The Russian Billionaire’s Secret(131)

As she climbed up into the carriage after her mother, she hoped that the man she was going to meet tonight would be a handsome man with strong arms and a quick wit. Her father climbed into the stage behind her and they set off for the play.

After the play, Belle and her parents would be going to a small party of the Chicago elite. The man she was promised to once she turned fifteen was to be at the party so that they could be formally introduced. She found herself wondering once again what he would be like. Mother had told her that he was in his early thirties, but that was no matter. As long as he was handsome and smart, she didn’t care if he was forty.

The carriage trundled along the road for some time with them in the back until a single shot rang out in the night. Beside her, Belle’s mother screamed at the report of the gun and pulled her close. The carriage shifted slightly and another shot rang out. This time it was much closer. The thump of the driver as he pitched off carriage and landed in the street was loud. Again, Belle’s mother screamed. Belle turned to her father in the hopes that he would know what to do, but he was huddled in the corner with his knees pulled up to his chest. Sobs racked his small body each time he took a breath. The carriage door flew open.

A man with a black handkerchief tied around the lower half of his face appeared and even though she couldn’t see his mouth, she could tell that he smiled because of his eyes. In his hand, he held a pistol that gleamed in the moonlight. He motioned the gun to her father.

“Get out of the coach.” His voice was gruff to intentionally disguise it.

“Just take what you want.” Her father held out his wallet and his gold watch in shaking hands.

“I don’t want your money. I was hired to do a job and I aim to do it. Now, you and the missus get out of the coach or I’ll kill the both of you in front of your daughter and I know you don’t want that. Do you?”

“No. No, please. We’ll get out.” Her mother climbed over and stepped down. Belle couldn’t believe when the thief or robber or whatever he was helped her mother down from the carriage. Her father went next, but he shook all over and the man had to help him down as well. He motioned for them to step back off the road and turned back toward Belle.

“You’re gonna want to turn your head little one. No one wants you to see what is about to happen. Me in the least, but I was paid to do a job and I’ll see it finished. Turn around now.”

Belle was too confused and scared to do anything other than what the man asked her to do. She turned and looked out the window opposite of the door her mother and father exited. Her mother let out a small scream, but it was silenced by the roar of a gun. Her father emitted a small choking sob and then it too was drowned out by the gun’s report. She heard footsteps approach the door of the carriage, but she was too afraid to turn around. A gruff voice spoke through the window at her.

“I’m gonna take you home now. I don’t enjoy what I do. Of that you can be assured. Believe me when I say I did what I had to do not just for money, but for the good of the country. I know that no matter what I say you’ll still hate me and probably won’t believe me, but one day you’ll be older and maybe you’ll understand. What happened here tonight was inevitable if the country is to survive. I’m sorry.”

Without another word he walked away from the window. Belle felt the carriage shift as he climbed into the driver’s seat, but that was the last thing that she remembered for she fainted. She vaguely recalled someone carrying her into her house and laying her down, but that was all. Someone began to pat her lightly on the cheek and call her name over and over again.

“Belle. Belle. Belle.”

Chapter 3

Vicksburg Living

Belle opened her eyes and took in the face of the person that was standing over her. Wrinkles lined the eyes telling her that the face belonged to an older woman. For a few seconds, she had no idea where she was and then the events of the last few weeks came back to her and she began to cry. The older woman made a gentle shushing sound and laid a hand on Belle’s forehead.

“Don’t you cry now, honey. I know that you’re going through a lot, but you’ve gotta be strong. Out here men like a strong woman that can stand beside them.”

“I’m sorry.” She tried to get up too fast and the room spun around her.

“Not so fast, now.” The woman offered her a hand and helped her sit up slowly. “You’re dehydrated and from the looks of you, I’d say you haven’t eaten a decent meal in weeks.”

“I didn’t have the money. I used the last bit I had to buy an ad in the paper. If Mr. Thorn had not answered my ad, I don’t know what I would have done.” The thought of Matt Thorn made her remember that she had fainted on him at the train station. “Oh my. I seem to have acted like a ninny in front of him. Where is he?”

“He was called away to break up a bar fight.”

“Goodness.” Belle clutched her hands to her chest. “I hope that he will be alright.”

“Don’t you worry none about the Sheriff. He can take care of himself. Heck, he breaks up at least four or five fights down at the saloon a week and don’t you worry yourself too much about fainting in front of him. I explained to him that it was a lack of food and dehydration that caused you to do it.” The older woman gives a wink. “Wouldn’t want him getting the big head and thinking that you fainted ‘cause he was so handsome now would we?”