Ben cleared his throat purposefully. “Remember me?”
Rosalind reluctantly broke away from Shadow and directed her attention to her brother, who offered her a sheepish grin. “Happy?” he asked.
Too overwhelmed to speak, Rosalind smiled through her tears and nodded, then looked up at Shadow. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her back against him.
Rosalind closed her eyes and prayed she was not dreaming. Never had she expected to be in Shadow’s arms again, feeling the warmth of him, the strength of him. Her immediate desire was to lead him to some secluded spot and kiss him until her lips ached, but first, she had to satisfy her burning curiosity. Kissing Shadow would have to wait.
Reluctantly, Rosalind broke away from him, then took his hand and led him to a bench near the table. When they both were seated, she turned to him and said, “You must tell me everything! How came you to be here? How is it that you are not dead…when Elias assured me your body had been returned to your people?”
Before Shadow could answer, Rosalind cast a panicky look at her brother. “Ben, perhaps you should go wait outside for Jacob Whitney. Heaven help us if he were to come walking in here and see me with Shadow!”
Ben took a seat on a chair facing her. “Um…I also made up the tale about buying a cow,” he said. “Did you really believe I could afford one?”
Rosalind shook her head and rolled her eyes. “You are going to have to spend the next month in constant prayer after all of the lies you have told.” She turned to Shadow. “Now please, tell me everything!”
Shadow inhaled deeply, his eyes instantly clouding with pain. “Nathaniel did not shoot me. I was not there. I did not follow you.”
His words confused Rosalind. They also filled her with a combination of relief – because he had not followed her – and disappointment…for the very same reason. “I do not understand,” she said.
“It was Little Bird in the forest that day,” Shadow explained. “Nathaniel shot Little Bird.”
Rosalind gasped. “Your cousin? The one who tried to steal the Corwins’ sheep?”
Shadow nodded.
A pang of remorse stabbed at her. Little Bird’s life had been filled with mistakes, according to Shadow…and now, ironically, even his death was the result of one. “I am so sorry,” she whispered, feeling Shadow’s pain as deeply as if it were her own. She reached to place her hand on his. “But why – how – could Nathaniel have made such a mistake?”
“Little Bird was shot in the back,” Ben interrupted. “Which means he likely fell face forward. I doubt that in Nathaniel’s haste to return you home safely, he bothered to roll the Indian over and examine him. And by the time Elias dispatched his men to fetch the bodies days later, they had been feasted on by the insects and animals.”
“Also, Little Bird and I were very similar in height and weight,” Shadow added.
Rosalind hesitated, contemplating whether or not she should ask the next question. “Forgive me,” she finally said, “but is there any possibility Nathaniel might have seen what he claims he did? Might Little Bird have been about to harm me?”
“Nay.” Shadow shook his head emphatically. “He must have come upon you while out hunting. Ben told me you swooned. If Little Bird saw you lying there, he would have come to you out of curiosity, not violent intent.”
“I screamed before I swooned,” Rosalind said, mostly to herself. “It may have drawn him to me.” Her eyes met Shadow’s. “I am so sorry, Shadow. I know how fond you were of your cousin.”
Shadow bowed his head. “It is a pity it took something as tragic as my cousin’s death to reunite me with my family.”
Rosalind’s hand tightened on his. “You returned to your village?”
“I had to,” he said. “Several days after you left me, I returned to Adam Stoddard’s. I wanted to know if you had indeed returned to Eastwell and by what means. He then told me about Little Bird’s death and how the body had been brought to him so he could see to its return to my people. He said he at first had thought he truly was returning my body – which, by the time it was delivered to him, had little left to recognize – to my people. But when he arrived there, they informed him it was Little Bird. I could not stay away after that…not when my cousin had died in my stead. My guilt was so strong it mattered not to me if my family shunned me or rebuked me…I felt I had to be there during their time of mourning.”
