Chapter 47: Galerie Laurent

"Lilly, you look radiant," Dutch said as he kissed his daughter's cheek. "Absolutely beautiful."

"Aww shucks, Pa," she said in a southern accent.

Dutch and the other men laughed. "Alright boys. Arthur, go find the mayor if you can, and stay outta trouble. And steal nothin' unless it's information."

"Of course," Arthur said, kissing Lilly on the cheek. "Look for me later."

"Okay," she said as she watched him go.

"Hosea, you go find us some place to rob. Bill, go find us some new friends. Lilly, we should talk before I go do anythin'," Dutch said.

When Hosea and Bill left, Lilly joined Dutch at the railing. "So, how was your conversation with Bronte?" Lilly asked with not much enthusiasm.

"The man is a bigot and an ass," Dutch laughed. "How did you ever put up with that?"

"I just ignored it. So did my brother."

Dutch tilted his head. "Right. Your brother worked for him." Dutch cleared his throat. "Listen, uh, he wants to speak with you."

Lilly groaned. "Dammit."

"I know. If you don't want to, I'll understand."

"No, I better, or he'll come find me and possibly cause a scene." Lilly kissed Dutch's cheek. "I'll be back. Boys, go on and mingle."

The boys went down the stairs and Dutch laughed. "They really do understand you, don't they?"

Lilly laughed and patted Dutch on the shoulder. "You have no idea."

Lilly left Dutch to his own devices as she ascended the steps inside the house. She got to the other balcony where Bronte was waiting for her. "Ah, Mrs. Morgan. A pleasure to see you again."

Lilly feigned a smile. "Quite."

Bronte motioned for his men to leave and Lilly stood next to him. "So, I hear you are having twins. Congratulations."

"Thank you."

"How?" Bronte asked.

"How what?"

"Don't play dumb, Lilly. It is beneath you."

Lilly glared at him. "You wouldn't know what's beneath me."

"Hmm. But really, how?"

Lilly chuckled with a scoff. "I guess your boys didn't do a good enough job of beatin' the fertility right outta me."

"So it would seem. What other secrets do you have?"

"None of your damn business."

Bronte laughed. "Ha, still the same fire. I missed that. And I missed you."

Lilly rolled her eyes. "Clearly, since you decided to put a price on my head."

"As I said, for your safe return."

Lilly shook her head. God, this man. "What makes you think I'm not safe?"

"You're wanted in three states. Can Arthur keep you safe?"

"I think you know I can damn well keep myself safe. You had me trained very well."

"Yes," Bronte said with a laugh. "You were my best student, you know."

"Of course I was," Lilly smirked. "I'm just that great."

Bronte laughed again. "Yes you were. Do you remember the pranks you played on my staff? Those were the best."

Lilly couldn't help but snort at the memories, then she cleared her throat. "Yes I do."

"I think the best one was when you dressed up that mannequin and threw it off my roof."

Lilly shook her head with a soft smile. "Yes. The looks on their faces was priceless."

Both of them laughed. "See, it wasn't all bad, was it?" Bronte asked. "It would be nice to have that back."

Lilly arched a brow. "I'm not a kid anymore."

"I meant with your two bambinos." Bronte smiled at her. "Sarebbe bello avere bambinos che corrono di nuovo in giro." [It would be nice to have children running around again.]

"Heh. You know, there ain't anythin' you can say or do to get me to come back. You killed my brother. I have not forgotten that."

"Hmm. And I have not forgotten your promise. What's stopping you from doing it now?"

Lilly rolled her eyes. "Like you even need to ask. You know why."

"I was testing you. Always in the shadows, never in public, but you could always make an exception."

Lilly leaned against the railing and glared at Bronte. Their eyes met and it hardened Lilly's determination. "I could, but I have a more specific plan for you in mind."

"Such as?"

"Ha, I'm not stupid enough to tell you that." Fireworks went off in the distance and took them away from the conversation. Lilly gazed out at them and smiled. "Those sure are pretty."

"Yes, they are. A little loud, though."

"Heh. Your hearing still good in your old age?" she mocked.

Bronte laughed loudly. "You and your jokes."

Lilly wheezed a laugh. She was enjoying this too much and she cleared her throat again. She saw Arthur following a servant and she sighed. "Well, if there is nothin' else?"

