By the time Joe reached Virginia City his mind was set. He wanted answers and he wanted them now and he wasn’t going to let Claudia’s womanly wiles beguile him before he got them. Upon entering the International House Hotel he immediately made his way up the stairs and along the landing towards Claudia’s room. Joe knocked hard on the door and waited, but there was no answer. His frustration was mounting and as he turned to retrace his steps he saw Claudia coming up the stairs and heading towards him.

Claudia smiled on seeing Joe before her, but her smile quickly disappeared when she saw the grim determination on his face. “Hi Joe” she said casually. “Is something wrong?”

Joe moved forward and grabbed her none too gently by the arm. “You could say that!” he said unemotionally, pulling her towards the room.

Claudia tried to collect her thoughts as she fumbled with the key in the door. Something had happened to upset Joe and she had a pretty good idea what, or who, that was. Deciding that the best form of defence was attack, Claudia rounded on him as soon as the door closed behind them.

“I suppose you have been talking to Adam,” she said sardonically. “And since he’s your brother I have no doubt you believe him. I don’t suppose you want to hear my side of the story.”

Joe took a deep breath and tried to calm his mounting anxiety. He walked away from Claudia and stood looking out of the window before replying. “I have heard Adam’s version of what happened back in Boston.”

Claudia gazed at Joe’s impenetrable back and was, for once, at a loss as to how to proceed. She wished she could see his face and try to gauge what he was thinking. Reluctantly she had to admit that it was going to take more than her seductive talents to get her out of this situation.

Finally Joe had his feelings under control and he turned around and looked at her. There was no doubt about it, she was the most beautiful woman he had ever encountered and it would be so easy to fall back under her spell. Trying to keep his mind focused on what he had heard the night before he stated. “I have never known my brother to lie to me, so either he has been deluding me all these years or you are not what you seem.” Joe paused for a moment and gazed into Claudia’s eyes. “Is my brother lying?”

Turning from him Claudia walked away and sat on the bed. Bending forward she buried her head in her hands and said in almost a whisper. “No he’s not lying.”

Joe let out a small gasp of disbelief. “So what Adam said was true. You married him even though you were already married and you took his grandfather’s money.”

“Oh yes that part is true, but that’s not the whole tale, there’s more much more.”

Joe was intrigued, just as she hoped he would be. “What more can there be? You deluded my brother into marrying you and embezzled him out of his inheritance.”

“That much is true, but I did have a good reason for doing it, a very good reason. But your brother never stuck around long enough to find out why. He just up and left me and hightailed it back to Virginia City.”

Her reply was not what Joe had expected and he was momentarily thrown. As the tears streamed down Claudia’s face, he could feel his heart softening towards her in spite of himself. “Tell me the reason Claudia,” he asked softly.

In between sobs Claudia haltingly told her story. Yes she was married and yes she had taken Adam’s money and sent it to her husband. But rather than being cold and calculating, she was merely a mother fighting for the life of her child. Her small daughter was in the clutches of her ruthless husband and he was threatening to take her child away forever unless she did his bidding.

“So you see Joe I had no choice. Nothing was more important to me than my child.”

Stunned beyond belief, Joe sat down on the bed next to her and wrapped his arms around her trembling body. “Where is your daughter now?” he asked gently.

“She’s gone,” Claudia wailed. “When Adam left, my husband blamed me and he took my baby away.” Sobbing now uncontrollably, Claudia clung to Joe as if her life depended on it. “I haven’t seen her for eight long years.”

With her head resting on Joe’s chest Claudia continued to weep, her tears saturating Joe’s shirt as he held her close, his face buried in her hair as he murmured words of comfort. Eventually the room became quiet as her sobs ceased and she looked up.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Joe raised an eyebrow. “What for?”

Lifting her hand Claudia tenderly stroked his lips with her forefinger. “For listening to me, believing me, not turning against me….unlike your brother!”

Intoxicated by her perfume, hypnotised by her eyes Joe nodded, feeling his desire for her growing by the second, just as his elder brother had years before. “How could I not believe you,” he said quietly, unable to tear his gaze away from the beautiful face streaked with dried tears.

Claudia gave a soft smile and lifted her face towards him, but Joe flinched back, untangling his arms from her and standing up sharply. “Now it’s all in the open, I think its best I leave.”

A gasp escaped from Claudia as her face crumpled forlornly. “Leave? You can’t…please Joe. I don’t want to be alone anymore….I need you!”

Shaking his head Joe’s stoic expression masked his true feelings. “No Claudia. Now I know about you and Adam, we have no future.”

“But why? You said you believed me?”

Joe sighed deeply. “I do, but now I know that you and my brother have…” Joe’s voice trailed off abruptly. Claudia clung to his arm, pulling him down onto the bed. “Joe, your brother is in my past….he is history! Since the first time we met I’ve had this feeling you could be my future. Don’t you feel it too?”

Joe’s face finally betrayed his inner feelings. “It’s not that simple…I just keep imagining you two…together.” Claudia smiled faintly. “Are you worried I am going to compare notes on you and your brother as to how you make love to me?”

With his face growing red with embarrassment Joe nodded, for once feeling uneasy in Claudia’s company. “I guess that’s the bottom line,” he answered, biting his lower lip nervously. Claudia stared at him, noting the glassy brightness in his eyes that betrayed the inexperience and innocence of the young man.

Her hand went around his neck. “You have nothing to fear my dear, sweet Joe,” she whispered as she pulled him towards her. “I just know you will be twice the man your brother ever was.”

Aroused and now under her control Joe succumbed his body to her and their lips met, fleetingly at first, but as understanding and acceptance flooded his brain he gave a slow moan and pushed her down. The kiss was long and sweet, their tongues exploring each other’s mouths as their passion grew.

Joe suddenly pulled away. “God I want you Claudia….but this isn’t right. You don’t have to do this just because I belie…..” Interrupting, Claudia shushed him as she eased herself off the bed and provocatively discarded her tight bodiced dress, standing naked before him.

Joe soaked in the sight, his blood racing fast within his veins as he stared at her in awe.

She reached out and pulled him towards her. “Now it’s your turn,” she ordered huskily as she unbuttoned his shirt then threw it on the floor, her eyes lighting up at the sight of the muscled arms and chest. Joe shook nervously as he removed his gun belt, undid his pants, pushing them down over his hips and legs and pulling off his boots.

“Beautiful,” Claudia admitted with a smile of seduction as she took her own ‘Adonis’ by the hand and pulled him on to the bed. “We’re made for each other Joe. Make me feel like a woman.”

As their bodies then moulded as one; the passion equally matched, equally inexhaustible, Claudia screamed out in triumphant ecstasy! She had snared another victim.

Joe found himself unable to tear himself away from Claudia’s bed ~ his mind told him that it wasn’t right, that he needed to leave, but once she weaved her seductive spell around him, he found himself moaning in delirious pleasure over and over.

It was close to Midnight before Joe was able to slip out of bed. Quickly putting on his pants and leaving his shirt unbuttoned, he turned to grab his jacket and gun belt when he felt a pinch on his neck. The last thing he saw was Claudia holding a syringe as he crumpled to the ground.

Claudia took Joe’s lifeless form and sat him up against the door. There, she slapped his face lightly until his eyes opened. Dazed and confused, his eyes glassy, Joe found himself listening intently to Claudia’s words.

“Joseph, you will listen and obey everything I tell you. You will leave here as you intended, and head home to your family. You will stay away from me and your life will continue as normal. But next week at the Fall Social, you will excuse yourself at ten o’clock. I will be waiting for you at the livery stable, and there we will make love once again. While we are there, you will do what I tell you ~ without question. Do you understand?”

Joe nodded obediently and rose silently to leave. Claudia looked at the young man, now totally under her control. “Joseph – aren’t you forgetting to kiss me goodbye?” Joe quickly walked towards her and kissed her passionately before he left the room. With a smug smile, Claudia thought to herself, “Adam will regret what he’s done to me after I take away what matters most to him.”

********************************************************************

“Wake up Lazy Bones!” Hoss shouted as he pulled back Joe’s coverlet. Joe sat up abruptly, but found his head swimming. Hoss didn’t notice as he continued, “When did you get home? We started to get a little worried little brother…..”

Joe looked up at his brother and mumbled, “Did some things I shouldn’t have Hoss. Don’t remember getting in last night myself…..please don’t ask, and please don’t tell Pa or Adam!”

Hoss looked at his brother’s pitiful form and nodded. “You’ve got it Joe, but you better get downstairs quick before you bring on Pa’s curiosity!” Joe smiled as he got out of bed and gave his brother a playful punch. “Thanks Hoss,” he said as he got ready to start his day.

Joe spent his week doing his work, but his dalliance with Claudia was never far from his thoughts. He knew it was wrong and knew that he never wanted to have any part of her again. He and Adam had talked through their differences on the subject and both brothers agreed that Claudia was not what she purported to be. They both knew that keeping Claudia Cousins out of their lives was best for all.

Saturday night came quickly, and the brothers headed into Virginia City for the Fall Social. Taking a cup of punch and looking out onto the dance floor, Adam turned to Hoss and said, “That mercurial brother of ours sure put that whole Claudia thing behind him quickly, didn’t he?”

Nodding, Hoss looked over at Joe, who was holding court with a bevy of young women and replied, “Guess he realized that it was more fun to stick to gals his own age!”

Eventually, the clock in the Meeting Hall struck ten, and Joe froze in his tracks. Politely excusing himself from his admirers, he took his hat off the peg rack and started to head out the door. Adam was speaking with a friend as he noticed his brother make his hasty exit. Excusing himself from his conversation, Adam’s curiosity got the best of him as he followed Joe out of the Hall. He was about a block behind as he saw Joe walk into the back entrance of the livery stable.

Now worried that perhaps his younger brother was under the weather, Adam made a beeline to the livery. Opening the door, Adam froze in horror as he took in the sight before him. He felt sick as he watched his brother standing above a woman, whose sobs echoed in the empty stall.

As Adam ran over and pushed Joe aside, his shock intensified as he saw the woman before him – Claudia Cousins. Adam knelt down, untied her bound hands, and removed Joe’s neckerchief from her mouth. “Claudia are you all right?” he asked.

Pulling a horse blanket around her naked body, she cried, “Where’s the sheriff? I want your brother arrested – – for rape!” Adam turned and saw his brother sitting in a corner, emotionless. He couldn’t believe that Joe would be guilty of such a violent act. Adam knew what Claudia was capable of, and there had to be a logical reason…..

Kneeling next to his brother Adam asked, “Joe, what happened here? Did you and Claudia plan to meet here? Did you…..”

Joe looked at his brother with lifeless eyes. “I wanted Claudia but she didn’t want me Adam. I attacked her.”

A voice came from the doorway. “Move aside Adam, your brother is going to jail.” With those words, Roy Coffee approached the brothers. Without a word, Joe stood as Roy put the handcuffs on his wrists and led him out the door.

Hoss arrived at the livery stable just as Roy was leading a very subdued Little Joe over to the jailhouse. Claudia’s sobs could still be heard from within as Dr Paul Martin shuffled Hoss out of the way in order to enter.

Adam excused himself from the distraught woman and left her in the capable hands of the good doctor. Crossing to his brother’s side he placed a comforting arm around Hoss’ shoulders.

