Savage Spring

by Constance O'Banyon

  Alexandria blinked in astonishment, wondering if her eyes were deceiving her. The image in the mirror was of a beautiful young girl with creamy skin and bright amber-colored eyes. She had never thought of herself as beautiful, but she felt that she might be tonight. She picked up the gold satin mask that would conceal her identity, and tied it about her head with the long silken ribbons that were attached. Suddenly she lost her nervousness. It was as if having her identity a secret helped to remove her inhibitions. She wished that Falcon could see her now. Would he think her pretty?

  With one last glance at the mirror, she left her bedroom and made her way down to the second floor to show Mr. Landon her costume.

  Tag watched the dancing couples whirl past him and couldn’t help curling his lip in distaste. He had been with the Indians so long that this kind of showy party didn’t set well with him. How shallow he was finding the white world. It seemed that most of the people he had met since coming here had very low values. As the music blared loudly in his ears, Tag longed for the mountains with their tall pine trees and the winding Milk River he’d left behind.

  As he stood in the shadows, he had no trouble recognizing Claudia. She was the one with the most elaborate gown. She was dressed to look like Marie Antoinette, with a white powdered wig resting on the top of her head. Her laughter and good humor could be heard even above the loud music.

  Tag smiled as he looked down at his moccasined feet, thinking he was the only one who wasn’t really in costume. He had merely worn the buckskins he was accustomed to wearing. Farley had cut him a leather mask out of one of his old, worn buckskin shirts. He hoped his identity wouldn’t be discovered for some time. He was content to walk around and observe without being observed.

  “La, sir, are we to be scalped?” a woman wearing a bright red gown from the Napoleonic era declared, tapping Tag on the shoulder with her fan.

  “I may very well drag you off to my wigwam, madam,” Tag replied, without humor.

  The woman responded with high-pealed laughter. “I can’t say that I’d put up much of a fight. I wouldn’t say no if you were to ask me to dance,” she offered.

  He bowed elegantly. “You will forgive me if I pass this time. I’m waiting for someone.”

  “Oh, well,” she said, looking at the width of his broad shoulders. “She must be a fortunate lady. I suppose it’s my loss.” With another peal of laughter, she sauntered off to find herself a more accessible dancing partner.

  Alexandria made her way slowly down the stairs. She gazed over the banister at the sea of faces and could hear the loud laughter of the merrymakers. Everyone was obviously in high spirits. She had no desire to join in the frivolities—it would be enough just being an observer. She felt young and light-hearted when a man dressed in a Renaissance costume grabbed her and whirled her around the dance floor. When she finally managed to get away from him, she made her way outside to the garden.

  The full moon seemed to hang in the sky like a giant yellow ball. Its bright glow, with the help of several Chinese lanterns, lit the garden.

  Alexandria walked down the path, feeling a cool breeze through her thin costume. The music had stopped, and she knew that the merrymakers had gone into the dining room for dinner. She was glad to have the garden to herself. It somehow had a mystical atmosphere. She loved this house and garden because they belonged to Tag.

  It was funny, she thought, lately she had begun to think of Falcon as Taggart James more and more often. Perhaps it was because, in this house, he was Taggart James. She was finding out that loving him was the most painful experience she had ever lived through. Perhaps it was because he would never return her love. She thought of Morning Song and wondered what she might have been like. It was hard to think of Tag having a daughter. Would the child look like him…or would she resemble her Indian mother? Alexandria found herself wanting to know Tag’s sister, Joanna. What was there about her that would cause Mr. Landon to worship her image in the portrait, and her brother to speak of her with such love and respect?

  Alexandria moved out of the shadow of light and walked to the small pond that was nestled in a secluded part of the garden. As she watched the moon shimmering on the pond, she reflected on Tag’s plight. It was true he had a mountain of troubles facing him, but so did she. The difference between her and him was that he had the love of his sister to sustain him, while she had no one. Never in her life had she felt so alone. There was no one to whom she could turn.

