“You knew?” The words were a mere thread of sound coming from Domini.
“Honey, you said yourself I’m a bastard through an’ through. An’ I’m no fool for a pretty woman. Yeah, I knew you could prove who you are.” With a nod of his head toward Toma and Matt, he added, “Now, show them.”
Domini didn’t know why she was surprised that he had gone through her bag. But she was. Dropping to one knee, she opened the carpet bag and reached down past her clothes to the small book at the bottom.
She lifted it out, smoothing the thin, cracked leather cover, before she rose.
“This is my mother’s prayer book.” She opened the cover and gazed at the faded writing, then walked until she stood in front of Toma. “Not just anyone could have this.”
Toma eyed the small ragged book as if it were a snake about to bite him. Domini didn’t move, didn’t insist, and in the end he took it from her hand. The ink was faded, not so much from age but as if someone had rubbed the words over and over. Or cried on them. He tilted the book up toward the light from the lamp behind him.
“Read it out loud. Matt wants to hear, too.”
Matt didn’t deny Luke’s claim. He sat forward, shoulders hunched, elbows at rest on his knees, turning the glass he held around and around between his spread legs as if he found the play of fire on amber liquid more fascinating.
Toma cleared his throat. He glanced up quickly to find Domini’s penetrating green eyes watching him. Luke was right. They were Jim’s eyes. And when he looked again at the handwriting, he knew Jim had written the words.
“Married this third day of March, in the year eighteen fifty-eight, James Thomas Kirkland to Consuela Teresa de Zurdo y Picaro. Church of the Holy Virgin, San Miguel, California.” Angling the book again, Toma continued, “Born to me this nineteenth day of September in the same year, a daughter, Dominica.”
“He was so sure that your mother carried his child that he married her?”
“Shut up, Matt.” Soft but deadly, Luke’s order worked. Matt sat back and tossed down his drink.
Domini didn’t turn to acknowledge Luke’s coming to her defense. The room was overpowering her with its death trophies closing in no matter where she looked. The fire spread its heat and made breathing difficult after all the fresh air she’d had these past few days. The tension from Toma’s continued silence held her still.
She didn’t know how badly she wanted another human’s touch until she felt Luke’s hand slide up her back to cup the base of her neck. His thumb rubbed small circles beneath her braid and eased a little of the tension.
Like Domini, Luke had his eyes on Toma. When Toma looked up, his gaze went right to Luke.
“Did you put her up to this? You the one scheming behind my back all these years, sendin’ her money?”
“Old man, if I’d known where she was, I wouldn’t have hidden a damn thing from you. Why don’t you ask Matt what he knows?”
“That will not be necessary.”
Luke didn’t turn, but Domini did. Her quick turn brought Luke’s hand down as she faced the woman who stood in the open doorway.
“What the hell are you doin’ in here, Amanda?”
“Toma, you’ll have Dominica believe that a wife isn’t welcome to visit her husband.”
“You never have before.” His gaze shifted between his wife and the young woman who stood poised to flee. “Dominica, is it? Then you’re the one who’s raised hell by bringing her here.”
Amanda smiled. Eyes the blue of a snow-capped mountain’s shadows, just as cold and hard, targeted Toma. “Oh, yes, Toma. At first I merely wanted her safe. But then so many delicious ideas came to me. And I so wanted you to meet her again, Toma. I want you to return to her what you stole. Her father, her childhood, money, too.”
“Return? To her? Or to you, Amanda?”
Domini glanced from Toma to his wife. Amanda’s smile never faltered but became malicious, and she did not answer. Quaking inside, Domini could only admire the woman’s utter calm. The rose silk long-sleeved gown revealed a willowy, petite figure. Domini wondered if it was a trick of the lamp light reflecting the rose shade of her gown that added the tint to alabaster skin. Not one feature that Domini studied was flawed. Even Amanda’s white-blond hair was smooth perfection pulled back from her high forehead into a coil at the back of her head.
It was hard for Domini to believe she was Matt’s mother, Toma’s wife. She looked far too young. But the hardened glare in her eyes as she stared at her husband in a silent battle of wills left no doubt that Amanda was indeed Mrs. Colfax.
Her benefactor. Her lying benefactor. Why?
Bewildered by the hatred surrounding her, Domini turned to Luke. He was the only one not looking at Amanda, the only one she felt she could trust.
