Don’t do that, Silver,” he warned her. I’m only a man, after all, and I’ve almost lost control several times already.”
She wanted to please him, even if it hurt her. Very slowly she slid her body down on him. She hadn’t realized how wet she was and it surprised her that it didn’t hurt. She kept waiting for it to hurt.
His hands were wet with sweat and trembling as he reached out and grabbbed her waist. She was small enough that his hands almost spanned her as he lifted her and brought her down on him again. Ride me, sweet darlin’,” he whispered. Oh, ride the hell out of me!”
She looked down at her creamy white legs forking this dark-skinned brute who was like a wild mustang stallion. And suddenly she wanted to ride him, wanted to come down on him hard and deep, feel him convulsing and swelling deep inside her body while his hands caught her breasts as they hung over his face and pulled them down to his lips.
Then he was bucking under her, ramming strongly as his virile body came up off the bed and into hers. He caught her hands and brought them to his nipples and then his two big hands caught her waist and held her. It was cool in the room, but they were both shiny with perspiration from the exertion of their straining bodies.
She felt the surging tremble, the straining of his powerful body, and then hers seemed to lock on to his, wanting what he had to give even as he began to pour his seed into her with a ragged gasping of breath. Her body convulsed even as his did, and as darkness enveloped her, she felt him shudder and give up all the hot, virile seed he had been saving for so long.
They slept awhile, locked in each other’s arms, entwined in a tangle of her long, pale hair. But toward morning, Cherokee sat up on the edge of the bed and stretched. I think I’d better go back to my hotel. I’d just soon some early riser didn’t see me leaving through the window.”
She nodded, not quite sure what the new day would bring now that he had satisfied his body. She was afraid to ask about their future so she only watched him dress.
He came over to her, and took her face between his two big hands. Sweet Silver,” he whispered. I love you.” He took her small hand in his, the bracelet on her wrist sparkling in the faint light. Here’s a treasure to keep in your pocket.” Very slowly, he kissed her palm, and closed her fingers over it. Then he went to the window and was gone.
Silver lay on her bed, staring at her closed hand. A kiss. She held a captured kiss to remember him by. That and a bracelet. She opened the hand against her lips, savoring the warm touch of his mouth that seemed to linger there. In that moment, she relived their coupling;—his mouth on hers, dominating, demanding. Had she done the right thing in surrendering to him? Did he really love her, or was she only a conquest to be added to his list and snickered over when men gathered for a drink and talked about women they had known?
Cherokee went back to his room, washed up, changed clothes, and lay down across the bed to sleep. The night had left him exhausted and drained. He wasn’t sure what to do about the relationship now. True, when it had all begun, all he wanted was to satisfy his lust with the beautiful blonde’s body; he hadn’t thought of her as a human being. To him, she had been only a whore, despite her cool demeanor. But now that he had taken her, he had a feeling he couldn’t get enough of her. Loco as it seemed, he found himself wanting to marry her and have children by her.
That was impossible, of course. She might have surrendered to passion, but how would she feel about leaving the glamorous limelight to change diapers on a mixed-blood Indian baby up in some cabin in the mountains? Cherokee realized that unless he made a big strike, Silver was more successful than he was and he wouldn’t consider living on her money. But to ask a beautiful, wealthy, and successful girl to give up everything to be the wife of a poor, half-breed prospector was ridiculous. She would only say no, and he wasn’t sure his pride could stand that. He was still awake when dawn came and outside he heard a horse gallop down the main street and a man shouting. Cherokee ran to the window and pushed it up.
War!” the rider shouted, dismounting from the lathered sorrel horse. Pony Express just galloped through Julesburg with the news a few hours ago! We’re about to be at war!”
What he feared most had transpired. Cherokee leaned out the window and shouted down to the rider as people ran out to surround him. Hey! What’s happened?”
The wiry cowboy shouted back, South Carolina soldiers have fired on federal troops at Fort Sumpter! The war has finally started!”
