breeds around San Antonio. White folks usually shun the women, which I think is an abomination, since it wasnât their fault they got captured and pregnant and maimed.â
Lisetteâs chin trembled. Again, Gil leaned against Willensstarkâs scrawny, pack-laden back, else he would have drawn his frightened quarry into his arms to assure her that no harm would befall her . . . as long as he drew a breath.
âYou ever seen a woman after Comanches are done with her?â
Shaking like a leaf, she murmured raggedly, âJa, meine Schwester .â
A multitude of emotions skipped over her face, indecision and consternation and agony among them. It was then that she buried her face in her hands and sobbed. He didnât know what sheâd answered, but whatever it was, it was bad.
He took her into his arms, pressing her face to his chest and whispering, âShhh, itâll be okay, honey. I promise.â
She cried against his shirt, wetting it, and his fingers held her there. Her arms locked around his back, holding on as if he were a lifeline.
What had she said a moment ago? He asked her to speak slowly, and she did.
âMy sister Olga was captured by the Comanches. We found her . . . dead at the foot of Cross Mountain. She was only twelve years old.â
âDamn.â
He groaned, feeling awful. Matthias had told him Lisette had lost a sister, but heâd figured the girl had died of natural causes, just as the mother had during the trip from Germany. What else had the strawboss neglected to tell him?
âLisette, forgive me for scaring you.â
Her reddened eyes lifted. âI am so frightened of being abandoned.â
âIâll take care of you. If anyone leaves, itâll have to be you, because Iâll never leave you.â
âYou mean that? You wonât make me go away?â
âI stand by my word.â
âOh, Mister McLoughlin, you are such a good man.â
âKeep spoiling me with your praise.â I love it.
A tentative smile softened her ravaged face, and the devil within him lowered his mouth to hers. He tasted her salty lips; his arms wrapped around her. With a sigh, she opened to him, her hands climbing to his shoulders, and he took more than he ought to, considering she was overset with fear.
Yet as the moments wore on, she continued responding to his kisses, to his caresses, to his gently spoken endearments.
Their first kiss had been great; these were even greater. She was more than heâd ever expected, was warm and responsive, all innocence and awakening passion.
If he didnât stop kissing and cuddling her, he might get carried away. He wanted a virgin bride, not a virgin lover. For once, marriage would start on the right foot.
Through wedlock, he would cultivate her feelings and they would celebrate the act of love.
Pulling away, his heart slamming against his breastbone, his blood having centered in his groin, Gil cut around to the far side of Willensstark. He exhaled heavily. Behave, Old Son.
âWeâd better talk,â he said. âWhen weâre married, youâll get my protection and the freedom to do as you please, as long as you go along with the pretense of being a loving and devoted wife. We mustnât bring suspicion on ourselves and let the men think itâs only a sham.â
âThat would be wise.â
âYouâll decide whether we keep it as a marriage in name only, or make it a real one. Youâll have the option of getting on that train for Chicago . . . or returning to the Four Aces with me.â He leaned across the mule to touch Lisetteâs cheek. âI do, however, reserve the right to change your mind about the convenience part of the marriage.â
Her eyes closed. âIâI canât marry you. Iâm not aââ
Here we go again. âShhh. Donât say anything but yes.â
âYou donât understand,â she murmured. âThere