Chapter 5Ford walked into the bustling dining room like he owned the hotel, Eliza on his arm in her soiled, smelly dress. He had assured her that they would get it washed before they left—and he would buy her a few new dresses himself once they reached Silver City. Eliza wished she had perfumes or soaps to cover the smell of perspiration and dirt, but once she stepped into the midst of men shoveling their faces with unidentifiable gruel, she realized it didn’t make a difference.
Every man in the room looked up as Ford pulled the chair away from a table for Eliza’s benefit. She settled herself, painfully aware of each narrowed eye trained on them. The room reeked of alcohol, burnt food, sweat, and bad breath. The rancid smell of unwashed men hung in the air, masking her own indelicate odor
