They had both been silent, and now they both spoke at once. "I thought you had returned to Boston," she said. "I thought you were with Jonas," Kane told her.
Maleaha lapsed into silence once more. She was having a hard time believing he was there, and she saw confusion on his face.
"I was told you went to Europe to join Jonas."
"No, I have been here all the time. Why did you not return to Boston?"
Kane frowned. "It would seem we both have many unanswered questions, Maleaha."
Suddenly Maleaha remembered Cimeron. Kane must not find out about his daughter, she thought, beginning to panic. "Why are you here, Kane?" She needed to know.
"I'm not sure. Mangas sent for me, but he has not yet told me why."
Maleaha pondered his words. Why would Mangas send for Kane and not tell her? Her eyes widened in horror as she realized he had sent for Kane because of Cimeron. She had to make Kane leave before her aunt returned with her baby. One look at Cimeron and Kane would know she was his daughter.
"I do not know why you are here, Kane, but I wish you would just go away," she said, turning her back on him.
"Like hell I will. You and I are going to sit down and hash this whole thing out," he said, turning her around to face him.
She moved away from him and looked at him haughtily. "Remembering our last little tête-à-tête, I am not interested in anything you might have to say."
"I can see that time and distance have not sweetened your disposition any," he ground out between clenched teeth. "Lord, you are an obstinate woman."
Maleaha's keen hearing picked up the sound of her aunt's footsteps and she began to panic. It was too late to send Kane away. Maybe if she distracted him he would not pay too much attention to Cimeron.
"Go away, Kane. Can't you see that you and I have nothing to talk about? I hate you. Why can't you just leave it at that?" Her words seemed to hang in the air, and Kane stared at her, feeling as if she had just delivered him a mortal blow. He did not notice that Maleaha's eyes were sparkling with unshed tears at the lie she had just told him.
"I suppose you are right. There is nothing more for us to say to one another," he said harshly. Maleaha caught her breath as her aunt came into the teepee carrying Cimeron. When Kane turned to leave he almost bumped into them. Stepping aside, he waited for Maleaha's aunt to move out of the way so he could leave. Kosha looked at her niece in confusion, and Maleaha silently pleaded with her to hide Cimeron from Kane.
"Please leave, Kane," Maleaha cried in a panic.
Kane's frown deepened. He could hardly leave until the Indian woman moved aside. His eyes moved carelessly over the child while Maleaha held her breath.
Kane might have left without ever knowing he had a daughter had Cimeron not taken matters into her own hands. Seeing the tall stranger and being of such a loving nature, she reached out and grabbed Kane's shirtsleeve in her chubby little hand.
Kane gazed down at the child thinking she belonged to the Indian woman. She was a pretty child he thought, with her dark straight hair that just covered her ears. Something clicked in his brain as he noticed how white her skin was. This was no Indian baby. Holding his breath, he waited for her to lift her eyelashes so he could see her eyes, and when she did, silver eyes stared into silver eyes. His hands were trembling as he reached for the child and lifted her into his arms. His heart contracted when she smiled and he saw the dimples in her cheeks. My God! This was his daughter. He swiveled around to face Maleaha in confusion. When he read the guilt in her eyes his confusion turned to anger. The little girl in his arms patted his cheek and jabbered in baby talk. Kane tried to speak, but his throat seemed to be closed off. This lovely child, this little girl, was his daughter. Her skin was light in color, and there was little trace of Indian blood in her.
Maleaha looked from Kane to her aunt in bewilderment. Kosha edged her way toward the exit, thinking it was time to leave Maleaha and her husband alone. She knew what her niece was feeling, but she could be no help to her. After all, she now had her husband to take care of her. She felt sad at the thought of Maleaha's going away and taking little Cimeron with her, but it was right that a wife should go with her husband. The sadness showed in Kosha's face as she darted out the opening of the teepee.
Kane paid little heed to the departing Indian woman. His attention was now divided between the child he held and Maleaha who was looking increasingly uncomfortable under his accusing glare.
