Savage Destiny (The Hearts of Liberty Series, Book 1) (61 page)

Unaccustomed to having to justify his decisions to others, Hunter straightened his shoulders proudly. "All I need is a horse, not advice."

Randolph noted the unspoken challenge in the shift in Hunter's posture, and quickly waved it off. "You may take Marshal. He isn't really the issue. I'd understood you to say that you'd be staying here in Williamsburg for a while. What made you change your mind?"

Hunter took Alanna's hand to encourage her to keep walking with him, and when she did, Randolph again fell in beside them. "We had no definite plans. Now I've decided to go to the Ohio Valley, and Alanna's going to wait for me here. I appreciate the loan of the horse, but I'd rather buy him."

Randolph opened his mouth to argue, for this struck him as the worst possible time for Hunter to leave his bride. As he saw it, she had just buried her favorite cousin, and the rest of her family wasn't even speaking to her. Then he realized he would be arguing against his own best interests, and swallowed his objections.

"I'm afraid I made a mistake in buying Marshal last winter," he admitted instead. "He's a handsome beast, but too headstrong for my tastes. Frankly, I'll be happy to have him gone. Consider him a gift."

Hunter shook his head. "No, name a price for the horse and a saddle, and I'll pay it."

When the silversmith hesitated, Alanna described Hunter as an extremely successful trapper and alluded vaguely to a second enterprise which added to his income. "The cost of a horse won't bankrupt us," she assured him.

Fearing that he had inadvertently insulted them, Randolph hurriedly apologized and revealed what he had paid for Marshal. "I'll sell him to you for the same price, and that includes his saddle and bridle."

Hunter knew how much the horse was worth and, satisfied Randolph's price was fair, he agreed to it. "Thank you for listening to our side and being willing to help us. I know you'll be a friend to Alanna, while I'm gone."

Randolph's only regret was that he could not be much more. He tried not to sound too eager to see him gone. "When are you leaving?" he asked.

"As soon as I can saddle Marshal. I have very little to pack."

"Now, today? You're leaving
today?"

Hunter was beginning to find Randolph's company tiresome. "Yes, and I might be gone for several months. Do you have an opinion on that, too?"

Alanna's headache was rapidly becoming more severe. She raised her hand to her brow. "Please. This was a difficult morning. Let's just go home."

"Of course, forgive me," Randolph begged. Like most men, he preferred to carry his hat rather than wear it over his wig, and he used it to gesture down the road. He had wanted to bring his carriage, but his guests had wished to walk and he had given in to them. Randolph had planned to go on to his shop, but now that Hunter had announced his intention to depart, he remained at home to bid him a safe trip. Believing the Indian and his bride would like to be alone, he excused himself.

* * *

Alanna watched Hunter saddle Marshal. The gelding was high-spirited, but no more so than her uncle's mounts, and she decided Randolph must not be much of a horseman. His driver, Stanley Crotty, maintained the stable, but he was nowhere to be found. Rather than being annoyed by the man's absence, Alanna was relieved they didn't have to say their farewells in front of him.

She crossed her arms under her bosom; feeling that everything was wrong, she couldn't stop trembling. She was positive this simply wasn't the way things were meant to be. They were good people. They deserved every happiness, rather than the endless string of tragedies that plagued them. With Hunter gone, she would have only Christian to love, but it was the fact that she loved the baby so much that was driving her husband away. It wasn't fair.

Hunter knew how to saddle a horse with a minimum of effort, but he was paying scant attention to the task, and it took him twice as long as it should have. He could feel Alanna, and not simply her presence, but her longing as well. He turned slowly to face her.

"I told you I belong to the wolf clan. Last summer I saw a magnificent young wolf, and later I heard his howl. I felt it was a sign, a warning of danger to come, but I didn't understand how bad it would be. I hope to see that same wolf again, and this time, I want him to promise me something good."

