American Blood by Jason Manning Read Free Book Online Page B

am sure you know. A dixie, as our Creole friends downriver would say, is
bon-bon."
    "Why, yes," said Delgado. "Most of them happen to be ten-dollar notes from that bank."
    Bledsoe slapped his knee. "Fine! Just fine! They are as good as gold. Lucky for you your opponent did not fill the pot with Illinois or Tennessee paper. I would have to consult
Paddick's
to be certain, but I believe Illinois and Tennessee state currency is redeemable at no less than a ten percent discount these days."
    "Paddick's?"
    "Paddick's Bank Note Detector
. A New York publication, which tries to keep track of fluctuations in currency values. No easy task in this day and age, I assure you."
    "Would you see your way clear to exchange gold for the dixies in my possession, sir? Under the circumstances, I don't know that any American paper would be acceptable in Santa Fe."
    "Of course, my boy. Of course. Glad to be of service. We will stroll down to my bank in the next day or two—"
    "As soon as possible, please. I cannot stay long. In fact, I feel as though I should get home as soon as possible."
    Bledsoe's smile faded. He cleared his throat, then glanced across at Falconer with troubled eyes beneath knitted brows.
    "I recently received a letter from your father, Delgado."
    Bledsoe's tone of voice alarmed Delgado. He leaned forward.
    "Is something wrong?"
    "No, no. Rest assured, your mother and Angus are quite well. But . . . well, as much as he missesyou after your long absence overseas, Angus desires that you remain here as my guest for a time."
    "A time?"
    "Until the war is over."
    Delgado was momentarily at a loss for words.
    "He has only your best interests at heart, my boy. These are perilous times in the Southwest."
    Delgado made up his mind on the spot. "I am grateful for your hospitality, Mr. Bledsoe, and your concern. But I intend to go home."
    "Hmm." Bledsoe eyed Delgado keenly. An astute judge of character, he could tell there would be no dissuading this young man once his course had been set. "Well," he said, "if you are anything like your father, I would be wasting my time trying to talk you out of returning to Taos. As the best way to realize your safe return, well, that will require some planning."
    "I do not care to be a burden to you. I can purchase a horse and provisions and make the trip alone."
    Bledsoe was aghast. He looked to Falconer for help.
    "Not wise," obliged the mountain man. "The trail is a dangerous one, Del. Always has been, but especially now. A man alone would have a poor chance of reaching the other end."
    "Hugh speaks from experience, lad," said Bledsoe. "He knows the plains as well as anyone. That is why I retain him as my wagonmaster. He has taken two of my caravans safely through to Santa Fe. No, no, Delgado. We will have to devise a better means to get you home. At least honor us with your presence for a few days. Say a week. Tomorrow, my son, Jeremy, should be back from Fort Crawford. I would like very much for you tomeet him. The two of you may well discover that you have a lot in common. And I am also expecting my daughter, Sarah, two days later. She has been in the East, living for a time with her aunt, and attending an academy in Pennsylvania. The evening of her arrival I have arranged a dinner to celebrate her return. I believe you will find the guests I have invited to that affair very interesting. No less a personage than Senator Thomas Hart Benton will attend. And I have taken the liberty of announcing your presence at a ball to be held this coming Friday at Blackwood, the Horan plantation."
    "Horan?" Delgado was dumfounded.
    "Yes. Another affair to honor Sarah's homecoming. You see, I fully expect in time that she will become the bride of Mr. Brent Horan."
    Poor woman, thought Delgado.
    "You know Brent Horan, I believe," remarked Falconer.
    Delgado grimaced. Falconer had seen the look Horan had given him on the levee road.
    "We've met," replied Delgado. It would be unconscionably rude to refuse Jacob