A Momentous Occasion, Henryella

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 6:45pm

It was an “extended” invitation which meant he was not on the initial list but that hadn’t mattered to Bella when he shared the news, or when he chose to share it since Henry was not one for dressing up and going to dances of this caliber. This was the tenth anniversary of the annual Denver Invitational Ball since the opening of the Apollo Hall Theater in 1859. In 1859 Henry was in North Carolina teaching children the art of Shakespeare and living in a quaint little brick apartment with Virginia Huddleston.

The polls had come out a few days back and Henry had surprised as the underdog, running against a nine year veteran sitting City Treasurer the banker from the back water town of Buffalo Creek had managed a forty-six percent in the first polls. No one had been expecting him to even get half that and now the game was truly afoot as that “I might actually be able to do this” mentality took hold of the banker and soon after the polls he made his first speech on the street in front of the courthouse after the mayor himself presented him to the waiting public. With his beautiful wife by his side, the judge and a marshal as well, Henry looked the part as he miraculously captured the hearts of the endearing public. Come next week he was sure he may even have eked ahead in the polls some unless his Irish adversary stepped it up some at the realization that Henry was not just going to nominate and then sit on his hands.

Walking Bella to the theater from the parking area where all the special black carriages were pulling in from where they picked up their invitees from the train station, Henry passed by a few of his flyers on telegraph poles and bulletins, “I think MacDermott is here t’night, I dunno why he wouldn’t be.” the current sitting City Treasurer had been just as surprised as everyone else when his rival had earned forty-six percent of the poll voters. It may be awkward if the Irishman was here this evening and they caught sight of one another, Henry was almost more curious as to what the man’s wife looked like, she never came with him anywhere, not even to his speeches.

Leading Bella on his elbow onto the porch of the theater a doorman was checking tickets, again as if they hadn’t just been checked at the train station. In the lantern light Henry straightened his jacket a bit, it was sixty degrees out tonight, a fine evening for a fine event. The Colorado Territorial Governor Edward McCook was here this evening, the mayor who had invited Heck to run for Council, all the currently seated and running members and a few big business owners. Speaking of the mayor, “Glad to see you got the invite Scarborough.” Henry smiled at Mayor Stiles and greeted the man’s wife, “Well it was the least I could do for the coffee you bought me last Friday.” it was strange because he had met MacDermott on Friday as well and he had taken him to a café for coffee where they had conversed about this very evening. Running for council was fun when there was free coffee involved of course he had gotten the feeling that the sit down with MacDermott was nothing more than a ploy the Irishman conceived to talk Henry out of running against him, but he would not be swayed so easily, “You know how to dance, Henry?” the mayor asked with a smile on his face obscured by a thick bushy mustache Heck had never been able to grow, “Uh, not really but I read this book a few days ago called . . . Cinderella, gave me a few pointers.” there was no pumpkin carriage, mice turned to horses, and Bella was not wearing glass slippers but the comment got a chuckle from Mayor Stiles who clapped Henry on the back.

They filed into the theater and Henry had to admit he had never seen one this nice out west before, it was smaller than the younger Denver Theater he and Bella had seen Don Giovanni in but it was far more elaborately decorated with what appeared to be gold leaf on the walls and ceilings, reflecting every flicker of the flames in the chandeliers, “I feel very out of place.” he leaned down and whispered close to Bella’s ear through a grin. He had been joking on the ride over here, whilst running his hand over her thigh, that if he got too excited tonight she may have to take him into a powder room and spank him. The host presented himself, a businessman that probably had more money than the governor attending this evening with his wife, daughter and her husband. Clasping his white gloved hands together he welcomed them all with a beaming smile and Henry had to suppress a laugh as some of the people in the crowd looked entirely too serious. Hopefully he could avoid embarrassing his wife this evening, “You look stunning, I already said marvelous, beautiful, lovely . . . forgot stunning.” he whispered even if the time was not appropriate as their host, owner of the Apollo Theater Colin O’Keefe, informed them that they were to follow him to the main dining hall for the pre-ball dinner, “I hope they have steak.” Henry laughed as the crowd filed into the marble hall, the sounds of dinnerware enticing the growling in their bellies.

[Isabella Scarborough]

Isabella Scarborough



September 12th, 1869

Her heart was racing, she hadn't been to a party like this in so long and was afraid she had lost all her charm and grace. At least her hair had gotten longer, it was about shoulder length now thankfully since the nights were getting cooler and soon enough they would have winter and she would freeze without something to warm her shoulders. With her hair growing out she had been able to put it up for the party, something she hadn't been able to do since spring when she had left Henry to his opium addiction and gone to New York. The scars from her accidents were almost gone now but the pain she felt still lingered. Bella still found herself at the little gravestone laying over the damp soil and crying. It was always another months without him, another month closer to his would have been birthday, and another month childless. This party would be a brilliant distraction from there trying and her disappointment. Yet Bella decided by winter if they were not with child yet then she would never have a baby. Yes this party was a great distraction for her, another day not worrying about babies and Danny and Ellie. What to cook for dinner, what to make for lunch, and what mess she would have to pick up later. Now all she had to worry about was being as she use to be. Hours had been spent on hair and makeup and she had dusted off her old dress Cameron had gotten her so long ago. Thankfully even after two kids Bella fit into it. How she managed to stay so thin was beyond her but she figured it had to do with eating healthy or hardly eating.

Walking arm and arm with Henry to the hall Bella looked around recalling all those parties in New York. Hopefully she would be able to rest more from dancing than she had then. Maybe being married would make the difference. When facing the mayor and his wife Bella felt her hands tremble a little but held her brave smile knowing, hoping no one could see through her, see her fear and uncertainty. It would all come back to her as she went along. What fork was used for what, how to address everyone, how to talk, walk, behave. It was in her breeding and upbringing. She was quiet, never speaking unless spoken to. It was always this way though in the past Bella was seldom quiet with all the men who use to wander over to speak with her. Either it was the interesting conversation then looked for and her stunning beauty they wanted to be close to. She didn't know now how she ranked on any scale. There were girls much younger than her now and Bella was getting older and already the mother of two. There were plenty of girls younger and more beautiful than her now. More than she could count. She was just lucky the years had been this kind to her. After Henry explaining the expanse of his dancing knowledge was from Cinderella which Ellie had been reading last night Bella dared not slap her forehead and just accepted her husband was an odd one.

Almost as if he was reading her mind while he tried to make small talk. "You feel out of place? I feel old...I haven't been to a party like this since Cameron took me to one." She fiddled with her purse a little switching it from hand to hand and looking around herself again to take a deep breath a collect herself. She could do this, she could. "Oh well thank you Henry...you look very dashing yourself."[/font] His little compliments were the only thing that kept her from passing out just now. None of these people she knew and none of them knew who she was. This meant they were meeting Bella for the first time and because of that she had to be perfect least be the outcast in this society. Holding him tight she followed Henry and their host into the main dinning hall shaking her head when he asked if they might have steak. [color=663399]"Don't get your hopes up, you'll be lucky if they do." Bella could recall those large meals everyone use to have at these things and Bella was always the one picking at her food. Men said it was no wonder she kept her figure so well. I just hope they have some red wine so I can calm my nerves. I haven't been been to a party like this in a very long time. I can't even remember what to do or if anyone shall like me." It was worse even, Bella was among the sharks. No one knew who she was or who her father was. she hadn't a thing to her name aside from the fear one would call her a whore.

