Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) (19 page)

"No. I decided right away that the real money would be made right here in San Francisco. I borrowed money from Marquis's grandfather and built the Crystal Palace." His eyes sought Valentina's and he smiled. "I have never been sorry. Lately I have been blessed with a talent that has made me a very wealthy man. No, I do not want to break my heart or my back in the gold fields."

Valentina glanced at her mother and saw the tired lines etched on her face; her eyes were misty and her hand trembled as Valentina took it in hers. The sun was going down, and the lights of the town reflected against the clouds in a soft yellow hue. "I believe we should go home now, Mother. You have had a full day," Valentina said, protectively sliding her arm about her mother's shoulder.

Tyree gathered up his horse's reins and swung himself into the saddle. "I want to thank both you ladies for a most enjoyable afternoon. It was a pleasure to show you my city."

Evonne gave him her winning smile. "Thank you, Mr. Garth. If you ever feel like a home-cooked meal, come by the house. My daughter and I would welcome you."

He tipped his hat, nudged his horse forward, and was soon lost from sight over the rise. "What an extraordinary man," Evonne observed. "I like him."

"So do I," Valentina agreed. "I have found him to be a good man."

"Yes, but with him your eyes don't light up as they do with the other one. Being your mother, I was well aware that you were upset because Senor Vincente was with that tawdrily dressed woman. I could tell you not to worry about her kind, but you wouldn't understand."

Valentina led her mother toward the buggy. "I don't know what you are talking about," she said just above a whisper. "What Marquis Vincente does, or doesn't do, is no concern of mine."

15

On the ride home Evonne slipped into silence. Valentina became concerned when her mother leaned her head back against the carriage seat and closed her eyes. Gripping her hand, she found it cold.

"I fear we kept you out too long, Mother. We should have gone home after lunch."

"No, I enjoyed every moment of this day. It's just that"—she hesitated—"when Mr. Garth was talking about the families who had lost loved ones, I couldn't help thinking about your father. I am desperate for word of him, Valentina. I need my husband."

Valentina touched her mother's face softly, feeling a burning ache in her heart. "If there is any clue that can be found about Father, I will find it, Mother. You have my solemn oath on that."

By the time they had reached home, Evonne had. slipped into complete silence. Salamar and Valentina quickly undressed her and put her to bed. Valentina sat beside her mother, holding her hand, helplessly watching her fight against tears.

Feeling her mother's forehead, Valentina was glad to find that her fever had not returned, relieved that she was not  having a relapse. Valentina realized, as her mother clung to her, that her spirit was crushed. In the dimly lit room, Valentina could see the tears on her mother's cheeks. She began to understand that it would not be enough to take care of Evonne's physical wants; she would have to see to her mental needs as well.

The cold hand of reason closed over Valentina's heart; her mother would die if she did not find out what had happened to her father.

Long after Evonne had fallen asleep, Valentina stayed at her bedside. When she quietly left the room, she found Salamar waiting for her. Handing her a cup of tea, Salamar motioned for her to be seated.

"The outing did not go as you expected, Valentina. You are not to blame yourself. This would have happened anytime your mother went out among people. It will make her remember your father."

"Everything was fine until Mother started thinking about Father." Valentina glanced at Salamar. "She isn't going to get well if I don't find Father, Salamar. I have decided I will start out for the mines on Monday."

Valentina expected Salamar to object, but she only nodded her head in agreement. "You must do what your heart tells you to do. There is more bothering you than just your mother," Salamar observed with her usual perceptiveness.

"I discovered that Marquis lied to me."

"In what way?"

"He doesn't know I found out about his lie. He told me as Jordanna that he was leaving San Francisco for a few days. Mother and I saw him today. He was with this woman I believe to be his . . ."

"Mistress," Salamar finished for her.

"Yes, or whatever she is called. I don't know how many women it takes to satisfy Marquis Vincente. He's betrothed to one woman, has a mistress, and flirts with me on the side. I never want to see him again. Today at the hotel dining room, he was hardly civil to me and my mother."

"You said he was with his mistress. You hardly could have expected him to introduce her to you and your mother, now could you? What did you expect?"

"I am so mixed up, Salamar. I could feel him staring at me this afternoon. If I didn't know better, I would say he was jealous of Tyree's attentions to me."

