Golden Paradise (Vincente 1) Page 18

  "She has gone to the dock to buy fish. She doesn't like the fish that comes from the market."

  Evonne plucked at the coverlet in her lap. "I suppose we have to watch our money and spend wisely. I know it must have cost a great deal to have this cabin made livable."

  Valentina avoided her mother's eyes, feeling guilty. She and Salamar had taken every precaution to keep from her mother the fact that she danced at the Crystal Palace. "You aren't to worry about money. I am paid very well. In fact, if there is anything special you want, you have only to say the word and I will get it for you."

  "I didn't think taking care of an eccentric old woman would be your lot in life, Valentina. I want the best of everything for you. When your father comes home, you will stop working immediately."

  Valentina felt her heart plunge, for she despised the lies that stood between her and her mother. She hated keeping the truth from her, but the truth, in this case, would probably bring on a relapse, and Valentina could never allow that to happen.

  Evonne squeezed her daughter's hand. "We will all be happy when your father returns. I wonder if your Senor Vincente has heard anything new about your father?"

  "He isn't my Senor Vincente, Mother . . . and I'm sure if he had found out anything new, he would have let us know immediately."

  "I suppose, my dearest." Evonne's eyes drifted to the window, and she stared outside with a wistful expression. "I miss your father more and more each day. I know he's alive, just as I know he will come home to me. If only ... if only. . . ."

  Valentina barely heard her mother, for her mind was far away. Although she appreciated Marquis's help in searching for her father, she regretted not having demanded more information from him. She could not continue to depend on him and Tyree. She would have to find out for herself what had happened to her father.

  "I have decided to make another trip to the mines and talk to Mr. Udell, Mother," she said at last. "I thought if I could get away that I would go next week."

  "It's dangerous, Valentina," her mother protested. "You know what happened the last time you tried that."

  "I can take care of myself. I want to hear about my father right from Mr. Udell's own mouth. I want him to look me in the eye and tell me what happened to Father."

  "I will worry about you, Valentina. If only there were something else we could do. I feel so lost without your father's guidance."

  Valentina did not want her mother to become depressed and decided it was time to distract her. She reached behind her and picked up a package. With a smile, she placed the parcel in her mother's lap. "I have two surprises for you today. This is the first one."

  Evonne looked puzzled. "What can this be?"

  "Why don't you open it and find out."

  Evonne excitedly ripped the paper aside and held her breath at what she saw. The soft pink gown was embroidered with tiny white roses, and there was a satin sash for the waist. The neck was cut high with a white lace collar. "This is lovely. I'm sure you spent too much money on me. How did you ever come by such a gown in San Francisco?"

  Valentina held the gown against her mother, noting the way the soft color complimented her skin tone. "I found a woman who is a wonder with a needle. Her husband is off searching for gold, and she sews to feed their three children."

  Evonne's eyes sparkled with delight. Standing up, she held out the gown to her daughter. "Do you think I could try it on?"

  Valentina was aware that since discovering her mother's illness, it had been she who had become the strong one. Where her mother had once looked to her father for guidance, now she looked to her daughter. Sometimes Valentina longed for someone strong to lean on herself. She was new at making decisions, for her life had always been ordered for her.

  Pushing her troubles aside, she smiled at her mother. "Indeed you can try it on. That brings me to the second part of my surprise. Doctor Cline said you were well enough to get out of the house for a short time, if you don't overdo. I am taking you out to lunch tomorrow at the San Francisco Hotel."

  Evonne's eyes lit up with happiness. "That will be wonderful. I haven't been out since . . . since—"

  "Tomorrow you are going to be the center of attention. Everyone who sees you will wonder who the beautiful woman wearing the pink gown could be."

  Evonne giggled girlishly. "My darling daughter, no one will notice me with you at my side. You have grown into a lovely young woman. You look very much like I did at your age, but with one exception—you are much more beautiful."

  "Nonsense, Mother. You are the original model that can't be improved upon. I am merely the copy."

