Author's Note: Sarah Bernhardt didn't actually tour Canada and America until 1880, a year after this story. The Forrester Opera House was completed in 1873, located on the corner of 15th & Curtis Streets. It was where the Governor's Guard – a military organization charged with protecting the Governor to drill – as well as a place for lectures, plays and concerts. It was leased by Nate Forrester in 1877, when it was renamed. It was the premier opera house in Denver, until the Tabor Grand Opera House opened in 1881. I was very surprised to learn how many amazing musical and theater venues Colorado had in the 19th century. For more information please visit: .
Chapter Six
Nick Barkley regarded the crowd surging in the foyer of the Forrester Opera House, and had to stifle the need to stomp his foot. It was too close of quarters and hot for his liking, even as the crowd was the crème de la crème of Denver society. They had arrived in Denver earlier that day, when Nick had seen his brother almost meet his maker at the train station.
It had not been until later in the afternoon that Nick had been able to discuss the incident with Heath. He put full faith in Heath's observation that he'd been pushed onto the train tracks; the big question was why. His younger brother had been a strident lawman in his day, and put many a felon behind bars. Heath had observed that the attack was almost too planned to be an accident.
Heath had touched on the information about the break-in at Hester's house, which Priscilla had shared as they were arriving in Denver. All together it had put Nick on the alert, even as he was dealing with Roland White being over solicitous and Priscilla not feeling up to par because of her condition.
Nick was particularly annoyed that Roland White had maneuvered it so Priscilla and Sarah were with him in the first carriage. Heath and Nick had been left with Roland's clerk who talked liked he'd swallowed a Baedeker guide to the city. He seemed to know intimate details on every notable person and structure in the city and wasn't reticent in sharing them incessantly with his two captive fellow passengers. When they arrived at the Queen City Hotel the party was shown to the top floor, which was a grand, almost an apartment like home.
Two bedroom suites, each with their own water closets, a formal parlor, dining area, and the main bedroom having a balcony that over looked the city were at their disposal. The rooms were decorated in the latest style of brocade, velvet, and finely carved furniture. Nick had noted the well-stocked bar cabinet, while Priscilla had oohed and awed over the bedroom with the lavish canopy bed, and the balcony.
At home he and Priscilla enjoyed late evenings sitting out on the balcony from their bedroom. It was sometimes their one private moment for day. The best times were when Nick made it home in time to have tea with wife, his mother, and whatever guest was around. Afterwards he and Sissi would go upstairs, where she would help him bathe and change his clothes; sometimes they'd barely made it down in time for dinner.
Unfortunately though, on more nights than naught Nick would barely make it back to the house in time to clean up and get to dinner. Late July and August were the busiest times on the ranch, and the ones that occupied him totally. In retrospect Nick privately admitted that it was throwing Priscilla into the fire, but she took it in stride with a good grace.
It was on those late nights when the couple would sit out on the balcony, savoring the fresh air and catching up on the day's events. He appreciated how Sissi understood his work schedule, and in truth she was the one person he could be totally honest with, about running the ranch.
Nick had watched with admiration as Priscilla worked with his mother on not only household matters, but the tenant families. When she stepped in to take over the record keeping for the blending house inventory it had taken a weight off of his mind. If the inventory wasn't accurate it could throw the whole production schedule off, but Priscilla had been detailed and precise in her figures.
When Pilar, her husband Corso, and the gypsy tribe had shown up to pick the grapes Nick had greeted them happily. He knew that his acceptance of the Romany was not the norm, but his time escorting Pilar had taught him a lot. It pleased him when Priscilla was equally welcoming, and reached out to Pilar about classes for the children. It wasn't lost on him that the gypsies, knowing their children were well looked after, worked with happy hearts.
It was Priscilla who made it all possible, and in Nick's mind she had shown her love and loyalty for him and his land. Therefore it was easy to share his private concerns and worries with her – he knew it would go no further and she would stand beside him no matter what. He also appreciated that she understood he liked to play cards and drink in town a couple of times a month including the Cattlemen's Association meetings.
He brought his mind back to the present and now thoroughly approved of the hotel arrangements, sharing a smile with Priscilla. Roland White showed them around the room, as he pointed out baskets of fruit, wine, liquor, and sweets that had been sent by prominent Denver families.
Just as Nick was wishing the lawyer would leave he sprung a surprise on the group, regarding the evening's entertainment. Tonight was the last performance of the great French actress Sarah Bernhardt, before she left for the east coast, and then Europe. Nick recalled how Sissi had been disappointed to miss her when she was in San Francisco, since they would be in southern California while she was performing.
