Magnificent Passage (30 page)

“My pleasure, milady,” he teased as they exited through French doors.

They reached a quiet corner, and she stammered slightly, trying to find a way to broach the subject. “Hawk . . . there is . . . something I've been wanting to say to you—it's about Julia . . . and our trip.”

Hawk's face turned ashen. She could see him working a muscle in his jaw and instantly regretted beginning the conversation.
Why hadn't she left things alone?
She stiffened. There was no turning back now.

“I want to explain about—”

“Whatever you have to say about your treachery and lies does not interest me in the least.”

“Please, Hawk, you don't understand. I had to do it. I—”

He cut her off. “There is something you have I am interested in.” He held her stunned gaze a moment, then stepped closer, drawing her into his arms. He crushed her possessively against him and covered her lips with his.

Jolting waves of pleasure made her forget his harsh words. She was back in the deep featherbed in Virginia City, her body trembling with desire. It maddened her that he could so easily arouse her passions. She struggled and pulled her lips away.

“What do you think you're doing?” she asked, her voice shaky.

He released her resignedly, in an attempt to maintain some semblance of propriety. His eyes held a hint of regret.

“There is something I've been wanting to talk to you about as well.” He paused, his eyes raking her. They remained overly long on the swell of her breasts. “Now that
we both know you're not really the governor's daughter, there's no reason for us to deny ourselves.”

He sounded so nonchalant, so matter-of-fact.

“It seems the death of my friend Thomas Rutherford has left me a fairly wealthy man. I'll be spending a good deal of time in Sacramento City. I'll set you up in a comfortable home, keep you in nice clothes, provide anything you need. You just keep me happy when I'm in town. We'll keep the whole affair as discreet as possible. Of course, I'll expect you not to entertain any other men friends—including Mark Denton.”

Mandy was speechless, unable to stop his humiliating monologue. She stared at him, flushed and angry, fighting back tears.

“Get away from me this minute,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “Just leave me alone. Don't ever come near me again.” Her words sounded choked and ragged.

It was Hawk's turn to be stunned. He'd seen her green eyes snap with anger, or turn dark with sadness, but he had never seen the look of pure fury, tinged with bitter disappointment, that touched her eyes now. For a moment he regretted his words.
What had she expected?
She'd lied to him—deceived him in every way imaginable. Made a laughingstock out of him in front of the entire city. There was no way he could ever trust her again. At least this way they could have enjoyed each other's bodies.

He took a deep breath. Maybe it was better this way. Even having the woman for his mistress could be asking for trouble. She'd moved away from him to stare out into the darkness. A tear trickled from the corner of her eye and
glistened in the moonlight. The urge to comfort her raged strong. He felt a flicker of pain in the area of his heart as he stalked heavily from the porch.

Mandy heard the echo of his fading footsteps. She flew down the steps of the terrace, out into the garden where no one could see her tears. She sobbed until warm, familiar arms encircled her. She held James tightly, as if only he could save her from her drowning, suffocating feelings.

“Don't cry, Jul—I mean, Samantha,” he soothed. “This is supposed to be your special night. Don't let him spoil it for you.”

“You know?”

“I can pretty well guess. What did he say?”

“He asked me to be his mistress.” She broke into renewed sobs.

James smiled and cocked an eyebrow. “Well, I wouldn't have guessed that.”

Mandy stopped crying and looked up at the tall handsome man.

“He obviously cares for you, Samantha. He's never even come close to a commitment before. It's just that . . . well, he thinks you made a fool of him.”

“I had to, James. It was Julia's only chance. She loves Jason so much. I had to help her.... But I won't lie, James; I did it for myself, too. My life at the fort was miserable. There is no way to describe how badly I wanted to leave. This was my chance for freedom, my chance to make a life for myself.”

James patted her shoulder.

“He'll never forgive me . . . will he, James?” She spoke resignedly, her cheeks wet with tears.

James took a deep breath. “Probably not. He's a proud man, Samantha, and not a forgiving one.”

“Well, I did what I had to do. 1 know Julia is happy, and I have no regrets.”

“What about you, Samantha? Are you going to be happy?”

“I want to be, James. But I'm not so sure now.”

James sighed. He tilted her chin. “You see, you should have fallen in love with me.”

Mandy smiled tremulously, straightened her shoulders, and accepted James's handkerchief to wipe her tears. “I'll not let him make me cry again.”

They moved inside, where she accepted James's invitation to dance. She could see Hawk lounging carelessly beside the door, a tall willowy brunette hanging on his every word.
Well, she'd show him!
She forced herself to smile, finished dancing with James, then began dancing with others. The men seemed to be standing in line for her. Now, thanks to Julia, she knew how to give them just what they expected.

The balance of the evening passed in a blur. Hawk left with the brunette, and Mandy was eventually able to escape on the pretense of a headache. She thought her nightmare would be over in Sacramento City. Now she realized it was only just beginning.

“Travis, is there someplace we could go?” the wealthy widow, Doreen Simmons, simpered on his arm.