"I heard you were flogged, Lilly. Is that true?"

Lilly sighed and turned her back to him. Her dress was low enough to show some of the scars. "What do you think?"

When she shifted back around, Lilly was surprised to find a sad look on Bronte's face. "Those look awful."

"Yeah, but they're just scars." Lilly's mouth scrunched up. "How are you gettin' this information? You got some old lady with a crystal ball or somethin' hidden somewhere?"

Bronte giggled. "No. I pay well for information."

"I see."

"And Leviticus Cornwall is still after you as well?"

"...Yes."

"Can you protect yourself from him too?"

Lilly huffed. "Leviticus Cornwall is a delusional old bastard who thinks I'm some sort of reincarnated goddess. He was once my uncle, but not anymore."

"Your uncle? You mean your Uncle Levi?"

"Mmhmm." Lilly gave a high pitched hum of an answer.

"Sapevo che era pazzo, ma non così." [I knew he was crazy, but not like that.]

Lilly sighed. "Neanche io. Non ne avevo idea finché non ha provato a bruciarmi sul rogo come una maledetta strega." [Me neither. I had no idea until he tried to burn me at the stake like a cursed witch.

Bronte's eyes widened. "He tried to kill you twice."

"With the flogging, as well. I had been poisoned."

"You were poisoned?! How are you still alive?"

"I got better," she said with a shrug.

Bronte's brow wrinkled as he smirked. "Lilly, you always were a horrible liar."

"Lilly?" She heard Arthur say behind her. "You ready to go?"

Lilly almost sighed in relief but then she heard a growl. She saw the look on Bronte's face and felt the urge to smile as he looked almost terrified. She turned around to see Brian and James, the fur on their backs raised and their teeth showing.

"Éasca, Deartháir Mór agis Deartháir Beag. An díoltas a bheidh againn go luath," Lilly promised. [Easy, Big Brother and Little Brother. We will soon have revenge.]

Brian and James backed off and Lilly turned to Bronte. She gave a small curtsy before leaving with Arthur and the boys. As the descended the stairs, Arthur held her hand. "You okay?" he asked her.

Lillu squeezed gently. "Yes, I'm okay."

The couple and the wolves met up with Dutch and the rest of the group. "Guys, I think we're done here," Hosea said with a warm smile.

The group turned amd walked through the house. "What did you find out?" Dutch asked Hosea.

"There's plenty of money moves through here, of course, and I think I found out how we can grab some of it."

Lilly wasn't paying much attention as she considered all that happened that night. What worried her more was the Native American, Eagle Flies. Why was he so interested in her and the wolves? His father, Rains Fall, explained that animals, especially wolves, were of great importance to all Native American tribes as one of family, healing, and hunting. Lilly had all three of those things going on for her, so perhaps there was something to that myth. Arthur said something to her as they walked and she looked at him with a confused expression. "Sorry, what?"

"I said are you sure you're okay?" Arthur asked.

"Yes. Just...do you remember those three Indian fellas that was watchin' us a while back? When we were first comin' down to Horseshoe Overlook?"

"Yeah, why?"

"One of them was here and he seemed pretty pissed off about me havin' Brian and James around."

"Jesus. Anythin' else?"

"Not really. His father was nice."

"And Bronte? What were you doin' up there?"

Lilly shut her eyes. "He wanted a moment of my time. We talked for a bit about the past and bad shit that happened to me. Includin' what he had done to me."

Arthur paused with her. "Ní féidir leat insint dom?" [You can't tell me?]

Lilly sighed. "Ní anseo. Sa bhaile." [Not here. At home.]

"Okay."

They walked once more amd Lilly pet her wolves. "I came here on Liath. Meet you at home?"

"Yes."

Lilly kissed her husband and watched him ride away in the carriage. "Come on, boys."

Lilly, still in her dress, was sitting on the bed waiting for Arthur. It was time for her to tell him everything. She couldn't keep it all inside anymore and, well, he was the one person she could trust with her life story. Arthur entered the tent with a smile. "Hey there, beautiful."

Lilly smiled back at him. "Hello, handsome man of mine."

Arthur undid his white bowtie and sat down next to her on the bed. "Do you need help gettin' the dress off?"

"Yes, but Arthur..." Lilly took a deep breath as she began to take out her earrings. "I think it is time."