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 6:50pm

Sometimes when and if his father won a big case, usually one that resulted in many hangings or something, he was invited to one of these big dinners and would drag Little Henry along as well. He would sit at the table and pick at whatever his father put on his plate, not allowed to ask for anything, reach for anything, not permitted to speak at all and the other guests would always compliment on how well behaved he was. Sitting with his hands in his lap, perfectly still as the defense attorney seated next to him would settle a hand across his knobby knees if he so much as started swinging his legs out of boredom. The last big dinner he had been to was the subsequent “celebration” for the hanging of the arsonists, Yvette on one side of him, Henry Jr on the other as their son sat there barely eating his food but dressed to the nines and looking rather dapper. Celebrating the impending hanging of his friends was not Henry’s idea of a good time, he eventually left the party in the middle of dinner, went out to the family’s carriage and smoked about three cigarettes until they came out. Staring at his plate the whole time Henry had no idea if the Clair’s had attended the dinner, wouldn’t that have been something?

“I haven’t been t’one since I was seventeen, right before I left for school again.” before running off and never going to New York ever again, “It was in Tripler Hall, it’s called . . . I think Winter Garden now, it was completely remodeled a year later in fifty-nine but I was in North Carolina by then.” it had the largest stage and was the biggest musical theater in the world at the time, may still have been Henry was not sure. It was certainly a hell of a theater and he had been to see a famous singer there, Jenny Lind was the best of the best at the time. A man in a black tuxedo came by after they were seated and placed Henry’s napkin in his lap and he sat looking a bit distant for a moment, “The name changed so many times but it was Tripler when I saw Don Giovanni there, but I think at the time of the dinner it was called Burton’s New Theater. Hell it burned down and went bankrupt and switched owners so many times I dunno what it was called at any given time.” he laughed and examined his silverware a moment, then watched as the same servant filled his glass with chilled water, “Thank you.” he smiled and received no response, “Was I not supposed t’say thank you?” he whispered to Bella, dreadfully fearful of doing something wrong.

He had seemed a bit put off when Bella had told him not to get his hopes up for a steak, god only knew what would be on his plate in a few moments. Would someone put things on his plate for him . . . his father was not here, who would feed him? It was a funny thought. He could fidget too without being reprimanded under the table, of course with Bella here he would have been happy to have been reprimanded from under the table . . . “I dunno if it’s that slimming dress or your perfume,” he leaned in close to whisper in her ear, “but I am having the most inappropriate thoughts right now.” he did not expect that problem to continue once he got preoccupied with his food, he was pretty hungry. Would the serving sizes be teeny tiny, a dollop of this or that, two spoonfuls of shit on his plate and that was that? Eating beans one at a time was not his idea of a good dinner.

“But it’s okay, if you make a fool of yourself I’m sure I won’t be far behind, maybe even a step ahead . . . eating my main course with my salad fork or something. As for people liking you, you’re a likable person so don’t worry about it.” gazing down the table he caught sight of the mayor, the governor whom he had met at his first speech, shaking the hand of someone so important had been rather exciting. He finally spied MacDermott and his wife Erin, their son was not with them however. The youngest child here was the daughter of the mayor’s assistant, she was very smartly dressed and Henry ventured to guess she may have been on the edge of fourteen. Aside from unsuitable thoughts of Bella he could not stop thinking of all the different scenarios he could have done to spice up the party. Imagining himself dancing on the table brought a grin to his face, starting a food fight, beating on the table knife and fork in hand demanding the entrees. Yeah, best keep those thoughts where they belonged, in his head.

Yolanda had come to pick up Chris about three weeks ago and Henry missed him, having grown attached to the boy he wanted to see the looks on his friends’ faces when he shared the stories of his stay with his father in the faraway land of Colorado. The banker had sent the boy away with the daguerreotype of his deputation in Lincoln, Nebraska as a hired gunman. That would get an awed reaction he was sure, “My dad killed a man in his own house while I was there, the guy broke in and my dad rode his racehorse home and shot the guy, killed him too!” he just hoped the boy wouldn’t exaggerate too much. Sending Christopher home with a photo the kid was just too sweet for his own good it seemed when he informed Henry that he had purchased a necklace for him with a coin he found on the ground. It was a pendant of Saint Christopher, “To remember me.” like he could forget.

Awaiting the host’s announcements and what not Henry finally managed to meet MacDermott’s gaze and a familiar smile passed between them but nothing else as everyone in the room seemed to be talking in a dull roar. The smell of food was making his mouth water though and now he had eyes only for Colin O’Keefe as he bustled about talking to the more important guests and instructing his servants. All water glasses were filled and now it appeared wine orders were being taken, “Would it be okay if I got a white wine . . . I know nothing of this dinner etiquette but normally one has red wine at dinner right?” he asked Bella.

[Isabella Scarborough]

Isabella Scarborough



September 12th, 1869

"I haven't been to a party or dinner of this caliber since Cameron asked me to go to one with him when I was twenty two." Bella had been so genuinely classy that no one ever assumed for a second she might be a whore. In fact a lot of them thought she was Cameron's wife though most of the men still asked to dance with her and Cameron watched with a clenched jaw and a raised eyebrow daring each man to touch her the wrong way. He would have snapped and decked the bastards right in the face but Bella would have become so upset with him. She hadn't been HIS to defend. If a man found her real purpose in the world and asked for her that night, offered an agreeable price, well Bella wouldn't have let down a client without a good excuse. Looking at Henry now she realized he was acting a little more out of place than she was. "Well though saying thank you is the polite thing to do people seldom thank the help. They are doing what they are paid to do. Still since they do not work for you either way works. It's alright just calm down a little." Bella rested a hand on his knee and smiled at him hoping he could gather up a little more confidence. Bella's father raised her to survive these sorts of situations but Bella hadn't a clue if Henry's parents ever bothered. Maybe she would have to show him step by step, now she wished she would have bothered with showing him how to dance back home.

Henry leaned closer bringing up her looks of her scent giving him some not so appropriate thoughts for a dinner party. "What do you mean by inappropriate Henry?" Bella whispered back trying not to draw too much attention to this conversation. "He isn't standing at full attention is he? I can't defuse it here, not right now." Bella took her hand off his knee feeling maybe it wasn't such a good idea anymore. Bella wanted to think as playfully as he did right now but among all these people she just couldn't do it. Maybe more so that she couldn't find anything sexy about their sex right now since every time they did something she was doing it less for the thrill and more for the hope they would make a baby. So far and nothing, with her dying hope came her dying sex drive but she just couldn't give up yet. Eventually something had to happen, they had to get lucky. He told her even if she did embarrass herself he wouldn't be far behind but the fact was Bella didn't want to find herself in such a situation. She didn't want to screw up and admit to having a fault in being social. Even hearing Henry tell her she was a likable person didn't stop her shoulders from tensing up to the point it was almost painful. "I hope I am likable enough...I worry a little. I don't know these people and they don't know me. I can't afford to mess this up or I'll ruin even Danny's chance of being taken seriously."