“Luke?” His eyes meeting hers were as black as midnight water on a moonless night. He had been guarded with her before this, but now she couldn’t begin to fathom what his thoughts were. Domini knew her every thought, every confused feeling, was revealed to him. She no longer had the will or the strength to hide them.
“If you don’t want your bait puddling down to useless before you spring your trap, you’d better get her out of here. She’s past exhaustion.”
“No thanks to you,” Matt snapped, rising from his chair.
“No thanks to any of you,” Amanda clarified, coming away from the door. “I apologize for the lack of manners both Matt and my husband have displayed. It is one thing they both excel at. Despite this, Dominica, we are civilized people. Come,” she offered, holding out her hand. “I’ll have Lucy show you to your room. After you have had an opportunity to refresh yourself, we will dine, then discuss this matter further.”
It wasn’t as much an offer as a velvet-clad command. Domini hesitated and looked at Luke again.
“Go on,” he said. “You’ll be safe enough.”
“Will you stay, Luke?”
“He never does, Dominica,” Matt answered. He closed the short distance between them and stood at her side. “You won’t object to my using your first name, will you? Miss Kirkland seems too formal under the circumstances.”
“No, I don’t object.” Domini still waited for Luke to answer her. When he didn’t, she felt exhaustion sweep over her. She was being battered on too many fronts by conflicting emotions. Waiting seemed to be the only choice.
“Luke’s right,” she finally said. “I am very tired.”
“Then come with me, dear child,” Amanda coaxed.
Domini kept hoping that Luke would stop her, that he would say he’d take her to her room. She didn’t want to be alone with Amanda Colfax. But Luke remained silent.
Domini started forward only to turn. “I want my mother’s prayer book back.”
“I’ll just hang onto this for now,” Toma answered. “Don’t worry, I’ll put it in a safe place.”
Luke saw the way Domini’s shoulders sagged. The light went from her eyes. She didn’t yet understand that with Toma, with any of them, you never showed your weakness. Never allowed them to see what mattered a great deal to you. They would use it like a twisted noose around your neck.
Luke lunged forward, ripping the book from Toma’s hand. He topped Toma by a few inches, and his body had been honed into a powerful build that Toma could not match in strength.
“Since Domini kept it safe all these years, Toma, she can do the same here. This way,” he said, tossing the book to Domini, “it won’t accidentally disappear or get destroyed. Things are real prone to accidents around here, aren’t they?” Luke didn’t expect an answer, and he didn’t get one.
“For sure,” he added, “this can’t be used to force her into any of your schemes.” He turned to Domini. “I warned you, didn’t I? Best stay sly as a vixen an’ keep your claws sharp as any cougar’s, honey. Their games are deep and vicious. If it gets too bad, send word to me by Ellamay. She’s the cook.”
Domini clutched the book in one hand and reached out with the other to stop Luke as he strode past her.
“Please, Luke, won’t you stay for supper? For me?”
“Honey, you need a long spoon to eat with the devil. Mine got broken a long time ago.”
“Stop it, Luke.” Soft and low, Amanda’s voice nevertheless demanded their attention. “You’re behaving like an animal with those ridiculous threats and warnings. You are the only uncivilized thing in this room.”
“An’ whose fault is that, Amanda? My being an animal, that is?”
“Shut up, Luke.” Matt took a step toward him, then roughly shook his head as if he was coming to his senses. “Just leave. Every time you—”
“Yes, Luke, just leave. All you are doing is frightening this poor child with your vicious lies. Once more you have overstayed your welcome in this house.”
Tight-lipped, Luke stared straight ahead. Only Domini’s gasp revealed that anyone had heard and cared what Amanda said to him.
Luke shrugged off Domini’s hand and started forward when Amanda’s soft, brittle voice flayed him again.
“Despite all efforts, you are an animal. How dare you come into this home—”
“Home, Amanda? You ain’t got a clue to what makes a home.”
“Keep silent when I am speaking to you, Luke. Or have you forgotten how you learned to be respectful?” Gloating, Amanda swept aside the flaring skirt of her gown. Her blue eyes glittered with hate. “I will hold you fully accountable if you have done anything to hurt Dominica. She is an innocent child and I will have—”
“You’ll have what you’ve always had, Amanda. Nothing. You can’t do anything more to hurt me. All of your threats are empty now. An’ take a good look at who you’re calling a child. Dominica is a woman grown.” Scorn rode his voice and his look at Amanda. “But I’ll give you right about her innocence, and her honesty. Two things you never had, and never will.”