The end result was that the Barkley's found themselves at the Opera House, which was arranged and draped in red velvet for the play. Normally it was where the security police who protected the Governor practiced their drills, albeit using blanks so as not to mar the walls. The great actress had been in fine form, and even Nick was awed by Sarah Bernhardt's performance. Priscilla had whispered to him that her Cousin Bea had told her that Sarah had been engaged in an affaire de Coeur with the Prince of Wales, before she'd been bought off.
Nick, looking at the statuesque and stunning actress, admired the Prince of Wales' taste. He said as much to Sissi, but then added she was rather obvious and maybe both persons were enjoying the publicity of the supposed affair. Even in California they'd heard about the Prince and his draconian mother who had made widowhood a full-time job. Priscilla had giggled with delight at his observation, complimenting him on his insight.
That had been had intermission, but it was the end of the evening and Nick looked with concern at his wife. She was dazzling in pinkish silk and diamonds; he'd been so proud to escort her into the opera house. Now though, looking closely at her, he could see the fatigue in her large blue eyes, which belied the smile she had on her face as she chatted to several people.
Luckily for Nick's patience the line moved quickly, and the party retrieved their coats. He and Heath had wool top coats, while Priscilla and Sarah had cloaks. Nick carefully draped Priscilla's black velvet floor length cloak, lined with sable; the same fur making up the collar and the framing the hood. He had bought it for her in San Francisco, on the return trip from the State Fair.
When they had arrived in the morning the city had been pleasantly cool and sunny; however by sunset the temperature had dropped almost twenty degrees. They had all brought outer wear with them, so the Barkley party was prepared for the change in weather. Nick noted Heath and Sarah collecting their jackets; his brother helped Sarah into her waist-length cape of dark blue velvet. However, Heath folded his topcoat and put it over his arm.
Priscilla had noticed the same action, and shot Nick a warning look, which he understood all too well. Earlier in the evening, when they were leaving Sarah had brought out the topcoat that Heath had forgotten. Nick soon understood why Heath had forgotten the garment; the black wool was smooth and fine, but what stood out was the oversize collar of Persian lamb that adorned the coat.
Nick later told Priscilla, in self-defense, that his response was just brothers teasing each other which she understood. His wife, during the intermission of the play when they had a few moments alone, had pointed out that Sarah had not taken the jests kindly. In reality all Nick had done was comment on what a finely adorned coat Heath had. Sarah had tightened her narrow lips as she offered that it had been a gift for Heath from her.
It was with that memory in mind that Nick turned away from Heath and Sarah, to put his hands on Priscilla's shoulders. That gave him the opportunity to pull her close against him, and he felt her body respond with both love and tiredness. Clearly Sissi needed to be lying down, not dealing with Denver society and her oh so touchy sister-in-law.
Sarah felt her lips curl, as Heath took his topcoat, but folded it over his arm, in spite of the cold weather outside. She had gifted him the coat back in September, for his birthday. Heath was hard to buy gifts for; his tastes were simple and what he did like he was very particular about. Sarah had seen, in going through his closet, that he didn't have a proper topcoat. In a way it made sense since it never was that cold in Stockton, but Heath did spend time in San Francisco.
It was Mark Twain who said the coldest winter he ever spent was summer in San Francisco, which Sarah fully concurred with. She had no idea what he'd worn before, but Sarah wanted him to have a proper outercoat. Her father had always been well dressed, and she took that knowledge of men's haberdashery as she bought for Heath
The coat she gave to Heath was fine wool, with a thick gleaming collar of Persian wool; just what successful men in St. Louis and the east wore. It was top notch and had cost her a great deal of her own money. When she'd given it to Heath he'd been appreciative enough, but he'd put it away in the back of the armoire. Sarah had noticed when she was packing for their trip to Denver, that Heath had left it behind. Assuming it was an oversight on his part, she'd packed it with the other luggage.
This evening, when they were getting ready to go, Sarah had noticed Nick helping Priscilla on with her evening cape; a luscious confection of silk velvet and glossy sable which set off her dark blonde hair. Nick was wearing a black wool top coat; fine material but plain with no elaborate collar. Heath helped her into her waist length dark blue cape, and then with an almost palatable reluctance put his coat on.
Sarah had sighed, it being one more annoyance about the evening. The day had started off fine; they'd been on the train coming into Denver, having a nice breakfast. She had been a little miffed at how Heath was always so willing to defer to any decisive male around; usually his brother but in this case Roland White. The lawyer had been a surprise to Sarah, after Nick and Heath's comments about the man. In person he was well-dressed and charming, gifting both her and Priscilla with delightful small nosegays.
She had suddenly become aware that Heath wasn't with the party, and looked around the crowded platform for where he could be. He was very good at going off on his own, separating himself from the group; at first she'd just assumed he'd done it again. Just as she was feeling self-pity for being left on her own, it had horrified her when the baggage cart procession had parted, just in time for Sarah to see Heath fall back, onto the track of the inbound freight train.
