James and Elizabeth shared another conspiratorial glance, and the temperature in the room seemed to rise a few degrees. Elizabeth blushed.
“Yes,” James agreed in a low husky tone, “it was.” And he had some very interesting ink marks on less visible parts of his anatomy to prove it.
“JAMIE,” WILL BEGAN when James returned from helping Elizabeth take the girls to the nursery. “We’ve got problems. In the camps.”
James shrugged. “There are always problems in the camps.”
“Not like this,” Will said. “Jamie, the miners are feuding almost as badly as Ruby and Garnet were. I’m afraid it could get real ugly and real dangerous.
James looked at Will and read the seriousness of the situation in Will’s eyes. “I don’t suppose buying all the workers new dolls is going to bring peace and contentment to the settlements.”
“Well, the buying part might work, but I don’t know, Jamie. We already pay higher wages than any other company. And we’ve already implemented a five-day work week, instead of six. And we pay for overtime and holidays. I don’t know what else we can do. But I don’t like this situation, Jamie. I’ve never seen it so volatile. Anti-Chinese sentiment is running high. Tempers are flaring. And if we don’t do something soon, somebody’s going to get killed.”
“What do you suggest we do?”
Will shook his head. “I’ve talked to them until I’m blue in the face. They’re not listening to me. You’re the owner of Craig Capital, maybe you should go up there and try to negotiate.”
“What about offering blocks of common stock?”
Will thought about it. “It might work, but we’re both going to have to go up there and make the offer in person.”
James shook his head as he paced the length of the dining room and back. “I can’t go, Will. You’ll have to go alone.”
“I’ve been up there alone, Jamie, and I’m telling you that it’s no use. They don’t want to deal with the second-in-command. They want you.”
“If I go,” James began. “If we go, who’s going to stay here and watch over Elizabeth and the girls? Would you want to leave them alone without knowing for sure whether or not Lo Peng’s hatchet men were hanging around?”
“Cripes,” Will cursed. “I forgot about that.”
“I haven’t.” James clenched his fists. If he stayed in Coryville, he put his company and all the men who worked for him at risk. And if he left town for the mining camps up in the high timber country, he could be leaving his family to face an even greater risk.
“Bring them with you,” Will said suddenly.
“My children are Chinese, Will. I don’t know if taking them into an area full of anti-Chinese sentiment will be good for them.”
“I don’t see that we’ve any other choice, Jamie. And I don’t think the anti-Chinese sentiment is personal. It’s about labor, Jamie. And economics. I don’t believe any of these men would make war on children. You know I wouldn’t recommend this course of action if I thought the Treasures were in any danger from the workers. In fact, I think it might be good for the men to see your children—to see any children. Most of them are a long way away from their families. They need to be reminded of what they’re working for. Besides,” he added as an afterthought, “we’ll both be there to protect them.”
“It would be better than leaving them here,” James agreed. “You may be right. At least, it’s worth a shot.”
“Agreed,” Will said. “Bring Elizabeth and the Treasures and Delia and Mrs. G. and whoever else you need with you. You can have the cabin.”
“What about you?” James asked.
“I’ll bunk in the office,” Will decided.
“All right,” James said. “When do we leave?”
“As soon as you can,” Will told him. “I’d like to get up there to head off any further trouble. Tomorrow, if possible.”
“IT’S IMPOSSIBLE, JAMES,” Elizabeth told him. “I can’t have everyone packed and ready to leave by morning.”
“Pack what you think you’ll need,” James told her. “And if we need anything else, we’ll telegraph word to Mrs. G. and she can send it by express train to the camp.”
“What about Diamond? How are we going to feed her?” she asked, looking at James. “Tell me you aren’t planning to take the goat.” Although the nursery was stocked with cans of evaporated milk, Elizabeth knew James and Mrs. G. preferred to use fresh milk from the nanny goat James kept in the stable.
James laughed. “No, we’ll leave the goat here.”
Elizabeth breathed a sigh of relief. “Thank goodness! Because I don’t know how to milk a goat and I’m not eager to learn. And I don’t even want to think about traveling with one.”
