Wayward Lady

by Nan Ryan

  “I know.” They sat in silence for a few minutes and then Austin lowered his voice to a whisper. “They’re bringing them in tomorrow, you know.”

  “Yes.” Blake bit out the word. “That is all my patients have been talking about. I think the entire community is going to turn out to see the chiefs.”

  “I’ll be there,” Austin admitted. “When Satank, Satanta, and Big Tree are brought in to be tried for murder, I want to be there. I’ve been hearing stories of Satank’s cruelty and Satanta’s intelligence all my life. My editor tells me he’s been deluged with inquiries from the eastern newspaper people about the upcoming trial. Says the Wichita Hotel is full of reporters.”

  “I’m not surprised. I may attend the trial, but I won’t be in town tomorrow. I have to ride over to Mount Hecla station to see if Ben Taylor’s crushed leg is improving. He’s lucky he didn’t lose it.”

  June fifteenth dawned clear and warm. Suzette rose early and dressed in a simple blue-and-white-checked calico dress. She fastened her heavy blond hair into a chignon and grabbed a sunbonnet from a bedpost. Knowing her father would have gone to Mount Hecla by the time she went to breakfast, Suzette felt sure she would have no trouble convincing her mother that she was going to Anna’s to spend the day. Smoothing the folds of her dress nervously, Suzette took a deep breath and walked into the kitchen to join her mother at the breakfast table.

  Lydia looked up at her daughter and smiled happily when she saw Suzette had dressed, brushed her hair, and had a little color in her cheeks.

  “Darling”—Lydia took her hand—“it’s so good to see you at the breakfast table again. Shall I fix you some buckwheat cakes or some bacon and eggs?”

  “I’m not hungry, Mother, and I haven’t time.”

  “Haven’t time…Dear, where are you going? Why are you…”

  Suzette’s words tumbled out in a rush. “I’m going to Anna’s to spend the day, Mother. She’s learning how to sew and she has a new bolt of organza in the loveliest shade of green.”

  Relieved to see her unhappy daughter showing some signs of recovery, Lydia said, “Darling, that sounds wonderful. I’m glad you’re wanting to learn to sew. We’ll go shopping one day next week and pick out several pieces of fabric. I’ll help you get started on a new Sunday dress if you like.”

  “Thank you, Mother, that would be nice. Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’ll leave before it gets too hot.” Suzette turned to go.

  “Suzette,” her mother chided.

  “Yes?” Suzette knew what was coming.

  “Dear, you know your father took the buggy this morning. You’ll have to ride your horse to Anna’s.”

  “I know. That’s fine.” Suzette slipped out the door.

  Following, her mother asked, “Then why are you dressed up? You’ve always worn your trousers when you ride. Suzette, why do you have on your Sunday dress?”

  Suzette turned. “You’re always wanting me to act more like a lady; I thought I’d please you and wear a dress. I’ll have Nate put that old sidesaddle on Glory. Now, I really must be going.” She kissed her mother’s cheek.

  Lydia’s arms went around her daughter’s narrow waist and she held her for a minute. “I’m so glad you’re feeling a little better, darling. I love you so much.”

  “I know, Mother. I’ll be fine.” She twisted from Lydia’s embrace and hurried to the stables.

  “Close the door,” Suzette said conspiratorially as she and Anna went into the big upstairs bedroom in the Norris home.

  Complying, Anna closed the heavy oak door and stood with her back to it, looking expectantly at her best friend. “Suzette, what is it? Has something else happened?” Anna went to Suzette, taking her hand. “Tell me.”

  “Anna, did you know that they are bringing in the Indian chiefs that murdered Luke? They are to arrive this very day!” Suzette’s blue eyes flashed.

  Dropping her chin, Anna slowly nodded her head. “Yes, I know.” She lifted her head and looked at Suzette. “I couldn’t tell you, Suz. I promised I’d not tell you anything that might upset you. We’ve all been so worried about you, I was afraid that…”

  “Never mind.” Suzette pulled her friend down onto the bed. She clung to Anna’s hand, eagerly telling the wide-eyed girl of her plan. “Anna, you and I are going to ride into town. I’m going to get a look at the murderous savages that killed my Luke.”

