“How impressive.”
“Over the next few years, I hope to be promoted until reaching my aim.”
“I imagine it must be very competitive,” Gwen contemplated, adjusting the collar of her gown.
“Yes, but I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure my future with the bank.”
Gwen nodded in appreciation. “Your determination is admirable. I remember when Jonathan and I married,” she recalled with a chuckle. “We had so many things we wanted for our future we couldn’t keep track of them.” She turned her gaze to Brad. “I suppose you and Taryn have done the same.”
“There are certain things I want for us. Attaining a certain position of rank at the bank is foremost. I assume in five years my goal will be achieved. Then it will be possible to consider starting a family.”
“Five years? You do realize life doesn’t always follow the plans you make for it.”
Brad’s expression remained unyielding. “It does if you maintain your priorities.”
“Yes, but sometimes priorities change.”
“Ours won’t.”
Gwen forced a tight smile, bristling at Brad’s inflexible certainty. She had sufficient information to understand Brad’s character.
Chapter Ten
Jared walked through the lobby of Breck’s Casino on Friday evening. The establishment name came from its founder, Joshua Breck. He’d been one of the first to make his fortune during the Gold Rush days some twenty years earlier. Deciding to capitalize on those traveling in hordes to seek gold, Joshua had the establishment built as a place of entertainment.
The three-story structure was an inspired enterprise. The main floor split into three large rooms. The largest of the main floor rooms boasted one of Sacramento’s most exceptional restaurants while the other two were for elaborate musical and dramatic productions.
The second floor allowed gambling pursuits for both men and women alike. Entering the large open doorways, the immediate view of the room was impressive. Gold leaf decorated walls, red velvet curtains and Italian marble dominated the room. Crystal chandeliers trimmed with gold overhung the playing tables surrounded by red velvet chairs of mahogany. Refreshments from the stocked bar were available, in addition to a complimentary buffet served nightly.
The third floor remained reserved for exclusive card games for those who could afford the higher stakes involved. It also contained private meeting rooms. Decorated in richer furnishings than the first and second floors, the elegant setting provided a fitting backdrop for the wealth of the patrons that had the means to risk entry. Breck’s opened at the supper hour and closed at two in the morning. The only exception was for the high stakes card games held on the third floor which had no time limitations. The visionary owner was ten years’ dead. His son, Dean, now managed the establishment.
Jared glanced about him. The second floor bustled with activity. Men and women gathered around the roulette wheel, blackjack or faro tables, some content to watch while others chanced their luck. The sound of coins and chips mingled with the voices raised in excitement when a winner was declared. Breck’s hadn’t changed. If anything, the business had grown more lucrative for the owner. The career Jared had been forced into began in this very room. He couldn’t help recalling the last time he’d been in Breck’s. The scene of the card game ending in a death flashed before his mind’s eye. Matt Rhodes becoming irate at being accused of cheating and the threat to make him pay for his accusation. The split-second decision he had to make and the ensuing chaos. Jared sighed allowing the memory to slip away with it. He didn’t know why he’d decided to come to Breck’s after telling Luke he wouldn’t. His conscience argued his reason rested solely on the fact that Taryn would be there. She and her fiancé Brad Thompson. The reminder was an irritating annoyance.
“Jared!” Luke called from the bar where he waited for the drinks he’d ordered.
He joined Luke at the end of the bar.
“I’m glad you decided to come.” Luke grinned, unable to resist toying with his brother’s true feelings. “I can’t imagine what made you change your mind.”
Jared frowned. “Certainly not your charm.”
Luke laughed, slapping his brother on his back. “What do you want to drink?”
“Brandy.”
“Everyone’s over at the roulette wheel,” Luke said, picking up his drink and handing his brother his liquor. He gestured in the general direction.
