Despite their understanding and the anger between them dissipating, the only thing that remained was silence. Uncertainty…
Sam didn't really remember what happened after their talk. It was just quiet. Then, before he knew it, he had fallen asleep and when he awoke, it was like he expected: The sun was sparkling through the windows. Despite accidentally falling asleep in Arthur's room, he awoke still there, laying on the outlaw's bed, and covered with a blanket. And like he expected, Arthur was gone… quietly like a ghost. Like he expected…
He was alone.
Lily had yet to return from her trip with Charles and Sadie. Knowing they were with her, though, made Sam assure himself that they would be fine… even if he'd barely talked to Sadie since her outburst back in Rhodes.
When he sat up, he saw his hat left for him on the table. It was the same table he found that damned letter on. Even if he never found it, would Arthur still have gone? Would he have realized he still had feelings for Mary if he never stole it? Or would he have just thrown it away?
Sam found himself leaning forward as he sat, elbows on his knees. He rubbed his eyes still heavy from sleep. This wasn't the first time he had woken up alone after sleeping next to someone last night. It certainly wouldn't be the last.
It just hurt even more, knowing this time it was Arthur who left.
Eventually, Sam forced himself to stand, putting his feet in his boots and left Arthur's room. He felt the warmth of the morning air as he passed by the window just outside, listened to the old floorboards creak as he walked towards the stairs and heard voices through the double doors of Dutch's room.
"What have you done, Hosea?" Sam heard through the door.
"I told them to be honest with each other. It looks like they were."
"And for what?!" Dutch raised his voice. "For a stubborn, prideful girl, who can't see the heart inside Arthur?"
"Just because you don't approve of her, doesn't mean you can choose who Arthur ends up with. He's a grown man."
"I need him here, Hosea! If my plan works, we'll all be free, not just him.. You and I both know that girl will never leave her horrible family."
"And you and I both know our boy will never leave us for one girl!" said Hosea.
"Then why? Why did he go to her?"
Because love makes us fools and idiots. It'll hurt you over and over again, until you can finally realize what really matters."
There was silence.
"And what about Sam?"
"Sam will have to learn that pain is unavoidable, but it never means you can't get back up. Even when we were stuck up in those damn mountains, you kept us going. So, he needs to keep going, too."
Sam could only scoff. He had half a mind to kick the door in and chew out Hosea, but knew it would get him nowhere. If he was trying to make Sam learn some kind of lesson, he was not in the mood for it.
He heard enough and headed down the steps to the first floor. Hopefully, there was something to eat at Pearson's wagon.
However, when Sam approached the front doors, he stopped when his hand touched the doorknob. He could take being insulted for stealing Arthur's letter, but something about being struck with those pitying looks deterred him. Nothing in camp stayed a secret for long, and he especially didn't want to deal with Micah and the shit-eating grin he'd probably have at Sam's misery.
With a sigh, Sam turned away and headed back to the infirmary. He and Lily kept a few cans of food in there, anyway.
Sam was finishing up a small, sad meal of room temperature beans when there was a small knock at his door. He forced himself to finish the rest of the can's contents and then wiped his mouth with his sleeve..
"Enter," he said.
Sam shoved the empty can away in the waste bin just as Kieran opened the door and little Jack followed him into the infirmary. Sam had completely forgotten about today's reading lesson. So, he reached under the table, gulped down a swig of whiskey along with his sorrow and turned to the boy.
"Hey, kid!" Sam said, forcing a smile. "Ready to find out if the prince finds Cinderella?"
"Yeah!" Jack cheered.
"Okay, but first we have some vocabulary to go over," Sam explained, hands on his hips.
Jack pouted, but nodded his head. "Yes, Uncle Sammy."
At first, Sam had been hesitant to read such childish fairy tales in front of Kieran, but it was one of the only ways to get Jack interested in reading. Fortunately, it didn't seem like he minded it. In fact, learning about castles, princes, and princesses seemed to help both Sam and Kieran take a break from reality. Knowing that castles and royalty were real got little Jack excited.
"Do you think Uncle Dutch will take us to a castle someday?" Jack asked, excitedly.
Sam could only chuckle. He thought for a moment and realized that Dutch may be crazy enough to pull that off if he wanted to. Hell, he could talk his way past Saint Peter and walk through the gates to Heaven if that man was confident enough.
"Ah, maybe someday," Sam ruffled Jack's hair. "You did good today. Play the rest of the day, kid. You earned it."
"Really?! Thanks, Uncle Sammy!" Once he closed his book, the small child gave it back to Sam and ran upstairs to his toys.
"Thanks for putting up with that," Sam said, as he set the book into a crate with the others and crouched down to make sure they were alphabetized.
"Not at all," Kieran replied. "I think I'm starting to get why Mary-Beth is always nose deep in one of those things."
Sam just nodded and kept working on alphabetizing the books. He waited for Kieran to leave but he didn't. The former O'Driscoll fidgeted a little and then spoke.
"So, uh… last night I, uh…" He rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, you know."
Sam sighed. He wasn't surprised he knew. He was sure everyone in the damn camp knew by now. So, Sam reluctantly stood up ready for whatever he had to say.
"Anyway, do you wanna come fishing with me?" Kieran asked. "The horses are always kind, but fishing also helps me clear my head, and I can't exactly feel safe going by myself."
Well, what's Arthur gonna do? Sam thought. He needed to get away from camp anyway. If Arthur had an issue with how Kieran held him while teaching how to fish, that was his problem. He refused to just sit in the house all day like a maiden waiting for her man out at sea. With that, he shrugged, and grinned at Kieran.
"You know what? I'd love to."
Sam didn't really have anything for fishing, but Kieran was prepared. So, to make sure Sam was as prepared as that former O'Driscoll, he restocked on ammo, medicines and poison. He also packed a book he borrowed from Mary-Beth for whenever he had freetime.
For once Sam didn't grumble as he and Kieran met up for an outing. They got onto their horses and set out. For anyone who knew about Sam's phobias, this was surely an odd time to leave camp.
Because Sam had been so tunnel visioned, he didn't notice the gathering clouds in the sky.
Arthur hated Saint Denis. It was basically the same as the swamps they were hiding out in: Gloomy, humid, and snakes everywhere.
And yet today, he never thought he would rush into the town in such a hurry. He couldn't tell if he was excited or anxious.
