Free Wild legacy by Copyright Paperback Collection (Library of Congress) DLC, Phoebe Conn Page B

discouraged her interest, but could that be where she and Dominique have gone?"
    Arielle's eyes widened in fright. "Oh, no, they wouldn't have tried to reach South Carolina on their own, would they?"
    "Perhaps they mean to overtake Falcon," Hunter suggested. "Do not worry, I will stop them before they have gone far. I should have known Dominique did not really want to fish."
    Arielle clung to her husband. "But that means they lied to us, and they've never done that. Can't you go after them tonight? What if they haven't gone after Falcon? What if they've been kidnapped?"
    Hunter cocked his head, throwing the question to Byron, who did not want to believe the Loyalists in Virginia could be so mean. Then again, there might be other men, deserters

    from either side who would kidnap his pretty daughters simply for sport and use them very badly.
    "We can't wait for first light," he announced suddenly. "I tracked them a long way up the river. I thought they were just wandering, but they must have been making for the ferry. We can ride a long way tonight, cross the river as soon as the ferry begins to operate, and overtake them by noon. Grab whatever you must, Hunter, and let's go."
    Alanna came forward to encircle Arielle's waist as the men left without telling them good-bye. "Come, let's have some supper and decide upon an appropriate punishment when the girls come home tomorrow."
    Arielle pulled away. "I can't eat," she sobbed. "I just can't believe they would lie to us and take such an awful risk. How could they even dream they could make it to South Carolina unharmed? How could they have even considered making such a long and dangerous trip?"
    Alanna followed Arielle into the parlor and encouraged her to at least have a cup of her own soothing herbal tea, but in her heart she knew once Belle had fallen in love with an Indian brave, no risk was too extreme.

    "I'm so tired I couldn't even braid my hair, let alone grass," Dominique replied. She knelt to scoop up a handful of water. "I can't remember ever feeling so dirty. We wanted the mares covered in a layer of dust, but not us. Do you think it's safe to bathe here?"
    There was perhaps an hour of daylight left, and Belle surveyed the land surrounding their campsite with a weary gaze. Dotted with oak, birch, and pine, it offered a tranquil sense of security, but she was still on her guard. "We haven't seen anyone for hours, but it might be a good idea to wait until after dark to bathe. I'll build a fire as soon as we gather firewood, but I don't have the energy left to cook."
    "Neither do I," Dominique agreed. "Cold ham and bread will be fine." She left her mare grazing near the stream and walked back to where they had unloaded their belongings. Not caring if she got grass stains on her aunt's gown, she lay down on her back, flung her arms wide, and stared up at the canopy of leaves overhead.
    "Do you think Falcon could have come this far yesterday?"
    Belle stretched out beside Dominique. "No. He left in the afternoon, so he must have stopped long before this." She closed her eyes and moaned softly. "I knew traveling this far on horseback was going to be difficult, but I never dreamed it would be exhausting. I'll get up in a minute to see about the fire."
    "Yes, do," Dominique murmured sleepily.
    Belle closed her eyes for what she believed would be just a moment, but she dozed off, and when she awoke, dawn had already spilled over the forest floor and turned the night air into a pale golden haze. Terrified they would be caught and herded back home like stray sheep, she sat up, pulled her wrinkled cap into place, and leaned over to shake Dominique awake.
    "We've overslept," she cried. "Wake up. It's time to go.'

    Dominique lay curled on her side. She needed a moment to recall why she was sleeping on damp grass, then pushed herself up into a sitting position. "What happened last night?" she asked through a lazy yawn. "I don't remember a thing."
    Stiff after sleeping on the ground,