After dropping Laurie Sinclair off at her home, Darcy continued on to the Atlas Mine. His mind should have been on practical matters, but his conversation with Laurie Sinclair dominated his thoughts to the point he could think of nothing else. When he walked into the office, Tom took one look and remarked, “Something eatin’ you? Your face looks like a thundercloud.”
“Wait till you hear what that bastard, Dominick has done now…”
Darcy described how he’d run into Laurie and what she’d told him about the mine owner’s visit. “Makes my blood boil. The day of Sam’s funeral, he visits the family to tell them he’s taking their one source of income away. Has the man no shame?”
“You know the answer to that. I’ve been here since forty-nine, seen all kinds of mischief and skullduggery, and Dominick’s done more than his share. He’s ruthless. You know as well as I he’s responsible for half the high-grade thefts around here, maybe more. You think he gives a damn that he visits a widow before her husband’s cold in his grave and tells her there’s a loan due?”
Darcy sat at his desk and slung his legs up, resting his boots on the top. “What bothers me…” He frowned in thought. “Everyone knows that gold vein at the Monarch was just about played out.”
Tom nodded. “Sam was about to close down. He so much as said so himself. I reckon the explosion that done him in was his last hope. I figured he had other irons in the fire, but maybe he didn’t. Maybe he was broke, else why would he have any dealings with that crook, Dominick?”
“You’re missing the point.” Darcy swung his legs to the floor and sat straight. “Why would Brock go to all that trouble to get hold of a played-out mine?”
“You got me. In these parts, there’s many a shut-down mine that would pay off better than the Monarch, but nobody wants ’em. Say now…” Tom’s eyes lit with sudden awareness. “You don’t think…?”
“Maybe Dominick knows something we don’t?” Darcy got out of his chair and reached for his hat. “Come on, Tom. It’s time we took another look at that mine shaft.”
* * * *
Five hundred feet beneath the surface, lanterns held high, Darcy and Tom edged their way through the jumble of rocks, fallen timbers, and other debris strewn along the main shaft of the Monarch Mine. “Isn’t this the spot where we found Sam?” Tom asked.
“It is, and we didn’t go any farther.” And should have, Darcy thought. “We’ll go as far as we can.” He raised the lantern above his head. “See there? The shaft’s not timbered from here on, so watch out.” They were taking a chance, but after the years he’d spent belowground, Darcy had no fear. He knew when to be extra careful, though, like now, in an unsupported tunnel that could easily collapse and bury them. They crept forward, crawling over huge boulders, until they came to a solid wall of rock that marked the end of the area opened by the explosion.
“Well, shoot,” said Tom, shaking his head. “Looks like we’ve hit a dead end and nothing to show for it.”
“I think I see something. Hold your lantern up.”
Halfway up the wall, embedded in the rock, the flickering rays from two lanterns caught a mass of something gleaming. “Holy jumping Jehoshaphat, look at that.” Tom crouched closer. “It looks like a huge crab, don’t it? A big, solid glob of gold with gold legs spreading all over the rocks.”
Darcy pulled out a knife, stabbed it into one of the thicker legs and worked it around. He pulled it out and peered at it closely. “At least seven inches wide and an inch deep, all solid gold.”
“Wonder how far it goes.”
“Maybe it goes halfway to China. Maybe we dig another two feet and it’s gone.”
“What do you think?”
In a rare moment of exuberance, Darcy tossed down the knife and clapped his friend on the shoulder. “I think the Monarch Mine won’t be closing any time soon.”
“That’s great news for the Sinclairs.” Tom paused to think a moment. “Or is it? Dominick had to know about this. Now he’ll be the new owner of the Monarch whether they know about the new vein or not.”
“We’ll see about that,” Darcy said.
* * * *
After Darcy brought her home from town, Laurie walked in the door and was met by her distressed-looking sister. “Mother’s gone insane,” Ada cried. “She’s dismissed Mei Ling and Albert.”
