The assayer’s eyes glanced down at the bills, but he didn’t move to take them. Billie wondered how often the man had been approached by desperate miners trying to make their claims appear richer than they really were.
“I’m not a lawyer, but my brother is,” the assayer said. “Jenkins, on Commerce Street. He may have some advice for you. My advice is to leave town.” His voice was gruff. “Strange things happen up on that hill.” He glanced at Billie and nodded. “Miss.”
Once outside, Uncle marched toward Brewery Gulch.
“Commerce Street is that way, if I remember right,” Billie said, hustling after him. She was still unnerved by what the assayer had said about strange things happening on the hill.
“I’ll make it there eventually. First, I’ve got to find out more information, now that we know who we’re dealing with.”
“Did you notice that everyone still acts funny when you talk about Cousin Lou or her claim?”
Uncle shrugged. “It’s a small town. People are protective of their own. Plus, it’s a growing mining town, and people always get suspicious when ‘there’s gold in them thar hills.’”
Billie knew that already, but she was sure there was more going on in this town. There was protective and paranoid, and then there was hostile and strange. Everyone acted normally until she mentioned her cousin, and then the looks and the whispers started. Except for Winn Harris, himself full of contradictions. He said he wanted her to leave, but he was the friendliest of all.
She was eager to get back to Boston and her regular life, but her curiosity was getting the best of her. There may or may not be a special mirror hidden in Cousin Lou’s mine. But there was definitely a mystery to uncover in this town.
Billie followed her uncle until he stopped in front of the Fish Pond Saloon, where a drawing of a tiger was displayed in the front window.
“I’ll get in on a game of Faro and get the guys talking. You best skedaddle.”
“You better not lose all my money,” Billie said. She couldn’t help but note as soon as Uncle got their money back he was taking it gambling. Faro was a game of chance he liked to play. Here in the west, Faro boards seemed to be everywhere. Even Billie, who’d never set foot in a saloon, knew that a picture of a tiger in the window meant they were playing Faro inside. It was nicknamed “bucking the tiger” because so many used the popular pack of playing cards with a tiger on the front.
“I’ve got a system. Don’t worry about me. You go do whatever it is women do.”
She held out her hand. “I want half.”
She’d seen he had enough money with him to cover their hotel bill for a few days. She would safeguard their funds and make sure they had a place to stay in town. She wasn’t going back to that shack if she didn’t have to.
He shook his head. “As your guardian, that would be irresponsible of me. I’m tasked with taking care of the finances, and take care of them I will.”
A pretty woman walked by, and Uncle smiled and nodded. “Ma’am.” He turned back to Billie. “Tell you what, I’ll give you some pocket change.” He deftly slipped her some bills.
Billie glanced at the amount before tucking them into her reticule. It was more than she expected out of pocket money, so she didn’t make a fuss.
“Do you promise we’ll stay at the hotel tonight?”
Uncle patted the pocket where he’d placed his wallet. “Yes. Go book the rooms.”
“Then I’ll need some more money.” Again, she held out her hand. She’d learned persistence from her father. He never gave up on the things that were important to him.
Uncle Dale handed her the money, and she left before he could ask for it back. She made her way to the Copper Queen Hotel where they had stored their bags earlier. The lobby was small, with a high wood-beam ceiling and a polished-wood staircase leading up to the second floor.
“Two rooms, please,” she said at the front counter. She’d never booked a room for herself before, and when the male clerk eyed her warily, she pulled out her reticule and showed him the money. “With a private bath in mine.”
He nodded. She signed the book, and he gave her a key.
Feeling quite mature, she went up the stairs and followed the hallway to her room. She grinned when she stepped inside. The room was elegant enough with a pretty wrought-iron bed covered by a white bedspread and pillow. The window overlooked the street, and it was open to allow a breeze to blow through. Not that the occasional gusts were refreshing. Even the wind was hot. They told her Bisbee was cool compared to other parts of the territory, but she couldn’t imagine what another ten degrees of heat would feel like. She’d melt into the red rocks, never moving again.
