Maleaha was speechless. She knew that Lucinda had deliberately destroyed the pottery, and she could not understand how anyone could set out to break something so lovely.
"Oh goodness, what a shame. I suppose it isn't so valuable any longer, is it?" Lucinda taunted.
Maleaha bent down and began picking up the fragments.
"Leave that for a moment, I want to speak to you," Lucinda said, eyeing Maleaha with a malignant glare.
"I am listening, Miss Blake," Maleaha told her, standing up and placing the broken pieces on the table.
"You can't hold on to him, you know."
Maleaha's keen hearing picked up the sound of someone outside the room in the hallway, obviously listening to her and Lucinda's conversation. She knew by the sound of the footsteps that it was Kane's father.
"Whom are you speaking of?" Maleaha asked, determined to make Lucinda spell out what was on her mind.
"You know I am speaking of Kane. He does not love you. He told his father he married you only to give his child a name."
Maleaha drew in her breath. Lucinda's face no longer appeared beautiful, but was distorted with hate and jealousy. "You heard wrong, Miss Blake. Kane and I were married nine months to the day before our daughter was born. I do not believe Kane told his father that." Whatever Kane was, he would never say anything to cast a shadow on Cimeron's birth. It might be that he did not love her, but no one could deny that Kane loved his daughter.
"You lie! I do not believe you. Kane would never have married you unless he was forced to!" Lucinda yelled.
"You may think what you will, Miss Blake. I have no more time to spend hashing this over with you."
Lucinda grabbed Maleaha by the wrist, and Maleaha could feel the woman's fingernails biting into her skin. "Kane cannot love you! He loves me!"
Maleaha pried Lucinda's fingers from her wrist. "You may be right, Miss Blake. Kane might love you, but he is married to me."
Lucinda's eyes narrowed. "Kane must be in torment wanting to be with me. Did he make love to you last night? I doubt that he did. He must remember how good it was between him and me when we made love. He must be sickened by the sight of you."
Maleaha gasped. Never had she seen such hatred in anyone's face, and never had she heard a woman speak so brazenly about a man's making love to her. She closed her eyes, not wanting to hear any more. She could almost envision Kane making love to Lucinda. She felt tears gathering in her eyes and fought to keep them from falling down her face. She must not appear weak before this woman. If she did, Lucinda Blake would destroy her completely.
"I can still feel the way Kane's hands moved over my body," Lucinda continued.
"I will not listen to any more!" Maleaha cried. "My God, what a monster you are!"
Lucinda threw back her head and laughed. "There is not much you can do to be rid of me, Maleaha. You see Kane's father wants his son to marry me. I think Kane can dispose of you easily enough."
"If Kane wishes to be rid of me, he will tell me so himself. I do not believe he would approve of this conversation."
"Believe what you will. I think you already know that Kane loves me. Make it easy on him. Take your daughter and go back to that Indian tribe you come from." Lucinda moved in front of Maleaha, blocking her exit.
"If Kane wants his freedom, he can come to me and ask for it himself.'' Before Maleaha could make a move to defend herself, Lucinda's hand came up quickly and slapped her hard across the face. Maleaha's first instinct was to slap her back, but she only shoved her away and moved quickly across the room.
Maleaha had moved so quietly that when she reached the hallway she took Eli completely by surprise.
"Is that really what you want for your son, Mr. Benedict?" Maleaha asked, nodding toward Lucinda.
Eli looked from one woman to the other. Lucinda's face turned red when she realized that Eli must have overheard at least part of their conversation.
"H . . . how long have you been standing there, Eli?" she asked hesitatingly.
Maleaha did not stay to hear any more but rushed up the stairs. Eli watched her, thinking she had proved to be more of a lady than Lucinda. Kane had been right about Lucinda. She was not worthy to be his son's wife.
Lucinda watched as Eli advanced into the room. She moved forward and linked her arm through his. "I think in no time at all we can be rid of that woman. She is such an uncivilized little creature."