“What happened?” asked a bemused Hoss, not really wanting to know the answer.

“Claudia has accused Joe of rape,” Adam replied almost choking over the words.

Hoss’ mouth dropped wide open in disbelief. “That’s impossible. Joe would never…he couldn’t, not ever. Adam you know Joe would never force himself on anyone.”

Adam bit his lip and tried to find the right words. “Hoss when I arrived, Claudia was bound and gagged. She was naked and Joe…he was…well he was standing over her…”

“But maybe he found her like that,” Hoss interrupted.

Adam shook his head. “I wish that were true Hoss, but Joe’s clothing was undone, and…”

“And what Adam?”

“Well Joe told me himself that he raped her.”

**

The next few hours went in a blur for Little Joe. His head pounded and he couldn’t think straight. What had happened to him? Why would he attack Claudia? That evening when he left the house she wasn’t even in his thoughts. He couldn’t explain the compulsion he had felt to leave the social or why he felt the need to go to the livery stable. Joe didn’t remember binding Claudia’s hands and he didn’t remember gagging her with his neckerchief, but he did remember ravishing her.

Joe groaned aloud and buried his head in his hands. Tears of shame spilled down his face as he recalled the brutality of the act. How could he have done such a thing? Never in his life had he tried to coerce a woman into doing something she didn’t want him to do, let alone force his will upon her.

Joe’s first clear thought had been one of extreme arousal. His body was crying out for release as his hips rhythmically took him to his goal. Sexual climax had only been moments away when he had opened his eyes and seen Claudia below him, bound and gagged, with a look of sheer terror on her face. At that moment Joe’s ardour quickly diminished and he withdrew himself from the helpless woman and stood up in shock. Before he had time to do anything else, Adam had arrived and then pandemonium had broken out.

Consumed with guilt Joe was unaware when Adam entered his cell and bent down in front of him.

“Joe. Are you okay?” Adam asked the concern showing in his voice.

Joe could not bring himself to answer. How could his brother be worrying about him after what he had done? His family didn’t deserve the shame he was about to bring upon them.

“Hoss has gone to get Pa, they should be back here before morning,” Adam continued, hoping to reassure his little brother.

Under normal circumstances Joe craved the presence of his father in times of crisis, but at this moment in time his Pa was the last person he wanted to see. He couldn’t bear the look of disappointment and loathing that were bound to be reflected in his father’s eyes. Ben was a very moral man and his sense of decency had been impressed upon his sons all their lives. How would he ever come to terms with the fact that his youngest son was a rapist?

“Joe we need to talk. I want you to tell me exactly what happened.”

With great effort Joe forced himself to look at his brother, but he couldn’t stop the tears as they continued to make tracks down his face.

“I don’t know what happened Adam. I don’t know why I left the Social and I don’t know why I went to the livery stable. And as God is my witness I don’t remember tying up Claudia. But I do remember raping her.” Joe’s voice broke down. “Why would I do that Adam? Why would I feel the need to force myself upon her?”

“I don’t know either Joe,” Adam said simply. Then with a shrug of his shoulders he asked. “Did you have a fight? I know what a tease she can be. Did she get you all fired up and then reject you?”

Joe shook his head and stood up from the bed. “No, no, no. None of that happened. Claudia wasn’t a tease. When she wanted a man she had him, me included. There was never any need to force her into anything,” he added bitterly. “I know you won’t believe me Adam, but it was as if I didn’t have a will of my own. It felt as if I was following instructions.”

Adam’s mouth dropped open and he gazed intently at his brother.

“See I knew you wouldn’t believe me,” Joe whispered.

Shaking his head, Adam corrected. “On the contrary Joe, I do believe you. You see you are describing the way I felt when I was with her. When we married and I sold my inheritance, I knew it was wrong to turf those people out of their homes, but I felt as if I had no choice. It was as if I was bewitched and everything I had been taught had been thrown out the window.”

The brothers looked at each other with new understanding. Something was very amiss here and Claudia was at the bottom of it. But how would they go about proving it?

Joe quickly slipped off in a troubled sleep so Adam quietly took his leave then strode out of the jail towards the hotel. He entered, glancing at the clerk who was asleep at his desk and walked upstairs, not even bothering to knock as he entered Claudia’s room. She looked up, unsurprised, giving Adam her most seductive smile.

“I knew it would only be a matter of time,” she purred as she poured out a glass of whiskey and took a long swallow. “Can’t keep away from me, can you Adam!”

Roughly grabbing her, Adam’s brown eyes visibly darkened with loathing. “What’s your game? Why have you set up my brother?” he spat, his fingers tightening with each second on the lily-white arm of the femme fatal.

“I don’t know what you mean!” Claudia cried, her eyes filling with crocodile tears. “Your little brother just doesn’t like to have someone reject him. You saw what he did! You witnessed it all!”

Adam shook his head, his mouth tightening with disgust. “Don’t try the innocent with me Claudia. I know you too well! I only saw what you wanted me to see,” he spat back with venom through his gritted teeth. “And I aim to make sure everyone realises your pervert little game!”

Claudia eyes flashed with anger. “Now listen here Mr High and Mighty Cartwright. I know how you’ve been brought up. Your father always preached that you tell the truth, no matter what the consequences.” She ran her hand up his inner thigh, feeling him harden involuntarily to her touch.

“If I decide to prosecute, it will be your testimony that will see your darling brother in jail for the next 25 years! So I suggest you start being nice to me…very nice!”

---

Chapter 4:

As Adam had closed the door to the Sheriff’s Office behind him, Joe opened his eyes, his feigned sleep having successfully fooled his brother once again. His mind swirled as he replayed the evening’s events, and the thought of his father looking at him with shame and disgust in his eyes churned at his insides. Then another thought tore at his heart…how could he face a trial, knowing his own brother would have to take the stand against him? It would tear the family apart. What could he do?

Through the doorway he could see the deputy, Clem Foster, a man he had known for many years, drinking coffee at his desk. Taking a deep breath to steady his nerves he shouted out to his old friend.

“Clem…I need a bucket…I think I’m going to puke!”

Clem looked over and gave a sympathetic nod. Picking up a container from behind the stove he walked towards the cells and taking out his keys, trustingly unlocked the door. However his prisoner’s actions caught him completely by surprise as Joe grabbed him by the shirt and hit him hard on the chin, the bowl and deputy falling down in a heap.

“Sorry Clem,” Joe murmured sincerely as he grabbed the gun from the Deputy’s holster, then locked the cell behind him and hurriedly slipped out of the front door. Luckily the main street was deserted as Joe ran across to where Cochise was tethered, vaulting in one quick motion before kicking him on, horse and rider disappearing unnoticed in a cloud of dust.

Leaving Virginia City far behind him he reached a crossroads about five miles from town and slowed to a halt. To the right was home and he felt his eyes brim with tears, knowing he could never return to those he loved so much.

In the light of the full moon he took one last look towards the Ponderosa, then Joe Cartwright, accused rapist, escaped prisoner, wanted man, and acting in his usually impetuous manner, turned Cochise in the opposite direction and galloped away without a backward glance.

**

“Mmmm, that was just what the doctor ordered,” purred Claudia, as she ran her fingers through Adam’s dark hair. Laying her head on Adam’s chest, she moved her hands over his body, consuming every inch of him with her touch.

In a seductive whisper, Claudia told Adam, “This is the way it should’ve always been. You and me, together in every way. We always made a great team, don’t you remember?”

Lying beside her, Adam’s thoughts were not on what had just happened between them. Annoyed that her words of romance had not been heard, Claudia shook Adam’s shoulder. “Haven’t you heard a word I’ve said?” she yelled.

Jostled back to reality, Adam turned to her and nonchalantly replied, “I heard you, Claudia. I just chose not to answer.”

Agitated, Claudia rose from the bed. As she put on her robe, she stood before Adam and hissed, “You think you can treat me like a common whore? Think again Adam. If your brother has any chance of escaping jail, you’d better start acting a bit more husbandly towards the future Mrs. Cartwright ~~again.”

As Adam began to reply, a loud knock interrupted him. Opening the door a crack, Claudia stuck her head out, only to find Hoss standing before her.

“M’am, I’m sorry to bother you, but I was wonderin’ if you had seen my brother Adam. It’s real important that I find him.” Before she could reply, Adam pushed past her, buttoning his shirt as he asked, “What’s wrong Hoss?”

As he shook his head, Hoss told his brother, “Little Joe’s escaped from jail, Adam. Hit Clem over the head and took off.”

Claudia chuckled at this latest turn of events. “Hope you reach your brother before the posse does, Adam. You know how worked up some of those boys can be if they think an innocent woman has been violated.” Laughing at the thought, she shut the door behind her.

Hoss turned to Adam. “What did she mean by that?”

His brown eyes ablaze with anger, Adam replied, “I’ll explain as we ride ~ we’d better move fast if we’re going to find Joe.”

**

In the moonlit darkness Joe rode as fast as he could to escape the fate that was to befall him back in Virginia City. As both he and his mount tired he tried to find a suitable place for them to rest, but the Nevada desert would not accommodate Joe’s wish. Instead, the youngest Cartwright found himself nestled next to Cochise, using the horse’s body heat and saddle blanket as meagre relief from the desert cold.

Replaying the day’s events in his head Joe found himself falling into a restless sleep as he tried to figure out what he was going to do next, and when he woke up the next morning, Joe Cartwright had formulated a plan ~ something that he felt would satisfy all the parties involved in his complicated life at the moment ~ Claudia, his family and the law.

Yes, Joseph Francis Cartwright would be found. Dead!

As he rode out that morning Joe began to ponder on how he was going to fake his own death. He hated even contemplating such a thing, but if it saved his family from the shame of his trial and inevitable imprisonment, he thought it was the only honourable thing he could do.

As the day wore on the overpowering heat was relentless and Joe took off his jacket and tied it to his saddle. He had no idea how far behind him the inevitable posse following him would be, but he knew he didn’t have much time; he must formulate a plan that would convince them all of his demise.

Heading towards the mountains of the Sierras, Joe stayed away from places he thought he might be seen as he didn’t want to risk any awkward questions. Then, deep in thought he was taken completely unawares when Cochise suddenly stopped dead in his tracks and reared back on his hind legs, kicking frantically with his fore. The rattler just feet in front of them hissed and dived forward, sending the frightened animal into absolute panic. Joe had no time to react and he was thrown high into the air before landing with a thud on the hard earth, his head bouncing sickeningly off an upturned rock.

Without a rider to give instruction Cochise took off at speed; the horse not prepared to wait around for the snake to strike, and now the perceived danger had passed the rattler itself slithered back into the thick undergrowth, unaware and uncaring of the chaos it had caused.

As for Joe Cartwright, he lay bleeding and unconscious on the ground. Maybe his death wouldn’t need to be faked after all!

**

It had been a long and trying day for Maybelle and her troop of girls. This was the fourth night in a row they were sleeping in the open and tempers and tantrums had been the order of the day.

They were travelling to Virginia City to work in the Silver Dollar saloon. Word was out that money was in abundance in that neck of the woods and where there were men with money, Maybelle and her girls would follow to help them spend it.

Even hot and dusty, Maybelle’s girls looked stunning, and there was no doubt in her mind that before the year was out she was going to be one very rich ‘lady’.

