The day starts hot and wet. The marshland we're in isn't exactly the best place to live and mosquitos are everywhere. I'm drinking my coffee with Sadie and Abigail, when Mis Grimshaw approaches us with a military pace.

"Miss Faraday, let's go! Mr. Williamson is waiting for us" she says.

"Excuse me?" I ask in bewilderment.

"We have to go to the city and clean you up for tonight."

I look first at her and then at Sadie and Abigail with a begging gaze, but they limit themselves to smile and shrug. At the carriage, Molly O'Shea is waiting for us, with her usual princess attitude.

Saint Denis in the morning has a completely different effect. Is a city full of life with gentlemen and ladies walking in the streets and without all those shady figures creeping in the alleys. I might even describe it as pleasant, if it wasn't for the long-lasting smell of coal and oil coming from the factories.

While we drive on the large alley, I look out from the stagecoach and start feeling discomfortable at the idea that I have to overdress myself like an exhibition horse and parade in front of the haughty gazes of the city nobility.

We stop in front of a shop. Getting down the coach, I glance at the windows.

Here we are, I think going inside.

Miss Grimshaw and Miss O'Shea throw themselves on the catalogue and start turning the pages and whisper between them.

"This one" says Molly at the end, pointing at something on the page.

"Follow me" tells me the tailor.

I go inside the dress-room and two maidens start undressing me. First thing they help me putting my shoes on: they're shiny and high. I stumble a little before finding my balance. Then, they make me wear a large petticoat and start tightening the corset. I gasp when they strongly pull the strings. Finally I wear the dress: its dark blue, with a wonderful neckline that highlights… everything. I go out the dress-room paying attention on where I step.

"No, no my dear. Keep your head high and look right in front of you. And then…" says Molly coming next to me and pulling my hair up.

"I think this way's better" she adds to Miss Grimshaw.

"Definitely. We need a necklace, and earrings. Pearls, maybe" she addresses the tailor who nods and goes in the other room.

He comes back after a couple of minutes with what we asked for. Miss Grimshaw helps me wearing everything and then pushes me in front of the mirror. I smile amazed, looking back at my reflection.

I don't look like me, I think making a spin.

When I hear the tailor pronounce the amount for the rent of the dress, I feel a shiver.

"Miss Grimshaw, I… I don't…"

"Hush now, we'll talk at home" she cuts short.

We go back to the carriage. Now, on the seat next to me there's a big packet covered with dark paper. I think again about my reflection on that mirror. Maybe this party won't be a complete nuisance.

The coach driven by Bill stops again in front of a building that could seem anonymous if it wasn't for the colorful sign above the entrance: 'Mrs. Moore Girls'. I get down and look at the two can-can dancing girls painted on it.

"Why are we in a broth…" I start, but Miss Grimshaw shushes me before knocking at the door.

The girl that opens the door has dark hair and eyes and she wears a very low-necked dress.

"I'd like to talk with Mrs. Moore" says Miss Grimshaw.

They let us inside. The smell of incense hits my nostrils and the suffused lightning, in contrast with the outside sun, makes me blind for a while. Mrs. Moore must be around fifty, dark hair, tall and proud. She exchanges a few words with Miss Grimshaw and then nods us to follow her.

Getting upstairs I see a lot of other girls, all with different dresses and different looks. Still unsure of what I should do here, I follow the two women. Miss O'Shea behind me is looking around with a disgusted face.

"You need some girls?" asks Mrs. Moore opening a door and letting us inside.

"No, we're good, thank you" answers Miss Grimshaw walking through the door.

It's a bathroom. Here we find the same suffused light that doesn't allow me to understand the environment, but the bathtub in the center of the room is unmistakable.

"Undress and go inside" orders Miss Grimshaw pointing at the tub.

"W-with you here?" I ask moving my eyes from her to Molly.

"We're all women, my dear" she answers.

My cheeks get warm while I start to take off my clothes. I get inside the hot water and the two women start helping me to wash. Miss O'Shea takes care of my hair while Miss Grimshaw removes all the mud stains from my body, mud I didn't even know was there.

Soap bubbles and rose scent fills the room. When I finish with the bath, Miss Grimshaw starts brushing my hair, thing that appears to be more difficult than I expected.

"If you only did it more often!" she scolds me when I scream for the pain.

