Savage Summer (13 page)

Feeling herself fortunate to have gotten off so easy, she picked up the meat and ate it hungrily. She didn’t want to test Scar Face’s patience any further. It would be best to avoid provoking his anger if possible.

That night as she lay on a bed of soft green grass, Danielle looked at the star-bright sky. She felt different somehow. It was as if all semblance of civilization had been stripped from her. The only thought in her mind at the moment was how to survive. She closed her eyes, calling on all her strength to face what lay ahead.

She didn’t know which would be worse—to be sold to some French trapper, or to have the Indians kill her.

For the first time in her life, Danielle knew what it felt like to be cold and hungry. She felt so alone—was there no one to come to her rescue? Tears spilled from her eyes and her thoughts were of her father who was far away.

Since the Indians no longer feared they might be followed, they must think that her Uncle Windhawk would be unable to track them. Her thoughts turned to her Indian mother. “Mother, I have denied you for so long. Please send your people to save me,” Danielle whispered in a painful voice.

Wolfrunner bathed his face in the small stream, and gazed up at the sky. It seemed as if someone, or something, was beckoning to him—pushing him almost beyond endurance. He had ridden for days and nights, only stopping to rest his
horse. As he lay back on the cool grass, he could see Danielle as she had been the day they had gone riding. She had been haughty and insulting, but she had spirit. How long could she survive in this country?

Again it seemed he could hear a voice whispering to him, or was it only the wind?

Skyler stood very still as her aunt laced up the back of her satin gown. Drawing in a deep breath, she hoped she could get through the evening without bursting out of her lacings.

Glancing in the mirror, she saw that the deep, wine-colored gown made her skin appear delicate and golden in color. A satin ribbon of the same color was wound through her hair, and Skyler wondered if Morgan Prescott would think her beautiful.

“My dear, you are simply lovely. It makes me yearn for my younger days just to look at you,” Alexandria observed, smiling brightly.

Skyler glanced at the deep vee that slashed down the bodice of her gown. The swell of her breasts was just visible above the neckline—her eyes went to her aunt. “Is it proper for a girl to show so much of her bosom, Aunt Alexandria? It feels almost indecent.”

Her aunt smiled and turned her around. “It is very proper, my dear. Just take satisfaction in knowing you will be the prettiest girl at the party tonight.”

“I wish you and Uncle Tag were coming with me,” the young girl said wistfully.

“Don’t fret, you are going to have a wonderful time tonight. Morgan Prescott is very respectable and he will see to it that you are not left alone.”

Skyler knew it would do no good to tell Alexandria that
she didn’t want to be alone with Mr. Prescott. She would just have to endure the evening, but she was very sure she would never again accept an invitation if she knew Morgan Prescott was also going to attend.

Skyler ran her hand down the skirt of the wine-colored creation, loving the feel of the soft satin. Alexandria gave her niece a look of approval as she handed her a pair of white lace gloves to complete her toilette.

“You look lovely, my dear. One would think you were born to wear satin and lace.”

“It all seems so senseless to me to dress in such a fashion to ride on a boat. One would expect to dress more practically for such an occasion.”

Alexandria laughed. “You would cause quite a stir were you to show up in buckskin and moccasins. Before too long you will become accustomed to wearing all the folderol that goes into the dressing of a young lady.”

“That would be foolish since I will never again have an opportunity to dress in such a fashion once I return to my home, Aunt Alexandria.”

“I have something for you that I think you will like very much, Skyler.” Her aunt’s eyes sparkled.

“What is it?” Skyler asked, watching her remove some kind of necklace from a black velvet chest.

Alexandria held up a golden locket that shimmered in the lamplight. “This locket was your mother’s when she was a young girl. I’m told it was given to Joanna by her mother on her sixteenth birthday.”

Skyler reached for the golden locket feeling tears moisten her eyes. “It is lovely.”

“Let me show you something,” Alexandria said, opening the locket and handing it back to Skyler.

“Oh, it is a picture of my mother and…Uncle Tag when they were young.”

“Indeed it is.”

“May I wear it?”

“Yes. It belongs to you.” Alexandria turned Skyler around
and fastened the necklace about her neck. “There are many jewels that belonged to your mother and grandmother James that Tag has been saving for you. Many of them are valuable.”

“Shouldn’t the family jewels go to you and Danielle?” Skyler asked, touching the locket that fell between her breasts.

“Some of them have, but Tag and your grandfather James decided that you are to have most of them. I’ll show them to you one day next week.”

“Thank you” was all Skyler could manage to say past the lump in her throat.

