Page 30 of Mrs. Victoria Buys A Brothel

“Are you sure you don’t want to be my bodyguard, gorgeous?” asked Belle Porter around her cigar.

“No, thank you,” replied Natane politely.

“Whatever she’s offering you, I can give you double.” She turned to Victoria. “No offence.”

Victoria scoffed and drank her tea. It was a new blend, something fruity and light. She would have to get a few bricks of it before leaving Rock Springs.

“I’m happy where I am,” said Natane, and it was final.

“Alright, can’t blame a woman for trying.” She went back to Victoria. “So! Your last letter was vague. Deliveries?”

“Our delivery boy eloped,” she smiled. “We’ve been taking care of the few trips since, but with summer coming on, we’ll need something more dependable. Also, we have a current arrangement with the Shoshone people near Wind River, we sell their creations in Salt Lake. Natane and I are growing too old for the trip.”

“Oh yeah they do pretty things up there, I got the most precious pair of pearled moccasins.” She grabbed a fountain pen and a scrap of paper. “So, let’s start with your business. What kind of goods are we talking about? Basics, like food, clothes, or more luxuries?”

“A bit of both. I like to keep my people happy.”

“How I miss having a smaller territory. Hm, I’ll see what I can do. I’ll have a girl make a list, and I’ll find you a new delivery boy that, let’s cross our fingers, won’t elope. Maybe an ugly one.”

“Thank you, Belle, your help is appreciated.”

“Of course, you’ll be giving me a cut off the top.”

“Of course,” she smiled over her cup.

May

Victoria sighed happily. Consuelo, standing in front of the mirror in her new dress, chuckled. “You’ve been doing that all day.”

“I’m allowed to be emotional. You’re my first daughter to get married.”

Consuelo blushed and let her arrange the veil once again.

Mrs.Jackson had spent the winter embroidering the translucent English net with delicate roses. The end result was beautiful on Consuelo’s dark hair.

She had been too practical to get a dress only to be used for her wedding, even if, apparently, it was all the rage among young people these days. Victoria had still hired Mrs.Zhao to design her something new. Mrs.Zhao had spent weeks studying Mexican catalogues, samples, and illustrated books. She had fused the practical cut of a Sunday dress with a wide ruffle collar embroidered with bright, vivid flowers. There were dozens of tiny alterations in cut, length, and colour that made the dress a blend of Mexican and English culture.

Lisette had sent a pair of delicate gloves made of lace, with little bows at the wrists. Consuelo kept playing with them.

“They are lovely,” said Victoria, taking her hand. Her skin looked incredible through the white lace.

“They make me feel pretty. As if I was soft and delicate, like Lisette.”

“And do you like that?”

“Sometimes,” she smiled. “I like it today.”

Siobhan burst into the bedroom and frowned. “Aren’t you ready, yet? There’s already people at the barn.”

“I only need makeup. But what about you, you’re still in pants!”

Siobhan had tried jeans once and had never looked back. The townspeople were taken by surprise, but the girl was Victoria’s assistant and thus was allowed a certain degree of strangeness.

“Do I have to put on a dress?” she whined.

“What about the nice velvet one Victoria got you? You look incredible in that.”

“I don’t feel incredible. And velvet? It’s hot outside.”

“Hm,” said Victoria, putting a finger to her lips. “What about a nice blouse? Natane has a dark green one that would fit you. Look in the chest at the bottom of my bed.”

Siobhan was ready to fly out, but stopped herself. “Oh yeah, I was here for a reason. I still haven’t given you your wedding gift.”

“You got me a wedding gift?” Consuelo blinked. “You shouldn’t have! Is it a tea set? A kitchen battery? Is it the one on page seven?”

“Don’t be daft, I actually got you something useful.” She took an envelope from her pocket. “I got you shares in Wells Fargo.”

With that, she was gone. Victoria shouted after her. “Your best boots too, honey!”

Consuelo was blinking at the envelope. “I don’t know what to think of this,” she admitted.

“Knowing Siobhan, she probably ensured the future of your family for generations to come,” chuckled Victoria, replacing the veil once more.

“Wells Fargo. Isn’t that the delivery company?”

*

The wedding was simple, and yet it was the most beautiful Victoria had seen in her life. She had been invited to many socialite weddings, grandiose affairs designed to impress. Her own had been one of the most overblown at the time.

But Consuelo and Paul, holding hands in front of the priest, staring at each other with love, was worth more than the most ostentatious displays. The barn had been decorated with garlands of flowers and looked prettier, to her eyes, than any stone temple or church.

After, there would be drinks, music, and merriment. For now, she simply cherished the happy smile on Consuelo’s face.

June

“I need you all to be ready by one in the afternoon,” said Victoria, inspecting the lounge of her brothel with a critical eye. “The first men usually arrive around that time. You can start taking clients early, but be ready for tonight’s show, that’s where we get the real money.”

“Yes, Mrs.Victoria,” answered the new girls.