Then, Miss O'Shea takes some clean clothes, which I wear. We go outside, pay for the bath and get back in the carriage.

When we arrive at the camp, Dutch walks towards us while we get down the coach.

"I hope everything was fine" he says.

"All good" answers Miss Grimshaw with the packet of my dress in her arms.

Dutch peeks inside it.

"Great. We'll come back at 7:30 this evening. We can't be much late" he says looking at me.

"Come back?" I ask.

"First we have to go to Saint Denis to clean ourselves up and provide us a good suit. We can't make a bad impression by your side."

He winks before going away, making me feel uncomfortable.

"Meet me inside the house in a couple of hours" commands Miss Grimshaw heading to the house.

I take a moment to look at her back while she heads to the house.

A couple of hours of freedom and then the agony will start, I think with a whimper.

A grumble in my stomach reminds me that is lunch time, so I get to the kitchen.

"So? How's this dress?" asks Sadie.

"Breath-taking. Literally" I answer taking some stew.

"Well, let's hope it will be breath-taking for someone else and not only for you" she replies.

"What are you talking about?" I ask looking at her.

"Maybe someone tall, dark, with long hair…"

"Shut up!"


Two hours after, Miss Grimshaw gathers the girls. Abigail and Sadie, thanks to Karen's curling iron, start styling my hair. Miss Grimshaw brings something for the make up while Molly keeps advising me for how to behave. Then, we move to the difficult part: the dress. Miss Grimshaw is even worse than the tailor's maiden.

"To be beautiful you have to suffer" she says when, pulling the stripes, I whine.

When the torture ends, all of them take a step back.

"You look great!" remarks Sadie.

"Is something's missing?" asks Miss Grimshaw.

"Oh! I almost forgot" exclaims Molly taking the little box with the pearls.

"Now you're perfect" says Sadie when I wear the jewels.

Someone knocks at the door.

"They're here" murmurs Kieran peeking inside.

My heart jumps. With all the chaos of the preparation I forgot I actually have to go to the party. My ankles, balancing on the high heels, threat to give up when I take a few steps towards the door.

"Everything will be alright, just remember: high chin and broad smile. And don't forget the titles when you talk with people" says Molly putting a hand on my shoulder.

"And have fun for us, too" adds Abigail.

I take a deep breath and go outside. The sun is down, but from behind the hills it still spreads its light, coloring the air of a pale light blue. I go down the steps being careful not to break my neck.

"Hey beautiful!"

I turn my head and look at Uncle. Behind him Karen, Tilly and Mary Beth watch me from head to toe.

"I must say you really look like someone else. I have to warn you: if I weren't so old I'd probably make you some indecorous proposals" says Uncle.

"Oh, please!" I reply trying to look disgusted, but unable to restrain a smile.

A little bit away, Bill, with an elegant suit, is talking with Micah, Javier and Charles. When they look at me, I feel heat on my cheeks. I lower my gaze and take a step forward.

"Wait, can I?" asks Uncle reaching out an arm to which I grasp.

Even if I'm not looking at them I can sense their eyes on me while I walk towards them.

"You really have worn a dress to dance with the aristocracy" jokes Micah.

Javier looks at me without saying anything. And so does Charles. I make the big mistake to stare back at him. I start breathing with some difficulties and some sudden dizziness makes me lose my balance a little. I bring a hand on my waist looking away.

"Hey, you're okay?" asks Uncle putting a hand on my back to support me.

"Yes, yes of course. It's just this goddamn corset. It's so tight" I say with an embarrassed smile.

"Well, if you want, after the party, you can come in my tent and we can try loosening it a little" says Micah with a smirk.

"Shut up, Micah!" snaps Charles.

"Please, can we go?" I beg Bill trying to ignore them.

"Of course" he replies reaching his arm to me.

"Have a good evening" says Charles.

I turn around and try to smile to him before I walk away.

"Well, look at this beauty!" exclaims Dutch when he sees us coming.

Just like Bill, he's wearing a black suit, but he has a top hat as well. Next to him Arthur and Hosea are dressed likewise.

"You aren't bad either, gentlemen" I joke performing a little bow.

I exchange a smile with Lenny at the driver place.

"They made a great work, those ladies inside" says Arthur.