Maleaha wanted to run to Cimeron and grab her out of Kane's arms, but the look in his silver eyes seemed to pin her to the spot.
"How could you keep this from me?" Kane said in a voice strangled with anger. When he saw the fear in Maleaha's eyes his anger abated somewhat. "I never thought the night we spent together would result in the birth of a child. Lord, you must hate me to keep this from me."
Suddenly Maleaha was spun into action. She flew across the room and tried to pull Cimeron from Kane's arms. "You can't have her, she is my baby! Give her to me. Go away, we don't want you here."
Kane shoved her roughly away. "Like hell I will. I will go away all right, but when I do my daughter goes with me." He looked down at the child who was now sleeping peacefully in his arms, and with a trembling hand he brushed a dark strand of hair from her lovely face. Her mouth was like a tiny rosebud, and her dark, silky lashes rested against her pale skin. She was so lovely that Kane felt his throat contract. He had never paid the slightest attention to babies, in fact he could never remember having held one in his arms. This child was of his flesh and blood and she belonged to him, and he pitied anyone who would try to keep her from him. Until a few moments ago he had not known of her existence, and Kane could not define the feelings that were washing over him like a tidal wave.
Maleaha caught her breath as Kane lowered his dark head and kissed the tiny rosebud mouth. She had thought that if he found out about Cimeron he would deny she was his daughter. She had not expected him to want her, and that frightened Maleaha even more than if he had denied her.
"What is her name?" Kane asked, looking at his daughter and not at Maleaha.
"Cimeron," Maleaha told him in a voice that was choked with emotion.
"You named her for your mother?"
"Yes."
"Cimeron," he said, testing the name out loud. "Cimeron what? Damn you, Maleaha, she has no last name. The world will class my daughter as a bastard, and it's all your fault," he said, suddenly feeling protective toward the tiny girl who was his daughter. He knew what he must do.
"Gather your belongings together. You and Cimeron are coming with me."
Maleaha raised her chin and stared back at him bravely. "You must be mad if you think we are going away with you. Get out of here, Kane. Mangas would kill you before he let you take me away against my will." Her chest was rising and falling with the tremendous effort she was making to breathe.
Kane's eyes narrowed to translucent depths and his face became hard. Maleaha backed up as she watched him place Cimeron down on the buffalo robe and advance toward her. Suddenly her back was to the wall of the teepee, and Kane stood between her and the exit. She was frightened by the unbound anger she saw in Kane's face, but she would not allow him to see it. Raising her head defiantly, she faced him.
"You would not dare touch me," she challenged.
His eyes dropped to her fully rounded breasts and then slid up to her face. "Oh, I would dare, Maleaha, I would dare," he said in a husky voice.
She stumbled backwards and tears blurred her vision. She feared if he were to touch her, she would fall apart. She struggled within herself for something to say that would save her. This was a Kane she had never seen. He was hard, and she knew what he wanted he would take.
"Don't do this, Kane. Think of the woman you are going to marry," she whispered, trying to bring him to his senses.
His eyes drew her glance. "All I ever think about is the woman I want to marry," he said, reaching out and pulling her into his arms.
Oh, G
od, don't let him speak of the woman he loves, she pleaded silently.
' 'I think about her day and night. I crave her in my bed. I need her in my life," he whispered in her ear.
Maleaha wondered if a broken heart ever bled, as she felt heart break at his loving words about another woman. She pushed herself out of his arms, willing herself to hide the hurt she felt. "I hate you, Kanen Benedict!" she cried.
His face became a mask of fury. "So you have said on a number of occasions. I grow weary of hearing it." Turning away from her he scooped up his sleeping daughter. "You can come or stay if you like, but my daughter goes with me."
Maleaha took a step forward. "No, Kane, do not take her away from me."
He looked about the teepee grim-faced. "Is this the kind of life you want for our daughter? Why did you run off to have my child here? God only knows under what kind of conditions she was brought into the world. Didn't you know that had you told me about her I would have married you to give her a name?"