Eli shoved her arm away and removed his handkerchief from his pocket, placed the broken bits of pottery in it, then tied it into a knot. "I think you broke this on purpose, Lucinda."
"What? Oh yes, she said it was given to her by her grandfather. I think it was dreadful looking."
Eli had always appreciated valuable antiques and was appalled by her wanton act.
"I cannot see what Kane finds to admire in that woman, she is so uncivilized. Look at the way she treats us, and we are guests in her home," Lucinda said thoughtfully.
"I am going to see if I can get someone to drive me into Santa Fe. Do you want to come along?" Eli asked.
"Why do you want to go into town? It will be dark before you could get back."
"I want to see if I can find someone who can repair this pottery."
"Whatever for? It is nothing more than an old Indian relic."
"Yes, apparently very old," he said, leaving Lucinda with a puzzled look on her face.
Maleaha spent the rest of the afternoon with Cimeron. When she finally turned her over to Rosita to bathe and feed, she went to her own room to bathe and dress for dinner. She dreaded the evening meal when she would be forced to face Kane and Lucinda.
She thought about what Lucinda had told her as she arranged her hair on the top of her head. She had been devastated when Lucinda had told her that she and Kane had made love. How dare he bring a woman into this house that he had been to bed with? If she had any pride she would leave and never come back, she told herself. She was glad that her hurt was gradually giving way to anger. She wanted to throw Lucinda's words in Kane's face.
Maleaha went into the kitchen to lend Mrs. Higgens a hand with setting the table. Tying a white apron about her waist, she carried the china into the dining room and proceeded to put it out. She heard Kane come up behind her, and she spoke to him without turning around.
"Dinner will be ready in about twenty minutes."
"Where were you this morning? I had half decided that you had ridden off again without telling me."
"No, Kane, I would not do that," she said as she folded a white dinner napkin and placed it beside a plate. "If I decide to leave, you will be the first one I'll tell."
"I still intend to talk to you about that little episode. I will not have you running off to Mangas every time we have a misunderstanding."
She turned to face him. Her eyes collided with his and she raised her chin. "I did not go to Mangas. I told you that my aunt was ill and she was asking for me."
"So you said, but I don't believe you," he said, walking out of the dining room.
Dinner was just what Maleaha had expected it would be, long and uncomfortable. Lucinda again monopolized Kane's attention. Maleaha was surprised when Eli began to talk to her. He asked her about her father, and what it had been like growing up in New Mexico. He asked her also if she had enjoyed going to school in Boston. She would have enjoyed their conversation had it not been for the fact that Kane and Lucinda were talking quietly at the other end of the table.
Lucinda's aunt had still not put in an appearance, but had again taken her dinner on a tray in her room.
Maleaha at one point had to remind herself not to trust Kane's father. After all, it had been only this morning that she had overheard him talking about her to his son.
After dinner Eli asked if Maleaha would take him upstairs to see Cimeron. She readily agreed, leaving Kane and Lucinda alone.
Eli smiled down at his sleeping granddaughter. "It is so strange, Maleaha. Today I seem to be facing many truths about myself, and it's all du
e to you and this little granddaughter of mine." He touched Cimeron lightly on the cheek. "I had forgotten how sweet a child can be." "I am so glad that you like Cimeron, Mr. Benedict." He looked at her long and hard. "I wonder if you would consider calling me Eli?"
"Yes, if you would like." She wondered what game he was playing. No one could change so quickly. That morning he had not wanted her to call him by his first name. She was startled when he reached for her hand. "I would like very much for you to call me Eli, Maleaha."
Lucinda patted the sofa for Kane to sit beside her, and he did so with reservations. When he was seated she began working on him.
"Kane, you have been neglecting me shamefully since I have been here. I would have thought you would at least have offered to show me about your old ranch," she said prettily.
"Maleaha will show you about the ranch if you are interested. I am much too busy."
