Gold Rush Bride

by Shirley Kennedy

  “Marvelous in bed, I suppose.”

  “I won’t discuss that.”

  “You plan to marry her?”

  “I do. If she’ll have me.”

  He braced himself. Lillian had a fiery temper. After his last explosive words, he wouldn’t be surprised if she pounced on him like a tiger, eager to draw blood with those long, sharp nails of hers, but she didn’t. Instead, she raised an eyebrow in amusement. “So the unobtainable Garth Morgan has met his match. What’s her name?”

  Thank God, Lillian was taking this much better than he expected. “Letty Tinsley is her name. I believe you met her brother, Charles, once. She’s a lot like him—smart, well-read, generous and kind. Always a delight to talk to.”

  “And beautiful, I suppose.”

  “Very.”

  Lillian smiled. “She sounds enchanting. Where is she now?”

  “Letty will be staying here. I’ll be bringing her shortly.” At least, he hoped he would. He’d have to find her first. And persuade her. After what she’d seen on the pier, he had a lot of explaining to do.

  “How excited you must be to have finally found the right one.”

  “Thank you, and thanks for taking this so well. I knew you’d understand. Rest assured, you can take your time finding a place to live. No hurry at all.”

  Lillian reached to brush his cheek with the back of her hand. “My only wish is for your happiness.” She turned to leave. “I shall so look forward to meeting her.”

  “Perhaps the two of you can be friends.”

  “I would love that.” Still smiling, she slipped through the door and was gone.

  Garth breathed a sigh of relief. His confrontation with Lillian had gone much better than he’d expected. She’d surprised him. He’d been expecting a tantrum, but instead… Or was he fooling himself? He’d experienced Lillian’s wrath before. Not like her to be so agreeable, but on the other hand, she must have perceived his deep love for Letty and realized she didn’t have a chance.

  * * * *

  When the carriage stopped in front of the Franklin Hotel, Mathew got a pained expression on his face. “I’m afraid this place is nothing fancy, Miss Tinsley, but you said—”

  “It’s fine, Mathew. Thank you, you’ve been very kind.” Still numb with shock, Letty could hardly talk.

  “I’ll help you with the luggage.”

  “No need.” She wanted him gone. She wanted anything to do with Garth Morgan gone.

  She and Elfreda climbed from the carriage. The driver unloaded their luggage. They went inside. At the registration desk, she was amazed at the price of a room. “Sorry, Elfreda, I had thought to get you a separate room, but—”

  “Don’t you worry about a thing, Miss Letty. You’ve got to watch your money.”

  After she rented a room on the third floor, the cheapest they had, a thin, tall, middle-aged man in a porter’s uniform with skin even darker than Elfreda’s picked up their luggage. “My name’s Henry,” he said as they started up the staircase. “Guess you just arrived on the Panama.” He had a booming voice, low and mellow. “Where are you from?”

  “Boston, and you’re right. We were on the Panama.” Letty chatted with him as they climbed the stairs to the third floor.

  As they started along the hallway, Elfreda spoke up. “Your name is Henry?” There was a strange quality in her voice Letty had never heard before.

  “That’s my name.” The porter nodded affably.

  “But that’s not the name you were born with.”

  “No, it isn’t.” The porter got suddenly serious. “But that was another time and another place. I’m here now, and I don’t look back.” He smiled again. “Why are you ladies here? Have you come to hunt for gold?”

  His question provoked a laugh from Elfreda but set Letty to thinking. Why was she here? She hadn’t forgotten Charles, but lately she’d been so smitten with Garth, she’d failed to focus on her whole reason for the trip. Less than an hour ago, all that had changed. She pressed her hand to her heart. The feel of the papers pinned inside her bodice bolstered her confidence. She might be broken-hearted, but she’d survive. She didn’t need the likes of Mr. Garth Morgan. She would go alone.

  That evening, Elfreda was off somewhere. Letty was in their room when she heard a knock on the door. When she opened it, her heart leaped. A solemn-faced Garth was standing there.

  “Hello, Letty.”

  The image of him with that woman on the pier danced before her eyes. She lifted her chin. “What do you want?”