  "I have been twice blessed in my life, Valentina. I have the best husband any woman could ever want, and together we produced an exceptional daughter." Valentina noticed that the sadness was back in her mother's voice, and she vowed that tomorrow would be special for her. Nothing was going to spoil it.

  "I suggest that you rest this evening. Tomorrow will be a big day, and I want you to have fun, Mother."

  "What mode of transportation will we use?" her mother inquired as her spirits rose once again.

  "Nothing less than the best," Valentina told her. "Before Salamar went to the dock, she was to find Santiago and engage his services for tomorrow."

  "As I recall, the last time you used Santiago's services, you ended up with the buggy on top of you," Evonne reminded her daughter.

  Valentina laughed. "Let us hope this time it will end differently."

  A serious expression caused Evonne's brow to furrow. "Valentina, why did you never tell me that the Reverend Lawton asked you to marry him?"

  Valentina, on her knees brushing the dust from her mother's pink leather shoes, dropped her head so her mother could not see her face. "I didn't say anything to you about it because it wasn't important. I never for one moment considered his offer."

  "There's something else. Why didn't you mention that we were having money problems?"

  "You were ill and I didn't want to trouble you."

  "I see. One more question and we can close the book on this discussion. I know that everything in San Francisco costs six times what it would anywhere else. How can we afford to live so well? Surely we don't have much money to live on."

  Valentina had known that as soon as her mother grew stronger she would start asking questions. Evonne Barrett was an intelligent woman and not easily fooled. At the same time, she enjoyed the luxury and care Valentina and Salamar were providing. Never a realist, Evonne had always hidden any kind of unpleasantness from herself. She did not want to delve too deeply into the matter of Valentina's employment. She did not really want to learn where all the money had come from.

  Valentina knew if she were going to tell her mother the truth, now was the time to do it. For the first time, Valentina noticed that Salamar had come in. Her eyes were telling Valentina to tread lightly where her mother's feelings were concerned. Valentina realized she wanted to confess in order to ease her own guilt, but if she did it might be at her mother's expense.

  "There is no reason for you to worry about money. We are doing fine," she said at last. "I . . . feel that I earn the money I am paid, Mother." Her heart was aching over the half-truth that had come so easily to her lips. She hoped God would forgive her for deceiving her own mother.

  Evonne's next words made Valentina feel even worse. There was blind trust in the silver-blue eyes that shimmered with tears. "As I said, the subject is now closed. I just had to hear it from your own mouth."

  * * *

  Santiago helped Valentina and her mother into the buggy, beaming all the while. As they arranged their skirts, he climbed aboard the buggy and guided the horses onto the dusty roadway.

  Evonne glanced about her excitedly, her impressions coming in quick snatches. It was so good to be out of the house. The streets were filled with wagons and carts, and people of all nationalities milled about. It seemed there had been a great influx of Chinese laborers lately, giving a strange, foreign appearance to the town.
There were shanties, tents, and shacks—everything made of either wood or canvas—all crowded to overflowing. The storefront windows were stacked with colorful merchandise, and, as they rode, the constant sound of the hammer and saw could be heard.

  The community was thriving—bursting at the seams. Gold fever ran rampant, and men were getting rich off human misery. Even so, there was an excitement in the air. This was a new land, and both women were confident that San Francisco would survive the growing pains to one day become a great city.

  Valentina noticed that she and her mother were stirring up a great deal of interest from the passersby. They received more than passing glances from many of the gentlemen, who did not often get a chance to see two lovely ladies dressed in such finery.

  When the buggy stopped before the San Francisco Hotel, Santiago jumped to the ground and helped both ladies down. After Valentina told him to return for them in an hour and a half, he hopped in the buggy and disappeared down the street.

  The inside of the dining room was surprisingly elegant. The walls were filled with reproductions of old masterpieces, and the tables were covered with snowy white tablecloths and laid with silver and crystal. The clientele was obviously upper class—the men and women of the elite San Francisco society.

  All eyes followed Valentina and her mother across the room as a stiff headwaiter showed them to a table. Valentina could feel everyone staring at her, so she looked neither to the left nor the right.