"For?" he shook his head with a puzzled expression.

Lilly held his hand. "For you to know things."

"Which things?"

"Everything."

Arthur's eyes widened. "Everything?"

Lilly gave him a bottle of bourbon. "You are going to need this." She stood up and began pacing back and forth. "So, you know why I want that man dead. To avenge my brother, yes?"

"Yes."

"Okay, but what you don't know is that I was a student of his in a special...school. A school to train us in certain skills, like hunting, fighting, even pickpocketing and...ultimately, killing. Only a dozen of us made it in there, and one of the requirements was to be sterilized. The boys were supposed to be done at age nine, the girls at seven. I refused the procedure. So..." Lilly paused to put her earrings in her mother's jeweley box. Her back was to Arthur.

"So? What happened?"

Lilly shuddered, remembering it all a little too well.

Lilly took another hit to the stomach as two men held her up by her arms. The man beating her up then hit her in the face. Lilly grunted as blood trickled down the corner of her lip. The beating took place in a small assembly room in Bronte's house. Most of the other students watched, and were forced to watch as Lilly took her beating. But she would not break, even when they beat her so bad, her womb became scarred and broken for the rest of her life. Even though Bronte ordered it to make an example of her, he still visited her in the hospital each day and he always brought flowers with him.

"I am sorry it came to this, Lilly," he said.

Lilly looked away from him. "Why would you make everyone watch, Papa? You know all the other kids hate me. They won't let me live it down."

"That is the point. To make you stronger, my daughter."

"You mean so they can try to beat me up more?" Bronte sighed and put a hand on the girl's arm but she shrugged him off, still not looking at him. "Get out."

The door opened and shut and Lilly began to cry quietly.

"Things were different after that. Brian wasn't even there when it happened. He'd been sent out to..." Lilly took a shaky breath in. "...to collect debts."

Lilly saw Arthur frown in the mirror. She took off her gloves. "And then what happened?"

"I...the three men that beat men...to appease me, Bronte forced me to torture and kill them. Slowly."

Arthur's face in the mirror was one of restrained frustration. "Go on."

"Brian was lied to about my beating." Lilly removed her necklace and began to undo her braids. "He was told I got beat up by some school kids, but he didn't believe it. And...I was loyal to Papa, even after all that, so I kept my mouth shut, but he found out and he was so furious, he...well, he hit Bronte in the face, threatened him, and said that he and I were leaving Saint Denis to get away from all this. And...Bronte tried to...he ripped my dress and tried to..." Lilly leaned on the vanity table and bowed her head. "Do things to me. Right in front of Brian."

Arthur kept himself on tje bed but Lilly watched his hands grip the sheets tightly. "I'm listening."

"I hurt Bronte with a kitchen knife during...that, so as punishment, he ordered Steven and Travis to make me watch Brian get beaten and shot. But we had a back up plan for me to get out of there."

"What was that?"

"He made me promise to run once they were done with him. So I did that. I ran. I ran to the one place I knew I'd be safe. Mr. and Mrs. Bartleby's house."

"Who were they?"

"Mrs. Bartleby was Bronte's cook. I lived with that man for two years and she was the only staff member who didn't quit."

"Why'd the others quit?"

Lilly laughed. "Because if all the pranks I'd play on them."

Arthur burst out laughing. "Yes, your pranks can get pretty bad."

"Yes, they can."

"So, what happened next?"

Lilly's hands tightened into fists and she stood up straight. "You've been in town. Ever hear about The Fidus Et Audax Hunter?"

Arthur stood up from the bed. "No but that's your family motto."

"Yep."

"You...why were you given that name?"

"Because when I was done hidin', under the Bartleby's house, after Bronte kept sendin' his men to find me, I...I broke. I broke and I went and killed his men. So many men," she shook her head and put her back to him. "I killed fifty three men in two months while always leaving my mark "Fidus Et Audax" in their blood. After a while, I got the name."

"Why hunter?"

"Because I only killed at night and it was mostly in dark alleys that I killed my pr...my victims."

Arthur wrapped his arms around her. "I am so sorry, darlin'."

"I was a serial killer, Arthur. I was only seven and they were just practice. But I was seven."

