“But Dominic doesn’t need any more money. The Kantalan treasure is enough for any sane man.”

A faint smile touched Elspeth’s lips. “I’m surprised to hear you say that. I gathered from Dominic that you didn’t know the meaning of the word enough.” She paused. “Besides, there are all kinds of treasures in this world.”

“You’re trying to keep him away from Killara.”

“I would never do that.” She looked down at the cup of coffee cradled in her hands. “He loves it too much. He even loves you, though heaven knows why.”

“Then tell him you want to forget about running halfway across the country, and come home where you both belong.”

She shook her head.

“Dammit, what’s wrong with everyone?” Shamus exploded. “You, Patrick, Dominic. Can’t you see I’m doing what’s best for the family?”

He honestly believed what he was saying, Elspeth thought. And for the first time she caught the faintest glimpse of vulnerability beneath the old lion’s roar. “No, we’re doing what’s best, and you’ll have to accept it.”

“The hell I will!” Shamus fought and eventually conquered his frustration and anger. He forced a smile. “Look, I know you’re probably upset about Rising Star’s death. Perhaps Malvina and I should have been friendlier to Joshua’s wife, but we were never unkind to her. You don’t have to be afraid we’ll-”

“I’m not afraid of you,” Elspeth said clearly. “I know you now. I know you’re ruthless, stubborn, and sly. I also know you’re loyal, protective, and love your family. In many ways I respect and admire you and in others…” She shrugged. “However, I do not fear you.”

He blinked in surprise but rallied quickly. “Then there’s no reason why we couldn’t all get along very well together… eventually.”

“Perhaps.” She threw the remains of the coffee into the flames and set the cup down. “But not now.” She stood up. “Don’t worry, Mr. Delaney, your son will come home to Killara, but it will be when we wish it, not you.” She turned away. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go and try to further my acquaintance with Sean and Cort. I’m looking forward to getting to know them. The Delaneys are such an interesting family.”

She turned and walked toward Dominic, Sean, and Cort, leaving the patriarch of that “interesting” Delaney family frustrated and perplexed.

Dominic stayed up late talking to his brothers. It was close to midnight when he finally slipped beneath the blanket with Elspeth, who immediately turned to face him and came into his arms. She didn’t speak for a moment, content to be close to him with this army of strangers camped around them.

“I saw Da talking to you,” Dominic said. “He didn’t upset you, did he?”

“No.” She was silent for a moment. “I believe I’m beginning to be a wee bit sorry for him. Everything around him is changing and he doesn’t understand why or how to stop it.” She paused. “Are we going back to Killara before we leave for Illinois?”

He shook his head. “There’s no need now. Da can take the pack animals and treasure home and we can catch the stage in Tucson.”

“I see.” It was the answer she had hoped he would make. “How long will we be in Tucson?”

“The stage leaves twice a week. With any luck we won’t have to be there more than overnight.”

“Oh.” She paused. “I thought perhaps we could stay a little longer than that. I have something to do in Tucson.”

“What?”

She thought quickly. “Shopping. The only things I have with me are worn to rags.”

“They have better stores and dressmakers in St. Louis. We’ll have to stop there anyway.”

“But what would I wear on the trip? No, I need a few days in Tucson. Besides, I’m very tired. I might need to rest a bit.”

Dominic felt a pang of remorse mixed with tenderness. Of course she was tired. She had been through trials that would have tested the endurance of a strong man. “Why didn’t you say so? We’ll give you all the time you need. A month if you like.”

Elspeth closed her eyes quickly to prevent him from seeing the flicker of guilt she was experiencing. She feigned a yawn. “A few days will be quite sufficient. “Good night, Dominic.”

26

The name of the establishment was inscribed with discreet richness in gold letters on the plate glass window. Charles Durbin and Sons, Bank of Tucson. Elspeth paused to gaze at the inscription for a moment before she swept toward the front door. She closed her lacy parasol and opened the door.

Two women were standing in line at the teller’s cage across the room, and a young man with sandy hair was bent over a ledger at a desk immediately to her right. She turned to face him. “I would like to speak to Mr. Durbin, please.”

He looked up. Then he hastily rose to his feet with flattering alacrity. “I’m Mr. Durbin. George Durbin.”

“No, the elder Mr. Durbin. Your father, I believe.”

Disappointment flickered in his face. “Certainly. May I say who wishes to see him?”

“Elspeth… MacGregor.”

He nodded and hurried toward the door of the glass-enclosed office to the right of the teller’s cage. Elspeth’s gaze followed him as he opened the door and spoke to a man at a large mahogany desk. Charles Durbin wasn’t what Elspeth had expected. He was somewhere in his early fifties, with dark hair abundantly flecked with gray. He was slightly rotund. An indulgent smile creased his plump cheeks as his son spoke to him, and the sharp blue of his eyes softened for just an instant as he nodded and then leaned back in his big leather chair.

The younger Durbin came out of the office. “He’ll see you now.”

Elspeth bestowed a glowing smile on the young man as she moved toward the door. “Thank you, you’ve been very kind.” She entered the office and closed the door behind her, smiling coolly at the man behind the desk. “It’s good of you to see me. I’ve come on a rather important matter.”