Owned and owed

[Lovely]

May 07, Year 2
evening


The door to Miss Deveuve's parlor opened inward and the man was greeted by the usual smiles and turning of heads. Several of the ladies lounged in the late afternoon heat, during a 'slow' time. Some chatted, a few helped others pinning and plaiting their hair, and a couple even played lazy hands of cards at a table. The giggles and chatter paused and then came to a standstill as the expressions changed on those who recognised the man. Those who did not fell curious and nervously silent.

The man smiled coldly and the expression was frightening. The scar that ran down the left side of his face, from temple to the corner of his mouth, only increased his ominous look. He was a fairly good sized man, with broad shoulders and a solid frame. His eyes gleamed darkly with malicious intent, it had taken him a long time to track her down once he set his mind to doing so. "Well howdy girls." His deep sardonic chuckle rumbled from his chest with his amusement. "Oh dolls, tell me how much you missed me?" His eyes scanned the room for the one he wanted most. Not seeing her, his eyes narrowed. The girls were all quiet, those who knew felt the fear creep into them and the others watched with wary, cautious eyes. "Aww come on now.. is this anyway to treat your man? Melinda... tell me how glad you are that I am home?" He reached for the blonde girl, who moved away from him so quickly that she knocked over a nearby vase. The quiet room was filled with the sound of the shattering glass and the startled yelps.

In Tessa's room she startled on her bed, she'd fallen asleep in Chance's arms. Enjoying a most restful afternoon nap and feeling safe, Tessa slept contently with her head resting on Chance's chest. Both were fully dressed still, as they had been talking and relaxing when they had drifted off to sleep. The noise in the outer rooms awoke her with a jerk and she sat up, shifting off the bed, she sighed and moved to the door. No need to bother Chance for a broken.. something... she check on the girls and then slip back into his arms. Her bedroom door opened smoothly, without a creak. The voice that carried down the hall froze her in place as a terror crawled over her skin. "Contessa.." His voice sounded like hiss of acid to her ears. She shuddered in revulsed memory and stood trembling in her doorway, unable to get her legs to move for a moment.

Behind her a click of a revolver was heard. Chance was a light sleeper and had to be. Although his rifle was left at the door, his revolver stayed at his side and found his hand before his head lifted from the pillow. He said nothing, noting her stance and crept up behind her, hidden by the door and curious.

She seemed for a minute not to know Chance was there as the voice grew louder.

"Contessa.." It sang. "Come out..come out.. we have something to finish.." And the voice lost it's forced syrupy jovial tone. "And I have waited long enough to finish what I started... And I OWE you a little something.." His chuckle held dark promise.

Contessa felt as if she couldn't breathe as the cold chills passed over her. She suddenly spun, pushing Chance back into her room, hands on his shoulders. "Get out of here." She spoke in a breathy whisper. "Go.. now, hurry." Terror filled her eyes and the haunted expression returned to her features.

[Lovely]

"No sense in goin' nowhere in a hurry when I wasn't in a hurry to begin with, now... what's all that about out there?" He asked her, noting her concern as she pushed him further from the door and his rifle. "The lady's indisposed," Chance warned, only his voice coming from behind the door, still out of sight, but peeking through the crack at the back of the door, seeing a single shadow.

Though it might not have seemed possible, even more fear washed into her face as Chance spoke loud enough to make his pressence known. Her head shook as if not believing he'd done such a thing and she looked near tears at the sound of the voice that came from the hall. "Chance.." She nearly begged, though he'd already alerted the other man to himself.

In the hall the voice fell silent at the knowledge of a man in the room with Contessa. A moment later a chuckle rolled towards the couple behind the door. "Indisposed? Too indisposed to come say howdy? I don't think so. Contessa you get you're hide out here! We have business to finish.."

The fear poured off the woman in sheets and petticoats as he held her arms, silently questioning the man's intention for her. He looked to the door as the tone changed, not buying into the business aspect at all. He kissed her cheek softly and whispered to her ear. "Go open the window and push the curtain through... make it look like you decided to leave... stay low behind the bed and don't move or say anything... I'll handle this. Go.. quick." He stepped to the door himself, giving her a moment to step away if she would. "Done told you, mister, the lady is not in a manner to be takin' visitors."

She flinched when he touched her and was shaking her head no, murmuring softly that he didn't understand and that he just needed to go. Fear kept her rooted in place, her legs feeling like lead and not able to move as Chance brushed past her to go to the door.

The man's footsteps paused, his face turning in an angry scowl. "She aint too indisposed to see me.. aint no such thing where that harlot is concerned.. " His voice was rumbling from him.

The revolver in his hand pushed the door open as he leaned just enough to grab the rifle. His own star caught the briefest hint of light as he shifted to stand with the barrel of one gun at eye level, the other just inside the door, aimed much lower and ready. "If it's a harlot you're wanting, then mister... you got the wrong room. Maybe there's something I can help you with? I'll say again, the -lady- isn't receiving visitors... or you got gum in your ears?"

