by Livia Grant
Every inch of her body was screaming at her to stay right where she was, yet it didn’t make any sense. She’d barely made it out of San Francisco. Still, the thought of riding with the nasty driver of the stagecoach filled her with such dread it made standing to leave impossible.
She was almost out of time when a beautiful lady in a grand satin gown the likes she hadn’t seen since her trip to Chicago with her parents pulled out the chair next to her. “I don’t mean to interrupt you enjoying Charlie’s music, but do you mind if I sit and chat with you for a few minutes?”
Emelie’s eyes went back to the clock, knowing she needed to leave. “I really should…”
“Yes, I understand you’re to take the stage out today when it leaves. I sent Gabriel over to ask them to hold their departure for a few minutes.”
“You did? Why would you do that?”
“Oh, I don’t know. I guess because I hated to make you cut your time here short. You seem to enjoy Charlie’s music. Do you play?”
“Me? The piano?” Emelie questioned.
She smiled kindly. “Yes. Everyone loves Charlie’s music, but you seem to be listening with the interest of a fellow musician. Am I right?”
Emelie’s heart thumped in her chest. “I play a little, but…” Just say it, she urged herself on. “I’m a singer by trade. You wouldn’t be hiring entertainers by chance?”
She’d surprised the lady. She sat back in her chair, a funny look on her face. “I hadn’t planned on adding singers, no, but… well, that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t be interested in hearing you. The men in these parts love it when the girls dance for them. They might like singing as well.”
The way she said “the men in these parts” made Emelie uncomfortable. She looked around the room better for the first time, taking in the poker games, the men at the bar with a bottle of whiskey open between them despite the noon hour. But where she got hung up was watching a young woman with jet-black hair in a very skimpy dress that looked more like undergarments sitting on the same tall miner’s lap who had slapped her own bottom at the door.
How she’d been so naive, she had no idea, but with certainty Emelie knew she’d fallen down a rabbit hole and landed smack dab in the middle of a whorehouse. No wonder the man hadn’t thought twice about touching her.
Her eyes returned from their inspection of the room to connect with the smiling lady. “But… what are you doing here?” she asked incredulously.
The beautiful lady stretched her hand out as a greeting. Only when Emelie was shaking her hand did she introduce herself. “My name is Madam Jewel and I own this fine establishment. You met my partner at the door, Gabe. Charlie is our piano player, Nettie our cook and general mother hen and… everyone else who works here are my gems.”
“Gems?”
“Yes. My sparkling gems.”
“But they… you mean they…” Emelie stuttered like a child, much to her horror.
“Yes, dear. They entertain our customers upstairs in their bedrooms for money. There are hundreds of miners in these parts who find themselves in need of female companionship upon occasion. There aren’t many women who want to live their lives in these parts so we provide a needed service to the community.”
“I see.” What else was she to say? She’d walked past more than one whorehouse while walking through San Francisco, but not one of them had looked like the Red Petticoat. “Do you work upstairs too?” Blood rushed to her face as she realized how rude that question was.
Madam Jewel didn’t seem to mind at all. “Oh no, my gems do a fine job without me. I manage the place along with Gabe, who doubles as our security force.”
“I see.” Now she was repeating herself.
Jewel was watching her intently. “You are quite beautiful. The men in these parts would go crazy for you if you came to work for me. I don’t mean to pry, but you seem like you’re alone in the world. Have you given any thought to being a working girl?”
“Me? Oh no. I couldn’t.” Emelie was flustered. She should be bolting out the door, never looking back, but something kept her glued to her chair, unable to stand to leave, knowing each minute got her closer to missing her stage.
“You know best, of course,” the madam said kindly.
Did she dare?
“I couldn’t work upstairs, but… well, do you have any other jobs? If not singing, maybe in the kitchen? I worked as a serving girl at a pub in San Francisco.”
