July 5th, 1899

"Hey, son. You interested in socialising?"

Danny perked up, surprised at what was asked of him, as well as by the voice that acknowledged him with such kindness and warmth.

From across the campfire, Danny was able to make out Dutch's face with relative ease, even when his one good eye still didn't function properly yet.

"Socialising? Me? Where?" Danny asked nervously.

"We have been invited to the mayor's house for a party this evening by this Italian toad by the name of Angelo Bronte."

"And what makes you think I'll go?"

"Well, why not? You and Mary-Beth would make a great pairing - you'd both blend in well, especially when we tell folk that you're both very affectionate lovers. You, an oil man, for your sins, and your wife, the sister of Arthur Callahan."

Danny was appreciative that Dutch thought of him highly but even Danny doubted his own capabilities as a cunning con artist.

"I-I dunno, Uncle Dutch. Why, why doesn't dad just go? Or Javier? Or Charles?"

"It might not be the best idea to bring a couple of coloured fellers. Especially at a rich, elegant party filled with pompous inbred rich yokels. And besides, I already talked to the old feller into letting you and Mary-Beth get out of camp. He agrees with me that you two will blend in perfectly. As will Arthur."

"Or so we can hope."

Dutch let out a dry wheeze. "Yes, yes. Of course. And don't worry about fixing yourself in a suit. Just go with your pa and Arthur into town and they'll get you something nice for tonight."

"What about you, Uncle Dutch?"

"I'm already sorted, dear boy. I have Josiah to thank for lending me one of his more... promiscuous suits."

As if on cue, Mary-Beth tarried along and touched her boyfriend's shoulder, calling for him to stand so they could jump in the wagon and ride into town.

"Come on, honey. Let's get going." Mary-Beth spoke gleefully. Her excitement for going to the party was unmatched with her eagerness to dress up nicely for her boyfriend.

"Enjoy yourselves!" Dutch sang out and waved.

Danny managed a weak smile as Mary-Beth helped guide him to the wagon they were going to ride in to go into town.

With Hosea and Arthur seated in the front, Danny and Mary-Beth had the back of the wagon to themselves as they were ridden into town. The ride into town was rather short but a bit longer when they had to ride with more care, especially with police patrolling the streets. The last thing they needed was being recognised and chased out of town.

As per usual, Arthur and Hosea were discussing things only they were deeply involved in, whereas Danny and Mary-Beth acted and treated one another lovingly as well as romantic things that Molly O'Shea would be extremely jealous of.

When there was no conversation to be made, Hosea interrupted to share a funny story in order to involve those with him on their shopping trip.

"I ever tell you about the time I once went fishing with this feller back in the day? Wesley, his name was. Real miserable bastard, but he loved to fish. We'd go out all the time. But, one day, we were river fishing when we see a funeral procession going over the bridge and... out of the blue, Wesley stands up, takes his hat off, bows his head. Then, he sits down, picks his rod back up and carries on, doesn't say a word. So I'm a little surprised and say, 'Wesley, that was nice of you.' And he replies, 'Well, felt I had to. After all, I was married to her for thirty years.' "

There were a few laughs and chuckles in response to the short, funny story Hosea shared.

"Alright, we're coming up to the shop now." Hosea announced once they rode up and parked opposite the theatre.

Altogether, the four dismounted and made their way up some steps and towards the shop they were to visit and get their suits measured. This wouldn't be Arthur's first time shopping at that particular store as Josiah had the intention to recruit Arthur for another heist later on.

It was nerve-wracking for Danny to walk around with his bandaged eye, but when he held onto Mary-Beth's hand, he felt at ease.

Once they were hidden inside the shop, the four quickly took in the interior design and layout before they stood behind a counter and addressed a tailor who would do their measuring.

"Hello. Can I help you gentlemen and lady?" The tailor distinguished the group formally and with a mannerful nod.

"Yes. I was hoping to get some suits measured for my friends." Hosea addressed the tailor politely.

"Everything you'll be looking for is in our catalogue. If the lady is looking for something more sumptuous, you can find what you're looking for in the back."

As the tailor gestured to the adjoining room to his right, Mary-Beth entered the next room to explore the variety she was free to pick out for herself.

What the men missed was the tailor's wandering eye as Mary-Beth disappeared from sight.

Meanwhile, Danny looked through the catalogue at the various suits on offer. There wasn't a big variety, so Danny had to make do with what was in the catalogue. Once Danny made his decision, Danny pointed out the suit he'd like to wear.