“Get out, Luke! You’re not wanted here.”
“Never have been.”
“Luke!” Toma ordered. “That’s enough. Remember who you’re talking to.”
Domini couldn’t believe the change that had come over Luke. For long moments he appeared the outlaw she had silently named him. Dark. Dangerous. Ready to strike out. Undercurrents of hate and scorn added to the silent battle between Luke and Amanda. From one breath to the next, Domini saw that Luke wrapped his seething emotions securely; even the light in his eyes was banked.
She was unaware that she had covered her mouth with one hand not to cry out until she felt Luke’s fingers gently take hold of her and lower it.
“Please, Luke, I’m asking you again. Don’t go.”
“Not even for you can I stay here. And stay out of this.”
Domini had no choice but to do as he asked when he rounded on Toma.
“Old man, I’m holding you personally responsible for her welfare. Anything happens to her and I’ll come after you.”
“Damn you, boy!”
“I’m not a boy anymore, Toma.”
“I’ll skin your hide and—”
“She already tried that. Remember?”
“Luke,” Matt interjected, coming closer to him. “Let it be. Every time you come back—”
“This’ll be the last time. I’ve come to take my horses. I won’t ever be back again.”
“Now, just hold on, Luke. You owe me.”
“Owe you, old man? I’ve paid your devil’s due more times than I can count.”
“By your reckonin’, not mine. There’s sixty head that you promised to break. Sixty days or thirty if you’re of a mind to kill yourself. You’re already three weeks behind on our deal. I’ve contracted those horses to the army. Now that they’re intending to chase the Indians to hell and beyond, they want them delivered. Those were the terms we agreed on for my care and feeding of your horses till you came back.”
Domini didn’t understand the smug tone of Toma’s voice. Or why Toma goaded Luke with a challenging glare that almost dared Luke to deny their agreement. The strange thought crossed her mind that Toma wanted Luke to stay despite all that had been said here. In the next moment Domini changed her mind. That simply did not make any sense.
Luke clenched his hands at his sides, barely able to hold himself in check. Domini whispered his name very softly. He inhaled sharply, and she thought she heard his breath tremble as he released it. But when he looked at her for a few seconds, she caught the icy glint in his eyes. Then he stared at Toma.
“That was the deal. I suppose you’ve taken my stock and hidden it away to make sure you get yours first.”
“You don’t expect me to admit that, do you, Luke?”
“Why not? Figure a little honesty might curl and shrivel up your tongue? No matter. But old man, don’t ever think you won anything else from me. I’ll break your horses, then I’m leaving.”
Toma lifted his glass in silent salute before he tossed down the last of the liquor.
Domini wanted to stop Luke from leaving her alone. She sensed that he had built a cage around his emotions, one that would break at any time. Perhaps it was because she had done that same thing to her emotions. The only thing that gave her comfort was that Luke would be close by breaking Toma’s horses. Sixty days or thirty if he wanted to kill himself.
The brush of his fingertips against her cheek startled her.
“Remember what I told you, Domini,” Luke leaned close to whisper.
The second the door closed behind him, Amanda slid her arm around Domini’s shoulders. “I cannot apologize enough for you having to witness this. Please, Dominica, you must not be frightened, or believe any of Luke’s horrid lies. No one here means you any harm, child. Luke is wild and unprincipled and—”
“That’s enough, Amanda,” Toma ordered. “Luke is what he is. Like it or not, we all contributed to it. Let Matt show her to a room. You’ve got some answerin’ of your own to do to me.”
“All in good time, Toma.”
“No. Now, Amanda.”
“Very well. Dominica, this is not the welcome I had planned for you. I had hoped—”
“Why did you bring me here?”
“For nothing sinister, I can assure you. This display is best forgotten. We will begin anew.”
Domini found herself reluctant to agree. Even if she had wanted to believe Amanda, what she had seen and sensed for herself could not be ignored. She had to fight the powerful temptation to shrug off Amanda’s surprisingly strong arm around her shoulders and run after Luke. Running would not gain the answers she had hoped to find. Only staying here in this house, with these people, would give her what she needed.
“Dominica?”
“Yes, Amanda. We’ll begin again.”
Domini bent to pick up her carpet bag, the move forcing Amanda to release her, but her fingers brushed the back of Matt’s hand as he lifted her bag.