While Anita wore a beautiful gown of deep blue, Jared halted upon first sight of Taryn. Dressed in burgundy, the bodice of her gown fell off the shoulders with ribbon bows in place of sleeves, and a low décolletage. Smartly decorated, the skirt of the gown had small black satin bows to match those on her shoulders. Her hair swept up in an artful swirl of loose curls accentuated the long lines of her neck. A burgundy and black clip held the pieces in place with a curled strand dangling over her shoulder to tempt him.
She hadn’t noticed his presence. Her concentration was on the roulette wheel. When it stopped spinning, her hopes were dashed.
“Look who I found,” Luke announced.
Anita, Brad, and Taryn all turned in unison.
Her disappointed pout transformed upon sight of Jared. Dressed in black dress coat and trousers, he exuded strength. The narrowed sleeves of the dress coat ended in cuffs, and the cut of the trousers could not hide his muscular legs. Accented by a white silk shirt, the style complemented his build. “Have you been here long?” She grimaced. An idiotic question. What was the difference? Why was it every time he was around, she became so flustered she couldn’t think straight?
“I arrived a few moments ago,” he replied. “By your crestfallen face, I take it you lost your bet,” he said nodding to the roulette wheel.
Her expression was dismal. “Yes, if the wheel had turned one more number, I would have won.”
He laughed. “You and everyone else in the room who is gambling are saying the same thing.”
She enjoyed hearing his deep, rich laugh.
“I told you, Taryn, you shouldn’t waste your money on something as unreliable as these games,” Brad remarked.
“Oh Brad,” she scoffed, “it’s all in fun. Let’s try this one more time, and then we’ll go onto something else.”
“If you like.”
“Come on, Anita,” Taryn said grasping her friend’s arm, “you have to play too.”
Each placed their coins down, waiting for the dealer to spin the wheel. With a quick movement of the dealer’s hand, the wheel propelled into a fast spin. It slowed down, resting on the number five.
“We won!” Anita clamped her hand over her mouth, remembering decorum.
“Look!” Taryn held out her winnings for Jared, Brad, and Luke to view.
“Taryn, why don’t we watch the people playing faro?” Brad suggested.
Jared did not miss the satisfied smirk on Thompson’s face as he escorted her away from the group.
Throughout the evening, the group split apart filtering from one table to another. At one point, Jared found Taryn alone watching a group playing blackjack. He walked over to her, taking advantage of the opportunity. “Are you thinking of playing?”
“Only thinking of it.” She turned to watch those playing. “I understand how it’s played, but the dealer is so quick with the cards. I’m afraid I would get too nervous and unable to keep pace.”
The dealer ended the play by showing a winning hand. He collected the cards while a losing patron vacated his chair.
Jared gestured to the vacant seat. “Why don’t you play the next hand, Taryn.”
She hesitated. “I’d like to, but…I don’t have any more money with me, and Brad is over playing faro. Besides, I’m not confident enough in my skill of this game.”
Jared pulled out the chair. “We’ll play the hand together.” He placed some coins on the table before her.
She agreed, sitting in the velvet chair. He stood close behind her while the dealer dealt the cards. The cards befor
e her were a two and a six with one card face down. The dealer focused on her face, waiting for her decision. She asked for another card then sought Jared’s guidance noticing his nod. She received a nine making her total seventeen without the hidden card.
Jared reviewed the dealer’s hand. He held a total of eighteen. When the dealer paused, Jared leaned down close whispering in her ear. “Stay with your hand. Wave off the additional card.”
She could feel the brush of his jacket against her skin, the warmth of his breath in her ear as he whispered his advice. The small unintentional intimacy caused her to intake a deep breath. She waved off another card. She held her breath when the dealer began turning over the hidden cards of the players. One player had nineteen. The other two had already lost by having a score higher than twenty-one. She made a quick calculation when her hidden card proved to be a three. She had twenty! If the dealer was lower or went over twenty-one, she would win. The dealer revealed his card displaying a five. He was too high. “Jared, we won!”
“Would you like to play again?” Her excitement charmed him.
“I hate to use your money,” she said, debating her options. “Maybe I should go find Brad before I play again.”
“I don’t mind. You’re winning with my money.”