Part of Arthur was telling him this was pointless, another said that this was just a thing between friends, until Sam's words brought him back to why he was out here: He needed to know once and for all if he and Mary had a chance or not. Arthur gripped the reins tighter the more he thought about things. He already felt like a total dumbass for just leaving Sam like that this morning, especially after the way he treated him.
Arthur looked around the businesses. He had to ask a few people for directions, but eventually, he was going the right way. There was an array of hotels and restaurants, one of them being the hotel he and Sam spent the night in that one time. Arthur could see some of Brandon's "discouraged people" loitering about.
And then he heard her.
"Arthur!"
Immediately, Arthur stopped his horse. He looked around, left and right.
"Arthur! Up here!"
Upon hearing "up," Arthur looked in that direction. There, on the balcony, he saw her beaming face. She had that same smile that could take one's breath away. Mary Linton. Well, formally Mary Gillis. She was here and in the flesh once more.
He had spent the entire journey wondering what to say to her. Now that he was here and Mary was up there nearby, all the words he had in his head had been brushed away.
"You came!" Mary exclaimed.
"Yeah, I came," Arthur responded. He prayed he wasn't stuttering, but at least knew to maintain eye contact. "So, uh… what you need?"
"Wait there," Mary called. "I'm coming straight down." She kept to her word and headed inside to presumably meet Arthur downstairs..
Arthur took a deep breath, trying to make sure he was calm. He also walked up to a nearby door and saw his reflection before wiping his teeth a little. Not long after, he and Mary met up at the hotel's steps.
"Arthur…" Mary said, her voice sounding almost giddy.
"Hello, Mary," Arthur greeted. He couldn't remember the last time he saw her smiling with him nearby. Maybe when he brought back Jamie, but she was just happy that she had her brother back, probably.
"You came."
"Sure, Whenever you call for me, I come."
And then just as quickly as her grin was there, it faded. Mary found herself looking at the outlaw. "Oh, Arthur…"
"What's wrong?"
"Daddy…"
And almost immediately, Arthur felt his heart sink. Was she really bringing him up, of all people?
Mary's silence gave all the answers. The letter, the anger, Sam's tears, holding his hand, and leaving him alone in the morning… for this?!
"Would you get to the goddamn point before you go writing me another one of them damn letters?!"
"I…" Mary stepped back. "I knew you wouldn't have come if I told you the truth," she said. "But, I need your help."
"And yet, here I am," Arthur grumbled. "I'm an even bigger fool than I thought." He made to step to the side, but Mary stepped in the same direction.
"I'm begging you, Arthur…" Mary pleaded. "I know Daddy was not kind to you, but… but surely you cannot hate a man for the sin of loving his daughter… and wanting better for her than… than…"
Arthur almost growled at her. "Then me?" he answered.
"Than the choices you make."
"What choice did I have?" Arthur snapped back. "Did I ever have?"
Mary turned away. "Oh, I know… you had to live by your code… but your code is… well, it's not right."
Suddenly, Arthur felt young again. This was the same song and dance he had been in before. It all came back to him. Even so, he couldn't stop the same things he said to her.
"Has your way been right, Mary?" Arthur hissed. "With you… and Jamie joining a bunch of crazies… and hypocritical daddy with his drinking and whoring and gambling…" As he raised his voice, Mary turned her head away. "Huh? Is that what a pure life has gotten you… begging me for help?!"
Mary stepped away. "Oh, Arthur…" Arthur felt a pang in his chest at Mary's distressed voice, but he couldn't just take that. He remembered all of their arguments, their fights, "break ups" only to make up, "be kind to me." But when she turned back and looked at him, Arthur saw those beautiful eyes, the ones that were there when Arthur had a stupid disagreement with Dutch, or Hosea, or John. She was there for when, just for once, he didn't have to be an outlaw. "Please…"
Arthur breathed deeply. He managed to mumble a "sorry" before walking past her to sit at the hotel steps. Mary could only look at him for a moment, before slowly walking over.
"I am…" she paused for a moment, before sitting down next to the outlaw. "I should've asked someone else… but…"
"But I'm the best guy you know at frightening decent people," Arthur mumbled, his head hanging low.
Mary was silent for a moment. He was hurt. She knew that. She was hurt. Arthur knew that, as well.
"It wasn't that I didn't love you, Arthur," Mary said, gently. "You know that?"
"I know," Arthur replied, using his voice sparingly.
"Oh, Arthur… we were so very young… think how different life could've been…" Mary lamented.
"Yeah, I think about it…" said Arthur. "I did a lot, but…"
This piqued Mary's interest a little. "But what?"
Arthur shook his head. This was not the time or place to say his name.
"It all seems so long ago and far away now," he answered.
"Will you help me try to save Daddy?"
And there it was: the reason she called him out here. To be honest, he was probably here for the same reason she called for him, but there was no way she would act on it. Or would she? Or would he? He didn't know, but he was already here.
Sam's words replayed in his head. He remembered them on his way here and when he tucked Sam in this morning. He needed the total and complete truth.
One more time.
This was the last time.
"Come along then," Arthur said, standing. Somehow at that moment, a ray of sunshine managed to part through the clouds. It was kind of blinding, but Arthur turned his head to face Mary and the warmth of it set him at ease a bit. "What's the old loveable patriarch been up to now?"
"Oh, Arthur… you know sarcasm is beneath you," Mary chided, rising up to her feet. He's been gambling, and drinking, and other things…"
"Oh, the filthy rotter.." Arthur responded, which earned him a playful slap on the arm from Mary. "Where can we find him?"
"He said he was going down to the Theodore Eckhart Stables. Something about a horse. It's down by the water in the warehouse district… near the train yard."
Arthur gestured to Soleil. "Come on, then."
"Don't be a pompous ass, Arthur," Mary said, as she followed behind him. "It doesn't suit you."
"Oh, should I leave that to Daddy?"
"Leave Daddy alone, he suffers enough."
"Well, I suppose I can take some consolation in that."
"Oh, Arthur…" Mary said, as Arthur mounted his horse. "I should've ran away with you years ago."
"But you wouldn't."
"No, I didn't… but… well…" Mary stopped when Arthur held out his hand for her to get on. "I don't know."
Sam thought he would loath fishing today, given that the activity was done in silence, which gave people time to only think. And he really didn't want to use his brain right now.
Instead, he ended up finding solace in it. It was quiet enough to just turn his brain off and observe the nature around him. He smirked to himself as Kieran showed him how to cast again for a quick refresher. They hadn't gone too far from the camp. Sam had wanted to, but he chalked it up to Kieran still being afraid for his safety. So, they just casted out by the waters the giant Lannaheche River, which connected to the Flat Iron Lake. Every so often, however, Kieran would twitch and fidget, looking over his shoulder.