“I think I've had all the fun I can stand for one night,” he heard himself say, not believing he was declining her offer. He didn't stop to question himself. Instead, he helped her into his rented carriage and headed the horses toward her home. Doreen's husband had died over a year ago and
the attractive widow was on the prowl. He smiled to himself. If he'd made his earlier proposition to Doreen, there would be no doubt as to the outcome. He escorted the brunette to the door of her Georgian mansion, said a hasty good-bye, then returned to the carriage.

Visions of a petite young woman, swirling in a cloud of white organdy, controlled his thoughts.

T
he next few weeks passed in a whirlwind of activity. The governor came up with a job for Mandy, in which she would help him research the various bills before the legislature. Mandy enjoyed the work. She read everything the governor had available and took lengthy notes. At parties she listened for information and gossip that might help her uncle make a decision. The governor seemed pleased with her work. When he called her insight
invaluable,
she beamed.

Mark Denton was a constant fixture at the mansion. He was tall, good-looking, and considered quite a catch. Her uncle constantly praised him, advising her of Mark's socially prominent family background, as well as his blossoming law practice, and Mark was always kind and attentive.
Why couldn't she fall in love with him?
She was afraid he was falling for her, but all she thought of was Hawk. She was just beginning to think of him as
Travis.
Dressed in city clothes instead of his buckskins, it was hard to believe he was the rugged man of the plains.

Saturday arrived, and with it another party, this one a formal supper at the residence of Judge Edwin Crocker. Mark
was her escort. They arrived at the stately three-story home along with several other guests.

Mark helped Mandy from the carriage, making sure her ice-blue satin gown missed the puddles left from last night's shower. The weather was brisk, the mottled sky threatening rain. But she remained warm beneath her burnoose cloak. She snuggled her head deeper into the hood with its soft beaver trim. Beneath her wrap the gown exposed her shoulders, and the waist dipped to a point front and back, accentuating the curve of her body. She felt confident and alluring in the beautiful dress as she graciously accepted Mark's arm and swept into the elegant home.

The interior was grand. Mrs. Crocker had chosen the finest brocade wall coverings and deep-cut crystal chandeliers. Mandy felt comfortable in the elegant mansion, comfortable even in her sophisticated role as the governor's niece—something she never would have believed possible. She secretly thanked her mother for her endless patience—and Julia, for inadvertently changing her life.

By now Mandy knew most of the guests: the good Senator Wiggins and his pudgy wife, Irene; handsome Sam Brannan, recently divorced and considered one of Sacramento's most eligible bachelors; and James McClatchy, editor of the
Sacramento Bee,
to name but a few. It was an elite group of the most influential men and women in the city.

Mandy passed the early part of the evening graciously, enjoying conversations much more exciting than the usual social drivel. There were discussions of the farmer's rights over the powerful cattle and mining interests. Talk of the new Capitol building nearing completion, and a heated debate
on the merits, or folly, of the current project raising the downtown portion of the city.

“Well, whatever the costs and disruptions, at least we'll be free of the blasted flooding.” A familiar deep voice added his comment to the debate. Mandy felt a tiny shiver as she turned to face Hawk's handsome profile and saw a corner of his mouth lift.

“Why, Miss Ashton,” he said with a hint of mockery, “what a pleasure to see you again.” His dark eyes raked her as his mouth curved in a provocative smile. “You're looking lovely, as usual.” His gaze held a taunting caress and her heartbeat quickened. Hot color rushed to her cheeks.

“Why, thank you, Mr. Langley,” she replied formally, keeping up the charade. Then she noticed the willowy brunette clinging to his arm. “Why Doreen, how nice to see you again,” she said sweetly, but she wanted to scratch out the woman's eyes.

Mark walked up beside her. Mandy smiled up at him and reached for his arm, pulling him closer than she'd intended. “Mr. Langley, Miss Simmons, you remember Mr. Denton.” She felt a twinge of satisfaction as Hawk bristled. She gazed into Mark's blue eyes and gave him a winning smile. The hostess ended Mandy's performance with a call to dinner. Mandy laughed playfully at something Mark said, saw Hawk scowl, and swept from the room.

She played her part well through dinner. Mark had never seen her so attentive, and he beamed with delight. She felt a little guilty for deceiving him, but she would worry about that tomorrow. Tonight she would extract whatever revenge she could from the handsome man seated across from her.

The supper was sumptuous. Everything from quail to fresh brook trout and ending with a flambé of delicate cherries jubilee. It all tasted like sawdust to her. Her attention remained fixed on the man who caused her such distress. She could tell she was having a devilish effect on him as well and her determination strengthened.

“Mark, are you still taking me riding tomorrow?” she asked petulantly as they finished dessert.

“But of course, darling,” Mark gushed, “if that will make you happy.”

Hawk's dark eyes blackened, and a muscle bunched in his jaw. “Maybe Doreen and I could join you?” he put in. “Would you like that, my sweet?”

“Oh yes, Travis,” Doreen gushed.

Mandy's eyes flew wide. There was no way she could tolerate an entire day of that simpering, conniving . . . widow! She glanced at Hawk venomously and saw him enjoying her discomfort.