  After they had ordered lobster with butter sauce, Valentina observed the excited flush on her mother's cheeks. The doctor had been right—this outing was doing her a world of good. As Valentina scanned her mother's lovely face, she was glad to see the illness had left no mark. She was as pretty as ever.

  "This room reminds me of a hotel your father and I stayed at in India."

  "Are you having fun, Mother?" Valentina asked, changing the subject, fearing her mother would become sad again.

  "Oh, yes, dear. The only thing that would make this day complete would be if your father walked in that door right this moment."

  Valentina instinctively glanced up at the door and her eyes collided with a man who had just entered. It was Marquis Vincente! When she saw he was with the same woman he had brought to the Crystal Palace that first night, Valentina licked her dry lips and quickly turned away. Confusion and hurt waged a battle within her. Marquis had lied to her. He had said he would be out of town for at least a week. Valentina stared down at her gloved hand, realizing he did not even know she had caught him in a lie, because he did not know she was Jordanna.

  Daring another peek in Marquis's direction, Valentina watched the waiter lead him and the woman across the room. To her horror, she saw that the waiter was taking them to the table next to hers.

  Out of politeness, Marquis paused at their table and bowed stiffly before moving away.

  Valentina nodded slightly then turned away herself. She knew Marquis could hardly engage her and her mother in conversation while he had his mistress with him. She felt an ache in her heart, as if he had betrayed her, yet she did not know if it was Valentina or Jordanna he had betrayed.

  "Valentina, isn't that Marquis Vincente?" her mother asked, moving forward and lowering her voice.

  "Yes, it is," Valentina answered. Her mind was in a turmoil. Apparently Marquis preferred to be with that woman rather than with her.

  When a shadow fell across the table, Valentina glanced up to see Tyree standing over them. "Pardon me for the intrusion, Miss Barrett, but I wanted to pay my respects."

  Valentina smiled cheerfully, grateful for Tyree's distraction. "I am pleased that you did, Mr. Garth. May I present my mother to you. Mother, this is the man who has been so kind to me. He has made several inquiries about Father for us."

  Evonne offered her hand to Tyree. "If what my daughter says is true, Mr. Garth, you have my eternal gratitude."

  Tyree glanced from one woman to the other, thinking that San Francisco had rarely had two such beautiful women to grace her shores. While Valentina's beauty was blossoming with youth, her mother had the radiance of the full-grown flower. Each had a classic beauty that would only be enhanced with age.

  "I can assure you I have done nothing, Mrs. Barrett. However, I would like you both to think of me as a friend."

  "Won't you join us for dinner, Mr. Garth?" Evonne offered.

  Tyree smiled at Valentina. "Perhaps you should tell your mother that it isn't considered wise for a woman to be seen in my company."

  Valentina's eyes were warm with laughter. "What Mr. Garth wants me to tell you, Mother, is that he is the proprietor of the Crystal Palace."

  Evonne looked shock for just a moment, but she quickly recovered. "I can assure you, Mr. Garth, that my daughter and I will never snub one who has so graciously offered his help to us. That would be the epitome of hypocrisy. My offer still stands if you would like to join us. If you but knew it, I have a past that might shock you.

  Tyree chuckled and seated himself at the table. "How can I refuse such an intriguing invitation. I wonder, would you consider telling me about your secret past, Mrs. Barrett? I can assure you I am a man who knows how to keep a secret." His eyes met Valentina's. "Do you trust me, Miss Barrett?"

  Valentina stared into laughing eyes. "With my life," she answered.

  Tyree felt the warmth of Valentina's gaze. Feeling almost light-headed, he quickly turned to the mother. "Will you share your secret with me? As you can see, your daughter trusts me."

  Evonne took a sip of wine and smiled at the young man. She could tell he was thoroughly enchanted with her daughter. He looked something of a rake, but that made him all the more charming in her eyes. Lowering her voice, she motioned for him to lean closer. "I was once a dancer," she admitted. "On the stage."