  “May I come in?”

  “Why?”

  “May I come in?”

  Silently she swung the door wide. He stepped inside. She shut it again and turned to face him. “What can you possibly say? You know I saw you on the pier with that woman.” She gave him a skeptical smile. “And don’t tell me she was your sister.”

  “No, she wasn’t my sister. Sit down. We need to talk.”

  This was useless. He couldn’t explain what she’d seen, but at least she would listen. She sat on the bed. He sat on the room’s one and only chair and began to speak in a quiet, reasonable tone, his piercing blue eyes gazing directly into hers. He explained how he’d known Lillian Belmont for years, and, yes, she was his mistress. He’d never loved her, though. There’d been no mention of marriage or any sort of commitment. If he hadn’t met Letty, his and Lillian’s “arrangement” would have stayed the same for he didn’t know how long, but he would never have married her. Garth paused for a deep breath. “But then I met you, and everything changed.”

  “In what way?”

  “I fell in love with you.”

  “You did?” What a stupid thing to say, but he’d put her in such a turmoil that sensible words failed her.

  “I did the one thing I’d never thought I’d do. When Honoria died, I…” His mouth twisted wryly. “Her death made me see what a fool I’d been, so filled with my own importance I couldn’t allow myself to love. I considered it a weakness. Meeting you has changed all that. I’ve fallen in love with you madly, completely. I couldn’t tell you on the ship. In all fairness, I thought I should settle with Lillian first.” He reached to take her hands in his. “Listen to me, Letty. I’ve always been a proud man. I’ve always had my way, but right now, I’ll go down on my knees if I have to. I love you and only you. I apologize for that scene at the pier. Will you forgive me?”

  Letty caught her breath. He was gripping her hands tight, gazing deeply, sincerely into her eyes. She’d never seen him like this—so humble and sincere. She believed him. That he loved her there could be no doubt. “So you’ve told Lillian?”

  “It’s over between us.”

  “Well then… Oh, Garth, you know I love you.”

  With a cry, he dropped her hands, pulled her into his arms, and kissed her long and hard. Pulling away, he looked around the shabby room. “Let’s get you out of this dump.”

  A giant burden had just been lifted from her shoulders, and she laughed with relief. “I don’t know where Elfreda is.”

  “Leave a note. I’ll send Mathew for her later.” A big smile wreathed his face. “I’ll do my best to find what happened to Charles. Meantime, I want to show you San Francisco.” In an exuberant voice, he added, “I want to show you the world, Letty Tinsley. Next stop, the Golden Phoenix.”

  Chapter 16

  In the whole time Letty had known Garth Morgan, she’d been aware he was rich and successful, but until they walked through the doors of the Golden Phoenix, she’d never realized his power and position in the world. Even his entrance caused a stir, the staff all bowing, scraping, addressing him as “sir” with the upmost respect.

  “Should I also call you sir?” she asked with a teasing smile.

  “Not on your life.” He ordered her baggage sent to her suite of rooms. “I want you to see the saloon first.” He escorted her through a lobby filled with potted palms and heavy upholstered furniture, through the
entrance of the attached saloon. What a difference, like finding another world as she stepped from the dignified quiet of the lobby into a noisy, cavernous room decorated with crystal chandeliers, gilt mirrors, thick, scarlet carpeting and immense mahogany bars behind which hung portraits of beefy, languorous, nude ladies. Excited shouts from gamblers filled the air. A rendition of “Camptown Races” came from a full orchestra seated on a special platform. The evening had hardly begun, but the place was jammed, mostly with men but a few women, lined three or four deep, vying for places at the gaming tables.

  Letty’s Boston upbringing caused an instant frown of disapproval. “Don’t these people have better things to do?”

  Garth laughed. “Not really. You disapprove of gambling, but here it’s the grand occupation of every class. Call it the heart and soul of the Gold Rush.”

  He sounded so proud, so enthusiastic, she’d be a killjoy if she didn’t put her prejudices aside and not sound like a straitlaced prude. “What games are they playing?”

  “A little of everything. Faro’s the most popular game. Then there’s Vingt-et-un, roulette, craps and rouge-et-noir.”