  Alexandria looked down at her costume and wondered if the Egyptian Cleopatra had ever felt this alone and hopeless. Raising her arms over her head, she turned her face up to the moon.

  “Yellow moon, sister to the sun god Ra, send someone to walk in my aloneness with me,” she said softly, half serious, half in jest.

  “Take my hand, Alexandria. I will see that you are never lonely again.” A deep voice spoke up from the shadows.

  Alexandria spun around and almost bumped into a tall figure dressed in Indian buckskins. Even though his face was masked, she knew at once it was Tag. Her heart began to beat wildly, and she didn’t know whether to stand there or run.

  “How did you know it was me?” she asked, as his hand drifted across her arm.

  “Oh, I know you well, little Egyptian princess. Were you not named for the ancient Egyptian city of Alexandria?” He drew her into his arms, and she rested her face against his soft buckskin shirt. “You are never alone, Alexandria. I thought you knew I would always look after you.”

  She raised her face to him and saw the smile playing on his lips. “You have your own troubles, Tag. You don’t need mine added to them.”

  He touched her cheek. “Your problems have become mine. I think perhaps I inherited them the night I rescued a scrawny, ragged lad from a burly old sailor who wanted to shanghai him to sea.”

  Tag, I…”

  “I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to call me by my name. We are hardly in what you would term a friendly territory.” His words were laced with amusement.

  “I am sorry, Falcon—I suppose I wasn’t thinking. You have my word I’ll be more careful in the future.” She was horrified that she had carelessly spoken his name. If they had been overheard, it would have put Tag in very grave danger.

  Neither Alexandria or Tag saw the man dressed as a sailor who observed them from behind the willow tree that grew beside the pond. A smile creased the man’s face. He had overheard the conversation and now had the proof he had been searching for. The man who called himself Falcon Knight was none other than Taggart James!

  “Let’s leave the party now, Alexandria. Come home with me,” Tag said, brushing his lips against hers and sending shivers of delight down her spine.

  “No, I cannot. I must stay here and keep an eye on Claudia. You know she isn’t to be trusted,” Alexandria said, wishing with all her heart that she could go home with Tag. She had decided that when his problems had all been solved, she would just disappear from his life forever. Alexandria knew if she ever allowed him to make love to her again, she would weaken. She must never given in to the call of her heart. Tag would never love her…and she would never stop loving him.

  “Would you have me believe that you are staying here only to help me, Alexandria?”

  “You can believe what you wish. I will help you if I can, beyond that, I promise nothing.”

  “I never asked you for help, Alexandria. What you are doing is dangerous.”

  “I am not afraid. Claudia will never connect me with you.”

  She could hear the smile in his voice when he spoke. “Are you sure you won’t come home with me?” he asked, allowing his hand to drift down her arm.

  “No,” she replied, pushing his hand away.

  “Do you mean no, you won’t go with me…or no, you are not sure?”

  “No, I will not go home with you,” she said in a perplexed voice.

  “In that case I had better get back to the ball and make it easy for Claudia to find me.”

>   “Falcon, don’t you think it was foolish and dangerous for you to come dressed as an Indian? What if Claudia were to discover who you really are?”

  “Would you care so much?” he asked softly.

  “Of course I would care. How can you even ask?”

  “Look at me, Alexandria. This is the way I have dressed since I was twelve years old. The clothing of the white man does not rest well on my body. For all intents and purpose, I am an Indian! Does that disturb you?”

  She looked him over and knew he was right. He did seem to belong in the Indian attire he wore. It was hard for her to fathom his living with the Indians; his manners were so correct, and when it suited him, he could act the perfect gentleman. One wouldn’t expect such behavior from a man who had been raised by the Indians.

  “Falcon, you also seem to fit well into the white man’s world. I cannot believe you learned all your fine manners from the Indians.”