Maleaha wanted to shout at him that he had already married her, and that Cimeron was legally his daughter, but she knew he didn't feel bound by the Jojoba wedding as she did.
"I want no sacrifice on my account, Kane. Go home to Boston and marry your Lucinda. Cimeron and I will do very nicely without your name, thank you."
"Don't go too far, Maleaha. I have taken just about all I intend to from you." His voice was hard and rough, and even though she saw the danger signal she did not heed it.
"If your father is to be believed, you must go about populating the whole country. You may have many children, for all I know. Surely you cannot offer to marry every woman you take to your bed."
His eyes focused on hers and Maleaha saw the smoldering anger in the silver depths. "I know of no other child I have fathered. Although I cannot be positive, I would hope that Cimeron is the only child entitled to my name."
"What makes you so sure that Cimeron is yours?"
The smile he gave her was devoid of humor. "Do you deny she is mine?"
Maleaha shook her head, unable to lie about anything so important.
"Whatever your faults are, Maleaha, I know I am the only man who has ever touched you. Do you deny that?"
Again she shook her head.
"You are coming with me whether you want to or not. You will stand before a man of the cloth and profess to love and honor me. Afterwards you will live with me if you want to be near your daughter, for I can assure you, I am taking her with me."
She walked slowly toward him and he reached out and placed his arm lightly about her shoulder.
"How can you be so heartless?" she asked, feeling defeated.
He released her and looked down at his sleeping daughter. "You may think me heartless, Maleaha, but believe me I have a heart, although it has come as a surprise to me."
"I will not go with you, Kane."
He shrugged his shoulders. "Please yourself. It's a pity Cimeron is not awake so she could see her mother for the last time," he said, sweeping out the teepee opening.
Maleaha stood speechless for a moment, and then fear gave wings to her feet as she flew outside. She had not thought he would do it, but she saw Lamas had saddled Kane's horse as well as her own, and Kane strolled toward his horse purposefully. Seeing her aunt Maleaha grabbed her hand.
"Aunt Kosha, Kane is taking my daughter!"
Her aunt's eyes were sad. "I will gather your things together, Maleaha. It is only right that you should go with your husband." Maleaha opened her mouth to protest, but her aunt disappeared into the teepee. Maleaha looked about her frantically. Seeing Mangas standing in front of his teepee she ran to him, knowing he would help her.
"Mangas, stop Kane. He is taking my baby!"
Mangas looked deeply into her eyes, and she saw sadness written there. "It is right that a man should have his child, Maleaha. Go with him, you are his woman."
Maleaha felt as if she were being betrayed by everyone she loved. She watched helplessly as Kane mounted his horse with Cimeron in his arms. Her aunt came out of the teepee and handed Lamas Maleaha's belongings, which had been hurriedly crammed into a leather satchel.
Maleaha had never felt so alone. Would no one help her? Slowly she walked to her horse. Lamas offered to give her a boost into the saddle, but she brushed him aside and leaped onto her horse. "You too, Lamas?" she asked in a dull voice.
"You are not alone. I will go with you," he told her, turning away to mount his own horse. Maleaha whirled her horse about and rode out of the village without a backward glance. Kane had won, but only because she had been betrayed. She heard Lamas pull even with her but she refused to look in his direction. For the first time in her life, Maleaha was angry with Lamas.
She would go with Kane for the moment because she had no choice, but the first chance she got she would take her baby and hide where he would never find them, she vowed.
Kane rode up beside her, and seeing the stubborn set to her chin, knew what she was thinking. He smiled at the irony of the situation. He who had always scoffed at love and marriage had to force the woman he loved to marry him, using his child as bait.
Maleaha, seeing the smile on his face, thought he was feeling pleased with himself. For the moment he had her at his mercy, and he knew it, but it would not always be so, she thought.