His eyes caught a glint of something, but he did not yet look too closely, still intent on getting what he wanted, though the visible barrell kept him at bay. He craned around to look into the room, beyond Chance's frame in the doorway. "A lady you say? I heard she was playing that trick.. she aint no lady.. "

[Lovely]

Chance's grin shone lightly, though it wasn't out of being friendly. "You just step on back into the hall mister and give the lady her privacy. If it's a burlesque show you want, you can go on down to Maggie's, but you're not getting a show here."

"Aint like I haven't seen it before.. aint that right Contessa?" He chuckled, his grin full of malice as he brought his eyes to Chance's. "She's a fine piece though, so I understand you might not want to share.. but I had her first, she belongs to me."

"Belongs to you, you say? Funny, don't recall people being bought and sold in this part of the country... slavery ended a few years back... or did you have selective hearing then, too?"

"wh*res are still bought and sold.. and women belong to thier fathers. Her father gave her to me!" He growled out. "Aint that right Contessa? How come you're not saying anything? You know you belong to me.. damn fool woman think you could run out on me?!" His voice rose enough to bring a couple of the girls to peek around the other end of the hall to watch.

Contessa on her part, remained silent, tears slowly streaking her cheeks as she stood there not moving. What he'd said was true, her father had given her over to him.. he'd seen and tried to take what he wanted, by brutal force.

"Did he now? Well that's rather unconscionable, I'd say. How about you show me those papers that say so, son? Or should we take a little walk on over to the magistrate and have him verify all this nonsense?" He shifted the barrel of the rifle up to insist that the man move back into the hall if he had to push him with it, keeping the revolver trained, just in case. His shoulder shifted again as he hefted the larger gun higher and the star shone clearly on his suspender strap.

Her head turned to finally look at Chance though his attention was to the man beyond the door to her room.

His eyes glinted with a dangerous intent, but he backed up a step. "Alright now.. Contessa.. smart girl, beding the law man.. " He chuckled, his eyes keeping on Chance and the raised weapons. "Papers? Was done with a hand shake, he didn't want his good name sullied by her filth."

"Tell me which hand and I'll be sure it's the one I shoot clean off as a warning for you bein' a menace. Unless I see a signature, you don't have a deal with anyone, mister.... now what was your name again?"

"Arthur James.." His eyes narrowed on Chance, thinking of what he'd do to Contessa when he got her alone without her law man between them. "Her father and I had a deal.. she was sixteen.. I damn near split her in half with my log.. ask her." He winked and blew a kiss beyond Chance's shoulder, as if the union had been some mutal or consentual pairing.

"Shoulda brought my axe with me then," Chance grinned, pushing the man further from the door so it could close.

Arthur wasn't completely stupid, he was nothing nice to be sure, but he knew enough to be wary of an armed law man, especially one who was pointing a gun at him. "She still as.. snug as she was back then? Or have the years and countless men down there opened up that cavern?"

"How about I put ol' Bess here up your hindquarters so's you have something a little more recent to compare to? I don't rightly think it's your business to know, not that she or I would share that with you or anyone anyhow. Now get your foul mouth and your filthy backside on out that door before I get an itch," he said, jerking his hand on the rifle suddenly, being far too close to the trigger for anyone's comfort.

[Lovely]

He flinched and then recovered with a chuckle, taking a step back. "You let Contessa know.. I'll come by and see her when she's not so indisposed." He raised his hand slowly to tip his hat and backed himself down the hall into the parlor.

"Aww, now don't go lyin' in front of witnesses, son... just hush on up and make your way... go on now."

A squeal was heard from one of the girls as he goosed her on his way out, his hearty chuckle rolling out as the front door was heard opening then closing with a slight bang behind him.

"Girls, you all pair up if you don't have a guest tonight... threes if you have to. I don't want anyone alone here or walking out there alone until I find out what he's up to and he's not gonna be gone long," Chance said to the open cracks of doors along the hall as he turned back toward Tess's room. It was late evening and the after-dinner callers would be coming in for their precious dessert.

There were murmurs and doors closing as the girls slid away from the cracks of doors and out of the hall. Andrea stood at the end of the hall staring at Chance for a moment. "He came for us.. for her.." She nodded down the hall towards Tessa's door and then turned to go back into the parlor.

Contessa had her case on the bed, tossing clothes and belongings into it, planning to tell Andrea, Lucky and a few of the girls it was time to move on.. any of the other girls, those who had not come from that first house with Tessa.. well it was up to them whether they stayed or came along.. but for Tessa and the small group who had been with her since the begining.. it was time to get! She didn't care or maybe didn't realize that tears streamed steadily down her cheeks.

He looked at the door, then Andrea as she turned and flitted away quickly. He paused in thought a moment, his hand on the door, then slipped back into Tess's room, closing the door while watching her toss and fumble through cloth and lace. "Tess... Tessa.. what Andrea said just now... what he said... mind explainin' before we get you squared away for the night?"

She jerked as if he'd yanked her, though he wasn't even close enough to touch her. Her wide frightened eyes stared at Chance and she shrugged, throwing what was in her hands into the case. "Explain what? What do you want to know?"

"Why he's carryin' on about your daddy like that and bein' cruel in general. It's clear you know him, so I can't call him a liar for that, though I'd hope I can about some of the rest. Are you beholdin' to that man, Tess?"

