her thumb on the hidden lever, Bella dropped a six on top of the jack and dealt the two cards as one.
The onlookers moaned in chorus when they saw the six. Sam cursed.
“Six wins,” Bella declared in a casual tone that belied her elation.
No one had bet on six. Quickly she swept the cards into a pile. “The game, it is fini. Better luck another time.”
Seconds later, she and Sam were the only two left at the table. He looked shaken, his dark eyes unfocused, yet haunted. She watched him run an unsteady hand through his hair before trying to collect himself.
With an imploring gaze he stared across the table at her.
“If I didn’t know you better—know how honest you are, I’d be real worried right now. Heartbreak Ranch is all I’ve got.”
Her heart tripped over itself. She almost wavered.
Think of Amy’s future. Think of what would have happened if you had not discovered the truth.
The legendary Bella Duprey would have become the Barbary Coast’s legendary fool.
Sam closed his eyes and groaned.
“Come, chéri,” Bella coaxed, sidling up close to him. “Let us go now up to my suite.”
With both hands planted on the painted tabletop, Sam shoved himself out of his seat and staggered to his feet. “About my deed, Bella...”
“Oui, chéri.” She patted her bodice. “I have it right here, next to my heart, safe and sound.”
Bella helped Sam up the stairs to where Toddy was waiting. Tongue lolling, the dog bounded down the hall, leading the way.
Once Sam was stretched out on her bed, his head turned sideways against the ruffled satin pillow, she crossed the room and lit the lamp on the table next to the window. When the crimps saw the light they would know the time had come.
Next, she knelt beside the old trunk in the corner and lifted the lid. Toddy sat down beside her. With a glance toward the man on the bed, she reached in and took out her life’s work, a personal journal entitled The Art of Fascination. Inside the leather-bound book were the secrets of her success, the information and procedures that had earned her the title of Queen of the Barbary Coast, and had made her a legend.
Lamplight flickered over her meticulously written notes of men’s likes and dislikes, their reactions and responses, as well as the various techniques she employed to enhance their sexual pleasure.
With the help of a Chinese herbalist she had developed recipes for wines, potions, elixirs and scents that worked as aphrodisiacs and stimulants.
Her fingers toyed with the springy curls atop the poodle’s head. Even he had proved useful—giving her ideas about how to control a man’s behavior. Through the years she had discovered that most men responded best to simple commands, just like a dog.
Along with the deed to Heartbreak Ranch, The Art of Fascination would be part of Amy’s inheritance, which was why she’d written it in English. Bella smiled as she slipped the document into the journal, tucked it in among her other treasures and closed the lid of the trunk.
Sam moaned pitifully and doubled up, drawing his knees to his chest. Bella stood and walked over to the edge of the bed and sat down beside him.
“Poor Sam,” she whispered as she smoothed his shining black hair off his forehead. His skin was cold and clammy. He had begun to tremble. He was too far gone to fight her.
Before the crimps came, before Sam lost consciousness, she wanted him to know that she knew of his plans.
“I loved you, Sam,” she told him. “I think I’ll always love you.”
“I’m...sick, Bella,” Sam ground out, his teeth rattling. “G-get a d-doctor.”
Bella smiled sympathetically, then shook her head. “What you have is not fatal, though I was tempted, believe me.”
He stopped writhing long enough to squint up at her.
“What...are you...talking about?”
“The drug I had Felice put in your drink. You’re going to get much worse before you get better. Tomorrow, by the time you regain consciousness, I expect you’ll be on your way to the port of Shanghai. I hope you don’t get seasick on top of everything else.” She touched her fingertips to her lips, then placed them upon his mouth. “I will miss you, mon cher.”
“You bitch!” He tried to raise himself up on his elbow, but collapsed. “You poisoned me?”
“I’m afraid so, Sam. But, as I said, it will not kill you. Although by this time tomorrow, you will wish it had.”
He moaned again.
Bella nodded at him. “I know all about your plan to seduce me, to humiliate me. What was it you called me? A two-dollar—no, a two-bit whore? I assure you, Sam, I am worth far more than two bits.”
His face twisted. “I would have won that bet, too.”
Bella smiled. “I am afraid I will have the last laugh after all.”
Toddy growled at a noise outside. Bella got up and walked over to the window. She pulled aside the Belgian lace curtains, then opened the window. Two swarthy figures appeared out of the fog and crawled inside. The smell of sweat, fish and the sea eddied about them.
“He’s ready,” Bella said, pointing to the bed. “Take him. Quickly. Please.” She was trembling so badly she had to grasp the back of a chair for support.
Unable to watch, she pressed her palm against her heart and headed for the opposite door.
“Come, Toddy.” He pranced across the room to her side. “That’s my good boy,” she said, praising the dog in the honeyed tone she used whenever he did exactly as she commanded.
The crimps took hold of Sam Heart and jerked him to his feet. He retched and vomited on his shining black boots as well as the crimps’ worn ones, earning himself a rap on the side of the head.
“Damn you, Bella Duprey!” Sam cursed. He struggled futilely as the seamen dragged him to the window. “I hope you go to hell for this,” he gasped.
“I think it is you, Sam, who is going to hell.”
Her heart breaking, Bella lingered in the doorway with her fingers clutching the brass doorknob. As the crimps shoved Sam Heart out into the night, the man mustered one last burst of energy.
He lashed out, kicking and swearing. The toe of his boot caught on the edge of the table beside the window and sent the kerosene lamp atop it crashing to the floor.
Glass shattered. Kerosene spilled. Immediately, tongues of orange flame licked up the lace curtains, raced down across the polished wooden floor and encircled the wooden chest.
Horrified, Bella screamed and ran toward the fire. She could think of only one thing—saving her precious trunk filled with memories of the past and hopes