Salamar smiled that mysterious smile of hers. "When Valentina and Jordanna merge into one woman, perhaps Marquis Vincente will need no one but you. Until that time, he will battle within himself to understand the feelings he has for both of you. Beware that you do not let him discover who you are too soon. If you do, you will lose him."

"I can't lose him because I don't have him."

Salamar moved to the fire and placed another log on the flames. Valentina drew in a tired breath. At the moment she was feeling unequal to the task before her. "Why does God sometimes make life so complicated, Salamar?"

Salamar's wise eyes seemed, to gaze inwardly as though searching for answers. "God doesn't make the complications. Man makes his own trouble without God's help or approval."

"You are right, Salamar. I suppose I was just feeling a bit sorry for myself."

"Not a weakness you often give in to. You are a survivor, Valentina. Your mother has never had your strength, and she now depends on you. I know the burdens that have been placed on your small shoulders have weighed heavily. I have tried to help you in this all I can, but you must carry the heaviest load alone."

Valentina smiled at the woman who had been the greatest influence in her life. "If I am strong, it is because you taught me to be. I love my mother, but yours is the face I remember from childhood. Yours were the hands that soothed my fevered brow when I was ill as a child. It is from you that I have always tapped my strength."

Salamar's glance was warm, and her dark eyes seemed to sparkle with what Valentina knew to be tears. "I could never have a daughter of my own, Valentina. God, in his infinite mercy, allowed me to borrow you. There will soon be another who will step into your life and give you strength . . . that is as it should be."

Valentina was too weary to listen closely to Salamar's words. Already her eyelids were drooping. Salamar took the teacup from her and helped her to stand. As she led her charge to the bed, Valentina shook her head. "I can't go to sleep now; I have too much to do. If I am going to the mines, I have plans to make."

"The plans will wait until tomorrow," Salamar insisted as she slipped Valentina's dress over her head and helped her into her nightgown. "You are weary now, so go to sleep. I will see to the details of the journey for you.

Already Valentina's eyes were drifting shut and her body was relaxing into the soft mattress. "There is so much to do. I must contact Santiago so he can get supplies together. Mr. Garth needs to be informed that tomorrow night will be my last performance for awhile."

"Sleep," Salamar soothed. "I will do this for you."

Salamar gazed upon the face of the daughter she had never had. Valentina was the most important person in her life. She wished there were some way she could ease the pain she was going through, but pain was a necessary part of life. Salamar knew she could only deal with the little details in Valentina's life, making sure everything ran smoothly. She could not help her with the big problems. Since they had landed on the shores of California, Valentina had been forced to grow up quickly and face heavy responsibilities. Salamar was proud to see she had done so with determination and courage.

Salamar slipped through Valentina's dressing room into the hallway to Tyree Garth's office. She took every precaution not to be discovered. After rapping lightly on the door, she heard Tyree call out for her to enter.

There was a look of surprise when Tyree saw Salamar. Since the day he had hired Valentina as a dancer, Salamar had kept herself hidden, knowing that if anyone saw her, he would connect Jordanna with Valentina.

Tyree motioned for Salamar to be seated, but she stubbornly chose to remain standing. Draped in a black-fringed shawl, Salamar could not be seen very Well. "Your mistress isn't ill, is she?" Tyree asked at once.

Salamar took a step closer. "No, but her mother is grieving for her husband. It seems the outing today stirred up memories for her. Valentina wants you to know she will be going to her father's mine to see if she can find a clue to his disappearance."

Tyree stood up slowly. "What can she be thinking about, Salamar? It wouldn't be wise for her to go to the mine. She knows Marquis is doing everything he can to find Mr. Barrett."

"Valentina will do what she feels she has to." Salamar liked Tyree Garth because he had been good to Valentina. He was a man of great worth, and she knew he loved Valentina.

Tyree swore under his breath. "What in the hell does she think she can do alone? The last time she tried that little stunt, it almost ended in disaster for her."

"She will not be stopped," Salamar assured him.

"Damnit, if I can't stop her, I'll have to go with her. I don't intend to let her go alone."

Salamar bowed her head. "You must do what you feel is right. I only came to tell you that after tomorrow night, Jordanna will not be dancing for a while."

Tyree gazed hard into Salamar's face. "When does she plan to take this foolhardy excursion?"