The tailor then made a short inquiry about Danny's size before he accompanied him to get his measurements done. Shortly after Danny got his measurements done, the tailor used those calculations to decide on which fit would go well for Danny.

Soon enough, the suit was picked out for Danny and he was able to get his suit and put it on. The same went with Arthur before it was finally Mary-Beth's turn.

Both seasoned outlaws were distracted by conversing with one another on their way out the door and to the wagon while Danny waited with his beloved girlfriend as she got her measurements done.

Danny watched the tailor closely, especially when he stood around Mary-Beth to measure her waist and chest to ensure that there wasn't any unnecessary physical contact. Not that Danny was jealous or possessive, but with how beautiful Mary-Beth was, he was concerned that any man who had the opportunity to be that close to her would take advantage of it and her.

Fortunately, it did not come to that.

Danny watched his girlfriend walk out of the changing room in the dress she picked out for herself.

Her dress was a vibrant green dress that matched her eye colour with wavy lines going vertically. From the neck of the dress to the waist, the front was black with red roses decorated, along with three flower-shaped buttons vertically on her chest.

Danny was left mesmerised by her beauty which was obvious by his gaping mouth. The dress went so well that it radiated an aurora of bliss and confidence.

Together, the young couple walked out of the store and headed to the wagon where they rejoined Arthur and Hosea. The two men watched the young couple make their way over to them, proudly gawking at them like they had just got married.

"Well, you two did well for yourselves." Hosea commented positively.

"You two look like yer already married." Arthur said upliftingly.

Both Danny and Mary-Beth glanced at one another and blushed profusely at their comments.

They then climbed into the back of the wagon and allowed Arthur to transport them around town for further exploration and a preview of the luxurious life of a rich fool.

For a good couple of hours, the four outlaws explored Saint Denis and its finest sights. This also gave the four a chance to scout for anything worth taking a look at in the next couple of weeks for the duration of their stay in Shady Belle.

They eventually stopped outside of a saloon where they hoped to have a decent meal for a change - even if this was a rare occasion for some of the gang members to do whenever they decided to go out and ride through a new town. So the four strolled inside to find the saloon packed with individuals playing poker at one table and others drinking by themselves or with friends or simply in the company of prostitutes.

When everyone had their attention briefly on the newcomers, a man in a white coat and a black top hat had taken the hand of a young prostitute and dragged her upstairs with haste.

They spotted an empty table and occupied it while Arthur bought them drinks.

"... funny you should say that."

"Well, you know how it is. I say, 'That's the state of Lemoyne for you. America's dirty little French secret.' "

"That's why we love it."

"Born and raised."

The bartender, a darkie, spotted Arthur and punctually gave him his full attention once he was done with his conversation with some of the white folk in the saloon.

"How may I help you? You look like a whiskey man." The bartender spoke kindly towards Arthur.

"Sure. Why not."

"A dollar, please."

"For a whiskey?!"

"Best whiskey in the state - straight from Scotland, that is."

Given how much money Arthur had in his satchel, a dollar donated to the bartender was nothing but chicken feed to him. So he tossed a coin on the bar and waited patiently for his drink before gulping it down.

"Can I get you anything else?" The bartender asked politely.

"Uhh, sure. Just four beers and some of your best food." Arthur requested gruffly.

The bartender fetched four beer bottles and cracked them open before serving them to Arthur, who in turn paid the fee before he brought the bottles over to his companions waiting for him.

"So... how are we finding Saint Denis?" Hosea spoke up once Arthur dropped down in his seat.

"It's... lively. Kinda scary. Being back in high society after the Blackwater job." Mary-Beth commented dryly as she slowly wandered her gaze at the folks in the saloon with them.

"Everything will work out just fine," he assured her, lacking the full confidence he once had before the ferry job. "We just need to keep our heads down and lie low and look for a decent score to get us out of here once and for all."

One by one, the four took a sip of their drinks.

"There was a bank near here. Could be good." Danny suggested.

Hosea shook his head and disagreed with his son. "Too risky. Too many lawmen. Plus, we don't know how powerful Angelo Bronte is. He's like Cornwall, just not as legitimate. We need to keep biding our time, play our hand right. If he's as rich as Dutch says he is, then we need to make sure we don't underestimate Bronte."

The bartender came along and served them all the same meal.

"Been quite a run we've had," said Mary-Beth. "But at least we're still alive."