Like with her mother, everything depended on the parents. Because Giovanni was so well respected Bella had been respected. Her mother had been the belle of every ball and Bella had been born with the best opportunity possible so long as she didn't mess it up which she had. "I think it would be understandable if you got white wine. I'll get white wine as well so not to clash or make you seem too out of place." She figured she could use a drink tonight anyways. Once she got a hold of how everything worked again Bella would charm the pants off of everyone in the room but until finding her faded rhythm she was going to stay in her tense pose. She knew her choice to follow after Henry would make her stand out but one thing Bella would always do was stand by her husband. Glancing across the table she spotted the younger girl and gave her a little warm smile thinking of Elizabeth a moment. Some day that little girl was going to be stunning, just like her mother all dark curls and big beautiful eyes so full of curiosity. Her eyes shifted back to Henry with her warm smile as they dished out the salads first before the main meal. God she realized now how hungry she wasn't. "Don't be afraid to talk to anyone aside from me. I think that was the idea of this dinner."

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 7pm

Hearing her speak of Cameron again Henry tried to ignore it, doing a fairly good job of it the first time by not mentioning him but he didn’t much care to speak about Cameron or Patrick or anyone else for that matter. So the banker opted to not respond to the comment of Cameron in hopes she would drop that subject, instead Henry took in the scenery, flickering flames in the chandeliers and candelabras dancing on the shiny walls and ceiling decorated in gold leaf and many large scale oil paintings of famous performers of the theater. This was the oldest theater in Denver and had seen its share of operas, plays and dramas.

Bella assured him he had committed no wrong in thanking the silent servant though it was unusual to thank someone the way he had. Henry shrugged thinking he had just been polite, but when someone brought his drink or food to him in a restaurant or the saloon he always thanked them but never got that glare down the nose in reply, a quick ‘you’re welcome’ was the norm. His wife suggested he just settle back and roll with the punches, relax and calm down and everything would be fine. He guessed she was right, it was not the dinner he needed to worry about, it was the subsequent dance. Would he be offended or angry if someone danced with his wife, would he punch someone’s lights out if a wandering hand found its way to her ass? Would that be alright? Straightening a fork set before him Henry laced his fingers together and sat up straight, “Bella, my dear, I am calm, cool as a cucumber, right as rain.” the Denver census taker was seated across from him, Lloyd Gardner he believed was his name, the name of his blonde wife escaped him though. Wouldn’t it be great if Bella went and hung out with the other wives and made friends? Maybe she would befriend Erin MacDermott.

A slow but very mischievous smile crawled across his face when Bella inquired for the status of Willy the Scotsman, “No . . . when I was a boy there was nothing that gave me more of a thrill than wrecking a party, it was so much fun. At the moment I’d really like t’grab a handful of lettuce and just throw it at someone.” laughing softly to himself Henry helped himself to a sip of water, “But I won’t, it’s just random, impulsive thoughts.” like wanting to take Bella into the powder room, the vision of women gathering at the door listening with rosy red cheeks made him laugh. As for sabotaging parties it was well known for Henry and his friends to jump a fence into the yards of the rich and successful with masks concealing their faces to wreck a bachelor party, birthday party, graduation party, anything. It wasn’t always because they didn’t like the guy either, it was just a part of their ever present destructive nature. He wondered if any of those parties were Clair related, it would be some shit of Henry and Bella suddenly came to the realization that, in a way, they had known one another their whole lives. Henry had burned down her father’s warehouse, maybe he lifted Gio’s wallet once or twice, raided a Clair stagecoach or wagon, wrecked Bella’s cousin’s wedding party, or Gio’s niece’s sixteenth birthday. It could have happened.

“You are more than likeable Bella, you’re loveable. No one in their right mind could dislike you, it’s impossible. You are far more social than me I’m sure you’ll talk to anyone, everyone . . . make new friends.” he didn’t know what he would do. It could certainly help his cause if he had more friends in high places but Henry was not the best at speaking to people or being very easy to get along with. It wasn’t because he was an ass, but rather because he was quiet and reserved. Waiting around for someone else to talk to him usually proved fruitless.

Their drink choices may prove to be the fist minor conflict of the evening, “Oh, no Bella you don’t hafta do that, ya already said you wanted red wine you should have a red wine.” he smiled warmly and placed his hand on her knee now. In Henry’s opinion anything under the table was fair game, for the other dinner guests, out of sight out of mind. But there was nothing intentionally sensual about it, just a chaste offering of his reassurance. Just as he had been thinking earlier, about talking to other people, Bella seemed to read him like a book and encouraged him to speak to other people. But in their general vicinity he saw no one he wanted to converse with, no one but her, “Nah, at the dance I’ll talk t’some people, but during the ball I reckon I won’t be talking t’you much, so right now I just wanna talk t’my Bella.” the servant came by again and Heck always marveled in how they could take orders without writing them down. Come to think of it Mary could do that, she had to since she was just about illiterate and too stubborn to learn how to read, so she had to memorize her orders, “Your wine order, sir?” hmm how could he do this without sounding like he didn’t know what he was doing, how would his father have ordered?
“I’ll have a Pinot Grigio.”
“ . . . a white wine, sir?” tweaking a grin partially at Bella she had to have known he was about to say something idiotic, “No it’s more of a clear color, actually . . . and could you bring the bottle?” he asked with a pleading tone.
“ . . . yes, I suppose I could . . . ma’am?” shiny platters on the impeccably balanced hands of several servants left the kitchen, from the frost formed on the edges he guessed this was the serving of the chilled salads.

[Isabella Scarborough]

Isabella Scarborough



September 12th, 1869

"Well no wrecking parties today. If you did I would have to drag you out of here by the ear." She was serious about that. Bella had enough of fighting with men and boys. Bella had to control a few parties in her time from rowdy men. Either they drank too much or they just had some sort of dispute over some silly thing. Somehow Bella always ended up in the center of it trying to play the peace keeper. Henry said he was okay but she couldn't be too sure. He seemed uptight, nervous about something like everyone was judging his every move and she couldn't blame him because they were. "Well keep them as just impulses and nothing beyond that. I don't need to hit you over the head with something to break up a fight like I did at my friends birthday party." Bella furrowed her brow remembering the event well. She had been forced to use a cane to beat some stupid boy trying to crash the girls party. She nearly made him black out but all those fencing lessons had come to be useful. It wouldn't be the last time Bella would put her champion skills to use. She could still destroy you with a blade, the only problem being sword fighting was less common now that everyone had guns. It was more cowardly to hide behind a gun than a sword.

True she was social and she was nice but that didn't mean people would like her, especially here. If they even for a second thought she was a whore, thought she had some tarnished past they would gang up on her like a pack on a wounded baby elk that had been left behind by the herd. They would rip her apart at the first sign of weakness even after she got into the inner circle. No wonder her mother was such an upright woman. "I hope you're right Henry. I haven't been tossed into the lions den for some years now. I wouldn't even know how to respond to an 'attack'." No honestly what would she do if they confronted her about her past. Somehow found out? What would she do or say? 'You go the wrong person I never did that?' 'No Henry I will, I don't mind white wine. It's a little less bite as well. Perhaps that would be better you know since I don't want to drink too much just in case..." She stopped herself not wanting to even finish the thought because at this point it was so absurd she might as well say she didn't want to turn into a horse. If there had even been the slightest hint she could have been with child she would have stayed with water. Even just burping once would have made her cautious enough since it seemed burping and pregnancy went hand in and with her.

