ross's gut, and he clamped his teeth tightly shut. One thing was certain. Dale had hired the right person to protect his precious daughter. Dale paid well, and Sharpe would kill before he'd let anyone steal his meal ticket.

    Damn it all, Ross hadn't expected this complication. He had been shaken from his bad humor early this morning when Jake had arrived back at the cabin and told him that Lai Hua was working as Devina Dale's personal maid. He had been disappointed when Jake had reported that Lai Hua refused to do anything that would endanger her new mistress, but he knew Jake well enough to believe he would be successful in persuading Lai Hua to help them. He had actually begun to relax. After all, from now on they would actually have inside help. So far, the success of their payroll robberies had been due partly to good planning, partly to good luck, and partly to bribes. But their sources of inside information had just about gone dry. Lai Hua's new position appeared to be the perfect solution to that problem.

    But Ross's brief feeling of well-being had disappeared with the arrival of Sam Sharpe on the scene. Damn! He hadn't been able to believe his eyes when Sam Sharpe openly took up a position behind Devina Dale as she emerged from her house early that morning. Ross had seen the short conversation that took place between them. He had focused his glass for a clear view of the agitation on Devina Dale's face.

    The haughty Miss Dale did not like being trailed by the likes of Sam Sharpe. She had walked directly toward Allen Street, and   although Ross had been able to follow her progress only part of the way, he had known very well where she was heading. But it seemed Miss Dale did not have her father wrapped as securely around her finger as she thought, for Sam Sharpe was still close at her heels.

    Suffering the same malady as on his previous surveillance, Ross found himself unable to lower his glass, unable to take his eyes from Devina Dale as she continued walking back toward her home. Her stylish green gown fit her lush curves like a second skin, and Ross was well aware that the ridiculous hat which sat on her gleaming hair had probably cost more than the average frontier wife paid for her entire wardrobe. Ross gave a low contemptuous snort. It was obvious Devina Dale accepted all as her due.

    Forcing his eyes from her provocative sway, Ross adjusted his glass so he might concentrate more intently on her face. Clear, sparkling blue eyes, flawless white skin, a clarity of feature that was stunning in its perfection. And her lips. Even at his extended distance, he could see that they were full, lush. As much as he thoroughly despised Devina Dale for all she was, he ached to taste that full, warm mouth.

    But that inviting mouth was twitching with annoyance. Oh, Miss Dale did not like to meet defeat at her father's hands. She raised the delicate line of her chin with unconscious determination. She turned unexpectedly in his direction, and he saw a glimpse of something else in those breathtaking eyes. What was it?

    Damn! The little twit had passed out of his line of vision.

    Waiting interminable moments until she was visible once more, Ross watched as Devina approached the house and stepped inside. He shifted his gaze to Sam Sharpe, noting and marking in his mind the position the man took up in surveillance.

    Ross lowered his glass at last. The presence of a bodyguard would make his task more difficult, but not impossible. He had long ago determined that if you wanted something badly enough, nothing was impossible. And he wanted Devina Dale.

    Ross took a moment to amend that statement in his mind. The truth was that Devina Dale had much to offer him aside from her obvious physical attributes. She could offer him Harvey Dale on a silver platter.

    Devina turned once more before the mirror in a frustrated effort to obtain a better look at the back of her striking ensemble. Her brow wrinkled with impatience.

    ''Lai Hua, give me the hand mirror, please."

    Snapping to her request, Lai Hua put the elaborately carved mirror in her hand, and Devina adjusted its position so she might get the view she wished. She shook her head. "I don't know, Lai Hua… Does this gown make me look large in the rear portion? I should not like to attend my first social function in Tombstone and find out later that the only comment I stirred was related to the size of that particular area of my anatomy."

    Lai Hua's face crinkled into a spontaneous smile only partly hidden by the small hand that snapped up to cover her lips. A spot of warmth stirred inside Devina, lightening her frown. Lai Hua seemed to find her very amusing. She had excited varied reactions in people, but she had rarely been considered amusing. Of course, she had rarely felt the need to entertain anyone.

    No, the more common emotions she had been known to stir were awe (her presence always seemed to leave some speechless), lust (some men were so easily raised to that primitive emotion by a look or a sassy turn of a hip), and jealousy (so easily read in the eyes of women who envied her beauty as much as they envied her position as Harvey Dale's daughter). She was intensely relieved to find that Lai Hua's reactions appeared to fall into none of these categories. But then, Lai Hua was so sincere, and there seemed to be little that could dampen her good humor. Lai Hua was definitely good to have around, especially in this archaic country.

