Frontier Bride (Harlequin Historical)

by Ana Seymour

  “It has to be your decision,” he said. “But it’s the British army that’s responsible for the safety of the settlers arriving here. So I think you’d better listen to what Colonel Bouquet has to say.”

  “Are you telling us that we’ve come all this way and now we have to turn back?” Randolph asked, smacking his hand down on the table.

  “I’m sure as hell not going back,” Hugh Trask said.

  Colonel Bouquet picked a map off the table. “I’m not forbidding you to go on with your plans. I’m just recommending that you don’t go too many days away from the fort. There are plenty of good sites for settlement without leaving British protection.”

  “What do you think about that, Captain Reed?” Seth asked. “You know the area.”

  Ethan walked around the table to stand next to the colonel. He avoided looking down the table to where Hannah sat next to Webster. He had not spoken with her in the two days since they had come back from the hunt with Hannah’s deer.

  “As a matter of fact,” he said, “I know just the place. It’s not more than a week’s travel downriver.”

  “What do you have in mind, Reed?” Colonel Bouquet asked.

  Ethan took the map from him and spread it out on the table. His finger stabbed into the map. “It’s right here—prettiest darn spot in the territory. It’s called Destiny River.”

  Chapter Nine

  The three Philadelphia families had contracted for two flatboats that would carry them and as many belongings as they could fit down the broad Ohio to the point where it was joined by the tiny Destiny River. Ethan had assured them that it was one of the most beautiful areas he had explored. The Destiny was the perfect size to provide them with water and transport without exposing them to hostile parties that might be traveling up and down the Ohio.

  “Does this mean we won’t meet any Indians after all?” Jacob asked two evenings before their departure as he sat with the three girls and Ethan in the officers’ dining room.

  Ethan had made the boy a present of the fowling piece he had lent him the day they all went hunting, and he had been showing him how to clean it and take care of it. “We’re going to hope we don’t meet any, Jacob,” he said.

  “But I wanted to see what they were like,” Jacob said glumly.

  Ethan put the gun to one side and put an arm around the boy. “Some of the Indians around here aren’t too friendly right now. They think the English people are coming to take over lands that belong to them.”

  “Do they hate us?” Though Jacob was asking the questions, Ethan could see that Peggy and the Trask girls were listening intently.

  “Some of them hate us. Not most. But if one of their chiefs says they should fight the English, then they likely are going to do what he says. Just like you’d fight if your pa told you to.”

  “Or Hannah,” Jacob added solemnly.

  “Or Hannah.” Ethan nodded. The children obviously had taken to Hannah as a replacement for their mother. Webster was lucky he’d had someone at hand who could step into his wife’s place so competently. He wondered briefly how long it would be before Hannah would be taking Priscilla Webster’s place in every respect. He hoped it wouldn’t be until after he had settled these people down on the Destiny and was himself leagues away.

  Jacob reached for his gun. “I’ll put this away now. Do you want me to put away the Sure Shot?”

  “No. I’ll take care of it. A good woodsman always looks after his own weapon.”

  Jacob started out of the room but turned back. “Captain Reed?”

  “Yes, son.”

  “I still wish I could see some Indians.”

  Ethan smiled at his youthful persistence. “You will someday, Jacob. One of these days we’re all going to have to learn to live in peace in this territory.”

  “Maybe then some of them will even be our friends.”

  “I wouldn’t be surprised.”

  The hinges on the log door squeaked and Randolph walked into the room. “It’s time for you children to be in bed. We have a busy day for everyone tomorrow, and then the commandant’s party tomorrow night before we leave.”

  Jacob handed Ethan the rag they’d been using to polish his gun and turned obediently toward the door. “Look at it, Papa. The barrel’s gleaming.” He held the fowling piece out for his father’s inspection.

  Randolph smiled at his son absently. “Off to bed with you, now. You too, girls.”