A little smile crossed her face when he said he wanted to talk to her now since this may be his only chance all night to really talk to her. Bella wanted to badly to just hug him or kiss him but at this dinner party, in this public that wouldn't be approved. It was bad enough that in Buffalo everyone still looked at them funny when they showed too much affection to each other. This was an event that was happening more and more since they had been trying for a baby. "Well that is sweet Henry and now I know where Danny gets it. Always his and no one else's. I'm surprised you two can share me." She was referring to Danny's new favorite cluster of words. When someone else was taking up a lot of her time Danny would run over and start crying, 'my mama.' He acted like she couldn't pay attention to anyone but him. It was cute in an overly possessive sort of way.

"I'll share the bottle with him if you don't mind thank you." Bella spoke to the waiter and kept her head held high like someone of great importance and someone who's dissision was not to be questioned. Her father always told her when in doubt act like you know what you are doing. The waiter went off to fetch the bottle of wine and the salads were set down on the table with their vinegar Italian dressing. Bella sat back a little looking at her salad and picking up the correct fork to eat it. She poked at the overly red small tomato's feeling her stomach shift a little. For whatever reason looking at the leafy green meal Bella lost all her apatite. Still she forced herself to take a bite and swallow it down. This was almost painful for her, eating in front of strangers. It was hard enough for her to eat in front of Henry. "The salad is very good." She blurted just trying to get her mind off how uncomfortable this suddenly became.

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 7:10pm

If he had to be dragged out of here by the ear it would be a million times too many as his ears had taken a beating over the years. Not only was Henry a smartass, but he was also very smart and had a tendency to correct his grade school teachers if they made mistakes. Sometimes they were grateful, other times if he made them feel like an idiot they would grab him by the ear and drag him into a corner where he would stand for the remainder of the class, all because Miss Brown forgot to carry a two. But he figured the only cutting up he would be doing tonight would be alcohol related so it would be best to hold off on excessive amounts.

“Your friend’s birthday party?” he quipped when she threatened to hit him over the head in a similar way. Maybe she had hit him over the head once before and he had never known it, that would be quite hysterical. He hardly went into the big apple unless it was explicitly to trash a party. Bobby, Dean, Leo, Jack, Steven who would come from Maine on occasion to visit his grandparents, and himself would vault over a fence and have a hell of a good time. Sometimes they even incited other partiers to wreck the host’s place which was even better. Sitting back in the bushes until everyone was good and sauced, then rush in over turning tables and chairs, throwing girls in the pool, Henry’s favorite thing to do was chucking rocks at the windows. When all was said and done they would swipe some liquor, maybe a few beers, a bottle of wine and make off with their spoils, “Were they wearing masks? Professional party trashers wear masks.” that devious chuckle started in his throat. Professional party trashers, there was no such thing and he hoped Bella got a kick out of that. No what he really hoped was that she didn’t tilt her head and say ‘ya know, one of the boys was wearing a catcher’s mask’ then he would be screwed, ‘and he was throwing bottles, and bricks and rocks, I think he played baseball because he never missed a window.’

He smiled when she said she would opt out of the heavier red wine, just in case. It was that sad smile, like when he and Danny were hanging out and then he had to leave. Heck would smile to his face then look regretful when Helm was not watching. They had been through so much together, Henry had put Danny through so much and the fact that the rancher still tolerated his presence was beyond him, “Yeah, just in case.” he would be so excited when they got pregnant again, not if but when. Mary had just two months to go, wow he bet Davion was excited, and scared of course, daddy’s always got scared, it was their job.

Bella seemed smitten with his wanting to be with her tonight and not share her with anyone else like he knew he would have to. Men would come to ask her to dance, or they would ask him, oh lord what would he say? If he said no he was being an asshole, if he said yes who was to say Bella wanted to dance with this guy? Oh, he would just say ‘ask her’ there, not too hard. He remembered she had told him to calm down, realizing his thoughts were running rampant, “Ha, I don’t share you, you’re mine. You don’t share me either.” a lot of women had been approaching him lately, and possibly a lot more. They liked politicians, well dressed men, bankers, men with money and they would march right up and tell him. So far no one had gotten too awful crazy, but the wedding band should scare them off when the time was right. After being with Bella, no other woman could compare, she needn’t worry for his wandering eyes.

The servant had questioned his wine order but didn’t bother with Bella he noticed, just went on his merry way as the rabbit food was handed out. Henry seemed less than pleased and it was difficult to even pretend he liked this leafy green stuff. He had been so tense and scared out of his mind at his last big dinner party that he couldn’t eat for fear of getting sick. Bella said the salad was good as Henry chewed some lettuce as unhappily as any carnivore may. Turning to look at her Bella might have wondered when the last time was she had seen him looking so depressed. It was like promising him a fun night all day and then saying she was too tired when the time was just right, “No it’s not.” he whispered so as not to offend and put his fork down just as the wine showed up and he took a sip to get the taste out of his mouth. That inner boy still told him to climb up onto the table; if he drank too much trouble making Henry might break the surface and show his face. Best hold back on the wine, “I’m so hungry, I hope they bring out one of those whole pigs, ya know with the head still on, that would make my night.” he just had to resist the urge to play with the curly tail.

[Isabella Scarborough]

Isabella Scarborough



September 12th, 1869

She had to think about it a minute. Looking up towards the ceiling a little Bella squinted her eyes just trying to recall. There was a vague memory of one of the boys wearing a mask or perhaps they all were. All she remembered was beating the living shit out of one and he curled up under her swings and slunk off taking his friends with him. "Now that I think about it I think they were." She threatened the boy that if she ever saw him again next time she would have a sword and not a cane. Run him through and string him up bloody by his pants. He moved away very quickly, probably hadn't expected a little girl to put him in his place. "I hit one in the head so hard it was hard for him to run off." The memory of him tripping over the fence on his way out while her father chased another with a chair. It was enough to make Bella laugh again and then hush quickly before anyone knew she had found something funny and wasn't sharing with the class. 'Professional party crashers? There is no such thing Henry that is such an absurd notion." The very thought was rediculas and Bella knew there was something more behind it. "It was you wasn't it. I wonder...was it you I hit in the head? Ha, not surprised if it was. Maybe I need to run a sword through your chest now and hang you by your pants."

Just thinking about the posability even small posability that she could be pregnant even though she knew she wasn't made Bella avoid the wine all together suddenly. "I changed my mind, I can't drink any wine. It would just make me worry and cause me to be restless. Besides since we are still trying...I mean I can't know one hundred percent." She took a sip from her water glass instead and pushed her win glass away so no one would fill it, or at least she hoped no one would. "Not true you do share me and I share you. We hare to share each other with the children. Ellie and Danny need as much of our attention as we need each others attention. Though I don't share you with other women and I don't expect you to share me with other men. In fact I am rather sick of other men. I have known enough of them to last me a lifetime, I just want one now." Bella rested a hand on his knee again rubbing it lightly and smiling at him before taking another sip of water and eating more of her salad. The only way she could swallow the food without gagging was by telling herself if she was healthy she could conceive again. Bella had been a healthy weight when she conceived Danny, they never had issues with him until later and that was because he was wearing down on her body. "I am sure they will serve chicken or some form of exotic bird. Maybe even peacock if it's fancy enough. I won't be eating it either way." No matter how expensive and fancy Bella wouldn't eat another animal. She couldn't and hadn't since she was just a little girl, maybe twelve or so.