Cherokee groaned aloud. Ever since Lincoln’s election last November, Southern states had been slowly seceding, beginning with South Carolina. Still everyone had hoped that when cooler heads prevailed, the South would not take drastic action. But it had come to that. And despite everything, deep in his heart, Cherokee Evans was a Southerner.
He could forget all his plans, all his dreams. Everything he had fantasized with Silver was now ended. When he headed for the Nugget Saloon, excited clusters of people had gathered up and down the street, discussing the news. Shouts of the happening were aimed at newcomers as they came out to see what the ruckus was about.
When Cherokee entered the deserted saloon and Silver met him at the door, she still wore his gold nugget bracelet, but he knew by her face that she had already heard.
I’ve got some coffee made,” she said and gave him a long, searching look.
He sank slowly into a chair, his heart heavy. I’m a Southerner, Silver, I’ll have to go.”
Why? You don’t own any slaves, do you?” She set the coffee down before him and he sipped it, grateful for the strong, bracing taste.
There’ll be a lot of men who’ll rise up to defend the South who don’t own slaves, who hate slavery.” He thought of Shawn O’Bannion. We can’t stand by and see the South overrun by Yankee raiders, the women raped, everything destroyed.”
But it was the Southern leaders who stole the Cherokees’ land,” she argued. You owe them nothing.”
He drank the coffee and looked at her anxious face across from him. That’s probably true, and I reckon there’ll be Cherokees fighting on both sides. Both sides will want as many tribes as they can get as allies. Somehow I feel when it’s over, no matter who wins, the Indians will lose.”
Then why go?” She hesitated, looking down at her cup. Is it—is it because of last night?”
How could he ask her to marry him now? He owed allegiance to his beloved South. More than that, he owed more than he could ever repay to Shawn O’Bannion, the good friend he had betrayed. Yes, last night changed a lot of things, but we can’t discuss that now. I’ve got to go help my friend, Silver. His fine plantation will be one of those that will be overrun, sacked, and burned. Shawn raises some of the finest Tennessee walking horses in the world. The raiders will take them all if they get into Tennessee.”
I see.” She spoke so softly that he barely heard her as she toyed with the nuggets on her wrists. Will you—will you come back anytime soon to see me?”
Reckon not. Colorado Territory will probably stay with the Union, which means I would be looked on as an enemy soldier.” The idea of being parted from her even one night tore his heart out. If he weren’t careful, all his resolve would melt in his love for her. He had a duty to the South and to Shawn O’Bannion, whom he’d betrayed. A real man must put his duty before his own selfish desires. He caught her hand, kissed the palm, and folded her fingers over it. Here’s a treasure to remember me by.”
She jerked her hand away and stood up. Well, it really doesn’t matter,” she said. I don’t want you to go thinking you meant anything special to me. What’s one damned Rebel more or less? If you ever get back in the area, you might look me up—if I’m still around and haven’t taken up with someone new by then.” She started to turn away and he reached out and caught her arm. Silver, was last night nothing to you?”
She shrugged and gave him a tight-lipped smile. An enjoyable romp, as it was to you. That’s why I’m such a good whore; I can make any man feel he’s special. Now go off to yo
ur damned, noble war. It’ll send the price of gold and silver zooming;—great for business. I wasted enough time; I’ve got a saloon to run!”
He felt furious and betrayed. So she was only a skilled whore. He had been right after all. With that act you put on, sweet, you could convince any man of anything. You even had me fooled!” He pulled her to him, hurt that last night had meant nothing to her. “Let me give you something else to remember me by!”
Before she could protest, he dragged her to him and kissed her deeply. For a split second, she melted against him, returning his kiss with heated ardor, and then she pulled away. Consider last night payment for the bracelet!” she sneered. But next time, it’ll cost more than a poor half-breed like you can pay!”
She flounced away and up the stairs.
He stood staring after her, crushed and humiliated. What a fool she had made of him. How she would have laughed if he had told her of his love, had asked her to marry him. And to think he had been about to ask her to wait for him until he returned from the war!