“Oh, my lord, she didn’t need to do that.” Laurie hastened upstairs to her mother’s bedroom and found her lying flat on the bed, a wet cloth over her eyes. She took a moment to calm herself before she softly asked, “Why did you dismiss the servants, Mother?”
Elizabeth pulled the cloth from her eyes. “Because we’re poor now,” she answered in a piteous voice. “Because we have no money to pay them. I couldn’t let Valeria go, though. Who would do the cooking?”
Laurie laughed with relief. “Thank God for that, although we could have kept Mei Ling and Albert for a while. We’re not that poor yet, and besides…” An old mEmery came back to her. “Didn’t Father once say he’d hidden some money somewhere?”
After a moment’s contemplation, Elizabeth sat up and swung her legs to the floor. “Yes, he did. Now where did he say he put it?”
She spent the next two hours searching for the cash she insisted her husband had left somewhere around the house. Laurie and Ada helped search but soon gave up. “We couldn’t be that lucky,” Ada said, and Laurie agreed. Both were surprised when, late in the afternoon, Mother cried, “I found it.”
Deep in his closet, stuck in an old boot, Sam Sinclair had secreted a roll of twenty-dollar notes. After they counted it out, Laurie gleefully addressed her mother and sister. “That’s enough to keep us going in Lucky Creek for a while. Here’s another thought. It’s also enough to pay our passage back to Philadelphia. What do you think?”
A long and somewhat heated discussion followed. Again, Mother described her intense dislike of living on her sister’s charity. Ada hated the thought of it, too. So did Laurie, but she’d soon be married, and, as both her mother and sister pointed out, she wasn’t the one who’d suffer the humiliation and embarrassment of being poor. And no, they wouldn’t be accepting any help from Brandon Cooper, even after he and Laurie were married. It was a matter of pride.
But the problem was, what would happen if they stayed in Lucky Creek? Where would they get the money to survive? Take in laundry? Was Laurie insane? They could not possibly engage in any sort of manual labor, and that was that.
After endless wrangling, Mother threw up her hands. “I give in. I can see now we don’t have a choice. We shall go back to Philadelphia and”—her face screwed up in distaste—“live with my sister.”
Ada smiled bravely. “Maybe it won’t be so bad. Just think, we’ll be living in civilization again and…and…” The smile faded quickly. “It’ll be awful, but what else can we do?”
Laurie hid her relief at her mother’s decision. Now she could return to Philadelphia with a clear conscience, knowing she hadn’t left her family to eke out their existence in a wild and lawless mining town. Still, her heart went out to them. They might not love Lucky Creek, but the thought of returning to Philadelphia as paupers dismayed them both. The world as they knew it had come to an end. She couldn’t blame them for looking so sad and dejected. “Then it looks like you’ve made up your minds. I’ll see about booking our return passage tomorrow.”
They spent the rest of the afternoon in a gloomy discussion concerning how they would sell the house, what to take and what to leave. At least servants were in great demand. Mei Ling and Albert would easily find work elsewhere, and Valeria, too, when the time came.
That evening Laurie was doubly glad Mother hadn’t dismissed Valeria. In the past, their cook had revealed a bit of a fiery temper, but today she’d remained in good humor and said nothing about the other servants being gone. When Laurie peeked in the kitchen, Valeria muttered something in broken English that sounded like, “I cook you something extra special.” A pot of what she called camarão no leite de coco sat on the stove. How delightful. Nothing could raise their spirits more than shrimp in coconut sauce, a dish they loved.
Later, they were settled in the parlor when Laurie answered a knock on the door. Darcy McKenna stood on the doorstep, hat in hand but no smile.
“Mr. McKenna? I didn’t expect to see you again so soon.”
“May I come in? I have some business to discuss.”
Silently she opened the door wide and waved him in, refraining from giving her usual warm welcome. Why should she? This afternoon, he’d been reasonably congenial and well mannered, but tonight he’d returned to being his brusque, strictly business self. Wordlessly, she led him to the parlor. Other than a quick greeting to Mother and Ada, he wasted no time on idle chitchat and immediately launched into the explanation for his visit. It began, he said, when he and his assistant, Tom Crain, became suspicious as to why Brock Dominick was so eager to get hold of the Monarch Mine. Did he know something they didn’t? They returned for another look at the shaft where Sam had set off the gunpowder. What they found prompted this visit. “Sam was right. There’s a new vein of gold right where he thought it would be.”