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 7:20pm

The Italian reminisced that she thought perhaps the party crashers were in fact wearing masks to conceal their identities. Yep, “professionals” had been responsible. On Halloween they all dressed up and went out creating mischief rather than scouting out candy. Traditionally scorned by the upper class Christians of New York, the huge influx of Scots and Micks brought the holiday to the American coast long before Henry and his buddies were making costumes and roaming the streets on mischief night. So they often kept their ghoulish disguises for special occasions like trashing parties in the Upper East Side miles from Brooklyn when they got a wild hair and took a steamer north to the big city.

Sharing the tale of the boy she had walloped in the head with such force she had knocked him near senseless Henry laughed but stopped short when she suspected him of being at that party. Turning toward her with that shocked but still somewhat humored look on his face, Henry pretended to be appalled that she would even suggest such a thing, “What!? Well I never . . . when was it?” he reconsidered, if it matched the dates and locales he could give Bella quite the shock, right here at this dinner party, the possibility they had met long ago. Wow it would be like they had met in a past life. Wouldn’t that be something, always together even when they weren’t, one of those cosmic coincidences that was anything but. In a past life maybe Henry had been a merchant sailor, Bella some gypsy fortune teller in a European coastal town he met while they stopped off for a while. They fell in love and ran away together. Before that he could have been one of the thousands of immigrants that shoved ashore in America like his great grandfather who had come here from Germany. Bella could have been some Nobel blooded, high born daughter of a European royal family, visiting perhaps or just moving here for better opportunities and they met, fell in love, had a family. If they had met at that party unknowingly, or at any dinner party in New York years ago, Henry felt that not even that instance, had been their first ever meeting, in a weird sort of way.

Bella probably wouldn’t see it that way, just that she had once seen Henry’s wilder side, “I’d rather not see the pointed end of a sword directed in my general direction any time soon thank you.” he laughed and watched them bring out the salads and wine, but Bella had changed her mind and declined the consumption of alcohol, to his surprise. After a sip of his own wine he chased it down with water, staring absently at his salad as if were more a mud pie that Ellie gave him than leafy greens. He smiled at her notion that they were still hopeful and trying desperately hard for a baby, folding his hands in his lap he twisted the gold band on his ring finger. Henry only removed the ring if he was washing his hands, other than that he never took it off, not even to sleep and there it had remained for the past two years since she had given it to him. There had been the brief hiatus when she left for New York and he had wrenched it off his finger, tossed it across the coffee table and left it there for Danny to pick up, ringless until she came home to be with him again. But never again he told himself, he felt naked now without it.

Sliding his hand over hers as it rested on his knee, the banker smiled and turned to her, “I’m glad we met then, t’be quite honest I’m not attracted to anyone anymore, not unless it’s you.” which was a strange feeling, Davion would elbow him in the ribs and point out a beautiful young thing walking down the street and Henry would shrug, commenting that she was probably a bitch and not give her a second look. He lightly held her hand under the table, looking around the room at all the guests and only knowing maybe a quarter of them, even fewer he knew personally. Bella shot down his hopes of them delivering a fat porker to the table, he wanted to see which of these fellas had the sand to crack open the skull and deliver the “desert” that would probably cost Bella her appetite. Henry’s father ate pork brains with a side of egg, sunny side up which always fascinated him just as much as it disgusted him. Eating the brain of an animal didn’t settle too well with him, any organ in fact he could not stand kidneys, liver or heart. If he had to endure an extra hour of studying to avoid his mother’s liver and onions so be it, otherwise he was sure he would have vomited at the table.

That stupid, giddy grin a kid got on Christmas morning flitted across his features when more silver platters materialized from the kitchen, “I smell poultry . . . not chicken though.” the whole birds on their gleaming serving dishes were too small but Henry didn’t care, he just wanted some meat. A quiche came to his end of the table first, smelling thick with cheeses. Then a bowl of fresh oysters and he was about as disappointed as he had been with the salads until the bird was produced for them, “Ah, quail . . . that one right there may be pheasant though.” he pointed to the next one. The quail had a decorative ring of eggs around it, lining the platter with the teeny delicacies. A basket of piping hot baguettes beckoned the banker who was a huge fan of breads, he just wanted some butter to put on it but the cheese dip provided would suffice he supposed. He was quick to spot the duchess potatoes too, making sure to snatch one when all the food was presented as he had noticed no one was diving for it just yet. No steaks but there was a savory smelling veal stew just a few seats down from him he was dying to try. Best eat light if he wanted to dance tonight.

[Isabella Scarborough]

Isabella Scarborough



September 12th, 1869

It took a moment to think about it again. Maybe it was when she was thirteen or fourteen. It may have been when she was only thirteen because she was just coming into her womanhood. Yes there had only been young boys hitting on her rather than grown men. She had to have been around thirteen with that delightfully charming girlish figure that gave good hints that Bella was coming into her own and was sure to become something stunning. "If I remember correctly I was about thirteen when it happened and she was fifteen. One year away from her coming out party." Bella was happy no one ever crashed her parties. They were always inside and guarded. You couldn't have gotten in without an invitation and most of the people invited were girls from school and her fathers friends. She was positive from the way Henry reacted to her asking if he had done things like that in fact he truly did. He wasn't a hard man to figure out especially since she knew a good deal about his past. "So were you the one breaking windows with the rocks then? I was going to throw one back at you but Benjamin said I threw like a girl and couldn't do it. I threw it at him instead and went inside to find my father and demand he take us home."

Giovanni had taken Bella away immediately. He was very protective of Bella and acted like someone was always after her after the fire. If so much as a gun fired in the distance Gio would grab Bella and push her into the carriage and demand the driver take her home. Hell for a whole week he didn't let her leave the house. It still confused her as to why even now her father was cautious about what she was doing. He never told any of his friends where she lived. At first she thought it was because he was ashamed of her but she wondered what more it meant. Henry voiced his concerns of having a sword in his general direction and at that point it was almost a challenge to Bella. She wanted to teach him to fence a little. "Now you challenged me, I'm going to have to fight you sir. Anyone can fire a gun, but not everyone can sword fight. I'll have to give you some lessons. Make it interesting for you so it's worth learning." She hadn't a clue how she would get a sword in Henry's hand but it was going to happen now just so she could rub it in his face when she kept beating him.