  Jerking her hand from Suzette’s tight grip, Anna began protesting, “Oh, Suzette, no, no. We can’t do that! It wouldn’t be good for you. Why pour salt into a wound? Spend the day here and we’ll have the cook pack us a lunch and we’ll ride down—”

  “Anna Norris, I am going to town to see those chiefs with or without you. I want their faces stamped upon my memory so that I’ll never forget. I didn’t hate Indians before, and I used to think perhaps they were human beings, too, but they are not. They are despicable vermin and I shall hate every member of their race for as long as I live! I want Luke’s murder avenged and I won’t be satisfied until the chiefs are hanged for their deeds. I shall take great pleasure looking at them in shackles, knowing that they will soon be swinging from the gallows!”

  “Suzette! Suzette!” cried her worried friend. “You are frightening me. I’ve never heard you speak like this. You aren’t yourself. Why don’t you lie down? I’ll get you a drink of water.”

  Suzette’s eyes softened a little. “Anna, don’t worry. I didn’t mean to alarm you, but I feel so strongly about what happened. Please, say you’ll go into town with me.”

  “Do your mother and father know you plan to do this?” Anna’s dark brows raised a little.

  “No, they do not. Daddy left early this morning and won’t return until night. Is your father here?”

  “He left yesterday for Fort Worth.” Anna was beginning to weaken. “I suppose I could tell Mother that I’m going to spend the day with you. If we do go, we could stay well back from the crowd. No one need ever know we were there.”

  The sun was high overhead and the day was growing uncomfortably warm. Suzette and Anna, their horses tethered to a gnarled oak tree behind the officers’ quarters, walked close to the Fort Richardson parade ground, weaving in and out of the parked carts, wagons, and buggies. The area was alive with people. The residents of the small community had turned out for glimpses of the war chiefs, and a holiday atmosphere prevailed. Ladies with dainty parasols over their heads sat in buggies, gossiping with friends and neighbors. Children shouted and chased one another. Men stood in groups and talked animatedly about the bloody red men who would soon get their just reward. More than one man checked his pocket watch, eager for the minutes to pass, anxious for the awaited arrival.

  On the parade ground, federal troops stood at attention in the hot June sun. The regimental band, instruments in hand, wore stern expressions, belying the excitement underneath. Every man, woman, and child assembled at the fort had heard of the daring Satanta. His reputation for unspeakable deeds was legendary. The mention of his name could strike terror in the heart of the boldest of white men. No wonder a huge crowd would gather to see the formidable chief, now a prisoner of war, subdued and defanged, shackled and humiliated. They longed to see the look of fear and shame they were certain the captured savage would be wearing.

  “I want to get up closer.” Suzette pulled at Anna’s sleeve and started inching her way through the crowd.

  Rushing to catch up, Anna said under her breath, “Suzette Foxworth! We’re not supposed to be here, remember? The whole town is going to see us.”

  Suzette continued to press forward. “I don’t care. I am going to get as close to those savages as I can. I want to be able to reach out and touch them!”

  “Slow down, will you!” Anna was exasperated. “We should never have come. We should…”

  Anna stopped talking. A low buzz went through the crowd, its volume quickly rising. Suzette, pushing past a large man in her path, turned and stood on tiptoes. The tired command of the 4th Cavalry rode into Fort Ric
hardson. Their bronzed faces dusty and sweaty, their blue uniforms soiled, they rode regally nonetheless. They had been on a long and torturous mission and they had returned with their prisoners. Satanta and Big Tree rode in the middle of the column, Satanta more regal than the troopers escorting him.

  Every eye was on him, and those who had longed to see a pitiful, repentant, frightened redskin were disappointed. Satanta, an Indian so intelligent he’d earned the name Orator of the Plains, was in his prime at age forty. He was stark naked save for his breechcloth and beaded moccasins. His thick raven hair hung long and loose, and his scalp lock was adorned with one eagle feather. His gleaming body was nothing short of beautiful. A tall man well over six feet, his shoulders were immense, his chest deep, his hips slim, his glistening thighs powerful. He sat astride his pony like a statue, the only movement a rippling of muscles, made more evident by the sheen of perspiration covering his smooth mahogany skin.