Belle Porter had sent her a handful of new faces. Two of them would reside in Swainsburg permanently, while the others had travelled exclusively for the church weekend. Victoria gave them food and shelter, and allowed them to keep everything they earned in bed, but they had to be able to dance a good enough cancan to maintain the place’s reputation. The shows were their biggest nights after all. Victoria had wanted them to practise a bit more, but, well, the men did not come for the choreography.

“I will be making rounds between here and the saloon. If you get overwhelmed at the bar, send for me or for Siobhan, we’ll come give you a hand.”

One of them, a thin Black girl named Asha, raised her hand nervously. “You’ll be gone?”

“I’m not leaving you alone in a house full of rowdy cowboys. Benjamin’s team will be posted inside and at both entrances. And, of course, Natane will be on the second floor if you need anything.”

“Oh, that’s good,” smiled Charlene, a blonde girl with a strong Southern accent. “She’s terrifying, I feel safer knowing she’ll be there.”

“She’s as mean as a rabbit, but don’t tell the men,” Victoria chuckled. “But yes, she will make sure nothing happens to you.”

“Mrs.Victoria?” asked Betty, who came from New York. She was holding the Shakespeare anthology on her lap. “Consuelo told us you wanted to put on a play, last year. Something about a donkey?”

Victoria chuckled. “We never managed to do it, but if you girls want to act, I could arrange a show. Choose whichever you like best.”

She left them to argue for and against the donkey play and walked out, mentally tallying the things she had yet to organize. She had to check if Paul had finished the sign saying Victoria’s House for the front door. He was taking far too long. It would probably be a work of art, but it needed to be nailed in place as soon as possible.

She had to check the liquor stores at the saloon, meet with her security boys, schedule the rounds with Sheriff Walker. The band had arrived earlier that morning, she had to make sure they were ready to play in the barn by six in the evening.

It was her first major church weekend of the year. She had built an ambitious project, and she was running herself ragged. She still had to dress up, there was an image she had to maintain if she wanted to be taken seriously. Maybe she could try a cigar, again…

She almost walked into Natane, who was waiting for her in the middle of the street.

“Is everything alright?” asked Natane.

Victoria huffed. “There’s still so much left to do and I can’t find Siobhan. I need to run some numbers by her.”

“Hm. Hey, I know you’re swamped, but I need to add something to your list.”

Victoria was already pressed for time, but she smiled anyway. “Anything for you, dearest.”

“Come, I need to show you something at the house.”

“Is the oven acting up again?” she panicked, trotting after her. “Deborah is supposed to come over tomorrow to help with the Sunday brunch!”

Natane let her in first and closed behind them. She grabbed Victoria’s arm before she could march to the kitchen, pushed her gently against the door, and kissed her.

Victoria let herself be kissed, all of her tension melting away. Natane cradled her face between her hands and kept kissing until she was all warm and pliant.

When she stepped back, Victoria whined. “No, come back, I always have time for this!”

Natane kissed her hand. “You don’t. How are you feeling?”

Victoria sighed happily. “Better. Thank you, my love.”

Natane turned her hand over and kissed her palm, hiding her smile against the skin. “Don’t overdo it, and remember to come back for lunch.”

Feeling rejuvenated, Victoria went back to her preparations.

July

It was the hottest day of the year. All they could do was lounge lazily on the porch, drinking lemonade and fanning themselves.

“Look at them,” sneered Siobhan at the brothel girls installed on their porch. “This is unfair.”

“Now, we’ve discussed this,” started Victoria.

“Why can they go outside in their underthings and I can’t? I’m boiling alive!”

“You’re not a professional anymore, honey. You can’t walk around in your bloomers and also demand respect when you collect the rent. I’m surprised to even see you in a dress again.”

“It’s the lightest thing I own,” she grumbled, pulling the neckline away from her skin and trying to fan herself.

Consuelo, on Victoria’s other side, was beyond words. She was slowly melting on the bench, inch by inch.

Natane, sitting on the porch steps, still wore her usual clothes, but Victoria was very aware of the two undone buttons that showed a glimpse of clavicles. She had also foregone her usual buckskin pants, and the fact that she did not wear English undergarments was a heady thing in Victoria’s mind.

“I’m getting more lemonade,” she said, standing up. A chorus of groans answered her.

She had left the door open to tempt a breeze inside, so she heard Natane mutter “There’s someone at the edge of town.”

“Just one? Not going to make a fortune out of one guy,” answered Siobhan. “Huh, a Union soldier. Maybe we can tempt him to a feather mattress room.”

“He doesn’t look like an officer,” added Consuelo. “Look at the uniform. He’s quite handsome, though.”

“You’re married.”

“And not blind.”

“Victoria!” called Siobhan through the open doorway. “Consuelo is going to cheat on Paul with a soldier! And he’s not even an officer!”

“I’m not…!”

Victoria stepped out with a tray holding the pitcher and four glasses. “Pumpkin, you know you should aim at least for a general—”

She caught a glance at the newcomer and stopped in her tracks. She could barely see his face, but she knew. She knew .