Sam sighed. "You're fine Kieran," he tried to reassure him. "I'm right here. Don't you think it's been long enough that they don't even care anymore?"
KIeran shook his head.. He tried to keep his shaky hands steady as he slowly reeled in his line. "Maybe. I just don't think they'd forget about me telling you about Six Point Cabin. And I told it to the gang they hate the most. I've seen what they do to traitors. I mean, Bill and Sadie whispering how they're going to kill me is already terrifying enough, but at least I know anyone who sets food in the camp that ain't us will get shot before they can even do anything."
"I thought Colm only cared about numbers," said Sam.
"He'll remember the good ones," said Kieran. "Like those men on your list."
"Right." Sam jolted when he felt a tug on his line.
"Easy, you'll scare it off. He's only nibbling." Kieran continued to stare, and the bobber sank below the water. "Now!"
Sam tugged back and now he had something on the line. Kieran grinned, upon seeing the outlaw's face light up and he started reeling it in. Kieran instructed him on how to keep the fish on the line and how to pull back with the least risk of the line snapping. Sam reeled in a sturgeon and he casted out again, while Kieran wrapped it up for them to take home.
"Then…" Sam hesitated to ask, as Kieran joined back up with him. "Why were you with them?"
"Well… my parents got sick and died while we was trying to head out west to California," Kieran said, with a shrug. "The stable I was working at kicked me out after that." Kieran casted out his line again. "Well, uhh… I tried joining up with the navy, but it didn't work out… and then I fell in with some outlaws. We was camping out one night, when the O'Driscolls showed up. They killed them, but… spared me." Kieran kept staring out to the waters, his face going expressionless and voice going somber. "They told me… ride with them, or die. So… it wasn't really much of a choice in that matter."
Sam sighed. "Sorry."
"Well, I guess it could be worse," said Kieran. "You lot ain't as bad as they were. For the longest time, I thought you guys were like Colm's gang, living hard, and fighting hard, but you guys seem to actually care about each other."
Sam shrugged. "Well, I had no idea what a gang was like until I ended up with them. I guess despite growing up swiping things, I was still more protected than I thought." Sam turned away from viewing his line and looked to Kieran. "Maybe I was… too harsh on you in the past. I'm sorry."
Kieran let out a shaky sigh. "N-No… I mean, how would you react in the face of someone who's part of the gang who destroyed your home."
"But it turned out they didn't even kill my uncle."
"They still had a hand in it, as far as I know."
"Maybe… but you weren't there. You were tied up in camp at the time."
Kieran grinned a little. "I guess that's true…"
The pair managed to catch themselves some more sturgeon. They just had about four of them, when they decided to call it a day. It should be enough to keep the camp fed and happy. They threw any of the smaller fish back into the water to grow bigger.
"Can't wait for the fall," Kieran added, as he wrapped up the other sturgeons for transport.
"Why's that?" Sam asked, folding up the fishing rods.
"That's spawning season for the salmon," said Kieran. "They'll be swimming up rivers and waterfalls to lay their eggs, so they'll be everywhere. I can fish, but I'm also something of a chef, too. I know how to grill a pretty good salmon," he added with a grin.
Sam nodded. "Then I can't wait for a taste, 'Chef' Kieran." He started walking over to Aurora. "Although, I'm sure you'd want Mary-Beth to try it, too."
Immediately, Kieran's face turned a light shade of pink. "M-Mary-Beth?" he replied nervously. "Aw, I don't think she…"
Sam rolled his eyes. "If you don't find out how she feels, you're just gonna spend the rest of your life wondering." His voice came out stern, and as he turned back to his loyal steed, he scowled, thinking he was being a little too much… even for an O'Driscoll. Well, formerly…
"No, no. You're…. Dang it. This was to help you and I'm the one who's all flustered." He picked up the now wrapped up sturgeons and headed to his horse with a shrug.
Sam could only smirk. "I guess rallying people up makes me feel better, too. So, thanks."
"Aw, ho-ho!" Kieran replied, annoyed.
"But… Thank-you," Sam then said, the warmth in his voice coming through. "How about a shooting lesson when we get back? Though, we should probably go somewhere more secluded. Don't wanna draw anyone to the camp out here."
"Yeah, sure," Kieran replied, nervously. Sam could somehow hear the smile he had in his voice. He seemed excited. "We should stock up first before we do that, and drop off our catch."
"Good idea."
As much as Sam had tried he was finally unable to resist and looked out towards the horizon as Kieran packed up today's catch. There were train tracks that ran over the giant Lannaheche River and into the big city of Saint Denis.
Sam knew Arthur was probably there right now. He knew he was there with her right now. What was happening? What were they doing? It wasn't until now that Sam could see the grayed out sky above the city and above them.
Kieran mounted up. "Alright, let's get back."
Sam could take a deep breath to try and calm his nerves, but his heart was already speeding up. "Yeah. Let's go."
"So, what do you think he's up to," said Arthur. He had Soleil get into a trot as he and Mary rode down the busy streets of Saint Denis. Even though their relationship was a long time ago, Arthur couldn't lie about the jitters he got, feeling Mary's hands on him, while they rode together.
"I'm not sure," Mary replied, as Arthur turned to the left around a corner, "he keeps saying it's a disgrace… a man of his standing has to ride around on some old nag."
"Standing?" Arthur could only say with a smirk. "He's usually falling down."
"Arthur… he wasn't always this way. But… it has got worse. He's drinking and gambling more than ever, pawning things off left and right, mixing with bad people. I'm just scared for him."
Arthur shrugged. "Don't worry too much, whatever it is, we'll work it out."
The rest of their ride was in relative silence. Arthur wondered if speeding up Soliel a little would go unnoticed, but he figured Mary would know either way. Once they approached the stables, Mary got off without any help.
"This is the place," Mary said, as Arthur dismounted, as well. He hitched her up to the nearest post before catching up with Mary. She approached the door and grabbed the handle. "Let me go in and see what kind of a state he's in."
Arthur sighed, but shrugged and nodded in agreement. "Sure. I'll wait here, good luck. Scream if you need my help."
Mary opened the door. "Very funny," she grumbled before going in and closing the door.
Arthur turned away slowly. That old bastard was a lot of things, but he knew Mary's father would never hurt her. And if he ever did, well… he would never wish that kind of shit on someone else. Even if Mary begged, it would be hard for Arthur to not want to rip her father's head off.
