women in these parts, you’d have found yourself a suitably rich husband by now.”
She could feel the warmth rising to redden her cheeks. “You assume a lot, sir.”
“My apologies if I’ve offended you,” Thorne said as he stepped aside and gestured. “After you.”
Spine stiff, steps measured, Charity led the way to the room the family occupied. Behind her she could sense the imposing presence of the man Naomi had called Thorne. He was well named, Charity decided, since he was definitely a thorn in her side—probably to everyone he met. Clearly he was used to getting his own way. Equally as clearly, he was not used to being challenged by anyone, let alone a woman.
He placed his hand on the knob of the door she sought and stood very still.
“May I?” she asked boldly.
“In a moment. First, I must ask for your discretion, particularly regarding my brother’s family. We’re traveling in secret and must therefore guard our true identities judiciously.”
Charity’s chin jutted out, her head held high. “And your point is?”
“Simply that we require your silence. Since you’re a working woman, perhaps a generous gift would help you forget you ever saw us.”
She drew herself up to her full height of five and a half feet, noting that the top of her head, even piled high with her blond curls, barely came to the man’s shoulder. Nevertheless, she was determined to give him a piece of her mind. How dare he try to bribe her!
“Sir,” she said fervently, “I have promised Naomi that I would keep her secret and so I will, but it is because she asked me for my silence, not because your money interests me in the slightest. Is that clear?”
Thorne bowed from the waist as he said, “Perfectly.”
“Good. Because there is a hungry, tired little boy waiting for this food and no bully in a fancy brocade vest is going to stop me from delivering it to him. Am I making myself understood?”
A slight smile started to twitch at the corners of his mouth and Charity couldn’t decide whether or not he was about to laugh at her. Since she didn’t want to spill the milk, she sincerely hoped she was not going to have to balance it and slap his face at the same time for unseemly behavior.
His dark eyes glistened as the smile developed. To Charity’s dismay she found him quite handsome when he wasn’t frowning or trying to appear so menacing.
Averting her gaze she nodded toward the closed door. “May I go in?”
“Of course.” He rapped twice, then paused a moment before opening the door for her and standing back to let her pass.
The child had already fallen asleep on the bed. Aaron stood facing the only window, staring into the street below. Naomi was the only one who looked happy to see Charity. She smiled. “Oh, thank you!”
“It’s my pleasure. I’ll leave this plate on the dresser for your son when he wakes,” Charity said, speaking quietly. “There’s fresh water in the ewer on the washstand. Is there anything else I can do for you?”
She noted Naomi’s nervous glance toward Thorne and sought to ease her fears. “The gentleman and I have come to an understanding, so there’s nothing to fret about.”
Naomi looked as if she were about to weep with relief.
“Rest well,” Charity continued. “I see the men have pocket watches but we also ring a gong for supper so you’ll know when to join us, regardless. Please do.” She eyed the woman’s tailored traveling outfit. “And there’s no need to dress. What you’re wearing is most appropriate.”
“Thank you.” Naomi sniffled. “For everything.”
“It was my pleasure to be able to assist you,” Charity said formally. Stepping closer so she could speak without being easily overheard, she added, “And don’t give that thorny brother-in-law of yours another thought. He doesn’t scare me one bit.”
From behind her a deep voice said, “I heard that.”
Charity whirled and found him grinning at her. “Good,” she said, hands fisted on her hips. “Because the sooner you and I understand each other, the better I’ll like it.”
“I wasn’t trying to intimidate or insult you, madam. I guess I’m too used to dealing with rough seamen.”
“Apparently.” Charity boldly stood her ground. “Listen, Mr. whatever-your-name-is-today, you may be used to having your own way but you can’t hold a candle to some of the folks I’ve dealt with since leaving Ohio.”
Like my late husband, she added to herself. After living through that dreadful marriage and the abuses she had suffered during the journey to California, there wasn’t much that frightened her. Not anymore.
She started past Thorne toward the open door, then paused to add, “You may be a tad overbearing but I can tell you’re not evil. Believe me, I know exactly what that kind of man looks like.”
The flabbergasted expression on Thorne’s face was fleeting and he quickly regained his usual staid composure as she swept past and left the room.
Although Charity couldn’t begin to guess the plight of the little family, she vowed to add them to her daily prayers. Clearly, they were embroiled in some kind of trouble, perhaps dire, and her kind heart insisted she help in some way. If they wouldn’t allow her to render physical assistance she’d simply bring them before her Heavenly Father and let Him do what He would.
A benevolent God had carried her and her sister through many terrible trials and she knew He wouldn’t abandon an innocent little boy and his sweet mother.
The stranger stood outside on the walkway and lit up a cigar. Now that he’d spotted his quarry and knew where they were staying, there was no rush. On the contrary. Given the pleasures of San Francisco’s wilder side he was going to enjoy this part of his assignment. He’d simply post a guard to make sure the Ashtons didn’t leave without his knowledge and stop by to check on their status from time to time. Then, if it looked as if they were going to travel on, he’d be able to follow without being recognized. If not, there would be plenty of opportunity to rent a room at the Montgomery House and take care of business from the inside.
Either way, he and his cohorts couldn’t fail.
Chapter Two
Fashions of the time dictated that both boys and girls wore dresses until the former reached the age of about six. Since Naomi had also chosen to keep her son’s curly dark hair long, it occurred to Thorne that it might be safer to try to pass him off as a girl. Aaron would probably object, of course, but the more Thorne considered the idea, the more it appealed.
He broached the subject as he joined Aaron and the others to go downstairs to supper. “Jacob is awfully pretty for a boy,” he said, smiling and patting the top of the child’s head. “I think it would be safer if we called him Jane, for a while, don’t you?”
As expected, his brother bristled with indignation. “I disagree completely. Think of how confusing that would be, especially for him. We can call him anything
