Free Night Hawk'S Bride (Tyler) (Harlequin Historical Series, No 558) by Jillian Hart Page A

and wished just this once he would greet her with warmth and not reproach.
    Ned opened the door for her.
    â€œMajor,” Henry growled. “Would you be so kind as to inform Mrs. Olstad she may begin serving the meal? I need a moment alone with my daughter.”
    â€œCertainly, sir.” The major caught Marie’s gaze with a hopeful look, one that told her he was glad to be dining with them tonight. With her.
    Henry snuffed out his cigar on the banister rail while he waited for the door to close. He didn’t look at her, but she could feel his fury. “I did not give you permission to procure a horse on your own—”
    â€œI don’t need your permission, Papa—”
    â€œBut spending an afternoon alone with a man without a chaperon. I don’t know what’s become of you, Marie.” Henry’s disappointment showed in everydeep line on his proud face. “I expressly told you Sergeant James will escort you—”
    â€œI can take care of myself.”
    â€œI don’t want my only daughter wandering the dangerous wilderness alone without an escort. I want you to marry well and you can’t do that if your reputation is in tatters.”
    â€œBecause I want to ride a horse? There’s nothing wrong—”
    â€œBecause you spend time alone with a man. How many afternoons have you gone to him, Marie?”
    â€œBut you said Night Hawk—”
    â€œThink of what it looks like, what a false rumor could do to your reputation.” His commanding manner softened and he looked almost caring. “I could not bear it if you were wrongfully shamed, Marie.”
    If he’d been commanding, she would have argued with him. But seeing the rare and precious concern in his eyes—a father’s concern—she felt the fight ebb out of her.
    â€œI’m doing nothing wrong, Papa.” She laid her hand over his. “Not one thing.”
    â€œYou are a good girl, I know that. But other people—”
    â€œAre other people.” Marie couldn’t withdraw her hand and end this rare moment of contact.
    Maybe she was too soft, but she loved her father. She wanted his love in return. “Fine, I’ll tolerate this meddling you’re doing tonight—and only for tonight. But I’m never going to fall in love with Major Gerard.”
    â€œHow can you know a thing like that? He’s the right sort of man.”
    â€œIt’s something a woman knows deep in her heart. Now stop trying to matchmake and come inside. I don’t want to keep supper waiting another moment. Mrs. Olstad is angry enough with me already.”
    To Marie’s surprise, Henry almost smiled.

Chapter Six
    T he stars blazed in a velvet black sky so bright they hurt Night Hawk’s eyes. But on a night like this, serene and unsettled, the brilliant sky comforted him. It was the same firmament his ancestors had looked to since people had come to this place of wooded hills and sweet meadows. Tonight the bear burned brightly, and the warrior stood close guard to the horizon.
    Remembering the formations in the stars brought pain and gladness to Night Hawk’s heart. His father had taught him about the heavens when he was a boy. About the turning wheel of stars and moon that guided a warrior through the forest, told a hunter when the geese would migrate, when the bear would hibernate and when trout would brim the river.
    At a time like this when Night Hawk was troubled, he could sit on the rise that overlooked the woods and lake below, where the moon blazed a path of light across the dark waters. Memories ran like a river’s current, fast and breathless and too difficult to hold on to.
    Meka nudged Night Hawk’s hand for a pat, and he stroked the dog, burying his fingers in short thick fur.
    I wanted to kiss her. Night Hawk groaned with the memory of Marie’s mouth as soft looking as a wild rose petal. Blood thickened in his veins. A need for