As darkness descended Maybelle halted the wagons and there was a loud hooting and hollering of relief as all the women jumped from the wagons and prepared to make camp.

“God! I thought you would never stop,” shouted Jeannie, hurrying over to the rocks and undergrowth. “Another five minutes and I would have peed myself.”

“Just watch out for snakes,” Maybelle cautioned as she began to pull out the pots, pans and utensils they would need for supper. Seconds later Jeannie’s scream rang out into the night and Maybelle and the other girls rolled their eyes and laughed.

“Nice try Jeannie, but I’m not fooled,” Maybelle admonished. “Now hurry up and help with supper.” Jeannie came running back towards them and they realised all at once that this was not a joke.

Maybelle grabbed the frightened girl and asked, “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“T-t-there’s a man, over there in the rocks,” Jeannie pointed. “I think he’s dead.”

All the girls looked at each other in fright. “Are you sure?” Maybelle asked.

“Of course I’m not sure,” Jeannie snapped. “I wasn’t hanging around to find out.”

As was her duty, Maybelle took charge. Taking a lighted lantern from the wagon she slowly made her way over to the rocks, the other four girls following at a safe distance.

Holding the lantern high in front of her Maybelle examined the prone form of the man on the ground. Jeannie was right, he did look dead and there was certainly enough blood around to make her mind think that way. Placing her shaking fingers to his neck she was relieved to find a faint pulse and the breath she had been holding was expelled. “Give me a hand” she called to the girls behind her. “Let’s get him inside the wagon.”

The girls surrounded the lifeless form and grabbing where they could they lifted the man from the ground and, as gently as possible, carried him back to the wagon.

Once they settled him on the nearest cot, Maybelle ordered Betty and Mary to fetch water and bandages and turning to Jeannie and Chrissie she instructed. “Let’s get these clothes off him; they’re soaked in blood and dirt.”

Jeannie removed his shirt while Chrissie pulled off his boots and removed his gun belt. “What about his pants?” she asked.

Maybelle laughed, “Never heard you ask for permission to remove a guy’s pants before Chrissie. Not going all bashful on me are you?”

“Heck no,” Chrissie giggled. “Just normally the guys I’m with have a bit more life in them.”

With expert hands Chrissie undid his belt and flies and within seconds had the young man naked. By this time the other two girls had returned with the water and bandages and Maybelle proceeded to wash the blood and dirt from his face.

The wound to the man’s head wasn’t as bad as Maybelle had first thought and she was relieved to see the bleeding had stopped. Wrapping a bandage tightly round his head she then concentrated her administrations on the rest of his body. The four girls gazed down at the naked man as Maybelle performed her task. Looking up for a second Maybelle was surprised at the look on their faces.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“Oh nothing, nothing at all,” Jeannie answered. “You’re too busy washing him to take in the view Maybelle. Have a look.”

Maybelle stood up and looked down at the man and immediately knew to what they referred. From the top of his curly head to the tips of his toes he was male perfection; even the bandages round his head couldn’t disguise his handsome face.

“Isn’t he beautiful?” Chrissie said dreamily. “And so young!”

Each of them nodded their heads in acceptance of the fact. Most of the men they had dealings with were much older and left a nasty taste in their mouth but a fat bulge in their purses but this one was so different and each of them was already making love to him in their minds.

**

Each of the girls took turns to watch over their charge but he remained still and motionless throughout the night. The following morning, dressed only in their drawers and camisoles, the girls crowded round the young man once more.

“What he needs is a bit of stimulus to wake him up?” Jeannie said mischievously. “And I know just the sort he needs.”

With that she knelt down next to the cot and with her fingers she stroked the man’s cheeks and neck before allowing them to wander down his body. Running her hand over his chest she tweaked his nipples fleetingly, but was disappointed to receive no response from her victim.

Betty sat down next to her and was a bit more daring. Starting at the young man’s toes she slid her hand seductively up his legs one at a time before finally allowing it to settle between his legs. Still no response.

Chrissie laughed at each of them and with a wink in Maybelle’s direction she declared. “What the man needs, is a woman of experience? Move to the side girls and let me in.”

As Jeannie and Betty shuffled out of the way, Chrissie settled herself on the side of the cot. Looking at the man’s gorgeous mouth she couldn’t help but kiss him seductively before moving down his body. Licking her own lips in anticipation she took his limp manhood in her hand and after teasing him gently with her tongue she opened her mouth fully and expertly began to bring him to arousal.

The man moved and tossed his head from side to side as he started to regain consciousness. A low groan that seemed to come from his throat filled the wagon, but the groan was one of ecstasy not pain.

His lids fluttered momentarily and then his eyes opened and they were all captivated by the startling green orbs looking at them.

Joe’s first thoughts were confused; his head hurt, but if this was pain he was all for it. Opening his eyes he gazed for a second at the beauties in front of him, their ample bosoms spilling out of the top of their camisoles. Then his eyes were drawn to the head that bobbed between his legs, his climax was rising.

Joe didn’t have much memory of how it had happened, but happen it did. ‘Cause there was no doubt about, no doubt about it at all in Joe’s mind. He had died and gone to heaven!!!

Joe sank his head deep into the pillow exhausted and bewildered as Chrissie smiled at him then wiped her mouth with a towel, her gaze never leaving Joe’s confused face. “Am I in heaven?” the young man whispered as he looked around at the smiling angel faces that looked down at him. Maybelle laughed loudly and moved over to sit by Joe’s side.

“No cowboy…you’re not in heaven…just visited paradise for a short while!”

Suddenly the mental and physical exertion caught up with Joe and he could feel his head pounding and his stomach began to churn. As he face grew pale he nervously looked towards Maybelle. “I think I’m going to puke,” he said, swallowing hard to keep down the foul tasting bile in his mouth.

Stretching into the corner Betty handed over a basin just in time as Joe emptied the contents of his stomach. “Sorry,” he murmured as he sank back onto the pillow.

“That’s okay cowboy, we’re used to it,” replied Maybelle as she looked over towards her girls. “Show’s over ladies…time to leave,” she ordered, pulling a blanket over Joe’s naked body and noticing a slight look of fear in his eyes.

“Don’t worry, we’re harmless…well mostly,” she chuckled as Betty and Jeannie made their way out of the wagon, closely followed by Chrissie who carefully carried the bowl outside and gave Joe a departing wink.

Maybelle gave him a reassuring grin. “What’s your name?”

“Joe…Cartwright,” he answered hesitatingly.

“Well Joe, you get some rest while we have breakfast. Then maybe you can tell us why you were out here in the wilderness at death’s door!”

 

---

Chapter 5:

For the next hour Joe lay quiet and still, listening to the laughter and giggles of the women as they dressed and cooked their meal. He could hear odd snippets of conversation and knew he was the main topic of the day. Their comments about his anatomy made him blush unconditionally, but their raunchy and vivid descriptions sent a tingle between his legs and he could feel himself becoming aroused once more.

“Not now old friend,” he mused to himself as he looked at the growing bulge under the blanket with a half smile.

With a mug of coffee in her hand, Maybelle climbed into the back of the wagon and smiled at Joe’s embarrassment as the bulge refused to go down. “Looks like there’s plenty of life left…where it matters,” she laughed as Joe pushed himself to a sitting position and accepted the drink gratefully. “Sorry Ma’am,” he said with a grin. “I don’t know what’s come over me!”

“Good to see you’re looking better anyhow Joe.”

“Thank you Ma’am. Would you mind telling me who you all are?”

“Of course,” answered Maybelle settling down by his side. “But I ain’t no Ma’am…name’s Maybelle, Miss Maybelle.”

Five minutes later her tale was told. “Okay Joe, what about you? What happened?”

Joe nodded nervously and looked at the beautiful face that stared at him. Lying never came easy, especially under the close scrutiny of piercing blue eyes that reminded him so much of his brother Hoss.

“I’ll be honest with you,” he admitted finally. “I’m wanted by the law and there is no way I can go back to Virginia City.”

Maybelle gave a gasp and sat back, momentarily stunned at the admission by the young man. “You’re wanted? I don’t believe it…what did you do? Murder someone? Rob a bank?”

Shaking his head emphatically Joe looked her straight in the eye. “No Ma’am. I still don’t understand it myself,” Joe murmured quietly, in obvious distress as his eyes moistened unashamedly. “I loved her, really thought she loved me.”

Maybelle gently brushed away a tear that ran down Joe’s cheek with her thumb. “Who Joe?” she prompted.

“Claudia…Miss Claudia Cousins,” Joe said with a note of bitterness. “She accused me of tying her up and raping her, yet I don’t remember anything about it. I would never do anything like that…never! Please believe me!”

Maybelle stared blankly for a moment and Joe took her silence to indicate the loathing she must now feel towards him. However, as Maybelle continued to gaze at him with seemingly unseeing eyes she lovingly brushed his arm absently as she whispered to herself and a dark look of hatred passed over her face.

“I believe you Joe….so that’s what she’s up to now!”

**

The next morning, Joe felt the desert heat rise around him and scrounging around the wagon he found his pants and pulled them on anxiously, not wanting to expose himself any further to the women who had befriended him.

His body and head still ached from his accident, but Joe thought it best that he leave the women before he dragged them into his troubled life. Tiptoeing out of the wagon, Joe was about to grab one of the horses to make his exit when he felt a hand on his bare shoulder.

“Where do you think you’re going cowboy?” whispered Maybelle, wrapping her other arm around Joe’s waist. “You are in no shape to be facing the desert alone.”

Stunned by her presence, Joe felt himself aroused once more as Maybelle stood inches from him, clad only in a white chemise and her bosoms barely covered.

“I-I don’t want to get you ladies involved in my t-troubles.” Joe stammered, his eyes never leaving Maybelle. “I need to go before the posse catches up with all of us.”

Maybelle found herself with strong feelings towards her young guest. She couldn’t think of letting him set out on his own. The Madame also found herself full of anger at what her former protégé, Miss Claudia Cousins, had perpetrated on Joe.

Maybelle knew what Claudia was capable of doing to men ~ she’d had a front seat to the woman’s evil ways towards the opposite sex and she vowed to herself that she would do anything it would take to clear this innocent young man from Claudia’s grip.
With loving eyes Maybelle looked at Joe and pulling him close, whispered in his ear.

“Dear Joe, you need to stay with us. Don’t run away from your situation, come back to Virginia City with us and let us help you clear your name. We can help you.”

She started kissing his neck tenderly as she continued, “I know of this Claudia and I know that she has done quite a job in setting you up. Together we can take her down and expose her for what she is.”

Maybelle’s fingers ran circles around Joe’s exposed chest, as she found herself wanting him more than she ever could’ve imagined a mere 24 hours before. Joe found himself fighting the primal urges that were close to the surface. Breaking from Maybelle’s embrace, his green eyes looked longingly at her – was she his saviour, he thought to himself. Together, would they be able to prove that Claudia had perpetrated a fraud?

As he thought back of all that had transpired so quickly in the past 48 hours, Joe realized that Claudia would not be satisfied with his escape from town. She would want more from the Cartwrights and the realization of what that would be hit Joe like a bucket of frozen water. If he wasn’t there to stand trial, Claudia would go after who she truly wanted – – Adam.

With his eyes full of wanting, Joe spoke softly as he told her, “Please help me Maybelle. Claudia is out to destroy my family and I can’t go back alone.”