She quickly gathered the clothes in her bag—not enough pieces for her liking. They were encased in dirt and sweat from the trip, and she couldn’t wait another moment to get them laundered. She brought them down to the front desk to be sent out to the laundry. Her current outfit also needed a wash, but at least tomorrow she’d be able to slip into a fresh gown, which would go a long way to making her feel human again.
In the bathroom, she ran the bath water, thankful for modern conveniences. Whoever invented running hot water deserved a medal. After washing off the dirt, she slipped into her light linen chemise to lie on top of the bed and wait out the hot afternoon.
When she woke the room was dimly lit by the waning sun. She reluctantly put her dusty shirtwaist and skirt back on and went to find out if her uncle had arrived. She knocked on his door, but there was no answer. Next, she wandered down to the restaurant, happy to see the waitress from this morning was gone. After an enjoyable meal, she retired to the ladies’ parlor to see what the women in town did at night.
Now this is nice. Green silk curtains framed the windows and the plush green cushions looked inviting. Several ladies in stylish evening wear played whist. Others read novels.
“Come here, dear,” said a sweet voice behind Billie.
She pivoted to see a striking woman in a classic navy gown trimmed in lace. Her piercing eyes looked astute as she sized Billie up. The woman patted the empty place beside her on a couch, and her ruby ring caught the light. “You look slightly bewildered. New in town?”
Billie smiled. “I’ve been here a few days.” She sat, pleased to have found a friendly face. The woman’s hair was styled to perfection, and Billie tried not to be envious, but she’d seen that hairstyle in Godey’s and try as she might, had not been able to replicate it so well. The woman shifted her skirt and a sliver of a shoe the color of a deep-red strawberry peeked out.
What new fashion was this? Something new from Paris she could buy to replace her white boots? She must work it into the conversation at the appropriate moment. She’d loved the idea of red shoes ever since she’d heard one of the family bedtime stories…although those red shoes were made of red-hot iron and led the evil queen to dance to her death.
“And what do you think of our little boomtown?” the woman asked.
The town unnerved her, but Billie maintained her polite smile. “It has more amenities than I expected.” She glanced around the finely-decorated parlor.
“The advantages of a prosperous new town. We get the latest and greatest the world has to offer. Once the town gets past its adobe shack and wooden clapboard stage, that is.” She nodded appraisingly at the drapes. “And this new hotel is one of the finest.”
“I’ve stayed in many hotels both here and in Europe, and I agree.” Billie tucked her feet in their boots as far under the couch as she could. “Are there any stores here that import fashions from overseas?”
The woman smiled understandingly. “I see you are in mourning. I’m sorry for your loss.”
Billie acknowledged the sentiment with a nod.
“You must be tired of wearing black crepe, although the color suits you fine. There are several suitable stores, though I do have a personal supplier for my needs.” She shifted again, revealing more of her beautiful shoe that glittered in the light.
<
br /> The deep red, almost burgundy was just scandalous enough of a color for a shoe to shock Holly but make Suzanne and Jane green with envy. Of course, she wouldn’t actually be able to wear red for several more months. First, she would switch from black to other deep tones.
“Of course.” Billie waved her hand like she had her own personal supplier as well. Then she self-consciously patted her hair down. It had turned unruly during her nap and she’d only hastily repaired it before coming down for supper. Without anyone to dress up for she’d gotten lazy.
The woman’s smile deepened. She laughed, a deep, throaty sound. “I happen to be the proprietress of the finest salon in town, Lacey’s.” Her chin lifted as she studied Billie’s hair. “You should visit tomorrow. My girls will have you feeling like your old city-girl self in no time.”
Sounded heavenly. “How did you know I was from the city?”
The woman raised her eyebrows. “You have an air about you. More refined than most of these young things here. They are more used to riding bareback than sidesaddle. You could teach them a thing or two.”