"I think she added something herself" replies Hosea.

The only reaction I can have is to blush again.

"Come on, let's go" says Dutch giving me a hand to get in the carriage.

He, Arthur and Hosea get in right after me. Bill climbs next to Lenny.

"I think I've never seen you so clean and scented" jokes Dutch on the road to Saint Denis.

"Me neither. I'd dare to say Arthur almost looks like an handsome man" replies Hosea.

We all laugh.

"Oh, come on! Look at us! We are ridiculous!" exclaims Dutch.

"I ain't never been to a ball in my life" says Arthur.

"Nor have I, if I'm being honest" replies Dutch.

"I used to quite often, there could be fine pickings" says Hosea.

"No no no no. No pickpocketing. We are here to make real contacts" Dutch replies.

"What kind of contacts?" asks Arthur.

"Well, I don't know. We'll find what we can. All I know for sure is we are going to a party at the mayor's house and the guest of honor is the worst crook in town."

We all laugh again.

"So I'm sure that we will find something."

When we reach the mayor's house, Arthur helps me to get down the carriage and then I take his arm while we walk towards the gate. Dutch gives our invitation to the man at the entrance.

"I'm afraid the mayor does not allow guns at official functions, after last year incident" he says looking at us.

Next to him there's one of Bronte's boys, I recognize him from the other day. My companions take their guns and give them to the man. After they do so, they turn to look at me. I shrug.

"What? Where was I supposed to put it?" I ask when they all stare at me in bewilderment.

"Luca here will take you to Mr. Bronte. I believe he's expecting you" adds the guard.

"Follow me gentlemen, and lady. Signor Bronte will be so pleased that you made it" says the boy with a foreign accent.

"We are honored to be here" replies Dutch.

We get up the stairs that lead us to the front door, my arm still clenched to Arthur's and my feet starting to beg for help.

The entrance leaves me without breath. If Bronte's house was beautiful, this one has no adjective that could describe it. I stop on the huge creamy carpet to admire it with my mouth open. Right in front of me there's a staircase in mahogany that creates a contrast with the pearl white walls and floor. The columns at our sides go up until they reach the roof from which hangs a marvelous chandelier.

"Can we go?" asks Arthur.

I turn to him and realize he's looking at me, smiling. I nod, smiling in turn, and we go through a little door on the left of the stairs while Luca keeps saying words that I perceive like a distant mumbling, so much I am focused on the things around me.

"Okay. Hosea, Bill, you join the party. We'll meet you out back after we pay our respects to Signor Bronte" orders Dutch when Luca gives him the possibility to talk.

Hosea and Bill stop at the ground floor while go upstairs and out to the balcony from where it's possible to see the party in the garden beneath.

"Ah, the angry cowboys, you've arrived. And look at this wonderful lady" says Bronte before he turns around and says something in italian to his men. Then, he grabs my hand and kisses it.

"It's a pleasure to see you again" he adds.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Bronte" I reply faking a smile.

"This is quite a party you've invited us" says Dutch shaking his hand.

"Yes, quite something, although I'm not quite sure what" replies Bronte.

"So, this is Saint Denis high society?" asks Dutch.

"Yes, apparently so."

"And all these people, these are friends of yours, Signor Bronte?"

"No, no, not quite. But they certainly are afraid of me."

We all look down from the balcony. There must be around a hundred people in the garden.

"Like that one. See that wretch? He's the mayor. Henry Lemieux. He'll do anything for a dollar and I mean anything" says Bronte chuckling with derision.

"Oh, and that one too. That is Alberto Fussar. He owns a sugar plantation out on the island and he comes here to whore and despoil himself. Oh, oh and that…" he adds starting to laugh in a hysterical way.

He keeps pointing another men or two in the crowd, laughing and saying insulting words to them as to mock them, until…

"The redskins" he says addressing two men in the garden.

"I have no sympathy for them because, whoever is stupid enough to be tricked by the Americans, they get what they deserve, huh?"

I instinctively look at Arthur and Dutch and I understand that they don't like this little evil game, either.

"Well… it has been wonderful conversing with you. But I can tell you are very busy and I won't waste anymore of your time" says Dutch in the end.

"Yes, yes, yes go enjoy yourselves and mingle with these vulgar scum. It'll make you long for the days when you could shoot each other and screw cows out on the open range."
A laugh starts from the group of people behind Bronte.