As much as he tried not to, Arthur ended up looking out towards the tracks that ran over the Lannaheche River. It was the same river that ran behind Shady Belle. Sam was probably there, and despite who he was with now, he couldn't help but wonder what he was up to right now.
"You can't stand there," a nearby stable boy said. He was sweeping just outside.
Arthur looked away from the river. "What, in the street?"
"Yes, in the street," the stable boy irritably replied.
The outlaw put his hands on his gun belt. "Is it your street?"
"Just get outta here."
Arthur scowled. Still, he didn't move a muscle. "Why?"
The boy turned around and stepped towards him. "I said, just get outta here."
Finally, Arthur gave the boy a smack and tossed the sweeper he had aside. "Listen, partner…" Arthur hissed. He put a hand on his shoulder, and the stable boy was suddenly speechless. "I'm waiting on a lady… she's a fine lady… she's just gone inside. I've already had quite a week, so if I wasn't waiting on this lady… you'd be dead already… but if you continue to irritate me… I'll kill you and make my apologies to the lady. It's your call." Arthur already knew he got him, judging how the stable boy was already shaking.
"I didn't mean nothing," he immediately responded.
Arthur patted his shoulder. "Apology accepted."
"Never been so demeaned in my life… a woman… my own daughter."
The doors swung open and an older man with a red coat, formal pants, gray hair and a top hat stormed out from the stable with Mary following him.
"I have half a mind to kill you myself," he said, sternly.
"Daddy," Mary pleaded.
"No."
"Oh Daddy, please come home… you're tired Daddy… tired and unwell."
"I am no such thing!" he replied, hotly. "You get away from me, you head home… I insist upon it… Leave me be…" He turned away and stormed off. "Damn nuisance."
"Excuse me, partner," Arthur said, stepping away from the stable boy. He made his way over to Mary. "Still as charming as ever, I see…"
"Oh, Arthur. He's up to no good, we better follow him."
"Okay," said Arthur. He saw the man going down an alley. Well, he knew better than to let Mary go by herself.
Kieran looked on as he followed Sam back towards the camp. He seemed calm. It was something Kieran just didn't get. He heard from the others that the O'Driscolls actively wanted him dead now, and yet, he was still out here, going fishing, going in and out of town, and doing whatever he could.
Kieran sighed. All he had done was keep to himself, keep away from the others and just focus on the horses. He was probably being of help, but all he could do was hide. Sometimes he wondered how safe he really was in camp because of how much the gang hated the O'Driscolls, or if it was just the "no killing in the camp" rule keeping him alive.
All his life he'd been running and hiding. Kieran was scared, but it's how he's been alive this long. How much longer was he going to have to feel his chest pounding, his limbs shaking, hearing the shrill of his voice while he begged, pleaded, and ran.
How many more times was he going to be afraid?
No, it wasn't that Sam didn't feel fear. He just acted upon it differently than he did. That was what Kieran pieced together. Even with the government, the Pinkertons, and the law against him, Sam was still fighting.
Kieran glanced at Sam, seeing his calm face and how the sunlight brightened his dark hair, when it would pass through the tall trees. Despite sleeping a lot the past two days, he still looked tired, but here he was, still going. Well, if Kieran could help him in any way, he'd be happy to.
He just didn't know how, especially with what happened next.
The pair were almost back at camp, when they heard a loud whining from a horse… followed by a thud. Kieran and Sam exchanged glances before rushing towards the source of the noise. On the trail back to Shady Belle, they found a collapsed horse and a cursing woman knelt down by it.
"Mrs. Adler?" Kieran asked.
Sam and Kieran dismounted their horses and rushed to her side. However, Kieran jumped back the second he got too close. Sadie had turned around and swung with her knife with a shriek.
"Get the hell away from me!" she yelled.
Luckily, Sadie missed skin, but her knife sliced the surface of Kieran's jacket. The shy man ran and hid behind Sam.
"Sadie! It's us!" Sam pleaded, as he stared at Sadie. Her hair was a mess and she had grass and mud stains on her body… and red on her shoulder. "You're bleeding!" He tried to get closer, but Sadie was breathing heavily, and holding out her knife, still shaking.
"Lagras! Get-" Sadie hissed and grabbed her shoulder, dropping the knife in the process. Sam took the opportunity to kick it away and rush to her. Sadie nearly screamed again, when the younger outlaw's arms wrapped around her. This time, instead of pushing away, she just crumbled to the floor, but her words still made Sam feel his heart drop into his stomach.
"What… What are you talking about?" said Sam. He pulled away for a moment once they were both sitting on the floor. They were both too distracted to notice Kieran racing over to Sadie's horse.
The horse just seemed tired and frightened. Kieran laid a gentle hand on the poor thing, which seemed to recognize him and calm down a bit. He didn't look hurt, but there was a sprain on his back leg from possibly running through the brambly swamps.
Sam had reached through his satchel, pulling things out. Sadie had been shot, but there was no bullet, as it just grazed her flesh. He had to tear some of the fabric of her shirt to see it clearly.
"It's a trap! We-" Sadie screamed as Sam poured whiskey over the wound before cleaning it up. It didn't look deep, but if it kept bleeding he might need to stitch or cauterize it. "Th-They set us up! You need to tell Dutch! They…" She took a minute to catch her breath, but Sam immediately started being quick, wiping off the blood and grabbing the bandages, his skin turning pale.
"What about Lily?!" Sam then asked.
"It was that damn kid!" Sadie spat. "He sent that dove to-"
"Lily!" Sam yelled. "Where is she?!"
"She's in Lagras with Charles! Jesus!"
Sam growled and got Sadie onto her feet, with a small hiss. She was all patched up, anyway. "Right. Get back to the camp and tell Dutch and the others." It looked like Kieran had patched Sadie's horse the best he could, but the creature was gonna need some time before standing back up. "Kieran, once that horse is up, get back to camp and stay there!"
Kieran could only gasp as Sam dashed towards Aurora. "What about you?"
"What do you think?!" said Sam. "I'm going to Lagras!"
"It's you they want!" said Sadie. "The O'Driscolls want you idiot!"
Sam's blood ran cold at the word "O'Driscoll."
"And I don't have a choice!" Sam yelled back. "Now go get Dutch, Bill, Javier… anyone! And tell them to get to Lagras!"
"Sam-" Kieran tried to speak up.