Maybelle’s own eyes watered as she reached forward and wiped the lone tear that fell from his face. “You have our help Joe. Claudia needs to be stopped and as God as my judge Joe, she will not get away with this again!”

Joe was surprised to see how emotional Maybelle had become and found himself kissing the tears off her face, his lips eventually finding her mouth. Neither of them could contain the passion they both felt as their tongues met and quietly Joe swept Maybelle off her feet and brought her back into the wagon. There, both of them shed their light clothing and fell down to the mattress below them when Joe suddenly sat up abruptly and looked towards Maybelle.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered, surprised that their passion had come to such an abrupt halt. The young man couldn’t look at Maybelle as he said quietly, “I don’t know if we should go ahead, Maybelle. After all, I am an accused of a crime against a woman, and I don’t think….”

Maybelle pushed him down on the mattress and stroked his curls from his face. “Joe, don’t think. Don’t think about anything except how we want each other, right here, right now.”

Then she straddled and laid on top of his naked frame, gasping as his shaft entered her gently and together they rocked in unison, both reaching a climax neither had expected.

Later, as Joe slept Maybelle stroked his hair as he lay on her breast. Claudia’s face came into her memory and she remembered what the long-haired vixen had done to her life so many years ago. Looking down at the young man beside her, Maybelle knew he was innocent but as had happened in her past, just how were they going to prove that Claudia Cousins was not what she appeared to be?

Joe awoke to find Maybelle still lying next to him as his stomach gave a low grumble and he realised that he had missed breakfast that morning. Maybelle tousled his unruly curls and giggling like a schoolgirl she declared. “Guess we ought to feed you cowboy, after all we need to keep your strength up.”

She extricated herself from Joe’s arms only to return shortly afterwards with eggs, bacon and a steaming cup of coffee.

“You haven’t told me,” Joe stated as he shoved a forkful of bacon into his mouth.

“Told you what?” Maybelle asked perplexed.

“How you come to know Claudia Cousins?”

A frown passed over Maybelle’s pretty face as she sat down on the cot next to Joe and took a deep breath.

“I first met Claudia about ten years ago. She was so young and beautiful then; barely eighteen and I thought she was such an innocent. I couldn’t have been more wrong. Come to think of it I don’t think Claudia was ever an innocent.” Maybelle stopped speaking as her thoughts drifted back to that time.

“How did you meet her?” Joe asked, wanting to hear the full story.

“A couple of the girls and I went along to see a travelling show. There was this man claiming to be able to hypnotise anyone into doing whatever he wanted. Of course I didn’t believe it and we only went along for a laugh.”

Joe was intrigued. “But what had that to do with Claudia?”

“Claudia was his assistant. Later I found out she was his wife.”

“She was married to a hypnotist?” Joe stated incredulously.

“That’s right,” Maybelle replied. “And what’s more, it turned out she was every bit as good as him. They may have started doing it for entertainment, but they became greedy, very greedy. I was looking after a group of girls back East at that time. Had myself quite a nice little establishment I can tell you. I thought I was set for life, but then that scheming little witch became involved.”

Joe took hold of Maybelle’s hand and caressed it gently. “What did she do Maybelle?”

“After the show I met up with her and her husband and told them how impressed I was with their act. Claudia asked what I did for a living and I told her. Well I wasn’t ashamed. My establishment drew the richest men in Boston.” Maybelle lifted her chin in defiance and looked at Joe for his reaction. She was relieved to see him smile and nod for her to continue.

“You could have knocked me down with a feather, but the very next day Claudia turns up at my place and asks for a job. Says she’s decided to leave her husband and make it on her own.”

At this point a hard line formed on Maybelle’s lips.

“She was so young and gave me such a sob story about her husband abusing her. I made her my responsibility and took her under my wing, teaching her all she needed to know.”

Maybelle started to laugh at this point.

“What’s so funny?” Joe asked in puzzlement.

“The fact that I thought I was teaching her. Turns out that girl had nothing to learn. She had been doing tricks since she was sixteen years old. Well to cut a long story short, she and that husband of hers were in it together. They used me to get access to my rich clientele, and then when she had them alone, she used some sort of mind drug on them. After that she was able to hypnotise them into doing whatever she wanted, and that usually included parting with all their money.”

Joe was incredulous. “How did you find out about it?”

Maybelle stood up, her fists clenched tightly to her sides. “I was the last to know. First thing I knew was when the good citizens of Boston came to run me out of town. They thought I was part of it. I left with the clothes on my back and not a dime to my name.”

Joe was stunned; he could hardly take in what Maybelle was telling him.

“So you see Joe, that’s how I know you are innocent. You are just another of Claudia’s victims. The trouble is. How are we going to prove it?”

******

That night Joe slept fitfully, unable to get Claudia out of his mind. He had thought she loved him but all the time she had been using him for her own purposes. He now knew, without a doubt, that he must return to Virginia City to prove his innocence and stop Claudia from getting her clutches into Adam once more.

“Can’t you sleep?”

Joe almost jumped at the close proximity of the voice next to him. He had been so deep in thought he had not heard her approach.

“Oh hi Jeannie,” Joe replied. “I didn’t hear you come into the wagon.”

“That’s obvious,” Jeannie giggled, letting her hand run down his body and over his limp manhood. “Otherwise you may have been a bit more pleased to see me.”

Pulling back the covers Jeannie climbed onto the cot next to him and lay down. “Maybelle thought you might be lonely and need a bit of company.”

Joe smiled at Maybelle’s concern for his welfare. “How long have you known Maybelle?” he asked the girl who was now snuggling up to him.

“Ever since I was fifteen,” Jeannie replied. “My mother was dead and my stepfather was trying to sell my body to anyone with the price of a bottle of whisky. I ran away and Maybelle took me in. My stepfather came after me and Maybelle ran him off with a shotgun. I’ve been with her ever since.”

Joe was about to ask another question, but Jeannie had other ideas. Closing her lips over his she tantalisingly ran her tongue into his mouth, sending shivers of anticipation down his spine. However not wanting to be a submissive participant on this occasion, Joe pushed himself onto his elbow and leaned over the young beauty below him.

“You are so beautiful,” she said dreamily.

“Hey I’m the one who’s supposed to say that, not you,” Joe rebuked before tracing a line of kisses across her mouth and neck. As the covers fell back from their bodies Joe marvelled at her full breasts as he reached forward and tweaked each nipple between his finger and thumb, not stopping until her teats were engorged and erect.

Jeannie’s legs parted as Joe continued on the downward track of her body and when he finally arrived at the spot which would give her the release she sought, she pushed his head down urgently, silently begging him to continue.

Never one to disappoint a lady, Joe concentrated all his attention on the most erogenous part of Jeannie’s body, bringing her slowly but surely to the point of no return.

Once Jeannie was squirming below him and her hands clutched at the sheets in sexual fervour, Joe raised himself from the bed and taking his throbbing manhood in his hand he entered her body in one swift stroke. As their limbs entwined as one, Jeannie squealed in excitement as Joe took his time in bringing them both to a magnificent climax.

Exhausted Joe fell back on the pillows trying hard to catch his breath as a smiling Jeannie cuddled in next to him and whispered. “Do you think you’ll be able to sleep now?”

 

---

Chapter 6:

The next morning as Joe awoke a pair of brown eyes stared lovingly down at him. He gave Jeannie a soft smile and stroked her cheek gently. “Why are you still here?” he asked as Jeannie pulled the blanket off their naked bodies.

“After last night I thought I would return the favour,” she said as she began to kiss his chest, moving across the smooth skin, each feel of her lips sending a shiver throughout Joe’s body.

“You don’t have to do this,” he whispered into her hair, but Jeannie ignored him. Her fingers went lower and began to explore around the thick curly hair that surrounded his aroused member while she continued on her downward travels with her mouth, leaving Joe to sink his head back and close his eyes, feeling a hot flush of lust surge within his loins.

Finally Jeannie found what she sought and took him in her mouth, guiding her tongue up and down, licking and sucking gently at first as Joe clasped the side of her head and pulled his fingers through her hair. Faster and faster she went, each time forcing out a loud moan from Joe as his back arched and he thrust himself deeper and deeper into her mouth. As he pushed his hips rhythmically the end eventually came, and unable to stop himself, Joe climaxed with a shudder of ecstasy.

“Thank you,” he murmured finally as Jeannie rested her head on his muscled flat stomach and stroked his upper arm with a satisfied smile on her face.

Suddenly Maybelle poked her head through the back of the wagon. “Joe…looks like we’ve got company,” she said with a trace of alarm in her voice as she viewed the couple lying together. “Hide at the back and don’t make a sound. Jeannie, go back to your own wagon.”

With a nod of the head Joe scrambled under a large pile of dresses and underwear and Jeannie raced across the small clearing and hurriedly dressed as the thundering sound of hooves got nearer and then pulled to a halt.

Although muffled Joe recognised the voice of Sheriff Coffee as he greeted Maybelle and her girls. “Good morning ladies. Have you been camped here for a while?”

“Morning Sheriff. We’ve been here a couple of days but will be moving on shortly to Virginia City to set up a new business venture. Why?” Maybelle asked innocently, giving the lawman her most winning smile and leaving the men in no doubt as to the nature of her trade.

“We’re looking for a young man who escaped from jail four days ago. We found his horse yesterday on the edge of the desert,” Roy Coffee explained, pointing over towards a pinto held by a large man wearing a strange shaped hat. “You haven’t seen him, have you?”

Maybelle frowned. “Sorry Sheriff…haven’t seen a soul since we left Placerville, have we girls?” she said, looking over towards her troupe as they all shook their heads emphatically.

Roy nodded sadly and looked at the man by his side.

“Sorry Ben. This road was our last hope. There hasn’t been sight or sound of Joe for four days. Without a horse or canteen he couldn’t survive this heat, especially if he’s been injured. We’ve got to face facts…this posse is not looking for a wanted man anymore, but just a corpse.”

“He’s still alive!” a deep voice suddenly boomed causing Maybelle to flinch back and look over at the worried and anxious face of Ben Cartwright.

“Now Ben, you’ve got to be realistic, chances are….” Roy Coffee pleaded. “No!” interrupted Ben, his voice breaking as he turned on his old friend. “I refuse to believe Joseph is dead. We’ve got to keep looking.”

Roy sighed deeply and then gave a quick nod. “Okay Ben. We’ll keep going for one more day….but after that I’m taking this posse back to Virginia City.”

“Thanks Roy,” Hoss said giving his father a sympathetic nod. “We’re real thankful you’ve stayed out this long.” He then looked back at Maybelle.

“Ma’am, are you and these ladies really going to Virginia City?”

“Sure are cowboy!” Maybelle answered walking over towards the big man and gently stroking his leg. “You want to make an appointment?”

With his face red Hoss’ eyes widened with astonishment. “Shucks Ma’am…no Ma’am, I never meant…what I mean to say is…” Maybelle gave a short laugh. “What do you want then?”’

Hoss gulped nervously. “Well Ma’am. Would you mind taking my brother’s horse with you? I’ll pick it up from the livery when we return and pay you for your trouble!”

“Sure cowboy…no trouble at all,” she answered, still gazing seductively up into Hoss’ intense blue eyes. “With eyes like those we’d make quite a pair,” she stated, her own blue eyes looking back at Hoss with amusement.

