It didn’t surprise Ginny to hear him add, “Mr. Bishop was quite certain you would be able to advise me, as you are on good terms with American senators and Mexican officials.”

“Was he? There are times even the invincible Mr. Bishop can err.”

Steve sounded so cool, as if he were unaware that Jim Bishop had sent Lott to him. Was there a hidden message in there for her? After all, her father was a Congressman, and had interests in silver mines—though she thought they were all in New Mexico.

Growing bored, and still weary, Ginny tried to catch Steve’s eye, to signal to him that she was ready to leave the army post. He ignored her, but the colonel did not.

“I understand you are familiar with Mexican politics, Mrs. Morgan.”

“Not exactly, Colonel. I am acquainted with Lerdo and Díaz, but not involved in political intrigues.”

Lerdo had introduced her to Prince Ivan Sahrkanov, “as a translator,” he’d said, since she spoke French and Spanish so fluently and the Russian prince was not at all conversant in Spanish. It had been a mistake from the first, but she hadn’t known that then, had only discovered after it was too late what kind of man he was.

Steve had come to her rescue then, too, though his methods had been harsh at times. But she could also remember those times he’d taken her on a carriage ride, or out on a ship in the San Francisco harbor, fed her delicacies and expensive champagne, as if he were courting her. It had been the first time he’d ever treated her as a woman worthy of respect—his respect.

Each day brings us closer together, she thought, and more pieces of our lives fall into place. Soon, we’ll put all this behind us and make new lives together….

“Of course Mr. Bishop was extremely helpful,” Lott was saying, “and suggested I talk to Richard King from Santa Gertrudis near Corpus Christi. He has a huge spread there, a former Spanish land grant.”

Steve sat back in his chair. “I’m acquainted with King. He’s a solid businessman, and may better serve your needs than most. Talk to him about investing.”

Colonel Prime snorted. “Richard King is a former steamboat captain who had a lucky streak.”

“It wasn’t luck that made him recognize possibilities in a desert, Colonel, it was intelligence and aptitude. A man can do a lot when he works at it.” He stood up. “Now, if you gentlemen will excuse me, it’s been a long day for my wife and she needs her rest.”

Relief flooded through her, and Ginny murmured a polite farewell as Lott and Prime rose to their feet.