"I don't think your wife likes me very well. She was perfectly horrid to me this afternoon," Lucinda said with a pout on her mouth.
"I find that hard to believe, Lucinda. Maleaha would never be rude to a guest in our home."
"You didn't see her today. She yelled at me, and all because I accidentally broke an old Indian vase." False tears sparkled in her blue eyes as she laid her head on Kane's shoulder.
"I am sure you misunderstood Maleaha, Lucinda."
She raised her head and looked deep into his silver eyes. "I am telling you the truth, Kane. Your wife was horrid to me."
"I will speak to her. I am sure she will make it up to you."
"You will not tell her that I complained to you, will you?"
"No, of course not."
Lucinda laid her head back on Kane's shoulder, and that was the way Maleaha saw them when she and Eli entered the room.
Kane stood up abruptly, and Maleaha thought he looked guilty, while Lucinda smiled at her smugly.
"I wish to be excused," Maleaha said, barely able to conceal her anger.
"Don't you think that would be rude to our guests, Maleaha?" Kane said, looking very displeased.
Maleaha's anger intensified as Kane criticized her before Lucinda and his father. "I have had a long day, Kane, and I am going to my room," she said, sailing out of the room without a backward glance.
"See what I mean," Lucinda spoke up, giving Kane her most helpless little-girl look.
"You should not take it personally, Lucinda. I believe Maleaha is angry with me, and it does not concern you. If the two of you will excuse me, I will also wish you a good night."
Lucinda put a restraining hand on his arm. "Do not go. I wanted to talk to you."
"Let him alone," Eli spoke up. "He said he wanted to retire."
Lucinda looked at Eli and then back to Kane. Eli had never spoken so harshly to her before. She hoped to gain Kane's sympathy, but he was already halfway across the room.
Maleaha stood looking out the bedroom window. Tears of anger and hurt flowed freely down her face. What was the matter with her lately? She seemed to cry so easily. Deep inside of her the Indian part of her was ashamed of this weakness.
She heard Kane enter the room and slam the door behind him. She quickly dried her eyes and stood ready to face him.
"I didn't expect you to be able to tear yourself away from Lucinda. To what do I owe this great honor?" she asked angrily.
"Maleaha, I have had about enough of your childishness. Just because you are angry with me doesn't give you any right to take it out on Lucinda."
"Did she tell you that I was taking my anger out on her?"
"She said something about your getting angry when she broke some silly Indian vase.''
"Is that what she said?"
' T insist that you apologize to her. It would be only decent of you to treat her with a little kindness. She has been through a very difficult time. Coming all this way from Boston was not easy for one as delicate as Lucinda is."
Once more Maleaha felt the prickle of tears. Kane was concerned for Lucinda, thinking she had been through a difficult time. He didn't for one moment consider her feelings. He didn't even believe that she had gone to be with her aunt because she was ill. It had never occurred to him to ask how her aunt was, and she was not about to tell him that she had died. He probably wouldn't believe her anyway. Lucinda was very clever. She had made her appear a spiteful, jealous person.
"I will apologize to her tomorrow, if that is your wish," she said dully. Maleaha wondered when she had become such a coward. Perhaps she was not accustomed to anyone's not believing her. She was an honest person and didn't know how to defend herself against dishonesty.
"I am glad you are being sensible about this. Your apology should clear the air.''
Maleaha bit her lip against her angry retort. She could almost see the smug look on Lucinda's face when she apologized.
She moved away from the window and removed her robe. Pulling the covers down she climbed into bed and turned her back to Kane. She felt him sit down on the bed and hoped he would leave her alone. At the moment she wasn't sure what she felt toward him. It was possible that he was killing her love for him, degree by degree. After Lucinda's telling her about Kane's making love to her, she didn't want him to touch her. Go to Lucinda, she wanted to shout at him. See if I care, she thought angrily.