"No regrets? Not even joining our band of maniacs?" Arthur asked.

She looked over at Danny and planted her hand on top of his, not breaking their eye contact.

"No. No regrets."

As much as the other two adored watching the pair in love, they couldn't help but feel envious that their love was still alive and strong, whereas theirs had died a long, long time ago.

The day went on to the point that the candles inside the saloon had to be lit when it grew darker outside as it did inside. With the party due soon, the four organised a stagecoach to take them to the mayor's house for the party in which they would socialise and find anything useful to benefit the gang's financial desire.

Once they were ready, they walked out of the saloon and jumped into the stagecoach waiting for them across the street. They rode to the venue and shared a bottle of champagne.

"... we are here to make real contacts." Dutch stated as he filled up his glass.

"What kind of contacts?"

"Well, I don't know. We'll find out what we can. All I know for sure is, we are going to a party at the mayor's house and the guest of honour is the worst crook in town. I'm sure we'll find something. So Miss Gaskill, no pickpocketing, please."

"No promises, Dutch." The brunette replied with a grin.

"Don't worry, Uncle Dutch. I'll keep her in line." Danny nodded reassuringly.

Mary-Beth craned her head at her significant other with a raised eyebrow.

"How's that eye recovering, son?"

"It's getting better - slowly but surely. My good eye is seein' things a bit better, but I don't see the sense in why you had me come along when I can barely see. You might as well put a blindfold on me and make me pin the tail on an ass in a field of buffaloes."

"It adds to character. You're an oiler who got into some nasty business with a band of outlaws outside Gaptooth Ridge." Dutch reassured his young friend. "Now, gentlemen, lady... let's go enjoy ourselves."

The four cheered and clinked their glasses together and gulped down their drinks shortly before arrival at the venue.

The carriage stopped and Arthur opened the door, gesturing for Mary-Beth to exit first. She did so and waited for Danny to make his way out, with her help. Followed by Dutch and Arthur, Dutch approached a man at the front gate holding a clipboard as he gave the men a fair warning about the gun prohibition within the mayor's house.

"Luca here will take you to Mr Bronte. I believe he is expecting you."

Together, the four followed the man, Luca, into the house via the front doors.

Danny hooked his arm around Mary-Beth's to rely on her to help him stay steady on both feet while they made their way towards some steps. They took it slowly and with care as Mary-Beth guided Danny on where to plant his feet before they entered the household.

The interior of the house was far more extravagant compared to the one at Shady Belle, even with its decrepit structure. Maids were spotted dusting tables underneath paintings of rich and powerful figures or war heroes, illuminated by candles perched up on the walls on golden candelabras.

Moments before their arrival at the mayor's house, Mary-Beth informed Dutch of the alias' that she and Danny were to use so as not to raise any further suspicions as Dutch had taken a great risk in exposing his true name, and Arthur's, to Angelo Bronte.

"Craig, Leslie, you two join the party. We'll meet you out back on the balcony after we pay our respects to Signor Bronte. Enjoy yourselves. It's a party." Dutch instructed as they continued to follow Luca before it was just him and Arthur.

"Shall we, Mrs Leslie Dupont?"

Danny briefly let go of his girlfriend, disguised as his wife, and offered her his hand as he stared at her with his one good eye.

"We shall, Mr Craig Dupont." Mary-Beth grinned and took a hold of his hand before they linked their arms together and very slowly walked down more steps to join the party.

The folks who mingled in small groups throughout the party took notice of Danny and Mary-Beth stride into the yard with their arms linked together and the eye patch over Danny's left eye. Due to the high volume of people's conversations - in addition to the band that orchestrated many classical pieces - it was fairly easy to pick up snippets of conversations from the high society of Saint Denis.

"I mean, modern art is all very well, but my daughter could do better." Said one guest.

"How is the show? I heard you went well," a masculine figure inquired with a posh accent.

"... outrageous!" A third chuckled, followed by a humoured exclamation.

"These dancers, well, I mean, if that's French culture for you, sign me up for French lessons!"

It very rapidly reached the point where Danny was incapable of refraining from his eagerness to escape the party. Only for the sake of his girlfriend did he conceal his anxiety and subtly whispered into her ear his desire to find a spot at the party that they could enjoy on their own without having people eye him for having one eye.

Mary-Beth bowed her head a little to whisper in her boyfriend's ear, encouraging him to stay focused and to keep calm, knowing that the discouraging glares from folks wasn't making her any more uncomfortable than Danny.