  He laughed softly. “In truth, I owe my manners to my sister, Joanna. I can see, however, you are going to have to be reeducated about what Indians are really like. They may not have the pretty manners you spoke of, but they are far above us in how they treat their fellow man. One day, when I have more time, I will tell you more about the Blood Blackfoot and their chief, Windhawk.”

  “Be that as it may, Falcon, you were foolish to come to Claudia’s ball dressed as an Indian. She is on the lookout for anything that will tip her off to who you are!”

  “Don’t you see, little Egyptian princess, the last one in the world Claudia would suspect would be me. When she sees me tonight, it will scare the hell out of her at first. I want her to know she is being watched. I want her to be unable to sleep at night. Let her wonder when and where I will strike. She will reach the depths of hell before I finally bring her down.”

  The man who had been observing Tag and Alexandria faded into the shadows. He had already found out all he needed to know! There was no doubt in his mind that Falcon Knight was Taggart James!

  Tag drew Alexandria into his arms and tilted her face up to his. “Allow me to taste your lips once more, Xandria. I find myself reliving our nights together over and over,” he whispered.

  She parted her lips in anticipation. When he brushed her mouth and then touched the lobe of her ear with his lips, she shivered. She hadn’t realized until this moment how much she had missed his touch. Her shame over her wanton behavior had enabled her to close her mind to the feeling he had awakened in her body as Xandria.

  “No, please don’t! I made myself a promise I wouldn’t allow you to…touch me again,” she whispered.

  He rested his face against hers and smiled. “Did you, Xandria? It has been my experience that the promises one makes to oneself are often broken. Perhaps had I come as Mark Antony you would have been more willing.”

  It took all Alexandria’s willpower to move away from him. “I don’t want you to call me Xandria again,” she whispered. “I want to forget she ever existed.”

  “Why is that? I became very fond of you as…”

  Alexandria placed her hands over her ears. “Do not speak it!” she cried. “I am ashamed of what I did and don’t want to be reminded of my behavior.” At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to be in his arms where she would feel safe and secure.

  Because of the mask he wore, Alexandria couldn’t see the pain that danced fleetingly across Tag’s face. “You should never be ashamed of what happened between us, Alexandria.”

  “You make me feel ashamed when you refer to me as Xandria. I just want to forget all about what she…I did.”

  There was a tense silence between them, and finally Alexandria could stand it no longer. “I must be getting back to the party, Falcon. The music has started again, and soon the people will be coming into the garden.”

  Tag didn’t try to stop her as she turned and rushed toward the house. He watched her until she was out of sight. Staring down into the pool, he saw his image ripple on the surface of the water. He knew what he had to do tonight, and it left a strong taste of bitterness in his mouth. It was time for him to play adoring lover to Morning Song’s murderess.

  He walked silently toward the house, dreading what must be done to accomplish his goals.

  Claudia was in a unusually joyful state of mind. She was the belle of the ball and enjoying every moment of it. She was experiencing the same wild abandonment as had the queen of France whom she portrayed tonight. She had received more than her share of passionate kisses and caresses from the masked gentlemen who were present, but she kept searching for the one she knew could take her to the heights of passion. Falcon Knight had assured her he would come tonight, but thus far she hadn’t seen him.

  Claudia walked out onto the second-floor balcony, wondering what it was about Falcon that seemed to draw her to him. It was more than the fact that he was so male. Her body seemed to react to everything about him, the deep sound of his voice, the proud way he walked, even the cruel twist to his lips when he was having his own private thoughts. She rubbed her fingertips across her lips, feeling as if her body were on fire just thinking about him.

  “Does a penny still purchase a woman’s thoughts?” A man spoke just behind her.