Alexandria ushered her toward the bedroom door. “Come. You are not to dwell on homesickness tonight. I want you to have a good time. In fact I insist upon it.”

Skyler took a deep breath as they neared the staircase. She felt like she was being forced to do something against her will, and there seemed no way out. She feared spending the whole evening with Morgan Prescott. Suppose he drew all her secrets out of her? Suppose he made her tell him things that were better left unsaid?

Morgan was standing in the entry way talking to Tag. Hearing someone coming down the stairs, he glanced quickly up and saw a vision of loveliness floating down the stairs in a frothy, wine-colored satin gown. His eyes drank in Skyler’s beauty. His heart seemed to stop and he felt as if he were seeing her for the first time. Her back was straight and her head erect. There was a proud, almost stubborn tilt to her chin.

Even from the distance that separated them, he could see her eyes sparkling—he drew in his breath. Never had there been a woman to rival Skyler Dancing. Her beauty was of such that poems and sonnets were written. In that moment he felt compelled to look away. She was so lovely it was almost physically painful to look upon her.

Tag moved forward to take his niece’s hand and help her
down the last few steps. “You are a vision, my dear. I wish your mother could see you now,” he said softly in her ear.

Skyler’s eyes traveled to Colonel Morgan Prescott. His blue dress uniform fit his tall frame to perfection. The brass buttons and gold epaulets lent elegance to the uniform. She felt a tightening in her throat as she watched the soft light fall on his golden head. To her he appeared like some young golden god out of a Greek myth.

Stepping forward, he bowed and his eyes laughingly caressed her face. “Good evening, Miss Dancing. I will be the envy of every man tonight when I enter with you on my arm.”

Skyler was unaccustomed to receiving compliments, and felt embarrassed. Lowering her eyes, she allowed her lashes to cover her shyness.

Tag kissed her on the cheek and walked her to the front door. “Have a nice time.”

She gave him a half smile and allowed Morgan to escort her outside. He helped her into the buggy and arranged her gown so it wouldn’t get wrinkled. His eyes sparkled when he climbed in beside her and picked up the reins, urging the horses forward at an easy gait.

A brilliant sunset lit the western sky as they rode along the cobblestone streets of Philadelphia. There were warm glows coming from the windows of the homes they passed. Skyler tried to think what was taking place in those houses. Perhaps the people were just sitting down to dinner and the children had already been tucked into their snug little beds. She cast a sidelong glance at Morgan, who smiled at her warmly.

“What were you thinking just now?” he inquired. “You had the most thoughtful look on your face.”

She smiled stiffly and glanced down at her folded hands. “I was just wondering what the people in those houses were doing.”

He chuckled. “I will tell you. Let’s see…take that white house on the corner there.”

“The one with the yellow trim?”

“Um huh. Let us pretend that the Pinwinkles live there. Mr. Pinwinkle works at the bank all day counting someone else’s money. Mrs. Pinwinkle tends the house, and tries to keep up with her sixteen children, ranging in ages from one to sixteen.”

Skyler smiled at his wild fabrication. “Surely not sixteen children. The house seems very small to me.”

“Yes, poor souls. They hardly have room to draw breath. Today Mr. Pinwinkle received a shock.”

Skyler was so caught up in his game that unknown to her she had begun to relax and lose some of her apprehension. “What caused his shock?”

“Mrs. Pinwinkle informed him just before dinner that they would soon have another addition to the family.”

Skyler covered her mouth in mock horror. “Surely not another baby?”

“I’m afraid so. Six, in fact.”

“How can that be?” she said laughingly.

“Easy. Sport, the dog, just delivered six rollicking puppies on the kitchen floor.”

Skyler laughed delightedly. “You have just relieved my mind. I feared the Pinwinkles would have to move to a larger house.”

Morgan felt his heart tighten at the sound of her laughter. She was weaving an invisible web about him. She was lovely and exciting and he wanted to know everything about her.

For a time neither spoke. Skyler was watching the sunset, and when she glanced up, she found Morgan’s eyes on her. He smiled and she felt her heart turn over.

“I feel very frustrated, Miss Dancing. You have me totally confused.”

“Not by intention,” she said softly, wishing he wouldn’t look at her so closely. “What have I done?”

“I cannot seem to find words to describe your beauty,” he answered, half serious, half teasing.

She looked quickly away, feeling her shyness cut deeply. “I do not like a man to say pretty things to me. It makes me feel uncomfortable.”

He maneuvered the buggy toward the riverfront and chuckled. “I have never met a woman who didn’t enjoy compliments. Your cousin Danielle thrives on them.”

“I am not my cousin.”

“No, you are not. If you were, you wouldn’t be sitting beside me at this moment.”

She turned back to him in wonder. “Why? I thought you liked Danielle.”

“Oh, I liked her right enough. But…I have never felt anything more than brotherly toward her. With you it’s a different story.”

Skyler would like to have asked him what he meant, but they had reached their destination and Morgan stopped the buggy. The waterfront was thriving with activity. Many buggies lined the riverbank. Many gentlemen and their ladies were making their way up the gangplank of the riverboat where the party was being held.

Morgan jumped from the buggy and helped Skyler down. A young lad rushed forward, offering to watch the horses for a price. Morgan tossed a coin at the boy before taking Skyler’s arm and leading her up the gangplank.

Music was filtering through the air, and Skyler felt a stirring of excitement. Suddenly she was very aware of the man who was beside her. Something rare and beautiful was happening to her, and she didn’t yet know what it was. She was excited and confused at the same time. She had a feeling that something very unusual had taken hold of her.

As Morgan led her into the big salon, her heart seemed to be keeping time with the music. Without a word, he took her in his arms and led her into a waltz. It seemed that she was floating. It was as if there was no one in the room but the two of them. Morgan’s eyes locked with Skyler’s and she held her breath.

“I like the way you fit in my arms,” he told her in a deep
voice. “It’s almost as if we were created for one another, don’t you think?”

Skyler was startled by his words, but not half so startled as Morgan himself was. He hadn’t been aware that he was going to make such a statement. He watched the blush tint her cheeks and drew in his breath. Just before she lowered her eyes, he saw confusion reflected there.

Nothing was said as they both tried to cope with the new emotions they were feeling. Whatever the feelings were, they were as old as time and as new as bright spring flowers. It was a fragile thing—too fragile to examine very closely at the moment.

The evening passed in a daze of music and gaiety for Skyler. Morgan was fun to be with; he made her laugh and feel happy. He didn’t say anything personal again, but was light and teasing. Skyler was dancing around the fringes of a whole new world. She felt lighthearted and frivolous. It was as if she stepped outside herself and was a completely different person. There was no sign of the Blackfoot princess; only a lovely young lady, enjoying the company of a charming gentleman.

There was excitement in the air. She felt herself being caught up in the warm glow of Morgan’s silver-gray eyes. There was electricity flowing between the two of them, and she was at a loss as to how to handle herself.

“Are you glad you came?” he asked, as he waltzed her across the room.”

“Yes, very,” she answered him breathlessly.

When they stopped dancing to take a breather, Morgan introduced Skyler to many of his friends. Most of the young gentlemen were in uniform. Skyler learned that Morgan had met most of the gentlemen while the war had been going on.

When the soldiers began talking about their war experiences, Morgan took Skyler back on the dance floor.

As the evening progressed everyone else seemed to fade into the background. Nothing existed but the feelings that ran feverishly between Skyler and Morgan.

Later Morgan led her out onto the deck, and they both stood silently gazing across the river. Hundreds of stars were twinkling in the ebony heavens. She slowly turned to face him and found him staring at her.

“What would you say if I told you I wanted to spend the rest of my life with you, Miss Dancing?” he asked softly, again startling not only her but himself as well. Morgan had no warning that his feelings were so deep for this lovely, mysterious girl. He drew back a moment as if to gather his thoughts.

Skyler could feel her whole world crumbling around her. This man was trying to pull her into his world. If he knew who she really was, would he turn away in disgust?

“I do not think you should be saying such things to me, Colonel Prescott,” she said softly, trying to hide the sadness in her heart. She knew she was not the woman for this dashing, young gentleman.

His good humor returned almost immediately. “You are right, of course. I believe I just jumped off the deep end, so to speak. I should have waited until you got to know me better. If you are confused by what I just said, what do you think I am feeling? I have never said those words to a woman before. Are you some kind of goddess that has the power to bewitch a man, Miss Dancing?”

“I have no power to bewitch anyone, Colonel. I am no more than a woman.”

When his eyes searched Skyler’s face, she felt a weakness wash over her body. Suddenly she became afraid. Again this man was pulling at her heart and making her feel things she couldn’t understand.

“The hour is late—I would like to go home now,” she said, turning away.

“Are you sure?” he asked in a deep voice. “Actually the evening is still young.” Morgan somehow dreaded to let her go, fearing she would disappear in a puff of smoke.

“Please take me home.”

“If that is your wish.” Taking her arm, he led her across the deck of the ship and down the gangplank.

On the ride home, the stars didn’t seem to shine as brightly for Skyler. She could feel Morgan’s eyes on her, but she refused to look at him.