How Heath had pulled himself away was something she would never understand, but she had screamed with fear. Quickly dropping the flowers she had rushed over to the edge of the platform, where several porters were helping Heath up. Sarah had wrapped her arms around Heath, pulling him close, not caring about the crowd around them. She had liked how Heath had clasped her hard, and just as she started to melt against him, the noise of the train station and Roland White's voice brought her up hard.
The next several minutes were spent with Nick and Priscilla looking horrified, Heath standing there with a stiff expression on his face, while Roland White asserted himself. He managed to get every railway official and the colored porters all quivering and looking at him with deferential glances while he castigated the station personal. Even as Sarah was scared beyond words for Heath, she noticed how Roland White brought everyone to heel.
The carriage ride to the hotel had passed in blur, as Heath had let her be led into the carriage with Roland and Priscilla. Sarah would have preferred to be with Heath, but assumed he wanted to talk to his brother about the incident; not like he'd talk to her about it! The hotel had been top notch, but she'd pettily noted how Nick and Priscilla had taken the better room with the balcony.
By now Sarah was ready to be done with travel, the trip, and all the intrigue and drama that seemed to be going on. Her hope was that maybe she and Heath could have a quiet private dinner by themselves. Sarah's plan was dashed when Roland White invited them to the grand performance at the Opera House.
Even she'd heard of Sarah Bernhardt, and knew that there was no way she and Heath could excuse themselves from the evening. She'd spent the rest of the day in their room, unpacking; not leaving it to the maid, who would undoubtedly want to be tipped. Heath, along with Nick had gone out sightseeing, while Priscilla had rested for the afternoon. When it was time to go out Sarah had put on a dark green silk dress, her wedding pearls around her neck. By now she was used to being with Priscilla, and knew how the woman dressed for every occasion.
When she came into the sitting room her sister-in-law was dazzling in coral colored silk, sprigged in a slightly darker coral shade. The gown was ornamented with white lace and black velvet ribbons; the same black velvet ribbon adorned the diamond choker around Priscilla's neck. Sarah recognized it as part of the wedding gift from Elspeth's eldest nephew and family; in addition to the choker there were diamond earrings, bracelets, a brooch, and several hair pins.
It had surprised Sarah at how all of Priscilla's English relations gifted jewelry, which she later learned was common in Europe. Sarah was not a big wearer of jewelry, preferring the money it would have cost in the bank or stashed in her drawer. Further, she would not have wanted someone else picking out her accessories, feeling as if she was being told what to wear. Now, instead of a quiet evening with her husband she was forced to follow in her sister-in-law's shadow; or as she referred to it The Coming of Saint Priscilla the Perfect.
She had noticed how Heath didn't have his coat, and went back to their bedroom to retrieve it. Sarah had been proud to see Heath put the lavish garment on, but when Nick had delivered his comment, a rakish grin on his face as his eyes twinkled, about the lavishness of the garment it had destroyed the moment. Priscilla had been quick to compliment Heath on how distinguished the coat looked, which Sarah appreciated; slightly. Saint Priscilla the Perfect had come through once again she thought to herself.
Now at least the evening was over with; yes the great French actress had done a fine performance and Sarah could admit that she was fortunate to see the woman perform. However, she really struggled with social events – since any of them could lead to questions about her father – so she was eager to get out of the Opera House and back to the hotel. The Barkley party exited the crowded vestibule, and then saw the line of carriages and paid hacks waiting in front of the venue.
"It is going to take a while to get our carriage; I want a cigar." Nick declared, and Sarah saw Heath nodding in agreement. They moved down the street slightly, to a sheltered doorway, which allowed for a line of sight on the line of carriages. They were half a block down towards Champa Street; Sarah knew enough about Denver to know that the streets were laid out on a diagonal. Being a city girl herself Sarah had no problem recognizing the demarcation between the good and bad areas.
"Thanks for the light." Heath replied, after he'd taken one of Nick's cigars and lit it with a shared match. Sarah wished the line for the carriages wasn't so long, as she wasn't enjoying standing on the street. The chilly air pinched her face, while her hands were cold in the evening gloves she was wearing. The brothers exchanged comments about the performance, and Priscilla shared a tidbit of gossip about the actress.
Sarah let the conversation swirl around her, and didn't join in the discussion. Instead she pondered what it would be like to dress such a well-known woman even as she took in her surroundings. Her musings on dress fabrics were interrupted by a lone figure approaching the group. Sarah froze and looked over at Nick and Heath, knowing they were armed. Suddenly the Opera House and its lights seemed far away.