Sam held out his hand. "Stay in camp!" Sam ordered. "You'll be safe there." With that, climbed onto Aurora and gave her a tap with his heels.
"Sam, don't be crazy!" Kieran pleaded. "Wait for help!"
"HYAH!" And Aurora, with a loud neigh, stood on her hind legs before galloping into the swampy woods. Sam gripped the reins tightly and his teeth were held the same, as his eyes looked at the cloud filled sky for a moment. Dread ran through his body, blooming from his chest and down his spine and arms. As Aurora's hooves stomped into the muddy grounds, his brain could remember the bloody and burned streets of Valentine… the dark living room, the blood that ran down from his head.
Not again.
He would not lose her!
The very small but apparent rumbles of thunder were in the distance. All Sam could do was let his nails dig into his palms as he pressed on.
Arthur and Mary followed Mr. Gillis through various streets. Eventually, they were led into an alleyway. Arthur had just turned a corner when Mary's father ran into someone. Immediately, Mary reached for ARthur.
"Come here, quick!" she said, grabbing his arm.
Arthur ran back behind the corner, basically stepping to the side, but wanted to listen.
He made a mistake.
Arthur found himself pressing his hands on the wall… and Mary was in the middle. Arthur tried to concentrate on what was going on.
But his heart.
"Mind where you go," Mr. Gillis said, harshly, "mind where you go."
"Sorry," was the awkward reply.
Arthur's heart was beating hard.
He then stepped away from the wall. "Do you… think he saw us?"
Mary was silent for a moment, finally leaning away from the wall, as well. "I don't think so…"
"I didn't say a thing insulting," they then heard.
"I'll wipe that goddamn smirk clean off your face…" Mr. Gillis growled.
"There was a laugh. "Ain't you a little old for brawling, mister?"
"Damn you."
There was silence. The pair peeked around the corner and saw that the man had resumed his walk.
"He's heading across the road," Mary whispered. She was the first out to continue following him.
"You know," Arthur said, trailing after her, "this is kind of fun."
"Shh. He'll hear you." The pair found themselves in the street. Then they walked along the sidewalk before Mary's father wandered into another alleyway.
"You could've cleaned yourself up a bit," Mary muttered.
Arthur scoffed. "I didn't realize I was here to impress anyone." Once it was safe, the pair also went into the alley. "Don't say I never show you a good time."
"I'm just glad you're here."
The alleyway was quiet and full of crates and other barrels. Arthur was able to notice that they were still in the business sector of the city and they were going behind a building that seemed very official and opulent.
Arthur stopped around the corner, making sure to peek around carefully. Mr. Gillis was around the other side, standing there and fidgeting.
"What's he doing?" Mary whispered. "What do you think he's doing?"
"Well he's either waiting for a woman of dubious morals or… he's trying to sell something.
A door opened and closed. Another man walked out to meet him.
"So Ashton, you got the money?" said Mr. Gillis.
"Seems he's selling something," Arthur muttered.
Mary scowled.
"Have you got the brooch, Mr. Gillis?"
"Yes… here."
Mary peeked around the corner, just enough to see him put the brooch into the buyer's hand. Ashton reached into his coat and pulled out a stack of cash. "Here's the money." Mr. Gillis reached for it, but then the man held it away to inspect the brooch, holding it up in the air, hoping the cloudy sky would be enough to show the jewel's worth. "That is beautiful."
"It's a family heirloom…" Mr. Gillis said. "It's been in the family for years."
"That was mother's brooch…" Mary hissed.
"Not any longer, Mr. Gillis," Ashton replied. And with that he gave Mary's father the money. "Enjoy the money… and should you need any more… I can offer a loan at a very reasonable rate of interest."
"No, thank you. I've heard what happens to folks who take loans from you."
"I've met a hundred men like you, Mr. Gillis. "You'll come crawling back soon enough."
"It's not even his to sell…" Mary hissed.
"It's just a brooch…" said Arthur, "at least he didn't get himself killed."
"You don't understand… mother left it to me," with her voice raised, she left Arthur's side and stormed oright up to her father. "You sold my mother's brooch?!" she yelled. "How could you?!"
"You.." Mr. Gillis could only mutter. Clearly, he was speechless, seeing as he had been caught in the act.
"That's theft!" Mary scolded, as Arthur stepped out, as well.
Instead of addressing his daughter, however, Mr. Gillis just noticed Arthur and scowled. "Oh, speaking of thieves I… I see you've found your outlaw again."
Arthur just kept walking and passed them. "Hello, sir, have you been well?"
"Daddy, how could you?!" Mary chided.
"Mary, wait here, I'll go get the brooch."
"Don't hurt anyone, Arthur."
All Sam could remember from that conversation was "Lily," "Lagras," and "O'Driscoll." That was all he needed, though. Even if they were after him, even if it was a trap, Lily didn't deserve to suffer for his actions. Charles didn't deserve it, either. He had been nothing but a good friend since they met, especially to Lily.
Sam rode past the ruins of Caliga Hall. With all of those Grays dead, it didn't look like there wasn't anybody to take up management of the tobacco business for the foreseeable future.
"Sheriff Gray! Get the hell out here!"
"Who do you think you are? You're just a two-bit thug from God-knows-where!"
"He was just a goddamn boy!"
The property was big, and Sam knew better than to just cut through it, even though it was empty. For all he knew, there were probably still some leftover Grays lurking around. Eventually, once he was past it, he made it into the swamps of the Bayou and passed by Hagen Orchards, the place he protected from the O'Driscolls when they tried to raid them for their supplies.
"He is more than a killer. When the O'Driscolls attacked his hometown, they nearly killed him! He was left on the floor bleeding from his head, barely able to call out for his sweet uncle before they shot him. But, he came back from the brink of death to slaughter every single one of them!"
He wasn't sure if any of those workers remembered him as he passed by. For all he knew they were all hunkering inside because of the commotion in Lagras. However, the past voices from his friends kept his head on straight and his objective clear, even as the wind picked up and the clouds got thicker, making it dark for the middle of the day. As Sam approached the small settlement of Lagras, his heart sank upon seeing a plume of smoke rising from the distance.
Aurora neighed, rising up on her hind legs. She whined and snorted, while Sam petted her neck and mane, trying to soothe her. It occurred to Sam that what was before him looked very familiar to the state of Valentine all those months ago. Aurora wouldn't budge, even when Sam dismounted and tried to ease her in by taking her reins so he could walk beside her. So, he led Aurora into the tall bushes and told her to stay where she was.