Not about riding horses. Billie much preferred riding behind the horses while seated on a Landau or even a hansom cab. She’d never been on a bus, not even for a pleasure ride with her friends.
“Staying in town long?”
Billie started to shrug but stopped herself. Girls in her circles weren’t to shrug. Use your words. “Yes, ma’am. A little longer.”
“A troupe from San Diego is performing at the Opera House tomorrow night. They’re supposed to be quite good. I have two extra tickets. Perhaps you would like them? My treat.”
Billie couldn’t count on her uncle going with her. Cousin Lou? Not likely. Maybe Winn wouldn’t mind taking her, seeing as though she was new and needed an escort.
“Thank you. Yes, I’d love them. That’s very kind of you.”
“Excellent.” The woman rose gracefully, leaving behind the citrus smell of bergamot and lavender. “They’ll be waiting for you at my shop tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry, Ma’am. We never officially introduced ourselves. I’m Wilhelmina Bergmann.”
“They call me the Matron. So nice to make your acquaintance at last.”
Chapter 13
In the morning, Billie met Uncle Dale for breakfast. His eyes were bloodshot, and he held his hand to his pale forehead.
“Have any money left?” she asked. No sense coming at him sideways. It was obvious he’d had a rough night.
He looked at her through slits in his eyelids. “Surprisingly, I do. I just had to stay up a little late into the night to catch up.”
Billie took a sip of tea. “You know, you’d be further ahead if you avoided the Faro table altogether.”
He made a face, then went back to rubbing his temples. “This came from your mother this morning.” He slid a telegram across the table.
B-
NEW SYMPTOM. BE CAREFUL WITH LOU.
-M
Billie chewed her lip, studying the cryptic message. “What do you think she means?”
Uncle Dale shrugged. “Her new symptom could be anything.”
“I meant about the ‘be careful’ part.” Billie was used to her mother getting new symptoms. Each one worse than the last. It was why her illness had stumped all the doctors.
“Don’t know. At least she didn’t say to be careful with me.” He laughed.
Billie frowned. What was mother warning her about? “And the cash?”
Uncle Dale looked over the rim of his coffee mug. “She doesn’t mention money.”
She lifted an eyebrow. “I know my mother. She always wires me money when I ask.”
He surrendered an envelope.
Billie stood. “Thank you. Now, if you don’t need me today, I’ve made a connection of my own. I’ve been invited to Lacey’s Beauty Salon to have my hair done.”
“Isn’t that the place run by the Matron?”
She pushed in her chair. “I’m shocked that you’ve paid attention to the women’s places in this town.”
“I pay attention to everything.”
“I met the Matron herself, last night. She was quite welcoming to me. A nice change from some of the other folks around here.” However, Billie didn’t want to appear too eager to ingratiate herself. She knew what a careful dance it was to enter certain circles of society.
Too bad Matron wasn’t her cousin. They had a lot more in common than she and Lou did.
In fact, Billie suspected that if Matron had the mirror, it would be prominently displayed, not hidden in the depths of a mine. Billie would feel more comfortable asking about such a mirror since Matron seemed to immediately understand her.
Uncle Dale downed the rest of his coffee. “Matron is quite the entrepreneur. She also runs the Poisoned Apple Saloon where I ended up last night. Couldn’t get anything out of those gamblers, but that woman, she seems to know what’s what in this town. Wouldn’t be surprised if she becomes the most prominent woman in Bisbee one day. Good for you getting to know her.” He winked. “Proud of you.”
Billie was taken aback. A high-society woman who also owned a saloon? She chewed her lip. Was that possible? The very idea went against her upbringing. Men were allowed to own any business they wished, but women were to hold respectable properties. Perhaps her first impressions of Matron were wrong.
Uncle looked up, squinting against the daylight streaming through the window. “Thought you were leaving.”
Billie blinked. “Right. I was. See you later.”
