Chapter 4

Adam lifted Lady Stockbridge down from the railroad coach. The railroad line was now extended to Carson City since Nevada had become a state and Carson City confirmed its capitol. It was becoming a bustling city full of a sense of self-importance.

Adam and Lady Stockbridge had been inseparable on the train and although her maid, a young woman of about 17 years, came to the compartment door a few times, they were left alone to talk and entertain each other. Adam had accused her of pretense, of using "Lady" as a title and she had smiled and asked him what was wrong with that.

"Besides," she added, "it's not pretense, it just gives any man who chooses my company a chance to say that he was with Lady Stockbridge; it's for his sake—not mine." She raised her chin in defiance.

"Yes, I'm sure it is," Adam said with a grin. "And let me ask you, is Giselle your actual name?"

She paused for a moment and then quietly said, "Yes. I never should have told you—I don't know why I did. I so rarely have a moment of weakness." She was now sitting next to Adam, his arm around her and she had her head on his shoulder. He had been playing with her hair that had tumbled down during the night on the train. It seemed to Adam that with the curls falling around her shoulders and her clothing in disarray, she seemed younger, less sure of herself than when her hair wasn't so stylishly fashioned and her clothing wasn't carefully chosen and arranged.

"Why is that weakness? I think it was intentional." He stated, kissing the top of her head. She had an intoxicating scent about her, a warm smell, an odor that promised delights to any man near her—her scent alone could seduce him, he considered. "My guess is that you want something from me—something that is valuable—at least to you and therefore, you want to make yourself valuable to me. You're willing to demean yourself by catering to me sexually so that I will—what? Lose my heart to you? Is that what you're hoping for, Giselle? If you gave me your first name, I could then think of you as my lover, Giselle, instead of the courtesan lady Stockbridge. That's too cold for your intended machinations."

Giselle pulled away. "I do want something from you and I need bargaining power. And yet, you know something about me and I know very little about you." They gazed steadily at each other.

"I doubt that," Adam said. "I'm willing to wager that you know quite a bit about me—much more than what the contract in my wallet told you."

"All I discovered from the contract is that you're part owner of Ponderosa Enterprises, Ltd." Giselle smiled. Adam was going to be quite the adversary and a most delightful one; Giselle always enjoyed a challenge. "But you're right. I had luncheon with an old 'friend' of mine; his heart is bad anymore and he has lost the will for romance—fear of death has changed him immensely. So very sad. Not only has he lost the desire but the ability as well."

"That's probably because you stole his heart and stomped on it before you returned it, but I'm sure that you tried-how can I delicately put it—to rouse him?"

Giselle laughed delightedly and leaned in as if to kiss Adam's dimpled chin but nipped it lightly. "He was grateful for my efforts and when I asked, he gladly told me all he knew about you which, being a banker, was quite a bit. It seems that you and your father, Benjamin Cartwright, and your brothers Eric and Joseph Cartwright, own over a thousand square acres of prime timberland as well as silver mines and a recently discovered gold mine. Your family is very wealthy."

"And you do like money, don't you, Giselle." Adam stroked her smooth cheek. She reminded him of a cat purring contentedly, at least for the moment. But she was always on alert, her muscles tensed. She never even allowed herself to completely release herself to the pleasures of the body. In a manner, Adam felt protective of her; she must have had to survive by her wits to be constantly on the defensive.

"Yes. I do love money. It is, I have found, the most important thing in life."

"No, Giselle, my beauty—it isn't. But you wouldn't believe me if I told you otherwise." He took a deep breath. "Now what is it you want from me?"

"In time, Adam. In time." And she smiled coyly and Adam pulled her to him again; they still had quite a while before they reached Carson City and he knew how they could pleasantly pass the hours.

The porter piled Giselle's portmanteaus on the sidewalk beside her and her maid, Becky, stood behind Adam and her mistress. She looked around but was unimpressed with Carson City after having lived in Baltimore and being witness to what money and men with power could do. But she did understand, although Lady Stockbridge rarely took her into her confidence, that her mistress was in some type of trouble and that it was necessary that they leave Baltimore and go some distance. From what or whom they were escaping, Becky didn't know but wherever Lady Stockbridge went, so did she. So they stood on the wooden sidewalk of a dusty city and waited.

"Welcome home, son," Ben said as he approached Adam, his hand extended. And then he stopped, caught by the sight of the woman beside him.

"This," Adam said as he motioned toward Giselle, "is Lady Stockbridge."

"It's a pleasure," Ben said removing his hat. Although he had seen beautiful women before, knew many lovely actresses and socialites, Lady Stockbridge stirred his blood in ways he hadn't experienced for years. Ben took her proffered hand and kissed it.

Adam half-smiled. It was obvious to him that his father was struck by Giselle and it was as she had intended—that Adam knew. When they were close to Carson City, Giselle had partially put up her hair and intentionally left the top buttons of her traveling suit open. Adam noticed how attractive the hollow of her throat was framed by the open collar—it gave her a touch of vulnerability and a man could imagine placing a kiss there as she stretched her neck back in ecstasy. Adam also noticed when he kissed her throat—being unable to resist the milky flesh-that her pulse was fast; she was excited about something but on the outside she seemed cool and distant. Yet as she looked in the mirror that Becky held for her, Adam, watching her at her toilet, saw that her eyes were almost feverish.

Giselle had yet to tell Adam what she wanted and then it occurred to Adam that it may be because she hadn't quite decided whether to ask it of him or his father. So he watched carefully—not his father but Giselle-as his otherwise dignified father practically kneeled at her feet and offered to have her stay at the Ponderosa.

Adam said nothing but Giselle declined Ben's offer. But, she had added, if he would allow her to ride back with them to Virginia City, she would be appreciative. So Ben loaded her luggage, Adam standing idly by, and two porters loaded the trunks that had been in cargo. Adam gave them each a half dollar and they grinned and tipped their caps. Soon they were off for Virginia City and then the Ponderosa, Giselle sitting between Ben and Adam, Ben taking the reins, and Becky sat in the back crowded in with the luggage.

And Ben was enamored by Lady Stockbridge but Adam was leery.