The Rocky Mountain Heiress Collection (92 page)

Gennie affected a look of disbelief.

Irritation tugged at Charlotte, but excitement kept the feeling at bay. “I’ve made no secret of my interest in such things, and I’ve written to Papa with a plea to send me to Wellesley.”

“And his answer was no, Charlotte.” Gennie sighed. “And for good reason.”

Charlotte considered her words carefully, then put on her most repentant expression. “I know I’ve shown little to recommend my maturity in the past, and I am truly sorry. But working alongside Papa—and eventually Danny—at Beck Enterprises is what I was meant to do. After a proper education, of course. And this time I know Papa will say yes. Only I must get to him without delay.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.” Gennie swept past her and started downstairs.

“You wouldn’t say that if it were your son asking.”

Gennie’s glare told Charlotte she’d gone too far. Ignoring the urge to slide down the banister and beat her stepmother to the ground floor, Charlotte gripped the rail and moved quickly to catch up.

“Look, I’m not being ridiculous. I’m being smart. And no matter what else you might say of me, you must admit I am quite clever when I put my mind to it.”

“True enough.” Gennie stopped and regarded Charlotte with interest. “So what is it that you’ve suddenly discovered that will change your father’s mind?”

Charlotte continued as if Gennie hadn’t spoken. “If I were to send a cable to Papa, who knows who might see it and beat him to the deal? And a letter could get lost. The only possible solution is to return to Denver immediately so that Papa and I might take advantage of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Again Gennie looked at her askance. “Once-in-a-lifetime, Charlotte? Truly?”

“Truly. I’ve got information, Gennie. Given to me at a most vulnerable moment by a source in a position to know. And if Papa were to act
on this information …” Charlotte stood a little straighter. “Not only would he make a fortune on the deal, but he just might best a rival at the same time.”

“Details,” Gennie demanded.

“I’ve learned an observatory may be coming to Leadville.” Charlotte paused. “Right now the property being considered is at Summit Hill, but it’s not Papa’s land they’re looking at.” She paused again and couldn’t contain a laugh. “Not yet, anyway. And as much as I would love to join you at tea with the empress, beating the Hamblys at a business deal holds much more appeal.”

Gennie shifted positions on the stairs, her expression thoughtful. “I had hoped to introduce you at Court. I suppose that can be done at another time.”

“Of course it could.”

“Still …”

Charlotte pressed her advantage. “Papa’s talked about selling that mine for years. Can you imagine how upset he will be when he learns he missed an opportunity not only to sell it but for a profit? And surely he’s ready for his family to return.”

“He did mention how very much he longed for us in his last letter,” Gennie said softly. “I suppose I could send a note to the jeweler and that lovely man who makes the gloves. And the milliner can surely ship our hats when they’re finished. And of course we will send our regrets to the queen’s social secretary.” Gennie seemed to warm to the idea. “I’ll have someone from the staff change our tickets. There’s much to do.”

Charlotte stifled a smile. “Yes. Much.”

A door at the top of the stairs opened, and Grandfather stepped out. “You ladies sound as if you’re having a grand time.”

“We’re just making plans for our return,” Gennie said. “I’m terribly sorry we interrupted you.”

“Not at all. I enjoy the sound of family in the halls.”

“Will you excuse me,” Gennie asked.

“Of course. Now Charlotte,” Grandfather said when Gennie had disappeared upstairs, “thank you for seeing to the viscount’s visit. He mentioned your persuasive nature made it impossible to say no. Well done. You’re a true Beck, dear. When we put our minds to something, it gets done.”

Charlotte saw her chance and seized it as she closed the distance between them to embrace her grandfather. “Thank you. I was just telling Gennie how much I wish to join Papa in the family business. I think I have quite a head for it.”

“Mining?” Grandfather shook his head. “Hardly think you’ve had enough experience to know the field.”

“No,” she said. “Not mining specifically. I’m more interested in Beck Enterprises, though I intend to get an education first.”