“Yes…erm…Ma’am,” Hoss said hesitatingly as he walked his horse over towards one of the wagons and tied Cochise to the tail gate, not realising he was barely two feet from his beloved kid brother.

“Don’t you worry boy,” he said quietly with a sob in his throat, sniffing as he gave Cochise a gently pat and rubbed his ears. “We’ll find him…I promise.”

Returning to his father’s side the two Cartwrights and the posse then quickly disappeared in a cloud of dust, leaving Maybelle and her girls heaving deep sighs of relief.

Joe quickly dressed then jumped out of the wagon and buried his head into Cochise’s warm neck. He looked up, his eyes brimming with tears as all the women stared over at him.

“What on earth was I thinking? How could I be so selfish? Acting like a prize stud for the past few days while my father and brother’s hearts are breaking, thinking I’m dead! I should follow them now and give myself up. At least Pa would know I was still alive!”

Maybelle took his hand and squeezed it tightly. “If you end up back in jail Claudia can continue to blackmail your brother, but if Joe Cartwright is deceased we will still hold the trump card. Be patient Joe. Trust me.”

**

The next day and with the buildings of Virginia City in the distance, Maybelle stopped her wagon train. “Girls, Joe!” she called, and everyone left their wagons to circle around her.

“I just want to make sure that we all know the plan ~ at least what we’ve figured out so far. Once I find us some prime real estate and we move in, then we’ll set our trap. But the main thing is that Joe cannot be found.” All the girls looked at their young guest and nodded in agreement as they made their way back to their wagons.

As Joe started to his wagon, Maybelle pulled him back. “You heard me, didn’t you Joe? Understand that you have to keep those emotions of yours in check if we are going to beat Claudia at her own game.” Emotionless, Joe nodded as he replied, “I know Maybelle and you have my word that I will keep a level head, but it won’t be easy. The thought of what she could be doing to my family…..” his voice trailed as he envisioned the turmoil his brothers and father were experiencing.

Maybelle saw the man’s angst and looked at his handsome, yet pained countenance. “I’m not saying it’s going to be easy Joe. But it’s the only way.” She patted his back as she continued, “We’ll get her and she’ll get what she deserves.”

**

The wagon train entered Virginia City at midday; cowboys and miners alike taking notice of the scantily clad women. Hopping down from her wagon, Maybelle sauntered up to a well dressed gentleman and asked politely,

“Dear Sir, do you know of any building or rooms for rent around here? My girls and I need a place to stay.”

The gent’s face reddened as he stammered, “Y-Y-You can check with Mr. Simpson over at the bank, m’am. H-He knows that stuff ’round here.”

With a wink, Maybelle replied, “Thanks so much!” and headed to her next destination. When she left the bank, Maybelle made her way over to her girls.

“Ladies, we have us some real estate!” she told them happily. “See that building down this side street? It’s ours.” Waving her hand towards the men who were watching them intently she continued, “Let’s get our wagons unpacked so that we can properly introduce ourselves to our new neighbours.”

As the wagons made their way down the street, Joe peered our of a small tear and looked around at the sights and sounds that were his home, hoping against hope that he ‘d be able to walk the streets again – as an innocent man.

**

It was nightfall before Joe was able to leave the safe confines of his wagon and make his way into the brothel. Taking the back stairway two steps at a time, he followed Jeannie to a room in the back of the building.

“I hope this will be OK for now Joe, Maybelle thinks it will be the safest place,” she told him, opening the door to reveal a simple bedroom with a single window that overlooked the back alley.

Smiling, Joe told the diminutive girl, “This is fine Jeannie, thank you. I can’t thank all of you enough for your kindness to me.”

Jeannie put her arms around him and giving him a peck on the cheek replied, “Joe, seeing you smile is thanks enough. Why don’t you try to relax a bit – you’re still not 100% after that fall. I’ll be back later with some hot water and dinner.”

Taking her hands in his, Joe kissed them and whispered, “Don’t worry about me. You ladies do what you need to do and I’ll be here whenever you get back.”

Unable to stop himself, Joe found himself pulling Jeannie towards him and kissing her passionately. Jeannie also found herself drawn to him and responded with equal ardour. However, both separated quickly, knowing that there were more pressing things that needed to be addressed. As Jeannie closed the door behind her, Joe wandered to the window and looked out onto the alley, worried about his father and brothers and hopeful that Maybelle’s plan would be the solution.

The ladies had quickly set up their parlour for visitors and were ready to make their way to the saloons that spotted the streets of Virginia City. As they were about to leave, there was a knock on their door.

“How do you like that?” Maybelle laughed. “They can’t wait for us to come to them, they have found us!”

As she continued to laugh hysterically, she pulled open the door. The room went silent when they saw the image before them. A tall handsome stranger dressed in black stood before them. In a deep baritone voice he said,

“Ladies, I hate to bother you, but I saw one of you bring a pinto to the livery. He belongs to my younger brother, who is in a bit of trouble at the moment. My name is Adam Cartwright. By any chance have you seen my brother Joseph?”

The guarded look in the women’s eyes did not go unnoticed by Adam, but he had no way of knowing what they were afraid of.

Maybelle stepped away from the door and beckoned the stranger inside.

“I’m sorry Mr Cartwright I don’t know your brother. We met with the sheriff and a posse on the way into town. One of the men; a man wearing a rather large hat, asked us to bring the horse back to Virginia City.”

“That would be my brother Hoss,” Adam acknowledged. “Did they say where they were headed?”

“Only that they would continue to keep looking for another day. I’m sorry but the sheriff didn’t seem to think your brother could possibly have survived in the desert heat.”

Adam’s back stiffened and his eyes clouded at the thought that his brother could be dead. Inside he blamed himself; after all Claudia had used Joe in order to wreak her vengeance on him. She had known that by destroying his family she would have the ultimate revenge.

On seeing the reaction to her words, Maybelle felt guilty for misleading the man before her, but if she was ever to bring Claudia to justice she knew they must follow through with their plan. Her voice softening, Maybelle offered Adam some refreshment. His initial reaction was to refuse, but instinct told him that these women weren’t telling him the full story and so he allowed Maybelle to lead him over to the sofa.

As Maybelle poured Adam a drink the other four girls hovered in the background unsure what to say or do.

“It’s time you girls got going,” Maybelle reminded them with a clap of her hands. “After all we need to let the men in Virginia City see what’s on offer.”

Glad to have an excuse to leave, the girls collected their shawls, and with lots of giggles and laughter headed out of the door and into the night.

After handing Adam his drink, Maybelle sat down opposite and through hooded eyes unobtrusively studied the handsome man in front of her. He certainly didn’t look like his brother; he was taller, darker and more powerfully built.

“They are undoubtedly a good looking pair,” Maybelle mused, unable to stop the magnetism that exuded from this particular brother, drawing her towards him.

“Is there something wrong?” Adam asked, bringing Maybelle out of her reverie.

“Oh nothing, n-n-n-nothing at all,” Maybelle stammered, finding herself becoming flustered for no apparent reason.

In spite of the situation, Adam was quite intrigued by Maybelle. He found it hard to define her age, but he guessed her to be in her early thirties. Despite her profession, her skin remained flawless and her beauty was of the type that defined time and in many ways got better with age. When her lips approached his, he kidded himself he would only allow it to happen so that he could find out more information about his brother, but in truth he was as attracted to Maybelle as she was to him.

Their mouths came together gently at first, but very soon their kisses became more ardent and they both knew that it wouldn’t stop there. Taking Adam by the hand and without the need for words, Maybelle led him towards the staircase and her room.

On entering the bedroom, Maybelle turned and motioned for Adam to undo her dress. With steady fingers he slowly undid each of the hooks and eyes until the dress fell from her shoulders and, with a shake of her hips, it slid down her body and lay in a crumpled heap on the floor.

Before she had time to turn round Adam’s arms encircled her and pulled her back against his muscular body. With experienced hands he cupped each of her breasts and lifted them high, as if testing their weight and fullness. Maybelle groaned as he took her nipples between his forefingers and thumbs and gently brought them to arousal.

As she leaned heavily against him, Adam nuzzled her neck and ran one of his hands down her body and began to pull at her undergarments until they gave way and she was finally naked. Instinctively Maybelle’s legs opened and Adam took the opportunity to bring her to new heights of sexual anticipation.

 

---

Chapter 7:

Joe was bored. He had heard the girls leaving, but was unaware of his brother’s arrival at the house. His stomach rumbled and he wondered how many hours had past since dinner. Although he had promised Maybelle he would stay hidden, he couldn’t see the harm in going down to the kitchen and making himself a sandwich.

Rising from the bed, he cursed when he went to put on his pants. Maybelle had taken them earlier in order to repair a tear and have them washed, and now he was left with nothing but his drawers. With a shake of his head, Joe admonished himself for his bashfulness. After all there was no one in the house, and even if there was, the girls had seen a lot more than his underclothes in the last few days.

Pulling the bedroom door slightly ajar, Joe listened and was relieved to hear nothing but silence. Stealthily making his way along the landing, he stopped dead in his tracks when he heard muffled noises coming from Maybelle’s room. Listening closely outside the door, he was left in no doubt that Maybelle was not alone and that her visitor was male. If Maybelle had a customer, there was no knowing how long she would be. There was nothing else for it; the sandwich would have to wait.

Joe hurriedly returned to his own room and closed the door. “Damn” he cursed. “Why didn’t I think to get a snack before the girls left?”

**

As Maybelle’s legs began to give way, Adam lifted her bodily in his arms and carried her to the bed. Lying her gently down and kissing her softly, he eventually stood and began to unbutton his shirt. Maybelle licked her lips and smiled as she watched his body reveal itself to her.

Adam was all man, there was no doubt about that; his chest covered in dark curly hair that ran all the way down to his naval and beyond. As Adam removed his pants Maybelle looked at his member and smiled to herself; she had found some similarities in the brothers after all!

For a fleeting moment Maybelle’s thoughts turned to Joe. Much as she had enjoyed her romp with the younger Cartwright, the more she got to know him, the more motherly were her instincts towards him. With Adam there was none of those feelings, her instincts were purely of the lust variety and his obvious experience and maturity were what appealed to her most.

Finally naked, Adam crossed to the bed and lay beside her. His lovemaking was sensual and unhurried. Starting at the top of her head, Adam kissed and teased every inch of her body with his mouth and tongue until she could stand it no longer and begged for him to take her. With a knowing smirk on his face; which under different circumstances may have infuriated Maybelle, Adam knelt between her legs and pulled her towards him. Holding onto her hips, he inched himself into her a little at a time, savouring each movement and prolonging their sexual climax for as long as possible.

Eventually they both went past the point of no return and Adam’s gentle lovemaking became more animalistic as his hips moved faster and faster bringing them both to the pinnacle of sexual satisfaction. When the damn finally burst, Maybelle’s screams echoed through the house.

Just a few doors away Joe held his hands over his ears in an attempt to blot out the intimate scene that was taking place.

Wrapping his arms round her naked body, Adam lay back on the pillows and tried to catch his breath. He had certainly needed this interlude to try and get the thought of Claudia and her plans out of his mind, if only for a short while. As his eyes roamed the room, he suddenly sat up and turned to Maybelle.

“Where is he?” Adam demanded.