  The earnestness in his voice told her how hopeful he was that she not hold her Boston prejudices against him. And she wouldn’t. He loved her. He cared what she thought. She smiled up at him. “It’s all so exciting. Do you think I might try my hand at faro sometime? That is, if I can get near a table.”

  He laughed and took her arm. “You’re going to love San Francisco. Come, I’ll see you to your room. After you’re settled in, we’ll dine on steak and lobster for dinner.”

  Letty had dined at nice restaurants before, but nothing she’d ever experienced compared to her dinner at the Golden Phoenix. While they were finishing dessert, Mathew came to their table, an apologetic look on his pudgy face. “Mr. Morgan, I went back to the Franklin hotel to get Elfreda like you said.”

  Garth looked up from his crème caramel. “And?”

  “She won’t come.”

  “What?” Letty nearly choked on the last bite of her chocolate éclair. “What do you mean, she won’t come?”

  “She said to tell you she was sorry, but she wants to stay at the Franklin. She said since the room was already paid for, she didn’t think you’d mind.”

  “Of course I don’t mind, but I’m surprised. Did she say anything else?”

  “Not really. She seemed in a good mood, though, not…”

  “Her usual ill-humored self?”

  “Exactly.” A smile tipped the corners of his mouth.

  “Then we shall just leave her be. I’ll talk to her later.”

  After he left, Letty shook her head in amazement. “I can’t imagine what she’s up to.”

  “Perhaps she’s found a gentleman friend.”

  “Elfreda? Surely not.” She had to laugh. “We lived close together for months, not by choice but by necessity. Maybe she just wants to be alone, and I wouldn’t blame her.”

  Garth reached across the table to take her hand and gazed at her with loving eyes. “All the better for me. I’ll have you to myself and there’s much to discuss.”

  Much to discuss. A tiny thrill ran up Letty’s spine.

  After dinner, Garth escorted her back to her suite of rooms. Located on the top floor of the hotel, they were richly furnished with genuine Louis XVI furniture and Persian rugs. “Do you find your suite satisfactory?” he asked.

  “Hmm.” she pretended to be in deep thought. “I suppose it’s a tad nicer than Gorgona.”

  He swept her into his arms. “You make me laugh. That’s one of the things I love about you.” He kissed her as if he’d like to devour her. When he broke away, he gripped her shoulders. His blue eyes gazing deep into hers, he said with a slight shake in his voice, “I love you, Letty. You’re everything a woman ought to be, and I can’t see my life without you. I haven’t asked you straight out, but I will now. Will you marry me?”

  Even though she’d suspected he’d propose, she hadn’t dared let herself believe he would. “Yes, I’ll marry you.” With a happy cry, she flung her arms around him. “I love you, Garth Morgan. You’re so very much everything I ever wanted in a man, and not bad looking, besides.”

  With a laugh of triumph, he pulled her into his arms again and gave her a series of kisses that trailed down her forehead, nose, to the hollow of her neck. When his lips skidded to the top of her bodice, he remarked, “We have far too many clothes on, don’t you think?”

  “I believe we do.”

  Soon an untidy trail of shoes and discarded clothing led straight to the massive Louis XVI hand-carved walnut bed.

  Afterward, Letty couldn’t recall a time in her life she’d been happier than she was at this moment, lying in bed with her head on Garth’s shoulder, talking about their future together. “We’ll live in San Francisco,” he was saying. “They’re building some grand homes on Nob Hill. Maybe that’s where we’ll build. Something big with lots of rooms for the children.”

  She laughed and snuggled closer, delighted at the thought of the family they’d have. “Honestly, Garth, you’ve made me the most happy woman in the world.” She thought a moment. “Well, almost the happiest.”

  “Charles.” He raised on one elbow and gazed down at her. “I’ll do everything in my power to find him. I’ve always thought his disappearance rather strange and have questioned the common belief he was murdered by bandits. I’d like to see that letter he wrote if you still have it.” He ran a gentle finger down her nose. “That is, if you trust me now.”