They had to stop twice so Maleaha could tend to Cimeron. They camped that night before dark. Kane led the horses down to the stream to water them, and Lamas went off into the woods to hunt game for their evening meal. Maleaha spread out a blanket and sat down to nurse her daughter. Cimeron cooed and gurgled happily, and Maleaha's heart swelled with love for her. Hearing Kane return, she stared at him angrily. Kane did not notice her anger. He was staring at the beautiful sight of Maleaha nursing his daughter. Her breasts were larger, since they were filled with milk, and they appeared creamy and satiny.
Maleaha was embarrassed by his expression and laid Cimeron down and refastened her gown. Kane smiled at her and gathered up the canteens and walked once more to the stream.
Now was her chance to escape, she thought. Picking Cimeron up in her arms and casting a fugitive glance toward the stream, she crept silently in the direction of where her horse was grazing.
"Don't try it, Maleaha. I would only come after you." Maleaha jumped guiltily. She had not heard Kane come up behind her, and wondered why she had not detected his footsteps. Kane seemed to read her face and smiled.
"I learned many things from Mangas. One of them was how to walk silently like an Indian."
"You have no right to do this, Kane."
Cimeron held her arms up, wanting Kane to take her. He smiled tenderly at the tiny girl and lifted her into his arms. "I have the right, Maleaha. You gave me the right when you gave life to my daughter.''
"Do you have no small doubt that she is your daughter?"
His shoulders shook with silent laughter. "Oh, Maleaha, Maleaha, would you have me think that anyone other than myself had enjoyed the joys of your beautiful body? Besides, Cimeron looks like me."
"How can I rid myself of you?"
"Surely not by claiming Cimeron is not of my seed. I knew the moment I saw her she was mine."
"There is more to being a father then just begetting a child, Kane."
Kane looked down at Cimeron. "Don't you think I know that? Today has been very unsettling for me. I find I like the thought of having a daughter. I want her to have all the love I never had from my father. Heed my words, Maleaha, I will do all within my power to see that she has both a mother and a father.''
Maleaha looked at Kane disbelieving. "Why are you doing this? I never thought of you as a man who would want to settle down with a wife and child. I remember a time when you made your views very clear on that matter."
"Yes, I recall saying that to you. Let us just say for the sake of argument that I have changed my mind."
"I do not want to be your wife."
He studied her face through half-veiled lashes, and Maleaha coul
d feel the pull of his charm. "Why, Maleaha?"
Trying not to think how handsome and magnetic he was, she raised her chin proudly. "If I were your wife, I could never be sure when you were not with me that you wouldn't be with another woman. It would be humiliating to have a husband who had three mistresses on the side," she told him, throwing his father's words in his face.
Kane could have told her that he had no desire for another woman. Since the night he had made love to her it had become distasteful to him just to think about making love to anyone else. He was feverish in his desire to possess her again. He wanted to reach out and crush her in his arms and remove all her doubts about him, but he did not.
"If my fidelity is the only thing that is standing in the way of our marriage, put your fears to rest. I shall have no mistresses." He stared into her eyes, and she could not seem to look away. "Maleaha, if you will have me for your husband, I shall honor our wedding vows."
His words seemed to be spoken sincerely and she wanted to believe him. She had no idea why he wanted to make her his wife. She knew he didn't love her. Maleaha shied away from thinking about the woman who was waiting for him in Boston.
"What are your plans, Kane?"
"I know of a little mission in the mountains. I will take you there and we can be married quietly. Then I would like to have Cimeron christened, if you have no objections."
Maleaha nodded. "Then what?"
Cimeron had fallen asleep and Kane carried her to Maleaha's blanket and laid her down. Kane then took Maleaha's hand and led her down to the stream where they could still keep a watchful eye on Cimeron, but she would not be disturbed by their voices.
Maleaha pulled her hand away from Kane and sat down beside the stream, trailing her hand in the cool rushing water.
Kane sat down and rested his back against a tree and watched her.
"Maleaha, do you remember that property that your father told me about the night I dined at Deveraux?"
She nodded.
"I bought the land and had a house built." He paused, letting her digest what he had told her. "I would like it if you would live with me there. The house is not furnished, but you could decorate it any way you pleased."
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