She felt his hand gently brush her hair and she closed her eyes. She was not being honest with herself. If Kane were to go to Lucinda, it would break her heart.
"Maleaha, I don't want to quarrel with you." His hand drifted down her silky hair and across her shoulder.
"I don't want to quarrel with you either, Kane. In fact, I don't want anything to do with you."
He turned her over to face him. She could easily see his handsome face in the moonlit room. "I can't stand it when you are angry with me."
"You think I should not be angry with you?" she questioned.
"If anything, I should be unhappy with you. You left me under the pretense of visiting your sick aunt."
"This is not the first time you have accused me of telling a lie, Kane."
His hand strayed to the ribbon at the front of her nightgown. "I do not think you set out to deceive me. I suppose a man should expect a woman to weave fabrications."
"I am surprised you married me, thinking so little of my honesty."
His hand brushed against her breast. "Let's not quarrel tonight. All I really want to do is hold you in my arms and make love to you," he whispered in her ear.
Maleaha resisted the urge to push his hand away as it slid down to her stomach. All she could think about was Lucinda lying in his arms, while he made love to her. She tried to deny her body the thrill of his touch, but as his lips covered hers, her body ached for total fulfillment.
"Perhaps you should seek out Lucinda," she said and wished she could recall the words as soon as they had been spoken.
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"I don't want to be with you, Kane," she said, trying to push him away.
"It's been so long, Maleaha. Don't punish me any longer," he said, pulling her nightgown over her head.
"You are my husband, and you can take whatever you want from me. But you will find me unwilling to give myself freely to you," she told him, already willing to give him anything he wanted. His hands seemed to burn into her delicate skin as they moved across her stomach to rest against her leg.
"Your body denies what your lips say, Maleaha. I can tell you want me as much as I want you." And to prove his point he bend his dark head and nuzzled her creamy breast until the points became hard in his mouth. His hand slid up her throat and he looked deeply into her eyes.
"Have you judged me guilty without a trial, Maleaha?"
What was it she saw in his eyes? Pain? "It is you who have found me guilty, Kane."
Maleaha had no chance to say anything further. Kane's lips settled on hers and her body began to tremble. Don't think about anything tonight, she told herself. Let him have your body. Give him what he asks for and take
what he gives you.
She felt his naked body pressed against hers, and she sighed as he pulled her on top of him. She could feel the hair on his chest tickle her bare breast. His lips were hungry and demanding, and her lips opened invitingly to his kiss. All of her instincts awakened.
Kane might love Lucinda, she thought, but at the moment it was she he wanted. She could feel his warm male hardness pressed against her, and she gasped as he entered her body.
Her hands laced through his hair as he turned her over onto her back. She had been apart from him for too long, she thought. Her body had too long been denied the pleasure that only Kane could give her.
Maleaha responded to his lovemaking wildly, and when they had both been satisfied she curled up in his arms, sighing contentedly. She knew that she should still be angry with him, but for the moment she was too sleepy, and his body felt so good beside her.
Some time later she heard Kane get out of bed and get dressed. He seemed to be gone for a long time, and when he did return, Maleaha pretended to be asleep. She could smell the brandy on his breath as he pulled her into his arms and rested his face against hers. She wondered where he had been, and she hoped he had not been with Lucinda.
24
The next morning at breakfast Maleaha and Eli were talking, when Kane swept into the room. Maleaha could tell by the scowl on his handsome face that he was in a foul mood.
Eli raised his eyebrow, but said nothing when Kane sat down and reached for his coffee cup without wishing anyone good morning.
Mrs. Higgens served breakfast with her usual cheerfulness, but only Eli seemed to notice. Kane glared at Maleaha over his coffee cup. He noticed her eyes light up as she stood up quickly and raced out of the room, calling her father.
Her damned Indian hearing, he thought sourly. She always heard everything before any normal human being could have.
When she returned a short time later, Jonas was with her. He greeted Kane and then shook hands with Eli.
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