Maybe she shouldn’t take Matron up on her offer, seeing as though there was more to the woman than she realized. But on the other hand, she and her uncle wouldn’t be staying in town for long. If anything at the beauty salon looked untoward, she’d leave right away.
Because, what she needed today was to reconnect to her old life. She needed a little pampering and relaxation. Having a decent bed to sleep in last night reminded her of the good life she was used to.
As long as she kept an eye on Uncle and caught up with his doings in the evening, she should be able to keep up with his plans. It wasn’t like he could smuggle a wall mirror out of town without her knowing. Once found, he would never let it out of his keeping.
She ambled down the street looking for Lacey’s Beauty Salon. Big wooden signs hung out over the streets vying for attention. With the electric light poles and wires crisscrossing everywhere, the streets were somewhat claustrophobia-inducing, though she’d take them any day over a dark mine.
Here it was. Lacey’s Beauty Salon. Only one letter separated saloon from salon, but how very different businesses they were. The outside of the salon was modern-looking, with silk drapes framing the window and a display of wigs styled in the latest ways. It looked like a perfectly respectable establishment.
Before going inside, she looked in vain up the street for a familiar boy to be watching out for her, but there were only strangers amidst the bustle. Disappointed, she entered the salon and was hit by the inviting scent of expensive shampoos and other perfumes. Billie practically melted, leaving her cares at the door. Oh, she had missed this.
A young woman, only a few years older than Billie herself, broke away from a gathering of women at the hairstyling stations.
“You must be Miss Wilhelmina Bergmann.” The beautician came forward with a wide smile. “Matron told us to expect you today. We’re going to give you the royal treatment.”
Billie eagerly followed the woman to a leather chair and sat. This was just the thing to keep her mind off her mother’s unsettling telegram.
The young woman, Miss Brooks, kept up a steady stream of conversation while she applied a cooling concoction to Billie’s face.
“This is a deep cleansing to take away the layers of dirt you’ve accumulated on your trip. Your face will positively radiate.”
“Bless you. Is there any place on earth as dusty as Arizona Territory?”
Miss Brooks laughed. “I should hope not. What brings you t
o town?”
Billie relaxed further into the chair, thoroughly enjoying her treatment. “My uncle and I had something to deliver to my cousin.”
“Must be something important to come all the way out here.”
“Hmm,” Billie was beginning to get sleepy with Miss Brooks massaging her temples. So relaxing.
“What was it?” Miss Brooks prodded. “That you brought out all this way?”
“A pocket watch.”
“Wow, must be some watch. Wish someone would bring me a nice piece of jewelry. Although, I prefer the kinds with diamonds myself. This watch special or something?”
“Not that I can tell.”
“Does it open or anything? Have a message engraved on it?”
Billie shrugged. “Just a watch.”
The beautician stopped massaging. “So why are you still in town? Thinking of moving here?”
This lady sure asked a lot of questions. Billie opened her eyes. Miss Brooks stood over her with a steaming towel.
“Eyes closed. You’re going to like this next part.”
“No, we’re not moving here. My uncle has business.” Billie settled back, and when the hot towel was placed on her face she couldn’t help but smile with pleasure. “So good,” she said, barely moving her lips so as not to eat the towel.
“Told you. If I could afford it, I’d come in here every day for the works.”
When the towel had cooled, Billie peeled it off and handed it back to Miss Brooks.
“Hair next?” Miss Brooks said, depositing the towel into a bin. “I’m thinking we curl it, pull it up with a poof in front, then drape it over your one shoulder, like this, in a twist. It would look amazing on you.” She pulled out a newspaper clipping. “Here. I cut it out of the San Francisco paper. ‘My Lady’s winsome curl.’ Ain’t it dreamy? It’s real classy, like you.”
Miss Brooks set to work, deftly styling Billie’s hair. As a final touch, she took out a jeweled comb and set it at Billie’s crown. It would be a shame to put her hat back on and cover it up, but that summer sun was so bright.
Snow White's Mirror Page 8