Laurie was the first to recover from the shock of this latest news. “How big is it, do you think?”
“Like I told Tom, it could go halfway to China or end a few feet away. You never know. Looks like Dominick found it first. I can see why he wanted to get his hands on it.”
“So that’s why he showed up the very night of Father’s funeral.”
“Looks that way.” A wry smile crossed Darcy’s face. “This never-ending search for gold brings out the worst in people. Some rise above it, but not Dominick. No wonder he was so anxious to foreclose on your loan. I’m surprised Sam agreed to those terms. Either he was desperate or…” Darcy paused in order to choose his next words carefully. “Brock’s a thief and a conniver. I wouldn’t put a bit of forgery past him, if the need arose. The trouble is, Sam’s gone, and it’s nothing you could prove. Brock’s a big force in this town.”
Laurie frowned. “That loan is due in two days. If we don’t pay it, we lose the Monarch, new gold vein or no. I’m glad you told us, Mr. McKenna, but what can we do about it?”
“That’s why I’m here. I’m willing to pay off the entire loan.”
“You are?” Laurie could hardly keep her mouth from dropping open. “But how could we ever pay you back? I’m presuming you’d want something in return.”
“In return, I will become a partner and own fifty-one percent of the Monarch.”
Mother looked bewildered. “But it’s closed now, Mr. McKenna. The miners are gone.”
“We’ll hire them back. I’ll invest whatever it takes to explore the new vein. That includes the hiring of new miners, buying new equipment, and all that goes with it. Of course, I’m counting on Hugh to come back soon. I’d need his help.” He went on to explain in detail what was needed to open the Monarch again. He used words like hoists and bulkheads, which Laurie didn’t understand but had heard Father use. When Darcy finished, he spoke directly to Mother. “Right now, Hugh’s in no condition to conduct business, and there’s no time to waste. It’s up to you. So, what do you think, Mrs. Sinclair? I don’t want to rush you, but time is short.”
“I…I…” Mother stuttered. In confusion, she turned to Laurie. “What do you think?”
So, it’s up to me. Laurie cleared her throat and sat straight, attempting to look as businesslike as possible. “So, let me make sure I understand, Mr. McKenna. You are willing to pay off the entire loan we owe Mr. Dominick. Is that correct?” He nodded. “And in return, you will become a partner and own fifty-one percent of the Monarch. Further, you will invest whatever it takes to explore the new vein. That includes the hiring of new miners, buying new equipment and all that.”
“In the mining business, new partnerships come and go, Miss Sinclair. What I’ve suggested is common practice.”
“But what about…?” Laurie was finding it hard to stay businesslike when she knew so little about the mining industry. “Won’t this take time? I mean, we won’t be getting rich overnight, will we?” She hated to reveal the family’s dire financial situation but could see no way out. “If you want the truth, my father left us with practically nothing. Mother has already dismissed our maid and stableman. How will we live until the mine starts paying again, if it ever does?”
“How’s Hugh doing?”
Startled by his question, she took a moment to answer. “As I’m sure you know, he’ll live, but he’s still in a lot of pain, still in the hospital.”
“So, it’ll be a while before he’s able to work again.”
“If he ever can, Mr. McKenna.” If he noticed the reproachful note in her voice, so be it. She didn’t care for his apparent lack of sympathy.
He ignored her implied disapproval. “Here’s the problem. The Monarch is closed, every last miner gone. We’ll be starting from scratch to get her open again, and that requires a lot of work. Hiring new miners, buying new equipment, updating the books, on and on. I can’t do it all—got my own mine to run—and right now, what with all the thieves around here I can’t think of a man I’d trust to take over and run it. I was counting on Hugh. If he can’t do it, we may have to wait until he can.”