Arthur held her tighter and kissed her shoulder. "I know. Sean, he...he told me all about that, but I'm glad you told me anyway. But how did you get from there to Blackwater?"

"I snuck into his house to kill him, but in exchange for his life, he told me where Steven and Travis went. I escaped and Sean helped me get on the first train out of Saint Denis."

"He stayed behind?"

"To make sure I'd get outta there, yeah. He made a promise to Brian to look out for me. But before I left, he told me about Craig and said I could trust him. So when I got to Blackwater, he's the first guy I went to for information."

Arthur rocked her side to side as he kissed her neck again. "And then you found them?"

"Yes."

"And you got the watch, they tried to get you, and?"

"Then I ran into Dutch, stole his wallet, ran into you, stole your wallet, then ran into the theater," Lilly said, giggling.

Arthur wheezed out a laugh. "And you stole my other things when you knocked me down, huh?"

"Yep."

"You little sneak."

Lilly giggled and kissed Arthur's hand. "You guys saved me in more ways than one, Arthur. Not only did you, Dutch, and Hosea save me from gettin' kidnapped, you guys saved me from myself, too. I don't know where I'd be without yas."

Arthur turned her around and put his lips to hers. "I understand that this was hard for you to talk about, but...why change your mind now?"

A tear ran down Lilly's cheek. "It was my fault that Brian died. That's what made it so hard, and that's why I kept it bottled up this whole time. But seein' Bronte again reminded me that it wasn't my fault. It was Bronte's god damn fault."

Arthur frowned and kissed her tear away. "I'm sorry, Lilly. So, so sorry you went through all that...are you okay?"

Lilly started trembling and the tears came flowing. "I don't know," she sobbed.

Arthur held her close and shushed her. "I hate seein' you cry."

Lilly buried her face into his shoulder. "I know but I can't help it. The bairns make me so emotional."

Arthur chortled and kissed her cheek, rubbing her back as he comforted her. "Ah, mo stór, mo grá, mo chúis maireachtála..." [my darling, my love, my reason for living...]

Lilly sniffled. "Mo chuisle, mo bithiúnach, mo fhear céile le croílár leon." [My pulse, my reprobate, my husband with a lion core.]

Lilly cried for a few more minutes before wiping her eyes and sniffling again. Arthur pulled out a hankerchief and put it on her nose. "Blow your nose." Lilly blew her nose and Arthur dried her tears. "There you go," he cooed. "There's my girl."

Lilly chuckled. "You're so paternal."

Arthur laughed. "Gonna have to be when the babies come." He put a hand to her belly. "Now, let's get some shut eye, huh? I'm takin' you out tomorrow. You need a nice expectin' momma day, mo bhean chéile cróga." [my brave wife.]

Lilly laughed as Arthur put his hanky on the vanity table. "I don't feel so brave," she said.

"Oh you are. You stood up to that greasy bastard quite a bit so you're brave in my book."

The next day, Arthur took Lilly out to Saint Denis for some ice cream and she thoroughly enjoyed it. She even took the opportunity to combine pickles with it, but it ended in a small disaster of Lilly almost vomiting. It made Arthur cackle with glee. They walked around some more and eventually ended up on Gasper Street and running into Brother Dorkins. There was a nun there teaching young boys how to read. Lilly and Arthur approached.

"Hello again, Brother Dorkins!" Lilly said enthusiastically.

Dorkins got up with a smile. "Sister, this is Mr. and Mrs. Morgan. My friends."

"Oh!" The nun got up. "Sir, ma'am," she came and shook their hands. "Brother Dorkins told me about the wonderful thing you did," she said to Arthur.

"Oh, he talks a lot of nonsense, no offense," Arthur said with a small chuckle.

"None taken."

Lilly noticed one of the kids grabbing the nun's crucifix. He went to run but Lilly grabbed him and the crucifix. "Hey there, chiseler. Where ya off to in such a hurry?"

"Let me go!" the kid yelled.

Lilly took the crucifix from him and let him go. "Alright, who does this belong to?"

The kid went to hit her in the stomach but Arthur clasped his hand on the kid's arm. "You try that, kid, and I will break your arm off," Arthur snarled. Lilly's eyes widened in shock from the ferocity of Arthur's glare. Oh boy. Lilly cleared her throat and Arthur let go of the boy.

