Mercury's Rise (Silver Rush 04)

by Ann Parker

  The next tableau featured three young girls, obviously enjoying themselves and having a hard time not whispering and giggling. Their arms twined around each others’ shoulders, and Inez guessed they were the three graces. “Aglaia?” said Inez, testing them. One twitched a smile. Another teetered in her carefully draped sheet and said in a stage whisper, “I’m Euphrosyne, and this is Thalia!”

  She finally stopped before a puzzling scene that included Calder, Epperley, Dr. Prochazka, and three female guests, including the red-haired and befreckled Mrs. Banscombe. Inez cocked her head and tried to make sense of the grouping. Epperley wore a silver bowl on his head like a helmet and held a brass caduceus that Inez recognized from the statue of Hermes at the top of the entrance staircase. He stood behind Calder, who knelt on one knee, in a beseeching pose, arms outstretched to Prochazka. Prochazka seemed to be basically playing himself, frowning darkly at Epperley and Calder. The physician leaned on a rough-hewn tree limb with a stuffed snake twined up the length. The three women, arms entwined like the young Graces at the other end of the room, stood to the far right. All except Epperley had clematis wreaths around their brows. It looked all the world to Inez as if Dr. Prochazka was a disapproving father, denying two suitors access to his three daughters. One of the suitors was clearly Hermes. But the rest?

  That was when Susan said at her elbow, “What do you think?”

  Inez turned in surprise. “I thought you were to take photographs. I must say, it’s quite a production that Aunt Agnes put together. I’m impressed. This had to come together quickly. I’m not certain how she did it.”

  Susan smiled, eyes on Calder. “She is a wonder, your aunt. I took all the photographs before the doors opened. I thought it best to do so before everyone arrived. It took a little longer than I’d planned, as the room kept getting smoky from the flash powder. My part is done now, so I can just enjoy it.”

  “Do you know what this scene is?” Inez asked.

  “I can explain it to you. Let’s move on a bit so others can take their turn to see.”

  They wandered over to the French doors, where a table had been set up with a punch bowl and cups. Susan said, “You’re not alone in your confusion. I had no idea myself what it was supposed to be. It was apparently Dr. Prochazka’s idea and is taken from a scene in the Museum Pio Clemens in Rome. Not Greek, but Roman, which is close enough for a tableau, I suppose. It features Mercury and a merchant approaching Asclepius. The three women are the graces Meditrine, Hygeia, and Panacea.”

  The light went on. “Asclepius, ah yes. I heard Dr. Prochazka rail on about him.”

  Harmony nodded. “Dr. Prochazka wouldn’t pose for a photograph until he had explained it all fully to me. He evidently doesn’t like all the little statues of Hermes scattered about the hotel. He said that if they won’t honor the real god of medicine, Asclepius, they could at least choose one of his three daughters, who symbolize medicine, hygiene, and healing. Anyway, he told Mrs. Underwood that if she wanted him in a tableau, it would have to be a scene of his choosing. She agreed, saying that as long as it was classical in nature, she would go along with it.”

  “I just had no idea he would pick something so obscure.” Aunt Agnes’ voice sounded nearly in Inez’s ear. She moved between Susan and Inez, threading her arms through both of theirs. “I had hoped Dr. Prochazka would pose as Zeus or Poseidon. I thought he’d be perfect as a god with a thunderbolt or trident.” She sighed. “People have no idea what the tableau is supposed to be, it confuses everyone. I should simply stand there and explain to anyone who passes by. Well, at least it is classical.” She beamed at Inez. “So, dear niece, what do you think?”

  “Extraordinary,” conceded Inez. “I don’t know how you managed it.”

  Aunt Agnes looked satisfied. “I must circulate so as to not neglecting my duties as a hostess.” She sailed off into the crowd, a pillar of rose and violet energy.

  No sooner had Agnes moved on than Inez heard Mr. Lewis say behind her, “Pardon me, Mrs. Stannert?”

  Without taking her eyes from her aunt, who had snared Dr. Zuckerman and was gesticulating at the medically-themed tableau, she responded, “Yes, Mr. Lewis?”

  She turned, almost expecting to see Nurse Crowson hovering at Lewis’ side.

  But the person who stood next to Lewis wasn’t the nurse.