“Did you settle your differences with your father…your people?” Rosalind asked, although in her heart, she already knew the answer. Shadow looked every bit the warrior now, from his long, deerskin shirt and fringed leggings, to his moccasins and wide, colorfully decorated belt. Gone were all traces of his English life with the Corwins. Back was the air of importance, of regality, Rosalind had sensed about him on the day Nathaniel first had introduced them.
“For the most part, we made amends,” Shadow said. “My father and I spent countless hours talking. I told him everything that had occurred since last I had seen him.” He paused to look into Rosalind’s eyes. “I told him about you…about us.”
Rosalind’s heart felt as if it were about to cease its beating. “What was his response?”
“At first, he advised me to forget you – to seek out a wife from among my own people…and raise a family. But as we continued to talk, my father came to realize the depth of my feelings for you. He finally advised me to return here and confront you ere you wed Nathaniel. He said he knew that if I did not, I never would be at peace.”
“I am pleased you took his advice,” Rosalind said softly.
Shadow afforded her a slight smile before his expression sobered. “Ben has informed me that your wedding is to take place at week’s end…and the reasons for it. I am greatly relieved I have arrived in time to put an end to all of this.”
Both Rosalind and Ben just stared at him.
“I intend to kill Nathaniel,” he stated evenly.
“Kill?” Rosalind’s face paled.
Shadow nodded. “Not only do I wish to avenge my cousin’s death, I am determined to make certain Nathaniel never will blackmail anyone again.” His dark eyes blazed as he added, “The man does not deserve to live. I shall be doing the town a great favor.”
“Please, Shadow,” Rosalind said, “No more violence. I have had more than my share of late and can bear no more. I believe there is another way to punish Nathaniel for his deeds.”
“And what, pray tell, do you suggest?” her brother asked. “That Shadow make him go stand in the corner?”
Rosalind scowled at him, then returned her attention to Shadow. “I know that people already believe you died a murderer and deserved your fate…but please do not turn that falsehood into a truth.”
“Then how do you plan to rid yourself of the man without causing harm to your family?” Shadow asked. He narrowed his eyes at her. “Do not tell me you still intend to go through with this wedding!”
“Dear Lord, no!” Rosalind’s response came without hesitation. “But I do have a plan – the details of which I do not wish to reveal. Please…just trust me. Nathaniel shall receive the punishment he deserves.”
Shadow appeared unconvinced. “And why do you wish to keep the details of this plan to yourself?” he asked. “Do you think we will not approve?”
“’Tis something I wish to do all on my own…without help.” she said. “And I feel if I speak of it, I will curse it.” She thought it best to change the subject. “Tell me the rest of your tale,” she said to Shadow. “How came you to be here at Ben’s?”
“Well, now,” Ben responded before Shadow could, “Shadow could not very well walk up to the Corwins’ door and ask to see you, could he?”
“But the two of you were not previously acquainted,” Rosalind said. “How did you come together to carry out this scheme?”
Again, Ben was the one to respond. “Several days past, I was hunting out back when I got the feeling someone was watching me. The feeling lingered, yet I spied no one about. F
inally, when I sat down under a tree to rest for a spell and set down my musket, Shadow crept up behind me. The first thing he did was grab my musket!”
Shadow smiled. “I feared that when I explained who I was, and Ben realized I had not been killed, he would make my death a reality. After all, I thought he still believed me to be a murderer who had taken his sister hostage. I had no way of knowing you already had confessed the truth to him.”
“When Shadow told me who he was,” Ben said, “I did not believe him. Like everyone else, I thought him to be dead.”
“But I persuaded him to listen to me,” Shadow said.
“By pointing my own musket at me!” Ben said, chuckling.
“I explained the events surrounding Jonathan’s death,” Shadow said, “and how you and I came to run off together. I did not expect him to believe a word of it, but I felt he needed to know the truth…to enable him to understand why I so urgently wanted…needed to see you.”
