Gold Mountain (20 page)

“Ah, Dinah, if I thought you really were jealous for my company, I’d be as happy a man as ever there was, but you’re only making conversation, and I don’t believe I’ll deign to answer.”

Being the fickle woman I was, I didn’t especially enjoy picturing another woman on Colin O’Connor’s arm, but I certainly wasn’t going to let him know that. As we waited for the car’s passengers to get off so we could board, I smiled up at him and replied in a voice intended both to tease and to flirt, “That’s perfectly understandable. We’ll both agree to keep our secrets to ourselves.”

In a few moments we settled next to each other, and Colin grabbed my arm to steady me as the car jerked into motion. The movement brought him closer to my side. “Exactly what secrets are you keeping, Dinah? Is there someone else, another man you’re not telling me about?”

I looked at him quickly, surprised by a depth of feeling that startled me. He must have seen the surprise on my face because he let go of my arm instantly and moved slightly away from me. I heard true remorse in his voice.

“I’m sorry. I know you’re not ready to talk about any kind of serious feelings. You’ve made that clear. But you should understand that not talking about something doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. I’m a patient man, by and large, and I didn’t mean to distress you, but don’t treat how I feel lightly, Dinah. It’s not right, and I wouldn’t be a man to handle that well. I care too much.”

His words made me regret that I’d responded to his feelings so playfully, but I was not going to allow myself to be drawn into a conversation I was not ready to have. “I’m not treating you lightly, Colin, and I’m not spending time with anyone else.” Then to be sure he understood that I still valued my independence, I added calmly, “If that were any of your business, which I’m not convinced it is.”

“That puts me in my place right proper,” he replied pleasantly. “I understand. What do you know about the Cliff House?”

He had changed the tone and the topic of conversation as adroitly as I might have, and I appreciated the effort enough to let him do most of the talking for the rest of the trip.

My first sight of the famous San Francisco landmark was enough to stop me in my tracks. “It’s a castle, Colin, not just a mansion! A castle! I’ve never seen anything like it! How did anyone ever have the money and the expertise to build something so grand in such an extraordinary location?”

“It is a sight,” Colin agreed. We stood shoulder to shoulder staring at the enormous structure, several lower stories filled with rows of windows and topped by turrets and towers and more windows, eight stories in all to my count, all of them built to jut out over the Bay, suspended like a crown over the waters.

“Come on now,” Colin urged, giving my arm a gentle pull, no repeat of the firmness I had felt in the cable car. “There’s a lot to see, and I want to show it all to you. We’ve got a great day for it.”

He was right. It was a great day, a perfect day, in fact, enough warm sunshine to keep the breeze off the ocean from being too cool but not so much that traipsing through the sand would work up any perspiration. The beach under the Cliff House was filled with families and couples and individuals enjoying the tang of seawater in the air and the sound of waves that held the comforting rhythms of a lullaby.

“I love the water,” I said, taking his arm for support as we walked. “Thank you for bringing me here, Colin.”

He smiled down at me. “Ah, Dinah, it’s my pleasure to see the sun in those sapphire eyes of yours. Let’s go inside. You won’t believe the view of the coast you get from the windows.”

We walked leisurely along the beach toward the looming mansion, making desultory conversation, both of us comfortable with the other and enjoying the indolence that seeped into our bones along with the warmth of the sun. Once inside we walked up two flights of steps, entered a large public room, and were lucky enough to find a table that faced the Bay. After he ordered lemonade, Colin set his bowler hat on the table and leaned forward to point toward the large window.

“See the sailboats?” he asked. “Now that’s something I’ve never done.”

“Me, either, but I believe I’d enjoy it. I love boats and looking out at a horizon that’s nothing but sky and water.”

“We’ll have to go sailing sometime then. I’ve got a friend who can arrange it.”

I didn’t respond, only smiled my agreement. At that moment spending time with Colin O’Connor on land or sea was an enjoyable prospect, and I hoped he understood what I didn’t voice. He did understand, I think, because as he continued to comment on the view, he rested his big hand lightly over mine on the table. I relaxed and did not pull away.