“Where’s who?” Maybelle asked, a little confused at the turn of events.

“My little brother of course,” Adam responded.

“I’ve told you Adam, I never met your brother.”

“Well that’s funny,” Adam said with just a touch of sarcasm and a mischievous glint in his eye. “Cause if I’m not very much mistaken, that the kid’s pants lying over their on the floor!!!”

Outside in the corridor the sound of a laughing Chrissie escorting her first customer towards her room filtered through the door as Maybelle and Adam stared at each other in silence.

“So? Where is he?” Adam reiterated in a steely voice, roughly grabbing Maybelle by the wrist and pulling her towards him. As her heaving breasts came into contact with the muscled, hairy chest, a tremor of desire passed between them once again, but Adam pushed all thoughts of love making to the back of his mind as he concentrated on more important matters.

Maybelle gave a deep sigh, knowing this man was no fool or an easy pushover. “Get dressed. I’ll take you to him.”

Adam’s eyes widened slightly. “He’s here? Is he okay?” Maybelle nodded and

as she dressed, hurriedly told Adam how they’d found Joe injured in the desert and he’d explained to them all what had happened in town and that he was an accused rapist.

“But one thing I don’t understand,” stated Adam minutes later as he tucked his shirt into his pants. “How come you believed Joe and hid him? Most people would immediately take the side of the victim…not the accused!”

Maybelle visibly stiffened and looked at Adam with hatred clearly showing in her eyes.

“Because once he mentioned Claudia’s name, I knew he was telling the truth,” she said with venom in her voice as she opened the door and disappeared down the corridor, leaving Adam to follow her in utter bewilderment.

***

As Joe dozed on his bed, his stomach rumbling loudly, he was suddenly alerted to footsteps and the sound of a gentle knock on the door.

“It’s me Joe. Let me in.”

Recognising the soft tones of Maybelle Joe quickly turned the key but the smile of welcome on his face was suddenly wiped clean as he viewed the figure of a man behind her in the darkened hallway.

“It’s all right,” said a familiar and well loved voice as Joe stepped back warily and Adam followed Maybelle in and closed the door behind him.

In the gloom of the ill-lit bedroom the two brothers stared at each other for a moment. “Adam…what are you doing here?” Joe whispered, both relieved and confused by his brother’s sudden appearance.

“Thought you might need these,” Adam quipped with a smile, throwing Joe’s pants into his hands. Joe gulped nervously, realising Adam must have been the mystery man in Maybelle’s bed minutes before and the cause of her loud ecstatic climax.

“It’s good to see you little brother,” Adam admitted, cupping his hand around Joe’s neck and giving him a strong embrace. They clung together for a minute, Maybelle warming to the sight of such obvious love and devotion between the two men. Then suddenly Adam stood back and his eyes grew dark.

“Just what the hell were you thinking? Breaking out of jail and disappearing into the desert!”

Joe flinched slightly at his elder brother’s outburst but shook his head resolutely. “But I had to Adam! It was the only way out of this mess that I could think of to solve all your problems with Claudia.”

“You do realise Pa and Hoss are going to think you’re dead after all this time?”

Joe’s face visibly paled and he nodded his head sadly. “I did want to tell them I was alive but…..”

Adam studied his brother thoughtfully as Joe sat down on the bed in a dejected fashion then pulled on his pants. Trust his little brother to do the first thing that came into his head. Joe and his impulsiveness would be the death of him one day Adam mused to himself as Maybelle eased down by Joe’s side and put a comforting arm around his shoulder.

“I convinced Joe that he shouldn’t tell his Pa he was alive when we met the posse,” she said looking up at Adam defiantly before giving Joe a tender smile and kissing his cheek as she stroked his inner thigh absently.

“Just why have you got involved in all this?” Adam threw back at her, instinctively sensing his brother had also enjoyed the delights of the woman before him as Joe returned Maybelle’s gaze without embarrassment, his eyes full of gratitude and the increasing bulge in his pants clearly showing his desire.

“I knew Claudia many years ago. I also know how she got Joe to do what he did….and I suspect you were one of her first conquests as well,” she replied as Adam raised his eyebrows.

“You know about me and Claudia?”

Maybelle nodded.

“As far as the world is concerned, Joe Cartwright has got to be dead Adam, and you mustn’t let on you know different,” Joe demanded suddenly as he tore his gaze away from the beauty at his side. “Not to Pa, Hoss and most definitely not to Claudia. I know it’s going to be hard, but it’s the only way we can keep her from using you until we come up with a plan to prove my innocence and her guilt.”

**

Later, Adam’s thoughts raced as he rode back to the Ponderosa. Although relieved to find Joe alive he found himself torn about having to keep Joe’s presence a secret to his father and brother and as he weighed the pros and cons, a voice startled him back to reality.

“Nice to see you Adam. Hope your Daddy is ready to see baby brother put away,” taunted Claudia, who had ridden up beside him.

Realizing that the charade had to begin right then and there, Adam straightened in the saddle. He turned to Claudia as he said softly, “They’ll be no trial Claudia. Joe’s dead.”

Claudia’s face dropped at those words. “Are you joking?” she exclaimed. “How? How did that happen?”

In a flat, emotionless voice Adam told her, “He died in the desert. That’s where he fled after he escaped.”

He thought to elaborate further, but realized that more information would lead to more questions. Ending the conversation, Adam added, “So Claudia, you can head back to Virginia City and do whatever it is that you do. I have a funeral to plan.”

Turning toward the ranch, he gave Sport a kick and sped off, leaving Claudia dumbfounded as she watched him head towards the horizon.

**

Back at the brothel, Joe, Maybelle and Jeannie sat in the kitchen, beginning to formulate their plans.

“The key thing we need to do is to have the right ears hear the right words,” Joe said as he sipped his coffee. Maybelle nodded in agreement. “You’re absolutely right on that Joe. Adam said the Circuit Judge is scheduled to reach Virginia City two days from now. If we could only figure out how to get him to overhear Claudia admit her guilt…”

“I’ve got it!” exclaimed Jeannie, as her eyes lit up with excitement. “Claudia only knows that I work for you Maybelle. What if I meet her while she’s at the restaurant under the guise that I am unhappy working for you and want to strike out on my own like she did? I’d stroke her ego with compliments and hopefully she’ll admit that little ‘extra’ that she uses to get men to do her bidding.”

“Brilliant!” Maybelle exclaimed. “I definitely think it’s worth a try – what about you, Joe?”

Joe looked at Jeannie, his eyes full of worry. “I just don’t want to see Jeannie come to any harm because of me. We all know that Claudia’s behaviour is a bit – – odd at times.”

Jeannie came over and sat on Joe’s lap. “My dear Joseph, don’t forget that I’ve been around the block a few times. I can handle myself, I promise.”

She put her arms around Joe’s neck and kissed him gently as she continued. “So I think we have the basic plan. All we have to do is tell Adam what we’ve come up with.”

“Adam said he’d be round tomorrow. We’ll tell him then,” said Maybelle as she got up from her chair. “Jeannie, I think you’ve come up with something here. We just have to make sure that we have the Circuit Judge in the restaurant at the same time at a table close enough to hear your conversation.”

Maybelle smiled as she left the room. “It’s going to come to an end soon, Joe. Justice will be served to Claudia Cousins on a platter.” She then wished both of them good night as she headed up the stairs.

Still on Joe’s lap, Jeannie turned to face him once again. “Maybelle’s right, Joe.” she said softly. “You will be a free man once again.”

Joe found himself captivated once again by Jeannie’s beauty, both inside and out. He cupped her face in his hands as he said, “Thank you Jeannie. I can’t thank you enough for what you’ve done for me.”

Hopping off Joe’s lap, Jeannie took his hand and pulled him towards her, wrapping her arms around his lean torso as she said, “Bring me upstairs, Joe, and make love to me tonight. Make me feel loved, not used.”

Joe found himself stunned by her words. He looked at her lovingly as he replied, “Jeannie, let’s both forget who we are tonight….an accused rapist and a lady of the evening…..let’s both give each other a special evening that neither of us will forget.” With those words, they held hands and quietly ascended the stairs to their special evening together.

 

---

Chapter 8:

As they entered the bedroom Joe tried to rationalise his feelings towards Jeannie. Was it love or lust he was feeling? She had befriended him in his time of need and his gratitude towards her could be sending mixed messages to his brain.

Joe’s pondering didn’t last long. Jeannie turned to kiss him and all other thoughts went out of his head. After all what did it matter; he was standing with a beautiful woman in his arms and was about to make love. He would live for the moment; tomorrow was another day.

Jeannie was about to remove her clothes but Joe stopped her. “No, let me,” he pleaded. Jeannie was happy to oblige.

First of all Joe took the grips from her hair and allowed the flowing mane to fall softly on her shoulders. She looked much younger with her hair down and Joe couldn’t help running his hand through her long tresses. Placing his hand under her chin, Joe lifted her face to him. Kissing each of her eyes, then her nose, he finally kissed her softly on the mouth. As Joe pulled away, Jeannie was about to speak, but he put his finger to her lips and silenced her.

“Jeannie let’s make this special. Tonight will be our first night together, everything and everyone that went before don’t exist; let’s pretend they never happened.”

Jeannie smiled and lowered her head, trying to look both innocent and coy at the same time. With gentle hands Joe turned her round and slowly unbuttoned her dress, not stopping until the garment hung loosely around Jeannie’s body, only being held in place by her arms crossed over her chest.

Stepping in front of her Joe took hold of the dress and whispered. “Please don’t worry. It’s going to be all right.”

Jeannie played her part well. With a nervous expression on her face she allowed Joe to pull her dress from her shoulders and down over her heaving breasts. She now stood in front of him dressed in nothing but her camisole and drawers. Jeannie made out to be bashful at being so exposed, and she tried to cover herself with her hands.

Joe was finding the whole charade to be very erotic and as his ardour heightened his pants strained to contain the growing bulge.

Taking hold of her hands, Joe turned them palm up and kissed each of them in turn. “You look so beautiful,” he declared as he reached for the straps of her camisole. Reluctantly at first, Jeannie allowed Joe to remove the flimsy garment and throw it on the floor.

Leading her over to the bed Joe laid her down on her back before kneeling on the floor beside her. As she kept her eyes tightly closed Joe tantalisingly kissed and sucked on each of her fingers before running kisses up each of her arms. Softly tasting her lips once more, he felt Jeannie’s body stiffen then relax as she began to betray the feelings coursing through her.

Joe was young and probably more experienced than most twenty year olds, but this slow lovemaking was quite new to him. Normally when his body called out for satisfaction, the type of girls who were willing to oblige his needs tended to be ladies of the night and therefore put very few demands on him. This playmaking he was acting out with Jeannie turned him on more than he could have imagined and opened up a whole new dimension to his fantasies.

Taking each of Jeannie’s breasts in turn Joe fondled them gently before taking the nipples into his mouth and coaxing them to stand erect from her body. Try as she might Jeannie could not lie passively on the bed and a low moan escaped her throat as she felt her loins beginning to burn.

As unhurriedly as it had started the lovemaking stopped abruptly and Jeannie anxiously opened her eyes to see what was wrong. She need not have worried. Joe had risen to his feet and was divesting himself of his clothing. He didn’t remove his own clothes as slowly as he had removed Jeannie’s and very quickly he stood undressed before her. Jeannie gave a fleeting look at his manhood, standing erect in all its glory, before she bashfully averted her eyes and looked away from him. Joe smiled happily and climbed onto the bed beside her.