"Can we just get outta here?" Danny asked impatiently.

Mary-Beth frowned and nodded her head as she escorted her boyfriend back to the balcony.

"Every gambler says that, Mr Jameson."

"Yes, I know, but like I said, the next big tournament, which I will not be attending, is for a game too rich for my blood..."

"... and Hendrickson should be making the next delivery to the bank. What I could do with all that money..."

Talk of money piqued both Mary-Beth's and Danny's interest as they suddenly stopped in their tracks to eavesdrop on that particular conversation.

"It's the city's money, McGrath. And with folk like Bronte, he'll be itching to get his hands on that fortune just sitting in the bank right now."

Danny and Mary-Beth resumed making their way out of the party when just as they almost reached the stairs, they were intercepted by a man in a red coat.

"Say, where are you from, sir? I don't believe I've heard of a young up and comer." The man asked, revealing a Southern accent.

"Excuse me?" Danny furrowed his brows and stared at the man who addressed him a bit rudely.

"I said, who are you and where are you from, sir?"

Causing problems at the party was something that Dutch and the gang needed. So Mary-Beth leaned forward with her arm reached out for his hand.

"I-I'm Leslie. Leslie Dupont. This is my husband, Craig." Mary-Beth smiled nervously.

"Desmond Blythe. A pleasure to meet you, Mrs Dupont," he spoke deeply, staring lustfully at the brunette whose hand he kissed. "And what is it you do, sir? Are you an oil man, for your sins? Or are you another one of the idiotic mayor's friends?"

"Ahh, o-oil man. I'm here with some friends of my brother-in-law - Signor Bronte formally invited him and fortunately, there was a plus two on the invite." Danny answered tensely.

"Bronte? That spaghetti-eating, inbred little vermin? Why, I couldn't possibly... You know, it's funny. You claim to be an oil man and yet I have never heard of you - I have connections and I don't recall ever hearing about you before."

"Uhmm, d-uhh... I-I-I'm not from here, you see. I'm from Alabama, but I grew up in Wisconsin."

"I see... And how did you meet this gorgeous wife of yours? Or is she really just your cousin?"

Danny held his hands behind his back and clenched his free hand so as to resist any physical outbursts that would result in being thrown in jail or killed.

"No... no. Her maiden name was Callahan. Her-Her brother is in the crowd somewhere now. It seems that he has gone to do more than just ingratiate himself, my dear." Danny chuckled nervously as he stole a quick glance at his lover and lightly nudged her side with his elbow.

Mary-Beth joined in and let out a fake laugh. "Ohhh, that brother of mine... how I love him so. But I did warn the fool that if he gets into trouble, I will not bail him out this time."

Desmond managed to form a smile at Mary-Beth's banter, given how awestruck he was by her beauty and her glistening emerald eyes.

"Would you care to have a drink with me, Mrs Dupont? I'm sure your... husband wouldn't mind if you could perhaps introduce me to your brother?"

Anxiously, Mary-Beth looked at her boyfriend, her disguised husband, and shook her head.

"I-I really don't think I can. My husband, I... his eye. It's been irritating him all night. Got into a bad fight in a bar, you see. Feller slashed his eye with a knife recently, so now I have to make sure it doesn't get infected."

"Oh, but I'm sure this won't take long. Please, Mrs Dupont." Desmond insisted.

He kept eye contact with the brunette as he reached into his pocket to withdraw his bill fold which was as thick as a horse's ass.

"I'll happily compensate you for your time."

Stunned at his bill fold, Mary-Beth came to realise how much money he had handy and glanced back and forth between her 'husband' and Desmond.

"Well... maybe I could persuade my husband after all."

Danny was shocked at her vulnerability to the flash of greenbacks when the notes he passed to her were no more than half a dozen twenties.

"I won't be long." Mary-Beth assured her lover before mouthing, "Meet me out the front."

She escorted Desmond Blythe into the crowd to seek out her 'brother,' Arthur Callahan. Danny let out a heavy sigh and proceeded to make his way up the steps to the balcony with great care.

Dutch caught up to Danny at the balcony and the first thing that they asked was where Arthur and his other half were.

"Gone off to do what she does best." Danny answered bluntly.

"And Arthur?"

Danny shrugged his shoulders.

Dutch scanned the crowd for where Arthur and Mary-Beth could've been. When he spotted his friends, he pointed them out to Danny.