Lilly sighed as she gave the crucifix back to the nun. "Now, uh, we should get goin', Arthur."

"Thank you, Mrs. Morgan. You both are wonderful people," the nun said.

"Oh. Um, thanks," Lilly chuckled. "Arthur, let's go, dear."

Arthur gave the kid one last glare before looking at his wife. As they walked away, Lilly could hear Brother Dorkins explaining Lilly's pregnancy. She looked back and saw the boy looked ashamed...as he should be. Lilly looked at Arthur with a smile. "So protective, mo chuisle."

Arthur sighed and held her arm. "Yes I am."

"C'mon, let's go find Charles' exhibition. You think he'll have our painting in it?"

"I hope to God it's not."

"So, did you boys find any information at the party?"

"Yes. A bank job, a trolley station, and a river boat with a poker game."

Lilly groaned. "Ugh, not another feckin' boat."

Arthur laughed. "Relax. Dutch won't be doin' that one."

The couple eventually got to "Galerie Laurent", the place where Charles said his exhibit would be. They walked up the stairs to the ticket guy. "Enjoy the show...if it's possible," he said.

Lilly chuckled. "Oh, um, is it okay if they come in?" she asked, motioning to the wolves.

"Oh sure. They're more than welcome!" the man said with a smile. "Heard about 'em around town!"

Lilly smiled, thanked the man, and they went in. Lilly looked around the first area and tried not to bump into a fighting couple. In the second room, though, Lilly stopped. "Arthur, look! It's Mr. Masons pictures!"

Arthur chuckled. "Oh yeah. Huh, they did come out pretty goo-"

"What's wrong?"

Arthur pointed to one photo and Lilly laughed as they walked to it. "That's us! I'll be damned!"

"Ha! Now we're in two pictures, boys," Arthur said to Brian and James.

"Hey, there's one of just you!"

"Yeah, heh heh heh." Lilly spotted Charles and the painting next to him. Lilly started giggling hysterically. "What now?"

"You hoped to the wrong God." Lilly wheezed out a laugh.

Arthur took a look and immediately blushed. "Ah, shit. I can't do this."

Lilly grabbed his arm. "Oh c'mon, just a few minutes, okay? It'll be fun. Just look at all those people. So disgusted," she laughed.

Arthur groaned. "Fiiine..."

The two with the wolves made their way to Charles who waved casually at them with a cigarette between his fingers. "Look at these idiots," Charles said.

Lilly stared at their painting. "Wow. I know I saw it before but now that it's dry, it looks even better. Arthur! Yer arse looks fantastic!" she said while biting her lip.

"Shut up, woman," Arthur said begrudgingly.

Lilly spotted an angry lady in a blue petticoat coming their way and she backed up next to the painting. "Excuse me, Mr. Châtenay." She turned and pointed at one of the pictures. "Couldn't you have painted some...oh my." Lilly grinned a bit as the lady looked between their painting and the couple repeatedly. "That...those are you two?"

"Yes," Lilly beamed. "We're also photographed in the other room, too, by the way."

"The nerve of your depravity!"

Lilly bit her lip to keep herself from laughing. "Well, ma'am, maybe if ya was more comfortable in your own skin, you wouldn't be so upset."

Arthur turned away with a flushed face and a smile he was trying so desperately to hide. "Couldn't you have painted some drawers on her?!" The woman pointed back to a different painting.

Charles sighed and walked leisurely with the woman to the painting in question. "Madam, I paint her in her natural state. As she was and will be in paradise."

"There's nothing natural about that!"

"Clothes are civilization, repression, death. To be naked is to be free, innocent, alive. Like Buddha said, you know, we are all just here to fuck."

Lilly snorted and pressed her face into Arthur's arm. "Is fear beag greannmhar é seo." [This is a funny little man.]

The lady gasped. "Well, that explains the decadence of those hottentots."

Arthur and Lilly looked at each other with amused expressions. "Hottentots?" they both mouthed.

"Hey, you got a picture of my wife here! In her...delicates!" one man yelled.

Lilly covered her mouth while Arthur pivoted at the waist to hide his face even though his chest was bouncing to contain his laughter.

"Henry, is that your behind? Why would you be showing it to that man?" A lady screeched.

Lilly shut her eyes and bent at the waist, quietly going into hysterics.