  Claudia whirled around, and her heart seemed to leap out of her body when she saw the man, who was dressed as an Indian! He was standing in the shadows, and she couldn’t tell if his hair had a reddish cast to it, as Taggart James’s had when she last saw the boy. Claudia’s first reaction was fear, thinking Tag had come at last. She wanted to call out for help, but her voice seemed to stick in her throat. The balcony was deserted and there was nowhere to run. She considered that it might be better to leap over the banister to her death than to face Tag.

  “Wait…I…can explain everything, Tag,” she said in a trembling voice, and she backed against the railing.

  “Now you have made me jealous, Madame Marie Antoinette. Who is this Tag of whom you speak?” the man said, reaching out for her hand and raising it to his lips.

  “Falcon?” she asked, as relief washed over her.

  “It is indeed I, madam. Were you expecting someone else, perhaps?”

  “No, of course not,” she said, linking her arm through his. I have been waiting for only you.”

  “’Twas not my name you called a moment ago. Should I be jealous of this Tag?”

  Claudia raised her face to him. “You shouldn’t ever be jealous of anyone, if you but knew it.”

  “Tell me, was I mistaken or where you frightened a moment ago, Claudia?”

  “Perhaps, Falcon. One doesn’t reach my position without making enemies. Let me tell you, there are those who would like to see me dead.”

  “Surely, you jest. Who would wish to harm such a charming and lovely lady as yourself?”

  “I suppose I’m just jittery. There has been a strange man dressed as a sailor hanging about lately. I don’t know who he is or why he would want to spy on me.”

  “If you feel yourself in danger, you must come to me,” he said, raising her hand to his lips once again.

  Claudia felt a shiver of delight race through her body and knew she would be safe with this man. She had never found it easy to put her faith in anyone, but with Falcon Knight it was different. She almost felt as if she could confide everything to him and he would understand. So far, he had shown only a mild interest in her, but she hoped that would change before the night was over.

  “Come downstairs and dance with me,” she said, pulling him by the hand and leading him toward the dance floor.

  Alexandria danced with a gentleman dressed as a court jester from the fourteenth century until he became too forward. After she escaped from him, several gentlemen asked her to dance, but she always politely refused. She no longer wanted to be a participant at the ball. She had learned quickly that much of the laughter she was hearing came from the amount of spirits that had been consumed by many of the gentlemen, rather than from any joy they were experiencing.

  Alexandria ha
d all but decided to go to her room when her glance was drawn to Claudia. Her heart seemed to plummet when she saw the man who was holding Claudia in his arms. It was obvious to anyone who took the trouble to look that Claudia and her dancing partner were enjoying themselves. Alexandria knew why Tag was playing up to Claudia, but still it was like a knife in her heart to watch them together. She remembered that it had been she herself who had taught him to dance.

  Unable to watch any longer, Alexandria moved away from the dance floor to the study, where she could be alone for awhile. Dropping down on a window seat, she gazed out the window. Never had she been so confused and unsure of her own feelings. She knew Tag had every right to lure Claudia into a trap, but she wasn’t sure she approved of his methods.

  When the door opened, she pressed herself back behind the curtains, not wanting to be discovered by anyone.

  “You told me before that you didn’t like to dance. You are a marvelous dancer, Falcon.”

  When Alexandria heard Claudia’s voice, she feared being discovered. She knew she should make her presence known, but she didn’t. Glancing around the heavy curtain, she saw Tag draw Claudia into his arms and lower his head to kiss her. Clasping a hand over her mouth, Alexandria dared not cry out. How could he do such a thing? she wondered. She felt as if he were betraying her, and it hurt her deeply.

  “You are more of a man than anyone I have met in a long time,” Claudia said in a husky voice.

  “How many men have you known, Claudia?”

  “Too many, Falcon, but none of them meant anything to me.”

  “Not even your husband?”

  “Especially not my husband. It’s different with you, though. I don’t think it comes as any great surprise to you that I want you,” she said, pulling his head down to her.

  Alexandria watched with tears in her eyes as Tag crossed the room and picked up a bottle of brandy and two glasses from the side table and took Claudia’s arm.