CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
“It must have been harrowing, having to live with the Indians,” Lena whispered to Daisy as they walked up the stairs to the ballroom.
Daisy was a little distracted as she noticed Mazy and Madison walking together, up ahead, their heads bent towards one another in conversation. She was realizing what Davy had told her was true. The look in Mazy’s eyes said it all. She drew her attention back to Loran’s sister and gave a weak smile.
“Not really, I was too young to be scared, and Gray Wolf, who was a child at the time he found me, was always kind to me. His parents treated me as though I was their own daughter. At first, I was miserable and worried because I missed my own parents, but I got over it after a while.”
“You must tell me all about it! There is so much talk about how horrible the Indians are, and yet you have fallen in love with one and even want to marry him!”
“Like I said, Gray Wolf was kind to me. It is true, the Indians are fierce when they are fighting against their enemy…even brutal…but they are very civil in their own villages. We happen to be their enemy right now because they are angry at us for crossing their land and acting like it belongs to us. Regardless of what my father says, in the Indian’s minds, the land was given to them by Grandmother Earth and the Great Spirit. To them, it doesn’t belong to anyone, but is there to hunt upon and live on as long as you do not disrupt nature by doing so.
“The White man doesn’t seem to care about nature as he plows his way through the land, digging for gold, cutting down trees, building houses and depleting all the game. Shooting buffalo for the sport of it is the worst that they do as they travel through the land. There used to be millions of buffalo on the plains. The white buffalo shooters have caused that number to dwindle down into mere thousands in only a few years. They skin the buffalo for their hide and leave their bodies to rot, wasting good meat that could feed several Indian tribes. Now it is hard to find large herds of buffalo during a hunt. The buffalo is the life blood of all Indians whether enemies to each other or not. The Indians believe the whites to be lustful and wasteful people so of course, they want no part of them!
“Also the Army has been slaughtering entire villages killing women and children right along with the men, trying to force the tribes to bend to their will. Because of that, the Indians take no pity on white women or mere settlers, but they will usually keep the children if they can manage it.”
Lena merely listened, with wide-eyed interest, while having no argument to offer. Daisy realized, once again, that white women were not interested in how the world was run. They left all that up to the men to worry about. They were expected to remain home, caring for their children and doing polite things, such as knitting, embroidering, water painting, playing the piano, and working with charity organizations, to occupy their time if they were women of means. Otherwise they lived on farms with their husbands, their daughters living with them until they got married. If not, they could work in the service industry like Mazy, even in factories, until they found a husband to support them. The less privileged seemed to have a harder life.
She thought of how Indian women had a hard life as well. They took part in the hunts, prepared the meat and cooked the food, gathered the herbs, nuts, and berries, were responsible for taking down the teepees and setting them back up when the village was moved, tanned hides, made clothes, and wove baskets. Some braver women even went with their husbands into battle. There was nothing polite about the life of an Indian woman, she thought. She had to admit…it was a much harder life compared to what she was doing now.
She and Lena followed the rest into the ballroom. She watched as Mazy sat down at the piano, Madison placing the music on the piano as she smiled up at him, Loran was coming to where she and his sister were.
“I hope you will allow me the first dance, before Madison gets a chance to claim you,” he smiled as he approached.
“Certainly, Loran, you have helped so much in teaching me how to dance. Mother wants you to help take over teaching me the piano because she wants Madison to spend more time teaching Davy about the hotel and doing some of the things he used to do with Davy before I came home. Gray Wolf had been helping to occupy Davy’s time, only, that will change now.”
“I have no complaints about that,” Loran smiled, giving her a wink.
The music started to fill the room and Loran took Daisy into his arms. Daisy noticed that Madison was dancing with Lena, and Davy was being shown the steps by their mother as her father watched on, tapping his foot to the beat of the music. She thought about the first dance she had enjoyed, opening all her presents and then Madison suggesting she agree to marry him. It seemed such a long time ago, even though it had only been a few months.
“On the next dance, you should play the piano so Mazy can dance with Madison,” Daisy suggested.
“I don’t think that would be proper. She is a servant. Your father wouldn’t like it.”
“But she likes Madison,” Daisy insisted, “and according to Davy was once a member of a wealthy family. How is she ever going to get to know him better if she can’t do anything with him?”
“Yeah, I know he paid special attention to her in the beginning. Your mother treated her like a daughter, but then they made her a servant, and even though I suppose Madison could marry her if he had that kind of liking for her since she came from a reputable family before they hit upon hard times, it’s just that he wouldn’t want to seem…”
“I can understand that he wouldn’t be dancing with her at some event my mother put on,” Daisy interrupted. “She would probably be waiting on guests then, but this is just a family dance. What would be the harm?”
“You would have to ask your father or mother first. Otherwise you may upset them,” Loran suggested.
“Davy said Madison paid a lot of attention to Mazy before I came. I feel bad that I have changed that for her.”
“I think he likes you better, though.”
“Only I am marrying Gray Wolf now, not him.”