Now, having to go on foot, Sam stayed close to the ground and off the road. Without his loyal steed with him, Sam felt truly isolated and vulnerable. There was no turning back now. He was so focused on love, he forgot about the one held for his cousin.
As Sam trudged closer to Lagras, he saw the fires rising up from several of the few buildings that were there. Gunshots echoed back and forth in the distance along with the sounds of men and women screaming. The coming storm and humidity in the air was already making fog appear.
Sam continued his sneaking around, sliping behind rocks and trees. He stayed in the tall blades of grass and bushes.
"Don't kill me! AHHH!"
Sam had to suppress a growl. He thanked the lord it didn't sound like LIly, at least. The buildings ahead were too far away and there wasn't enough debris or anything big enough to hide behind. There was a boat, but he'd have to cross the water.
The outlaw had no other option. All the noise had probably scared the gators in the area away, in any case, so Sam dove into the water, hoping the medicines he had were air tight in their containers and didn't contaminate the water.
"Wait!"
Sam made it to the boat, resurfacing and catching his breath. He was just in time, however, to hear another man's final cry before he was silenced.
Sam reached up and climbed onto the boat, quickly going inside the tiny cabin. While in the dimly lit cabin, he wrung out his hat, clothes, squeezed the edges of his coat and shook out his boots before putting them back on.
Once Sam was as dry as he could get at the moment, he opened the door on the other side of the cabin he saw a whole array of O'Driscoll bastards running amok, raiding houses, killing people, and laughing about it.
Sam had only opened the door a crack but he could see all of that. And he must have stayed for a bit too long, because he was pushed back into the cabin, but a firm yet familiar hand.
"Get back inside!" Charles whispered, but his voice was demanding, nonetheless. Once they were inside, Charles shut the door. "What are you doing here?"
Charles looked like hell. His clothes had dirt, mud, and even traces of blood. And his long hair was all frazzled.
"I came as soon as Sadie's horse collapsed near Shady Belle," said Sam. "Where's LIly?"
Charles sighed, and pushed some hair away from his face. "It was a trap," he said, shaking his head. "No one in Brandon's group sent that letter, and before we knew it, there was a gun pointed at Lily's head. Sadie and I fought them off, but they took her north."
Sam gasped through his held teeth. "Where?!" he demanded, his voice wobbled slightly, as he tried to sound angry.
"Not far. There's a small house up the Kamassa River going north."
"Then let's go!" Sam started for the door, but Charles stopped him again, a hand on his shoulder.
"It's you they want, Sam," he warned. "She's bait! We need the others!"
"I don't have time for that! They could move or just kill her if I don't get there now! Or they'll kill her if the others show up!"
Charles tensed. Sam could see it on his face and chest.
"You and I both know this! I already told Kieran to get help, So, I'm going to help Lily, and I'll do it by myself if I have to!"
Charles already knew. He said something similar to Sam back when they were out in the open plains of New Hanover. And if help was already coming, then they could hold out until then.
"Okay." But before Charles could say anything else, Sam kicked the door open upon hearing screams.
Charles raced after him, bow in hand, and shot any O'Driscoll that so much as moved. He ended up following Sam to the big fishing deck where the silver eyed man snuck up and slit the throat of an O'Driscoll pointing a gun at a local, threw a throwing knife at a second who noticed him and pushed down a third who tried to tackle him. He kicked when Sam approached, but Sam caught him by stomping on his ankle. The O'Driscoll's pained scream was the last thing out of his mouth before Sam shot him as a crackle of lightning struck followed by the loud clap of thunder.
"It's you…" the man said, as Sam rushed over to help him up.
"Are you hurt?" said Sam. Charles caught up, but remained vigilant.
The man he helped was older and had a dark complexion. Still, his eyes and face told him that he was just a hard-working man trying to get by. He flinched at Sam's question, not expecting a man like Sam to sound so kind.
"Y-Yes," the man responded. "I was helping the others get away on my boats. A-And they… well…" He gestured to the bodies. "You know."
"You have somewhere to go?" Charles asked.
"Yeah. I've gotten everyone I can get out of here. I"m hiding in Saint Denis until they're gone."
"Good," said Sam. "Stay safe."
The man nodded and hopped on his boat. Charles and Sam helped push it into the river.
"If you need anything, you ask for Thomas!" The man said, pointing at himself. That's when they saw it. On his chest, sticking out of his shirt pocket was a red handkerchief. Sam and Charles nodded and waved goodbye.
"Let's go!" said Sam. He pulled out his Scholfield and filled the chamber. "We clear this place and head north. Aurora's too scared, so we have to walk."
Charles shook his head and grabbed his shoulder. "No. You'll ride with me on Taima."
Sam growled, but Charles just tightened his grip and he was silent.
"Fine. Just make it quick! Enough people have died because of me!"
Arthur, having strayed far from Soleil, ended up "borrowing" a random horse on the side of the road. He followed Ashton, the man who bought that brooch from Mr. Gillis, out of the town. He had gotten in a carriage, but that wasn't going to deter the seasoned outlaw in any way.
Arthur managed to be fast enough to catch up to the coach, jump on and kick off the drivers.
"Did Gillis put you up to this?" Ashton asked.
Arthur didn't answer him at the moment. He took the reins and drove onward until they were a little far from town and somewhere secluded. Arthur didn't falter, even as Ashton yelled for help. Once they were somewhere quiet, Arthur stopped the coach and got off the driver's seat. Ashton noticeably flinched as the outlaw approached.
"Get out of there!" Arthur growled. When he didn't get what he wanted, Arthur walked up to the wagon, swung the door open and yanked Ashton out and onto the muddy ground.
"Leave me alone," Ashton pleaded, "leave me alone, it's just a brooch."
Arthur towered over the little snake like a giant. "I want that brooch," Arthur said, lowly, his anger bubbling beneath his tone, "it wasn't Gillis's to sell."
"I bought it fair and square."
Arthur growled again, but Mary's words hung in the air.
"Don't hurt anyone, Arthur."
"How much do you want for it?"
"I guess I could give it to you for a hundred dollars," Ashton answered.
Arthur couldn't believe this. For a damn brooch?!
"It's not even his to sell…"
"It's just a brooch… at least he didn't get himself killed."
"You don't understand… mother left it to me."
Arthur reached into his satchel and pulled out a hundred dollars. He luckily, still had the money he and Sam had from helping those natives. He didn't hand it to Ashton, instead choosing to just throw the clip at him.
"Here."