“We’re always looking for help with serving food and drinks. The busier we get, the longer the lines are and the longer the paying customers have to wait to take their turn upstairs. Perhaps you could keep them fed and entertained while they wait?”
Was this for real? Was she being offered a job?
“I don’t have a place to stay. How much does the inn charge per night?”
“Oh, you’d live here, of course. All the girls do, well except Ruby there behind the bar. She’s married to our sheriff. She goes home to their house every night.”
Jewel waved the redhead over. “Ruby, I’d like you to meet Emelie. She’s considering coming to work here as a server and entertainer.” Jewel turned back to Emelie. “Before you say yes, Emelie, I want you to take a close look at Ruby’s uniform. This is what you’d be asked to wear to work.”
“But… oh goodness. Couldn’t I just wear the gown I have on?”
“I’m afraid not. Take note of Ruby’s pink petticoats. That’s how the customers know that your room is on the first floor, meaning you are off limits to them. Only the gems in red petticoats take customers to their rooms. Gabe will make sure no one hurts you I promise you that, but…” Jewel hesitated. “You need to know that you’ll be expected to flirt with the customers and make them feel welcome. Ruby will tell you they’ll turn a little touchy, pinching and slapping, all in good fun. If that makes you uncomfortable, then perhaps the job may not be an acceptable fit for you.”
How could Emelie tell the kind woman it sounded like her worst nightmare? The thought of men she didn’t know touching her filled her with dread. The kind of dread that Albert had introduced her to and the gunslinger had driven home. Her hopes dashed, Emelie pressed to her feet, reaching out to shake Jewel’s hand.
“Thank you so much for the kind offer, but I don’t think the job is right for me. I’d better be heading out before the stage leaves without me.” Her glance darted to the piano as she said her good-byes. The music had stopped and Charlie was watching with interest. She saw the disappointment on his face when he realized she was leaving.
Before she could second-guess herself, she reached for her traveling bag on the floor and turned to leave.
She met Gabe at the swinging doors. He looked angry and it frightened her enough to make her step back, surprised when her back crashed into Charlie. He’d rushed to follow her.
Gabe’s gaze softened. “I’m so sorry, miss. That stagecoach driver is a real pain in my… well, you know. You must have pissed him off though because he couldn’t wait to hightail it out of here without you. Said something like you broke his ribs, which seems a bit unlikely considering you don’t weigh more than a sack of potatoes.”
“He left me? That no-good son-of-a-…” She stopped herself short of cursing, but true panic set in. “I have to catch him. I’ve already pre-paid him. He’s supposed to take me as far as Lake Tahoe.”
Charlie moved in front of her. “And then what? Do you have a job waiting for you there?”
“Well, no,” she admitted.
“I don’t know what you’re running from, but stay here. Give working here as a server a shot. That stage driver comes through on this route every two weeks. If it isn’t working out by the time he gets back to town, Gabe and I will make sure he takes you to Lake Tahoe the next time through.” Charlie looked away at the tanned man for confirmation. “Won’t we, Gabe?”
Gabriel’s forceful answer frightened her. “Oh you bet. I look forward to having a heart to heart with that driver the next time he passes thro
ugh town.”
She felt the stare of the occupants of the room on her back as she weighed her options. She couldn’t seem to commit. “Two weeks?” she squeaked.
“Two weeks,” Charlie assured her.
It wasn’t like she had much of a choice.
“Two weeks it is.”
Chapter Five
Charlie was nervous and he never got nervous. Entertaining was in his blood. Yet tonight as he pressed the final wrinkles from his pinstriped suit and linen shirt, he had to acknowledge the butterflies in his stomach.
They fluttered, not because he’d be playing before a rowdy Friday night crowd, but because he’d be playing for one petite new gem, Emelie.
He had no idea what it was about her that had him tied in knots, but there was no denying it. Emelie Svensson called out to him. He’d like to say it was because she seemed vulnerable and he wanted to protect her like he would any other gem, but that would be a lie. The fact that his cock pressed against his pants, ensuring he’d have a set of blue balls by the end of what he suspected was going to be a long, miserable night, was his proof.