  But for the occasional blinking of his black eyes, Satanta could have been made of stone. His face was proud and handsome, and he wore a fixed expression of disgust. Disgust with the curiosity of the white race, the race he hated with every fiber of his powerful body. Without uttering a sound or making a move, the savage chief left no doubt in anyone’s mind how he felt about the stares and gazes sweeping eagerly over him.

  Satanta was handcuffed; his feet were tied underneath his pony. He was completely helpless. But the proud blood that ran through his noble veins still surged. If the big man was afraid, it didn’t show. The set of his jaw, the rigid back, and the cold black eyes bespoke nothing but bored indifference.

  Suzette, clutching her sunbonnet in her perspiring hands, stood at the very edge of the crowd. She and Anna had managed to work their way to the front, and it was there they stood when the command halted. The two Indians were no more than twenty-five feet from the girls. Big Tree, the younger Indian, was not impressive. One quick look at the smaller man revealed regular features, lighter color, and a nervous manner. Suzette swung her gaze back to Satanta. The band began to play; Big Tree gazed at the bustle and excitement and looked as if he were about to smile. Not so Satanta. He sat staring straight ahead.

  Suzette couldn’t take her eyes off the impressive figure. She hated him with every fiber of her body. Was it he who took the life of her precious Luke? Did those cold black eyes look down into Luke’s green ones as he sliced away the scalp? Did this magnificent-looking animal wear his cold, uncaring expression while he stole the very life from Luke’s body?

  Suzette could feel the blood pounding in her temples as her hands balled into fists and her stomach churned. She could feel her nausea rise, and perspiration trickled between her heaving breasts and behind her knees. Her gaze was locked on the naked chief, and in her mind’s eye she could see his powerful body astride Luke’s immobile frame, a long scalping knife raised high. The hand was dropping lower and lower and Suzette could feel the fever in her blood raging out of control.

  At that instant, Satanta slowly turned his head. The black, glittery eyes were on her. She opened her mouth to scream and started to run toward him, revenge her intent. But darkness washed over her and she could feel her legs giving way. A strong pair of hands gripped her as Suzette screamed.

  “She’ll be all right, Anna. Stop worrying.” Suzette heard a deep, resonant voice close to her. She emerged from the fog to see Austin Brand’s face near hers. She was seated in his covered carriage, her head back against the fine, soft leather. Austin was seated beside her, pressing a dampened handkerchief to her brow. The bodice of her checkered dress had been loosened down to the swell of her bosom. Anna, a worried expression on her face, stood beside the carriage, fanning Suzette with her sunbonnet.

  Smiling kindly, Austin said softly, “Are you feeling better, dear?”

  Struggling to rise, Suzette, who was uncertain of what had happened, looked at his smooth, bronzed face.

  “No, Suzette, don’t try to get up yet.” Austin eased her back against the seat and pressed the cool handkerchief to her throat. “Dear, you fainted. It’s the heat, I’m sure. You should have left your sunbonnet on your head. Luckily, I was standing nearby and saw you falling.”

  “You just keeled over, Suzette,” Anna said excitedly. “You opened your mouth like you were fixing to say something, and then you just collapsed. Are you okay?”

  Embarrassed, Suzette murmured, “I’m perfectly all right. I’m so sorry. I’ve never fainted in my life, and I’ve always poked fun at females who did.” She pushed Austin’s big hand from her throat. “Thank you, Mr. Brand.”

  “There’s no shame in fainting, Suzette. As I said, the sun’s much too hot for you girls to be bareheaded.” Austin looked from the pale Suzette to Anna. “Besides, it’s difficult for me to believe that your parents let you two come to town alone.” He raised his thick eyebrows. “Hmm?”

  Ducking her head, Anna shuffled her feet. Suzette looked straight into his gray eyes and said, “They didn’t know. Now they will. Everyone in town saw us, and I suppose the majority saw me pass out.” She made a face.

  Austin smiled. “I can’t say that I blame you for wanting to see the chiefs. However, now that all the excitement is over and the savages have been placed in the guardhouse, I think you should be going home.”

  “I agree.” Anna nodded. “Come on, Suz, let’s go get our horses.”

