Tears of Gold by Laurie McBain

Author:Laurie McBain
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2011-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

No matter how fair the sun shines,

Still it must set.

—Ferdinand Raimund

Chapter 8

María Velazquez stared around her pink-tinted boudoir in vain appreciation of the elegant adornments serving as a backdrop for her exotic beauty. Gilt-framed mirrors on every wall reflected sparkling glass chandeliers suspended above the thick carpet. White lace fluttered against the glass of the windows, which were draped in heavy, red damask. Satin-upholstered rosewood chairs and an overstuffed, deep-buttoned chaise longue were strategically positioned around the room. But it was the large four-poster with canopy draped in red velvet that dominated all else and drew the eye, as indeed it was meant to do. With its matching spread of dark red velvet and a fur rug folded at the foot, it seemed a haven of warmth and security to a man just down from the loneliness of the Sierra or weary from a long sea voyage. The lovely room and the woman were available should he have the right amount of gold in his pockets.

And María Velazquez always made sure they could pay before she shared her favors with them. Time was money in this city full of prospective customers. María stared out the window at the rain falling in windblown sheets against the clapboard sides of the buildings. Making a moue of distaste, she turned away from the window, wrapping her diaphanous peignoir of pink silk gauze around her pale body. Shivering delicately she pulled the fur rug from the bed and wrapped it around her body, rubbing her hands sensuously over the dark glossy sable.

With a bored sigh she walked over to one of the side tables loaded down with fine imported liqueurs and brandy, champagne, claret, and port, and poured herself a full goblet of champagne. San Francisco had been a slight disappointment to her on her arrival here from Europe less than a month ago. But she had quickly seen beneath the crude glitter and discovered the real gold mine of opportunities for a beautiful woman. Anything could happen here and everything was possible, especially for an ambitious woman. And María Velazquez was most ambitious.

With a provocative swing of her hips, a contrived movement that had now become second nature to her, María moved to the large wardrobe with its marquetry-paneled doors standing slightly ajar. Pushing the doors wider, María stared in disagreeable silence at the colorful assortment of gowns presented for her inspection. Her calculative gaze traveled over the silks, satins, and velvets, until finally coming to rest on a deeply flounced black velvet figured gown of purple silk. She pulled it free from the confining space of the wardrobe and spread it out on the bed. Her amethyst necklace and earrings would go well with it, and her dark purple velvet cape lined in mink would keep her elegantly warm. She was taking a great deal of trouble with her appearances tonight, but then she was dining with someone very special and she had every intention of captivating her host. Jacques D’Arcy was definitely a man going somewhere in the world.

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