Free Merline Lovelace by A Savage Beauty

hunt.”
    Protect them? Louise knew better. The whey-facedone spoke a great lie. If he were truthful, he would tell Big Track of this absurd plan to move the Cherokee and Choctaw into Osage Country.
    “My father is also very interested in expanding trade with you and your people,” the officer continued. “This area is rich in furs.”
    “Very rich.” The chief’s gaze was thoughtful as it rested on his visitor. “I, too, wish to see trade increase between your people and mine. I will give you a place between the rivers for a trading post.”
    Surprised, Wilkinson blinked his owl’s eyes. “I, uh, thank you, but we don’t have any immediate plans to—”
    “Lieutenant.” Daniel leaned forward, his words quiet and urgent. “Accept the offer. What better spot for a fort than where three major rivers converge?”
    “My father gave me no instructions regarding a fort.”
    “Think, man! We might well need a contingent of troops in the area if we want to keep the Spanish out and control the trade on these rivers.”
    And control the Osage, Louise thought, if their Great Father proceeded with his plan.
    The urge to warn her uncle that he had invited a pack of hungry wolves into his lodge battled with her bone-deep reluctance to call attention to herself. If she spoke up, if she predicted another disaster for her people, she would be blamed for it as she’d been blamed for the scarcity of game and the boy-child born with no arms.
    Biting her lip until she tasted blood, Louise satalone in her dark corner all through the feast that followed. Her pride kept her head high, but she wanted nothing so much as to see the end of this night and the resumption of her journey with Daniel.
    Her glance lingered on his broad back and wide shoulders. He didn’t want her as a man wants a woman. He’d made that clear enough. Yet he continued to honor his vow to Henri by throwing the shield of his authority over her. He would pay for that, Louise knew with a sick feeling in her stomach, as soon as the feast was finished and her uncle turned his attention to his niece.
    She knew the moment had arrived when Big Track hooked a finger and beckoned her forward. Throat dry, Louise rose and wove her way through the cross-legged warriors.
    “You say Chartier is dead.”
    “Yes, Uncle.”
    “Who among these men claims you?”
    “None of them claims me.”
    “What? None of them has offered you his protection?”
    “Yes, the tall one, with the hair the color of tobacco. He made a promise to Henri.”
    Frowning, the chief eyed Daniel’s ragged buckskins and boots held together with strips of rawhide.
    “Tell him he has taken a woman of my house. He must pay a bride price.”
    “He doesn’t want me for a wife, Uncle.”
    “Does he share your blanket?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “Then he must pay. Tell him,” he ordered sternly.
    Helplessly, Louise turned to Daniel. “He asks if we share a blanket. I tell him yes, but that you do not take me to wife. It makes no difference. He says you will pay a bride price.”
    “The hell I will.”
    She was too proud to beg, but she couldn’t keep a hint of desperation from seeping into her voice. “If I am to go with you to Arkansaw Post, this must be done.”
    “Louise, I couldn’t buy you if I wanted to. I don’t have two lead pennies to rub together. I won’t until I return to St. Louis and draw my pay.”
    The one called Huddleston leaned forward, his eyes gleaming. “I’ve got a silver dollar tucked in my haversack. Tell the chief I’ll buy her.”
    “No!”
    This was what she had feared, what she had dreaded. Her uncle would give her to one who stunk like a dead fish to be rid of her, just as he’d given her to Henri. Trying to keep the desperation from her face, she turned to the sergeant.
    “Daniel—”
    He blew out a long breath and reached for his rucksack. His face set into grim lines as he pulled out a small package wrapped in oilskin. Carefully, he peeled back the folds.