“And his story was the same as the one you told me,” Ben said. “I knew then that he was speaking the truth…that he indeed was your Indian.”
Rosalind turned to Shadow. “But how did you know Ben was my brother? The two of you never had met before.”
“I happened to glimpse him once when he and his wife came to visit you at the Corwins’. The two of you look similar. Also, during the time you and I were together, you oft spoke of your family and of the house the neighbors helped Ben build for his new bride. It was not difficult to track him down. From what you had told me about him, I felt I could trust him to help me. I also needed someone who could enter the Corwins’ house and bring you to me without arousing suspicion.”
Rosalind smiled and leaned against Shadow. “Thank you so much, Ben, for all you have done. I cannot put into words how happy I am at this moment. I shall be forever grateful. You are indeed a wonderful brother.”
“But what will you do now?” Ben asked. “There is still Nathaniel to deal with. You cannot be meaning to run off with Shadow again and leave me here to deal with the captain’s wrath on my own?”
“I told you,” Rosalind said, “I have a plan to rid myself of Nathaniel and prevent him from carrying out his threats. And then I shall be free to be with the man I love.” She looked up at Shadow. His eyes immediately locked with hers. “Where my heart truly belongs.”
“And then we shall return to my village and be wed,” Shadow said.
Rosalind held her breath, wondering if she had heard him correctly. Or had she only imagined his words because she had dreamt of them so often?
“You wish to marry me?” she carefully repeated. Her voice was but a whisper.
Shadow took her hand into his. “More than I ever have wanted anything.”
Rosalind still dared not believe her ears. “But your family…will they accept me?”
Shadow smiled gently. “They accepted Adam’s daughter, Mary. I hold no doubt that my people will come to love you as much as I do.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
“You are not staying here tonight?” Rosalind questioned Ben as he bent to put on his shoes later that afternoon.
“Mother feared that I would not eat properly while Faith is away at her sister’s, so she invited me over for supper,” he said. “I felt it was better for me to go over there, given the current situation, than to have her coming over here with food and discovering you and Shadow. When I said I would be there for supper, Nellie and Elizabeth begged me to stay overnight. They said they miss my tales by the fire every night before bedtime. I agreed, because I suspected you and Shadow would like some time alone, for I am certain you have much to discuss. I would not, however, be allowing this if you had not told me of the Indian’s deep respect for you.”
Rosalind walked Ben to the door. He stood in the doorway and looked past her at Shadow, who was busy stoking the fire. “You are certain you will be safe alone here tonight with him?” he whispered. “I shall stay without hesitation if you so desire.”
She smiled and gave her brother a quick embrace. “I shall be fine. Believe me, brother, unlike Nathaniel, Shadow can be trusted. Now, be on your way and I shall see you in the morning.”
“Take care,” Ben said. “Help yourself to anything you find in the kitchen if you get hungry.” He called a farewell to Shadow, then departed.
Rosalind closed the door behind him and latched it, then turned to look at Shadow. He had seated himself on a bench, his elbows casually resting on the table behind him, his dark eyes fixed on her.
“Hungry?” she asked, suddenly feeling awkwardly shy.
He nodded, his gaze unwavering.
“I shall see what’s in the kitchen and prepare something for us,” she said. She moved in that direction, but as she attempted to pass Shadow, he stood and blocked her. He slid his arms around her waist and pulled her against him.
“You asked me if I thought my family would accept you,” he said softly. “But now I must ask you…do you think your family will ever accept me?”
“Well, it seems as if Ben already has,” she said. “But my mother has her heart set on my marrying the rich son a magistrate…not some savage heathen!” She smiled at him.
“Ah, but I shall make you so much happier,” he said, smiling in return.
* * * * *
Both the physical and emotional strains of the day proved to be too much for Rosalind, and shortly after she and Shadow finished their supper of corn and boiled potatoes, she found herself struggling to stay awake.