“But what if I lose with your money?” she countered, a worried frown creasing her brow.
“I’m sure I’ll survive.”
She turned her attention to him while the dealer dealt another hand. “Jared, you shouldn’t be so generous with your money. I know you’re receiving a steady income now working for Uncle Jonathan, but if you squander it so, you’ll have nothing to show for it.”
He couldn’t help laughing.
She turned. “Why do you laugh?”
“Because you captivate me.” He caressed her cheek.
“If you don’t mind, Mr. King,” Brad said tersely, stepping to his side.
She attempted to make light of the situation. “Brad, Jared was teaching me how to win at blackjack. We’ve won the last hand.”
“You should have asked me, Taryn.”
She didn’t miss the admonishment in Brad’s tone. “You were playing faro.”
“Well, I’m not playing anymore, so I can be by your side for the remainder of the evening.” An engaging smile accompanied his words. He fixed his gaze on Jared. “I’m sure Mr. King can find someone else whom he can help?”
Jared nodded with a slight inclination of his head. He turned to Taryn. “Goodnight.”
Brad turned to Taryn. “Darling, I’d like to show you how to play faro. I think it’s something you’ll enjoy.” When Taryn walked ahead of him, Brad hesitated. He turned on his heel facing Jared. “Stay away from Taryn,” he hissed, dropping his polite smile. “I don’t want her subject to your company. Do I make myself clear?”
The muscle in Jared’s jaw tightened. “It isn’t your decision to make, Mr. Thompson.”
“As her intended, I am concerned for her well-being. She is too impulsive and doesn’t always realize the danger of her actions. I’m going to see to it her best interests are upheld, so don’t force my hand.”
“Her best interests,” Jared repeated. “Or yours? It’ll be convenient to be the son-in-law of one of your bank’s principals, won’t it?” Until he’d posed the inquiry, he had only considered the possibility. Thompson’s reaction spoke volumes. The truth flashed in his eyes. His interest hinged more on what he could gain by marrying Taryn than from any lasting feelings. “No, Mr. Thompson,” he confirmed, “until I hear from Miss Ashford herself she finds our relationship distasteful, it’ll remain as it is.” Turning, he walked away.
Brad joined Taryn. “I think we should leave.”
“Why? Didn’t you want to show me how to play faro?” She was having a wonderful time. She didn’t want to leave.
“I’ve had enough of these games, and I think you have too.”
She bristled. “We’ve only played a handful of games.”
“The more you play the more likely you’ll lose the money I gave you,” Brad advised.
“I already lost your money,” she admitted. “I played with Jared’s money for the last game.”
Brad halted, appalled. “You asked King for money?” He released a heavy sign, rubbing the back of his neck. “I suppose I’ll have to pay him back now.”
“I didn’t ask him for the money, Brad,” she assured him. “I don’t believe he’d expect to be reimbursed for his offer of it.”
“Well, I’m going to pay him anyway. I’ll not have him think I need a handout from him.”
****
The enjoyment of being in Taryn’s company gone, Jared found himself at a loss. He sought out Luke and Anita. “I’ll say goodnight now. I think I’ll see what game is being played on the third floor.”
“We anticipated us enjoying the last show of the evening downstairs,” Anita said. “Say you’ll come with us.”
“If I were to go along with you, I believe Taryn would be persuaded not to go,” Jared said. “You brought her here to enjoy what Breck’s has to offer. I don’t want to spoil it. Perhaps another time.”
Anita nodded. “You’re very considerate, Jared.”
He smiled. “Have a good time.” He patted Luke heartily on the shoulder before heading for the third-floor stairway.
Anita’s gaze followed Jared as he walked away.
Luke put his arm around Anita’s waist. “What’s wrong?”
“Why doesn’t he tell Taryn he loves her before it’s too late?”
Luke turned to watch his brother. “He has to admit it to himself first. He’s found real love for the first time in his life, and he’s fighting it.” He silently watched Jared’s departure, then sighed. “Jared always fights what he wants most. No different than when we were children.”
