Chapter 6

Fritz left the house, taking the buggy so he could bring back a wardrobe full of new clothes for Millie. She was a mess. Half the time, she was dressed as if she'd come down out of the mountains, and the other times, as if she were but a girl. It was time for Millie Burnett to grow up.

The Corinthian House of Clothes was the perfect place. He'd talked to Corinthia Chadwick before and noted that her store carried some of his family's designs. The woman was a delight here in this uncivilized land. Perhaps you couldn't expect more from a country that was less than a hundred years old, but Corinthia showed some of the old world-class he was used to.

He enjoyed Denver. The city hustled with excitement to see who made the next big claim. New buildings and houses were going up daily, testimonies to the new money in gold and silver dug out of the land.

Fritz loved the mountains he could see in the distance as they reminded him of Germany. Yes, he could live here. Banished from Germany six months ago, he had to bless the fact that Mr. Burnett had found him.

Fritz's father had other ideas, but fathers and sons often found themselves at odds. He wondered about Millie and Raul Burnett. Were they at odds? He didn't think so, but then Millie didn't seem to know much about what happened in the mines.

Just the other day, while working the dogs, Fritz had seen Frank Chadwick snooping around and asking him about the Burnett Mine. Fritz didn't tell Raul. But Millie had talked about the feud between the Chadwicks and Burnetts.

Fritz had heard the gossip and knew the town took sides who they believed was at fault. Fritz didn't know, but since Raul paid his wages, he'd stay with the Burnetts. Besides, he liked Millie. She had little use for him, but she could be a pretty woman.

He tapped the horse with the end of the whip. Once he got the proper clothes for Millie, she'd be the prettiest woman in Denver. He'd set his sights on her the first moment he stepped off the train with her father and saw her. She was nothing like the stern women he'd had to choose from in Germany.

That was why his father banished him from the family lands. Father had a woman and title picked out for him, but Fritz wanted his freedom to choose who he wanted to marry and what he wanted to do with his life as well.

But that wasn't the way his family did things. Through the ages, his ancestors obeyed or were exiled. Fritz had chosen the new world instead of the old ways. He wasn't sure about Millie. The girl had a temper and a mind of her own, but she could be a beauty, and her father had possession of a wealthy gold mine.

He stopped the buggy in front of Corinthia's shop. Enough of the past. He grinned as he gave the reins to the valet. "It should take an hour. Two at the most."

"Yes, sir."

Fritz opened the door and drew in the aroma of new clothing, leather, and some spice or herb. "Corinthia, are you ready to do some business?"

A beautiful, dark-haired woman of twenty-five came from the back room. "Fritz, I'm glad to see you. I really didn't expect to see you so soon. Is there a problem with your suits?"

"No, not at all. I came to buy a wardrobe for Millie Burnett."

"Millie? I have not seen her in years." Corinthia smiled. "We used to be good friends." She shrugged. "That was, of course, before our fathers went to war with one another."

"I work for Raul, as you know. Millie learned I came from a family of tailors and those who know the latest fashion and design, and she asked me to help her."

"As your luck would have it, I just got in a shipment from New York City. I haven't even unpacked them yet. Come back here, and you can be the first to go through them."

Fritz grinned. "Thank you, Corinthia. Do you know her size?"

"It's been a while, but I think she is just under my size. I can send them home with you, and if they don't fit, she can bring them back for a fitting." Corinthia smiled at him. "I'm guessing you'll want a gown for the big event."

"Yes, of course. I'm taking her to the Hightower Ball." Fritz stretched the truth a bit, but it wouldn't hurt to get his name out in the upper segment of society.

Corinthia pointed to a table. "These are beautiful for everyday wear. I will be wearing one of them. For me, the golden color suits me and my dark hair. For Millie, I would suggest the navy blue with her auburn hair. A perfect contrast."

"My thoughts exactly." Fritz went through the piles of clothes and picked out seven outfits. He was sure he couldn't get Millie out of her mountain girl wear every day, but he could hope to have her dress appropriately when going into town or entertaining guests.

Corinthia pulled out a few other outfits. "Are you interested in Millie?"

Fritz stared at her. "I was. Her father brought me here to Denver as a person of interest for his daughter." He smiled at the shop owner. "Millie is rather na?ve in the ways of men. Plus, she has a wicked temper. I could be persuaded to look elsewhere."

Corinthia grinned. "I'm happy to hear that. I'll be at the big event this weekend. I expect you to seek me out and sign up for several dances."

"I will do just that." He was pleased. Corinthia was someone he would feel at home with. They spoke the same language as the upper class. He gathered his purchases and set them to the side.

He glanced at the clock. "I still have time. Would you like to have lunch with me?"

Corinthia looked around her. "Yes, I would." She turned the open-close sign to closed and gathered her coat. "There's a lovely restaurant just down the street. It's expensive, but that keeps out the lower class."

Fritz wondered if he had enough money in his pocket.

Corinthia put a hand on his shoulder. "Since you've given me so much business with Millie's wardrobe, lunch is on me."

Trying not to look too relieved, Fritz smiled and kissed her hand. "Raul Burnett doesn't pay as well as I had hoped."

A sly look crossed her face. "No, I wouldn't think so. Father and Raul do not get along, and for good reason. I know for a fact the Pinkertons have been brought into the case between them."

"The Pinkertons? That's news to me. Does Burnett know about it?"

She shook her head and then pointed. "The restaurant is across the street. I hate walking in the snow. It can be so slick."

Fritz took her arm and cautiously helped her into the street. "I hope the snow lets up before the ball this weekend."

"It should. If the sun comes out, the snow will melt." She pulled him closer to her. "Thank you for the business."

"I knew you took some of my family's designs, and your store has always been a favorite of mine."

They paused as a carriage passed and then stepped onto the boardwalk, and Fritz opened the door to the restaurant. "A table near the back?"

She nodded. "Perfect. The wind can blow into the building. Brrr. It is a chilly day." Corinthia nodded to the waiter and ordered for them both.

Fritz winced, but he let her finish because the lady was paying for lunch.

After the waiter left them, Corinthia leaned close to Fritz. "Don't tell your boss you got Millie's clothes from my shop. He hates the Chadwicks and intends to put us all out of business. I hope the Pinkerton detective proves Burnett guilty and returns the entire wealth of the mine to my family."

Nodding, Fritz agreed with her. He wondered if Raul's sudden departure had anything to do with the Pinkerton detective. Fritz was sure Millie didn't have any idea of what was going on. He would have to see whether the Chadwicks or the Burnetts were going to win the court case.

Either way, he'd enjoy being married to Corinthia or Millie.