“Do exactly what?” An idea was forming in Laurie’s head. Impossible, of course, but she’d at least ask. “I mean, what needs doing at the mine, other than actually working below the ground with a pick and shovel?”
He cocked his head and looked at her oddly. “You’re not thinking…”
“I’m just asking.”
“I can give you a general idea. At the Monarch, your father did the hiring and firing, made the big decisions, such as which shafts would remain open and which would close. Hugh pretty much ran the office. He kept the books and was responsible for the payroll. That’s a big job, handling the money. Sam was lucky he had someone he could trust. Not all mine owners do.”
She could be getting in way over her head but couldn’t stop now. “So maybe… If you had someone to run the office, you could start work on the new vein right away?” A vision of that dark, menacing entrance to the mine popped in her head. “Nothing underground, of course.”
He sat back, folded his arms across his chest, and looked at her long and hard. “I believe we all agree you weren’t cut out to be a miner, Miss Sinclair. So, what you’re saying is, you could run the office and do the payroll, despite the fact you’ve had no experience and—”
“I’m a woman? I’m good with numbers. In school, arithmetic was my best subject. Just show me what to do and I’ll do it.”
“Laurie!” Mother looked at her aghast. “What are you saying?”
“What I’m saying”—she looked directly at McKenna—“is that I could handle the work at the Monarch, as long as I don’t have to lift anything heavy and most certainly not go underground. Also, what I’m saying is, I don’t particularly want to do this, but it would only be temporary, would it not?”
He nodded warily.
“Then for the convenience of my family, I’m willing to do it until such time as either Hugh returns to work, or the new vein starts to pay off and you can hire someone else. It shouldn’t take long, do you think?” She sat back, the picture of composure, and looked him in the eye. For once, he seemed to have lost that maddening self-control of his and was doing a poor job of hiding his astonishment. Good. For some perverse reason, she was enjoying the sight of the always-so-sure-of-himself Darcy McKenna at a loss for words. “Well, Mr. McKenna?”
For a long moment, he remained silent, then got an amused look in his eye. “I’ve never hired a woman before.”
“There’s a first time for everything, isn’t there?” Someone else must be talking. She couldn’t believe what she’d just said, but the bare facts gave her no alternative. Unless the Monarch stayed open, the Sinclairs would be living on charity, and that would happen over her dead body. Mother couldn’t help. Neither could Ada. It was all up to her. She held her breath while she waited for his decision.
Finally, after a long, silent moment, he shrugged and nodded. “As long as you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
“I’m not sure that I do, but I’ll soon find out, won’t I?”
“It’s only until Hugh comes back.”
“Of course.”
“Any time you regret your decision, you have only to tell me.”
“Fine. I assume you agree.”
Except for the slight raise of an eyebrow, he’d shown no surprise, but he must be astounded that he’d actually hired a woman. She smiled at him pleasantly, so he could see how at ease she was. “You won’t regret it.”
He rose to leave. “I’ll have the papers drawn up tomorrow.”
He bid Mother and Ada good night. Laurie accompanied him to the door. Maybe the truth would dawn on her later as to what a reckless, foolhardy thing she’d just done, but for the moment she brimmed with confidence and a touch of satisfaction that for once Darcy hadn’t seemed quite so sure of himself. “Good night, sir. My family and I are grateful for your generosity in paying off our loan.”
“I’m not a generous man, and you needn’t thank me. I wouldn’t have made the offer had I not expected a handsome return from that gold mine of yours.”
“When should I start?”
“You’re sure?” Disbelief still lingered in his eyes.
“Very sure.”
“Why don’t I show you around first? Give you an idea of what you’ll be doing.”
“Fine with me.”
“In that case, I’ll meet you at the Monarch at seven o’clock tomorrow morning.”
“That’s awfully early.”
“We don’t work banker’s hours in a mine.”
“Could you make it eight o’clock instead? I’m asking because it will take me a while to walk up there.”
