Free Teton Splendor by Peggy L Henderson Page B

prove him wrong.
    Her father cast a quick glance at Joseph, his eyes wide. “You can’t seriously think to take my daughter into the wilderness without a proper escort.”
    Joseph gripped his coffee cup and held it to his lips. When he set the cup on the table, his stare was unwavering. “Do you doubt that I’ll get her safely to where we’re going?”
    Sophia’s eyes volleyed between Joseph and her father. Her hand trembled when she sipped at her tea. It hadn’t occurred to her that she’d be alone on this journey with this man who was nothing but a stranger.
    “I knew your father, and if you’re anything like him, which I have no reservation that you are, you won’t let any harm come to her. Sophia is a grown woman and has a right to make her own choices, but it’s not proper for a young lady to be traveling alone with a man. Surely you can understand that.”
    “Lucy will go with me. She can be my chaperone,” Sophia blurted her sudden idea. Her eyes darted from her father to Joseph.
    The audible groan and stunned look of disbelief from the man sitting across from her almost made her laugh out loud.
    ****
     
    “I can’t believe I agreed to such an absolutely foolish undertaking, Miss Sophia. Your father must be out of his mind to allow you to go with that man. Why, he’s almost a savage himself.”
    Lucy ushered two young maids out the door as she spoke. Their job in helping with the packing was obviously done. She tangled with an elaborately embroidered petticoat, and finally managed to wrestle the garment into the already overstuffed trunk filled with a dozen chemises, corsets, petticoats, and at least three crinolines. She slammed the lid shut as if she expected the garments to make a hasty dash for freedom.
     Sophia cringed slightly when Lucy referred to Indians as savages. Dismissing her nagging thought that her maid might think of her in the same way, she said, “My father fully approves of Mr. Walker, Lucy. He would never allow us to go with someone who wasn’t completely trustworthy.”
    Lucy snorted loudly. Ignoring her maid’s response, Sophia eyed the three wooden trunks that lined her bedroom floor. Several hat boxes were stacked between the larger luggage. It looked as if Lucy had packed her entire wardrobe. There would probably be no need for silk ballgowns where she was going.
    “Are you sure I’ll need all this?” Sophia pointed at the luggage.
    Lucy’s lips tightened in a firm line, and her hands shot to her hips. “You’re a lady, Miss Sophia. A lady needs to be prepared.” Her eyes filled with concern.
    “Why you would want to leave Boston and head into uncharted wilderness is beyond my comprehension,” she huffed. She secured the latch on the trunk and swiped a hand across her damp forehead. “There are nothing but bloodthirsty Indians and murdering scoundrels the further west one travels.”
    “I’ve read in the newspapers that a lot of people are moving west. California and Oregon seem to be where everyone is heading.”
    Lucy scoffed. “Like I said, nothing but scoundrels. Certainly not a place for a lady.”
    Sophia laughed. “I don’t think we’ll be going all the way to the Pacific Ocean, Lucy. My father tells me that the Teton Mountains are nowhere near the other side of the continent.”
    “We’ll be in the middle of nowhere,” Lucy whined. “I’m not suited for a life without modern comforts and conveniences, and neither are you.”
    A heavy sigh escaped Sophia’s mouth. Hadn’t Joseph told her the same thing, that she couldn’t handle the journey? Well, she just had to prove them both wrong. With an Indian mother, and an experienced mountain man for a father, it was in her blood. How hard could it be? So she’d have to suffer a few inconveniences along the way. Nothing she couldn’t handle.
    “Well I will leave the decision up to you whether you want to accompany me,” Sophia said, and slipped her hand into a white glove. “You can unpack your