"Find anything?" Dutch asked them once they all regrouped.

"Yep. I think I got something good." Arthur grumbled calmly.

"Good work, Arthur."

"We need to leave, gentlemen. And quickly." Mary-Beth spoke softly as she took her boyfriend's hand and escorted him through the house with Dutch and Arthur following behind them.

The men were sceptical about her eagerness to leave the party.

"Oh no... You didn't." Danny frowned once it hit him.

Innocently, Mary-Beth pursed her lips and said nothing.

The four made their way through the house and out the front doors. Danny managed to jump down the five steps and walk quickly towards the gate where all of their weapons were, waiting for them. Their carriage arrived punctually just as the three men fashioned their weapons back onto their person.

One by one, they all climbed inside the carriage and discussed what sort of information they'd uncovered whilst at the party. Danny even mentioned the bank to Dutch.

By the time the four returned to camp, they were welcomed back by some of the folks at camp.

They all got changed into their pyjamas and relaxed for the rest of the evening. Mary-Beth let her hair loose. Her brown locks draped past her shoulders, perfectly framing her face. As on many occasions, she'd caught him admiring her.

Danny was flustered when he realised how long he'd been staring at Mary-Beth.

The brunette giggled and shook her head when that smile diminished when she spotted Miss Grimshaw approaching them.

"You're back." Miss Grimshaw stated nonchalantly. "There's some leftover stew in the pot if you're both still hungry."

Without another word, Miss Grimshaw walked away.

"I'll get it," said Mary-Beth.

"No." Danny intervened with his arm stretched out. "I'll get it this time."

"You sure?"

"Yeah. Can't be completely useless."

Mary-Beth shook her head out of amusement and went to grab the latest book she was reading to open the page she was on last. But then it occurred to her that she hadn't seen Kieran in a while.

The longer her mind lingered on the thought, the more it plagued her with whether or nor Kieran was safe or not.

Had he been kidnapped?

Or had he finally turned against her and the gang and decided to abandon them when they gave him sanctuary from Colm and the blight of the Pinkerton Detective Agency?

The thoughts crossed Mary-Beth's mind in greater depth; to even question Kieran's loyalty as well as whether he had criminal intentions for the gang. Given how she got to know him on a more personal level, she saw Kieran as a kindred soul looking to have freedom in his own life - after he lost both his parents to cholera as well as being the sole survivor of his first gang and then being forced to join Colm O'Driscoll's gang then Dutch's.

And then it occurred to her.

Kieran had confided in Mary-Beth that around the time when Kieran was press-ganged to be at the bottom rung of the ladder of Colm's gang, he was given hardly any choice at all: to ride with them or die.

Her thoughts sent Mary-Beth into a frenzy in regards to Kieran's safety. But those thoughts dissipated when Danny returned with their dinner. Being in his company kept her safe and distracted from their current predicament: which was trying to gain a large income of money so that they could escape to their own paradise.

The young couple ate their meals in silence - a peculiar interaction in which they barely said anything in spite of what they normally did or said almost every other evening.

To break the silence, the pair heard singing nearby. At the table between them and the campfire, Karen and Miss Grimshaw were spotted smoking and drinking and singing solemnly.

"Fare you well, dear Sean, fare you well, adieu
Rocks and mountains, I depart from you
Nevermore shall my eyes, but my beauties be blest;
Nevermore shall you soothe; my sad bosom to rest

Fare ye well, little birdies, that fly in the sky
You fly all day long, and sing your troubles by
I am doomed to this cell, I heave a deep sigh;
My heart sinks within me, in anguish I die

Fare you well, little fishes, that glides through the sea
Your life's all sunshine, all light and all glee:
Nevermore shall I watch your skill in the wave;
I'll depart from all friends; this side of the grave

What would I give, such freedom to share;
To roam at my ease, and breathe the fresh air
I would roam through the cities; through the village and dell
But I'll never return, to my cold prison cell

Fare you well, kind friends, I am willing to own;
Such a wild outcast, never had known
I'm the downfall of my family, my children, my wife;
God pity and pardon, I'm a poor prisoner for life..."

An urge made Karen peer over her shoulder at the piercing brown eye watching her and Miss Grimshaw mourn for the loss of their beloved friend, dear, Sean MacGuire. Karen spotted Danny frowning at her.

She raised her bottle at him, and he, a simple slow nod of his head.