The main floor of the saloon was packed by the time he made his way to the piano. He stopped to exchange greetings with a few regulars, all the while looking out the corner of his eye, hoping to catch a glimpse of Emelie.
Ruby looked to be running ragged trying to keep up delivering drinks and food to waiting men. Sapphire and Dottie came down from upstairs, already looking fatigued. Sapphire wasn’t used to the insane pace yet and he knew all the gems were going to have a long night head of them.
Opal emerged from the bathroom with a now-clean regular and headed up the back stairs, meeting Amy on her way down, giggling on the arm of one of the newest landowners in town.
With disappointment, he took his seat and started playing songs he liked to think of as his dinner set. Less boisterous songs patrons who were doing more eating than drinking might enjoy. The deeper into the night he got, the rowdier his selections would become.
After thirty minutes of non-stop music, Charlie stood for a short break. A smattering of applause greeted him as he headed to the kitchen for a glass of lemonade. The sight that greeted him when he arrived stopped him in his tracks at the door.
“I’m sorry, Miss Jewel, but I just can’t do it. I thought I could, but I can’t. Please…”
“Take a deep breath. We’ll figure something out,” Jewel comforted.
Emelie stood in the middle of the room in the skimpy corset with a too-short skirt of pink petticoats that highlighted her petite bare legs peeking out. Her normally pale complexion was brighter than the pink petticoats that helped draw attention to her pencil thin waist. The fact that the only thing close to ample on her body were her curvy breasts spilling out of the top of her outfit had his already hard cock throbbing with pain in his breeches.
Yep, this was going to be a long night indeed.
He knew the second she spotted him in the doorway because her arms flew up to shield herself, as if she could. The sight of her was forever burned into his brain and he knew the vision would be the fodder for every single-handed wank he ever gave himself in the future.
“Tell her, Charlie.” The room of women had turned, waiting expectantly for him to answer a question he hadn’t heard.
“Excuse me? Can you repeat the question?” he asked sheepishly.
Jewel smiled indulgently. “I was just telling Garnet how beautiful she looked in her uniform.”
“Who the hell is Garnet?” he blurted.
Nettie was closest to him and proceeded to reach up and whack the back of his head. “Are you daft, boy? Emelie of course.”
His feet moved of their own accord, drawing him closer as Emelie’s eyes grew larger with each step he took towards her. By the time he stood next to her, he could swear she’d collapse in a faint if he said “boo.” She was trembling and her fear angered him.
“Begging your pardon, Miss Jewel, but this here gem is no garnet. She’s a shiny piece of silver if I ever saw one.”
Jewel stepped closer. “Yes, well I hardly think it’s her name she’s protesting. Seems she’s having a bit of trouble with the outfit.”
He tried to reassure her. “The first night will be the worst. It’ll take some time getting used to the new uniform.” He tried to make her smile with a wink. “And truthfully, I’m a bit jealous. You wait and see how sweltering hot it’ll get in that crowded room by the end of the night in this summer heat. You’ll be grateful for the lack of heavy clothes, you wait and see.”
“Well, maybe we should switch outfits then and you can see how you like it.” Emelie moved her hands to her hips, looking like she was ready for a fight.
So little Miss Emelie had some spunk after all.
“I’d be happy to, but I’m not sure the customers would take kindly to me wearing a dress and I’m certain they’ll not like you hiding this beautiful body of yours.”
She was embarrassed by his compliment and, in that moment, he knew she was an innocent. God help him, but it only made him want her that much more.
He watched her reaction as he made a suggestion to Jewel. “She says she’s a singer. Why not have her skip serving customers for tonight and sing with me instead? It’ll give her some time to get used to the goings on and break in this here dress. I’ll be able to keep a close eye on her so she doesn’t run into any rowdy customers who don’t want to take no for an answer.”