Cherokee didn’t look back as he turned on his heel and left. He got the needed supplies, loaded them on the burro, and went back to the claim. There he told his partners what had happened and what he felt he had to do. They sympathized with him, told him they would keep working the claim and save his share until he returned. With a heavy heart, Cherokee returned to town, took some of his money from the bank, and bought a good horse.
He thought about trying to see Silver again, but decided he had had as much hurt as he could stand. His grandmother had been right about white women, he thought bitterly as he rode slowly past the Nugget Saloon and on out of town.
Silver watched him ride past from her upstairs window. She struggled with her feelings, wanting to run after him, not wanting it to end like this. Then she remembered that she was nothing but another pretty conquest to him, that he really cared nothing for her. He was like the others after all.
But while she struggled with the decision, he rode on down the street and the moment was lost. She watched his figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance and she kept looking long after he was lost to sight. Then she threw herself down on her bed and wept until she could weep no more.
When she got up and looked in one of her many mirrors, she was horrified to see her eyes red and swollen. She must not let her grief destroy her beauty; it was really all she could count on. As long as she possessed a flawless face, she had security that no man would offer her. In the meantime, she had a saloon to run. Silver stared at her hand. A treasure to keep. Without thinking, she put her palm against her heart, and the bracelet he had given her tinkled as she did so. She changed into a gaudy silver-spangled dress as night came on, splashed cold water on her face, put on the silver shoes, and went downstairs to the only life she knew.
Cherokee made his trip south with a heavy heart. Already the states were gearing up for the coming fight, but he had no stomach for it. He was going because it was his duty and because he owed this to the friend he had betrayed.
He avoided riding out to Shannon Place plantation because he didn’t want to face Shawn’s beautiful but faithless wife. Instead, he went to the nearby village, asked around, and was sent to a camp where Captain Shawn O’Bannion was helping train raw recruits.
He dismounted and handed his reins over to a big, redheaded private. Is Shawn here?”
Yes sir! Right over yonder.” The young man pointed toward a tent and Cherokee grinned in spite of himself at the twangy Tennessee accent.
Cherokee went in, and stood for a long moment looking down at the tall, handsome man in a gray uniform who bent over the maps spread before him on an improvised table. The years had been kind to the Irish immigrant, Cherokee thought. Except for a little gray in the black hair, Shawn O’Bannion didn’t look like a man who must be close to forty years old.
Yes?” He looked up, fixing Cherokee with eyes as green as shamrocks. Cherokee!” He came around the table, and clapped him on both shoulders. Aye, and it’s glad I am to see you, lad! I’d been wondering if I was going to have to fight the Yanks without you by me side!”
They shook hands warmly. Shawn, you’re the best friend I ever had. I had to come. No matter what it cost me, I couldn’t live with myself if I let you down.”
But he had let him down, Cherokee thought, that one night when Shawn was away from the plantation. He could only pray to God that Shawn never found out that the young beauty he’d married and the boy he had raised to a man had betrayed him. For this reason, his debt to the Irishman must come before anything else; he’d sworn to make it up to the man who had taken him in when his grandmother died.
Drink?” Shawn reached for a bottle.
No, I quit. I was afraid I would end up like my father.”
Oh?” Shawn looked at him a long moment, shrugged his broad shoulders, and poured himself one. Good Irish whiskey! Seems to me we used to have us some lovely evenings over a bottle in the old days. I never did understand why you left so suddenly. Savannah has asked about you.”
Cherokee didn’t meet the other man’s eyes as he flopped down in a chair, and rolled a cigarette. Didn’t you get my note?”
Aye. Still, lad, it was sudden like.”
How’s everyone?” Cherokee asked to change the subject. Is Shadow with you?” Shadow was Shawn’s big mulatto body servant who had been with the Irishman for many years.
Shawn shook his head. Shadow felt drawn to fight on the other side and I told him to go with my blessings. A man does what he feels in his heart he must; that is, if he’s a real man.”