"Monday." 

"Does your mistress ride?"

"She is a good horsewoman."

"Good. Go back and tell her I'll make all the arrangements. I will bring horses. Tell her to expect me at six o'clock Monday morning. If she's bent on doing this, we need to get an early start."

"I will tell her. It may be that she will not want you going with her. You are not the proper escort for a young woman."

Tyree grinned, showing his charm. "I can be trusted, Salamar—at least where Valentina is concerned."

"I know this. If it were not so, I would not allow you near Valentina."

Tyree's amused laughter was interrupted when the door was pushed open and Marquis entered. Tyree turned his attention to his friend. "You sure took your time about getting here," he said in an amused voice. "I expected you much sooner." Tyree knew that Marquis had not been pleased to see him with Valentina today. He had known Marquis would come sooner or later to voice his disapproval.

Marquis's eyes swept the room and at last came to rest on Salamar. For the briefest moment he was startled as he recognized Valentina's maid.

"You know Salamar, don't you, Marquis," Tyree stated.

Marquis's eyes narrowed. "Yes, I know her." He looked into Salamar's eyes and found the same disturbing light he had seen there before. "What I don't know is why she has come to you."

Salamar smiled to herself, knowing Marquis was jealous of Tyree. "I will be leaving now, Mr. Garth. It will be up to you whether or not to inform Mr. Vincente of the reason for my visit." Salamar turned away, soundlessly crossing the room and slipping out the door.

"What in the hell was that all about?" Marquis demanded to know. "Have you taken to courting older women—or does she bring you love notes from Valentina?"

"Alas, Salamar doesn't fancy me as a suitor, and, unfortunately, Valentina isn't pining with love for me either," Tyree answered with his usual humor.

"I am in no mood for your little jests, Tyree," Marquis said sourly. "You don't have to tell me what Salamar wanted if you don't want to."

"Oh, I don't mind. She was delivering a message from Valentina. She wanted me to know she is going to her father's mine. I volunteered to go with her."

Marquis moved slowly across the room. "No, you aren't going with her . . . are you crazed? She was injured the last time she tried to reach her father's mine. You are not going to take her there." Marquis's face was a mask of fury. "Have you lost your mind completely?"

Tyree laughed in amusement. "What's the matter? Do you want all the beautiful women for yourself?" Suddenly the laughter left his eyes and he searched his friend's face. "If you want Valentina for yourself, what makes you think I will give her over to you without a fight?"

"Because we are friends, and you know I have deep feelings for her."

"Marquis"--Tyree's voice vibrated through the room—" put a name to those feelings!"

“I Can’t.”

“Try.”

"I . . . love her," Marquis admitted, as if the confession had been forced from his lips. "I . .. adore her. I cannot get her out of my mind."

"Like you can't get Jordanna out of your mind?"

"No. Valentina Barrett is an angel; Jordanna fires my blood. Valentina is the kind of woman a man marries; Jordanna is the kind he beds."

"Do you have both earmarked for yourself?"

"No, not Valentina Barrett. She isn't for either of us, my friend. She is too good for us both."

"I never thought I'd see the day you would admit any woman was too good for the great Marquis Vincente. What brought all this on?"

"She is a real lady."

Tyree smiled to himself, thinking that the situation was getting to be a real tangle. What would Marquis do when he discovered Jordanna and Valentina were one and the same? "I have watched you move from one woman to another over the years. You don't want Valentina Barrett, yet you don't want me to have her. You want Jordanna, yet you will never make a commitment to her. You must have an insatiable appetite, my friend. What will you do with all the women who are cluttering your life at the moment?"

"I will make Jordanna my mistress and try to forget about Valentina Barrett. I will marry Isabel, and Valentina will probably return to England and marry someone there who is not worthy of her."

"I'd say you very definitely have a problem." Tyree knew that Marquis had always been of a passionate nature, but he had never before given his heart to a woman. He hoped his friend would not put honor ahead of love. If he did, he would spend the rest of his life regretting it. "I'm your friend, and I feel it my duty to advise you either to marry Valentina or stop seeing her altogether."

"I have tried that. Out of honor I stayed away from her. That's why I spend so much time with Jordanna. She helps me forget. Do you have any notion how it tore me apart inside to see you with Valentina today?"