  Suzette started to move across the leather seat, but once again Austin Brand put a hand on her arm to stop her. “No, dear, I don’t think you should ride your horse home after you’ve just fainted. Stay where you are. I’ll get Glory and tie her to the back of the carriage. I’m driving you home.”

  “Oh, Mr. Brand, that isn’t necessary, really.” Suzette was shaking her head. “I’m feeling just—”

  “I’m taking you home, Suzette. That’s final.” He turned to Anna. “I’ll be more than happy to take you, too, Anna. Why don’t you get in and I’ll go get the horses.”

  “Thanks all the same, Mr. Brand, but I don’t have that far to go and I’m not ill. I’ll ride my horse home.”

  Climbing out of the carriage, the big man took Anna’s arm. “Then let’s go to where you left your horses. Suzette, I’ll be back with Glory in a few minutes.”

  “Yes, sir.” Suzette sighed and watched him walk away with her friend. Pressing the damp cloth to her face once again, Suzette felt almost glad Austin Brand was there to take her home. She was drained and tired after the experience of the morning. She recalled the black piercing eyes of Satanta turning on her and she shivered. Hate for him and his entire race welled up in her and she laid her head back, muttering, “I hate you! I hate you and all your bloodthirsty brothers! I wish I could personally kill each and every one of you!”

  When Austin Brand got into the carriage beside her, Suzette put a hand on his arm and said softly, “Mr. Brand, I’m sorry to be of trouble to you. You have no idea how much I despise those savages. My hatred is so intense, it makes me ill.” She looked at him, her eyes narrowed.

  His lips a thin line, he responded. “You couldn’t hate Satanta any more than I do!”

  Suzette had never seen such a look of venom on anyone’s face, much less Austin Brand’s. Alarmed, she said, “Mr. Brand, are you upset?”

  Composing himself immediately, Austin said, “Sweetheart, I’m sorry. Let’s try to forget. Sit back and relax.”

  On the ride home, Austin Brand used his abundant charm to try lifting the girl’s spirits. Suzette hardly listened; her thoughts were still on Satanta. She tried to reply to his questions, but found it hard to listen attentively.

  “Suzette?” He was looking down at her and she knew he must be waiting for her to respond. She looked at his strong, handsome face. His gray eyes were soft and kind, his full mouth was turned up in a warm smile, and his thick chestnut hair gleamed in the bright sunshine. As always, Austin Brand looked as though he had just stepped from his bath. His expensive custom-made clothes looked fresh and clean, though he’d been standing
out in the hot June sun for hours. His silky shirt was as soft and snowy-white as the puffy clouds high above them. Austin was a massive man, his chest broad and powerful. He stood well over six feet, four inches, and he was not slenderly built. His thighs and legs were muscular, as were his long, bronzed arms. He took pride in looking his best and he was sure enough of his manhood not to be bothered when some of the local cowhands and saloon crowd kidded him about being a dandy. Austin Brand could easily whip any man in Jack County with one big hand tied behind him, so it was easy for him to laugh away remarks that would cause a less confident man to take offense.

  “Suzette,” he repeated. “What is it? You are staring at me.”

  “I…I’m sorry,” she stammered a little and lowered her eyes. “I was just thinking that you are wearing a suit coat, yet you don’t look too warm. I’m in a cool dress and I passed out from the heat. It doesn’t make sense.”

  Austin grinned at her. “I had a couple of drinks of strong whiskey before I went down to the fort. Nothing to keep you nice and cool like a good hot drink.” He winked at her.

  “You are teasing me, Mr. Brand.” She smiled.

  “Yes, I am, sweetheart, because I want to see that sweet smile back on your lovely face.”

  Suzette looked at her hands in her lap. “I know I’ve been…well, Mother and Daddy are worried, I’m sure. I hate it, but I…I…”

  Austin reached out and gently patted her folded hands. “Suzette, I know it’s been very hard on you. Luke was a fine boy and he would have made you a good husband. Such a terrible tragedy. I’m so very sorry, dear.”

  “I know you are, Mr. Brand.”

  “Suzette, it’s much too soon to say this, but you will find someone else someday and…”

  “No!” She looked into his eyes steadily. “No. I don’t want to find someone else. I don’t want to love anyone else ever again. Never!”