"I will have to say the same thing Henry. No man is nearly as attractive as you are to me. As you can imagine that upsets a lot of men." Not as many men as the number upset by the fact that Darla was a loyal wife to Danny now. They must have figured she would always be a little lose with her morals and now that she was faithful none of them stood a chance with her. It was kind of cute, Henry never liked to talk about it but Bella admired young love and thankfully the young couple had recovered from their heartache of summer and were getting over the hump with new goals and in Darla's case a brand new horse, her magnificent white stallion Phantom. She wished them luck in their second attempt for a baby as well but Darla didn't seem too rushed like Bella was. Poor Bella just wanted a baby already, they had been trying long enough by now. "Besides Henry I have yet to meet another man who reads poetry as well as you do. You don't just read it you feel it, you express it. I think you would have been a brilliant actor and I know the kids love when you read to him." She smiled at night when Ellie picked out one of her books and set it down on Henry's desk without a word while he was in his office. She would just lay it down then sit across from him with hands folded in her lap and her white nightgown draping over the sides. Danny was slowly picking up the same damn habit and Bella wondered if there should be a sort of nursery where both Ellie and Danny could sleep in the same room though Ellie was older and seemed to like having her own space.

Once the food was ushered out Bella sat upright again and crinkled her nose seeing the dishes. A lot of it looked like meat or some form of organism that was once a living breathing animal. Henry was excited and thank god. Perhaps he would get a decent meal and not complain through the whole dance but Bella on the other hand didn't know what she would eat other than her salad. Once the food was all in place Bella waited for the grace to be spoken and then turned to Henry never even bowing her head to join in. Instead she gave a silent prayer to all the animals slaughtered for this event and paid them their due respect. "What am I going to do? Half this stuff is... unnatural to me. I can't eat another animal. Not even the oysters." It was funny too since Cam tried to make her eat some once because of that old saying that oysters made you randy but Bella refused to eat them or even let his lips get near her flesh after he had consumed them. Once that death touched her it was there to stay and Bella carried it with her for months. "I hope they bring out something else as well." No, not even fish eggs though it was popular. The taste was too....fishy.

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 7:30pm

He tried to hide the nervous tick that twitched at the corner of his mouth when Bella said how old she had been at the time of the party, between the warehouse fire and leaving New York for good later that year, Henry had crashed a few parties. Of course wrecking a high class party or two for free booze was a great alternative to burning down an entire warehouse and causing over a half a million dollars in damages. When the figures came out for the destruction of the building and its contents Henry had been stunned, he didn’t even know there was that much money in the entire country, “I dunno,” he shrugged at her question, “I was a rock thrower, I threw stuff, can’t say it was me though.” can’t prove it was him anyways. His arms had been so toned back then, very sinewy and looking at them now Henry only wished he could get that kind of physique again.

He was pretty sure he had told her he did not want her pointing sharp objects at him, twisting his face into a confused expression, “Make it interesting for me?” he arced a brow and diffused the tension with a sip at his glass, pursing his lips at the crisp ice water, “Might be interesting, you pointing something at me for a change.” oh so improper Henry, but he didn’t care. But she was wrong, well in a way she was right . . . wait, “And yes everyone can fire a gun but not everyone can kill a man from forty feet up in a canyon shooting him from eighty yards down below.” he reminded her, actually gesturing with his hands in a broad sweeping motion,
“Really?” an intrigued older woman asked from across the table, her wig was rather nice but Henry could tell it was definitely a wig.
“Yep, wanted in three states, I smoked ‘im in Indiana back in sixty-two.” well she certainly seemed intrigued but Henry could not figure out why, they lived out west for god’s sake so he turned back to Bella to continue their conversation as the woman spoke to her husband.

The banker laughed and then bit back his humor a little, “Men get angry about that imagine how they feel about Danny and Darla . . . of course they might be getting another chance. I dunno if you know but he was seriously considering leaving her after she lost the baby . . . he told me one more screw up and she was gone.” not that Bella should care he was pretty sure the two women were not all that close. Henry had not liked Darla since she had cheated on Danny while he was gone, now she had lost their baby. Helm shared with him a bit of his knowledge in Henry’s favorite sport of baseball. The three strikes rule, he was using it in his relationship and so far Darla had two strikes . . . she would be shit out of luck if she messed up again.

“Hmm, an actor,” he looked off into space, just so happening to be the direction of the Apollo Theater’s stage, “no, no I don’t need another hair brained idea, no acting.” he waved it off with a laugh. Besides wouldn’t he have to wear makeup, no thanks, “To be, or not to be, that is the question. Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune, or to take arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them, to die, to sleep no more.” he took a sip of his wine now and caught another impressed look from the woman seated across from him but once more shifted his attention back to his wife, “Most people don’t know that whole line.” but Henry was not most people apparently.

The food came and Bella had Henry’s reaction to the salad. As unnatural as leafy greens were to him this meat felt just as out of place to her. Clasping his hands in front of him he vexed over the weight of his wife, as he gained it sitting behind a desk all the time it seemed she just kept losing it. When they met she had admitted she was surprised he had taken a fancy to her and he told her he was never partial to the skinny white girls and here she was thin as a twig. It wouldn’t be long before they were in bed and Henry would stop amidst his action and say her bone ass hips were hurting him. Snapping his fingers at a servant as he walked past Henry leaned back in his chair a little so he could speak to the gent, “Excuse me but could we possibly get a bowl of fruit or pasta . . . fruit and pasta?” he pursed his lips, quipped a soft ‘yes sir’ and left for the kitchen, “There.” he smiled to Bella, hoping he had satisfied her.

After the meal was blessed, which rebellious Henry did not partake in, they could apparently just dig right in. Immediately taking a duchess potato for himself he could have been happy with that. “It’s been years since I had one of these, I love em.” he almost seemed giddy as the servant brought out Henry’s special order while the banker spooned out some of that quiche.

[Isabella Scarborough]

Isabella Scarborough



September 12th, 1869

"Of course you are a rock thrower, Danny is shaping up to be one too. He throws rocks at the dogs and the chickens until I catch him and yell at him." Danny was a good baby but he did have a trouble makers streak in him. Thankfully both of his parents were both the extreams. His father had been a complete mess his whole life and his mother was practically a saint. Danny was going to be something in the middle. Maybe not a saint but certainly not a mess. Plus he had such a wonderful childhood already why should he be rebellious and hateful? That boy was surrounded by love and affection. Thinking about her little boy again made her smile. It was hard to believe how big he was getting. Fourteen months old already and nothing more than a hyper active little boy who loved to run around the house and outside exploring. Though still every time he got scared or wandered too far he came running back to Bella so he could hide behind her skirt. Looking up at her with those big blue eyes like his adventurous spirit had just faded away and he changed his mind preferring the safety of his mother.

Bella nearly choked on another bite of her salad when Henry said it would be interesting to have her pointing him with something for a change. She glanced up knowing that would be easy to defuse. He could have said poking her with something, then Bella would have laughed or maybe lost all color in her face or even turned bright red and look around concerned about something. "You mean pointing at me? Hmm I don't think you often do that, you call to me and point at something to make me aware of it but seldom do you ever directly point at me." She was so tempted to tell Henry she wasn't a dog to be pointed at but refrained. Henry had to go on bragging about his skills with a gun. Yes he was impressive when it came to aim but it didn't change the fact he was firing blanks. Or at least that was what Bella told herself to make light of the situation that followed about him being wanted. "That was long ago though he's a family man now. Well behaved banker, has two children and a nice house with a town that loves him."