Talking in low voices as we enjoyed the window view of broad sky and an ocean that sparkled like blue diamonds in the sun, it took a moment for us to become aware of a figure standing next to our table. I thought at first it was the girl who’d brought our refreshments, but when I turned I was flabbergasted to see Jake Pandora beside me and on his arm the girl I’d glimpsed in the window over his office. Pandora was hatless, wearing black trousers and a pristine white shirt open at the collar. Casual. Very handsome. He couldn’t help it, of course, with that face but I thought with an unashamed touch of cynicism that there must surely be a streak of vanity there. The man seemed to have developed a fashion sense usually credited to women because I couldn’t believe he didn’t realize that the neutral colors and plain clothes he selected emphasized his good looks.

“Miss Hudson.” Jake Pandora flashed a brief, white smile. “I hear I missed you on your last visit. I’m sorry.”

I felt Colin stir restlessly beside me and quickly introduced them. “Mr. Pandora, this is my friend, Colin O’Connor. Colin, this is Jake Pandora of the Pandora Transport Line. We are—” I hesitated, unsure how to explain our relationship.

“Business acquaintances,” Pandora supplied easily. “Miss Hudson and I share some common business interests.” He indicated the woman who stood quietly by his side. “Elena told me a woman had come by the office, and I recognized you from her description. Miss Hudson, this is my niece, Elena Pandora. Elena, please meet Miss Hudson.”

Niece, I thought with continuing skepticism, hah! even as I smiled at the young woman. Close up she was younger than I’d first guessed. I doubted that she’d turned eighteen yet.

“How do you do, Miss Hudson?” She had a soft, accented voice and a shy smile. A very pretty girl with pretty manners.

“Hello, Miss Pandora. Now that you jog my memory, I do recall seeing someone in an upstairs window when I was there last. I hope my uninvited entrance didn’t disturb you.” To Pandora, I explained, “The door was open.”

“It always is.” He turned his attention to Colin, who had arisen and moved behind my chair to place one hand proprietarily on my shoulder. I resented the implication of the gesture but could not shake off his touch without causing a scene I didn’t want to precipitate. I was practical enough to understand that Jake Pandora’s presence would elicit a similar reaction from almost any man who was with a female of his choosing. Even Martin had stiffened with what seemed to be an immediate antagonism when Pandora had visited Grove Street, and he and Ruth were happily married and devoted to each other. Some sort of jungle law at work, I supposed, and nothing to be done about it. Colin was large and tempered and Irish with an inclination toward jealousy, and I understood that his unspoken staking of a claim on me was a very human—a very male—reaction. I didn’t like it, but I allowed it.

“Mr. O’Connor,” Jake said with a nod of his head and a small, small smile.

“Pandora,” Colin replied, not bothering with a nod, a smile, or a
Mister
.

Neither man extended a hand, and I finally took it upon myself to break the silence. “How serendipitous to see you, Mr. Pandora. You’ll contact me soon about our mutual enterprise, I hope.”

“Oh, yes, I’ll be in touch.”

I turned to his niece. “I was happy to meet you, Miss Pandora. I hope you enjoy the day’s outing. It’s a perfect day for it, isn’t it?” She smiled agreement, caught the dismissal in my tone, and stepped away quietly, pulling Jake Pandora with her. She whispered something against his cheek that made him scowl, but he recovered his usual sardonic expression, shrugged, and murmured something back to her that I also did not catch.

Before walking away, he spoke over his shoulder. “A pleasure as always, Miss Hudson,” using the tone I was accustomed to, the tone that indicated a meaning exactly opposite of the words. I thoughtfully watched him and his companion exit the room. That exchange had had the feel of something more than the coincidental and unanticipated meeting of casual acquaintances, but what?

Colin, who had taken his seat again, said my name sharply and I turned to face him. “How do you know someone like Jake Pandora?”

With the memory of his uninvited hand on my shoulder, I answered tersely, “As I mentioned, we have some mutual business interests that have their origins in China.” To change the subject, I deliberately turned to stare out the large window. “Look,” I remarked, “isn’t that a Naval vessel in the distance? Did I ever tell you that my brother was in the Navy?”