She laughed, but it sounded somewhat hysterical. "Beholden.. sure am.. if you think I owe him for beating me with a fire place poker and.. it doesn't matter. He owned the house my father had me dumped at when he cast me out.. and he just enjoys being as cruel as he can be." Her arms wrapped protectively around her middle.

He nodded, "So you.. and Andrea... Angel? Where is Angel today? Didn't she come down here? She wasn't in the hall just now."

[Lovely]

Her gaze lifted to him and she nodded slowly. "Yes.. the three of us.. I'd be dead if it wasn't for a brave little girl and wh*re with such heart and spirit.." She sighed, rubbing her hands over her face. "Angel.. She.. She should be meeting Doyle to go on home.." Her voice wavered, worried for the other girl.

"What?" His question was flat, almost disbelieving his luck some days... and of course there had to be a Carlisle in the mix... always seemed to be. He sighed and checked the rifle, just to be sure. "Tess, you pack up what you need, but until that man's busy counting dead flies in the cell in the jail house, I don't think you or any of the girls are gonna rest quiet tonight. Now he didn't do anything wrong yet, but your fear didn't come out of nowhere, so I need to go find him and I don't want you left alone. Are you coming along?"

Tessa nodded and stepped toward him. "I'm coming." She said softly, feeling as if she was suddenly a hundred miles away from him with a range of mountains seperating them. She had no idea how to bridge that gap or even if it could be.. and if she was running again.. she sighed not wanting to leave him.

He clicked the rifle shut and held it crooked in his arm, the revolver resting in its usual place at the ready as well. He reached for her hand to help steady her nerves. "Get your bag. You're not staying here tonight. I need to find Sloane and Josh and get th... well heck, Sloane's not still hidin' down the hall is he?"

"Where am I going to stay, if not here?" She tipped her head to the side, her fingers trembling as she grasped his hand. "Sloane.. you'll have to ask the girl down the hall who she might have as a guest.." The fingers of her other hand fluttered and then rested at her throat a sure sign of her nerves.

Staying at the family house wasn't even an option for him, but he'd put her up in the hotel with or without himself, safe from view and harm at any rate, Andrea and Angel too if need be. "You have a place, don't you worry, just won't be here tonight.. maybe a few nights. Either way, I need to find him before he lets that foul mouth work over any one else's ears."

"Not as if he can damage my reputation." She spoke softly again, glancing to her case and shaking her head. "You know what they think of me around here.. what he says doesn't matter anymore than it will matter that I wasn't willing.. all that matters is what they believe.." She gave his fingers a light squeeze, the haunted expression still clouding her usually brighter features. "Let's go.."

He nodded and clasped around her fingers before letting go to grab his hat. It wouldn't help her any to explain that he meant anyone else in town might resort to public brawling with the man, which although deserved, wasn't something he wanted folks to feel the need for and have to make up for on Sunday.

[Lovely]

Tess grabbed her wrap and pulled it around her shoulders, tucking it around her arms, glancing back at Chance as she opened the door. She peeked into the hall, fearful Arthur was going to be there, that he'd reach out and grab her and hurt her again. She'd never forgotten the pain he'd inflicted on her and like two other girls he'd seriously hurt, she still had nightmares now and then about it.

Once convinced she was actually coming along with him, he opened the door tentatively first to be sure the man wasn't right there. No shadows darkened the hall at all save for the familiar stumble of his older brother. "So you heard all the ruckus after all?"

"Didn't hear anything. I was out here for the water closet. What ruckus'd that be?" Sloane sniffled sleepily, letting out a stretch and yawn.

"Put your boots on the right feet and listen. We have what appears to be a situation and the girls here need you on your feet, not your back. Man in town... name's ... er... Art... Arthur James I think he said. I don't know him, but Contessa surely does, more than anyone ever should if you get a look and smell of him."

Sloane looked confused, getting too many words at once in his half-awake state. They sunk in quickly however and his face etched and grew dark as his jaw set. "What kind of situation and where did he go?"

Tessa glanced from Chance to Sloane, clearing her throat softly. She started to speak, opening her mouth and then closing it, not really knowing how to explain it nicely. She folded her arms around herself, as if she were very chilled. "He.. " She winced and bit her lip. "Can we please just find him before Angel sees him.. "

"A -situation- Sloane. Just get ready and get the girls together, keep an eye on the door and don't let anyone you don't know come in tonight. The man's pure trouble... just hopin' he hasn't started yet is all."

Sloane stepped aside to return to the room down the hall, only to have a shoe or something tossed at the door with a loud thud because he didn't knock. Apparently his girl at the moment had heard what he didn't about the man in the hall and knew. He turned a look to the other two. "I'll be right down."

Chance nodded and led Tess to the door, keeping ahead of her to peek down the boardwalk at the doorways for shadows. "Any idea when she might have left to go talk to that Carlisle?"

She gave him a slight smile and shrugged. "Not that long.. after we fell asleep?" Her lower lip was sucked in and held between her teeth for a moment. "Should we go by the smithy and see if they are still there?"