“We’ll stop at Kellerman’s and pick up a case or two of canned milk. I hope we won’t be gone too long, and Diamond should manage fine on that until we return home.”
“What about Mrs. G.?” Elizabeth asked. “We’re supposed to be planning the tea for the Coryville Ladies’ League next Friday afternoon.”
“Mrs. G. can plan the tea without you. Besides,” he added impishly, “if you go with me, you won’t have to wear gloves all the time for fear that someone will see your hands.”
Thirty
JAMES CRAIG’S FAMILY made quite a sight as they disembarked from the CCL express train at midafternoon the following day, after a three-hour journey. A dozen or so employees of Craig Capital paused to gape as the owner of Craig Capital, Ltd., exited the platform with his four children, their governess, the governess’s assistant, assorted trunks of clothing, and other children’s paraphernalia, including two baby carriages, and Will Keegan in tow. It was the first time any of the Craig Capital employees, other than Will, had ever seen James with his family.
The unease that had resided in the camp for weeks seemed to dissipate with the appearance of Elizabeth and Delia and the children. They seemed to represent James Craig’s willingness to do whatever was needed to work out the problems in the camp. That he had brought his children along, rather than be separated from them for days at a time, seemed to show his willingness to negotiate. Everyone had heard how devoted James Craig was to his daughters; now they could witness that devotion for themselves. That the four Craig Treasures were foundlings was also known in the camp. Despite rumors to the contrary, the truth of the Treasures origins had gotten out. It was talked about in the Chinese section of the camp, where the word had spread from San Francisco through the Chinese grapevine, that Lo Peng allowed unwanted girl children to be taken to James Craig. And the Chinese workers were eager to get a look at the children to see how James Craig treated them. Speculation ran high among the Chinese as to why a man of James Cameron Craig’s power and wealth would choose to build a fortune for worthless girl children rather than sons. Most of the Irishmen, Welshmen, and Cornishmen also knew the Treasures were James’s adopted children. Word had spread among their groups of workers from the London and Edinburgh branch of Craig Capital that James Craig was an odd duck, choosing to adopt unwanted Chinese children, rather than remarry and have children of his own. Speculation ran high, in the London and Edinburgh branches of Craig Capital, as to whom James Craig intended to name as his heir, since he had no sons, only adopted daughters, to leave his fortune to.
The Treasures had napped during the journey and were now fairly crackling with excitement at the prospect of stretching their legs and exploring the camp. They’d been cooped up too long. They were accustomed to more freedom than they’d had on the train and were ready to play. Elizabeth watched the girls grow more and more excited and excitable as they followed Will into the cabin.
Although fairly roomy, the cabin was smaller than the area the girls were accustomed to in the nursery. Elizabeth looked around the main room with its Franklin stove with a reservoir, comfortable furniture, and at the two doors leading off it.
“There are two bedrooms,” Will volunteered. “And a tub and a basin in the bathroom. I’m afraid the accommodations a
re a little rough. There’s no running water, but there is a pump on the back porch and a privy a short distance away.”
“I’m sure we’ll be fine,” Elizabeth said. She glanced down at the timepiece pinned to her bodice. “It’s time for the Treasures’ afternoon romp in the park,” she said to James. “Shall I keep to their regular schedule or would you rather I skip their exercise this afternoon while Delia and I get them settled into the cabin?”
James shook his head. “Unpack the things you need right now.” He reached into the large leather bag Elizabeth had stuffed with diapers, talcum powder, fresh clothing, several cans of evaporated milk, and two of Diamond’s feeding bottles and removed a bottle and a can of milk. James carried the can of milk over to a wooden table, pulled out his pocketknife, punched two holes in the lid, then removed the rubber nipple from Diamond’s bottle and filled the bottle with evaporated milk. “Here.” He jammed the nipple back on the bottle and stuck it in the leather bag, then slipped the bag onto Elizabeth’s shoulder. “In case Diamond gets hungry while you’re gone,” he offered by way of explanation.
“Where are we going?” Elizabeth asked.