  Lewis said, unnecessarily, “Madam, your husband has arrived.”

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Inez’s limbs were as immobile as the living statues around her.

  Mark stood by Mr. Lewis, smiling, top hat in hand, travel coat draped over one arm.

  In their early years together, it had astonished her how Mark Stannert could spend hours in a rattling train—ashes, cinders, and dust sifting through windows and down onto everything—or an equally arduous amount of time in a stagecoach or on horseback, and yet, upon arrival, look as elegant and dapper as if he’d strolled out from an elegant resort. She had finally come to accept that as a given, after many years of marriage.

  What astonished her this particular time was her immediate, nearly overwhelming impulse to throw herself at him in sheer relief at his arrival.

  That impulse, however, quickly died.

  Mr. Lewis was addressing Mark. “We have put you in one of the suites that recently opened up. I do hope you will find it to your liking. It’s one of our best, with a perfect view of the creek, the bridge, the springs, and across the valley to the foothills of Pike’s Peak. We are in the process of moving Mrs. Stannert’s trunks and boxes into the suite, as well.”

  That unstuck her feet from the floor. “You’re moving my things into the suite?”

  He retreated under the pressure of her incredulity and anger. “Well, not me personally, of course. The hotel staff is doing the packing and moving. Is there something wrong?”

  Inez knew she had to bring her roiling emotions under control. Sharing a suite with Mark had not been part of her plan, but she realized now that it was, of course, a logical response on the part of the hotel.

  Mark moved forward and took her elbow, saying amiably to Mr. Lewis, “We are most appreciative of your hospitality. Mrs. Stannert and I approve of a hotel that puts its customers’ comforts, needs, and desires first, and foresees them, when possible. Isn’t that true, darlin’?” He squeezed her arm, a reminder to be civil, hold her tongue, play her part.

  Steaming inside, Inez managed a smile at Mr. Lewis, even while she envisioned ripping the brass caduceus from Epperley’s posed hand and skewering the hotelier with it. “But of course, dear husband. That’s certainly one of the many virtues I’ve had the pleasure of experiencing here at the Mountain Springs House, and one of the primary reasons I urged you to cut short your other business obligations and come, posthaste, to Manitou.”

  “We believe in catering to our clientele.” Lewis’ radiant expression could put Apollo in the shade. “Please, relax and enjoy the pageantry here, while we put your rooms to rights. Shall I take your coat, Mr. Stannert? We shall have it brushed and ready for you, bright and early on the morrow.”

  Mark handed him the overcoat, and let go of Inez, offering her his arm instead. Inez took it, and he said, “Why don’t we look around, and you can tell me what this is all about.” He then leaned toward her and said in her ear, “I had nothing to do with the room arrangements, darlin’. Just so you know.”

  His warm breath tickled her ear, and she drew back a bit and fluttered her fan. “If you say so. Dearest.” The emphasis left no doubt as to how she felt about the whole affair. “I imagine we shall manage. We always do, don’t we? Now, I have several people to whom I should introduce you. Some are family, whom you’ve not met or whom you haven’t seen in a long time. Oh, you knew Miss Carothers was here in Manitou, didn’t you? I believe I told you that much.”

  Susan stood stock-still by the punch bowl, crystal cup in hand. “Hello, Mr. Stannert,” she said. Her eyes flashed to Inez, searching for clues on how to act.

  Inez nodded enco
uragingly and said, “Miss Carothers has been a godsend to me here. How lucky we are to be friends.”

  Mark bowed to Susan. “It’s good to see you again, Miss Carothers. Our paths haven’t crossed since I returned to Leadville. I am glad that you and my wife have continued your strong friendship.”

  Susan bobbed her head uncertainly. “It’s good to see you again, Mr. Stannert, and in good health.” Inez saw her gaze linger on the scar on Mark’s face, before flicking to the silver-headed cane he leaned upon.

  “What brings you to Manitou, Miss Carothers?” Mark asked. “My lovely wife told me you were accompanying her, but not the reason. Looking for new vistas for your considerable talents?”