“Allow me, Dominica. And let me add to my mother’s apology. It’s unfortunate that we didn’t receive word that you have arrived. I would have considered coming down to Florence to fetch you my pleasure. Luke is too wild for his own good. We’ll all make sure that he stays away from you.”
Hemmed in on either side by Amanda and Matt, Domini decided not to answer him. There was a warning beneath Matt’s soft, cultured voice. Until she knew more, she could not defend Luke.
Domini swayed where she stood, overcome by the heat in the room, the heavy musk-rose scent that Amanda wore, and the subtle aroma of bay rum from Matt’s skin.
“Go on an’ get that girl settled, Matt. Your mother has plenty to answer for.”
If Domini had not looked up, she would have missed the look exchanged by Matt and his mother. Amanda’s minuscule nod brought Matt’s free hand to cup her elbow.
“Go along with Matt, dear. Lucy has already set a fire and has a bath waiting for you. The blue room, Matt.” Amanda stepped back and eyed Domini’s clothing. “Tell Lucy to find a gown suitable for dinner.”
“I have a gown to wear, Amanda.”
“I’m sure that the good sisters provided you with the best that they could, dear. It was not meant as an insult, only that you should feel comfortable. We will have all these little matters settled before the evening is over.”
“Damn right we will,” Toma added.
Domini was ready to bolt from the room. She had no desire to be dragged into the thick undercurrents between Toma and Amanda. Any fool could see that Toma was furious with his wife. And she needed time alone to sort out the conflicting stories she had been told.
Matt escorted her from the room, and as she walked beside him, Domini turned once. Amanda stood in the doorway of Toma’s room, watching them. A chilling shiver crawled up Domini’s spine. There was something about Amanda…
“Here we are,” Matt said, opening the last door in the long hallway. He crossed the deep blue and ivory floral-patterned carpet to set her bag down on the bench fronting the four-poster bed.
“I’m sure you’ll be comfortable here, Dominica. Lucy or her sister, Meta, will be in to help you unpack.” He glanced with satisfaction at the newly laid fire that was just beginning to warm the room. Seeing that she was still hesitating by the door, he motioned her inside.
When he repeated his urging, Domini stepped over the threshold. The lightest shade of blue in the carpet was used in the drapery that hung in swags across two windows on her left, where they framed a rough stone fireplace. A settee covered in the same blue color fabric was placed in front of the fire in invitation to enjoy the warmth.
A marble table stood at one end, a silver tray holding a crystal decanter and two glasses resting on top. On the mantel were a pair of silver candlesticks and a delicate statue. Everywhere Domini looked, she saw riches that could have fed the mission’s children for more than a year. She did not belong here. The room did not welcome her, it made her feel smothered.
She hadn’t realized that Matt had come to stand beside her until he took her hand in his. “If you need anything, just pull the cord near the bed. I’ll come and get you to escort you to dinner at eight. Will two hours give you enough time?”
“Yes.” Domini couldn’t imagine anyone needing two hours to bathe and dress. She had certainly never taken that long. Tugging her hand free of Matt’s hold, she stepped away from him. “I’ll manage. And if you’d—”
“Leave?” he finished for her, then smiled.
“Yes.”
“Luke was right. Your honesty is refreshing. I’m sure you’re overwhelmed by all that you heard, just so long as you keep an open mind, Dominica. Your sudden arrival was a shock to my father, and to me. But a most pleasant one.” He ignored Domini’s attempt to evade his reaching for her hand again and raising it to his lips.
“A personal welcome from me to you. I hope you and I shall become friends, Dominica. For a start, that is.”
“I don’t know if that is possible, Matt.” She saw the way his gaze sparked dangerously, only to be quickly banked. The second after his cool lips had touched her skin, she snatched her hand away.
“I think you’d better go.” Domini was hard put to keep the panicked edge from her voice. She was overwhelmed and needed to be alone.
“All right.”
She watched the door close behind him with a feeling of relief, only to start when it opened immediately.
“I’m Lucy,” a young woman announced. “Miz Colfax said I should fetch your gown to be pressed and see if there was anything else you’d be needing.”
Peace. To be left alone. The truth. But the words remained Domini’s silent thoughts. She merely nodded and indicated her bag, uncomfortable with having someone come to help her. And all she could think about was why Amanda had insisted that she come here.