Alanna had no such faith in the wolves he might sight in the forest. "Just be certain he doesn't bite you," she cautioned. "I want you to come home to me, Indian."

"You already have my promise."

Alanna had lost too many loved ones to believe in a promise he might not be able to keep. "I know you mean to come back."

"I will," Hunter countered forcefully. He dropped Marshal's reins and, his heart breaking, he pulled her into his arms. If only she were not so loyal to Christian, they could remain together, but he also knew she showed
him
that same devotion. When she loved, she loved with her whole heart, and he could not have loved her half as much if she didn't. It took all of his strength to find the courage to step back.

"I'll come back as soon as I can."

"I know." Alanna moved out of the way. Hunter swung himself up on Marshal's back, gave her one last, sad smile, and rode away. Feeling completely lost, she remained at the stable door long after he was gone.

Randolph heard Hunter ride by, and when Alanna did not return to the house in what he considered a reasonable amount of time, he went to find her. That she was just staring off into space alarmed him. He took her arm, and when she did not pull away, he escorted her into his house.

"It's time to eat. Even if you aren't hungry, I hope you'll keep me company. I imagine Sally Lester went to Elliott's funeral, but her shop should be open this afternoon. Why don't you come into town with me and order some new gowns? You need something else to wear, and choosing new garments would lift your spirits. Out of respect for their grief, I'll wait a day or two, but then I'll go out to your aunt and uncle's place and ask to pack your belongings. They certainly don't need them, and you do."

Alanna was in no mood to share his preoccupation with her wardrobe. Clothes were the last thing she cared about that day. She recalled how Hunter had once criticized her, and thought the same comment now fit Randolph. "You're a very practical man, aren't you?"

"If by that you mean I'm being insensitive to your feelings, you're wrong," Randolph argued. "I'm just trying to help you have a normal life, and a beautiful young woman needs pretty clothes."

When they reached the dining room, Alanna slipped into her chair, but she had never felt less like eating. "I appreciate your concern, but I really don't feel up to doing any shopping today. I'd rather just take a long nap, and then visit Christian. My marriage to Hunter will undoubtedly cause the worst sort of gossip. I won't add to it by doing something so frivolous as ordering new gowns on the day Elliott was buried."

Stung by her rebuff, Randolph nevertheless feared it was justified, and hastened to apologize. "I was only trying to suggest something you might enjoy. You will at least allow me to pick up your belongings, won't you?"

"Don't bother. They've probably been given away."

Randolph had to hold his tongue as their soup was served, but the instant they were alone, he continued. "I don't consider helping you a bother. I'll take my carriage and go out to your uncle's place tomorrow. Even if they are contemplating disposing of your things, they haven't had the opportunity yet."

Alanna had always loved potato soup, and the sight of the steaming bowl was surprisingly comforting. She hadn't been hungry, but now dipped her spoon into the thick soup and sipped it eagerly. She remained silent for a long while, but when she spoke, her thinking was clear.

"If you truly want to visit my aunt and uncle on my behalf, will you take them a letter? I want to tell them what Hunter did for Elliott, and how difficult it was for us to bring his body home. Not that it would make any difference—I don't hold that hope—but I would like for them to at least know what a good man Hunter is."

"I'll be happy to deliver anything you'd care to send."

"You're very kind. Thank you."

Encouraged, Randolph searched his mind for a lighthearted response, but Alanna's expression was still such a serious one, he thought better of it. Fearing that he had always tried too hard to impress her, he waited for her to encourage conversation, and when she didn't, he tried not to let his disappointment show.

* * *

When she was too restless to nap, Alanna left the house. It was too early to visit Christian, but, longing to see Elliott's grave, she walked out to the cemetery. An attendant pointed toward the fresh grave, but it was near Melissa's, and Alanna would have found it on her own. This was her cousin's second burial, and she knew it had to have been far more peaceful than his first. She still wore his ring, and would always cherish it.

