The Measure of a Lady Read Online Free PDF Page B

first time really, how much Lissa had matured these last few months. Her sister’s curves were more those of a woman’s, and her height nearly matched Rachel’s five-foot-six. Would, perhaps, surpass it soon.
    The face beneath the bonnet was such that one would not be able to tell if she were fourteen years or twenty. On top of that, not only did she have all her teeth, but they were straight, pretty, and framed on each side by deep, attractive dimples. Wispy blond curls escaped her bonnet, clinging to her neck and collar.
    What was to become of such a beauty when surrounded by decadence? Consternation wrapped its tentacles around Rachel. Her empty stomach clenched. And Lissa’s song came to an end.
    All remained silent for a mere beat before the men bellowed, whooped, and shot their guns into the air.
    Lissa curtsied. Rachel pulled away from Mr. Parker and walked over to Michael, who had been lingering in the shadows. She held out her hands and he obediently gave her the hat full of gold.
    Lissa turned.
    Rachel moved to the edge of the porch and spun the hat, gold and all, into the crowd.

chapter 3
    P andemonium broke out as dust and nuggets flew in all directions. Some of the boys dove for the hat and some fell to their knees, scrambling to recover the unexpected gift that plopped into the mud, while others mined the mineral out of each other’s hair and clothing.
    Johnnie jerked upright, snuffed out his cigar, and tried to prepare himself for just about anything.
    ‘‘Rachel,’’ Lissa screeched. ‘‘What did you do that for?’’
    Miss Van Buren grabbed the girl’s arm and propelled her toward the alley. ‘‘Let’s go.’’
    Lissa broke free from her sister’s grasp. ‘‘You had no right.’’
    ‘‘You are making a scene. Now come to the back and we will discuss it there.’’
    ‘‘I will not. I will stand on this porch and sing the day away, and there is nothing you can do to stop me.’’
    Miss Van Buren leaned close to her sister, whispering furiously. Johnnie could not hear what she said, but Lissa clenched her fists, whirled around, and marched down the alley toward the back of the hotel.
    Miss Van Buren shooed Michael in the same direction. He immediately acquiesced.
    Then she pinned Johnnie with her gaze. ‘‘I need to speak with you.’’
    He glanced at the crowd. It didn’t appear any blood would be shed in the scramble to recover the gold. And discretion being the better part of valor, he decided he’d best see what she had to say.
    Michael and Lissa were waiting for them when they rounded the corner.
    ‘‘I cannot believe you just did that,’’ Lissa hissed. ‘‘Michael and I earned that gold, not you.’’
    ‘‘Tainted money is tainted money, and we’ll have nothing to do with it.’’
    ‘‘Tainted? I’ve being singing for people my entire life.’’
    ‘‘Go to the shack, where we can discuss this privately. I will be there momentarily. I must first speak with Mr. Parker.’’
    Lissa glanced between the two of them, clearly not wanting to be put off.
    ‘‘Go on,’’ Miss Van Buren said gently. She looked to Michael.
    ‘‘Escort your sister to the shack, please.’’
    Michael touched Lissa’s elbow. She jerked away from him and stormed to the shanty, her brother on her heels.
    Miss Van Buren stepped into the kitchen. ‘‘Please excuse our little display,’’ she said as Johnnie followed her in.
    ‘‘No apology necessary.’’
    She took a deep breath. ‘‘This town is a disgusting mess.’’
    If she’d been armed, he would have raised his hands up in the air. As it was, he chose to remain silent and see what, exactly, she expected him to do about that.
    ‘‘The hotels and boardinghouses are uninhabitable. The food is even worse.’’
    Still, he said nothing.
    ‘‘When was the last time you laundered the bedding in your hotel?’’
    Frowning, he straightened his spine. ‘‘I change out the bedding when necessary.’’
    ‘‘How