“If you do not mind,” she reluctantly said, “I really must get some sleep. I fear I am still not back to my full strength as yet, and this day has been an especially draining one for me.” She silently cursed her body for not being healthier and stronger, for she wanted to spend as many hours with Shadow as possible. Too soon she would have to return to Nathaniel and carry out her plan. Although she knew it was something she must do, she could not bear the thought of being separated from Shadow ever again, not even for one night.
“By all means, get some rest,” Shadow said, leaning to kiss her forehead. Although it pained him, he added, “I shall sleep down here. Do not hesitate to call out if you need anything.”
The moment Rosalind climbed into the cozy bed in the upstairs bedchamber and laid her cheek against the pillow, she fell into an exhausted sleep.
It was well past midnight when she awoke suddenly. The moonlight through the window bathed the chamber in a soft light, casting shadows on the walls. Briefly, Rosalind forgot she was in her brother’s house and not in her chamber at the Corwins’.
After blinking several times to clear the sleep from her eyes, she spotted him sitting on a stool in the corner of the room, his arms folded as he casually leaned back against the wall.
“Shadow?” she whispered.
“Did I wake you?” he asked, quickly moving to stand near the bed. “Forgive me, I did not mean to.”
“Nay, I awoke on my own.” She was acutely aware that he had removed all of his Indian garments and was wearing what appeared to be a pair of her brother’s tight knee-length breeches…nothing more.
“Is something amiss?” Rosalind asked. She struggled to sit up.
“I could not sleep,” Shadow said, taking the liberty of sitting on the edge of the bed. His eyes caressed her face. “Nor could I bear to be separated from you. We already have spent far too much time apart.”
Rosalind remained silent, her eyes locking with his.
“I have been sitting here for nearly an hour watching you sleep,” he confessed. “I had intended to stay only but a minute, but you looked so peaceful…so beautiful…lying there, I could not tear my eyes away.”
Rosalind flushed at the compliment and silently prayed she had not snored or mumbled something foolish in her sleep. She lowered her gaze to Shadow’s chest, her eyes feasting on the smooth, muscular expanse of it. Desire swept through her like a raging fire, a reaction that caught her totally by surprise. Her eyes burned a trail upward, along Shadow’s
powerful arms to his broad shoulders. She sucked in her breath. Dear Lord, he is magnificent!
Shadow slid closer to her. He reached out and lifted her chin so he could read her face. Rosalind saw the undisguised desire in his expression and felt certain her own thoughts were as clear as if she had written them in enormous letters on the chamber wall. She and Shadow stared silently at each other, neither one moving, neither one wishing to break the spell with words. Shadow’s eyes contained a question Rosalind knew only she could answer. If she told him to leave the chamber and go back downstairs, she held no doubt that he would…and that would be that. But heaven help her, she did not want him to leave. Frantically, she wrestled with her conscience. No matter how desperately she craved Shadow’s touch, she could not ignore the fact that it was a sin for a man and woman to be intimate prior to marriage. Nevertheless, painful experience also had taught her that each of life’s precious moments should be lived to the fullest. Neither the past nor the future mattered to her…only the present. And at present, she wanted Shadow to make a woman of her…sin or no sin.
Sliding back down until she was lying on her back, Rosalind extended her arms to Shadow in a silent invitation.
Shadow needed no further encouragement. He lowered his body onto hers, his mouth capturing hers in a kiss so passionate, Rosalind felt the heat of it all the way to the soles of her feet. No longer did it concern her that she and Shadow were not husband and wife, nor that she was going against everything her parents and her religion had taught her. She could concentrate on only the feel of his solid, lean body pressed against her soft curves, and the heat of his lips and mouth as he kissed her over and over again.
Casting all of her inhibitions aside, Rosalind clung to Shadow and returned his kisses, parting her lips to welcome his searching tongue. A burning, driving need began to consume her, blotting out all remaining shreds of moral conscience – blotting out all but her fierce desire to ultimately become one with him.
Too Far to Whisper Page 27