She wanted so badly to growl at the woman taking an interest in Henry. She should learn to mind her own god damn buisness. Bella could only imagine how it must have been for all the men in town that Danny and Darla were married. Women too, god even Bella had a crush on the toned cowboy but it was only a lustful sort of crush, a one and done fling just to feed into her curiosity but nothing beyond that. Men and women alike were crying over that union but Bella thought it was brilliant. They were so beautiful their children would be stunning. Of course Henry had to remind her they had lost their baby as well. Henry then filled her in on something she hadn't known and honestly it was shocking. "That would be the worst thing he could ever do. I know how she feels right now. I still feel that way myself. If I didn't have you in my life after I lost the baby I wouldn't have gotten better. I would have been worse off but..."/color] Bella stopped talking about it feeling a lump in her throat and she held back a few shimmering tears not wanting them to fall. Alex's death was still a fresh wound to Bella. No time could heal that hurt in her heart.

Henry went off playing with the idea of being an actor and Bella just rolled her eyes. Petting his ego always came back to bite her. It took him a while and then he had to go into Shakespeare. Damn that was one of her weak points. Cameron use to call her a rose by annoy other name and then continue on and one until she felt he recited half of Rome and Juliette. Though Bella was far from annoyed by Henry as his voice drew her in a little closer to him and she thought for a moment she would be tempted to kiss him but refrained. [color=663399]"That's not rightfully fair Henry. Now you're playing dirty." He mentioned not many knew the whole line of course he did though. He memorized everything. Danny was slowly showing signs of that. "If we had a little bit of extra time right now...no. However you know I think when we get back if Danny isn't too tired you should read him Little Red Riding Hood again. He would love that." She had to change the subject or so help her god.

Disappointed by the food Bella took a sip of her water and smiled when Henry asked for them to bring out some fruit and pasta. It was so sweet he was looking out for her but she really did need to eat something. She couldn't remember if she had eaten at all today. "Thank you Henry you are far too sweet." Bella sat awkwardly during the prayer and grabbed Henry's knee again as if to thank him. When the prayer was over everyone started digging in and one of the men even addressed Bella asking if she was alright. He went on to ask her why she wasn't eating. Her food arrived and Bella smiled back at the curious man looking over the fruit and taking a few bites after thanking the server. "I was never a fan of quiche."

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 7:45pm

It was silly he thought. How something as simple as eating was made such a big deal by the rich and classy folk. Eating was a necessity, nothing pretty about it, especially when the body was done with the food, was there a fancy way to take a shit too? He bet not, in fact he was willing to say that it stunk too. Back in New York he had the same mentality, the rich folk could kiss his ass and his friends thoroughly enjoyed crashing those parties, “Still not too sure if it was me or not, it might’ve been I really can’t be sure.” if that gave her any incentive to elaborate on the subject and maybe give him a few more details then she was welcome to have at it until she proved it was either him or it wasn’t, if not that was okay too. Lying awake one night in the subtle moonlight after her parents had left he had quietly asked Bella if she was awake, and then said he had met her father in New York a few times before his visit to the farm. Owning such a large and well known company it was not uncommon for there to be a fleet of lawyers around Mister Clair, Henry’s father was not included in such an elite group, he was a good attorney but not that good. Being a defense attorney Henry’s father often saw to the cases of the wrong doers more than anything, in fact he had overseen the case involving his son’s friends when they burned down the warehouse. But his Henry was a good boy, and was at home in bed the whole time. But fancy dinners, yes he had heard the name Giovanni Clair float across a table or two, spotted the gent often toward or at the end of the table, the important end.

He shrugged at Bella’s question, not too sure what she had meant, either she really didn’t understand his comment or she was messing around. More likely she was pretending she didn’t know what he had meant. But whoever the lady was across the table deserved a story from his days as a bounty hunter, after all he had to explain his reasoning behind just admitting to shooting a man, “Yeah those were my younger days, I don’t work for the law anymore, being a banker is much safer.” and more stable, at that thought he turned to his wife and that warm grin crossed his face.
“And maybe a city treasurer.” she quipped,
“Yes, and possibly the treasurer for the city of Denver soon.” It had only been a few weeks ago when he had told Danny of his plans to run for City Council and the rancher had been quick to remind him of the trouble he had gotten into a few years back concerning the shooting of three Denver men. It had been ruled justifiable homicide after Helm told the sheriff it was in self-defense. The lawman had then warned them against ever coming back and the pony riders had to run the remainder of their numbered days as mail carriers to Greely.

He wondered who Bella was leaving out when she told the woman seated adjacent from them that he had two children. More than likely Ellie, even though he saw himself as her father, may as well, no other man was helping to raise her. But a town that loved him, he guessed the town sort of did love him but he wasn’t so sure how much. Daniel Helm had the shock of a lifetime when Henry wrangled up half the patrons of Buffalo Creek to come and help build his barn before winter. He had never realized so many people cared about him. Henry doubted they would do that for him though.

The subject of their quiet, private conversation switched to none other than the Helms when Henry mentioned Danny’s thinking of leaving his wife. It wasn’t just Darla, Danny had contemplated leaving the territory altogether, no more Darla, no more ranch, no more Colorado, “Well . . . it was her fault.” Heck pointed out, the whole town agreed with that statement and had little sympathy for Darla. Henry had heard Mary talking to Sam about how Darla had killed her child and to be honest, Henry actually felt his cheeks go a little hot at that statement. It solidified his beliefs that Darla was a floozy, but the sorrow his friend felt did not deserve the cold shoulder of the people in town that supposedly cared about him. For that, Henry had been going to visit his friend almost every day since the incident. Not Darla, but that was because she hated him, everything about him down to the way he breathed.

Hearing that breath catch in Bella’s throat as she choked back her tears he rested a hand on her knee again. He always felt he could calm his wife, be there for her and make her feel better but there were just some things he could not fix, and that was her nearly debilitating sorrow toward Alex. So he cheered her up with a little Shakespeare and she immediately let him know he was making her feel funny again. Slowly turning to her with a half interested half mischievous expression when it sounded like she was suggesting they . . . do what, take a trip to the powder room? But alas, she changed up her comment to reading Danny a bedtime story. Glancing up to the grandfather clock Henry squinted his eyes in short thought, “If we’re lucky we’ll be getting home around midnight, but probably after . . . if we’re later than that I have that room at the Bella Luna reserved.” they could just crash there tonight if they were too tired.

The food arrived, thank goodness and Henry could now satisfy his growing hunger. Spooning out the quiche Bella was getting curious glances, a bit out of the norm for everyone to be eating and not her, but when her special order arrived she quickly took to picking at the fresh fruit. Poking at the food she had just said she was not fond off, Henry smiled, “It’s just cheese . . . dreadfully boring though, I once heard a young man not too bright on the subject of French cuisine, call it ‘quickie’ by accident, ‘twas most unfortunate especially for the lady he was ordering it from.” he quipped in a British accent and went for some buttered peas, and then a fork full of the pasta he had asked for. The subtly of their sexual innuendos was beginning to amuse Henry more than it probably should have, but it got a chuckle from a few people seated around them, “Mmm, that’s got I-talian dressing on it.” couldn’t wait for dessert.