    Devina tried once more.

    "Come now, Lai Hua, surely my appearance isn't that amusing."

    Her small eyes abruptly filled with concern, Lai Hua shook her head in vigorous denial. "Oh, no, Miss Devina. Your appearance is not at all amusing. In truth, your appearance steals one's breath."

    The silver-blue of her eyes taking on a teasing glow, Devina raised her slender brows in mock dismay. "Oh, surely my derriere doesn't look
that
large?"

    Lai Hua shook her head even harder. "No, ma'am, it does not! It looks very good, as good as does the rest of you. You are very beautiful, Miss Devina. You must not be upset if Dr. Carter   makes no comment at the moment you appear, for I am sure he will be as breathless as I at the sight of your outstanding beauty."

    Devina's smile lost its teasing quality.

    "You are extremely generous in your praise, Lai Hua, but I think you're prejudiced in my behalf. Now, seriously, do the fringes on the skirt bring too much emphasis to my posterior portion when I walk? Is it very obvious that the waistline of this dress is a bit loose? I can't imagine how that happened. I had it adjusted just prior to leaving New York. It fit me very well then."

    Realizing she was being called upon to make constructive criticism, Lai Hua tilted her head slightly to the side in an obvious attempt to make an honest response. After a few moments, concern marked Lai Hua's clear forehead and she raised her brows expressively. "I am sorry, Miss Devina, but I can find nothing amiss with your appearance. You are perfect in all respects."

    Devina's smile flashed, and Lai Hua's head bobbed in further emphasis.

    "And now you are breathtaking once more."

    Devina turned away from her servant's scrutiny with a resigned shake of her head. It looked as if she could not depend on Lai Hua for criticism. Well, at least Lai Hua's praise was honest, not inspired by a desire to ingratiate herself or to have her mistress appear a fool because of a misdirected sense of jealousy.

    Devina turned back to the mirror with a pensive expression. Well, she supposed she did look beautiful. She had deliberately dressed her hair in casual manner to offset the formal style of her dress, and she supposed it was becoming. Yes, the pale mass she had swept away from her face and coiled atop her head while still damp from washing, did catch the light particularly well, giving her almost a halo effect with its glimmering sheen. She turned her head. The sweep of her hair did accent her perfect profile. She deliberately ignored the few curling wisps at her hairline, which had escaped her coiffure, knowing full well it was useless to try to control them.

    As for her dress, blue was definitely her color, and this particular shade was just silvery enough to mimic the color of her eyes. The off-the-shoulder neckline was particularly flattering to her graceful neck and shoulders, even if the décolletage was a    bit daring. She eyed the short puff sleeves ornamented with velvet bows in a shade of royal blue. Yes, she liked them very well, and the bodice of the garment fit smoothly against the swell of her breasts, even if the waistline was not as tight as she would have preferred.

    Ah, but the skirt all that flouncing, elaborate draping and swaying fringe. Devina shook her head. A few days before she would not have given the elaborate style a second thought, but her confidence had received a heavy blow when that fellow on the street had said she was dressed like a common strumpet. Abruptly, Devina was angry. What was wrong with her? Why was she suddenly so self-conscious? Was it because she still had not lost that chilling sensation of being watched? Was it because dark eyes hovered still in the back of her mind, refusing to allow her a minute's peace? Oh, damn, she was behaving like a fool!

    Devina turned away from the mirror with an angry step, only to be stopped short by a knock on the door.

    From the hallway, Molly said, "Dr. Carter has arrived, Miss Devina. He's waiting in the foyer."

    "Tell him I'll be down in a moment, Molly."

    Turning toward Lai Hua, Devina raised her shoulders in a small shrug. "Well, that settles that dilemma, Lai Hua. Too much fringe, or not too much fringe, I'm leaving."

    Accepting the pale blue silk shawl Lai Hua held out to her, Devina walked toward the hallway with a rapid step. Within moments she was descending the staircase to the front foyer, her indecision of a short time before still nagging at her mind. Her eyes touched on Charle's tall, well-muscled frame, outfitted to perfection in a dark suit that emphasized his vibrant good looks. A small flutter moved in the pit of her stomach. There was something about him… But her momentary puzzlement was alleviated by the rush of pleasure inspired by Charle's first reaction to her appearance.