“But why can’t you—” Realization lit his face. “Your stableman’s been dismissed, and you don’t know how to hitch the horses, do you?”
She opened her mouth to defend herself, but why should she? Since when was a lady supposed to know how to perform such a task? Even so, she’d better explain. “I never had the need to hitch my own horses. That’s what we had a stableman for. If he wasn’t around, my father and brother took care of such things.”
He broke into a knowing, absolutely maddening smile, as if he’d been right, that she, spoiled and pampered all her life, wasn’t capable of doing anything remotely resembling actual labor and considered herself too good to try. “Understandable. That’s why I’m wondering if you might wish to reconsider your decision to work at the mine.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then would you care to learn how to hitch the horses?”
He had her trapped. Cornered. Only one response could she give. “I suppose…why not? We have the wagon, the landau, and the curricle. If I could just learn how to hitch up the curricle, I suppose I could manage. All I need is to find someone to show me how it’s done.” Whom she could find, she had no idea but would worry about that later. Right now, all she cared about was not letting this annoying man get the best of her.
“I’ll be here at seven in the morning to show you. Good night.” He gave her a quick salute and turned away.
He’d spoken in such a commanding manner she didn’t think to argue. “Goodnight, McKenna,” she called after him and watched as he returned to his horse and swung into the saddle in that fluid, graceful manner of his. The truth struck hard as she watched him ride away. What had possessed her? She’d been born and raised in a genteel world where only persons of the lower class performed manual labor. How could she have ever considered working at an ugly, muddy mine far removed from civilization? Worst of all, she’d be forced to deal with Darcy McKenna, one of the most irritating men she’d ever met. Or so she kept telling herself.
There was something about him she found… What was the right word? Intriguing? Fascinating? Oh, surely not. Brandon Cooper was intriguing and fascinating. Darcy McKenna? A complete mystery. Tough and unfriendly. Never opened up. Kept all his feelings to himself. If he liked her, she wouldn’t even know. Good lord, how could she even wonder such a thing, especially about a man she had no interest in, whatsoever?
A gloomy atmosphere awaited when she returned to the parlor. Despite the good news concerning the loan, her mother and sister were engaged in a grim discussion concerning money. The notes they’d found in the boot would stretch only so far, and they must conserve it. At least for the time being they’d have to cut expenses to the bone. That meant Valeria, too, must go. “How can we do without her?” Mother bleakly inquired. “I’ve never cooked in my life, and neither have you girls.”
“I’ve never so much as boiled water,” Ada said. “I’ve never put wood in the stove.”
Laurie reminded them how lucky they were that thanks to Darcy McKenna, the loan to Dominick would be paid in full. “As for the rest, lots of people manage without servants. Remember, it’s only temporary. That new vein will soon make us rich again. It’s only a matter of time.”
Laurie’s optimism didn’t impress Mother in the least. She still looked grim. “I dread telling Valeria we’re letting her go. You know how she is.”
“I’ll take care of it.” Laurie, too, dreaded telling their cook she’d been dismissed, but she’d do whatever had to be done.
“And what about you, Laurie?” Mother inquired. “Whatever possessed you to say you’d work at the mine? It’s most unseemly for a lady like you to be engaged in that type of activity.”
“We’re not in Philadelphia anymore,” Laurie replied with a gentle smile. “Before this is over, I predict we’ll be doing lots of unseemly activities. We’ll manage, though. I’m sure of it.” She’d given herself the perfect opening to give them her latest news. “Speaking of activities, here’s a new one. Mr. McKenna will be here at seven tomorrow morning. He’s going to show me how to hitch up the curricle.”
“You?” Ada burst into laughter. “However will you manage? You don’t know the front of a horse from the rear.”
Laurie picked up a pillow from the couch and tossed it at her sister. “Never fear, I’ll manage all right.”
“And what about Mr. Darcy McKenna? Do you think you can manage him, too?” Ada asked.
Sometimes her sister was wiser than she thought. “He’s the least of my problems. I’ll be dealing with him only because I have to.”
And that, of course, was very, very true.