[Isabella Scarborough]

"Well perhaps it's better we don't know the answers to the mysteries of life. Do I really want to know you crashed a party I was at? That I might have met you long ago in New York? You wouldn't have noticed me anyways you were much older than I was. I might have seemed like a little girl to you." She gave him an impish grin knowing that wasn't really true. At the age of thirteen grown men were showing interest in her. young Bella blossomed into quite the beauty at that age however she was playing more that he was old. Still Bella wasn't certain back then she would have captured Henry's fancy. She hadn't been his type of girl. Bella was feircly independent, strong, a solid thinker, virtues, practically a night of the round table, adventurous, brave, and most certainly now a whore. Looks or no looks she was the makings of a young Italian woman and her strength and power never faded even as she reached marrying age.

Bella took a sip of water as they talked about the chance of Henry being treasurer. She figured when he won he would be gone more often once again. Hopefully they would still have enough time to try for another baby, Bella was not giving up on that dream. Not for the world. Speaking of babies and wanting one when Henry blamed Darla for her miscarriage Bella became a little offended. True it had been Darla's fault and she could have prevented it. Drinking while pregnant hadn't been that woman's best idea but when did Darla ever have a good idea? Why hadn't someone stopped her because clearly the woman had no idea what was okay and what was not okay while you were pregnant. "Henry that was a bit rude of you. You know people might say the same thing about our situation with Alex as well and how would that make me feel if I heard them or even thought about it? I am sure she blames herself as much as I do. We both were the cause of someones death and not just someone. Someone we really did love and care about."

Her parents had told her it hand't been her fault but Bella still blamed herself every day. Alex had been her baby, she should have protected him from the gun wielding monster. In fact Bella could have stayed out of trouble all together but then one of the younger pair would have been shot, just after their proposal. Bella couldn't bare the thought of someone so young and hopeful dying just then. Just when their life was about to begin. Perhaps that is why it killed her all the more that Alex died before his life even had a chance to start. Dragging herself from her depressive mood she heard Henry say he had reserved the room at the Bella Luna. Just hearing mention of that place made her blush. The night after her birthday had been a night she would never forget. "Well in the event we stay at the Bella Luna...that should be interesting." Bella gave a small sigh and took a bite of noodles. This dinner was shaping out to be a bit uncomfortable on her end but only because Henry had peeked her interest and it was hard to shut it down now.

Henry made her laugh with his little play through accents and then mispronouncing Italian. "Mr. Scarborough if I wasn't a lady..." She stopped short and looked him in the eye. That mischievous little glow in her eyes. He knew what she meant by that, she didn't need say any more to him and let him know just how he was making her feel right now. "However last time we stayed at the Bella Luna I remember you made me four times not a lady." The woman sitting nearest to them who had taken an interest to Henry's stories choked a little from what Bella had to say and then looked up at her with a sort of shocked look on her face. Now Bella had said something she shouldn't have.

[Henry Scarborough]

---

September 12th, 1869
Apollo Hall, Denver, CO
Around 7:50pm

Well she was a little girl, she was, what had she said, thirteen? Despite telling him she was filling out and looking womanly at the young age of thirteen it probably wouldn’t have garnered any ogling from seventeen year old, hell raising Henry. But they weren’t that far apart, among all his friends, Henry and Bella were the closest together in age than anyone else he knew. Darla and Danny were maybe six years apart, Davion and Mary were more than fifteen and Cyrus and Lila were pretty far apart too. He had to admit though, he had probably been the one that had wrecked that party in New York, some little girl had beaten the dog shit out of Buddy Knowles, a kid from Manhattan, a rich boy that liked running with the troublemakers, a rebel like Henry. Some big fella had lifted a heavy metal chair over his head and come at him and Henry grabbed a half empty bottle of 1829 French wine and lit for the hills, hopping the fence and sprinting up the street. That chair crashed against the whitewash fence to his back and he kept running, joined by his friends in the alley behind Alabaster’s and drank to their heart’s content, especially Buddy, to take the edge off his pains.

“Well you were a little girl, besides I think it was your uncle but, yeah some big guy threw a chair at me so I wasn’t lookin for a date.” he admitted it, he had been there, might as well. It was Henry, Buddy, Dean and Leo as always when they were in New York and dropped by to see Knowles and the guy had mentioned a party going on up the street at some snob’s house, if they could get over the security fence they could have all the free booze they could grab. Henry distinctly remembered seeing the ruddy faces of many fat and very angry Italians and about shit his pants, “Goddammit Buddy, these are ITALIANS!” he had just enough time to say ‘yeah, so what?’ before some girl laid his ass out. Henry saw someone coming after him after birthday girl yelled for her father to make the masked vandals go away and the guy lowered himself like a bull and charged right at him, “That wine was aged very well I might add.” it was twenty-eight years old and although he was not a fan of the red wine it was very smooth.

Bella scorned him for what he said about Darla but it was true as far as he was concerned, and he couldn’t rightly see it the way Bella did, “She never wanted it, so she drank it t’death. I saw what it did t’my best friend and it just made me dislike her all the more t’be perfectly honest but . . . it’s not proper t’speak of it at all, let alone here.” he dropped the subject like he should have but knew Bella may want to pick it up later. It was not secret to her that most of Henry’s mornings were spent at Hellfire nursing is friend back to health with his daily visits. Mary and Sam had informed him that Darla came in and drank while she was pregnant, Sam would cut her off after a while and Mary would try and inform her that it was not good for the baby and to limit it to a glass of red wine every night like she had. But a lot of good that had done. Rusty and Ming hid the liquor at Hellfire, poured it out, watered it down whatever it took but even that had not spared the fate of her child. As far as Darla loving and caring about her unborn son, Henry called bullshit on that. The only reason she cried like a baby was because she had killed it and because she was afraid Danny would leave her. Which the rancher had informed him, the thought had indeed crossed his mind.

The Bella Luna had been closed today and there was one couple staying there this evening but Henry and Bella knew how to be quiet, unless of course the couples wanted to get into a screaming match, that could be fun. Arcing his brows a bit at her comment he smiled and took a sip of his wine, “Interesting, huh?” he was thinking more like, oh my I am really tired let’s just sleep until about noon tomorrow.

Oh his girl was a naughty one and as her words had caught the woman across the table off guard Henry just smiled, winked to the woman’s equally surprised husband and gave Bella a little squeeze on the knee again. Should he lean over and whisper something sultry in her ear? No that would be far too evil.
“Good show Old Boy.” the older woman’s husband quipped and went back to his dinner, a compliment of sorts, something Heck had not been expecting as he stuffed his dinner roll with peas, corn, quiche and a bit of his potato.

When dessert came around he helped himself to an apple tart and found it to be rather pleasant, topping it with a dollop of vanilla bean ice cream and hoped they had cookies but was not surprised when the somewhat informal treat was not on the table. He ate about half his tart before subtly pushing it over to Bella hoping he could entice her to eat something else as his fatass went for seconds, strawberry cobbler. Henry was nearing one-hundred and sixty pounds but that didn’t stop him from eating everything he saw. He was a businessman he was allowed to be a fat cat. After dessert they would waddle down to the ballroom.