Ashton slowly got up and pulled out the brooch. "Here, take the damn thing."
Arthur took it without another word, but left Ashton where he was. He wasn't sure where the bastard ran off to, but he didn't care. With the carriage still with him, he used it to get back to the city and give Mary what belonged to her.
With Lakay cleared, Sam and Charles proceeded north. Sam's breath quivered as the clouds grew thicker and darker. The rumbling of thunder was getting louder and louder, but the fears trying to cloud his memories were blown away by his desire to save Lily and the sight he saw ahead.
Well, the cabin was in the distance, but there were small fires going. Both Sam and Charles could see them with the wind blowing the smoke around. And other than the trees and shrubs, it was basically open ground.
They know we're coming," said Charles. He and Sam were crouched down in the dirt behind a patch of shrubbery.
"Then I'll give them one hell of a greeting," Sam muttered, his gaze unmoving.
"That's what they want you to do, you fool."
In the beginning, being faced with such opposition, Sam would have backed away or found a way around all of this, but now he just wanted to walk right in.
"If they want me, they can have me." His hand was already on his holster and his other hand was in his bag, reaching for god knows what.
"Not like this," Charles insisted, grabbing his wrist. "There's no point in saving Lily, if you don't survive to see her."
Sam swallowed hard. The silence carried on until Sam finally observed what was around him: The wind, the clouds, the O'Driscolls waiting for him and Lily probably being in the back because of him.
"Then what do we do?"
KABOOM!
Sam and Charles were nearly knocked off their feet from the explosion. In the distance was a fire, with smoke rising up into the air. Not long after, O'Driscoll gang horses were running away but they were somehow staying together like a herd.
Charles pulled Sam to a tree and they stayed close and still as the horses passed them. There was hooting and hollering as the thugs were divided over getting their horses back or investigating the explosion.
Just as the herd was nearly past them, both Sam and Charles made eye contact with a rider. He was behind all the running horses and both of them saw the same small, scruffy little man, his jaw clenched, his grip tight on the reins and fearful tears racing down his face.
Kieran.
Sam could only think about what this meant. This was the distraction they needed. He looked to Charles who pulled out his bow. As the cloud of dust that was kicked up began to envelop them the pair of them knew exactly what to do.
"What the hell's going on?"
O'Driscolls were scattered everywhere and the stampede of horses had blinded them in a cloud of kicked up dirt.
"Ben?!" one of them called, as he wandered aimlessly, gun in hand. "Ben?!" The man nearly tripped over a twig, but saw a shape flop onto the ground. The man came over to find a body face down with an arrow in the back of his head.
"Ben?!"
"What's going on, Dillan?"
Just as Dillan's buddy approached, he was hit with a knife in his chest and Sam crept up to rip it out again and threw it at Dillan's head. Two more ran up to the noise as Dillan fell. After Sam took the knife from the dead man's head, he saw the face of two more O'Driscolls, who saw him rise from the corpse of the feller gang member, with blood soaking his hand and small blade, and then two arrows flew past him and hit the two thugs right in the chest. Sam ran up as a third one backed away and drew his gun. The younger outlaw caught his arm just before he fired, making him shoot upwards and punched him in the gut. It made him let go of his gun and as he doubled over in pain, Sam shot him in the head.
With every body that littered the ground, Sam and Charles drew closer to the lone cabin. So Charles loaded his arrows and let them fly. If anyone got too close, he had a trusty sawed off shotgun. Sam loaded his guns, dodged swings and open fired, holding his body to the side, like Arthur taught him, to expose as little of himself as possible.
The dust started clearing. There were a few who remained at the rickety porch. They were holding their rifles, waiting and hoping that at the end of all of that yelling and gunshots, they would emerge victorious.
Finally, when the fog parted, they didn't see their comrades. They saw the eyes of cold silver, two Schofields and a saw-off shotgun.
With the O'Driscolls at the door dealt with, Charles shot off the lock and Sam kicked the door in.
Someone rose from a pair of chairs inside and put their hands up. There was a muffled yell. The person in the other chair was Lily, strapped down by ropes and gagged.
"Archie?!" Sam yelled, as he stared Lily's captor in the eyes. Shotgun ready, Charles moved in slowly. The sight of Lily's state made Sam see red. He charged at the unarmed Archie, grabbed him by his chest to yank him away from his cousin and slammed him against the wall, making Lily let out a muffled yell. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Archie barely knew her, but in that moment, as Sam stared him down, all he saw was the spitting image of Sam's mother.
"I-I didn't-" Archie could only say before Lily stood up after Charles had rushed over to untie her. She was shaken up, rubbing her wrists despite the dirt on her clothes and bruises on her face
"H-He sent the dove!" Lily yelled, as soon as she ripped the cloth from her mouth. Her usual voice was gone. All Sam heard was the terrified girl from when the O'Driscolls destroyed their home. "He sent it to grab me!"
Archie yelled when Sam pointed the end of his gun at Archie's chin. Which almost made him scream. "You got anything to say you fucking traitor?" Sam growled.
Archie kept his hands up. "M-My aim… wasn't her, I promise."
"Like grabbing Sam would make it any better?!" Lily yelled.
"Lily…"
Then something shattered. A window. A bright sparkling light was on the ground… connected to a stick of red.
Charles could only reach for Lily who was the closest before jumping to the floor. "GET DOWN!"
By the time Arthur made it back to Saint Denis and where he left Mary, he was glad she had listened and stayed. However, she was sitting alone. Her father was nowhere to be found. She was deep in thought, her brows furrowed as she stared at the ground.
"Where's your father?" Arthur asked. He really didn't care where he was, but he would if Mary did.
Mary had been so caught up by what her father did, she hadn't noticed Arthur until he spoke. There he was, standing before her.
"I don't know," she answered, honestly.
"You want me to go find him again?"
Mary shook her head. "Not really."
Arthur sighed. "Well, let's take a walk," he said, gesturing to the exit of the little alleyway they were in. "I'll take you to the trolley."
Mary stood up. "Thank-you."
As the pair walked out, Arthur decided to give it back to her before he forgot. He reached into his satchel and passed it to her.
"I… got you your brooch back."
Mary let out a soft gasp and took into her hands. "I won't ask."
"Probably best not."
The pair walked on in relative silence. While they did, just watching Mary walk alongside him did bring back old memories. It was the good times they shared. Sometimes he'd sneak Mary away from some stupid formal thing to have some fun or she would show him the luxuries of a normal high class life. Honestly, it made Arthur see that having good things wasn't all bad, but he still knew that the possessions of a person who had so much, always came at the expense of something or someone else.