“He would be more likely to marry my sister than Mazy,” Loren stated. “I think maybe because he knew your mother took a special liking to Mazy, he paid attention to her hoping that it would strengthen his chances of getting involved with the family more, and eventually working his way up in your father’s business. He took special interest in Davy as well… I think to please your father.”
“Are you saying Madison is an opportunist? Is that the reason he suggested I marry him?”
“I am sure that was not the only reason. I think he genuinely likes you, but as I said before, it helps that you are an heiress, and the daughter of the man he works for. It is why all the other young men that came to your welcome home party were interested in you. They would gain something by marrying you, even if they had money of their own.”
“And what about you, is that the reason you are interested in me?”
“I merely wish to be your friend. I know you love Gray Wolf and plan to marry him, and before that, Madison had his claim on you. I think I have always been at the bottom of the totem-pole, where you are concerned, though.”
“Which, means you don’t have any ulterior motives?”
“Well, I do like you, and had you not accepted Madison’s offer, I am sure I would have offered for you too. I just didn’t think I had a chance, is all.”
“I think you are very sweet,” Daisy smiled. “I see the song has ended, so I shall go talk to father about you playing the piano so Mazy can dance with Madison.”
As the new song began, Daisy approached her father with a smile dividing the lovely features of her face, making her look even lovelier. “It would be wonderful if I could dance with my father,” she said, as she held out her hand.
His face lit up and he took her hand, bringing her into the dance. “It is my pleasure to dance with my beautiful daughter. We are all so happy to have you back with us. The last time we danced together at your welcome home party, you were still lea
rning. I noticed when you were dancing with Loran that you have improved a lot.”
“Yes. I do enjoy dancing, and learning to play the piano,” she admitted as she followed him smoothly in the steps. “Speaking of the piano, I was wondering if maybe Loran or someone else could play so Mazy could have a chance to dance.”
“Mazy is a servant,” her father reminded her.
“I know, but she is a person too, isn’t she? She must like to dance just like me. I know she likes Madison and wouldn’t it be nice if she could dance with him?”
“Are you playing little match-maker?” her father asked, tilting his head as he looked at her.
“Davy told me how much Mazy liked Madison, but when I got here, he started paying more attention to me. Since I am not going to marry him any longer, I thought…”
“You don’t even know if your brave will return to you,” his voice was firm. “I think Madison would still be interested if Gray Wolf doesn’t come back. He even said as much.”
“Merely because I am your daughter and he works for you. Of course, he would stand to inherit the business if he married me.”
“And I would rather have him inherit it than that redskin of yours. He is suited for the business and he is suited for you. You don’t need to start creating complications of the heart before you discover what will happen in a year. I suggest you leave well enough alone.”
“Gray Wolf is coming back,” Daisy cried, dropping her arms, and escaping from his grasp, then rushing from the room.
Loren saw her leaving. He glanced over at Madison, who was still dancing with his sister, but he hadn’t noticed the scene between Daisy and her father. Loran gave a shrug and followed after her.
“What happened, Daisy?” he asked as he caught up with her.
Daisy was trying to control her anger as she swiped at her tears. “Father is hoping Gray Wolf won’t come back. He still has his eye on Madison for me. Because of that, even if Gray Wolf doesn’t come back to get me, I would never marry Madison! I would refuse…merely to spite my father who wishes to control me, and to show Madison that he should not be so sure of himself!
“Poor Mazy not only lost her parents, which would have assured her a favorable marriage, but Madison was only leading her on so he could impress my parents with his so-called kindness towards her.”
“Well, you certainly are bull-headed,” Loren laughed. “I think that is what I like most about you. You won’t let anyone push you around.”
“It must be the Indian in me,” Daisy laughed through her tears.
Loren brought his hands to her cheeks and started smoothing his thumbs over them as he wiped away her tears. “I was told Indians didn’t cry,” he whispered. “Don’t cry, Little Flower, your brave will come back for you.”
Daisy looked up into Loran’s kind eyes, his unruly hair falling over his forehead as he looked down at her. His clear eyes seemed to be looking deeply into hers. “Do you really think so?” she asked, her bottom lip trembling.
“I am certain of it,” Loran murmured as he leaned closer to her. Only the next moment, he found himself placing his mouth on hers to stop the trembling of her lips. He felt her start and he hastily pulled away. “Oh, I am so sorry, Daisy,” he said, stepping back. “I didn’t mean… I just wanted to…”
“I know,” Daisy mumbled. “I’m sure you didn’t mean any harm. I just don’t know what I am going to do, Loran…” She found herself clinging to his neck as her tears erupted again and her body began to shake. “I don’t think I can marry anyone, not even Gray Wolf. I have been grappling with it for almost a month. I have a terrible feeling that I am going to have Talking Dog’s baby. Now, Gray Wolf is gone. Even if he stayed, it wouldn’t change anything!”
“No!” Loran exclaimed. “If anyone learned that you were having a child out of wedlock, and they suspected Gray Wolf…all hell would break loose!”
“It wasn’t my fault. Talking Dog forced himself on me!”
“I know, Madison told me, remember? It must have been a harrowing experience!”