  Tyree's eyes moved to Valentina, and he saw shock register on her face. Smiling to himself, he nodded. "I can well imagine you were a wonderful dancer."

  Valentina was completely surprised that her mother would admit to having been a dancer in the past. She felt the need to defend her mother's reputation. She did not want Tyree to think her mother had danced in a saloon. "My mother was once a very famous dancer in Europe. She was a prima ballerina."

  Tyree caught the guarded look on Valentina's face. "I have only recently seen a ballerina dance, Mrs. Barrett. I can assure you it is by far my favorite dance." He leaned back and studied the mother. "Tell me about your dancing career."

  As her mother continued, Valentina could feel Marquis's eyes burning into her. Looking past Tyree's shoulder, she saw what appeared to be anger on his face. The woman beside him had leaned across the table and had taken his hand, but he was not listening to her. He did not seem at all pleased that Tyree had joined Valentina and her mother. Valentina wondered why.

  "How much of San Francisco have you ladies seen?" Tyree asked, disrupting Valentina's thoughts.

  "Not very much, I'm afraid," Evonne admitted. "I have been ill, and my daughter has a job as companion to an elderly woman."

  Tyree raised his brow at Valentina, and, as usual, the humor danced in his eyes. "Indeed. What a fortunate lady to have your daughter as a companion." Suppressed laughter curved his lips. "I will have to show you my city after we have eaten."

  Lunch was an uncomfortable affair for Valentina. She was aware of Marquis's brooding silence, and she tried to pretend indifference, for she could not let him discover she was wise to his lies. Despite her efforts, her anger rose so near the surface that she was afraid to look at him.

  After they had eaten, Valentina and her mother moved across the room while Tyree stopped briefly to speak to Marquis and Bonita. "Well, I'm off to show two very charming ladies San Francisco, Marquis. I trust you two will fare well without my company."

  Marquis ground his teeth. "I am sure you will make the most of it, Tyree. As I recall, you were supposed to have lunch with Bonita and me."

  "I apologize, but I couldn't turn down such a charming invitation, my friend." Tyree gri
nned. "You can't have every lovely lady that crosses your path. You have to save a few for the rest of us poor devils." Chuckling to himself, Tyree winked at Bonita and strolled away to join Valentina and Evonne Barrett.

  Tyree's horse trotted along beside the buggy driven by Santiago. After they had climbed a steep grade, he instructed Santiago to halt the buggy so he could show Valentina and her mother the spectacular view of San Francisco. Steering the ladies to the edge of the hill, Tyree pointed out the places of interest.

  "The town grew almost overnight from the sleepy little village of eight hundred people that it was in 1847 to the thriving beehive you see now. There are more than a thousand people and only two hundred buildings. You guess where they all live, because I assure you I don't know. Most of the buildings are wood and, in my estimation, too close together. It doesn't take much imagination to realize the fire hazard they represent. It would be advantageous to all concerned if they built with fire safety in mind."

  "I hadn't thought of that," Evonne said, allowing her eyes to move over the town. "I know that London was almost wiped out by fire at one time."

  "That is just one aspect of the town. If you will look toward the waterfront, you will notice the many deserted ships that ride at anchor. Their captains and crews have deserted for the lure of the gold fields. Some lie low in the water and will eventually sink. Notice how some of the ships are listing at crazy angles with their masts and riggings entangled with nearby ships."

  Valentina watched one ship riding at anchor, rolled half on her side and dipping drunkenly with the motion of the waves. She caught Tyree's eye, listening with interest as he continued.

  "In the holds of many of the ships is rotting cargo that will never be unloaded. It's been estimated that over two hundred empty ships strain at their anchors since their captains and crews have abandoned them."

  "I'm sure there is nowhere on earth like California," Evonne speculated. "And believe me I know, because Ward and I have seen most of the world. This is a paradise, or could be. My husband told me of great waterfalls and giant trees that are wider than a house. Man is a great spoiler. If he isn't careful, he will spoil this lovely land."