thir
Had someone told them later, that the earth shook and skyrockets lit up the sky that night, they would not have been surprised, for such was the power of their coming together. Afterward, they slept, wrapped in each other's arms. She with nightgown tangled and unbuttoned, he with clothes in disarray. When time had passed and rest had restored them, they roused from sleep.
Lying on his side with Kitty cradled in his arms, Dillon opened his eyes to see the brilliant reflection of the sun's first amber light shining from the river with the broken sparkle of liquid gold. The trees around them were alive with bird songs. The air smelled fresh and crisp and clean. The ground was moist with dew, and even he felt the chill. He grabbed Kitty's robe, which had long since been discarded and pulled it over them, but it too, was damp and cold. He knew he'd have to wake her and get them both inside, not only for health reasons, but the risk of being discovered was too great. Still, the utter delight of waking up with her in his arms, in this poor man's version of Paradise, was a small piece of heaven to him. Just amoment longer, he thought, wrapping his arms tighter around her curves, filling his hands gently with her all too tempting breasts.
She was cold; it was the first sensation, which brought her to wakefulness. She amended her thought dreamily, the front of her was cold but her back was delightfully warm, pressed as it was against the rock hard torso of Matt Dillon. For just a moment she reckoned she was back in Dodge, in her pretty room, over the Long Branch Saloon, and she and Matt had fallen asleep with the window open. Grass tickled her nose and she opened her eyes. Full memory returned, and as it did so did the slow erotic movement of male thumb against the most sensitive tissue of her feminine bosom. She sighed blissfully, and rolled toward his chest until they were face to face. "Good morning." He said and his smile matched hers.
Despite the desire to stay longer, Dillon, now being of rational mind, urged her to her feet. "Let's get inside … you're freezing." Heat had begun to work its way from her core to limb and appendage, but she couldn't deny the reasoning which motivated Matt. She allowed him to help her to her feet. Together, they ran through the birch grove, and the patch of grass, between cottage and shore, to the back sun porch. They were laughing, but trying not to. Dillon attempted a stern look, "Don't wake Frankie." He hissed as they moved into the little house. However, standing in the kitchen they could see to the parlor where Frankie's cot usually sat. It was not there and further inspection showed it had been folded up and was propped against a wall.
Both looked at one another with a slight frown, "Where's Frankie?" Kitty mouthed.
He replied with a shrug of his shoulders. They moved back to the kitchen and then to the hall, that led to the bedrooms. It was there the question was answered. Frankie was in Matt's bed. She saw them and sat up. Brushing her tousled hair aside, she said with a sleepy voice, "I didn't think you two were ever coming in."
"What are you doing in my bed?" Dillon asked.
"Look Matt, it doesn't make sense for me to sleep on the hard little cot, when I can have a real bed, and it doesn't make sense for the two of you not to share a bed, when it's obvious you belong with one another. So I took the bull and convention by the horns. Now, close the door and leave me be … there's still another hour and a half before I need to get up."
He chuckled in answer and closed the door. Kitty grabbed his hand and pulled him to the opposite bedroom. "She's right you know … we have an hour and a half. Just think of all we can accomplish in an hour and a half. "It was two hours later that the threesome sat at the kitchen table, eating bacon and eggs. All three were too hungry to talk, at least for the first portion of their breakfast. Presently, after Frankie had refreshed everyone's coffee cups, the question was asked by Matt, "What happened at Beaumont's yesterday Kitty? What did you learn?"
She leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table, "Do the names Ephraim Merewether, Frederick Deuth and Harvard P. Rice mean anything to you?"
"Three very important men." Frankie stated.
"They and their wives were at Summerhaven yesterday."
Matt's eyes caught Frankie's briefly. He spoke, with a grim voice. "The Fraternatis!"
"Yes! They used that word and another word, 'Solutio'."
Frankie asked. "Tell us what happened Kitty, start at the beginning … don't leave a detail out, no matter how small you think it might be."
As Kitty retold the former day's adventure, Matt and Frankie listened intently. From time to time they would nod, or ask her to clarifiy. She described the ladies and their dress, the servants, the architectural details of the house and the mirrors, which lined many of the rooms. She told of the business men, and how they had acted with her, and even got a chuckle out of both Frankie and Matt, when she related the conversation regarding her soiled dress, and her love of the red hearts and diamonds.
