Magnificent Passage (28 page)

Another hour of strained silence passed. Hawk left to speak with an acquaintance in another car.

“Would you like to tell me about it?” James offered as soon as his friend was out of earshot.

Mandy looked out the window, shamefaced. “I'd really rather not discuss it, if you don't mind.”

“You know, even if he is a friend, I'd be happy to black his eye if—”

“No!”

“Whatever you say.” He sighed resignedly, leaning back against the tapestry seats. He could see the girl was agonizing, but there was probably little he could do for her. He couldn't believe Hawk had broken his word. He was a man of honor, a man you could trust with your life. This woman must mean a great deal to him—even if he wasn't willing to admit it.

E
ven through the hustle of debarking passengers, clanking luggage carts, and yelling porters, Mandy spotted the governor's sleek black carriage. The driver loaded their baggage, and they rode through town toward the governor's mansion. More nervous every minute, Mandy twisted the kerchief she carried in her lap. A fine sheen of perspiration damped the hair at her temples and the nape of her neck. She wished she had the courage to tell the men the truth before she reached the mansion. She should have done it on the train, but she hadn't the courage, and now was certainly not the time.

Instead she turned her attention toward the hustle of Sacramento City. They passed Dingley's Spice Mill as they traveled the cobblestone streets, and the Central Pacific Western Headquarters Building, which, James mentioned, was occupied by Leland Stanford, C. P. Huntington, Charles Crocker, and Mark Hopkins—the Big Four.

The buildings were mostly brick, and stretched for blocks along the river. The people were an odd mixture of river ruffians in buckskins and broad-brimmed hats, gold seekers in canvas breeches and plaid flannel shirts, and elegantly dressed ladies and gentlemen. Pink parasols and black bowlers passed dun-colored felts and striped stocking
caps. Mandy forgot her cares and let her senses soak up the sights and sounds of the city. The horses clip-clopped along, stilling the buzz in her ears.

Making a short detour, they moved down a side street.

“What in the world—” Mandy said, glancing at the hubbub of activity on each side of the road.

“They're still at it,” James said. “Bet you thought they'd be finished by now.”

“Yes . . . yes I did.” Mandy looked around. Most of the buildings had been elevated on jacks, with dirt filling the space beneath. Some three-story buildings were converted to two-story buildings—their first floors packed with dirt. Apparently the town had originally been built at the same level as the river. Flooding had motivated the citizenry to move the whole town up about twelve feet.

The carriage descended to a section of the city that had not yet been raised. Portions of the board sidewalks ended abruptly—ten feet above the ground.

“I'd hate to be walking these streets on a dark night,” she commented wryly. “A fall off one of these sidewalks could be deadly.”

Hawk smiled for the first time that day. “More than a few drunks have taken that tumble.” His dark eyes lingered on her face and Mandy wondered if he would still look at her like that after he found out who she really was.

In short order they reached the mansion. A small stiffnecked Chinese houseboy greeted them formally at the door.

“Good afta'noon Mista' Langley, Mista' Long.” He glanced at Mandy and furrowed his brow. “Missy.” He seemed slightly confused. “His Hona, the gov'na, was called
away on beesness. He sends his aporogies and asks that he receive you in two hours.”

He looked at the men. “Dhere is a room upstairs for your convenience, if you weesh to freshen op.” He wrinkled his nose at their sooty attire.

“I think we'd prefer to go on over to the hotel. We'll return at six.” James spoke for both men.

“May I show you op to your room, Missy?” the Chinese asked. Mandy expected the houseboy to give her away at any moment, but he said nothing.

“Thank you,” she answered. She considered telling the men the truth but, seeing Hawk's stern profile, decided to wait. She would put herself in the hands of fate.

“Miss Ashton.” Hawk inclined his head slightly, then replaced his broad-brimmed hat and backed from the room, his expression unreadable.

“Julia,” James gave her a speculative glance, “we'll see you at six.”

“Yes . . . ” she whispered. She watched the men depart, then followed the little Chinese houseboy up the sweeping staircase.

“What do you intend to do about Julia?” James ventured during the carriage ride to the hotel.

“Nothing much I can do, if it's any of your business,” Hawk replied sourly. “If the governor's willing to pay us six months' wages to keep her from marrying some damned Army officer, what do you think he'd pay to keep her away from me?”

James nodded. “Well, at least it isn't as though you were the first.” James made the comment flatly, but Hawk knew his friend was seeking some reason for his dishonorable behavior.

Hawk gave James a long, deliberate look as the carriage turned down the main street of town. “Unfortunately . . . I was the first,” he said, not wanting James to think badly of the girl and not understanding exactly why he should care.

“What! You seduced! . . . She was an innocent? How could you break your word?”

