Jack of Clubs by Bárbara Metzger Page B

gone.
    â€œI like to see pretty things, after all the ugliness of war,” Mary told her, so Allie could not refuse the gift of the flowers and the woman’s efforts. She did feel a great deal better this morning anyway, clean and rested, well fed, with Captain Endicott’s extra coins in her purse. Maybe she was prettier too. Nothing to compare to the women of The Red and the Black, of course, but Captain Endicott had smiled at her when she finally agreed to attend church with him. With them.
    He, of course, looked magnificent. He walked at Allie’s side, matching his strides to her shorter steps, speaking politely of the weather, the political news, the buildings they passed. Nothing about him or his conversation could offend, which was, in a way, more offensive to Allie. The man was a gambler and a shabster. Why could he not be a total cad so she could hate him entirely?
    To keep from noticing the laugh lines at his eyes, the curving smile at his lips, or the way the morning light brought a golden warmth to his brown curls, Allie kept her attention on the couple directly ahead of her.
    Darla and Mr. Downs were arguing. He wore a sticking plaster on his head and she wore a scrap of ecru lace, tied in a saucy bow near her left cheek. The captain’s assistant did not look at the girl, and Darla could not seem to look at anything but him.
    â€œI said I was sorry,” Darla was saying, loudly enough that Allie could not help but overhear. “And I was only following Cap’n Jack’s orders.”
    â€œI know. He told me. If you’d asked me before going off half-cocked, I could have caused a ruckus at the door, without putting on a raree show for the customers.”
    â€œI didn’t mean to hit you so hard.”
    Allie looked over at Captain Endicott. “She hit him?” she whispered.
    He held his finger to his lips. “Sh. They have to settle this themselves.”
    Downs was feeling his head and the sticking plaster there. “I’ve had worse.”
    â€œAnd I know the cap’n gave you a bonus.”
    Downs nodded. “For being wounded in the line of duty, he said.”
    Allie looked at the captain, but he just smiled and patted her hand, slowing their pace so the other couple was a bit further ahead, despite Downs’s limp.
    Allie could still hear them, though. Darla was prodding Downs with her parasol and saying, “So what has your garters tied in granny knots? Seems to me we helped the boss and got paid for it. We choused the cheat, and made sure no one saw the brat.”
    The brat? Harriet? Allie walked faster, to make sure she did not miss a word. The captain was smiling beside her, enjoying the walk and the morning and the bickering couple ahead of them.
    Darla poked Downs with her parasol again. “So why are you acting like I am the worm in your bushel basket of apples? Cap’n Jack says I helped saved the club.”
    â€œBecause you made me look the fool, that’s why!” Downs said, taking the weapon from her and tucking it under his own arm. “All the patrons were laughing at me, and the staff, too.”
    â€œOh, who cares about them?”
    â€œI do! I have to face them again tomorrow night and listen to all the jokes.”
    â€œWhat, that a short little carrot-top bashed you for getting familiar?”
    â€œThat the prettiest girl in the place rejected my advances.”
    Darla stopped walking. “You think I’m pretty?”
    Downs kept going. “I used to.”
    Darla hurried to catch up. “But you didn’t make any advances. That was just the diversion the cap’n wanted.”
    â€œI know that, but no one else does! They think I am some pitiful, crippled blighter who can’t win a girl on his own.”
    â€œA’course you can. Any female in the club ’d be proud to walk out on your arm. I’m here, ain’t I?”
    â€œHah. He’s most likely paying you again.