  “Of course I do.” Looking back, she couldn’t imagine a time when she didn’t trust him. “I never told you, but I carried that letter clear from Boston pinned inside my bodice.” A nudge of caution caused her to pause for a moment. Up to now, she’d kept Charles’s map a secret. Maybe she still should. But this was a man she loved and trusted above all else. Of course he should know. “There’s something else I never told you about.”

  * * * *

  When Letty peered out her window next morning, she was met by a thick, gray wall of mist. Garth had warned her about the denseness of San Francisco’s fogs, but the dreary day didn’t dim her spirits in the slightest. As of last night, she was engaged to the man she loved. Today he’d take her on a tour of the city. “We’ll stop by the store that Charles’s friend, Thomas Fitzpatrick owns,” he’d told her. “Who knows? Maybe he’ll have some kind of information about your brother. And the day after tomorrow, I’ll take you to Empire.”

  How wonderful and complete could her life be? She dressed and fixed her hair, heartily wishing Elfreda was here to help her, but she did the best she could. She hated to go out without a bonnet but hadn’t had the opportunity to replace it. No rush, though. There was a time when she wouldn’t have dared break a fashion rule, but after all she’d been through, she couldn’t be concerned about the proper attire.

  The fog had lifted by the time Garth handed her into his carriage and they started their tour of San Francisco. Driving through the streets, she soon caught the air of excitement that hung over the town. He made an excellent tour guide, explaining why. “Before the Gold Rush, this was a tiny village of eight hundred people. Now the population’s ten thousand, and more coming every day.” Everywhere she looked, the streets were packed with men, mostly young, many wearing red shirts, which seemed to be by far the most popular color. They all seemed to be in hurry, yelling at each other, laughing and shaking hands. On bustling Market Street, Garth pulled the carriage to a stop in front of a wooden building with a large sign across the front that read, Fitzpatrick’s General Store. “Come meet Charles’s ex-partner and friend.”

  Thomas Fitzpatrick was a small man with a tough, wiry build and twinkling eyes. When he spoke, there could be no doubt he came from Ireland, his brogue so thick it could be cut with the proverbial knife. He greeted Garth warmly and broke into a wide smile when he learned who Letty was. “Charles’s sister! Sure and I’m glad to meet
you. I thought the world of your brother.” He showed them around his store, jammed with a vast variety of merchandise. “I sell cold cream, toothbrushes, perfume, gloves, brushes, just about anything you want,” he said with pride. “But my biggest profit comes from equipment I sell to the miners. I make just as much, if not more, than those who work like dogs on their claims, and it’s a lot safer.”

  Letty asked, “Is that why you asked Charles to buy you out?”

  An aggrieved expression crossed the Irishman’s face. “Maybe I was a coward to leave like I did, but what with bandits, thieves and all kinds of crooks swarming about, I didn’t have the courage Charles had, and I’m the first to admit it. But the way things turned out…” He sighed and sadly shook his head. “I tried to persuade him, but he wouldn’t listen.”

  Garth asked, “What do you think happened to him, Tom? After he disappeared, we searched but couldn’t find a trace of him.”

  “Maybe the bandits killed him, though I’ve always suspected that new vein of gold he found might have something to do with his disappearance. He never told me where it was, but he didn’t keep his mouth shut like he should have, and you know how word gets around. Maybe someone held a gun to his head. Maybe he refused to tell.” Tom shrugged. “It’s been a while. Likely we’ll never know.”

  Letty squared her shoulders. “I’m not giving up, Mr. Fitzgerald. I’ve come clear from Boston to find what happened to my brother. I plan to go to Empire myself. If there’s any truth to be found, I’ll do my best to find it.”

  “Well said.” The store owner regarded her with admiration in his eyes. “I’ll be taking a wagonload of goods to Empire tomorrow. You’re welcome to ride with me.”

  Garth spoke up quickly. “I’ll be taking her, Tom, but thank you.”

  “You’re welcome, and I wish you the best of luck in your search.” His brow furrowed. “The last time I saw Charles…”

  Letty waited for Thomas to finish his sentence, but he chose not to and instead made a sweeping gesture of the store. “Look around, Miss Tinsley. Do you see anything you like? If you do, it’ll be my gift to you, and my pleasure to do so.”