"My life wasn't supposed to…" Mary spoke, as they reached the trolley station. She trailed off. "Oh…" she turned and placed her hand on Arthur's arm, stopping him in his tracks. "Is it too late for us, Arthur?"
"I-" Arthur just stopped. Did she really just… "I'm a wanted man, Mary," said Arthur. "Anyone close to me, well, they're wanted, too."
Mary tightened her grip. "Run away with me," she pleaded. "Run away right now and don't look back."
Arthur swallowed a lump in his throat. "I have people I need to take care of. They need me."
"But Arthur-"
It was at this moment, when Arthur looked into Mary's eyes, he didn't see her. He saw Sam, instead. Even if he ran away with her, he couldn't just do it without saying goodbye. He'd be no better than John when he ran off and moreover, he couldn't force Sam to relive the same shit he was put through over and over again in his life.
He wouldn't abandon him.
He couldn't abandon his family.
Arthur stepped back and sighed. "We've been through this over and over," said Arthur. "I can't leave them. They need me!"
"I…" Mary stammered. "I… need you."
"I would like to see you again, if you could spare me a little bit of your time."
"I… my family… I need your help!"
"You mean the family that always looked down on me."
"So, I can do another favor for you?" Arthur said after a pause of silence.
"What?"
"You don't understand. They ain't good, but they treated me with more kindness and humanity than anyone else."
"But, it ain't right!" Mary argued.
"And yours ain't any better," Arthur yelled. "There are people out there who I didn't have to prove myself to! I shouldn't have to prove myself to get you to care about me, I should want to prove myself because you care about me!"
"Arthur!" Mary pleaded.
And somehow that led to silence again. There was an engine. The sound of a trolley approaching. Right now, Arthur's mind raced back to Hosea.
Honesty.
"...Why did you write to me, Mary?" Arthur asked. "Was…" He looked down for a moment, hands on his gun belt. "Did you… really want to see me, or… did you just want my help?"
Mary stepped back, a hand on her arm. "I… I don't know."
Arthur shook his head. "Of course."
"Arthur!" Mary snapped.
"We can't keep doing this, Mary!" the outlaw snapped back. "I can't keep coming out here, thinking about what this means, then just have you make me do whatever is you need and then push me away."
Mary sighed. "I… I'm sorry. I know it was wrong of me to ask you for help, but…"
"It ain't that," said Arthur. "Why can't you just be honest with me?"
Mary held her hands close to her chest. She thought for a moment, then looked him in the eyes. "You mean the time you were away with me and I didn't give you that letter from your boss for some time?"
Arthur didn't respond with words or with his body. It was likely that, but among other things, like her pretty words in her letters to get him to come over.
"I… I know you're a good man," said Mary. Arthur rolled his eyes, but Mary just ignored it. "He's in there, but he's wrestling with a giant and that giant wins time and again."
Arthur just shrugged. They had discussions like this before, too. Though, last time there was a lot more yelling.
"It wasn't your family, was it?" said Arthur.
Mary stepped back. "What do you mean?"
"I ain't never gonna be good enough… for you."
Mary's jaw dropped.
"No matter how hard I try… it just won't be enough, won't it?" said Arthur.
"Arthur…."
Arthur just shook his head, when Mary reached out. In fact, he stepped back when she tried. "I'm sorry if I'm not willing to leave the people who helped me when I had nothing, especially when they need me now more than ever. They never asked for anything in return. But you?"
"I'm sorry," Mary said again. She shook her head. "I never should've dragged you into this. Into any of this… stirred up all of this trouble for you…. I guess… I was so caught up in what happened, that I started dreaming the silliest of dreams."
Arthur sighed, but nodded his head. "But it was a pretty dream. Just…"
"It was a long time ago…" said Mary. "I understand." She looked up and met Arthur's gaze. "Your life is just… a world you can't escape from."
"And I guess… yours is one you can't escape, either," said Arthur.
"No, I'm afraid not."
"All aboard!"
Mary and Arthur turned and saw the trolley before them. One last time Arthur held Mary's hand.
"I guess… this is it, then?" Arthur asked.
Mary's lip trembled, but she nodded. "I suppose so." She stared into Arthur's eyes one last time. "I'll miss you. I think I always will."
Arthur nodded. "Yeah, me too…"
"I know," Mary replied. Arthur didn't expect it, but welcomed what happened next. Mary practically flew to him and wrapped her arms around him. If she didn't have this inner strength, Mary would've bursted into tears when she felt him hug her back.
When they pulled away, Arthur and Mary were still holding each other's hands.
"Good-bye, Arthur."
Arthur bowed his head, slightly. "Good-bye."
The unfeeling trolley conductor kept ringing the bell. Despite this, it took a few seconds before Mary finally stepped away, and even then, her grip remained for a moment longer, before finally letting go.
Arthur felt something in his hand. For a moment, he thought Mary's brooch slipped from her hand, but instead of a brooch, the outlaw opened his palm and found a ring.
Arthur remembered. He got this ring for her a long time ago. It was the ring that almost got him married. By the time he realized what it was, Mary had already boarded the trolley. It drove off and Arthur made eye contact with Mary one more time before he couldn't anymore.
Arthur looked at the ring once again. Maybe this was her way of letting go at last? Would she have put it on again if she got what she wanted? Or was it always her intention to return it? He didn't know and now he doubted that he would ever know.
For now, Arthur turned away, walked by the trolley station that Dutch had been fixing to rob, and started the long journey back to the stables. Soliel was still there, after all. He felt sad, but somehow relieved. Lighter even. Once he calmed down, and had a drink or two, he couldn't delay going back. At least, not for long.
He just hoped he wasn't too late…
Fun facts:
In the mission, Fatherhood and Other Dreams, when Mary and Arthur are up against the wall, and your controller has vibration turned on, it will vibrate to the sound of Arthur's heartbeat, indicating he's nervous and/or flustered.
Linger for a bit after Arthur begins the task to get the brooch back and you'll hear some additional dialogue as Mary argues with her dad (Only do it, if you don't care about getting gold on this mission).
You can beat up Ashton, the man who bought Mary's brooch, and you'll "convince" him to lower the price to buy it back.
If you go to the theater with Mary, you can turn the camera to face Arthur and Mary and select an action called "make a move." Arthur will attempt to put his arm around Mary, but she'll notice and Arthur will shy away. (Poor baby…)