I clench my hand around Arthur's arm before letting him go, turn around and run away from that balcony. I go back inside grasping the railing of the stairs and looking down. I tighten it so much that the back of my hands becomes white.

A few minutes pass before the other two get back to me.

"Are you okay?" asks Arthur.

I nod.

"Dear Mr. Bronte thought you've been offended by his words. I had to tell him you're not used to corsets and that maybe you weren't feeling very well" says Dutch with a reproach tone.

"And you weren't offended? Who he think he is? How dares him to talk like this to me? To us?" I say looking right at him

"You're right, he's not the most pleasant man…"

"Pleasant? He has no respect even for the people he's talking with!"

"But now you have to calm down. Come on, let's enjoy the party" says Dutch putting a hand on my shoulder and pushing me away.

We go bak downstairs and reach Bill and Hosea.

"Something wrong?" asks Hosea looking at my face.

I shake my head and try to smile to him.

"We'll talk later. Arthur, you go and find the mayor. Don't steal anything but information. Hosea, you look for some place to rob. Bill, find us some new friends. I'll try to find out if Cornwall or Milton know where we are" orders Dutch.

"What about me?" I ask without interest in the answer.

The only thing I'm thinking about is put as much space as possible between me and that italian.

"They already saw you with Arthur, so I guess the smart thing to do is keep you two together" answers Dutch.

I take the arm of my partner and together we go down the stairs that lead us in the garden. We walk among the people greeting those who turn to look at us with a nod.

"Do you have any idea where the mayor could be?" I whisper to Arthur.

"He was next to the fountain when I saw him from the balcony."

"That fountain?" I ask pointing at it.

"Yes."

We get closer slowly and introduce in the circle of people around the man with top hat and glasses.

"I suggested that all of us, as Americans, had a duty to take care of people living in this land and that extends to Saint Denis" is saying a man to the house owner.

"Yes, Mr. Miller, but the Indian problem is not urban, it's rural. And here in Saint Denis we already have problems of our own" answers the mayor with a French accent.

"I'm sorry to object, sir. We're not talking about a rural problem, but human. An American problem. We want to finish the century still drenched in the blood and guilt of our sins, or we want to make something better of ourselves?" replies Miller.

Unexpectedly, the conversation interests me and I keep staring at Mr. Miller while he speaks, nodding slightly with my head.

"It seems that you're actually convincing someone with your strange argument, Miller" says a man on my right.

When I turn, I realize he's talking about me.

"With whom we have the pleasure to talk?" asks the mayor to Arthur and me.

"Tacitus Kilgore and this is my wife, Harriette" he answers readily.

"It's a pleasure. So, Mrs. Kilgore, you seem to agree with the affirmations of Mr. Miller here."

I move my eyes from the mayor, to Miller and then to Arthur, who nods encouragingly.

"Yes, yes I think I do. We have already caused some enormous sufferances to these people and I don't see why we shouldn't look for a solution to some of them" I say trying to keep my voice steady.

"You see, Madame, it isn't simple to give my support to their cause without facing some consequences" replies Lemieux in a straightforward but kind way.

"It ain't complex, Lemieux, and only an idiot like you, buddy, would try to make it so" steps in the man between Arthur and Mr. Miller.

We all turn to look at him. He has an idiotic smile on his face.

"I will not deny idiocy, but perhaps now is not the time" replies the mayor abandoning his courtesy.

"Typical pansy" laughs the other.

"You're drunk, Ferdinand."

"I'm not drunk, you fool, but this man… this man loves darkies" he replies putting a hand on Miller's shoulder.

I feel Arthur leaving my arm.

"You are pretty drunk. What's say you and me cool off?" he says taking the man's arm and pushing him away.

I immediately look at the mayor and the rest of the men making a broad smile, just like nothing happened.

"You're husband is quite a direct man" remarks Miller.

"He doesn't like this kind of behavior, especially at a party like this" I reply as an excuse to Arthur's behavior.

"I think no-one likes drunks" adds Lemieux.

He doesn't seem offended from what just happened, so I simply let it go. Arthur comes back a little bit after.

"Thank you, sir" says the mayor.

"My pleasure" Arthur answers.

"I hope you're enjoying my party."