Anita’s brows drew together. She turned to Luke, her mind sorting through his words. “When you were children? What do you mean? I thought…”
“We’d better find Taryn and Brad if we want to see the show.”
Anita gauged Luke’s sudden distraction as he looked at his watch. He seemed to be having difficulty looking her in the eyes. There was something he wasn’t telling her. She intended to find out what he was concealing.
Jared climbed the spiral staircase toward the uppermost floor of Breck’s. Entering the large room, he noted three games were in the midst of play. He recognized the journalist, Robert Michaels, among those in the room. Giving his name to the host for an opening at one of the card tables, he walked over to where the journalist stood, shaking his hand. “Are you waiting to play yourself?”
“No. The money is beyond my means,” Robert admitted without shame. “I’m doing a story to send back east. Readers there think entertainment in the west is watching the wind blow. I hope to change Easterners’ view by doing a story on Breck’s. The history of this place is fascinating,” Robert remarked. “Did you know a man was killed here about five years ago over a card game?”
“So I’ve heard.”
Dean Breck, entered the room and approached him. Jared wasn’t surprised by the sudden appearance of the owner. Dean Breck could not have forgotten his name in five years after the incident had taken place under the man’s roof.
“Mr. King,” Dean greeted, his cordial welcome accompanied by an extended hand. “I understand you wish to sit in on one of the games here?”
“It is my intention,” Jared acknowledged, accepting the greeting with a firm handshake.
The five years had treated Dean well, his hair prematurely gray, but his appearance no less vigorous. At forty, the proprietor’s enhanced finesse exuded from him. Formerly attired, Dean Breck was well suited to his position.
Card players, and others enjoying the social setting, milled about the room shifting their gazes to him and Dean. Those aware of the shooting five years earlier could not help place conjecture on the meeting of the two men.
“I find myself in a dilemma, Mr. King,” Dean broa
ched. “It is not my policy to prohibit anyone from playing cards. But it is my policy to keep any possible scandal from these doors. I have managed to maintain it these past five years. Following the shooting of Matt Rhodes, the townspeople had avoided this establishment for months.”
“I have no designs on anything other than playing cards, Mr. Breck,” Jared said. “My aim has never changed. It is, of course, your establishment, and your decision.”
Dean considered his decision before speaking. “I will accept your word, Mr. King. You will not be confronted again by me or any of my staff. I regret the necessity on this occasion.”
“Better to regret having a conversation than regret not having it.”
Dean smiled in agreement. “Enjoy your evening, Mr. King.”
Baffled, Robert turned to Jared. “What is he talking about?”
Jared shifted to face Robert Michaels. “He wanted to ensure another shooting wouldn’t occur.”
“Why would he confront you with it?”
The host interrupted to inform Jared a vacancy opened at one of the tables. “You might say I’m a part of Breck’s history with the shooting of Matt Rhodes.” He excused himself walking over to the card table.
Robert responded with a nod and a vague sense of his meaning until comprehension of the words barreled into his brain. His mouth hung open as he stared at the man. Robert’s own naïve words repeated themselves in his mind. ‘Did you know a man was killed here…?’ He felt like crawling under a rock.
Chapter Eleven
Agatha Masters made it her official responsibility to introduce the newcomers to the established ladies in town. As the self-appointed head of every committee in the county, Agatha took great pleasure in her work. According to Aunt Gwen, Agatha was forever vowing to relinquish the responsibilities she held in her positions on the various committees, but never did. Agatha was a thriving gossip, her committees and functions feeding her need for new information.
Although Taryn and her mother were visitors to the county, they received an invitation as Agatha considered it good form.
Twenty women mingled in the parlor, their voices blending as one in excited chatter when Taryn, Madeline, and Gwen joined the group. Trays of delicate sandwiches and other assorted treats in which to indulge were throughout the room. A friendly assembly. Taryn enjoyed the chance to meet the women in attendance, giving her a sense of comfortable belonging.
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