  Both men were silent as the children reluctantly got to their feet and headed outside. “It was kind of you to give the boy the gun,” Randolph said stiffly after the door had banged shut behind them. He was trying to tamp down the unreasonable annoyance he felt when he saw Ethan Reed teaching his son about the frontier.

  Ethan stood and answered, “My pleasure. He’s a fine boy, eager to learn. He’ll do well in the wilderness.”

  Unlike his father, Randolph thought with some resentment. He faced Reed directly. The two men were of similar heights, but the captain’s body was much more filled out, stronger. Randolph stayed with the subject of his son. “He’s a bit overeager at times, I’m afraid. You’ve been very patient with him.”

  Ethan made a move to leave. “Both your children are fine young people, Webster. You’re lucky to have them. And I think you and…Mistress Forrester will make a splendid pioneer family.”

  “Thank you.” Randolph was not about to confirm or deny his plans as far as Hannah was concerned to Reed. It was none of the man’s affair. He’d seen the way Reed looked at her, and he was not entirely sure that Hannah did not return the interest. After all, Reed was an adventurer, an exciting kind of character. And a ladies’ man to boot, with those spellbinding dark eyes. He would be relieved when Ethan Reed’s job with them was finished and he had ridden off over the horizon, the way men of his type always did.

  As much as she was looking forward to reaching their destination, Hannah was feeling sad to leave the fort. For the first time in her life she had been able to enjoy herself with a group of young people. The fact that they were mostly men—men who put her at the center of attention—amazed and delighted her. Not even her disturbed feelings about Ethan Reed could dampen her enjoyment. When they left tomorrow, it would be months before she would see anyone outside of the small circle that would make up the Destiny River settlement. She was lucky to have such a good friend in Eliza. And now it appeared that she and Nancy Trask, too, would be able to form a bond. As to her relationship with Randolph…well, it would be easier to have a clear head about Randolph once Ethan Reed was gone from their lives. And that couldn’t happen too soon for Hannah.

  Peggy and Janie were also showing reluctance to leave the fort. Both girls hovered on the edge of that leap that would take them into womanhood. Much to their giggling delight, the soldiers had teased them and flirted with them outrageously, though none had crossed the boundaries of propriety. Bridgett, who at nine was still firmly locked into childhood, had been embarrassed by the attention and had been spending more time with Jacob.

  Most of the new friends they had made were present at the farewell dinner that Colonel Bouquet was giving for them at the officers’ dining room. Major Edgemont, whose courting of Hannah had become more and more audacious, had been at her side all evening, tolerated by Randolph only because he knew they would be leaving the fort behind in the morning.

  Hannah shrugged off the boisterous major’s more suggestive remarks and dedicated herself to enjoying her last evening in this congenial company. It annoyed her that she found herself cranking her head every now and then in search of Ethan. It seemed unusual that he would not be present for their farewell dinner. She had also noticed that Polly McCoy was not in attendance. But Ethan had told her that he and Polly were no more than friends.

  “I’ve been up the Destiny,” a portly British major named Blanchard was telling them. “It rolls out of the prettiest little valley you’d ever want to see. Puts me in mind of the lake country back home.”

  The children had
gotten tired of the adult conver-sation and were over at the fire roasting ears of corn. Randolph and Seth Baker were trying to get every piece of information they could about the place they would be settling, while Nancy, Eliza and Hannah listened mostly in silence. Hugh Trask was also missing from the gathering. He probably wanted to take advantage of the fort’s stores of liquor on his last night, Hannah thought, giving Nancy a sympathetic look.

  Nancy was looking healthier after a few days’ rest at the fort, but it seemed that every day she got bigger under the shawl she wore constantly to cover herself. Eliza had discussed the upcoming birth with the fort’s doctor, trying to learn as much as she could. He had given her a tincture to put on the baby’s stomach when it was born and a willow bark tea to ease the mother. Hannah had trouble believing that the event would really happen and that she and Eliza would be solely responsible for the well-being of their friend and her baby.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by the mention of Ethan’s name.

  “Reed said he’d be here…” Colonel Bouquet was saying.