Her first memories of Elliott were of a fair-haired, freckled-faced boy, who'd shown endless patience with a little girl who had had no one else to love. "Oh Elliott, I miss you so much. What am I going to do without you?"

Standing so close to Melissa's grave, it was impossible not to think of her, too, and now thoroughly miserable, Alanna was unaware of Robin Frederick's approach until the petite brunette called her name. Startled, she turned slowly. Robin was dressed all in black, and Alanna had to remind herself that Robin didn't know Elliott hadn't loved her.

"I'm so glad to have found you," Robin exclaimed. "Everyone was looking for you earlier, but no one seemed to know where you were." She reached out to hug Alanna, and clung to her a moment too long.

"Poor Elliott. Can you tell me how he died? I know that it was Indians, but there's got to be a great deal more to tell. I don't even know why you and he went to New York in the first place! He just rushed off without telling me goodbye."

Sarah and Robin Frederick had been Melissa's playmates. The two vivacious sisters had an elfin charm and the very same enthusiasm for life that had always made Melissa popular. Alanna had watched the three of them grow into beautiful young women, who thrived on the attention that had always embarrassed her. She knew the Frederick sisters better than she knew any of the other young women in Williamsburg, but sadly, that wasn't well at all. Robin had loved Elliott, and deserved to hear the truth, but with Melissa's memory shielded by convenient lies, it was difficult for Alanna to know where to begin.

"Do you remember Hunter, the Indian who visited Byron and Elliott last spring? You came to supper one night when he was there."

Robin's dark eyes were red-rimmed from crying, but her expression brightened slightly as she nodded. "I remember him well. He was the first, and only Indian, Sarah and I have ever met. As I recall, he was quite handsome, but very ill at ease and left before we began dancing."

"Yes, I'm glad that you remember him, because he's the reason Elliott and I went to New York." Alanna gestured toward a stone bench not too far away, and Robin walked over to it with her. Once they were seated, she refrained from mentioning the reason for their visit and simply described how Elliott had been shot from ambush. Then, giving Hunter the credit for their survival when they were again attacked, she attempted to make him sound as heroic as she truly believed him to be.

"We were able to recover Elliott's body and bring it home, but my aunt and uncle blame Hunter for his death, and have refused to have anything more to do with us."

"But that's so unfair," Robin cried. "Hunter wasn't to blame, and even if he had been, why are they angry with
you?"

Even with him gone, Alanna found the next revelation the easiest to admit. "Hunter and I were married in New York, so whatever they wish to say or do, it will affect us both."

Robin gasped so sharply she began to cough, and then had to fight to catch her breath. "You've married an Indian?" she was finally able to ask in a hoarse whisper.

Alanna could understand Robin's flustered reaction, for wedding an Indian brave was a most unconventional thing to do. "Not just any Indian—Hunter."

"Well, of course, he saved your life and naturally you were grateful, but couldn't you have found a less personal way to reward him?"

Alanna tried not to laugh, but couldn't suppress her giggles. "I'm so sorry. I'm not laughing at you. It's just that even though Hunter and I love each other, I doubt I could be described as a reward."

Robin stared at her wide-eyed. "I swear I've never understood you, but you've completely baffled me now. Where are you staying, if your aunt and uncle have turned you out?"

"Hunter is on his way to scout for General Braddock, and I'm staying with Randolph O'Neil."

Rather than rise gracefully as she had been carefully taught, Robin simply lurched to her feet. "You've married an Indian, but you're living with another man?" The startled young woman began to back away. "I'm sorry, but this is really too much for me. I don't want to judge you as harshly as your family has, but I've got to go."

It was Robin's horrified expression that discouraged Alanna from defending herself. Clearly the girl thought her daft, or worse—immoral. Alanna doubted anything she said now would change her opinion for the better. With Robin gone, she rose slowly and went back to Elliott's grave. "I'll never tell Robin that you didn't love her," she whispered. "It will be our secret."