  “I’m here to learn some techniques from Mrs. Anna Galbreaith, who does marvelous photography in and around Manitou and the Garden of the Gods.” Susan colored. Her hands jumped a bit, sending the punch cup splashing. She looked down at it in surprise, as if she’d forgotten she held it, and then added hastily, “Mr. Stannert, you should try the punch! It’s made with the local soda waters. There’s lemon, sugar, a touch of mint. I’m not certain of all the ingredients, but it’s quite good.”

  Mark moved to the bowl and looked at Inez, eyebrows raised.

  “No, thank you. I find the local waters do not agree with me.” Inez snapped the fan through the air in vicious little swipes.

  “Dear niece, surely you are going to introduce me to this elegant gentleman?” Aunt Agnes had abandoned Dr. Zuckerman and swooped back.

  “Of course, dear aunt. Mrs. Underwood, allow me to introduce to you my husband, Mr. Stannert. Mr. Stannert, Mrs. Underwood, my aunt.”

  “Your husband?” Her blue eyes went wide. “I thought you weren’t arriving until next week, Mr. Stannert. Such a pleasure.” She offered him her hand.

  Mark abandoned the punch and took Aunt Agnes’ hand. “The pleasure is all mine.” He bowed over it like a courtier.

  Aunt Agnes looked Mark up and down, taking in his impeccable grooming, the expensive cut of his hand-tailored suit, and the silver-headed cane with obvious delight. “Why, niece, I had no idea you married such a model gentleman. All the stories I’ve heard make him out to be such a rascal,” She said the word as if it was a charming trait. “Of course, I never met him while he was in New York courting you.” Inez could translate that as well: Mark had dropped into her life, wooed her in a whirlwind, and two weeks later, they had eloped. Hardly a proper length of time for a courtship.

  Agnes continued, “It’s high time that he be properly brought into the family.”

  The family that disinherited me for marrying him a decade ago. Inez wanted to spit.

  After offering up the punch to Aunt Agnes, which she accepted, Mark turned to Inez and said, “Why don’t you tell me about these tableaux, darlin’?”

  Aunt Agnes set down the punch and attached herself to his other arm. “Didn’t your wife tell you? I am the master creator of this event. I can tell you everything you want to know, probably more than you want to know.”

  “There could never be too much, Mrs. Underwood, should the explanation come from such a charming, well-learned, and intelligent woman as yourself.”

  Inez wanted to roll her eyes, but forbore. She knew, from growing up around Aunt Agnes, that her flamboyant, determined aunt harbored the belief that she soared miles above most mere humans in acumen and intelligence. Including above most men. Mark, with his easy, apparently inborn ability to read people, had managed to worm his way into Aunt Agnes’ approval, without hardly lifting a finger.

  Inez took as deep a breath as her stays allowed and tried to tamp her rising irritation at Mark’s dead-on flattery. She pasted a smile on her face and held his arm close, in case eyes should swivel their way. And there were plenty of calculating eyes upon the three of them as they made the circuit of the room, with Aunt Agnes talking and gesticulating at every station.

  Toward the end of the circuit, Aunt Agnes, with apologies, moved to the center of the room, clapped her hands, and said, “Thank you, all. I believe we should give our actors their due and allow them to stand down and approach the punch bowl, at will.”

  Applause rippled around the room as each of the statues relaxed and stepped away from their stations. Inez watched as Calder and Epperley bounded apart as if driven by opposite energies. Calder glared at Epperley with open dislike. Inez gripped Mark’s arm tighter and said under her breath, “The dark fellow over there is Robert Calder, from New York and Scotland. His brother met an unfortunate end here. I’ll explain later. Epperley is the hotel’s manager. A remittance man, you know the sort. He has staked a lot on the success of the hotel.”

  “Hmm. Who is the tall fellow who looks like he’d rather be anywhere than here?”

  “That’s the hotel’s physician, Dr. Prochazka. He’s the main draw for this resort. People come from all over the world to be treated by him. Dr. Prochazka is widely respected in such circles and trained at the University of Göttingen. He may be brilliant, but he’s not particularly sociable.”

  “Immune to your charms?” murmured Mark.

  She smiled brilliantly at him. “I haven’t made a serious effort. Ah! Here come my sister and brother-in-law. Be on your best behavior.”