  “He must have changed his mind,” Major Edgemont interrupted. “We saw him heading toward Polly’s, and he hollered at us that he wouldn’t be able to make the dinner.”

  Bouquet gave a suggestive laugh. “I guess we all know what that sailor’s looking for his last night in port, so to speak. Begging the ladies’ pardon,” he said belatedly, nodding to the bench where Hannah sat. with Eliza and Nancy.

  Hannah saw Randolph studying her intently. She was sure her face showed no emotion, but inside she felt a wave of hurt and anger. While it was true that Ethan’s affairs should have nothing to do with her, she couldn’t help a feeling of betrayal. He had lied to her about Polly. Her mother had always told her that men would tell any kind of lies to get their way with a woman, but this was the first time she had experienced it. All her life she had fought to maintain her optimism and trust in people in the wake of her mother’s bitterness, but as she remembered Ethan’s words out in the woods, she had to wonder if her mother’s assessment of the world had been more correct than Hannah had ever wanted to believe.

  As the other men tossed out a few more ribald comments about Ethan and Mrs. McCoy, Major Edgemont approached Hannah. “Would you do me the honor of walking with me, Mistress Forrester?” he said with a bow. “We can exchange this smoky room and unpleasant conver-sation for a little bit of cool night air.”

  Edgemont was a handsome man and obviously was aware of the fact. He exuded confidence, and his smile said that any request he made was bound to be granted. Hannah had found his longish blond hair and merry blue eyes attractive, but as she looked at him now, she saw only another man trying to deceive her with sweet words for his own devices.

  “No thank you, Major. I’d like to stay here with everyone else for our last evening together.”

  Edgemont was surprised but undaunted at her refusal. “Perhaps we’ll not let you go in the morning, mistress. The fort has been a fairer place since you arrived. Since all you ladies arrived,” he amended, including Nancy and Eliza with a nod.

  “If I were a single woman again, I’d be swept off my feet by that one,” Nancy said with a little sigh as the major sauntered away. “But it’s you he’s had his eye on, Hannah, ever since we came here.”

  “I can guess just exactly what Major Edgemont wants,” Hannah snapped. “All these other soldiers, too.”

  Eliza looked at her friend in surprise. “Why, Hannah. What bee has gotten into your bonnet? These men have been perfect gentlemen.”

  Hannah looked down at the floor. She had never told Eliza about her less-than-gentlemanly episodes with Ethan Reed. She’d told no one, nor did she intend to. “I suppose I’m jumpy tonight, thinking about leaving tomorrow.” She turned to Nancy. “I’m sorry if I spoke sharply.”

  Nancy reached out and took her hand. “We’re all jumpy, Hannah. Don’t worry about it. I’m just happy that when we do head out into the wilderness, I’ll be with two such good friends.”

  Hannah gave her hand a squeeze in return. Then Eliza reached around her and placed her hand on top of the two of theirs. “We’ll take care of each other,” she said. “Thank the Lord for friendship.”

  With some discouragement Ethan opened the second bottle he had brought with him to the gathering at Polly’s to try to loosen tongues. Tonight was his last chance to find out what Silas Warren was involved in and who was helping him. Ethan had not wanted to miss the farewell dinner for his group, but it was more important to get the information he needed. Unfortunately, the first bottle had been passed around and finished off in short measure without anyone getting overly loquacious.

  He decided on a more direct approach. “I guess the army would be pretty interested to know what Silas Warren is up to these days,” he said loudly.

  A sergeant major whom Ethan knew casually gave a snort of disgust. “Whatever that vermin’s up to, you can bet it’s no good.”

  “I heard he’s been making some heavy purchases of guns,” Ethan said, watching the faces of the men in the circle. There was no reaction from most of them, but a young private who was close to being cashiered for falling asleep one too many times at his post looked guiltily in another direction.

  “He could make a fortune right now,” the sergeant major observed, “as badly as the Indians want guns these days. Of course, he could well lose his no-good scalp in the bargain.”