“I’m very glad to hear it,” Grandfather said, “but what might you do at Beck Enterprises?”

“There are more ways to make money in this modern economy than the mining business,” Charlotte said. “I can help Papa explore new avenues.”

“Such as?”

“Oh, I’ve an idea or two. Stocks being one of them.” She winked. “Then there’s our mutual friend Viscount Hambly. He was a wealth of information today.”

“Was he now?” Grandfather held her at arm’s length. “Did he realize he was imparting valuable information to someone who might actually be listening?”

“I think he was a bit flustered by the fire.” At her grandfather’s confused expression, Charlotte continued. “An accident, I promise.” She touched the burnt ends of her ribbon.

“I thought I smelled smoke.” He shook his head. “Are you certain you’ve got the stomach for this, Charlotte? The business world is not for the faint of heart.”

She squared her shoulders, then kissed her grandfather on the cheek. “Of course I am sure. As for being faint of heart, just ask Colonel Cody. He’ll tell you I’ve never once showed any—”

“All right, all right.” Grandfather chuckled then quickly sobered. “You’ve made your point. Now let me make mine. While I commend you for your decision to seek an education and become more involved in your father’s company, I must caution you on crossing a Hambly.”

Charlotte smiled. “Perhaps it is the Hamblys who should be cautioned not to speak so freely in the presence of a Beck.”

July 1, 1887 Leadville
,
Colorado

“Finally!”

Charlotte stepped off the train in Leadville and inhaled the bracing air. The trip had seemingly taken forever, what with delays and other such bothersome things, but finally she was home in Colorado. Only a return to Denver instead of Leadville might have made her happier, for she still had not seen her friend Gussie, but she could not wait to see Papa’s face when she told him her plan. While those assigned to her care handled mundane things such as luggage, Charlotte set off toward Papa’s office with her news.

Keeping to a ladylike pace, Charlotte tucked the telegram from Mr. Sanders into her reticule and swept into the Beck building with only the briefest of nods to the assistant perched at the desk in front. Voices low and deep hummed through the space between Charlotte and her father’s office, and she picked up her skirts and ran.

“Papa,” she said as she burst through the door, “I’ve such great news that I hurried home to tell you all about—”

“Charlotte Beck,” said Papa from behind his massive desk. The room was full of strangers, and they all stared at her.

She dropped her skirt and adjusted the hat that had gone askew in transit. “I’m terribly sorry,” she said as she felt heat rise in her cheeks. “I fear I’ve interrupted something important.”

Papa crossed the room and enveloped her in his arms. “Buttercup, you always did know how to make an entrance.” He planted a kiss atop her head then turned her to face the others. “Gentlemen, meet my favorite daughter, Miss Charlotte Beck. Newly and unexpectedly returned from abroad.”

In deference to Miss Pence’s teaching, she offered a nod and smile. “How do you—”

And then she saw the green-eyed man from Viscount Hambly’s office at the Royal Observatory. Upon her discovery of him, the fellow rose.

“I believe we’ve met,” he said. “William Pembroke at your service, Miss Beck.”

“Yes, hello,” Charlotte said, her voice wavering only slightly. “How do you do?”

“You two are acquainted?” Papa skewered the Briton with his best fatherly glare. “And how might you have made my daughter’s acquaintance, Mr. Pembroke?”

“Papa, really,” Charlotte said. “In London one meets so many people. I doubt our meeting made much of an impression on Mr. Pembroke.” She turned her attention to her father. “I know you’re terribly busy, but might I borrow you for one tiny second?”

“Of course. Would you all excuse me?” He cast a glance at Hiram Nettles, his right-hand man. “Continue without me.”

Charlotte linked arms with her father and walked with him down the hall, past the fellow at the front desk, and finally out into the bright Colorado sunshine. She sneezed twice. “Figured to outgrow that one day,” she said, smiling.

“Perhaps when you’re actually grown up,” Papa said with a sideways look that offered more than a little humor.

She patted her father’s hand. “Shall we forever be embroiled in the debate as to when I’m grown, Papa?”