“To take the Treasures for their afternoon romp. There’s an open meadow bordering the forest down the path a quarter or a mile or so from here,” James said as he walked into the nearest bedroom and returned with a folded quilt. He looked over at Will for confirmation, and Will nodded in agreement. “The girls will be safe playing there. As long as you and Delia keep them away from the mine entrances and out of the forest, they shouldn’t be in anyone’s way.”
“Where will you be?” Elizabeth asked.
“I’ll be in the main office near the entrance to the mine. The building across from the railroad platform,” James told her. “I’ll send someone over here to move the trunks into the bedrooms and set up the cots for the Treasures. Put Delia and Ruby and Garnet in one bedroom and you and Emerald and Diamond in the other.”
“Where will you sleep?” Elizabeth asked, softly.
“In the office with Will,” he answered gently.
Elizabeth frowned.
“It will be only be for a couple of days or so,” James said in a voice so low only Elizabeth could hear it
“But it will seem like an eternity,” she whispered back.
“Yes,” he said. “It will.” Then in a louder voice he added, “Load the girls into their buggies, and I’ll walk you down to the meadow.”
THE MEADOW, AN acre or so of cleared land at the edge of the forest, was just beginning to bloom with early spring phlox and trillium and new grasses. Elizabeth pushed Diamond’s carriage while James wheeled Garnet and Emerald’s buggy to a spot where a lone aspen stood at the edge of the forest shading a portion of the meadow and parked it. Elizabeth pushed Diamond’s carriage beside her sisters’. James lifted Garnet and Emerald out of the buggy, then removed the quilt he’d brought along and spread it on top of the grass for Elizabeth, Emerald, and the baby to sit on. James took Emerald’s and Garnet’s dolls out of the buggy and a handful of wooden building blocks they’d been playing with during the journey and placed them in the center of the quilt. He set Emerald down among them to amuse herself. Delia let go of Ruby’s hand, then followed her into the field of wildflowers as Ruby ran chasing after a butterfly. Garnet followed close behind.
James and Elizabeth stood watching as the girls careened through the meadow, running after the bright splashes of color that flitted from flower to flower, squealing at the top of their lungs.
“The Treasures should be able to run and jump to their hearts’ content here,” James said, pointing to the area close by. “Just don’t let them wander too near the woods.” He pointed toward a group of boulders a dozen or so yards deep inside the meadow. “Use that as your boundary. They’re safe in the meadow, but some of the ventilation shafts from the abandoned mines extend into that stand of trees just beyond the clearing. And don’t stay past four o’clock.” He pulled out his pocket watch and looked at it. It was half past two. The Treasures normally played in the park for two hours from two until four every afternoon, but James didn’t want to take any chances. He gazed up at the sky, gauging the amount of afternoon sunlight left. “It gets dark early in the mountains.”
Elizabeth nodded.
“If you have any trouble, yell. I won’t be far away.”
“We’ll be fine,” Elizabeth assured him. “And we’ll meet you back at the cabin by four.”
“I may not be able to get away by four,” he told her, “but I’ll be there in time to help bathe the girls and get them to bed. All right?” James wanted to kiss Elizabeth good-bye. He’d been wanting to kiss her all day, but Delia was there with the Treasures and James reached out and surreptitiously clasped Elizabeth’s hand in his. “I want to steal a kiss or two from you tonight after Delia and the Treasures go to bed. Don’t fall asleep on me before I get there,” he teased in a low husky voice.
“I won’t,” Elizabeth promised. “Now, go before you’re late for your meeting.”
“Have fun,” he said. “And take care of the girls for me.
“Trust me,” Elizabeth said.
James looked down at her, a serious expression on his face. “If I didn’t trust you,” he said, “I wouldn’t leave you alone with my Treasures.” He glanced over to see if Delia or the girls were paying attention before he gently traced his finger over the half moon of India ink on Elizabeth’s right cheek.
“I know you better than that, James Cameron Craig,” she teased him. “Desperate times require desperate measures. You’d rather watch the Treasures yourself. And the only reason you’re leaving them with me now is because I’m the only governess you’ve got.”
“You’re the only governess I want,” he replied in the deep tone of voice that sent her pulses racing.