"They spoke of the `Solutio' and when Beau was out of the room, they discussed whether the Barger concern was part of the Solutio or not. Fred Deuth believes their allegiance is not aligned with the Fraternatis."
Matt took a drink of his coffee and swallowed hard before answering,"The Barger concern, as they called it, at least as far as Colonel Barger is involved has only one motivation, for the South to rise again. The Fraternatis has a grander scheme in mind, they want nothing more than control of the United States and the world market. They're using General Johnston, Colonel Barger and the Band of Brothers to help achieve their aim, but don't doubt for a minute, they won't cast them all to the wolves once their usefulness has ended."
Kitty looked at Matt and Frankie, some of the excitement left her voice, "I haven't told you anything new then … have I?"
Frankie spoke, "No Kitty, we've know about the Fraternatis and the Solutio, we knew about the involvement of Deuth, Rice and Merewether. They are big players … but we believe there is someone else involved, a mastermind even more powerful than the richest men in the United States, someone who is manipulating all these factions like a puppeteer works a Punch and Judy show."
Kitty lowered her eyes, and studied the egg yolk left on her plate. She 'd left out one small detail. Guilt washed over her. As close as they had been, it seemed only natural he would sense this emotion.
"What is it Kitty?" Dillon asked.
"I told Beau …"
"What? What did you tell Beau?" Frankie demanded.
She remained quiet and Dillon prodded more kindly, "What did you say to him?"
She looked up from her plate, "I told him Deuth didn't trust him, or his family."
"Kitty … " He shook his head and his lips formed a thin line before he asked, "What did he say to that?"
"He thanked me for telling him, but he didn't seem worried by it."
Frankie stared hard at Dillon, "It might be for the best Matt; he'll trust Kitty all the more if he thinks she's looking out for his best interest."
Matt stood up, towering over the ladies still seated at the table. He was all brawn and badge, "This has gone far enough … Kitty's going back to Dodge … I want her out of this. Get word to Wilcox today, Frankie."
Frankie stood and marched over to the big man. She poked a finger in his flat belly and practically laughed up in his face, "See here Dillon, I out rank you; so don't go ordering me about. We've had this discussion before; the matter is settled. Kitty stays. She's the best weapon we have right now."
The argument might have continued, except for a strong rap at the front door and a familiar voice hollering, "Yeoman Meats, I got your order here."
Quick questioning glances were exchanged between the three, before Frankie limped hastily to the door and let Charlie in. The meat man was carrying a large cardboard box, "Well don't jus' stand there mister, bring it on in and set it on the kitchen table." Frankie said in a voice loud enough to dissuade any suspicious thought from a random passerby.
Charlie entered the kitchen with a big smile for Matt. He set down his box and stretched his large hand forward, "Well you are a sight for sore eyes, from the way I heard it, Mr. Wilcox was fixin' to ship you up to Bellevue for permanent residence in the cuckoo's nest!"
The angry scowl lifted from Dillon's features at the sight of a familiar comrade. He grasped Charlie's paw in both of his own. His voice proved a genuine fondness, "Charlie Yeoman, by golly, it's good to see your hairy face again."
Frankie heaved an exasperated sigh. She pushed her slight frame between the two men, "What's going on Charlie? I'm guessing this is more than a social call."
Yeomen gave Frankie a condescending smile; he took a step back, before doffing his cap with a bow. His words came out in a slow drawl with a clear intent to annoy her, "Good day to you, Miss Frankie, always a pleasure. Miss Kitty you look right pretty today."
"Cut the bull-shit, Charlie." Frankie ordered.
"All business ain't you girl?" He said with a snicker, "Well then, here it is. I just come from delivering to Summerhaven, and they put in an order for oysters, pheasant and veal enough to feed a hundred. They need it a week from today. You know what that means?"
Frankie smiled. Her cheeks flushed and she turned pretty for a moment,"Oh Charlie, it's what we've been waiting for, don't you think?" She spun to look at Kitty. "We need to get you a ball gown Cinderella, it appears Prince Charming is coming to dinner."