Pulling the young girl towards him he allowed his hands to wander over her almost naked body, as she remained passive in his arms. The moment had come and they both knew it. Joe knelt up on the bed and as Jeannie looked at him with a strange mixture of fascination and horror he started to undo the string holding up her drawers. Purposely drawing-out out the moment, Joe took his time in pulling them down over her legs until she was finally exposed before him.

Jeannie covered her face with her hands in mock embarrassment and Joe was quick to play along. Gently grasping her hands in his and bending to kiss her gently on the forehead he declared, “You have nothing to be afraid of; the best is yet to come.”

As Joe’s fingers trailed across her body, Jeannie couldn’t help opening her legs to allow him entry to her erogenous zone and she also had no way to hide the wetness he found there which exposed her true heightened sexual arousal.

Again Joe deliberately took his time, hoping that the feelings their prolonged lovemaking was exposing him to would go to a new level. Never taking his eyes from Jeannie’s face, Joe pushed his fingers into her unresisting body and explored her hidden depths; at the same time his thumb teasingly rubbed the little nub of her pleasure zone until she could stand it no longer. Biting on her bottom lip to prevent the screams of ecstasy escaping, Jeannie writhed on the bed under Joe’s administrations unable to stay still any longer.

This was just what Joe had been waiting for and before Jeannie could reach her climax, Joe laid his body over hers and replaced his fingers with the throbbing member between his legs. Much as his own body was crying out for release, Joe forced himself to take things gradually. Taking his manhood in his hand he inched it slowly inside of the girl below him.

Jeannie tried once again to play her part. She looked up at Joe with a mixture of fear and longing on her face and pleaded, “Please don’t hurt me.”

Joe thought his heart would break; she looked so young and innocent below him, but at the same time he had never wanted anyone more.

“I wouldn’t hurt you for the world,” he replied breathlessly. “Believe me this is not going to be pain, only pleasure.” With that he entered Jeannie to the hilt and as she clung to him as if her life depended on it he gave way to abandonment and allowed his raw sexual needs to take over. Their climax was both physical and vocal and everyone in the house was left in no doubt that the young couple had found new heights of ecstasy.

Joe lay back on the bed, more satisfied than he had ever felt before. As he gathered Jeannie into his arms he was dismayed to find her choking back sobs.

“Jeannie what’s wrong, please tell me I didn’t hurt you?”

“Oh no Joe it’s not that,” Jeannie replied trying to bring herself under control.

“Then what is it?” Joe asked in concern.

“It’s just…” She sobbed. “Well it’s just that no one has ever made me feel so cherished. My first experience of sex was so brutal and I always dreamed of what it would have been like to have my virginity taken by a man that loved me. A man that cared how I felt and put my needs before his own. You have given me that feeling Joe, and like you said, everything before today doesn’t exist. I feel reborn.”

“I’m glad,” Joe replied, kissing the girl gently and drawing her into his arms once more. “And you Jeannie have made more of a man of me. I’ve certainly learned that it is more pleasurable to give than just receive.”

**

It was almost dawn before Maybelle roused the sleeping couple. “Come on Jeannie,” she called. “We’ve got work to do.”

Later than morning Jeannie and Maybelle put the first part of their plan into action. Chrissie had waited all morning for Claudia to leave the hotel before reporting back to Maybelle. Claudia tended to be a creature of habit and usually made her way to the bank to draw cash before taking herself to Lucy’s teahouse for refreshment.

As soon as Maybelle and Jeannie knew of Claudia’s movements they stationed themselves outside of the teahouse and waited. As they saw Claudia approaching their playacting began.

“You ungrateful bitch,” screamed Maybelle at the girl in front of her. “After all I’ve done for you over the years you’ve been cheating me out of my share behind my back.”

“What you’ve done for me over the years?” Jeannie screamed back. “Listen Queen of the night, I’ve bust my gut for you since I was fifteen years old. And for what? Just so that you can sit back on your royal behind and get rich.”

Maybelle’s hand pulled back and then struck the girl across the face. “I’ll give you two days to collect your things Jeannie and get out of my house. I’m finished with you. I hope I never have to clap eyes on you ever again.”

As the fighting women strode off in opposite directions Claudia stood on the sidelines and smiled. “Well, well, well,” she thought to herself. “Someone’s finally had the nerve to put that old cow in her place.”

Sitting herself by the window in the teahouse Claudia watched the street as she sipped at her tea, keeping her gaze on the new brothel that stood in the far distance. Her mind flittered back to her visit to the bank that morning when the Bank Manager had been very apologetic as he pointing out that her account was becoming dangerously low. Claudia had given him her most winning and seductive smile, promising that new funds would soon be transferred, but inside she was becoming anxious. What she needed was a gullible victim…a rich gullible victim!

If only she could get her hands on Adam Cartwright again. Once in her power, she could soon bleed him dry of all his money, and that of his family, she mused. As she made out the figure of Jeannie slowly making her way towards the centre of town a plan began to formulate in her head and a wicked smile curved the side of her face.

Jeannie paused by the tea room door, as if not knowing quite what to do, and finally decided to enter the café. She was about to make her way to an empty table at the back when a voice rang out. “Why don’t you join me? I hate to drink tea alone.” Jeannie looked over at the smiling face of Claudia.

“Thank you,” she said, returning the smile as her heart beat nervously. “But I don’t think you would like my company. I’m not the kind of person a lady such as yourself usually befriends. You see…I’m a prostitute.”

Claudia raised her eyebrows in feigned surprise. “Really? How interesting,” she answered, indicating Jeannie to sit down. “Let me buy you a cup of tea. You look as though you have the worries of the world on your shoulders.”

Jeannie nodded. “You’re very kind ma’am. To be truthful, I’ve just lost my job and have only a few cents to my name.”

As Claudia ordered a fresh cup her eyes flashed malevolently. “Well my dear, today is your lucky day. I have a little business proposition to put to you, and something tells me we are going to get on well…very well together!”

**

While Claudia and Jeannie conversed, Adam slowly made his way through the back streets of Virginia City and pulled up at the side door of the brothel. Knocking quietly, Chrissie unlocked the door and showed him in. Making his way to the back room Adam entered to find Joe, lying on the bed, arms behind his head looking up at the ceiling.

“Adam! Is Pa home yet?” Joe asked, sitting up quickly and looking at his brother with anxious eyes.

Throwing his hat onto the chair Adam slumped down on the end of the bed and nodded.

“He arrived back first thing this morning. Hoss is still with the posse, but they are only staying out until nightfall. He sent Pa home ‘cause he wasn’t feeling too well.”

“Pa is ill? What’s wrong?” Joe asked alarmed and with a deep sense of foreboding flowing over him.

Adam pursed his lips and sighed deeply. “Exhausted, saddle sore and sad. Really sad. He never said a word when he arrived back. Just sat down in his chair and stared at the floor.”

Joe could feel his eyes watering and bit at his lip. “Poor Pa. I wish we didn’t have to put him through this.”

“I know Joe. I had to make an excuse to leave otherwise I would have been tempted to tell him you were alive. It was so heartbreaking to watch him.”

Wiping his eyes Joe swallowed back a deep sob in his throat. “Well, it should be over soon Adam. We’ve had an idea how to trap Claudia.”

“You have?”

Nodding Joe told his brother all that had been decided and how Jeannie had already put her part of the plan into action.

“I can see the idea working Joe, but Claudia is wily and no fool. It’s going to be hard to trap her by getting her to talk about what she has done. I have a feeling the plan would be more successful if we actually show the circuit judge at first hand how she operates.”

“How do you mean?” asked a bemused Joe. Adam stood up and walked over to the window, peering through a narrow slit in the curtains. “We should get the Judge a room next to Claudia’s at the hotel where he can wait.”

“Wait? For what?”

Adam turned and gave his little brother a wry smile. “For Claudia to show Jeannie at first hand just how she can manipulate a man to do her bidding.”

“But we can’t ask anyone to risk being drugged or hypnotised by her!” cried Joe unhappily, the memory of his supposed ‘rape’ on Claudia, filling his head. “We both have first hand knowledge of just what terrible things can happen!”

Adam chuckled and sat down next to his little brother, placing a comforting arm around his shoulder.

“I know that Joe. But I have a feeling Claudia couldn’t resist showing Jeannie just what she is capable of….with me!”

**

Rubbing his eyes, Joe squinted as the morning sun shone brightly into his room. As he dressed, Joe was hopeful that today was the day that he’d be set free from the label that had been hung on him by most of Virginia City. An accused rapist who ran away from the law and was presumed dead.

A knock on the door snapped Joe back into reality. “Joe, are you up?” Adam’s baritone voice came from behind the door. Strengthening his resolve not to let his emotions escape in front of his older brother Joe stood tall and took a deep breath as he opened the door. Flashing his biggest smile he said, “Mornin’ brother, great morning, isn’t it?”

“Once we get this plan in action it will be,” Adam snapped, the dark circles under his eyes clearly revealing his lack of sleep the night before.

Seeing his brother’s anxiousness, Joe tried to calm him. “Don’t worry big brother. I have a feeling that today is the day the true Claudia Cousins is revealed.”

Over at the hotel, Jeannie and Claudia were huddled at a back table, finishing their breakfast.

“So your job Jeannie is to get Adam up to your room in the brothel and seduce him.”

Jeannie tried hard to contain her surprise for this was not the way she and Maybelle thought it would happen. They needed him to go to Claudia’s room in the hotel.

“B-B-But, aren’t you the one who wants Adam? Why would you want me to be the one to bed him?” she asked.

Claudia gave Jeannie a wicked smile and cackled, “Because there is no way Adam would come near me, not after what happened to baby brother. So, when you get him up to your room and work your wiles on that handsome man, I will come out of the closet and dispense the finishing blow.”

Jeannie forced a smile of her own. “And what, pray tell, would that be?”

Claudia opened her bag and produced a long syringe. She laughed as she told Jeannie, “This!” as she squeezed some of the liquid out of the deadly vial.

---

Chapter 9:

Adam walked into the Silver Dollar Saloon, leaning on the bar as he told the bartender, “A cold one please Bruno.”

A tall blonde saloon girl strode up to him and wrapped her arms around his broad chest. She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “I’m Irene. I’d love to introduce myself to you right proper if you have the time.”

Adam looked at vivacious blonde with longing but knew that he had a job to do. “Perhaps another time, but I am in a bit of a hurry today,” he said as he grabbed her by the waist and gave her a long, deep, passionate kiss. Breathless, Irene whispered, “Another time,” as she headed upstairs to compose herself.

It wasn’t long before Jeannie entered the saloon. Dressed and made up to the nines, she sauntered up to Adam and stood next to him. As she nuzzled her head near his, she whispered, “She wants me to seduce you and get you up to my room in the brothel ~ she’s in there now, waiting to inject you.”

Adam wasn’t surprised by this turn of events. “Let’s give the lady what she wants then,” he said as he kissed her cheek. Taking Jeannie by the hand, they turned and exited the bar together.

In the shadows of the saloon, a young cowboy watched intently. He tipped black his black Stetson as his emerald eyes saw the couple exiting the bar.