  “If he’s selling guns to the tribes, I reckon the army might be willing to pay for information that might help stop him,” Ethan said loudly.

  None of the men spoke, but the nervous private cast a furtive glance in the direction of the blockhouse. Ethan waited for a minute, then stood. “I’m taking my party south tomorrow, and I sure as hell would like to know if someone’s going to be out there arming the tribes right where we’re heading. If any of you men know something, I’d appreciate it if you’d see me privately. I’ll make sure you’re rewarded.”

  He gave a last glance around the circle, then headed in the direction of the blockhouse. He had developed keen instincts during his years with the Rangers. He couldn’t be sure that the private knew anything, but something told him that it might be worth checking out. Sure enough, as he reached the distinctive square redoubt, he heard Silas Warren’s voice. Quietly he walked toward the wall of the building and sidled along it until he was near the door.

  “I’ll let you know when it’s time,” he heard Warren say. “Just be ready.”

  The reply was muffled. Ethan realized the men were at the end of their conver-sation and could get away before he could find out the identity of Warren’s partner. He stepped into the doorway in plain view and said, “Evening, gentlemen.”

  Warren spun around toward him, but the other man sank quickly back into the shadows and darted out the door on the other side of the building. Ethan took off after him, but when he reached the door, the man had disappeared into the darkness. Frustrated, Ethan turned back to Warren. “Your friend’s not very so-ciable.”

  Warren grunted. “Ain’t no law that says a person’s got to be so-ciable.”

  The interior of the blockhouse was almost black. Ethan walked toward Warren and loomed over him menacingly. “No, but there is a law against selling guns to Indians. Spirits, too. You do know about that law, don’t you, Silas?”

  Warren stood his ground. “What’s it to you, Reed? You’re not even in the damned army.”

  Ethan leaned close enough to see the glint of white from the man’s one good eye. “It’s not a matter of armies anymore, Silas. There are women and children heading out to settle these parts nowadays. And if the Indians come after them with British guns, it’s scum like you who will be responsible for their deaths.”

  “You ain’t got no proof against me, Reed. So go on and leave me alone.”

  Ethan took a step back and forced his voice to sound calm. “I don’t need proof, Silas. If I hear that one of the tribes has gotten a new shipment of guns, I’m coming after you.
And when I’m finished with you, you’ll be sorry the Indians didn’t kill you first.”

  They had divided the supplies and the animals evenly between the two flatboats. Hannah was relieved to discover that Ethan and the four Trasks would ride on one, while she would be on the other with the Bakers and the Websters. Each family had been allowed to keep two horses or mules, which, with Ethan’s horse, put three animals on one boat and four on the other. In addition, a double pen had been built on the Trasks’ boat to house five squealing piglets and a dozen chickens.

  Nancy Trask had wanted to bring along a cow, in case her milk was not enough for the baby, but there were none available for purchase at the fort. Anyway, Hannah thought as she viewed the impossibly full deck, she didn’t see how a cow could have been squeezed onto either of these boats. There was barely room for the people who would have to make the vessels their home for the next few days.

  In the center of each boat was a small cabin to provide shelter in case of bad weather. At the front and back were two long, attached oars that the boatmen at the Fort Pitt landing called sweeps. The vessels looked ungainly and inefficient next to the sleek bateaux of the fort traders, but they held an amazing amount of supplies. Hugh Trask in particular had piled dozens of crates and bundles on his boat, saying that he needed more supplies with a new baby on the way. Perhaps, in spite of how he had acted at the Hudson’s Bay post the other day, he was finally becoming more responsible about equipping his family.

  Hannah watched from on board as the men made the preparations to cast off. The farewells had mostly been said last night, though Major Edgemont had come down to the docks this morning to say goodbye to Hannah and present her with a little bouquet of spring wildflowers. They lay wilting and forgotten in her lap as she sat perched on a barrel of salt, one of the more precious of the supplies they carried. Without salt they’d have no way to cure meat for the winter.