Colin could not ignore my questions without appearing rude and using his answers, I relentlessly drove the conversation onto other topics and kept it there the rest of the afternoon. After a while, Colin gave up trying to interject Jake Pandora’s name into our talk, and his expression gradually returned to normal so that we were both able to spend the remainder of the day very enjoyably. We made our way home slowly, both of us, I think, regretting that the day had to end. Colin O’Connor could be very charming company and his obvious admiration made me feel attractive and special, which only increased his admiration. A pleasant spiral of emotions that, combined with the perfect weather and lure of the ocean, made me return his kiss more fervently than either of us expected.

We had been walking along the beach in the shade of the overhanging bluffs and he had stopped abruptly to pull me into his arms. I stiffened at first but then responded in a way that obviously pleased him. When we resumed our walk, Colin’s satisfaction with my response showed on his face, and I could almost hear his thoughts.
So much for that Jake Pandora
his expression said. I enjoyed kissing in general and kissing Colin O’Connor in particular, but I was female and I wasn’t dead so I couldn’t help but wonder if kissing Jake Pandora would hold its own attraction. I imagined it would. At the unexpected recollection of his full-lipped, mobile mouth I felt myself blush and was glad for the shadow of the cliffs. I think Colin may have noticed my increased color, but the look on his face told me he attributed it to the effect of our recent kiss and I didn’t—by look, tone, or gesture—indicate anything to the contrary.

That evening, after receiving a chaste kiss on the cheek from Colin as he delivered me to my front door, Ruth asked about the day and without knowing why I shared everything with her except the meeting with Pandora. Why I could tell her about kissing Colin O’Connor but couldn’t mention a few spoken words with Jake Pandora I didn’t know, but the fact was that the experience with Jake Pandora at Wing Chee’s had somehow altered my feelings about the man. Until I knew why and how, I felt safer not talking about him at all. For a woman who’d always considered that she possessed a minimum of imagination and sensitivity, Pandora had begun to trigger a surprising reaction that involved both those emotions. I found the fact to be disconcerting even as it held a certain pleasant suspense. Kissing one man while thinking about another was just outrageous enough to make me ashamed of myself. Almost ashamed, anyway. When had I learned that particular deceit?

My sister said good-night at the door of my room, adding “You’re leaving something out, aren’t you?” Her comment surprised me with its perception and Ruth smiled, enjoying my surprise. “That’s all right, Sister. I suspect you’ll tell me when you’re ready.” Changing the subject, she added, “Suey Wah is such a delight, Dinah. I love having her with us. Do you think there’s the slightest chance she could stay with us? I mean stay permanently. Martin’s the one who brought up the idea. He’s become as fond of her as I have. Will you talk to Miss Cameron about it?”

“Yes, but don’t get too hopeful about the idea. Suey Wah is a special child, and I know Miss Cameron is arranging a place for her farther north and inland.”

“But you’ll talk to Miss Cameron about it anyway, won’t you?” Ruth repeated insistently. “We’ll sign papers or whatever it would take. Promise you’ll mention the matter to her.”

“I promise.”

“That’s all I ask. We’ll leave the answer to God.”

I didn’t have the heart to try to dissuade Ruth from her idea of adopting Suey Wah, but I knew Donaldina felt strongly that moving Suey Wah out of the city was in the child’s best interests, and I thought that when it came to Donaldina Cameron, even God might take a moment to ask her opinion first.

All next week Donaldina waited for the repercussions promised by Quentin Farmer’s recent visit. She marshaled the support of prominent judges and merchants and clergymen, whose backing had helped in the past and whose loyalties were never questioned. She also advised the mission’s Chinese supporters about the threatened legal action against 920 and asked them to prepare to speak on the mission’s behalf if doing so would prove helpful. Most importantly, she mobilized the women of The Mission Board, whose contacts and influence —and husbands— permeated all aspects of respectable San Francisco society and life. Whether Donaldina’s spirited and immediate actions were the reason or not, the week passed quietly with no more hostile visitors seeking a child named Suey Wah, no police tramping through the house, no warrant of contempt served or as far as we knew even pursued. Perhaps Judge Mackiver’s more temperate colleagues made their opinions known, perhaps Quentin Farmer felt the cool breath of condemning public opinion against the back of his neck, but life at 920 settled back into its comfortable routine. Everyone, the girls included, gradually relaxed, so much so that I finally felt I could follow through with Ruth’s request to ask Donaldina about Suey Wah’s future.