“Perhaps not,” he said, “though I warrant the discussion will continue for some time. But surely you didn’t come here to try to win that argument.”

“There’s no argument,” she said, “but no. I’ve got such exciting news I couldn’t bear to wait. So exciting that I wish to table our upcoming discussion on your claim that I am an embarrassment to you.”

“About that,” he began, “have you any idea what it’s like to read such a—”

“Truly now, I’ve much better things to discuss, or we might not have hurried back. Convincing Gennie to forego tea with the empress was no simple feat.”

“We?” Her father’s brows rose. “Are my bride and son also in Leadville?”

“They are, though Gennie begged a nap for the two of them before they could be considered presentable.”

Papa’s smile was quick and warm, a testament to the woman who had brought much happiness to both of them. “So what is this exciting news?”

Charlotte stopped to look around. Satisfied she and Papa could continue without curious ears listening, she took a deep breath and let it out slowly. A prayer went up for just the right words, and she began. “Papa, I wish to join you at Beck Enterprises.”

“Do you now?” To his credit, her father did not laugh. Neither, it appeared, did he take her seriously.

“In a position of some responsibility,” she clarified.

“Responsibility. I see.” His expression gave no hint of his thoughts on the matter. “Might I inquire as to what position within the firm you’d be taking?”

“Yours, eventually. At least until Danny is old enough to join me in managing the company.”

When Papa laughed, she remained silent.

“For now,” she continued, once he’d quieted, “I would like you to change your mind about allowing me to attend Wellesley in the coming term.” She held her hand up to stop his protest. “After achieving stellar marks on my coursework and receiving my diploma, which of course I will do with honors, I wish to return to Denver to work with Hiram on learning the business. He’s the best employee you’ve got, am I correct?”

“You are,” he said with a skeptical look. “But I’ve already told you my opinion on Wellesley.”

“Opinions change, but facts do not. I’ve got a head for business, which I will prove beyond a doubt in just a moment. As for Hiram, it would be wonderful to learn the ins and outs of Beck Enterprises from you, but our father-daughter relationship might get in the way of a fair and accurate assessment of my skills. Correct?”

Papa sobered. “You’re serious.”

“I am.”

“Buttercup, you know I adore you.” He grasped her hands in his.
“It’s a proven fact that if you asked for the world, I’d wrap it up and place it in your palm.”

She focused on her father’s face. “But?”

“You’re a beautiful girl who should be looking for a husband, not a place at the boardroom table.” This time he held up his hand to stop her protest. “And a brilliant, talented artist who should be devoting her time to that pursuit and not getting her lovely French-made dresses dusty here in Leadville.”

Disappointment threatened with tears, but Charlotte pressed it aside. “I’ve plenty of dresses and years to paint or find a husband,” she said. “What if I could prove you wrong? About my head for business?”

“Charlotte, honestly, you’ve been trying to prove me wrong since you were five. What possible—”

“Roeschlaub.”

Her father shook his head. “Roeschlaub?”

“He’s an architect, Papa. He built the Goodsell Observatory in Minnesota. Mr. Sanders checked into him for me, so I can verify this is a fact.” she paused. “You’re wondering what that has to do with Beck Enterprises?”

Her father crossed his arms and regarded her curiously. “I am, actually, though I am also curious why you took the initiative to contact Jeb. Impressed, but curious.”

“The men in your office. Might they be a group of investors looking to include you in a business transaction?” She only paused for a second. “Maybe one that involves selling off the abandoned mine site adjacent to the Hambly property?”

Papa’s eyes widened but he said nothing.

“My guess is you and Hiram have been baffled at the sudden interest in a worthless property but thrilled at getting the old mine off the
books. This also begs the question of why Hambly would want more property, since their mine has been losing money for the better part of two years. I credit Mr. Sanders and the Pinkertons in his employ for that bit of information as well.” She reached into her reticule to retrieve the telegram and thrust it toward her father. “Perhaps you’d like to see the telegram he sent.”