Outlaws - An American Youth - [Charles Smith x OC]

Chapter 15 - Pawn and tokens

I looked out of the corner of my eye in the mirror in the room, while the woman was busy behind me. Once again, I found myself in this dress. I must admit that it was beautiful, with its delicate lace details. I let out a hiccup. She had tightened the straps of the bustier even more tightly than Tilly had done a few days earlier.

Outside, the streets of Saint-Denis were busy. Horse-drawn carriages, street children and onlookers mixed in a joyful tumult. The drivers of tramways, these little city trains, made themselves known from the distracted walkers by ringing their bell. The woman made me sit down to do my hairstyle. She worked quickly, but without the dexterity of Mary-Beth. That would do the trick. She retired from the room without a word.

I sat there, staring blankly, wondering if I could spend an entire evening in this cramped corset. My head was already spinning, as if the blood were no longer rising properly. But it wasn't for my brainthat I had been broughtto town. It didn't matter. Thosewere my thoughts when someone knocked on the door.

Overpriced costume, impeccable shaving. The man was of incomparable elegance. Our eyes met and I smiled at him. Difficult to recognize the Arthur I knew in this outfit.

"Well Arthur, you should spend more time with Trelawny, you're superb.

- Have you seen yourself? You look like a real lady.

- Maybe we should try our luck in high society." I offered, making him laugh.

"Let's try not to get caught this evening to begin with. Do you know your role?

- Yes, sir.

- All right, I'll see you on the boat then."

One last knowing smile and he slipped away. I left the room moments later, joining Strauss, seated in a corner of the saloon. He served me a drink which I swallowed quickly, then we headed outside where a carriage awaited us. I watched the streets go by as we approached the harbor.

Not a word was exchanged. Strauss was not a bad guy, but I had nothing special to say to him. He was part of the band while remaining a little on the sidelines. He was rarely seen participating in fireside discussions, and his main activity was to keep accounts and lend money to poor desperate souls who never found a way to pay him back.

A stone's throw from the port, the Austrian returned to his role of an uncle chaperoning his wealthy heiress of a niece who wanted to discover the poker scene of the city. Dutch had calmed down somewhat since our argument. Or at least we each did our best to meet as little as possible. The only time he spoke to me, or even deigned to look at me, was to enlist me for this boat ride. He had paid for this dress, it had to be used for something.

"My dear Elisabeth, you know what I think of this evening. Even if the best company in town is there, I don't think it is a place for a young woman from a good family. Surely your father would not have allowed this.

- Dear Uncle, Dad loved me more than anything and wanted only my happiness. You are with me, what could happen to me? And as you said, the best company will be there. Maybe this will be an opportunity to meet a young son from a good family.

- The sons of good families do not go to such events to find a wife. But anyway, since you are determined, I will not say anything more. Here we are."

With his usual awkwardness, he helped me down, then held my arm up to the bridge. On the platform, Javier was waiting for Arthur and Trelawny. As he pulled on his cigarette, he gave me a discreet wink that made me smile. We had the opportunity to chat several times around the campfire. He turned out to be a gentle and melancholic man, although capable of the greatest violence. But he was sincerely worried about the gang members, even trying to talk to Karen, who was more and more drowning into alcohol.