  After introductions and small talk, Mark said, “You must pardon me, it’s been a long journey, and I would like to spend time with my wife.” Inez pinched the inside of his arm through his jacket, hard. “I’m most desirous of seeing my son after all this time. Would it be possible?”

  “Of course!” Harmony was perfectly kind, sweet, but Inez detected a wary distance. “Inez, do you want me to go with you to William’s room?”

  “I know the way,” she assured her sister.

  Calder and Susan approached as well, and Susan introduced Calder to Mark, then turned to Inez. “Mr. Calder is going to help load my photographic equipment up in the buggy and take me back to Mrs. Galbreaith’s,” she said. “Mrs. Galbreaith and I are planning to wander around town tomorrow and see what images we might capture close to town. And then…” She looked at Calder.

  Calder said, “After an early morning stroll, I shall relocate to one of the other Manitou hotels, perhaps the Beebe or Manitou House. Once I am settled, I will collect Miss Carothers and we shall waltz the night away at the Cliff House tomorrow evening.” He smiled down at Susan. “It will be my reward for all that I must do on the morrow.”

  It took some time for the Stannerts to make their way out the room, what with the introductions, nods and bows, and exchanges of pleasantries. Once they reached the reception desk, Mr. Lewis handed Mark a key, saying, “You’ll find the suite on the second floor, all the way down to your right.”

  Inez paused at the directions and asked, “Isn’t that Mrs. Pace’s room?”

  “It was.”

  “Where did she go?”

  Lewis looked distinctly uncomfortable. “I believe she found lodging at the Cliff House. She decided she needed a place where she could have a little more quiet and seclusion.”

  “That does not sound like Kirsten Pace,” Inez said under her breath as they went up the stairs.

  “You know her?”

  “She is one of the reasons I called you to come early. I’ll explain in a minute. Ah, here is William’s room. He has a nanny that stays with him.”

  She knocked softly on the door and called out, “Lily? It’s me, Mrs. Stannert.”

  After a short while, the door opened a slice. “He’s asleep, ma’am,” she looked to be half-asleep herself.

  “I’ve brought Mr. Stannert with me. He would like to see William for a moment.”

  Lily was suddenly wide awake. She stared at Mark, as if he were a nightmare that had, somehow, crept out of the shadow world of dreams and stood now before her. “You’re Wilkie’s pa?” she asked faintly.

  Mark nodded. “That I am.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes slid sideways, a tremulous quiver in her chin. “Are you, are you taking him tonight?”

  “No,
no,” Inez said hastily. “Mr. Stannert just wants to see his son.”

  After a pause, Lily slowly opened the door wider and let them into the bedroom.

  Inez led him to the bed by the window. The little calico dog of his infancy was crumpled in one fist, the thumb from the other hand secured in the mouth. It was an odd sensation for Inez to stand with Mark, side by side, watching William sleep.

  After a moment, Mark pulled off one glove and gently, very gently, laid a hand on top of William’s head, like a benediction. William stirred, but didn’t wake.

  “He’s grown so much,” Mark said softly.

  Inez crossed her arms. All this wouldn’t have happened if you hadn’t left the way you did. Left us alone. We would have seen him grow together. The hurt of abandonment flooded through her, shaking her with the power of the early days. She bit her tongue against accusations that no longer mattered.

  It’s over. I’ve vowed to only go forward and not look back, and that’s what I will do.

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Once they entered the suite, Mark lit the gas lamp on the table in the sitting room while Inez did a quick reconnaissance. She was happy to find there were two bedrooms, with doors, separated by a sitting room. The trunks had been shuffled into the larger of the two bedrooms. She opened her trunk and was relieved to find her pocket revolver resting atop her neatly folded stockings. I should be carrying this, not leaving it packed away. This place has lulled me with its high society and manners.

  She turned to Mark, standing in the doorway. “I will take this room, and you can have the other. We will get your trunks moved tomorrow.”

  “As you wish,” was his only response. He strolled over to a carpet bag, opened it, and pulled out two goblets from the Silver Queen and a familiar bottle.

  “Brandy!” Inez exclaimed.

  “I thought, this being a hotel dedicated to the recovery of health and the balancing of the humors, I should bring a little aqua vitae. For medicinal purposes, of course.” He held the bottle so she could see it. “Your favorite, I believe?”