“I'm afraid I don't quite understand it myself,” Hawk said quietly.

James looked away, deciding not to push the issue. He felt sure his friend must be suffering a tremendous amount of guilt already. He needn't add to the burden.

They reached the hotel and bid the carriage return a little before six. The evening ahead would be a trying one for both of them.

“Your room, Missy Julia,” the Chinese said, in a slightly sarcastic voice.

It was obvious he knew she wasn't the real Julia, and Mandy wondered again why he hadn't given her away. She decided he was probably more concerned with keeping his position in the household. He set her baggage down and backed into the hall.

The mansion was similar to those she'd seen in Virginia City, Victorian in style and thoroughly charming.

“Bessy weel be op to he'p you change,” the man added before leaving.

Bessy, as it turned out, was Julia's personal maid, a big raw-boned black woman with a wide mouth, hearty grin, and sparkling white teeth.

“Land sakes, chil', yo' ain't Miss Julia!”

Mandy put a finger to her lips.

Bessy howled with laughter, then took in Mandy's appearance. “Do those men think you're my Julia?”

Mandy nodded.

The woman howled again. “Yo' must be her cousin, Samantha. I done heerd her talk 'bout you fo' years. I just knew my little lamb would think o' sometin' to outfox the ol' gov'nuh.” Heavy jowls beneath shining eyes shook with mirth and approval as the tale unfolded. At least it appeared Mandy would have one ally in the house.

“Lord a mercy, His Honor's shorly gonna be sore when he finds out what you and Miss Julia gone and done.” Bessy smiled ruefully. “Is Miss Julia done married off to her soldier?”

“Well, I can't say for certain, but she should be by now. How did you happen to know so much about all this?”

“In dis household, dey ain't many secrets when it come to Miss Julia. Da gov'nuh was mad as a hornet when he got dat letter from Miss Julia 'bout her beau. But I knowed Miss Julia too long. If'n she done found herse'f a man, he be some kinda' good one. She may 'a been a wild li'l thing, but she weren't never no fool. Seein' you here makes me even more certain. I'm glad yo' stuck by her, Miss Samantha.”

“I know she'll be happy with Jason,” Mandy reassured her. A tiny ache touched her heart as she thought of Julia and her new husband. The image of a tall man in buckskins surfaced, but she fought it down and returned her attention to Bessy, who was unpacking Mandy's satchel.

“I'm not sure I'll be staying, Bessy. When the governor finds out what I've done . . . ” She let the sentence trail off, feeling a little queasy.

“Don't you be silly, chil'. Da gov'nuh he be mad all right,
but he won't never turn you out in da streets. You family, honey, and da gov'nuh is one mighty lonely man.”

Mandy felt comforted by the woman's words. She really wanted to spend some time with her uncle, try to make him see that she and Julia had done the right thing.

Bessy instructed the kitchen to send up a bath, then had Mandy select one of Julia's many gowns. Bessy set to work on it immediately, making it shorter and a little snugger in the waist. The two-hour wait seemed to fly as Bessy chatted pleasantly, filling her in on the latest gossip, then listening to the rest of Mandy's tale. Of course Mandy was careful to avoid any mention of her involvement with Travis Langley.

All too soon she could hear men in the hallway. Hawk and James had returned. The moment she dreaded was at hand.

Mandy stood at the top of the stairs watching the scene below.

“Governor.” James extended his hand. He had bathed, shaved again, and wore a clean black well-tailored suit.

“James, Travis, come in. Come in.” The governor shook hands and stood in the foyer with his back to the stairs.

Hawk stood in the entry, looking handsome in his dark brown breeches and fawn-colored coat. He spoke the required niceties, then glanced above.

Mandy could barely meet his gaze.

Hawk felt an instant rush of desire. Descending the staircase in a pink satin gown was the most beautiful woman he'd ever seen. Her thick chestnut hair was swept up fashionably,
and the gown displayed a generous amount of her full cleavage. Tiny beads of perspiration formed on his brow.

Following Hawk's gaze, the governor turned to see the woman he assumed would be his daughter descending the staircase. He blinked, then blinked again, wondering if he were focusing correctly. There was no denying the family heritage, but it certainly wasn't his daughter. Who, then? Was there some mistake?

A tiny ray of comprehension worked its way to the back of his mind.
She wouldn't! She wouldn't dare!
He heard a pounding in his ears, his rage in that moment so great he felt his blood might boil. His neck above his collar felt hot and flushed, and his eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

Mandy's heart pounded wildly. The look of fury on Uncle William's face was unmistakable. Maybe he would beat her. One foot touched the bottom step, and she reached out for Hawk's arm to steady herself. She could feel his strength. She used it to meet her uncle's furious gaze.

“Uncle William,” she said, breaking what seemed an endless silence.