“I didn’t know how to tell Gray Wolf. He knew about Talking Dog and said he still wanted me, but I still wasn’t brave enough to tell him. I should have agreed to marry him right away, so everyone would think it was his child. Only I couldn’t do that either. I couldn’t fool him like that. I wanted to wait and make sure… After all, he said he wanted me in spite of what Talking Dog did. Only now, I think he has regretted his choice, and if I told him… it… would just give him one more reason never to return to me.
“I am so afraid, Loren. My mother will disown me, and even if she doesn’t, I can’t get married to Gray Wolf if…if…it’s true. It wouldn’t be fair to him! He would kill Talking Dog, and then be banished from the tribe…the worst punishment an Indian can face. Tribe loyalty and honor means everything to him. Madison is the only one, beside you and Gray Wolf who knows about Talking Dog. Mother will believe it is Gray Wolf’s child. No telling what she will do! She will think the worse of me, even if I try to explain to her about Talking Dog. I don’t think she will believe me. And Father…he may try to kill either Talking Dog or Gray Wolf, depending on what he believes, and that won’t sit well with the Sioux!”
Loran hugged Daisy tighter to him, as though to protect her, as his mind went crazy trying to figure out a way to resolve the problem, but there was no way to do it. Even if he offered to marry her, once the baby was born, everyone would know it did not belong to him. Besides, she would never marry him, she was in love with Gray Wolf, and if she married Madison…that still would not get rid of her shame.
“Listen, Daisy. Don’t tell anyone. There is time yet. It will be a while before anyone will notice your condition, and if you always wear full skirts with lots of petty coats, no one will be the wiser. Perhaps Gray Wolf will return sooner than you think. If he said he still wanted you in spite of what happened with Talking Dog, then he must truly love you, and he would have to accept you, no matter what. Don’t give up on him yet, not until you have told him and see what he does.”
“I know what he will do! He will go straight back to the Sioux village and kill Talking Dog. He said he almost killed him when he first found out about it, and Merry Morning had to stop him. Anyway, what if he doesn’t come back?” Daisy strained. “He intends to fight with his people against the army. He may end up getting killed.”
“You don’t know that. You don’t even know if he will have to fight them. Just keep up hope and your secret is safe with me. And in the meantime, I will help you however I can.”
“Thank you,” Daisy whispered. “You are a treasured friend,” she insisted as she clung tighter to his neck.
“What is going on here?” the gruff voice of Blake broke in on them. “This is highly improper!”
“I was merely trying to comfort your daughter,” Loran muttered as he stood back from Daisy, only Daisy wouldn’t let him break her tight hold on him.
“Is this all about Daisy wanting Mazy to dance with Madison?” Blake questioned.
“Daisy is not feeling well. Besides being upset about Gray Wolf leaving, she says she feels ill. I was going to take her to her room,” Loran informed Blake.
“She didn’t say anything to me about being sick,” Blake complained.
“She didn’t want you to worry. Come on, Daisy. I’ll take you to your room and ask the cook to fix you some warm milk.”
“I am sorry you are feeling ill, Daisy,” her father mumbled. “I hope you will be feeling better soon.”
Daisy nodded, blinking her tears away, as she let Loran assist her.
“You know you will end up feeling nauseous, if what you suspect is true,” Loran whispered in her ear as they walked down the hall. I said that, just in case you do start feeling ill because of the baby.”
“Thank you again,” Daisy said, trying to manage a smile. “I hope none of it is true. I hope I am mistaken and Gray Wolf returns before the year is out, and all this disruption about the Indians comes to
an end.”
“Yes, and if wishes were eagles we’d fly,” Loran chuckled. “However, I am sure everything will work out right and you can get back together with Gray Wolf. The other part… I’m not sure of what to do about. You will just have to wait and see. Only I hope Gray Wolf is a big enough man to handle it.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
The reverberation of Wind Riders hooves hitting the ground as he galloped away, vibrated through Gray Wolf’s body as the horse carried him farther and farther from Little Flower. His heart ached inside, but he had felt too smothered to remain a moment longer. He wanted to sweep Little Flower up in his arms and bring her with him. Only she had made it very clear, she was enjoying her life there with her parents and all her friends. He had the heart-wrenching feeling that he was losing her… losing her to the life that continued to change her, the longer she remained in a white man’s world. They had tried to change him too, even suggesting he lose part of his soul by cutting his hair.
He growled inside as he thought of it. White people had no understanding of the Great Spirit. Their God was foreign to him. Their ways forgot about Grandmother Earth and the gift she gave to all humans. They merely wanted to take from the earth, while not giving back. Soon all the buffalo would be gone and even if the Sioux could remain on their land, they would have nothing to sustain them. Somehow, they had to put a stop to it. He needed to be a part of that! Only it seemed too unsurmountable!
Eventually, he slowed his pace, giving himself time to think and decide what to do. He would join his tribe, and during the year, seek out answers from the Great Spirit. The Great Spirit had guided him back to Little Flower, but things had not turned out the way he had expected. Surely the Great Spirit would not have led him back to her if he was not to have her as his wife in the end.
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