It sounded like a perfectly fine solution to their problem to him. Nettie thought otherwise, muttering under her breath as she walked back over to the stove to stir what smelled like chicken and dumplings. “We need servers, not singers and if he has his way, it’ll be a lot more than singing going on between them two before the night is over.”
The grin on Jewel’s face confirmed she agreed with her friend. Charlie didn’t much care what they thought. He was too busy being elated at the relief he detected in Emelie.
“You’d do that for me? Let me sing with you?”
He held out his arm as an invitation. “I’m counting on you at least being able to carry a tune. With your looks, you won’t have to be stupendous. You just can’t stink.”
She smiled shyly. “I don’t stink.”
He leaned closer to inhale deeply near her long blonde locks. “No, you most certainly do not.” He fought the urge to reach out and smooth down an errant curl. “Let’s go pick out some songs you know.”
That goal proved easier said than done. They’d leafed through dozens of sheets of musical scores, but few sparked recognition in the newest gem. Had he known, they could have practiced that afternoon in their lull, but there would be no practicing in front of a full house.
“Let’s try something different. What songs do you know?” he inquired.
“Oh! Susanna. You played that earlier.”
“All right, that’s one. We need twenty more for the next set.”
Tears pooled in her eyes. “I should have taken the stage out of town. I’m going to embarrass you and myself.”
“Nonsense. Tomorrow we’ll practice. We only need to get through tonight. You read music, right? You’ll have to use the music tonight if you can’t remember any songs.”
“I remember plenty of songs, they’re just…” She stopped short of answering.
He guessed wrong. “Oh it’s not possible that they are too risqué, trust me. This crowd will love anything.”
“How about Battle Hymn of the Republic or maybe Amazing Grace?” He liked the sheepish smile that lit up her silver-blue peepers.
“Ah, I see the problem. You were in your church choir?”
“Actually, I was the church choir. My father… and brothers-in-law…” She cut off, looking like she’d said too much.
“Hey, there’s nothing wrong with being a preacher’s daughter. My pa and brothers are all blacksmiths. I sure wish they’d been preachers.”
“Really?”
“Really. You have no idea how much my father hat
ed that I loved making music with my hands instead of weapons, wagons and other objects he thought were necessary articles. He thinks making music is a waste of masculine hands.”
“Well, my father enjoyed my music, but I’m not sure how he’d feel about these songs.” She held up the pile of music.
“I guess it’s a good thing he’s not here then, isn’t it?” He was curious how she’d ended up in California all by herself, but that would have to wait. Charlie dug deeper to the bottom of his crate of music he’d accumulated through his years of playing, coming out with the old hymnal from his church in Nashville. “Listen, I have an idea.”
They spent the next twenty minutes putting their heads down, making marks in the music and modifying a few lyrics to suit their current needs. When he was finished, he thought they might have a plan that would work.
Silver looked less certain. “You sure this isn’t gonna get us booed off the stage?”
“Honestly, no. But, I’m willing to try if you are.”
He took his seat at the keyboard, looking over his left shoulder waiting for Silver to nod her readiness to begin. She took long enough that the room began to hush, turning their attention to the beautiful woman on the stage who looked like she was fixing to faint from fear. Looking at her, he knew she wouldn’t be brave enough to nod their start so he began the lead in to their first number. He was counting on his suspicion that most, if not all, of the men in the Red Petticoat Saloon didn’t make it to church on Sunday very often. If they did, they might recognize the tune as Oh, Why Not Tonight. He’d just made a few modifications to the lyrics.
The first tentative sound of Silver’s voice was so quiet he doubted half the room knew she’d begun, but within a few bars, her confidence grew and her sweet melodic voice cast a spell over the room. Within a minute, even the poker players and the whiskey drinkers had turned to face the stage, giving their newest gem their full attention. Not since Jade used to entertain with her Chinese dances did Charlie remember the house being this enthralled.