Knowing that their plan was already in jeopardy, Joe quietly walked out of the bar, looking to warn Maybelle that she needed to move the circuit judge and sheriff from the hotel.

As he turned into the alley to head towards the brothel a sudden jolt of pain sent him to the ground. As the world spun around him, Joe saw Claudia’s face before him. With an evil smile, he heard her say, “I knew that the rumours of your death were greatly exaggerated….” as he slipped into darkness.

**

Jeannie and Adam had arrived at Jeannie’s room and went through the motions of becoming acquainted. Under different circumstances each of them would have enjoyed a romp together, but as it was their lovemaking was a total charade. Adam was finding it not only difficult but nigh on impossible to get his body to react in its normal fashion, his mind was definitely elsewhere. As for Jeannie, she trembled at Adam’s touch and moaned in ecstasy, but her trembling was more out of fear and trepidation that sexual passion. They both assumed that Claudia was in the closet watching them, and that alone was enough to diminish anyone’s ardour.

Meanwhile the circuit judge, together with the sheriff, waited in the room next to Claudia’s at the hotel to see how events would pan out. Adam had not informed them of Joe’s rise from the dead, but he had convinced them that Claudia was not all she seemed to be.

Divesting themselves of their outer garments the ‘love birds’ lay together on the bed anxiously waiting for Claudia to make her presence known. They could only hope that Maybelle or one of her girls had been vigilant in their surveillance and reported back to the circuit judge the change of plan.

When Claudia did finally make her appearance it was not how Adam had expected. A loud knock at the door caused him and Jeannie to sit up and wonder. Who could it be? Everything was becoming complicated.

Pulling his pants on quickly Adam opened the door and was taken aback when he saw Claudia standing outside. Pushing the door wide open, Claudia smirked at their astonished faces. Reaching inside her purse she brought out a small derringer and pointed it at them both. As Jeannie looked askance, Claudia explained,

“Do you really think I was taken in by your little scene with Maybelle? Oh Jeannie girl, you really have a lot to learn if you think you can pull one over on me.”

Adam leaned against the bed and crossed his arms. “So what have you got planned?” he asked, unable to keep the loathing from his voice.

“I’ll just tie up a few loose strings,” Claudia said, smiling at him maliciously, at the same time tipping the contents of her purse onto the chest of drawers. Two syringes were amongst the contents and Adam felt a moment of panic pass over him.

“You won’t get away with this,” Adam warned. “The Sheriff and the Circuit Judge are both aware of your methods.”

“Oh is that so,” Claudia drawled. “Then how come I’m not under arrest? They don’t have any hard evidence and they won’t get any either. Now turn around.”

Adam had no choice but to turn around and as he did so Claudia stepped forward and brought the butt of the gun down hard on the back of his head. Like his brother before him, Adam slipped into unconsciousness.

Jeannie bit on her bottom lip and tried not to think what was going to happen to her. She looked at the syringe and blinked back the tears forming in her eyes. “W-w-what do you intend to do with that?” she asked, but not really wanting to hear the answer.

“Oh don’t worry Jeannie?” Claudia laughed. “It doesn’t hurt and you won’t remember a thing.”

Claudia took a moment for the information to sink in. “You see I have it all worked out,” she continued, looking at Jeannie. “Once I administer this to you I will tell you the most horrible tale of rape and brutality. All you will remember is that Little Joe Cartwright raped and beat you to within an inch of your life.”

Jeannie’s face registered the shock she felt.

“Yes I know Joe is alive,” Claudia continued. Then smiling once again she added, “We met outside just a few minutes ago. I can’t say he was happy to see me. Then again he wasn’t conscious last time I saw him.”

“Joe would never hurt me,” Jeannie whispered, a shudder passing over her as Claudia continued with her plans.

“I will also work my magic on dear Adam. Poor mistrusting Adam. He will be devastated to realise that his belief in his brother is in tatters and that Joe was a rapist after all. He will be so incensed that he will seek revenge on the brother that has brought disgrace and shame on the Cartwright name.”

“Whatever you do, you’ll never get Adam to turn against his brother,” Jeannie cried. “NEVER!”

Claudia laughed in the girl’s face. “You underestimate me Jeannie. With the right amount of this drug, I could have Adam believing that I am an angel sent down from heaven. He will do anything to protect the family reputation. If he doesn’t kill Joe, then he will make sure that his brother is locked up for a very long time.” Claudia started to laugh hysterically. “And then, Adam will be free to marry me, and as the saying goes ‘live happily ever after.”

Clearly out of her mind Claudia walked towards Jeannie, a syringe in one hand and the gun in the other when there was a loud moan from the floor as Adam stirred and tried to sit up. Claudia looked over, momentarily distracted, and it was the chance Jeannie had been waiting for as the plucky young woman lunged forward and took hold of the hand that held the small derringer. She screamed out for all her worth as she wrestled to free the gun from Claudia, noisily tipping over chairs and a table in the process.

Footsteps could be heard running down the corridor, voices yelling outside the locked door, when suddenly the gun went off and there was a momentary silence. As if in slow motion Jeannie clasped her hands to her stomach and looked down in surprise at her reddened fingers then slid to the floor, lying without sound or movement as Claudia stared at her in a mad panic.

She looked around as the banging on the door intensified, the clear voice of Roy Coffee shouting out in the corridor; the sheriff having been alerted to the change of venue by an alert Maybelle who’d seen Claudia follow Adam and Jeannie to the brothel.

Adam pulled himself up to a sitting position and leant against the wall, still groggy and badly concussed.

“Good God Claudia! You’ve killed her!” he cried as he looked through blurry eyes at Jeannie’s still form and the stain on the carpet under her.

Claudia stirred herself and hastily placed the syringe into the pocket of her dress. With her carefully laid out plans now in tatters self preservation was at the foremost of her mind as she gave Adam a venomous glance through insane eyes.

Drugs and extortion was one thing but now it was murder and the thought of a noose around her pretty neck, tightening and choking, nearly caused her to vomit as she looked around wildly for a means of escape.

Out of the corner of her eye she noticed a curtain hanging on a wall and rushed over as she realised there was a connecting door to the next room hidden behind it. Luckily for her it was not locked and just before she disappeared through she raised her arm and deliberately fired at Adam, giving a satisfied chuckle as she saw her defenceless ex-lover sink back with blood spouting from his chest.

Although in intense pain and near to collapse, Adam dragged himself over to the door and turned the key, falling back onto the floor as the Sheriff, Maybelle and Chrissie rushed in, closely followed by the Circuit Judge.

“Roy,” Adam whispered, pointing towards the connecting door. “Claudia…she’s got a gun.”

With a nod of understanding Roy drew his Colt from its holster and tentatively looked into the other bedroom as Maybelle and Chrissie stared transfixed in horror at the blood soaked couple lying on the floor.

The Judge, a veteran of many warring conflicts, took in the scene in one glance. He picked up a towel, wetting it in a bowl of water then handed it over to Maybelle, instructing her to press it hard onto Adam’s chest to try and stem the flow. While she did as commanded, the Judge checked on Jeannie but moments later stood up, shaking his head sadly then taking a sheet from the bed and covering the body of the young woman.

Roy suddenly reappeared.

“It’s empty. She must have escaped down the corridor when we all came in here,” he explained as he looked down with concern at the eldest Cartwright son, and then took hold of Chrissie by the arm, shaking her roughly.

“Go get the Doctor…quick!” he demanded as a deeply shocked Chrissie continued to stare at the covered body of her dearest friend. She looked up through tear filled eyes and nodded, hurriedly leaving the room as Roy knelt down by Adam who was still conscious but clearly losing a lot of blood as the white towel became a saturated red.

“Roy,” he whispered, taking hold of the Sheriff’s arm. “You’ve got to find Claudia.” He paused and took a bubbling breath before continuing in a faltering voice. “She’s got a syringe…I just know she’s gonna use it on Joe.”

Roy gave him a puzzled stare. “But I thought Joe had died out in the desert. Are you telling me he’s still alive and somewhere in Virginia City?”

Adam nodded feebly. “Please…find her before she does something….”

Suddenly there was silence in the room and as Adam’s hand fell to the floor, Maybelle looked down at the handsome features that now were a deathly white and put her hand to her mouth, uttering out a choked cry.

**

As Ben and Hoss rode into Virginia City, they saw what amounted to chaos swirling around them. Men and women were running to and from D Street, looking frantically for help. The Cartwright men hitched their mounts and ran towards the commotion. They were running towards D Street when they saw Doc Martin and a young girl running past them.

Grabbing the Doctor’s arm, Ben asked, “Paul, what’s wrong?”

Seeing that Ben had no idea that his family was at the centre of this spectacle, the good Doctor could only answer, “Follow me!” as they continued to run towards the brothel. Taking the steps two at a time Ben and Hoss were stunned at the sight before them as they approached the room at the top of the stairs.

Ben staggered and held the doorframe as he saw his oldest son on the bed before him and a body shrouded with a sheet on the floor. As he held the crimson stained towels on Adam’s chest, Roy looked up and saw his old friend. “Ben, Adam’s been hurt bad ~ gunshot to the chest. But Doc’s here now and you know he’ll do all he can.”

Roy looked to the Doctor for reassurance. Gruffly, Doc Martin shouted to all in the room, “I need this room cleared out immediately so I can operate. Maybelle, I need you to assist me if you’re able.”

Maybelle silently nodded as she joined the doctor by the bed. The doctor continued. “Hoss, Roy, take Ben down to the parlour to calm down. I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

The men made their way downstairs. Hoss guided his father to a chair and knelt beside him. “Pa, Adam’s a strong cuss. He’ll be OK, don’t you worry.”
Ben shook his head as he heard his middle son’s words. Looking to his long time friend he whispered, “Roy, how did this happen?”

Roy felt his face redden as he quickly recounted the scene in the bedroom. “It was all part of a plan that Adam had worked out with Miss Maybelle to exonerate Joe.”

Ben’s face dropped. “Exonerate Joe? But h-he’s dead Roy. Why bother to…”

Roy cut his friend’s words short.

“He’s alive Ben. Joe’s alive. The ladies who live here found him in the desert and nursed him back to health. Adam found him here and thought he could expose Claudia for what she is – but Claudia turned the tables on all of us.”

Ben and Hoss looked at each other incredulously. “Where is Joe? Is he upstairs Roy? I need to see him!” Ben shouted.

Roy shook his head sadly as he told Ben, “It seems that Claudia is one step ahead of us Ben. She found out Joe was alive and has him hidden away. I have my deputies looking in every nook and cranny in Virginia City to find them.”

Hoss got up abruptly and walked to the door. “Well, I’m not standin’ around here waitin’ for her to get away with something else ~ I’m gonna look for my brother myself!”

As he watched his son Ben knew what he needed to do. As he stood and adjusted his gun belt Ben’s chocolate eyes blazed with anger as he told Hoss, “Wait for me son – it’s time that Miss Cousins got what she deserves.”

Hoss was happy to see his father’s strength returned, but knew that he really should remain at the brothel until the doctor had finished working on Adam. Hoss put his hand on his father’s shoulder as he told him, “Pa, I know you want to be in two places at one time – but right now I think you should stay here with Adam. I’ll bring Short Shanks back to you – I promise.”

 

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Chapter 10: