While a bruised Jared was being brought into Myer’s Landing, his wife, his blood-brother and Saloma were already well on their way north, to Canada and Black Wolf’s camp. Gray Hawk silently admired the stamina of the girl he had named Star, as she managed to maintain the grueling pace he’d set. She hadn’t complained, although when he stopped several times to rest the horses, he’d seen her give in to exhaustion and slump quietly against a rock outcropping. They made very good time, and Gray Hawk was sure they would reach the Siksika encampment in two more days. Already, he could feel the cool winds against his face, a portent of the winter’s coming. Soon, the ground would be white with snow, and his own tribe would move lower down the mountains.
Finding a well-protected spot in a clearing, he decide they would make camp. Mariah went with Saloma to gather firewood, and then watched as the Indian prepared a meal. She knew she would have to learn to be as efficient as Saloma if she were to survive with the Blackfoot. Although the women of the tribe labored at the most difficult tasks, she sensed a peaceful tranquillity in their acceptance of their assigned roles. Saloma ha been kind and shyly eager to help her relax.
Gray Hawk watched his cousin and Star from a distance. Had he not undertaken the journey to bring the girl to Black Wolf, he would not have hesitated to take her for his wife. Every graceful action enticed him. Natural instinct told him Black Wolf would hardly welcome him if he took advantage of the girl, and he squashed his desire by retiring early.
Tired and worn, the white girl plodded on the next two days, sure she would collapse before they reached the northern encampment. On the fourth day the travelers reached a high plateau rimmed by heavily forested mountains. In the distance, a village could be seen, alive with children and busy squaws. A scout spotted them, sounded a warning and Gray Hawk whistled a greeting. He allowed the three to pass unmolested.
Riding into the center of camp, they were greeted by openly curious stares. The Siksiksas wondered about the white woman dressed in buckskin clothing, but Mariah keeping her eyes modestly lowered as Saloma did, saw little of their interest. Gray Hawk halted the horses near a large, ornately decorated lodge and dismounted, beckoning to Mariah and Saloma to join him. They obeyed, standing behind him, while he began a conversation in his own tongue with a man who apparently was the leader of the tribe. The chief stared questioningly at the white woman while listening to the story of her capture and he invited Gray Hawk into his lodge, telling him to have the woman join them. Once inside, the two men squatted before the fire, resuming their talk in low tones and gesturing several times in Mariah’s direction. Once, she dared to sneak a look at Black Wolf and then quickly lowered her eyes again.
Black Wolf was intensely surprised by her appearance. He stood and moved to face her. Raising her chin with his hand, he ran his gaze over her features, noting the birthmark that was identical to his own. This girl even had high Indian cheekbones although her fair skin and green eyes marked her more white than Blackfoot. He loosened his grip on her chin, returning to sit before the fire. “You have been wise to bring me the girl, Gray Hawk. I would reward you. If you would select several of my best horses, I would be grateful.”
Gray Hawk took one last look at Mariah, preferring to ask for her instead, but he wondered how Black Wolf would accept the proposition. “I thank you for your kind offer, Great Chief of the Siksikas, but I ask another boon, instead.” He paused, glancing at the girl once more. “I want no reward for returning your daughter to you. I ask instead that I may remain here for the winter. Your daughter is lovely to look on and there will be many who will want her as a second wife. I would win her as my wife, the first I have desired to take for my own.”
Black Wolf nodded, appreciating the young man’s desire. The girl was indeed beautiful, the camp would be full of rivals for her. He consented, wishing the young man luck, and made arrangements for an older woman to set up a lodge for their guests. Star would stay with him, under his protection until she was chosen by one of the warriors as a wife. He took her wrist in his hand, drawing her outside the lodge, where he presented her to the people, honoring her as his daughter. No one dared gossip while he stood there, his manner proud and commanding, but he was aware that as soon as he took the girl inside again, the braves and women would gather in small groups to discuss the sudden appearance.
The first weeks of life in the Canadian camp were hard for Star; but as she quickly learned the language, several young women overcame their natural shyness and she was able to make friends with them. She and Saloma were already friends and the girl had helped her assimilate into their midst. She soon became accomplished at all the skills of an Indian maiden. The brutal rape she had endured was discounted and she was considered virginal. As the chief’s daughter, she drew many admiring glances from the braves. They vied for her attention, “counting coup” or telling of their brave deeds. She found herself hesitant to choose one of them as a husband, although she knew that the time would inevitably come when she would have to make a choice.
Gray Hawk had stayed in the village, and she was drawn to his noble, handsome features and quiet strength. Several times she had blushed under the warm regard of those black eyes, and he became the natural choice.
One day, three months after she had arrived, she informed her father that she would accept Gray Hawk and return with him to his people. Black Wolf nodded approvingly. The young warrior had been his choice from the beginning. A happy ceremony was held and the celebrations went on far into the night until the young couple were allowed to leave for the honeymoon lodge, four miles from the village. Every Blackfoot bridegroom built a small, isolated lodge so that he and his bride could be alone, the only time they would share such solitude for the rest of their married life.
Entering the lodge, Star felt strangely shy and ill at ease. Surrounded the past few months by so many people, the silence of the lodge and close proximity of Gray Hawk’s virile body made her feel as though she wanted to bolt and run to the protection of Black Wolf’s lodge.
Sensing her nervousness, Gray Hawk made no immediate move to touch his bride. Fragrant pine boughs had been laid about the interior, scenting the air with sweet resin. He motioned her to sit by the fire and sat near her. Taking one of her delicate hands in his, he saw that even from several months’ exposure to the sun, her skin was still fair and only lightly tanned. He couldn’t remember another woman who had made him feel so powerful and protective. This one with her deep forest eyes and soft doelike skin had become a dream to him. Suddenly he smiled, wondering what his blood-brother would say about his wife. Doubtless he thought the woman he had escorted from Myer’s Landing to be beautiful, but if Jared saw Star he would indeed be envious.
“Are you frightened, little one?” he asked soothingly. “You should not be—I have waited until you chose freely. On the journey here, I desired you but withheld my passions awaiting the day you would be mine.” He smiled, reassuring Star, and she remarked how rare it was for one of the People to use that expression.
“My blood-brother, who saved my life, taught me this white man’s look of pleasure,” he explained. “You would like him—perhaps when we return home, he will come to stay again. Saloma is very much in love with him. He is called Jared, and he is proud and strong like an eagle.” As Gray Hawk told her about his friend, he continued to stroke her hand. She felt her worries ease away. Gray Hawk’s prowess as a warrior was renowned, and he was kinder than many a husband would be. Her voice was softly affectionate and proud when she leaned forward and spoke. “I would be happy to meet your brother, my husband, but he cannot be more proud or brave than you.”
There had been enough talk. Gray Hawk could wait no longer. He gently tangled his hands in her long hair, bringing her head close to rub a caress upon the soft cheek. He had waited longingly for three months and intended to use every moment of their two weeks alone to make up for the lost time. The trembling girl moved restlessly under his stroking hands and he felt his heart sing as the f
orest-green eyes of his wife closed under his passionate possession of her lovely softness.
Two weeks later. Gray Hawk glanced back at the honeymoon lodge. His wife stood next to him, as he watched the lodge billow and flame, and the haven that had produced such idyllic happiness for the two of them burned to the ground. The memories of Star’s willing submission to his body’s commands would remain with him and he gazed lovingly at her face. He tugged her hand, and they began the ride back to the village. Teasing shouts greeted them on their return and, while Star went with the women to pack for their journey home, Gray Hawk joined Black Wolf for a farewell meeting.
Star glanced back just once, for a fond look at the village and the People, the members of the tribe that had made her feel so welcome. She had come to them a stranger and she was leaving, but she would be a part of them forever. She turned round, following her husband to his village, knowing he too felt a sadness although he looked forward to returning to his father’s camp.
Chapter 15
Gray Hawk’s family was eager to see him, and surprised that he had returned with the white woman. When he greeted them, he introduced Star as his wife, daughter of the great Chief Black Wolf. Star was accepted among them as warmly as she had been by her father’s people. Now that Star spoke Saloma’s language, they shared many happy hours, conversing while they went about their duties.
Saloma confided in her friend that she eagerly awaited the return of Jared. “I have missed his warmth beside me in the coldness of the winter nights. If you were not Gray Hawk’s woman, I would worry about Jared wanting you. When he last came I sensed that he was not really here, that his mind was occupied with thoughts of the woman he was with when Buffalo Horn saw him.”
They were gathering firewood, and the snow was making their work difficult. Curious, Saloma inquired how long her cousin would be gone. He had left with some of the other braves on a hunting trip.
Star straightened, rubbing her back after she placed another pine bough in the basket. Her voice betrayed the fact that she missed her husband’s presence. “They should return within a few days. I hope they’ve met with success. Gray Hawk told me they would have to seek farther because of the deep snow this year.” When they had filled their baskets, they returned to the camp, surprised to see a golden stallion tethered by Hidawah’s lodge.
Saloma recognized the mount immediately and eagerly grabbed Star’s arm. “He’s come back…Jared has come back!” Her face reflected her eagerness to see him again and her friend smiled, thinking how she would feel when Gray Hawk returned. She offered to take the firewood from Saloma, freeing her to be able to seek her lover. Impulsively, Saloma hugged Star and scampered off. Star balanced both loads carefully, leaving one at her father-in-law’s lodge, and carried the other to the tepee she shared with Gray Hawk. Inside her lodge she added wood to the fire, shivering until it caught and flamed, then sat to prepare a meal. Absorbed in her work, she hardly heard a sound as Jared Bryant silently entered, glaring down at her bent head.
“I hardly expected such domesticity, Mariah.” Jared spit the words out in a bitter, disgusted tone. The girl startled and looked up, her eyes widening at the sight of him. If not for the brilliance of those green pupils, he wouldn’t have believed it was Mariah. After four months of living with the Blackfoots, her skin had tanned to a light golden color. Her hair, worn long, was held in place at her temples by an elaborate beaded band and she looked totally Indian, a beautiful Blackfoot squaw.
Star knew this must be Jared, Saloma’s lover and her husband’s blood-brother. Disregarding his oddly harsh tone and rude stare, she rose and quietly straightened her dress. Gray Hawk would never forgive her if she replied to his brother’s rudeness in kind, although some mad impulse deep within made her desire to do so. She lowered her eyes respectfully and offered her place by the fire. In deference she spoke in English. “Gray Hawk will be saddened that he isn’t here to greet you; if you’ll be seated, I’ll fetch fresh water from the spring.” She walked past him but as she did so, his hand shot out, brutally grabbing her wrist and twisting. She was painfully forced to gaze up into his eyes.
“You’ve played your part well!” Jared snarled. “I’m only sorry you’ve managed to fool Gray Hawk. I’m sure he’ll be disappointed to lose you. Did you really think you’d get away with this charade?”
Star glared defiantly at the man who had dared to lay his hands on her. Some dim, remembered instinct made her want to scratch at his eyes, to wipe away the twisted sneer on his mouth. “I don’t know what you’re talking about! Unless you release me, Gray Hawk will kill you when he returns!” She tossed her head, contemptuous of his grip. “I am his wife—he won’t allow anyone to touch me!”
Too late, she saw his hand swing forward to connect with her mouth and send her slamming to the ground.
She lay stunned by his audacity a moment, before she could react. Twisting to face him, one hand pushed the black tangles away to uncover eyes that gleamed with narrowed scorn. Her lips bared perfect white teeth in a feline snarl, giving the appearance of a dangerous she-wolf about to attack. Ignoring the aching of her mouth, she instinctively shot a hand to grasp the knife strapped to her high-booted, black-dyed moccasins. Before she had a chance to cast the weapon, her wrists were grasped in a lightning move, and she was pulled roughly to her feet. The man’s eyes stayed on her face, watching her determination as she tried to swing the knife forward at him. With cruel mocking laughter, his fingers squeezed the slender wrists until the pressure of his hands forced her fingers to open and the knife thudded harmlessly to the ground. He kicked it aside, and as the gray-blue eyes flared with green hostility, he shook her until her head snapped helplessly back and forth, leaving her limp in his hold. Jared’s voice, unmercifully cold, filled the tepee.
“Now, you’ll listen, slut! You’ve cost me enough time and aggravation for a lifetime. I know the lies you told Gray Hawk. He may have been taken in, but I know you better!” The savage gaze raked over her body as though the cruel stranger owned her.
Jared had spent five weeks in custody before he was cleared of Clay’s murder. Half the time he’d worried about Mariah; half the time he’d cursed the day he’d met her. By the time he was released, the winter snows had made the mountain trails impassable. He’d had three long months to brood over Mariah’s treachery and how he intended to make her pay.
Pulling her against him, Jared felt a remembered, bitter-sweet pleasure as her breasts pressed against his chest. His arms banded her body to his, but despite a look of pure contempt that curled her lips, she made no movement to escape. His mouth punished hers, forcing her lips to part and admit his probing tongue. For the briefest half-second, he was swept back in time, and desire set his loins tingling before he remembered his vow of revenge. One hand held her close, while his other roamed brazenly under the buckskin tunic, arrogantly fondling the soft flesh. Star struggled away, but he only laughed at her efforts, his mouth bruising hers again as his hand squeezed roughly at her tender skin. Desperately, her teeth closed on his lips, biting hard in an effort to wound him. His hands tore at her hair, wrenching her head painfully back and she was propelled backward to land by the fire.
Jared swiped at his mouth with the back of one hand, his eyes narrowing to hard, glistening points at the blood Mariah had drawn. As he cursed and stepped toward her, light entered the tepee and he turned to see who had dared enter.
Gray Hawk stared mutely at the scene before him. His wife, the woman his uncle had just told him belonged to Jared, lay sprawled by the fire, her lovely face reddened by his brother’s blow. Black eyes that reflected doubt and misery turned to stare at Jared, and Gray Hawk saw the blood on his adopted brother’s lip. He glared fiercely, and held his hand out to his woman, helping her to rise. She glowered once at Jared, then met Gray Hawk’s eyes and her face was transformed by loving trust before she moved slightly behind him to a position of comparative safety.
“It has been a while since we have seen
you, Jared. My uncle tells me you have claimed my wife as yours. How is it that you have been so careless and lost such a prize?” He folded his arms across his chest and coldly awaited Jared’s explanation. A moment later, he decided that Star should not be present and ordered her to leave and join his uncle. Both men watched as she left and neither missed the disgust in her expression as her green eyes sought Jared’s face.
Once alone, out of respect for the closeness they had always shared, Gray Hawk offered Jared a place by the fire and sat across from him.
Jared told him the story, from the beginning. The girl Gray Hawk knew as Star was in reality Mariah Bryant, the same girl Buffalo Horn had met on the trail. “I married her and a month later she betrayed me. When her lover was found shot to death and she turned up missing I went after her.” Jared’s mouth curled bitterly. “I was brought back on a charge of murder.” He rubbed his hand over his face, wiping at the lines of strain that ringed the blue-gray eyes. “She’s my wife, all right, but she’s pretending innocence. She fooled you, just like she did me,” he said regretfully.
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