"That's my momma! As nude as the day she was born!" another man shouted.

Arthur started guffawing and Lilly buried her face into his shoulder to muffle her laughing.

"Stop lookin' at my husband's buttocks!"

"Stop lookin' at my momma!"

Lilly and Arthur started getting vocal with their laughing.

"Well maybe she shouldn't have exposed herself like that!"

"That's disgusting!"

"The nerve on you!"

"That's it!" Lilly heard glass break and she turned to see an all out brawl start to take place. She was almost in tears from laughing so hard. "Oh my God," she giggled.

"Come on, Mildred. This is no place for us!"

"Come here! Son of a bitch!"

The woman from before scowled at Charles. "You filthy little man!" And she knocked him down with her purse. Lilly fell to the floor laughing as Arthur went over to help Charles up. Arthur was cackling like crazy. "Come on, Horace, we're leavin'!"

Charles ran out of the room. "Hey! I'm comin' after you, Frenchy!"

Lilly motioned to the boys. "Boys, go guard the little French man please," Lilly cackled.

Arthur shoved the man away as the two wolves went running after Charles. Arthur engaged into a fight but Lilly couldn't stop laughing.

Later that day, Lilly decided she wanted to go hunting. She was feeling energetic, but Arthur was less enthused about joining her, at least if the wolves were joining her. So, Lilly went to go catch some food. Her and the boys tracked a small gathering of boars. At least three of them were worth killing for their pelts. Lilly loaded up three arrows and set her bows to work. The pair separated to stalk either side of the small sounder. Lilly drew back her arrows as Brian and James came running to cut off their escape from behind and the boars took off towards her. She let the first shot fly and it embedded itself in the skull of her first target. The other two were released and they both hit home on her other two quarries.

"Woo!" she yelled, standing up and jumping. "Good job, my brothers!" Lilly ran to one of the dead boars and took out the arrow. She skinned it then took the pelt and placed it on Doc's rear. "Go ahead and eat, brothers. You earned it."

The wolves immediately came running and chowed down on the dead carcass. Lilly skinned the other two and took all the meat she could carry. As she was packing it up, she heard screaming off in the distance. Lilly got up immediately and the boys lifted their heads. "Brian, James, see where it's coming from."

The boys headed north and Lilly followed on Doc. She saw campfire smoke due northeast and she increased the horse's pace. As she got closer, she heard men laughing and more screaming. She got off Doc and approached slowly in a crouched position. She ducked behind a grouping of trees and scanned the small camp. O'Driscoll's, six of them, and they had a prisoner.

"Please stooooooop!" a man yelled in pain.

Lilly recognized the voice. "Kieran," she whispered. "Shit."

"Haha, we ain't stoppin', boy. Now hold still!"

More screaming from Kieran came as Lilly loaded her bow with three arrows and aimed. She let each one go individually and shot three men down. The other three began shooting in her direction. "Go get 'em, boys!"

The boys went running through the trees and attacked two of the men. Lilly shot the last remaining one and killed him. The wolves were busy tearing out throats as Lilly got near Kieran. He was on his side sobbing.

"Lilly, is that you?" he cried out.

"Yes, it's me," she replied, kneeling down next to him and cutting his binds loose. "What happened?"

"They got me last night. I...I'm so sorry."

Lilly rolled him over and gasped when she saw his face. Blood was all over his face because they'd taken both his eyes out. "Oh my God, ya poor man. What did they..." Lilly covered her mouth for a moment. "Oh, Kieran...I'm so sorry I didn't get here sooner."

"You...you need to get back to Shady Belle. They're comin'!"

"What?"

Kieran tried to sit up and Lilly helped him. "I didn't want to tell them, but they...it hurt so bad," he cried.

"Tell them what? About where we're holed up?"

"Yes! I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Kieran sobbed in agony.

Lilly took her bandana, wrapped it over his eyes and secured a knot. She helped him to his feet and whistled for Doc. "Don't you worry about that, Kieran. You were tortured."

"We gotta get back and save everybody."

Doc came up and Lilly helped Kieran onto the rump, then she mounted up. "Just hang on to me, Kieran. We gotta go fast, can you hang on to me without fallin'?"

"I-I think so." Kieran wrapped his arms around Lilly and she went galloping off with her wolves to the south.