“Go,” Elizabeth urged him. “The sooner you get started with the negotiations, the sooner you can get finished.”
James smiled down at her. “And you’re wrong, my sweet,” he whispered as he brushed Elizabeth’s ear with his lips, then bent to tickle Diamond on the chin, “I do trust you with my children. I trust you with their lives.” He straightened and waved good-bye to the children, then started down the path, back toward the camp and the room full of disgruntled employees he knew were waiting for him.
Diamond awoke and began to fret. Elizabeth lifted her from her carriage, then settled down on the quilt to change Diamond’s diaper and to feed her. Emerald crawled over to watch, shoving her building blocks in front of her as she made her way closer to Elizabeth. Emerald built three block towers on the fabric of Elizabeth’s skirt while Elizabeth leaned back against the base of the aspen tree and fed the baby. Emerald amused herself by lifting the hem of the skirt and sending her blocks crashing onto the quilt.
Elizabeth hummed to Diamond as she fed her and watched with delight as Emerald built more towers on her skirt and sent them tumbling. She looked up from her pleasant task and followed the antics of Delia and Ruby and Garnet as they played ring-around-the-rosy in the meadow. Elizabeth found the meadow a peaceful, bucolic setting worthy of a Gainesborough painting. “Don’t go too close to the woods,” she called out to Delia as a reminder. “And don’t let the girls out of your sight.” Delia nodded in reply, before tumbling down to join Ruby and Garnet in the grass.
Elizabeth laughed at the calico skirts and white pinafores billowing like mushrooms on the ground. Delia was good with the children. She was diligent and hardworking and most of all she liked the Treasures and enjoyed frolicking with them. Although most fourteen-year-old girls would consider themselves far too old to be playing endless games of ring-around-the-rosy and tag with toddlers, Delia never seemed to mind.
Diamond finished her bottle and Elizabeth lifted the baby to her shoulder and patted her back until she burped, then rocked Diamond to sleep in her arms. Emerald continued to play quietly with her blocks as Ruby loudly and stridently demanded that Delia be “it,” before starting a noisy game
of hide-and-seek in the meadow.
Elizabeth settled Diamond into a cozy spot on the blanket beside her and contented herself in a game of stacking wooden building blocks with Emerald. She listened to the squeals and the giggles of the girls playing hide-and-seek in the meadow, looking up from her construction project with Emerald every so often to keep an eye on the older girls. At the moment Garnet was “it” and the other girls were hiding from her. As Elizabeth watched, Garnet found and tagged Delia, then continued merrily on her way in her search for Ruby. Elizabeth waved at Delia and Garnet, then turned her attention back to helping Emerald build and destroy another wooden tower of blocks.
Moments later Garnet’s search for her sister took on a serious tone. “Rwuby!” Garnet called to her sister.
Delia joined in. “Miss Ruby! You can come out now! I’m it!”
Elizabeth shot to her feet and scanned the meadow. Delia and Garnet were clearly visible, but Ruby was nowhere to be found. “Delia? Have you found her?”
“Not yet, miss.” Delia shook her head. “She’s not in any of her other hiding places. I’ve looked.”
“Stay right there!” Elizabeth ordered. “Don’t move!” She bent and lifted the sleeping Diamond into her arms, then carefully tucked the baby into the carriage before she plucked Emerald from the center of the quilt and settled her on her hip. “I’m coming!” With that, Elizabeth grabbed hold of the handle on the baby carriage and pulled it behind her, struggling through the high grass, as she carried Emerald across the field to where Delia and Garnet stood waiting.
“I can’t find her anywhere, Miss Elizabeth!” Delia’s voice took on a note of panic, and tears were already streaking down her face. “I didn’t mean to lose her.”
“Do you think she wandered into the woods?” Elizabeth asked.
“Oh, no, Miss,” Delia answered. “I told them to stay away from there. And I know Miss Ruby understood me. I don’t think she went anywhere near the woods. We stayed out in the open.” Delia stopped to catch her breath and began to cry harder. “We were just playing hide-and-seek like we always do.”