She walked down the steps and did not even notice when she dropped the tray and the pitcher crashed to the floor, splashing the bottom of her dress. She walked down the street, a loud noise drumming inside her ears, she was running…

The soldier dismounted. He was a young man, of pale skin and blonde hair, with huge blue eyes that looked at her sheepishly.

“Hello, Mother,” said Henry Stanton.

She crashed into him with a broken cry and held him as close as she could get him. Her baby. Her baby was back, he was there, he was alive—

Through her wails, she could hear his voice, as broken as she felt. “I’m so sorry, mother, I’m so sorry! I got your letter, I left as soon as they gave me permission. I’m sorry, I didn’t know you’d never gotten my letters, I thought you were still mad at me!”

Victoria cried louder and kissed his precious, beautiful face. “My baby,” she whispered. “You’re here.”

She was falling apart in the middle of the street, but for once, she did not pay attention to the eyes on her. Her son was back, and nothing else mattered.

August

Henry stayed for a month, but had to go back eventually. He would ask for a transfer to Fort Laramie to be closer.

It had been an incredible and deeply emotional month. It was strange, reconnecting with this adult, who had grown away from her. He had a beard, and a fiancée! She could barely believe it.

He stayed in the small bedroom. Victoria spent hours listening to his snores, leaving the door ajar to better hear him sleep. Natane soothed her through many tears, from joy, to anger, to a deep sadness for everything they had to endure.

Victoria and Henry talked about Earl. It was still hard to put words on the things they had lived through, but it was a start. He felt guilty for abandoning her alone with him.

“But you didn’t know,” she whispered against his hair, while he rested his head on her shoulder.

“I should have.”

“You were a child. I will never blame you for leaving.”

“Is he really dead, then?”

Victoria bit her lip. She could not say much, not ever, but the answer was firm. “Yes.”

He nodded, and held her like he used to when he was younger.

There were other secrets she could not share with him. He was told a highly edited story of her exploits. He had trouble wrapping his head around the fact that she owned a brothel, but seemed to take it in stride. He could barely believe the cancan, though. He got along with Consuelo and Siobhan, his almost-sisters. The girls were delighted by his manners and speech, so similar to Victoria’s.

She would never tell him about her relationship with Natane, though. He was precious to her, but the life she had built with the woman she loved was also precious. He was simply glad that Victoria did not live alone and seemed to like Natane well enough. Natane, in return, was fascinated.

“He has your face,” she whispered sometimes, in awe. “That same frown you make when you don’t like something.”

“I’m glad he looks nothing like Earl,” she scoffed. “Maybe eventually I’ll be lucky and forget what that man used to look like.”

The month went by, and soon enough, Henry left. But this time, Victoria’s soul was soothed, knowing he would be back.

*

Natane found her in the small bedroom, changing the sheets. There was barely any space left for a second person, so she sat on the chest at the end of the bed and simply watched.

“You’re staring again,” smiled Victoria.

“You’re nice to look at.”

“Flatterer. Can you check in there if you find a bedspread? I think there’s an old one somewhere. It’s so humid outside, if I wash this one, it’ll take days to dry.”

Natane opened the chest under her and was caught by a flash of white. Victoria turned around and murmured a gentle “Oh.”

The white dress was sitting there.

Victoria took it delicately, holding it at arm’s length. The satin, lace, beading and embroidery were still incredibly beautiful. The puffy sleeves and ruffled skirts were still voluminous, even after being crushed in a chest for a year.

And yet, the white fabric was irrecuperable. It was covered in dirt and soot, and was ripped in several places. There were even specs of dried blood in some spots.

“I asked Hualing if she could do anything to fix it and she just laughed.”

“Hm, that’s sad. You looked lovely in this,” said Natane, grabbing the frilly skirt. “I have very fond memories of this dress.”

“Don’t you,” she snickered. “I’ll admit, mine were all over the place. I got married in the thing, I fell from a bar, I went into a building on fire. I killed a man— no, wait, two men.” She paused, and glanced sideways. “Gave you a private show.”

Natane rolled the silk between her fingers. “You kissed me for the first time.”

“Yes! I picked the worst possible moment for it, though.”

“I’m glad you did it. I was ready to keep it to myself forever.”

“Still, you deserve better than to be ravaged next to the ravine where my husband rots. How about we go riding tomorrow? We can make a day out of it, bring food. Go swim at the creek.”

Natane raised both eyebrows, interested. “In your linen underthings?”

“Maybe, even though they become transparent and cling everywhere when they’re wet,” she muttered, looking at her through her eyelashes.

Natane grinned. “You have the best ideas.”

“I do, don’t I?” she kissed her. Then, she delicately folded the dress. “I can ask Hualing to make me another one like this. Maybe not as extravagant, something just nice enough for… personal use.”

Natane chuckled and kissed her cheek.

Victoria closed the chest and went on with her day.