"Yes, that's quite a place you got here" replies Arthur.

"It's not mine and the city is horribly in debt, but we can still put on a good show."

From behind him some fireworks start and catch the attention of all the guests. We move a little closer to watch them better.

"Monsieur, please… Mr. Cornwall was quite insistent, I'm afraid…"

Like me, Arthur turns his head as soon as he hears Cornwall's name. The butler keeps whispering with the mayor for a while before going away.

"Did he say something about Cornwall?" asks Dutch showing up from my left and making me jump.

"I think so" answers Arthur.

"Find out what" orders Dutch.

When Arthur goes away, following the butler, I fix my eyes on the fireworks.

"They really are wonderful, aren't they?" asks Dutch, after a few minutes.

"Yes, beautiful. Bill and Hosea?" I ask in turn.

"Somewhere behind us. You had any luck?"

"Nothing special, but we have a contact with the mayor. Could be useful" I say.

When the firework show ends, Dutch and I turn around as to go away, but Mr. Miller stops us.

"I would like to keep on with our former conversation, given our equivalent opinions" he starts, but then he notices Dutch and silences.

"Oh, of course Mr. Miller. This is our acquaintance…" I say pointing at Dutch.

"Douglas Chambers, the pleasure is mine, Mr. Miller" says Dutch shaking hands with him.

"My husband, Mr. Kilgore, had to leave for a minute, but I don't think he will mind if we start without him."

"Before, you showed a good knowledge of this country and its sins, Mrs. Kilgore. And a lot of humanity for the disadvantaged as well. I was wondering… how far would you go for it?" asks Miller.

"What do you mean, Mr. Miller?" I ask in turn.

I think he's about to ask me to do something.

"A support, a word, a little gesture towards the natives could be of great importance for them and their cause. If one day we'll need a sign on a document or some help for a formal meeting…"

"You can undoubtedly count on my support. And my husband's as well" I say hastily, my only thought right now is to exit from this situation as soon as possible.

"Good. And your friend here, if he shares our opinions…" Miller keeps saying.

"Oh, no doubt, Mr. Miller! I'm convinced that everyone should receive equal opportunities in a free country like this. But, sadly, I think we should go now. I reckon Mrs. Kilgore wants to reunite with her beloved husband" replies Dutch.

"Of course, of course. I wish you a good evening, then."

We head to the entrance, climb the stairs again - not without difficulty for my feet - and reach Bill and Hosea, already waiting for us.

"What kept you?" asks the latter.

"A chat about compassion and human decency. Arthur?" asks Dutch.

"He hasn't showed up yet. You found something?" asks Hosea to all of us.

"Nothing, this town is a waste of time" answers Bill.

"No, I don't think so. I think I have a lead, for a bank. A big bank. But it's not the moment, yet" replies Hosea.

"I've got some interesting movement too. A poker game with some big bettings" says Dutch.

The door behind us opens and Arthur comes out of the house.

"So?" Dutch asks him.

He brings a hand on his pocket and nods.

"Great" smiles Dutch.

"Gentlemen, lady, I think we're done here" announces Hosea.

I take Arthur's arm and we head back to the entrance. The guns we handed over are returned to us and we get inside the carriage driven by Lenny. This time, Bill sits with us while Hosea climbs in the front.

"I ain't never felt so awkward in all my life. All them folks, all so pleased with themselves. High society's pigeon shit. If you ask me, it's more like torture" says Bill as soon as we leave.

"Well, that's sort of the point of it, isn't it? Let the people torture themselves" replies Dutch.

"I kind of liked it. There can be interesting people, like that Mr. Miller" I say.

"So, you're telling me you'd do that again?" asks Bill.

"Oh, no no. I think that will be enough for my entire life" I say rubbing my hurting feet.

"Here's them papers I took" says Arthur handing some documents to Dutch.

"Anybody see you take this?" he asks.

"I don't think so."

Dutch reads them fast.

"I might have an idea, let me think on it" he says at the end.


Hello everybody!

Here I must say something about the poor Molly O'Shea. I hate how everybody treat her, saying she acts high and mighty, because I never had this idea about her. Anyway I made my OC believing it, because the other girls influenced her judgment, of course.

I hope you liked the chapter, it was pretty fun to right.

See you soon.