Cherokee looked up suddenly and realized Shawn was staring at him keenly. At that moment, he had a distinct feeling that Shawn knew he had been betrayed.
And your son?”
Fine. Though ‘tis a disappointment to me that the boy seems to take more after the St. Clairs than the O’Bannions. But then Savannah coddles and spoils him so.”
Cherokee didn’t say anything. He knew that the couple disagreed on the rearing of the young blond son.
Shawn sipped his whiskey. You didn’t tell me why you left so sudden or where you went.”
Felt that Evans urge to go looking for the rainbow,” Cherokee said. Maybe I’ve just got the wanderlust like my father. He had that claim up in Colorado that I’m working with his old partners.”
Shawn held up his glass in a toast and beamed at him. Here’s hopin’ you strike it rich as I did in California. Then you, too, can own a big plantation and everything that money can buy.”
Including a young, elegant, blue-blooded wife like Savannah St. Clair, Cherokee thought. Something about Shawn’s expression made Cherokee blurt out without thinking, And are you happy with all that your money has bought?”
Shawn looked startled; his green eyes stared into Cherokee’s a long moment. I dreamed of being among the landed gentry from the moment I got off the boat,” he said softly, as if he were thinking aloud. There was a high-born lady that a poor, Irish boy couldn’t have . . .”
Cherokee waited for him to continue, but the expression on the handsome Irish face told him O’Bannion was thinking of some other time long ago. Well, Shawn, by damn, you showed them, didn’t you? You’ve got everything that success can buy—even the lady.”
Not the lady,” Shawn whispered, and then he seemed to realize he had said too much and came to attention briskly. So now we’ll be into a war and I may have to kill men who’ve done me no harm to hang on to the way of life I love.”
Cherokee smoked and shook his head. I think we’ll see an end to this way of life. I’m afraid we’re going to come out on the losing end of this fight.”
Shawn’s handsome face saddened. We’re a pair, aren’t we, lad? Both opposed to slavery, yet fighting for the South because we love her. You’re right; our side can’t possibly win.”
If England or France needs our cotton badly enough to come in on our side—”
The English?” Shawn shuddered and then laughed. They do say politics
make strange bedfellows. Still, by gorrah, I never thought the son of an old sod like myself might end up fighting on the same side as the hated English.”
He looked into his glass. We’ll do the best we can with what we’ve got, Cherokee, but we’re outnumbered and outgunned. And I’ll tell you a little secret; I don’t think the English want our cotton badly enough to fight on the side of slavery. I don’t think her people will stand for it!”
Cherokee smoked and studied the man who meant more to him than a father. I’d follow you into hell, Shawn, you know that, and so would anyone who knows you.”
Before this is over, I’m afraid that’s exactly what you will do,” the Irishman said gravely. But enough of this. I’ve got to get you into uniform.” He stood up, went to the door of the tent, and called out. Private Dowdy?”
The big redheaded boy came in, and saluted.
Shawn smiled. Cherokee, this is private William Dowdy, lately of Bedford County, Tennessee. He was a blacksmith there and now he’s shoeing horses for the Confederate states when he’s not my orderly. Private Dowdy, meet my old friend, Cherokee Evans, and see that he’s taken care of. We’ve got a war to fight!”
Cherokee stood up. Regret it as he might, he had made his choice. His loyalty to the man who had raised and trusted him, and saving his homeland, had to be the uppermost priority in his mind right now. The beautiful blonde whose heart was as hard as the metal of her name would have to remain only a moment in his past—like Savannah. Saloon girl or wealthy plantation wife—there wasn’t a nickel’s worth of difference, no matter what his heart told him.
For Silver, one day blended into another as spring passed slowly and summer came on. For a while, she thought she could not live with the pain of having given her heart to a man who was no better than the rest after all. To him, she had been only an evening’s conquest, a pretty toy to amuse himself with. Why hadn’t she remembered that in the West, there were only two kinds of women as far as men were concerned and she was the wrong kind?
Quicksilver Passion Page 16